IMPROVEMENTS IN FASTENINGS FOR SOLITAIRES, SLEEVE LINKS, COLLAR AND OTHER STUDS, GLOVES, BAGS, AND OTHER ARTICLES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Walker, of Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, Gun Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
FASTENINGS FOR SOLITAIRES, SLEEVE LINKS, COLLAR AND OTHER STUDS,
GLOVES, BAGS, AND OTHER ARTICLES.”
Sealed the 9th September 1876, and dated the 24th March 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Walker at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th March 1876.
HENRY WALKER, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Gun Manufacturer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN FASTENINGS FOR SOLITAIRES, SLEEVE LINKS, COLLAR AND OTHER
STUDS, GLOVES, BAGS, AND OTHER ARTICLES."
My Invention consists of the construction and arrangements of parts herein-after
described for fastening together and unfastening those kinds of solitaires, sleeve
links, collar studs, and other articles which are composed of two parts, one part
consisting of a disc or shell in which the principal fastening mechanism is enclosed,
and the other part consisting of a stem and head, the stem being passed through
the two parts of the dress or article to be fastened, and made to engage with tho
fastening mechanism of the other part.
I will describe my Invention as applied to a solitaire. In the front, or that part
of the solitaire carrying the stone or ornament, I apply fastening or gripping
mechanism constructed as follows:-The said mechanism consists of two pressing or
gripping plates situated at opposite sides of the centre of the shell of the solitaire.
The inner or acting ends of these gripping plates project in the direction of radii,
and terminate near the middle or axis of the shell, enclosing between them a nearly
circular space. The other or outer end of each gripping plate passes to and projects
slightly beyond the edge of the shell, and constitutes a pusher by which the
fastening is released. The gripping plates are connected together by two links, one
end of each link having a circular projection or knuckle made on it which takes
into a corresponding hole in the gripping plate, and the opposite end of each link
has a circular hole or depression in it, into which a circular projection or knuckle on
each of the gripping plates takes.
The combination of parts described resembles a pair of toggle or knee joints. By
means of coiled or other springs acting upon the gripping plates they are pressed
outwards, and their acting central gripping parts made to close or nearly close
[Price 6d 1

page_text: upon one another, so as to grip between them the stem of the back part of the
solitaire, or engage in depressions in opposite sides of the said stem of the back part
of the solitaire.
When it is wished to release the two parts of the solitaire, the ends or pushers of
the gripping plates at the edge of the front part of the solitaire are simultaneously
pressed inwards. By this pressure the central gripping parts of the plates are
separated from one another, and the stem of the back part of the solitaire is released,
and may be withdrawn from the front part.
The upper faces of the central gripping parts described may be slightly bevelled
or inclined, so that when the stem of the back part is introduced into the shell of
the front part, the end of the said stem acting against the said bevelled or inclined
parts pushes back or separates them, and when the stem has been fully pushed
home the said gripping parts snap upon or engage with the said stem, and fasten
the two parts of the solitaire together.
By ny improvements the stem of the back part of the solitaire is fixed or bound
by the mechanism described very firmly to the front part of the solitaire.
Instead of two gripping plates and two connecting links as described, four links
jointed together may be used, two of the opposed joints of the links being provided
with projecting gripping parts, by which the stem of the back part of the solitaire
is gripped. A circular spring around the four links presses the gripping parts into
their fastening position. By means of pushers acting upon the joints of those links
situated at right angles to the projecting gripping parts the latter may be separated
iso as to withdraw them from the stem and release the fastening. Or the following
modifications may be used:-I make the gripping plates of two levers jointed
together after the manner of a pair of forceps. The short arms of these levers are
nearly semicircular, and constitute the gripping parts of the fastening. A spring
between the other and longer arins of the levers tends to close the inner or gripping
arms. To the ends of the long arms of the levers inclined pushers are jointed. By.
pressing inwards these pushers the long arms of the levers are compressed, and the
inner or gripping arms made to separate and release the stem of the back part of
the solitaire; or the gripping plates may be situated on opposite sides of the central
hole in the shell of the solitaire, and be pressed together by a spring. The gripping
plates are jointed to pushers situated across the shell in the direction of a diameter,
and by means of inclines on the said pushers acting against inclines on the free or
unjointed ends of the gripping plates the said gripping plates may be forced
outwards or separated, and the stem released from the fastening. On the inner
ends of the pushers may be provided with bevelled or inclined ends which act upon
inclined or bevelled depressions made respectively in the opposite edges of the two
gripping plates.
