US2527484A - Clasp - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 24, 1950 v w, LESTER 2,527,484

CLASP Filed June 14, 1946 A? WNW Z /4 Mi HIMI II mliumn INVENTOR M MAL-375;?

BY I 'zTToRNEY i Patented Oct. 24, 1950 CLASP r r Williain M. I; e ster, Mountainside, J. a Application June 14, 1946, Serial No. 676,795

' v 2 Claims. (Cl. 24-251) The invention herein .disclosed relates to a clasp that issuitable. for garters, suspenders etc., more particularly, the invention relates to a clasp that has relatively movable jaws between which the article to be secured is clamped.

An object of this invention is to provide a clasp of the kind mentioned that may be made. of molded, plastic parts. Another object of the invention is to provide a clasp of this kind that is reliable in use, simple in construction and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

, 2 inder. At the end of the portion 6 of this element, there is formed a strap receiving or securing bracket I2 of reduced thickness. This bracket has a strap-receiving slot I3 therein and an entering slot I4 through which the loop in a strap may be entered in the slot I3 and so hold the clasp. A slot-I5 runs longitudinally of the element from the transverse, strap-receiving slot I3 past the axes of the bearing sockets I and II to a point adjacent the clamping face of the jaw I portion of the element. The outer side of the The foregoing objects .and certain advantages that will hereinafter appear are realized in the embodiment of the invention disclosed in the accompanying drawing and described in detail .is also provided with teeth II for cooperation below from which description a clearer understanding of the invention may be had.

The drawing includes:

Fig. 1 which is a plan of a clasp embodying the invention; a

Fig. 2 which is a side elevation of the same;

. Fig. 3 which is a bottom plan of the same; Fig.4 which is a transverse section of'the same taken on the line 4-4 of Fig.1;

Fig. 5 which is a plan of one of the elements of the clasp; and Fig; 6-which isa plan of another element of the clasp. 3 i

? In general-the clasp illustrated in thedrawing includes two relatively movable elements I and 2 and a slide 3 which is movable longitudinally of the elements I and 2. The elements are pivotally related between their ends at 4. A portion 5 of the element I on one side of the pivotal axis constitutes a clamping jaw and the portion 6 on the other side of the pivotal axis constitutes an extension of the jaw. In like manner, the portion I of the element 2 on one side of the pivotal axis constitutes a clamping jaw and the portion 8 on the other side of the pivotal axis constitutes an extension. In the closed or clamping position of the jaws, the extensions 6 and 8 diverge from the pivotal axis. The slide 3 engages opposite sides of the elements I and 2 and when moved to engage the extensions moves the jaws to unclamping position and when moved toward the jaws, the jaws are moved to and held in clamping position.

The element I is a flat molded piece. The clamping jaw portion 5 has formed thereon a plurality of triangular shaped teeth 9 for gripping the material to be clasped. Intermediate its ends on the clamping face side there are formed spaced bearing sockets III and I I, adjacent each side edge, which are sectors of a cylelement I is recessed for approximately the length of the slot I5 for receiving a part of the slide 3 as will hereinafter appear.

The clamping jaw portion. 1 of the element 2 with the teeth .9 in-clamping material between .the jaws. The extension 8of the element 2 makes an angle with, the clamping jaw portion; it is inclined to the plane of the jaw portion at an At the apex of the angle, there is formed on the element 2 a pair of lugs I8 and I9 that are complementary to and received in the bearing sockets II) and I I formed in the element I. "These lugs acting in the sockets .constitute a pivot about which the two elements are relatively movable to effect movement of the jaws fromv clamping to unclamping positions. ;.The lug and socket arrangement also serves to I5 in the element I.

The slide includes a connecting portion 2| which in the assembled clasp extends through and is slidable in the slots I5 and 20. At one end of the connecting portion of the slide there is a retaining portion 22 which is wider than and extends transversely of the connecting portion. This retaining portion is received in the recess in the outer surface of the element I and engages that surface on opposite sides of the slot therethrough. At the opposite end of the connecting portion 2|, there is also a transverse portion 23 which engages the outer surface of the element 2 on both sides of the slot 20. This portion has a convexed engaging surface 24. The outer surfaces of the transverse portions 22 and 23 are serrated for ease of manipulation of the slide. The length of the connecting portion of the slide is approximately the same as the combined thickness of the elements I and 2, so that when the slide is in the position shown, the jaws are in, and held in clamping position,

In the clamping position of the jaws, the extensions 6 and 8 of the elements I and 2 diverge from the pivotal axis 4 because of the angular relation of the extension 8 to the jaw I. When the slide 3 is moved to engage the extensions 6 and 8, the extensions are brought together and the jaws are moved to open or unclamping position. As the thickness of the connecting portion 2| of the slide is greater than entering slot I4, the slide cannot become separated. Of course when a strap is engaged in the strapreceiving slot l3, the entering slot I4 is closed by the strap. In assembling the clasp, the con-' necting portion 2| of the slide is forced through the entering slot I4 into the slots l5 and 20. The material has sufficient resiliency to permit this to be done.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the three parts n'laking up the clasp are of such shape that they are readily molded in the common two part mold.

It will also be obvious that various changes may be made by those skilled in the art in the details of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing and described above within the principle and scope of the invention as ex- 1 pressed in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. As an article of manufacture, a clasp of the kind described comprising in combination a pair of relatively movable elements pivotally related between their ends, the portio'ns of the elements diverging in the clamping position of the jaws and a longitudinal slot therethrough extending from the end of its extension past the pivot, and a slide consisting of a single piece of material and including a central portion of greater thickness than the entering slot to said strap securing bracket, and transverse portions at the ends of the central portion engaging opposite surfaces of the elements.

2. As an article of manufacture, a clasp of the kind described comprising in combination a pair of relatively movable elements, one of said elements bein flat and including an off-set portion constituting a clamping jaw at one end thereof, a strap securing bracket at the opposite end thereof having a transverse strap receiving slot and a central entering slot, the element having intermediate the ends thereof spaced, transverse, cylindrical depressions and a longitudinal slot aligned with said entering slot, of greater width than the entering slot and extending from said transverse slot past said cylindrical depressions, the other element includin a portion constituting a clamping jaw and a diverging extension, cylindrical lugs on said secand mentioned element at the point of divergence and received in the cylindrical depressions in the first mentioned element, the second mentioned element having a longitudinal slot therethrough extending from the end of its extension past said cylindrical lugs, and a slide consisting of a single piece of material and including a portion of greater thickness than the entering slot to said securing bracket, and transverse portions at the ends of the central portions engaging opposite surfaces of the elements.

WILLIAM M. LESTER.

REFERENCES CITED 7 The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 474,719 Brande May 10, 1892 496,721 Chatellier May 2, 1893 806,265 Kesler et a1 Dec. 5, 1905 1,929,840 Farrell Oct. 10, 1933 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 71,438 Switzerland Mar. 4, 1915 145,423 Switzerland May 16, 1931 270,228 Germany Feb. 12, 1914

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