US1444030A

US1444030A - Lingerie clasp

Info

Publication number: US1444030A
Application number: US485535A
Authority: US
Inventors: Leather John
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1921-07-18
Filing date: 1921-07-18
Publication date: 1923-02-06
Anticipated expiration: 1940-02-06

Description

Patented ti,

narran all LINGERE CLASP.

Application filed July 15,

To all whom- 15' may concern:

Be it known that l, JOHN LEATHER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of lVaterbury, county of New Haven, and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Lingerie Clasps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to clasps, and more particularly to lingerie clasps worn by ladies upon the ribbons or shoulder straps of their garments, such as corset covers, brassieres, chemises, etc.

ln the modern style of womenys dress, the fashion is to make such shoulder straps of extremely thin fabric. rlhe common forms of lingerie clasps have proven unsatisfactory when worn upon such straps, because they are designed for use on thicl fabric. Consequently these clasps either slip along1 the straps, or the straps have a tendency to crowd to one side in the clasps, and become disarranged, wrinlding the inaterial, and in some cases even causing the straps to become torn. Y

`@ne object of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned objections by constructing a lingerie clasp that will not only have a greater gripping power, but in which the grip will be more uniformly distributed along the length of the clasp. l/Vith a clasp so constructed., the very thinnest of fabrics will be securely and neatly held. in position. without the slightest danger of wrinkling, tearing o-r slipping.

Ain'rther object is to provide a cla-sp which can be readily attached and detached by the wearer by operations involving the use of one hand only.

A further object is to provide a clasp that will be strong, durable, and attractive in use, and which may be rapidly and cheaply manufactured from sheet metal, without ems expensive tools or complicated ma` 1921. Serial No. 85,535.

3:3*3 of Figure 2, looking in the direction ofthe arrows, and showing two fabric straps gripped by the tongue and plate of the clasp.

Figure l is a view showing the manner in whichv the clasp is worn upon the person, two clasps being shown in position upon corresponding shoulder straps of the garments.

llignre 5 is a top view of a slightly modified form of clasp.

Figure 6 is a section, on an enlarged scale, taken along the line 6 6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is atop view of another modified forni of clasp embodying the principles of the invention.

Figure 8 is a section, on an enlarged scale, taken along the line 8-8 of Figure 7.

Referring now to the drawings, the first embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures l to t. In this embodiment, the clasp consists of two main parts-the base plate l and the tongue 2-the entire clasp being preferably constructed by stamping from a single piece of metal, which is afterwards bent into shape.

The plate l is integrally joined to the tongue 2 by the resilient curved end section 5l. at its opposite end the plate l terminates in curled-ever resilient catch member 4:. This catch member is shaped like a hollow cylinder, and its extremity 5 lies parallel to and in contact with the plate l-this close n contact boing necessary to prevent the fabric from catching under the extremity 5 and bcconiing torn.

ln order to secure a firm grip upon the fabric, longitudinal ribs 6 and 7 are formed in the plate l. and tongue 2 respectively, and these ribs extend from the end section 8 to the catch member 42 of the clasp. The upper face of the plate-rib 6 is shaped so that it Yfits within the under face. or groove of the tongue-rib 7. As clearly illustrated in Figure 3. when the clasp is closed. the fabric within the clasp is not in a straight line, as in inost clasps, but has a double curvature, including two fiat side portions and a curved central portion. This double curvature has been found to be most effective in preventing slippage of the fabric, and as the ribs 6 and 7 entend the full width of the fabric. itV will be evident that the grip will be uniformly distributed. ITwo fabric straps l() and ll are shown in Figures 2, to 4, but it will be understood that three or more may be employed, if desired.

The tonguarib 7 is extended, as shown at iglitly beyond the ends of tl e lia-t sides tl` tongue-this extension S overlying edge of the catch fl. when the clasp is n vopen position.

