USRE1238E - Improvement in epaulets - Google Patents

Description

J. S. SMITH.

Epaulet.

-Ressued Nov. 26, 1861.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

j lMPRovEMENT IN EPAULETS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 23,620, dated April 12, 1859 g Reissue No. I,.!3S, dated November 26, 1861.

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J AMEs S. SMITH, of the city, countyLand State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Epaulets; and I hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, making part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a central section of an epaulet with my improvement, having the fringe attached 5 Fig. 2, a perspective view of the shell of the epaulet in an inverted position; Fig. 3, a perspective view of what I term the adjuster, with its attached fringe detached from the shell.

Similar letters of reference denote like parts in all the figures.

Epaulets as ordinarily constructed consistJ of a shell, the margin of which is provided with holes for the attachment of the fringe or bullion toit. In such epaulets it is not contemplated, and indeed it is not practicable, to remove the fringe or bullion for the purpose of preserving it from being soiled when it is desirable to clean or polish the shell. The epaulet, on the other hand, being in great many cases a part of the soldiers equipment and designed to protect his shoulders against saber-cuts, while the fringe or bullion is merely an ornament or mark of distinction or of rank, it is important that the fringe or bullion should be made readily detachable from and adjustable to the shell or epaulet proper.

My invention therefore has for its object the construction, arrangement, and combination of the parts constituting an epaulet in such a manner that the shell or epanlet proper and the lfrin ge may be readily united or disconnected at pleasure; and it consists in the construction of an epaulet, the same consisting of the combination of three elements, viz: first, of a shell or the epaulet proper with its usual means of attachment to the coat; second, of a bullion or fringe permanently attached or secured to a frame or plate or what I term the adjuster, and, third, of a mech anical device for holding the said frame or plate or adjuster within the shell, substantially in.

the manner as hereinafter described.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe it with reference to the drawings.

In carrying out my invention the shell A of the epaulet is constructed in the same manner as when intended to be worn without fringe, or as sometimes constructed when worn with fringe, except that no holes are provided in the margin for sewing on the fringe, as has heretofore been customary. To the under part Vof the shell thus constructed I attach' and covered by the outer margin of the shell vas shown in Fig. 2, where it is represented in its place in red outline. The extremities o f the said adjuster are formed as shown at c, Figs. 2 and 3, to pass between the strap a a and the shell, and said adjuster has permanently attached at its middle a piece of metal plate, e, so formed with a slot, f, that when said adjuster is placed close within the margin of the shell with the ends c c within the straps .a d, the slot f will t over the staple or eye b,

as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and permit the adjuster to be secured in the shell by passing a small thong or key, g, of leather or other suitable material, tightly through the projecting portion of said staple or eye.

The fringe or bullion C is permanently at- .tached fte the'adjuster B by sewing with a thread, h, passing through holes z' t', provided in the adjuster to receive it, and is permitted to be taken out by simply drawing out the thong or key y, drawing the middle portion of the adjuster away from the shell, and slipping out the ends c c from under the straps a a. The fringe or bullion is replaced again by rst slipping the ends of the adjuster into the straps a a, then bringing the slot f over the staple b and replacing the thong or key g, the adjuster being then concealed when the epaulet is in wear, and the epaulet presenting a neater appearance than the ordinary fringed or bullion epaulet.

Having thus described my'invention and v I do not confine myself to the precise con struction, arrangement, and combination of parts as hereinabove described, it being obvious that my improvement is susceptible of many modifications Without departing from the principle of my invention.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The construction, arrangement, and combination of epaulets substantially as hereinbefore described, the same consisting of the following three elements combined: first, a shell or epaulet proper, with its usual appliance or appliances for its attachment to the coat 5 second, a bullion or fringe permanently attached or secured to a frame, plate, or what is hereinbefore termed an adjuster; 7 and, third, a mechanical device for holding the said frame, plate, or adjuster Within the shell, substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed myv name to this specification before twosubscribing Witnesses.

JAMES S. SMITH.

Witnesses:

A. POLLAK, EDM. F. BROWN.

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