US318919A - Clasp for supporting garments - Google Patents

Description

(N0 ModeL) G. W. LUCIE.

CLASP FOR SUPPORTING GARMENTS.

No 318,919. Patented May 26, 1885.

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GEORGE W. LUCE, OF ALBANY, NEW YORK.

CLASP FOR SUPPORTING GARMENTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 318,919, dated lflay 26, 1885.

Application filed February 27, 1885. (No model.)

To (0225 whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. Loon, a citizen of the United States, residing at Albany, in the county of Albany and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clasps, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to that class of clasps which in one form of use are connected to one end of an extensible elastic suspending'strap, and are designed to detachably grasp a fold of stocking or half-hose, the other end of the strap being adapted, by means of button-engaging or other similar devices, for attachment to the person of the wearer, the clasp, strap, and attaching device constituting a stocking or hose supporter.

The object of my invention is to furnish a clasp of compact durable structure, readily and economically manufactured, and which will perform its required functions with certainty, retaining the stocking or other fabric hereinafter mentioned constantly and without injury when in operative position, but easily and instantly detachable at the will of the wearer. For the accomplishment of these ends I have devised the construction hereinafter described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is afront plan view of my improved clasp, together with my preferred form of supporting-strap and button-engaging device. Fig. 2 is a like view of the clasp alone, and

3 is a rear plan view of the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

A B are two clampingjaws pivoted together at M, where they are provided with overlapping extensions P Q, rounded oif, as shown, so as to present no sharp external angles or Above the pivotal point the jaws are for a suflifiient distance provided with opposite parallel bearing or clasping edges L N. At their outer extremities the jaws sep arate and are pivoted at'K Rto the arms CD, which terminate at their ends in enlarged pressing projectionsF G. A spiral spring, 13,, joins the arms 0 D, of such tension as to draw said arms toward each other.

Between the spring and the pressing projections F G extend the branch arms H I,

pivoted to each other at J. These branch connected arms serve also as a means of attachment of the clasp to its buckle-strap S.

The main parts of the clasp are preferably made of sheet metal cut out or stamped from suitable blanks, and perforated thereafter for the pivot-holes. The arm C, its branch H, and pressing projection F are also preferably formed from a single piece of metal, twisted in such manner that the projection F shall stand substantially at right angles to the surface of the arms. The arm D, its branch arm I, and projection G are similarly constructed.

The parts being arranged and connected as described, the operation of my invention is as follows: When not in use, the clamp presents the appearance shown in the drawings, the spring Etending to draw the arms 0 D toward each other. The jaws A B are affected in like manner, and the clamping-surfacesL N are held firmly together.

When it'is desired to attach the clamp to a stocking, sock, or other fabric, the pressing projections 13 G are forced toward each other by means of the thumb and forefinger. The branch arms H I accordingly rock on their pivot J, and the arms 0 D and jaws A B recede from each other against the tension of the spring E. The clampingsurfaces L N are also drawn apart and a vertical fold of the fabric is placed between them. The pressing projections are thereupon released and the clamping-edges spring toward each other, grasping the stocking-fold between them.

The clamp can be detached at will by simply forcing the pressing projections toward each other, as before, until the clamping-edges release their hold upon the fabric, whereupon the latter may be at once withdrawn.

To those acquainted with the defects and disadvantages of many analogous devices up on the market the merits of my improved construction will be immediately apparent. The ease and rapidity with which it is adj ust ed and detached effect a notable saving of time and trouble to the wearer. No sharp corners or projections are present to tear the clothing or otherwise occasion inconvenience. By reason of the overlapping jaws the clasped fabric is not lacerated. The positive action of the spring maintains the clamping action constantly until voluntarily released, thereby IOC) preventing accidental disengagement; and, finally, the construction, while simple and durable, is pleasing to the eye.

It is evident that my improved clasp can be applied to many uses other than as a stocking-supporter. Thus it may be used in connection with a sleeve-holder, napkin-supporter, trousers -.suspender, and generally wherever it is found useful to have a readilyreleasable clamping or clasping action upon a fabric.

While I prefer, as hereinbefore stated, to construct the main parts of my clamp from sheet metal, it is evident that they may in some instances, if desired, be made of other material having the sufficient degree of strength and tenacity. It is apparent, moreover, that various modifications can be made in the general structure that would stillfall within its principle of action. I do not therefore desire to restrict myself to the exact construction shown, but desire to be understood as claiming all such obvious equivalents there of as fairly fall within the scope of my inven tion.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and wish to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-- 1. A clasp for stocking-supporters and the like having pivoted clamping jaws closing toward each other edgewise, pivoted arms attached to the outer ends of said jaws and ham ing branch arms pivoted together, and a spring GEORGE W. LUOE.

Witnesses:

L. Lawson, HENRY E. STERN.

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