Although my improvements are especially applicable to fastenings for solitaires
and other dress fastenings and ornaments, yet my said improvements may also be
applied to fastenings for bags, boxes, doors, and the like.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Walker in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 22nd September
1876.
HENRY WALKER, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Gun Manufacturer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN FASTENINGS FOR SOLITAIRES, SLEEVE LINKS, COLLAR AND OTHER
STUDS, GLOVES, BAGS, AND OTHER ARTICLES."
My Invention consists of the construction and arrangements of parts herein-after
described for fastening together and unfastening those kinds of solitaires, sleeve
links, collar studs, and other articles which are composed of two parts, one part
consisting of a disc or shell, in which the principal fastening mechanism is enclosed,

page_text: and the other part consisting of a stem and head, the stem being passed through
the two parts of the dress or article to be fastened and made to engage with the
fastening mechanism of the other part.
I will describe my Invention as applied to a solitaire. In the front, or that part
of the solitaire carrying the stone or ornament, I apply fastening or gripping
mechanism constructed as follows:-The said mechanism consists of two fastening
or gripping plates situated at opposite sides of the centre of the shell of the solitaire.
The inner or acting ends of these fastening or gripping plates project in the
direction of radii and terminate near the middle or axis of the shell, enclosing
between them a nearly circular or rectangular space. The other or outer end of
each gripping plate passes to and projects slightly beyond the edge of the shell, and
constitutes a pusher by which the fastening is released. The gripping or fastening
plates are connected together by two links, one end of cach link having a circular
projection or knuckle made on it, which takes into a corresponding hole in the
gripping plate, and the opposite end of each link has a circular hole or depression
in it, into which a circular projection or knuckle on cach of the gripping or fastening
plates takes.
The combination of parts described resembles a pair of toggle or knce joints. By
means of coiled or other springs acting upon the gripping or fastening plates they
are pressed outwards, and their acting central gripping or fastening parts made to
close or nearly close upon one another, so as to grip between them the stem of the
back part of the solitaire, or engage in slots or depressions in opposite sides of the
said stem of the back part of the solitaire.
When it is wished to release the two parts of the solitaire, the ends or pushers
of the gripping or fastening plates at the edge of the front part of the solitaire are
simultaneously pressed inwards. By this pressure the central gripping or fastening
parts of the plates are separated from one another, and the stem of the back part
of the solitaire is released, and may be withdrawn from the front part.
The upper faces of the central gripping or fastening parts described may be
slightly bevilled or inclined, so that when the stem of the back part is introduced
into the shell of the front part, the end of the said stem acting against the said
bevilled or inclined parts pushes back or separates them, and when the stem has
been fully pushed home, the said gripping parts snap upon or engage with the said
stem and fasten the two parts of the solitaire together. Or the gripping or fastening
plates may be made clastic, so as to dispense with springs, and one of the pushers
inay be made on the links of the said plates.
By my improvements the stem of the back part of the solitaire is fixed to or
bound by the mechanism described very firmly to the front part of the solitaire.
Or the following modifications may be used:-I make the gripping or fastening plates
of two levers jointed after the manner of a pair of forceps. The short arms of theso
levers constitute the gripping or fastening parts. A spring between the other and
longer arms of the levers tends to close the inner or gripping arms. To the ends of
the long arms of the levers pushers are jointed for releasing the fastening. Or the
gripping or fastening plates may be situated on opposite sides of the central hole in
the shell of the solitaire, and be pressed together by a spring. By means of inclines
on the pushers acting against inclines on the gripping plates, the fastening is
released. Or the inner ends of the pushers may be provided with bevilled or
inclined ends, which act upon inclined or bevilled depressions made respectively in
the opposite edges of the two gripping plates.
Having explained the nature of my Invention I will proceed to describe with
reference to the accompanying Drawing the manner in which the same is to be
performed.
