Improvements in Boot or Shoe Lace Clasps.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Aug., 1897-Accepted, 18th Sept., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Boot or Shoe Lace Clasps.
I, OLAUS SEVERIN AUGENSEN of No. 1606 N. Troy Street, Chicago, Illinois,
U.S.A., Manufacturer, 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:-
The object of this invention is to provide a boot or shoe lace clasp of novel con-
struction adapted to contain the knot of the bow usually tied in shoe laces, and
hold the same against becoming undone.
In the accompanying drawing Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the upper part of
a lace up boot with a clasp of the invention applied to the knot of the bow of the
lace. Fig. 2 a side elevation of the clasp on an enlarged scale. Fig. 3 an under-
neath view of the same. Fig. 4 a section on line 3-3 of Fig. 3 and shewing the
position of the knot of the lace.
The clasp consists of an upper member 1 and a lower member 2 the two members
forming a turtle shape. The two members are pivotted together by a pin 7 at a
point 3 at the lower end of the reduced forward end 4 corresponding to the head
of the turtle. The lower member 2 is reduced at its forward end so as to fit within
the part 4 and is bent upwards and folded over above the pivot to form a spring
tongue 5, by means of which the two members are held in their relative positions. A
tongue 6 extends outwards from the point 3 and forms a finger piece which upon
being pressed towards the head 4 causes the clasp to open. As the spring tongue 5
limits the upward movement of the lower member it suffices that the pin 7 upon
which it is fulcrummed should be only partially surrounded by the reduced part of
the lower member below the spring tongue 5. A slight depression 8 in the head 4
affords a projection against which the spring tongue 5 abuts to hold the members
against each other. 9 are openings, one on each side of the member 1 through
which the loops and ends of the lace bow extend. The knot of the bow is con-
tained in the concavity of the member 1, and to permit the clasp to close when the
knot is larger than can be contained in the concavity, an opening 10 is provided
in member 2.
The clasp is applied by inserting the member 2 between the knot of the bow and
the boot or shoe, the member 1 taking over the knot. By pressing the member 1
towards the member 2 until the spring tongue 5 has passed the depression 8 the
clasp is closed over the knot and holds it against becoming undone.
To release the clasp, the reduced forward end part of the member 2 and the
head or part 4 of the member 1 are held between the thumb and index finger and
pressed together.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said In-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. A boot or shoe lace clasp comprising two members, a concave member 1 and
a member 2 pivotted thereto, openings in the sides of said member 1, and an open-
ing in the middle of the momban ?

page_text: 2. A boot or shoe lace clasp comprising a member 1 provided with a reduced
end part having a depression, a member 2 pivotted to said member 1, and a spring
tongue on said member 2 adapted to engage said depression in the member 1,
substantially as described and shewn.
3. A boot or shoe lace clasp comprising a concave member 1 provided with
openings at its sides and a reduced end part provided with a depression, a member 2
pivotted to the member 1 and provided with an opening in the middle and a spring
tongue on the member 2 adapted to engage said depression, substantially as
described and shewn.
Dated this 10th day of August. 1897
THOMAS R. SHILLITO,
89 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.