Year: 1886

page_text: [Communicated from abroad by THOMAS OTIS POTTER, of Boston, Massachusetts,
United States of America, Gentleman.]
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows :-
This invention relates to a clasp or attaching device chiefly designed to be used in
connection with, or to form a part of, braces or suspenders having waistband rods or
supports, but also applicable for other purposes; and it also relates to said rods or
supports.
:
According to the said invention the shoulder straps which are connected by a
cross-back-strap, support hooks which engage rings carried by the supports. Each of
these supports preferably has three waist-band-attaching devices, which engage or lay
hold of the waistband of the pantaloons or other article of dress, at as many points.
The attaching device comprises, essentially, a back-plate having a slot or recess, a front
plate carrying a sliding or movable jaw having prongs, and a toggle or link for
moving the sliding plate and for locking it in position, the prongs being moved from
one plate through the waistband of the pantaloons, or other article, and in a
downward direction, into a pocket, slot or recess in the back-plate. The device is.
otherwise constructed so as to be secured to the suspender rod or support, and also to
provide means for holding the ring with which the suspender hook engages. This
ring, however is used only in connection with the central attaching device or
fastening. The back and front plates are preferably made from one blank.
The blank from which the back and front plates are made or formed is subjected to
the operation of suitable punching and forming or stamping devices, whereby a long
slot is formed in the end or section of the blank which forms a part of the front plate
and holes and cross-bars provided to form a part of the hinge or joint by which the
017

page_text: toggle or link is secured to the front plate, as hereinafter specified. The blank may
further have holes for the reception of the hinges or joints of the jaw and the toggle
or link.
Also a long slot in the part or section which forms a portion of the
back-plate and which is adapted to receive the ends of the prongs. The blank is
further shaped by bending one end section inward upon the line of the said long slot
so as to bring the same into an inclined position and by bending its end backward
upon itself to form a cover to the slot, thereby acting to receive the ends of the
prongs, and prevent them from projecting out from the back-plate of the device.
The opposite end section is also bent to bring its slot into the required position.
After the formation or shaping of the blank in this manner the link and sliding
jaw preferably are attached.
The link preferably is made of a blank having cars and holes to form pivots or
cross-bars. The said ears serve when bent, to connect the link with the front plate,
the ears being turned or bent about the cross-bars to form a hinge or joint. The
blank also has a little thumb piece turned outwardly therefrom.
The jaw is made from a blank having ears and prongs which are bent to project.
from the plate. This pronged plate is attached to the link by the ears which are
bent about the cross-bars or pieces and form a hinge or joint.
When the device is employed in connection with a suspender rod or support such
as above referred to, the back-plate has additionally, one or two wing pieces as
preferred, by which it is secured to the rod or support. When the device is attached
to the end of the supporting rod only one wing piece is necessary, and that is
arranged to project towards the end of the rod or support, and so that the end of the
rod or support may be brought flush with the side edge of the attaching device.
When it is used as the central attaching device upon the rod or support there may be
two wing pieces used. The wing is of sufficient length and so shaped as to be turned
or bent by the rod to support the attaching device in place.
When a ring is used in connection with the rod or support, the blank from which
the front and back plates are made may be longer, so as to enable it to be placed over
the ring and fasten it to the bar or rod, or the ring may be independently secured to
the said bar or rod.
I would say that I do not limit the use of the invention to suspenders having the
construction above indicated, but may use it for any other purpose where it is desired
to obtain an attaching device for securing one strap or article in place. It may be
used also as a means for holding buttons.
The front and back plates of the attaching devices are separated from each other so
as to form a receiving recess or space-that is, a space adapted to receive the waist
band or other thing to which the fastening may be attached, and that by bending the
lower edge of the front plate outwardly not only is the long slot brought into a
desirable position for the reception of the jaw but a somewhat wider opening to the
recess is provided than if this part of the front plate were straight. It will also be
seen that the back-plate not only has a slot or pocket for the reception of the prongs
of the jaw but that it also has a shoulder which preferably is upon the same line
therewith as the hole or slot which receives the ends of the jaw prongs.
