AN IMPROVED SPRING FASTENING FOR SECURING PURSES, POCKET BOOKS, CIGAR CASES, AND SIMILAR ARTICLES, AND OTHER LIKE PURPOSES
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the "International
Patent Office," Southampton Buildings, London, Consulting
Engineer, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED SPRING FASTENING FOR
SECURING PURSES, POCKET BOOKS, CIGAR CASES, AND SIMILAR ARTICLES, AND
OTHER LIKE PURPOSES." - A. communication from abroad by
FOR
-
T
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake.
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 30th April 1870.
I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the "International Patent Office,"
Southampton Buildings, London, Consulting Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED SPRING
FASTENING FOR SECURING PURSES, POCKET BOOKS, CIGAR CASES, AND SIMILAR
ARTICLES, AND FOR OTHER LIKE PURPOSES," a communication, to be as
follows:-
This Invention relates to a fastening device or clasp which is
applicable to purses, portmonnaies, cigar cases, pocket books, and other

page_text: like articles or objects, which fastening will also serve as a buckle or
clasp for articles of dress and may be advantageously applied to boots
and shoes in place of the laces, elastic fabric, buttons, and other devices
usually employed.
The characteristic features of my Invention are the peculiar arrange-
ment of the parts of which it is composed, the small number of these
parts, and the facility with which the said device may be adapted to any
article or object whereof it is required to effect the fastening or securing
together of two separate parts.
In common with other clasps my improved device is composed of two
distinct parts, namely, the body of the fastening (containing the bolt or
latch) and the hasp or hook. The body is in the form of a small flat
circular box or shell wherein there is fitted to slide in a straight line a
bolt from which projects at the exterior of the box a button or knob;
two small spiral springs act upon the said bolt in a direction contrary to
that in which the pressure has to be exerted on the button. The
aforesaid body of the fastening device is fixed in the required position
upon any article by means of claws or points projecting from the body,
and which being passed through the leather, card, or other substance
composing the said article are bent and turned down thereon. The
hasp is in the form of a button, from the centre of the under side of
which projects a hook forming the catch to receive the bolt. The said
button is also furnished with claws or points which when passed
through any substance and turned down thereon will secure the button
in any desired position in the same manner as the body of the
fastening.
I will now proceed more fully to describe the said Invention by the
aid of the accompanying Drawing.
Figure 1 is a plan or top view of the body of the said fastening device;
Figure 2 is an under side view of the same, the covering plate being
removed to shew the arrangement of the bolt; Figure 3 is a transverse
section of the said device complete on the line 1, 2, Figure 2; Figures
4 and 5 are front and edge views of the box or shell of the fastening, the
bolt and covering plate of the shell being removed; Figure 6 is a plan
of the said covering plate; Figures 7 and 8 are a plan and edge view of
the bolt; Figures 9 and 10 are an under side view and an edge view of
the hasp button. In all of these Figures like letters indicate the same
parts.

