Improvements in Lace Clasps or Fastenings for Boots and Shoes, Corsets, Gloves, Leggings, and other articles
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Sept., 1891-Accepted, 24th Oct., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Lace Clasps or Fastenings for Boots and Shoes,
Corsets, Gloves, Leggings, and other articles.
A communication from THE WILSON LACE CLASP COMPANY, of Somerset, in
the State of Massachusetts, one of the United States of America,
Manufacturers.
I, ADOLPH RIEKMANN of 59 Knightrider Street in the City of London,
Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
This invention has for its object, a most convenient and efficient fastening for
the laces of boots, shoes, corsets, gloves, etcetera; and consists of a single piece of
wire, bent to form four parallel sections; the outside parallel sections, being about
double the length of the two inner sections, are bent at right angles, vertically
dependent, about midway, forming the legs of the clasp. The two inner parallel
sections, where they join together, are slightly bent upwards, and are called the
tongue of the clasp. The remaining portions of the inner parallel sections,
together with the outer parallel sections, are partly flattened, to enable the clasp to
press closely to the substance to which it is attached, and to give greater torsional
strength to the tongue.
Fig. 1 shews a front view of a pair of clasps in position here shewn on a
boot top.
Fig. 2 shews an upperside view of a clasp separately.
Fig. 3 an underside view and
Fig. 4 an edge view of same.
Fig. 5 shews the like fastening as Fig. 1 but applied at right angles so as to
bring the tongue upward, as for a lady's shoes, to avoid risk of catching the dress.
a is the substance of the boot or shoe, b the laces, c the ordinary hooks, e the
tongue of the clasp consisting of the point or bend e¹ and the parallel side pieces
which again by bends ee are formed in continuation of the parallel parts e³ e.
ee are the under limbs or anchoring legs. The manner of applying is as
follows: The legs of the clasp e, pierce the substance a to which it is to be
applied, and are then bent up firmly against said substance, directly under the
parallel upper sections e³ ³, of the clasp, in such a manner, that the legs e*
converge; thus forming an under spring, and holding the substance between them
and the upper parallel sections. The tongue e, together with the outer parallel
sections, being firmly pressed against the substance on the upper side, form another
spring. The substance between the legs e and the upper parallel sections e³ ³,
being the medium for attrition, as well as for attachment. The manner of use of
the clasp is as follows; after lacing the boot, shoe, etcetera; bring the free end of
the lace b, firmly under the tongue e of the clasp, (which is slightly bent upwards
at its terminal end, to enable the lace to readily engage) to its limit, and the lace
will be securely fastened instantly, and can be as quickly unfastened; thus avoiding
the tying and untying of knots, thereby saving time and temper.
In the boot and shoe, the clasp is preferably placed at the top end of the row
of studs or eyelets, thus allowing a three quarter lacing, replacing four studs, and
making a lace shoe more satisfactory, and therefore more saleable.
It will be evident, that by use of this clasp, a string, lace or cord, whether flat
or round, may be engaged, and firmly held, without tying and the clasp, being
preferably made of wire, can be cheaply manufactured.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
The construction and application of clasps or fastenings for laces for boots,
shoes and other articles wherein said clasps are formed with under spring legs and
upper spring tongue and adjacent parts as set forth.
Dated the 22nd day of September 1891.
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.