From what I have stated it will be noticed that the essential features of the device
are the plate having a prong-receiving hole, slot or pocket, another plate arranged in
relation to the first to provide a receiving space, a jaw held in place to the last named
plate, moved by a link or hinge across said receiving space.
In use the material to which the attaching device is to be secured is placed in the
receiving space or recess between the front and back plates, the slide plate or jaw,
having first been moved outwardly; after the material has been thus placed the jaw
or sliding plate is moved inwardly, the prongs entering the material, passing through
the same and extending into the slot or pocket upon the other side, and they are held
locked in place by the strain of the link or toggle. It is preferable that the front
plate be curved or shaped so that the toggle or link will be forced inward or broken
towards the plate upon the application of strain to the prongs, as by so doing a more
permanent and better locking of the jaw is obtained,

page_text: It will be seen that the prongs of the jaw and their holding pocket, occupy such
relation to each other that the strain or downward pull of the material is to a very
considerable extent against the shoulder of the back-plate, and that such downward
pull or strain also serves to hold the toggle and link straight and the jaw locked.
I would remark, that I do not confine myself, so far as the features of this invention
are concerned, to the especial form of grasping device or appliance above described.
The said clasps are attached to links made of wire. I prefer to connect these links
with each other by clasps or sleeves or any other suitable connection may be used.
Where they are made of flat metal they may be constructed so that each link has an
ear shutting upon or around a bar formed upon the next adjacent blank.
I sometimes employ flat blank having two slots and a long car adapted to pass
through the slot of the next blank and the slot at its base or end. Or the flat metal
blanks may be connected with each other the link having one long ear, one short ear
and a slot. The short ear is adapted to be curved or bent to form a pivot and the long
ear to enter the slot of the next link and to be turned about the pivot.
I also use in some cases a flat blank similar to that last described the only difference
being that it has two cars and corresponding holes therefor, instead of one car and the
long slots or ears.
I would say that I do not confine myself, however, to this especial form or method
of connecting the flat blanks, as there are many ways in which the links may be joined
with each other so as to provide them with a horizontal adjustment or movement to
vary the curve of the bar or support.
The waist-band grasping devices may be provided with ears by which they are
secured to the links, the end grasping devices having one ear each to lay hold of the
end of each link at each end of the bar or support, and the central grasping device
having two ears to engage the bars of the links on each side thereof. The central
grasping device also holds the ring which receives the suspender hook or end.
Any form of shoulder or other straps or braces may be employed.
In a modified form of clasp or grasping device the link is hinged or jointed to the
front plate in the same manner as in the clasp previously described. The jaw is con-
nected at one end to the link and is adapted with its free end to enter a slot in the
front plate when the clasp is closed. In the operation of the clasp the jaw forces the
fabric through the slot. To prevent the fabric from slipping in the said slot one edge
of the latter is provided with teeth or serrations.
The jaw is pivotted to the link in such a manner that any strain upon the fabric will
have a tendency to close the jaw more firmly.
To afford additional security against the accidental opening of the clasp I bend the
edges of the link slightly inwards, so as to embrace the sides of the link.
Dated this 7th day of December 1886.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Clasps or Attaching Devices for Braces,
Suspenders, and other Articles.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake and Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 relates to clasps of attaching devices chiefly designed to be used in
connection with, or to form a part of braces or suspenders having waistband rods or
supports but also applicable for other purposes, and to the said rods or supports.
In the accompanying drawing,
Figures 1, 2 and 3 are plans of blanks from which the clasps or attaching devices
are made.
Figure 4 is a plan view of a blank from which its pronged jaw is made.
Figure is a view showing the blank represented in Figure 2 formed or bent to
shape, but before the jaw and its operating device are attached thereto.
Figure 6 is a plan of the blank from which the link which connects the jaw with
the front plate of the attaching device is made, and
Figure 7 represents it in perspective, formed to the desired shape.
Figure 8 is a view in perspective of the complete attaching device before it is
secured to its support or rod.
Figure 9 is a view in perspective of the complete jaw inade from the blank shown
in figure 4.
Figure 10 is a view in elevation of the complete suspender, representing the
attaching devices as secured to the waistband and bars or rods.