page_text: a is the circular shell formed of a plate of metal cut and stamped in
such a manner as to produce the three perpendicular claws and two
other shorter claws b', whose object I will herein-after explain; c is the
bolt cut in the form of a fork, as shewn in Figures 7 and 8. This bolt
has a central mortice d; it also has two small tongues e which are fitted
to slide in two openings formed through the circular part of the shell,
and the rod or shank of the knob f slides through a similar opening in
the shell. The small spiral springs g surround the tongues e of the
bolt these springs bear at one end upon a fixed part (the side of the
shell) and at the other end against the bolt in such a manner that it
partly covers the mortice h formed in the bottom of the shell and
through which the hasp or catch enters. The covering plate i is of the
same diameter as the shell; this plate is kept in place by the claws b₁
which are turned down over it. The said plate is stamped to give it
three hollows j, j, and k, in which lie the springs and the shank of
the knob f; these hollows also diminish the thickness of the body of
the fastening.
The hasp button 1, Figures 9 and 10, which may be of any suitable
form, has projecting from its centre the hasp or catch m; this hasp
presents a double inclined point so that in entering the mortice / in the
shell it pushes in the bolt against the pressure of the springs c; it also
has at one side the notch n (in which the bolt is pressed by the aforesaid
springs) and two points or claws o for securing it upon any article or
object.
By thus uniting and locking together the two parts of the device the
fastening of the object on which it is fixed is accomplished, and it will
be readily understood that to unfasten or open the same it is only
necessary to exert a slight pressure upon the knob f, by which pressure
the bolt is disengaged from the notch.
When my improved fastening device is to be applied to a boot the
catch, Figures 9 and 10, if desired, may be replaced by a spring clasp
or hook arranged to unite with the other part of the fastening. This
adaptation of my Invention to a boot is illustrated in the following
Figures of the Drawing. The fastening may be fixed on either side of
the boot or upon the top according to the taste of the wearer.
Figure 11 shews the hook of the fastening rivetted upon a piece of
steel forming a spring; Figure 12 shews the said fastening; Figure 13
is the part of the boot opposite to the fastening; Figure 14 shows the

page_text: part of the boot, which carries the hook and which is sewn upon the part,
Figure 13; Figure 15 shews the portion of the boot sewn behind the
part, Figure 13; this portion is partially covered by the part, Figure 14,
when the boot is fastened.
The fastening device should be sewn upon the part, Figure 15,
between the lining and the outer substance, so that no part of it is visible
but the small knob and the aperture for the hook. The said hook of the
fastening should be sewn upon the part, Figure 14, between the lining
and the outer substance, so that no part of it is visible except the hooked
end which passes through the lining.
Figure 16 shews the boot open to admit the foot; Figure 17 shows
the boot fastened.
If desired I may use more than one fastening on each boot and I may
apply these fastenings to boots of any make or shape.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 26th October 1870.
66
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
ROBERT LAKE, of the International Patent Office," Southampton
Buildings, London, Consulting Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirtieth day of April, in the year
of our Lord 'One thousand eight hundred and seventy, in the thirty-
third year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said William Robert Lake, Her special licence
that I, the said William Robert Lake, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Robert Lake, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "AN IMPROVED
SPRING FASTENING FOR SECURING PURSES, POCKET BOOKS, CIGAR CASES, AND
SIMILAR ALTICLES, AND FOR OTHER LIEE PURPOSES," a communication to me

page_text: from abroad by Mathurin Brouard, of Paris, in the Empire of
France, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William
Robert Lake, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and
in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to
be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Robert Lake, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawing forming a part of this Specification:--
This Invention relates to a fastening device or clasp which is applic-
able to purses, portmonnaies, cigar cases, pocket books, and other like
articles or objects, which fastening will also serve as a buckle or clasp
for articles of dress, and may be advantageously applied to boots and
shoes in place of the laces, elastic fabric, buttons, and other devices
usually employed.
The characteristic features of my Invention are the peculiar arrange-
ment of the parts of which it is composed; the small number of these
parts and the facility with which the said device may be adapted to any
article or object whereof it is required to effect the fastening or securing
together of two separate parts.
In common with other clasps my improved device is composed of two
distinct parts, namely, the body of the fastening (containing the bolt or
latch) and the hasp or hook. The body is in the form of a small flat circular
box or shell, in which there is fitted to slide in a straight line a bolt
from which projects at the exterior of the box a button or knob. Two
small spiral springs act upon the said bolt in a direction contrary to that
in which the pressure has to be exerted on the button. The aforesaid
body of the fastening device is fixed in the required position upon any
article by means of claws or points projecting from the body, and which
being passed through the leather, card, or other substance composing the
said article are bent and turned down thereon. The hasp is in the form
of a button, from the centre of the under side of which projects a hook
forming the catch to receive the bolt. The said button is also furnished