, lfing the tongue lo the catclfi., the latter is provided with a cut-out portion l), preferably circular in shape, as shown in Figure l, into which the tongue extension 8 .is adapted to snap, when the tongue is pressed downwardly upon the catch 4;. After the tongue extension has snapped into the cutout 9, the catch expands again', and holds the tongue securely locked, in the closed position, as shown 'in VFigure 2.

It will be apparent from the'above that the fabric is held so firmly by the clasps, it cannot crowd to one side and become crumpled or wrinkled. Moreover, the danger of tearing is reduced to the minimum because the stress on the fabric is uniform and not localized at any one point.

`When it is desired to puto'n a clasp, it is merely necessary to place it around the lingerie straps and to push the tongue and plate together, with the thumb and forel'inger of one hand, until the tongue-extension 8 snaps under the cut-out portion 9 of' the catch. The clasp is t-hen in its locked, position-as shown in Figures 2 to ll.

lllhen it is desired to take oil' the clasp, it is only necessary to flex thel base plate of the clasp slightly by placingthe thumb under the base plate, and then pull down the ends of the clasp with the first and second lingers of the saine hand. The resiliency lof nthe base-,plate and the spring action of the curved end section will release the tongue extension 8 from the catch 4l and cause the tongue to fly open. The clasp may then be easily removed from. the straps.

.Els clearly shown in Figure l, the clasps are generally worn in pairs. ln this view, an outer garment l2 covering an undergar- Vnient 13 are shown, each` being provided with straps lO and ll passing over the shoulders of the wearer. Two clasps .l/l serve to .beep these straps l() and 1l together in symmetrical relation, and at the same time prevent the garments from working around to one side. .lf desired another pair of clasps may also be worn upon the back. of the wea-rer, but ordinarily a` single pair of clasps will be sufficient.

Vln the two modified .formsof clasps illustrated in li'igures 5 to 8, the ribs on the tongues and pla-tes are of somewhat different construction from the corresponding ribs on the clasp shown in Figures l. to 4l.

rl`he ribs l5 aud lb of the tongue and plate of the clasp shown. in Figures and (i, have flat oval shaped ooi-tions 17 and 1S formed thereon intermedia-tethe ends thereof. The top of the fla-t oval section 17 on the tongue, forms a convenient and .appropriate location for 'ornaiiuantaton', monografias, or

other inscriptions tl-e oval shaped portions lj' and 18 not only enhance the gripping power of the ribs l5 a ud 16 but are of considerable assistance in preventing sidewise slipping of the clasp across the fabric straps.

ln the form of clasp illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, the ribs 19 and 2O are made of uniform rectangular section throughout their length. This embodiment is partie ularly adapted to receive ornamentation and inscriptions, which may be engraved upon the flat surface of the wide rib which extends the full length along the top of the tongue.

An important advantage of t-he clasps made in accordance with this invention is that they may be opened and closed without moving the tongue sideways across the base plate, which movement would be likely to injure the fabric. rlhe clasps may be closed by a vertical movement of the tongue, and may be opened by vertically flexing the base.

This novel method of engaging and diseiigaging the tongue by simple vertical flexing movements, is of considerable commercial importance. Since horizontal flexibility is notl required, the tongue may be made of 4wider, thicker, and stronger material, and

thus a larger number of fabric straps may be gripped in the same size of clasp the number being limited only by the height of the cutout in the clasp.

The clasps disclosed herein are preferably made from brass,they may afterwards be electroplated with gold. .Suitably tinted Celluloid may also be employed with success.

While there has been disclosed in this specification several preferred forms in which the invention may be embodied, it is to be Vunderstood that the same are shown merely for purposes of illustration, and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit, in short, the invention is .not limited to the specific disclosure herein presented but includes all the modifications coming within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what claimed as new, and `for which Letters Patent is desired is:

l. ln a lingerie clasp, a resi ient` base seca ibbed tongue i 4l i and movable perpendicular trie e 'base ction having flocking and tong4 -1 centering catch. the end of the 'ongue-rib extending beyond the end of the tongue, and adapted to lock the tongue to the base section when the tongue is pressed vertically downward. upon the catch.v

2. In a lingerie clasp, a base section, a

tongue joined thereto, said base section havy ing a rib interlocking with a rib 011 Said tongue to grip a lingerie strap therebetween,

l lv 0 a catch having a locking recess inounted on the end oil the base section, the tongue-rib being cxtciuled beyond the end ot the tongue7 and adapted to orerlie the catch in open position. and to be locked within the catch recess when the clasp is in closed position.