Figure 11 is an enlarged view of one of the waistband bars or rods, with the
attaching devices secured thereto, and also showing a section of a waistband.
Figure 12 is a view in vertical section through one of the attaching devices, repre-
senting it as applied to a waistband, and the withdrawn position of the jaw to permit
the insertion of the waistband.
Figure 13 is a view of the same parts as shown in figure 12, the jaw having been
passed through the material of the waistband to fasten the attaching devices thereto.
Figure 14 represents a slight change in the form of the front plate of the attaching
device, reference to which is hereinafter made.
Figure 15 is a view in elevation, and
Figure 16, in vertical section, illustrating the attaching device as employed for
holding a button and securing it to the waistband or other article.
Figure 17 is a view in plan of a blank from which the end attaching device
is made.
Figure 18, is a view in plan of a blank for the central attaching device.

page_text: Figure 19 is a view of a blank having its attaching car extending from the side
opposite to that shown in Figure 1.
Figure 20 is a plan of the blank from which the jaw is made.
Figure 21, is a plan of the blank from which the link is made.
Figure 22 is a view in elevation of the complete device.
Figure 23 is a view in plan of a form of a flat metal link.
Figure 24 represents an elevation of a portion of the rod or support composed of
links shown in figure 23.
Figure 25 is a portion of a rod composed of links as represented in Figure 24.
Figure 26 shows in plan another form of flat metal link.
Figure 27 is a view of the same, one end being turned or curved to form a
pivot bar.
Figure 28 is a view of several such links secured together.
Figure 29 is a sectional view to further illustrate the invention.
Figures 30, 31 and 32 illustrate a form of flat blank which is similar to that shown
in figure 7, with the exception that it has two cars instead of one.
A, A represent the shoulder straps, which are connected by the cross-back-strap
and support hooks a¹ which engage rings b on the supports B B. Each of these
supports preferably has three waist band-attaching devices which engage or lay hold
of the waistband of the pantaloons or other article of dress, at as many points. The
attaching device comprises, essentially, a back-plate having a slot or recess, a front
plate carrying a sliding or movable jaw having prongs, and a toggle or link for
moving the sliding plate and for locking it in position, the prongs being moved from
one plate through the waistband of the pantaloons, or other article, and in a downward
direction, into a pocket, slot or recess in the back-plate. The device is otherwise
constructed so as to be secured to the suspender rod or support, and also to provide
means for holding the ring with which the suspender hook engages. This ring,
however is used only in connection with the central attaching device or fastening.
The back and front plates are preferably made from one blank.
In Figure 1 I have represented in plan a blank of metal from which the back and
front plates are made or formed. This blank is subjected to the operation of suitable
punching and forming or stamping devices, whereby a long slot c is formed in the
end or section c¹ which forms a part of the front plate, and the holes cand cross-
bars c³ provided to form a part of the hinge or joint by which the toggle or link is
secured to the front plate, as hereinafter specified. The blank may further havo
holes for the reception of the hinges or joints of the jaw and the toggle or link, and
the long slot in the part or section c which forms a portion of the back-plate and
which is adapted to receive the ends of the prongs. The blank is further shaped by
bending the end section c inward, upon the line of the slot, so as to bring the slot co
into the position represented in figures 5 and 12, and by bending its end backward
upon itself to form the cover c to the slot, thereby forming a recess to receive the
ends of the prongs, and prevent them from projecting out from the back-plate of the
device.
The end section c³ is also bent to bring the slot c into position represented in
figures 5 and 12.
After the formation or shaping of the blank in this manner the link and sliding
jaw preferably are attached.
The link D preferably is made from a blank d shaped as shown in figure 6, and it
las the cars d' and holes d to form the pivots or cross-bars d³. The cars d¹ serve
when bent, to connect the link with the front plate c', the cars being turned or bent
about the cross-bars c³ to form a hinge or joint. The blank also has a little thumb-
piece turned outwardly therefrom..
The jaw E is made from a blank shaped substantially as shown in figure 4, and it
has the ears e and the prongs e¹ which are bent to project from the remainder of the
plate, substantially as shown in Figure 9. This pronged plate is attached to the
link D by the ears e the cars being beut about the cross-bars or pieces and forming
a hinge or joint.

