US145097A - Improvement in clasps - Google Patents

Description

L H. EASTMAN. Clasps.

N0. 145,097. Pat ented Dec. 2,1873.

; UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH H. EASTMAN, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT m cLAsPs.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. [45,097, dated December 2, 1873; application filed November 3, 12573.

To all whom it may concern: pi

Be it known that I, JOSEPH H. EAsTMAN, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Clasps; and I hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which .Figure l is a perspective view of my improved clasp. Fig. 2 is a front view of the same, enlarged. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectilpnal view, showing the double-headed pin or s 'de.

Like letters refer to like parts in the different figures of the drawings.

The object of my invention is to furnish a neat, cheap, and efi'ective portable clasp, which can be used for a great variety of purposes,

such as hanging or supporting towels, or articles of like nature, without injury to the fabric; for desk use in filing letters and papers temporarily; for hanging up hats, caps, and small parcels in the cars attaching tags to clothing, rolls of cloth, and other goods and also in the construction of stockingsupporters and suspenders.

In Fig. 1, AB is apiece of sheet metal, bent, as shown in Fig. 3, to form the jaws of the clasp, the upper jaw, A, being turned or bent downwardly into a lip, the lower jaw being straight and extending somewhat beyond the upper jaw. C is a metal ring disposed in the hinge of the clasp, and is used for supporting or hanging up the same whenever required. Through'the jaws A B there are corresponding longitudinal slots, in which is arranged a double-headed pin or slide, E. At each end of these slots, and at other parts of the same, as

may be required, and on the outer surfaces of the jaws, are small depressions or countersinks, into which the heads of the pin or slide E fall as the pin is moved back and forth in the slot, the body of the clasp being constructed 6f elastic sheet metal, and so bent or formed as to have a constant tendency to spring apart vjpluntarily, so that when the slide Eis at the end of the slot nearest the ring C the clasp will open to its fullest extent. If, when the clasp is thus open, the article it is desired to hold or grasp be inserted between the jaws A B, and the slide E be pushed toward the end of the clasp opposite the ring 0, the heads of the slide will come into contact with the jaws A B, as it is moved along, and will gradually close the mouth of the clasp upon the article to be held, as will be readily understood. The body part or jaws of the clasps being of elastic sheet metal, when the lip z of the upper jaw is firmly pressed upon the article in the mouth of the clasp by means of the slide E having advanced-for instance, to the middle of the slot-if now the slide is pushed still farther toward the mouth of the clasp, the heads of the slide or pin will be forcibly brought into contact with the outer surfaces of the jaws, springing or bending them downward or inwardly until the pin or slide reaches a point in its course corresponding with a countersink or depression, D, when the expansive action of the parts A B will cause the heads of the slide to fall into the depressions on either side of the clasp, thus locking it, and also preventing the pin from being accidentally slipped or pushed back toward the ring 0, by which the jaws or mouth of the clasp would be allowed to open, and the article being held escape.

I am aware that a patent was granted to S. K. Ellis, of ,VValtham, in the State of Massachusetts, April 8, 1873, for an improvement in the clasps of stocking-supporters, said clasp being constructed with two lips, one being plain and the other provided with teeth, and shutting past each other in closing, to which there are many obvious objections. The Ellis clasp, above referred to, also has guards or raised stops struck up in the metal of which the jaws are formed, and is provided with a slide or hoop passing around the jaws on the outside of the same; but one of the principal objections to this arrangement is that the top of the stocking or article to be held is liable to be pushed too far into the clasp, so that when the slide is attempted to be used the clasp is' found to be choked, and the jaws of the same cannot be properly closed.

This object-ion is entirely obviated in my in vention by the use of the pin E passing down through the jaws of the clasp, as shown, and which, as it is moved along its slot toward the mouth of clasp, operates to push the top of the stocking, or whatever has been inserted into the clasp for the purpose of being held, away from and out of the throat of the clasp, thus allowing the jaws to be effectually closed. Another objection to the-Ellis clasp is the liability to tear the article being held by it, which is overcome or obviated in my invention by means of the straight lower jaw extending beyond the upper jaw, which has the lip, as shown at 2, so that the article being grasped has a firm and even support as it rests against the lower jaw, said support being equally divided by said lip, and is not cramped by the jaws, as in the Ellis clasp.

I, therefore, layno claim to any part of the invention described in said Letters Patent, when in itself considered; but

What I do claim is-- The jaws A B, ring 0, double-headed slide E, and countersunk slot, the whole being constructed, combined, and used substantially in the manner and for the purposes set forth.

J OS. H. EASTMAN.

Witnesses:

A. O. MURDocK, OHAs. Ln'rcrs.

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