US742992A - Lace-fastener. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTBDIYNOV. s, 1903.,

L. H. HYER.

LACE FASTENER. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 13, 190k). RENEWED JAN. 9, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

Rms PETERS co PHomuTHu. WASHINGTON o c UNITED STATES Patented November 3, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

LINCOLN H. HYER, OF WARRENSBURG, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO JOHN W. BAKER AND NELLIE SNOW HYER, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

LACE-FASTEN ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 742,992, dated November 3, 1903. Application filed September 13, 1900. Renewed January 9, 1903. Serial No. 138,446. No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be itknown that I, LINCOLN H. HYER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Warrensburg, Johnson county, Missouri, have invented a new and useful Lace-Fastener, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in shoe-lace fasteners; and my object is to provide a device of this character which is simple and inexpensive in construction, neat in appearance, and thoroughly reliable for the purpose intended.

In order that the invention may be fully understood, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents the upper front portion of ashoe provided with my attachment. Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the fastener detached. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional View of the fastener, showing the cam and clamp in an elevated position preparatory to receiving the shoe-lace. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of the fastener, showing it clamped on a shoe-lace.

In the drawings, 1 indicates a spring-clamp stamped from a single piece of sheet metal and bent into V-shaped form, the under side of which is provided with integral prongs 2 for securing the device to the shoe and oppositely-disposed integral lugs 3, which extend upwardly a suitable distance above the upper jaw of the clamp. The upper edges of said lugs are convexed, so that they will present no abrupt angles on which the wearing-apparel may catch, while their under edges extend obliquely upward from the lower jaw of the clamp and form acute angles 3 at their point of junction therewith for a purpose hereinafter set forth.

The upper portions of lugs 3 are provided with apertures 4 to receive the trunnions of a cam-lever 5, operated by an integral handle 6, having a ,cam portion 7 at its pivoted end adapted to force the upper jaw down into contact with the lower one when the handle is made to assume the position shown in Fig. 4. The outer terminal of the handle 6 is curved downwardly, so that when it occupies its operative position it will present a smooth surface to the apparel and also prevent the accidental displacement of the shoe-lace 8 from between the terminals of the jaws of the clamp.

When the shoe has been laced after the style shown in Fig.1, the opposite ends of the lace are drawn up tightly through the acute angles 3 formed into loops 9, and then drawn down between the jaws of the clamps, which are tightly pressed upon the lace by throwing the cam-levers to their operative positions. The ends of the lace are then reliably held in position until released by throwing the cam-levers to their opposite positions. By drawing the ends of the lace through the acute angles 3 they become wedged therein, and thus materially relieve the clamps of any undue strain which might be brought to bear upon them if their frictional contact alone was depended upon to retain the lace in position. This construction also admits of the parts being smaller and lighter than if friction was entirely relied on to hold the-lace, because then the clamp and cam-lever would necessarily have to be much heavier and more powerful to prevent the lace from sliping.

While I have described the attachment as being applied to a shoe, I of course reserve the right to place it on leggings, boots, gloves, or, in fact, wherever the service of a reliable lace-fastener may be desired.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a lace-fastener, the combination with upper and lower jaws connected at one end by a spring throwing them normally apart, and lugs rising from the edges of the lower jaw past the edges of the upper jaw, the edges of the lugs adjacent the open end of the device forming an acute angle with the lower jaw for the purpose set forth; of a cam-lever having trunnions journaled in apertures in said lugs and a right-angular portion adapted to force the upper jaw downward, the lever portion of this member being so formed as to close the open end of the device when said right-angular portion depresses the uppermost jaw.

2. In a lace-fastening, cooperating jaws, one of which is rigidly fixed to the shoe and the other of which is movable and held normally away from the same, pintle-bearings integral with said fixed jaw, a cam-shaped tongue pivotally mounted therein, and adaptedto bear on said movable jaw, and having its free end bent to form a closure for the opening between said jaws; substantially as described.

3. In a lace-fastener, the combination with upper and lower jaws connected at one end by a spring which normally holds them apart, of lugs rising from thelowerjaw and extending upwardly and outwardly toward the open space between said jaws and above the upper jaw, whereby the lace to be clamped is positioned under the overhanging lugs, and a cam-lever journaled in the overhanging ends of the lugs and bearing upon the upper jaw immediately above the lace; substantially as described.

4. In a lace-fastener, the combination with upper and lower jaws, one of which is yielding and normally held away from the other, of lugs extending from one of said jaws, and a cam-lever journaled in said lugs, the handle portion of said lever closing the open space between the jaws when the device is in an operative position; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affiX my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

LINCOLN H. HYER.

Witnesses:

H. C. RODGERS, G. Y. THORPE.

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