page_text: When the devices is employed in connection with a suspender rod or support such
as above referred to, the back-plate has, additionally, one or two wing pieces Fas
preferred, by which it is secured to the rod or support. When the device is attached
to the end of the supporting rod only one wing piece is necessary, and that is arranged
to project towards the end of the rod or support, and so that the end of the rod or
support may be brought flush with the side edge of the attaching device. When it is
used as the central attaching device upon the rod or support, there may be two wing
pieces used as represented in figure 5. The wing it will be observed, is of sufficient
length and so shaped as to be turned or bent by the rod to support the attaching
device in place.
When a ring is used in connection with the rod or support, the blank from which
the front and back plates are made may be longer, so as enable it to be placed over
the ring and fasten it to the bar or rod, or the ring may be independently secured to
the said bar or rod..
I would say that I do not limit the use of the invention to suspenders having the
construction above indicated, but may use it for any other purpose where it is
desired to obtain an attaching device for securing one strap or article in place. It
may be used also as a means for holding buttons and in figure 16-I have represented
a button H attached to the front plate..
It will be seen that the front and back plates C₁ (2 of the attaching devices are
separated from each other so as to form a receiving recess or space that is, a space
adapted to receive the waistband or other thing to which the fastening may be
attached, and that by bending the lower edge c' of the front plate outwardly not only
is the slot e brought into a desirable position for the reception of the jaw E but a
somewhat wider opening to the recess if provided than if this part of the front plate
were straight. It will also be seen that the backplate not only has a slot or pocket
for the reception of the prongs of the jaw but that it also has a shoulder which
preferably is upon the same line therewith as the hole or slot which receives the ends
of the jaw prongs.
From what I have stated it will be noticed that the essential features of the device
are the plate having a prong receiving hole, slot or pocket, another plate arranged in
relation to the first to provide a receiving space and a jaw held in place to the last
named plate, moved by a link or hinge across said receiving space.
In use the material to which the attaching device is to be secured is placed in the
receiving space or recess between the front and back plates, the slide plate or jaw,
having first been moved outwardly; after the material has been thus placed the jaw
or sliding plate is moved inwardly, the prongs entering the material passing through
the same and extending into the slot or pocket upon the other side, where they are
held locked by the strain of the link or toggle. It is preferable that the front plate be
curved or shaped as shown in figure 14 so that the togglo or link will be forced
inward or broken towards the plate upon the application of strain to the prongs as by
so doing a more permanent and better locking of the jaw is obtained.
It will be seen that the prongs of the jaw and their holding pocket, occupy such
relation to each other that the strain or downward pull of the material is to a very
considerable extent against the shoulder of the back plate and that such downward
pull or strain also serves to hold the toggle and link straight and the jaw locked.
In the drawings Figures 22 to 32 inclusive, A² A' represent the links and B² B²
the attaching devices or appliances for taking hold of or grasping the waistband of
the pantaloons. These, preferably, are like those above shewn and described. I would
remark that I do not confine myself so far as the features of this invention are
concerned to the especial form of grasping device or appliance.
Where the links are made of wire as shown in Figure 22, I prefer to connect them
with each other by clasps or sleeves a, although any other suitable connection may be
used. Where they are made of flat metal they may be constructed as represented
in Figures 23 to 25 inclusive, that is, each link may have an ear shutting upon or
around a bar formed upon the next adjacent blank. In Figures 23, 24 and 25, I have
shewn a form of flat blank having two slots and a long car adapted to pass through

page_text: the slot of the next blank and the slot at its base or end, substantially as shewn in
Figures 24 and 25.
Or the flat metal blanks may be connected with each other, as represented in
Figures 26 to 29 inclusive, where the link is represented as having one long ear, one
short car and a slot. The short car is adapted to be curved or bent to form a pivot as
represented in Figure 27 and the long car to enter the slot of the next link in order,
and to be turned about the pivot, as represented in Figures 28 and 29. In Figure 30
I show a flat blank which is similar to that shewn in Figure 23, the only difference
being that it has two ears and corresponding holes therefor, instead of one ear and the
long slots or cars of figure 23.
I would say that I do not confine myself however, to this especial form or method
of connecting the flat blanks, as there are many ways in which the links may be joined
with each other so as to provide them with a horizontal adjustment or movement to
vary the curve of the bar or support.
I have represented the waist-band grasping device as provided with ears by which
they are secured to the links, the end grasping devices having one ear each to lay hold
of the end of each link at each end of the bar or support, and the central grasping
device having two ears to engage the bars of the links on cach side thereof as
represented in Figure 22. The central grasping device also holds the ring which
receives the suspender hook or end.
Any form of shoulder or other straps or braces may be employed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my foreign
correspondent, I declare that what I claim is
1. An attaching device for suspenders and other articles, comprising a back-plate
having a slot or recess c, a front plate, a slide or movable jaw E having prongs e and
the link D hinged to said slide-plate and the front plate, substantially as described.
2. The combination of an attaching device for suspenders and other articles, of a
plate having a slot es and a shoulder, a plate attached to the first named plate and
adapted to form in connection therewith a receiving space or recess, and the slide plate
or jaw E held by said last named plato and adapted to be moved therefrom diagonally
across said receiving space into the slot or pocket upon the other side, substantially as
described.
3. In an attaching device for suspenders and other articles, a back plate (2 having
a shoulder, a slot cand a slot covering plate es; a front plate (attached to the back
plate and forming in connection therewith a receiving recess or space the said plate C
being provided with a slot or recess e; a jaw or slide plate E having prongs e¹ movable
across said receiving space or recess; and a link or hinged plate D connecting said
jaw or slide plate with the plate C, substantially as described.
4. In an attaching device for suspenders, a front plate having a slide plate or jaw E
provided with prongs e¹ and a link or hinged plate for connecting said sliding plate or
jaw with the said front plate; and a pocket or recess for receiving and holding the
ends of the prongs, substantially as described.
5. An attaching device for suspenders and other articles having a back plate provided
with a prong-holding recess or pocket; a front plate arranged in relation to the back-
plate to provide a receiving space or recess; and a pronged jaw operated and held by
à toggle, the said front plate being bent, curved or shaped to enable the toggle to be
moved inward from a straight line, substantially as described.
6. In an attaching device for suspenders and other articles, a jaw having the prongs e
shaped or bent in relation to its supporting plate as specified, and a link or hinged
plate for attaching it and operating it, substantially as described.
7. A fastening device for suspenders and other articles, having a sliding jaw
provided with prongs, and a link or hinged connecting piece provided with a thumb-
piece or projection d', substantially as described.
8. In an attaching device for suspenders and other like articles, a fastening
comprising a back-plate having a prong receiving recess, slot or pocket, a front plate

page_text: arranged in relation to the back-plate to provide a receiving space; a jaw having
prongs adapted to be moved by a link across said receiving space; and means for
fastening said device to a rod or support, substantially as described.
9. In an attaching device for suspenders and other similar articles, a plate having
a prong-receiving slot or pocket; a second plate arranged in relation to the first to
provide a receiving space; a jaw held in place and operated by a link or hinged plate;
and a button attached or secured to said fastening device, substantially as described.
10. In an attaching device for suspenders and other like articles, a fastening
comprising a back-plate having a prong receiving recess, slot or pocket; a front plate
arranged in relation to the back plate to provide a receiving space; and a jaw having
prongs adapted to be moved by a link across said receiving space into said prong
receiving slot or pocket, substantially as described.
11. Suspenders, braces or other similar articles having waistband bars or rods
made of a number of links joined or connected to provide a horizontal movement in
relation to each other, substantially as described.
12. The suspenders, braces or other similar articles having waistband bars or rods
formed or composed of links connected with each other, and waistband grasping
attaching or holding devices secured to said links, substantially as described.
13. In suspenders, braces or other similar articles, the waistband bars or rods formed
or composed of links connected with or attached to each other so as to turn or move
horizontally; waistband grasping or attaching devices carried thereby, and a ring,
eye, or other suitable device for receiving the suspènder ends, substantially as
described.
10th ..
1007
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant,