IMPROVEMENTS IN SOLITAIRES AND STUDS, AND OTHER SIMILAR DRESS FASTENINGS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Emma Elizabith Ashing, of Camden Town, in the
County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SOLITAIRES
AND STUDS, AND OTHER SIMILAR DRESS FASTENINGS."
Sealed the 27th February 1877, and dated the 5th September 1870.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Emma Elizabeth Ashing
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th September 1876.
EMMA ELIZABITH ASHING, of Camden Town, in the County of Middlesex. "I-
PROVEMENTS IN SOLITAIRES AND STUDS, AND OTHER SIMILAR DRESS FASTENINGS."
My improvements in solitaires and studs, and other similar dress fastenings, are
as follows:-
I make the stem or shank of a slender circular form, similar to that of a necklace
snap. Such stem or shank is formed hollow, and has a circular hole in the top,
around which a narrow rim or flange is formed, and at the other end I fasten in any
suitable manner a bottom plate smaller in size than those in ordinary use.
To the head of the solitaire, stud, or other dress fastening I attach, by means of
two metal plates soldered or otherwise secured to its under side, a small wire double
spring, on each side whereof towards the top a small notch or indentation is formed,
which notch, when the head of the solitaire or stud is pressed down into the hollow
of the shank, catches into and securely fastens itself under the rim or flange before
mentioned.
The two ends of such double spring are elongated to a sufficient length to project
slightly on either side beyond the head of the stud, solitaire, or other dress fastening
so as to permit of their being pressed together by the finger and thumb when it is
desired to unfasten the stud, solitaire, or other dress fastening, by doing which the
catch is released from the rim or flange, and the head of the stud or solitaire can
be at once removed.
In order to more securely fasten the head of the stud, solitaire, or other dress
fastening I affix in the centre thereof a metal pin of suitable length, and solder or.
otherwise fasten its point to the bottom of the double spring in the centre thereof.

page_text: Such pin not only serves to more securely fasten the head of the stud, but forms
a bearing for the two-springs when pressed together as before described to rest
against.
By my improvements a much smaller and more convenient form of shank and
base plate can be employed than those hitherto in use, while at the same time
my improved fastening possesses also far greater security, and is therefore parti-
cularly adapted for use for gem studs and other articles of value.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Emma Elizabeth Ashing in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 3rd
March 1877.
EMMA ELIZABETH ASHING, of Camden Town, in the County of Middlesex. ".IM-
PROVEMENTS IN SOLITAIRES AND STUDS, AND OTHER SIMILAR DRESS FASTENINGS."
My improvements in solitaires, studs, and other similar dress fastenings, are as
follows:-
I make the stem or shank, Figure 4, of a slender circular form similar to that of
a necklace strap Such stem or shank is formed hollow, and has a circular hole in
the top, around which a narrow rim or flange is formed, and a little below the rim
or flange I affix a round collar or shoulder, and at the other end I fasten in any
suitable manner a bottom plate smaller in size than those in ordinary use.
To the head of the solitaire, stud, or other dress fastening I attach, by means of
two metal plates a, a, Figure 6, soldered or otherwise secured to its under side, a
sinall wire double spring, on each side whereof towards the top a small notch or
indentation is formed, Figure 5, which notch, when the head of the solitaire or
stud is pressed down into the hollow of the shank, catches into and securely fastens
itself under the rim or flange.
The two projecting edges of such metal plates a¹, a², a¹, in Figures 1, 2, and 3,
connected to the double spring are of sufficient length and width to project slightly
on either side, or if preferred, all round beyond the head of the stud, solitaire, or
other dress fastening so as to permit of their being pressed together by the finger
and thumb when it is desired to unfasten the stud, solitaire, or other dress fastening,
by doing which the catch is released from the rim or flange formed in the stem or
shank, and the head of the stud or solitaire can be at once released.
Such two projecting edges can either be made round, curved, square, or of any
ornamental design.
For the purpose of keep the metal plates in their position I form one or more
slots in the plates b, b, Figure 6, in which a pin or guide is inserted in any suitable
manner. Over the metal plates I affix a metal disc the size and shape of the head
of the solitaire, stud, or other dress fastening having in its centre a small orifice for
the purpose of allowing the double spring to project through the metal disc. I
solder or otherwise secure to the top and bottom, or in any suitable manner of the
under side of the solitaire, stud, or other dress fastening, leaving the sides open for
the ends of the before-mentioned edges of plates to project beyond the head of the
Bolitaire or other dress fastening. Figure 6 is a plan view of Figure 5.
By my improvements a much smaller and more convenient form of shank and
base plate can be employed than those hitherto in use, while at the same time my
improved fastenings posseses greater security, and is therefore particularly adapted
for use for gem studs and other articles of value.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and the manner in which the
same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to
the precise details therein described, but what I claim as my improved fastening is
the edge of the metal plates projecting beyond, all round, or partly the head of the
fastening both for the purpose of giving a greater ornamental appearance to the

page_text: head of the solitaire, stud, or other dress fastening, and for releasing the same from
the stem or shank.
In witness whereof, I, the said Emma Elizabeth Ashing, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Third day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
E. E. ASHING. (L.S.)