US1154066A - Shoe-lace fastener. - Google Patents

Description

C. B. SMITH SHOE LACE FASTENER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 1. 1915.

1,154,066. PatentedSept. 21, 1915.

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COLUMBIA FLANOORAPH couwAshmc'roM D C CHARLES B. SMITH, or GRAFTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

SHOE-LACE FASTENER.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES B. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at 22 Maplewood avenue, Grafton, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shoe-Lace Fasteners, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to fasteners employed inholding and securing the lacing terminals of shoes, gloves, parcel holders and numerous other articles, and has for its object to provide a simple and efiicient device for securely clamping the loose ends of a lacing or string to a shoe or other article, obviating the necessity and inconvenience of unloosing the lace or string, which is a common source of annoyance in articles fastened by lacings or strings.

To this end the said invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts herein described, and particularly pointed out in the accompanying claim.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification and which illustrate a form of my said invention, Figure 1, is a side view of my improved lace fastener. Fig. 2, is a vertical detail sectional view on line zv-x Fig. 1. Fig. 3, is a vertical sectional view on line cz of Fig. 2. Fig. 4, is a sectional view on line 'yy Fig. 3. Fig. 5, is a plan view of the spring finger. Fig. 6, is a bottom plan view of Fig. 5. Fig. 7, is an elevation of the spring finger. Fig.- 8, is a perspective view of the device attached to the upper part of a shoe. Fig. 9, is a plan view of my improved fastener. Fig. 10, is a vertical sectional view of a further modified form.

In the drawings 1, indicates the hollow shank having an integral head 2, or the said head may be formed separate of, and secured to the shank. Within the hollow shank 1, is arranged a helical spring 3, one end of which engages the underface of the head 2, within the hollow portion of said shank, while the opposite end of said spring engages the spring finger 4. The spring finger extends through the transverse slots or openings 5 and 6, the former being of less dimension than the latter. The hollow shank 1, adjacent its lower end, is formed with a flange 7, and the fastener is secured to the shoe upper or article to which it is to be used in connection with, by inserting the portion of the shank below the said flange Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 21, 1915.

Application filed March 1, 1915. seriaino. 11, 121.

into suitable openings and upsetting same, to form the flange 8, the material being thus securely gripped. between said flanges 7 and 8. The spring finger 4, at its inner end, projects from without the smaller opening 5, of the shank and the said projecting portion, the finger is downwardly bent at 9, into engagement 'with the flange 7. The opposite end of the spring finger 4, which extends through the large slot or opening 6, is bent upwardly at 10, and underface is knurled at 11, to form a rough surface for gripping the lace 12, when the latter is inserted thereunder.

In the modification illustrated in Fig.10, the shank 1, is for the greater part solid as at 13, having a hollow portion 14, in which is located the flat V spring 15, the upper leg 16, of which engages the interior solid portion of the shank. The lower leg 17, engages the spring finger 4, and serves to tension same into contact with the lace or string.

Both the preferred and modified forms of fastener,'are attached to the article in similar manner, the lower end of the shank being split as at 19, to expedite the upsetting of same.

It is obvious that the laces or strings are bow knotted as illustrated in Fig. 8, the looped portions 20, are passed between the spring finger and the shoe upper, or article to which the device is to be attached, and the lacing terminals 21, are positioned between the head 2, and the shoe upper. It will therefore be seen that the fastener is selflocking, that is to say, when the lacing is inserted between the spring fingers, the lacing is tightly held, and any pull on the lacing will thrust the looped portions of the lacing against the shoe upper. The lacing may be readily released by removing the terminals from under the head and finger.

By this construction I am enabled to produce a fastener which will positively and securely hold the lacing in place While at the same time, being simple of construction, and economical to manufacture, but it is understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to, which comewithin the scope of the claim hereunto appended.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A fastener for lacings or strings adapted to be secured to a shoe upper, and comprising a hollow shank formed with a head at its outer end, and a flange near its inner end,

said shank adjacent said flange being provided With transverse alining openings, a finger detaohably mounted in said openings and having a portion projecting therefrom, a spring arranged within said hollow shank and having one end engaging said finger whereby the said finger is tensioned toward the shoe upper, that portion of the shank below said flange adapted to upset, Where- 10 by the said fastener is secured to the said shoe upper.

In testimony whereof, I afliX my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

16. B. SMITH. Witnesses:

RALPH DONATE, MARY C. MoGoWAN;

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. G.

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