A New or Improved Device for Gripping the Bows of Boot and Shoe Laces.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Sept., 1894-Accepted, 27th Oct., 1894
עגענג UMI
A New or Improved Device for Gripping the Bows of Boot and
Shoe Laces.
We, JOSEPH DARTNALL of 5 Station Road, and HENRY DARTNALL of
232 Grange Road, both in Plaistow in the County of Essex, Cycle Manufacturers
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
An invention is designed and constructed to prevent the inconveniences hitherto
experienced by the wearers of lace up boots, shoes and slippers, arising from the
spontaneous displacement of the bow by which the final tieing of such laces is
usually effected, and consists of a metallic or other clip fastened by a spring or
other catch, in such a manner as to enclose and grip the said bow, and effectually
prevent the possibility of this becoming loose or untied during wear.
In order that our invention, and the manner of employing the same may be
clearly understood, we have hereunto appended a sheet of drawings, in which
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of our invention substantially as we prefer to
construct it,
Figs. 2, 3, and 4 are views illustrating the manner of employing the same, as
hereinafter explained.
Figs. 5 and 6 are views illustrating one of many alternative designs in which our
invention may be constructed.
Substantially, we carry our invention into effect by constructing of any material
suitable for the purpose, and of any size, shape or configuration, a plate A, the
inner surface of which is concave or dished, and has rivetted or otherwise attached
thereto, at or about its centre, a concave or crescented plate B, the convex surface
of which is next the concave or dished surface of A, and has upon its outstanding
edges any number of serrated or saw like teeth C. To the edge of A, and in line
with the centre of the crescented plate B, is hinged or otherwise pivotally connected
a spring catch D, made of any suitable material, but preferably, tempered steel,
and so constructed, that when folded over B, as shewn by the dotted outline
thereof in Fig. 1, its curled end E, springs upon and engages with the opposite
edge of A.
As boots, shoes and slippers like other articles of dress have their seasons of
fashion, in which they may vary in shape, design and color, we may find it convenient
or desirable that the said device forming the subject of our invention may vary in
shape, configuration, design or color to harmonize with the boot, shoe or slipper
upon which it is to be worn, therefore we reserve to ourselve the right to construct
the said device of any shape or configuration suitable for the employment of the
principle involved, and may emboss, print or otherwise decorate the outer surface
of A, that is to say, the surface seen when worn as bereinafter explained, in any
manner desired, and of any color or combination of colors fancy or fashion may
suggest, and in view of these provisions we may find it convenient to construct the
plate A of metal only, precious or otherwise, and if the latter this may be electro
plated or gilded, or coated externally with imitation jet or amber, or the plate A
may be of vulcanite, ivory, bone, celluloid or other material capable of being
moulded, carved or otherwise manipulated in pursuit of decorative art, and of any
color, and merely as an illustration of how the shape of the said plate A may vary
in shape or design, we have shown this in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 in the shape of a heart,
while in Figs. 5 and 6 it is shaped to imitate a buckle, but whatever shape or
configuration this may partake of, the manner of using the same is as follows.

page_text: At the last moment previous to making the first tie of the bow, the lace F would
be caused to embrace the catch D as shewn at Fig. 2, with the plate A resting
upon the already laced portion G.of the boot, shoe or slipper, with the toothed
plate B uppermost, when the bow would be made and completed as shewn at Fig. 3,
and the plate A turned up upon D as shewn at Fig. 4, in which position it would
be retained by the curl E of D engaging therewith as shewn in the same figure,
and this pressing A towards D would cause the serrations or teeth of B, to bite the
bow of the lace, and effectually prevent this from becoming loose until the catch E
was again raised and the plate A removed.
When the plate A is constructed to imitate a buckle as at Fig. 5, the tongue
bar H thereof being a fixture would receive and hold the crescented toothed
plate B as shewn, which would be hidden thereby when A was folded up as at
Fig. 6, and operating in the same manner as described when referring to Fig. 4.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is.
In an improved device for gripping the bows of boot and shoes laces, the com-
bination of a plate A. made of any material or combination of materials, and in
any suitable shape or configuration, and of any color or combination of colors, and
presenting any design upon its outer surface and bowed or concave upon its inner
surface, to the latter of which is attached a crescented plate B, with serrations,
teeth or their equivalents C, with a spring catch D, E, hinged or otherwise
pivotally connected to A, the whole connected and operating substantially as and
for the purposes herein described and shewn by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 22nd day of Sentember 1894.
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
1, Broad Street Buildings, Liverpool Street, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicants.