AN IMPROVED BUCKLE OR FASTENING FOR STRAPS AND BANDS
Year: 1876

page_text: "
LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Henry Mann, of Brewer Street, Golden Square,
London, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED
BUCKLE OR FASTENING FOR STRAPS AND BANDS."
aled the 15th August 1876, and dated the 14th June 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Henry Mann at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th June 1876.
THOMAS HENRY MANN, of Brewer Street, Golden Square, London, in the County
of Middlesex. "AN IMPROVED BUCKLE OR FASTENING FOR STRAPS AND BANDS."
I propose to compose my improved buckle or fastening of a plate, herein-after termed
the base plate, to be attached to a strap, band, or cord by riveting, sewing, or
otherwise. This plate will support a spring hinge pin carrying another plate or
tongue which it will keep pressed upon that part of the strap, band, or cord which
may be introduced under the hinge pin between it and the base plate; or I may
otherwise set the tongue to pivot and press upon the strap inserted between it and
the plate. Between the tongue and the plate I propose to place a sliding bar, which
when the fastening is to be closed will be drawn or pushed to the lower end of an
inclined plane formed on the sides of the base plate, and which when pushed
towards the top of this inclined plane will open the buckle by lifting the tongue, and
thereby release the strap, band, or cord nipped between the tongue and the base
plate.
Instead of sliding the lifting bar to and fro on the aforesaid inclined plane I may
make it to rest in a slot when the fastening is closed and lift the tongue by being
pushed against a projection on its under surface.
To prevent this buckle or fastening being opened surreptitiously
propose to
lock the tongue to the base plate, adopting for this purpose whatever arrangement
of lock I may find most suitable.
On the accompanying Sheet of Drawings forming part of this my Provisional
Specification Figure represents a front view of a lock-up buckle or fastening
embodying my Invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the same closed; and Figures 3,
side view of same open.
A is the base plate to which is secured one end of the strap; B, opening or slot
along which the sliding bar moves to lift the tongue by pressing against the bottom
of lock case (see Figure 3). C, the tongue working upon the spring hinge pin D,
and to the under side of which is attached the lock E. F, the sliding bar for
[Price 6d.]

page_text: raising the tongue C when not locked but held down, simply by the pressure of the
spring D.
The red lines represent a modification of the above when a more powerful spring is
required to hold the tongue down; in this case the sliding bar F is dispensed with,
the tongue being raised when required by the tip or projection at front end of same.
Figure 4 is a front view of my simple friction buckle or fastening without lock or
tooth to take into perforations in strap; Figure 5, side view of same closed; and
Figure 6, side view of same with sliding bar F at top of incline and strap released.
This buckle or fastening will be found very convenient for any light strain.
Figures 7, 8, and 9 are similar views of the same buckle but with the addition of
a tooth c to the tongue, to enter perforations in strap, as in Figures 1, 2, 3.
I propose to make my improved buckle or fastening of any suitable metal or
material, and of any shape and size.
Its applications are manifold, but I may mention that of securing the outside
pockets of travelling bags, the ordinary objectionable spring straps being thus dispensed
with. Straps thus furnished will enable travellers to secure whatever they may
fold within their rugs, bundles of letters may thus be tied so as not to be opened
without detection, and in short my little apparatus will prove a ready and secure
fastening wherever a strap, band, or cord is used to bind or close.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Henry Mann in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 11th
December 1876.
"
THOMAS HENRY MANN, of Brewer Street, Golden Square, London, in the County
of Middlesex. AN IMPROVED BUCKLE OR FASTENING FOR STRAPS AND BANDS."
My improved buckle or fastening is composed of a plate, herein-after termed the
base plate, to be attached to a strap, band, or cord by rivetting, sewing, or other-
wise, or which may be attached to the body of a case, box, bag, or other article.
This plate supports a spring hinge pin carrying another plate or tongue, which it
will keep pressed upon that part of the strap, band, or cord which may be intro-
duced under the hinge pin, between it and the base plate; or I may otherwise set
the tongue to pivot and press upon the strap inserted between it and the plate.
Between the tongue and the plate I may place a sliding bar, which, when the
fastening is to be closed, will be drawn or pushed to the lower end of an inclined
plane formed on the sides of the base plate, and which when pushed towards the
top of this inclined plane will open the buckle by lifting the tongue, and thereby
release the strap, band, or cord nipped between the tongue and the base plate.
Instead of sliding the lifting bar to and fro on the aforesaid inclined plane I may
make it to rest in a slot when the fastening is closed, and lift the tongue by being
pushed against a projection on its under surface; or I may dispense altogether
with this lifting bar and raise the tongue by means of a projection or lip at front
end of same.
To prevent this buckle or fastening being opened surreptitiously I lock the
tongue to the base plate, adopting for this purpose whatever arrangement of lock I
may find most suitable.
On the accompanying Sheet of Drawing forming part of this Specification
Figure 1 represents a front view of a lock-up buckle or fastening embodying my
Invention Figure 2 is a side view of the same closed; and Figure 3, side view of
same open.
A is the base plate, to which is secured one end of the strap, or by which the
buckle or fastening is secured to the body of the article which the strap is to bind
or close; B, opening or slot along which the sliding bar moves to lift the tongue by
pressing against the bottom of lock case (see Figure 3); C, the tongue working
upon the spring hinge pin D, and to the under side of which is attached the lock E;

page_text: F, the sliding bar for raising the tongue C when not locked but held down simply
by the pressure of the spring D.
Figures 1, 2, 3*, are similar views to the above, but representing a modifica-
tion of this buckle when a more powerful spring is required to hold the tongue
down; in this case the sliding bar F is dispensed with, the tongue being raised
when required by the lip or projection at front end of same.
Figure 4 is a front view of my simple friction buckle or fastening without lock
or tooth to take into perforations in strap; Figure 5, side view of same closed; and
Figure 6, side view of same with sliding bar F at top of incline and strap released.
This buckle or fastening will be found very convenient for any light strain.
Figures 7, 8, and 9 are similar views of the same buckle, but with the addition
of a tooth c to the tongue to enter perforations in strap, as in Figures 1, 2, 3, to
resist a greater strain.
Figure 10 is a front view showing a modification of my improved buckle or
fastening, whereby it is, amongst other uses, rendered particularly applicable for
buckling together traces and harness generally; Figure 11 is a side view of same
closed; Figure 12, a side view of same open; and Figure 13 a front view of same
closed.
In this modification the hinge pin of the tongue or flap C works on a spring in
a similar manner to that shown Figures 1*, 2*, and 3*, but instead of the lock
bolt being shot by a key it is pressed back by the beveled top of the hasp G
as the tongue is lowered, and is brought by the springs H, H, into the hasp when
the tongue is fully brought down and the tooth c in the perforations in the band.
To open this buckle it is only necessary to pull the sliding bar F, which com-
pressing the springs H, H, brings the bolt out of G, and the tongue may then be
lifted, the spring under hinge pin D keeping it raised.
I, plate carrying hasp and spring under hinge pin, and between which and the
base plate A passes the moveable part of trace or band K, the trace or band L
being rivetted or otherwise fastened to the under side of plate A.
It will be observed that there is no tension upon any of the springs when this
buckle or fastening is closed, and that it cannot therefore gradually lose its power
as with springs otherwise applied.
In its application to harness this buckle will be found of great advantage, as
should the horse fall the band may be released with much greater facility than if
the ordinary buckle were used.
Figure 14 is a plan view of a modification of my buckle, in which the hinge in
turning finds its fulcrum or bearing upon an intermediate plate. Figure 15 being
a side view of same closed; and Figure 16, side view of same with tongue
raised.
I, intermediate plate forming spring for hinge D. This plate may extend to the
front of the buckle, as shown, or simply form a cross bar under the hinge D.
Figure 17 shows the construction and arrangement of this buckle in combination
with a metal slide secured to end of strap; Figure 18 represents a side view of the
same when closed; and Figure 19 when opened.
P is the metal slide. This metal slide itself forms the strap or band when my
buckle is used as a glove fastening, to fasten a garter, or wherever it is desired not
to pass the end of the strap or band through the buckle, or to provide a combined
buckle and strap to be readily removed from one article to another.
Figure 20 is a front view and shows the construction of a buckle in which the
hinged plate C is so reduced as to resemble somewhat the tongue or spring of an
ordinary buckle; Figure 21 is a side view of same as it appears when closed;
and Figure 22 is a similar view, but with the tongue raised.
A is the body of the buckle; C, the hinged piece carrying the tooth c; I, the
spring plate.
My improved buckle may be made of any suitable metal or material, and be of
any shape and size to suit its innumerable applications, one of the most invaluable
of which is its application to surgical bandages.

page_text: Assuming a strap or band to be securing splints to a broken limb by means of
the ordinary buckle, and that it is desirable to relieve the pressure on the limb, this
can only be done by first increasing the tension by pulling the strap further through
or into the buckle until the prong comes from the hole in the strap, and probably
needs more strength than the sufferer could himself exert.
Now with my buckle all that is necessary to relieve the pressure is to lift the
hinged plate or tongue with the finger and thumb, or by lifting the moveable end
of the strap, and to let the strap run or pull it further out of the buckle, and when
the pressure on the limb is sufficiently relieved the buckle will either refasten itself
by the stopping of the run of the strap so that the tooth will not pass over the
holes, or by simply letting go the hinged plate, or by pushing it down on to the
strap until the tooth enters one of its perforations; the exertion required in the
loosening and fastening being so slight that any patient not utterly exhausted will
be capable of it, and the action being such that it is not necessary that the patient
should shift his position to look at the buckle during the operation.
The facility of loosening the strap or band without first pulling it tighter, the
flat form of my buckle, and the fact that it may release the strap even if the man
or horse be lying upon it, render it specially applicable to traces, saddle girths, and
saddlery and harness generally. By simply lifting the tongue B a horseman can
loosen his saddle girth without dismounting, and by placing a bar on the buckle
plate A I may give him sufficient purchase to enable him to tighten the girth again
without dismounting.
My buckle may be used with advantage to secure the outside pockets of travelling
bags, the ordinary objectionable spring straps being thus dispensed with. Straps
thus furnished will enable travellers to secure whatever they may fold in their rugs,
bundles of letters may be tied so as not to be opened without detection, and in short
my apparatus will prove a ready and secure fastening wherever a strap, band, or
cord is used to bind or close.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is or may be performed, I would have it understood that
I do not limit myself to the precise details herein given and shewn on the Drawing,
as variations may be made therein while retaining the essential characteristics of
my Invention, and that what I claim as of my Invention and secured to me by the
herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is-
Firstly. The combination of base plate A with tongue or flap C, operated either
by spring hinge pin D or by other suitable spring or springs, substantially as and
for the purposes herein-before set forth.
Secondly. The combination with base plate A and tongue or flap C of the sliding
bar F, substantially as shewn Figures 1 to 9 respectively of the accompanying Sheet
of Drawings, and for the purpose specified.
Thirdly. The combination with the tongue or flap C and plate A of the lock E,
substantially as shewn Figures 1, 2, and 3, and for the purpose specified.
Fourthly. The combination with the tongue or flap C and plates A and I of the
lock E and sliding bar F, operating substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Fifthly. The combination with plate or body A and tongue C of the intermediate 4
spring plate I, substantially as described and shown Figures 14, 15, and 16.
Sixthly. The use of the metal slide P in combination with my improved buckle,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Henry Mann, have hereunto set
iny hand and seal, this Eleventh day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.