Figure 1 represents an elevation, and Figures 2 and 3 represent vertical sections
taken at right angles to one another of a solitaire, the fastening mechanisin of
which is constructed according to my Invention, the two parts of the solitaire
being connected together; Figure 4 represents the same view as Figure 3 with the
fastening or gripping plates withdrawn, and the back part of the solitaire released.

page_text: Figure 5 represents a plan of the front part of the solitaire (the stone or ornament
being removed) with the fastening plates in their normal or fastening positions, and
Figure 6 represents the same with the fastening plates in their withdrawn positions.
Figure 7 represents the shell or case of the front part of the solitaire in which
the fastening mechanism is enclosed, and Figure 74 is a modification of the said
shell; Figure 8 represents the disc or washer of the same.
Figure 9 represents elevations taken at right angles to one another of the back
part of the solitaire detached.
Figures 10 and 11 are modifications of the solitaire.
The same letters indicate the same parts in Figures 1 to 11, both inclusive.
A is the front part of the solitaire, and B is the back part of the solitaire. c, d,
are the fastening or gripping plates of the part A, the said plates being capable of
motion on the bottom of the shell e. The said plates c, d, are made from a singlo
piece of metal slit or divided along its middle, so as to form the two parts or
plates c, d, the said plates being connected at the end or part f. The said fastening
plates c, d, are elastic, that is, their inner or opposed edges are capable of being
separated, but when at liberty to move, the open plates close upon one another and
return to their normal positions. The inner or opposed edges of the slit or divided
clastic plates c, d, are pierced as represented, so as to form between the piercings
projections or bolts marked c, d, the acting edges of which when the gripping or
fastening plates are in their normal positions touch, or nearly touch, each other, as
seen in Figure 5. The part f, which joins the two gripping or fastening plates
together, constitutes a pusher, the said pusher f working through an opening g in
the edge of the shell e, and slightly projecting from the said shell. Jointed to the
fastening plates c, d, is a double link h, h, slit or divided at the part f, which
part f constitutes a second pusher for the fastening plates. The pusher of the
link works through an opening in the shell e opposite that opening through
which the pusher f works. The ends of the arms of the double link have
knuckles or projections upon them, which take into corresponding holes made at
opposite points in the edges of the fastening plates c, d. The fastening plates c, d,
are secured in their places in the shell e by the ring i supported on the shoulder e
of the shell e, and upon the said ring i the stone or ornament of the front part of
the solitaire rests; or instead of a continuous shoulder e² for the ring i to rest upon
four equidistant projections m, m, Figure 74, raised from the shell e may be used.
As
The back part B of the solitaire consists of a disc or head n having a central
stem P, the end of the said stem being furnished with a flat rectangular loop q, with
which the bolts or projections c, d, of the elastic gripping plates c, d, engage. The
face of the shell e of the front part A of the solitaire has a rectangular opening in
it to receive the loop g of the back part B. When the stem of the back part B of
the solitaire is introduced into the opening in the front part A and pushed
inwards, the inclined edge of the, bar of the loop q acting against the edges of the
bolts or projections c, d, of the clastic gripping plates c, d, press back and separate
the said bolts, the parts now occupying the positions represented in Figure 6.
soon as the stem p of the back part B has been pushed home in the front part A,
and the opening in the loop 9 brought opposite the bolts or projections c, d, the
elasticity of the fastening plates c, d, causes the said bolts or projections to close
upon or approach one another and snap into or engage with the loop q, as illustrated
in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 5. The two parts A, B, of the solitaire are thereby securely
connected together. To disconnect the two parts of the solitaire from one another,
the pushers ff, are pressed inwards between the thumb and finger. By this
pressure on the pushers the fastening plates c, d, open or separate from one another,
and withdraw their bolts or projections c, d, from the loop q of the stem p, as
illustrated in Figures 4 and 6. The back part B of the solitaire is thereby released
from the front part A, and the two parts A, B, may be separated.