page_text: with claws or points which when passed through any substance and
turned down thereon will secure the button in any desired position in
the same manner as the body of the fastening.
I will now proceed more fully to describe the said Invention by the
aid of the accompanying Drawing.
Figure 1 is a plan or top view of the body of the said fastening
device; Figure 2 is an under side view of the same, the covering plate
being removed to shew the arrangement of the bolt; Figure 3 is a
transverse section of the said device complete on the line 1, 2, Figure 2;
Figures 4 and 5 are front and edge views of the box or shell of the
fastening, the bolt and covering plate of the shell being removed;
Figure 6 is a plan of the said covering plate; Figures 7 and 8 arc a
plan and an edge view of the bolt; Figures 9 and 10 are an under side
and an edge view of the hasp button. In all of these Figures like letters
indicate the samic parts.
a is the circular shell formed of a plate of metal cut and stamped in
such a manner as to produce the three perpendicular claws and two
other shorter claws b', whose object I will herein-after explain; c is the
bolt cut in the form of a fork, as shown in Figures 7 and 8. This bolt
has a central mortise d; it also has two small tongues e which are fitted
to slide in two openings formed through the circular part of the shell,
and the rod or shank of the knob f slides through a similar opening in
the shell. The small spiral springs 7 surround the tongues e of the
bolt; these springs bear at one end upon a fixed part (the side of the
shell), and at the other end against the bolt in such a manner that it
partly covers the mortise / formed in the bottom of the shell, and
through which the hasp or catch enters. The covering plate i is of the
same diameter as the shell. This plate is kept in place by the claws b',
which are turned down over it. The said plate is stamped to give it
three hollows j, j, and k, in which lie the springs g and the shank of the
knob f. These hollows also diminish the thickness of the body of the
fastening.
The hasp button 1, Figures 9 and 10, which may be of any suitable
form, has projecting from its centre the hasp or catch m.
This hasp
presents a double-inclined point, so that in entering the mortise / in the
shell it pushes in the bolt against the pressure of the springs g. It also

page_text: has at onc side the notch n, in which the bolt is pressed by the afore-
said springs, and two points or claws o for securing it upon any article
or object.
By thus uniting and locking together the two parts of the device the
fastening of the object on which it is fixed is accomplished, and it will
be readily understood that to unfasten or open the same it is only
necessary to exert a slight pressure upon the knob f, by which pressure
the bolt is disengaged from the notch.
When my improved fastening device is to be applied to a boot the
catch Figures 9 and 10, if desired, may be replaced by a spring, clasp,
or hook arranged to unite with the other part of the fastening.
This adaptation of my Invention to a boot is illustrated in the fol-
lowing Figures of the Drawing. The fastening may be fixed on
cither side of the boot or upon the top, according to the taste of the
wearer.
Figure 11 shews the hook of the fastening rivetted upon a piece of
steel forming a spring; Figure 12 shows the said fastening; Figure 13
is the part of the boot opposite to the fastening; Figure 14 shows the
part of the boot which carries the hook, and which is sewn upon the
part Figure 13; Figure 15 shews the portion of the boot sewn behind
the part Figure 13; this portion is partially covered by the part
Figure 14 when the boot is fastened. The fastening device should be
sewn upon the part Figure 15, between the lining and the outer sub-
stance, so that no part of it is visible but the small knob and the aperture
for the hook. The said hook of the fastening should be sewn upon the
part Figure 14 between the lining and the outer substance, so that no
part of it is visible except the hooked end which passes through the
lining; Figure 16 shows the boot open to admit the foot; Figure 17
shews the boot fastened.
If desired, I may use more than one fastening on cach boot, and I
may apply these fastenings to boots of any make or shape.
In a word, the said fastening is applicable to all kinds of objects or
articles where it is desired to unite two parts to join or connect them;
such, for instance, as fancy leather or Morocco goods, boots, corsets, and
the like; it may also serve as a sleeve button or for dress ornaments,
gloves, collars, gaiters, and various other articles.

page_text: Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, I claim the fastening substantially as
herein-before described and represented for the purposes set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of October,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
seventy.
Witness,
W. J. LOWE..
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE. (L.S.)