3. ln a jewelry clasp, the combination with a resilient base section joined to a tongue, of a catch rigidly mounted on the free end of the base section9 and fornied integral therewith, the tree end of said catch being in contact with and supported by said base, said tongue being locked by vertically pressing it down upon the catch, said tongue being released by vertically flexing the base section, said tongue and base section being adapted to tightly grip a thin fabric strip therebetween when said tongue is pressed down upon said catch.

4t. In a lingerie clasp a base section, a tongue, said tongue and base section being' provided with interlocking ribs, said ribs having flattened portions intermediate their ends whereby they assist in gripping lingerie straps therebetween and serve to display ornamentation.

5. In a lingerie clasp, a base section. a tongue joined to said base section, ineans for locking the tree end ot the tongue to the base section. said base sec-tion and tongue having cooperating ribs for engaging a lingerie strap between the base section and tongue. said tongue being released from said base section by vertically Vllexing the base section, said locking means lying in contact with and supported by said base section.

6. A clasp for holding lingerie straps comprising base section and a tongue connected therewith at one end, the other end ot said base section being bent into the forni oi a cylinder to torni a catch for said tongue, said cylinder being curled over into contact with the base section to prevent the. lingerie straps 'troni slipping luider said catch.

'7. ln a lingerie clasp, a base section having a recessed catch at one end, and a resiliently supported tongue at its other end, said tongue having a rib extended longitudinally beyond the ond olI the tongue. and being ad: ited to be snapped into the recess oit the catch and locked to the base section.

ln a lingerie clasp. base section. tongue connected therewith one ench said base having its other end bent over into contact with the base section to torni a catch `member for locking the tongue.

9. A lingerie clasp comprising an elongated inetal strip bent upon itself to `form base section and a tongue, the base section having u cylindrical. catch with a circular cut-out recess ou its inner side7 said tongue having a raised extension adapted to be dotachably locked in said recess.

10. A lingerie clasp comprising an elongated nietal strip bent upon itself to Ytorni a base section and a tongue, the base section having a catch with a cut-out recess on its inner side, said tongue having a raised extension adapted to be detachably locked in said recess.

ll. i jewelry clasp comprising an elongated inetal strip bent upon itself to i'orin a base section and a tongue, said base section having a` catch on its tree end provided with an inwardly extending cut-out recess. said tongue being provided with a rib, said rib having a portion extending beyond the tree end oit said tongue and locking under the recess on said catch for centering the tongue on the clasp.

l2. ln a lingerie clasp, a base section, tongue, and means i'or locking the tongue to the base section, a rib on said tongue, said rib haring a flat portion for receiving ornamental inscriptions and for enhancing the gripping power ot the rib.

i3. ln a lingerie clasp, a base section, a tongue, and means tor locking the tongue to the base sectioin a rib on said tongue.` said rib having an oval flat portion tor receiving ornamental inscrigitions for enhancing the gripping power ol' the rib and t'or preventing sidewise slipping et the clasp over the straps.

la. ln a lingerie clasp. a base section, a tongue connected therewith at one end. a catch on the other end oit said base section said catch being adapted to spread. outwardly when the tongue is pressed down upon it. but being supported against spreading inwardly when pressure is exerted upon it. said tongue being locked by vertically pressing it down upon the catclu and being released b v rertically Vflexing the base section.

l5. In a lingerie cla-sp, a base section, a tongue connected therewith at one endj the other end olf said base section being bent over into Contact with said base section and ning a fetch l'or said tong-rc. said tongue locked by pressing it rc down pon said .tch and be released by verA n whereof. l have atti LIQ xed in v JOHN LlilAlHlfll,

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