AN IMPROVED CLASP OR DRESS HOLDER
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Jean Nadal, of No. 94, Southampton Row, in the County
of Middlesex, Engineer, for the Invention of " AN IMPROVED CLASP OR
DRESS HOLDER."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Jean Nadal at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th April 1878.
JEAN NADAL, of No. 94, Southampton Row, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer.
"AN IMPROVED CLASP OR DRESS HOLDER."
My Invention consists of a clasp or buckle formed of two pieces of metal, one
lapping over the other, the lower one being slotted, and fixed to the upper one on
bevelled studs or pivots passing through the slots, by which means the lower piece
forms a hinged spring capable of retaining the dress or material placed between it
and the upper piece; or I can obtain the same result by connecting the two pieces
together by means of an independent spring fixed to one piece and attached to the
other.

page_text: the said Jean Nadal in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 4th October
1878.
JEAN NADAL, of 94, Southampton Row, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer.
"AN IMPROVED CLASP OR DRESS HOLDER."
My Invention consists of a dress holder or clasp formed of two pieces of metal, all
as hereafter described.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings is a front view, and Figure 2 a side or
end view of a dress suspender made according to this Invention, the latter Figure
showing the mode in which a fold or turned over part of the dress is introduced
between the two pieces forming the holder.
Figure 3 shews one of the two pieces separated; Figure 4 is a section through
A, A, Figure 3; and Figure 5 shews the other of the two pieces.
The dress suspender consists of an upper part or piece A formed with bevelled
pivots or studs a of the oblong form and section, shewn at Figures 3 and 4, and a
lower part or piece B formed with corresponding oblong slots or recesses for the
pivots; the piece B is sprung on to the piece A, and Figure 5 shews it exaggerated
in the sprung position in dotted lines, and in the unsprung position in full lines.
The weight of the suspended part of the dress tends to tighten the part of same held
between the two parts A and B; to release it, raise the part A, as shewn in dotted
linos in Figure 2.
It will be observed that in this one-sided pivot joint one piece B laps over the
other piece A; the recesses or centres for the studs or pivots a aro in this caso
beyond or on the further side of the piece A; the further these centres are from the
centre of the piece B the better will the two parts A and B snap or grip against
one another, and thus securely retain the part of the dress between. The parts A
and B may be solid, or they may be open or frame like, as here shewn. The pivots
may pass through slot holes, and be secured beyond by pins, or nuts, or otherwise.
Figure 6 represents a similar arrangement, the part A being fitted with an eye C
for attachment by a band or cord to the belt or other part of the wearer's dress.
Figure 7 is a front view, and Figure 8 a central section through a dress holder of
a somewhat different form, but of similar action. b is a bar soldered on to the part
A, and turning at its end in lugs on the part B; it acts as a spring to hold the
parts together when the weight of the dress happens not to act. The part A is
formed with pivots working in lugs on the part B.
Figure 9 is a front view, and Figure 10 a section of a similar dress holder, but
formed of wire bent so as to act in a similar manner as the other forms described.
C is an eye to suspend it by.
Figure 11 is a front view, and Figure 12 ond view of a holder, also made of wire,
but fitted with two spiral springs, which are wound round the upper cross bar of
the part A, and attached to the sides of the part B; these springs keep the two parts
together when the weight of the dress does not act.
I claim substantially as set forth,—
Firstly. A clasp or dress holder consisting of two parts, or frames, or pieces pivoted
or jointed together by one-sided pivot joint, so that the weight of the part of the
dress suspended on the one part tends to press such part against the other part, by
which the holder is attached to the person of the wearer.
Secondly. A dress holder or clasp consisting of two pieces united by one-sided
pivot joint, one of the parts forming a spring, which holds the two pieces
together.

page_text: Thirdly. A dress holder or clasp consisting of two parts united by one-sided pivot
joint, and held together by means of a spring or springs.
In witness whereof, I, the said Jean Nadal, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and soventy-eight.
J. NADAL. (L.S.)