In order to facilitate the opening of the elastic plates c, d, for releasing the
fastening, the parts may be modified in the manner represented in Figures 10 and
11. In Figure 10 the middle of the double link his formed with a V shaped piece s,

page_text: which takes into a V shaped recess made between the two plates c, d. When tho
pushers ff, are pressed inwards the action of the inclined sides of the V piece
and recess at 8 causes the ready separation of the two plates c, d, and the re-
leasing of the fastening. In Figure 11 the plates c, d, are furnished with two
V shaped recesses t, t, in which two fixed studs or stops u, u, raised out of the
shell work. The action of this arrangement is the same as that last described.
Instead of jointing the link to the plates c, d, by knuckles, as represented, the
said parts may be jointed together by rivets.
Figure 12 represents another arrangement of my Invention, the said Figure 12
representing a plan of the front part of the solitaire. In this arrangement c, d, are
the fastening or gripping plates, and c, d, are the bolts or projecting parts of the
same. The two plates c, d, are connected together by the links v, v. The outer
end of each fastening plate is formed into a pusher c, d, for releasing the fastening.
By means of coiled springs w bearing against the pushers the gripping or fastening
plates are pressed outwards, and the bolts or projections c, d, made to close upon
one another so as to grip the stem or engage with the stem of the solitaire, as
herein-before described. To release the fastening the pushers c³, d³, are pressed
inwards between the thumb and finger. By this pressure the bolts or projections
c, d, are separated from one another, and the stem of the back part of the solitairo
is released.
Figure 13 represents another modification of my Invention. In this modification
the gripping or fastening plates are made of two levers x, x, jointed together at x²,
after the manner of a pair of forceps. The short arms of these levers constituto
the gripping or holding parts of the fastening. A spring y between the other and
longer arms of the levers tends to close the gripping or holding arms. To the ends
of the long arms of the levers x, x, inclined pushers,, are jointed. By press-
ing inwards the pushers, 2, the long arms of the levers are compressed, and the
inner or gripping or holding arms made to separate and release the stein of the
back part of the solitaire.
Figure 14 represents another modification of my Invention. In this modification
the gripping or holding plates 2, 3, are situated on opposite sides of the central hole
in the shell of the solitaire, and are pressed together by the spring 4. The said
plates 2, 3, are jointed to the pushers 5, 5, situated across the shell in the direction
of a diameter, and by means of inclines on the said pushers acting against inclines
on the free or unjointed ends of the gripping or holding plates 2, 3, the said plates
may be forced outwards or separated and the stem released from the fastening.
Figure 15 represents another modification of iny Invention. In this modification
the inner ends of pushers 7, 7, may be provided with bevilled or inclined ends 7ª, 7ª,
which act upon inclined or bevilled depressions, made respectively in the opposite
edges of the two gripping or holding plates 6, 6. The two plates 6, G, are pressed
together by a spring or springs.
Although I have represented the bolts or projecting parts of the gripping, holding,
or fastening plates of the front part of the solitaire as constructed to engage with
a loop or slot in the stem of the back part of the solitaire, yet the said gripping,
holding, or fastening plates may be differently constructed to suit the particular
kind of stein of the back part with which the fastening mechanism of the front
part is to be used.
Although my improvements are especially applicable to fastenings for solitaires,
sleeve links, collar and other studs, and other dress fastenings, yet my said improve-
ments may also be applied to fastenings for bags and the like.
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 herein described and illustrated, as the same may be varied
without departing from the nature of my Invention, but I claim as my Invention,
the improvements in fastenings for solitaires, sleeve links, collar and other studs,
gloves, bags, and other articles, hercin-before described and illustrated in the
accompanying Drawing, that is to say, constructing the fastening or gripping

page_text: mechanism of the front part of the solitaire or article by which the stem of the
back part of the said solitaire or article is fastened, gripped, or held of two clastic
plates c, c, d, d², jointed to an elastic or split link h, the said plates and link being
provided with pushers for releasing the fastening, the parts of the fastening.
mechanism being combined, used, and acting substantially as herein-before described
and illustrated in Figures 1 to 11, both inclusive, of the accompanying Drawing;
also the several modifications of the said fastening or gripping mechanism herein-
before described and illustrated in Figures 12 to 15, both inclusive, of the accom-
panying Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Walker, have hereunto set my hand 1
and seal, this Fourteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
Witness,
RICHARD SKERRETT,
Clerk to George Shaw,
Birmingham.
HENRY WALKER. (L.S.)