Untitled record

Application filed February 18, 18^5. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, John F. McCrystal and John P. Siegfried, both residents of Sandusky, in the county of Erie and State of 5 Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pocket-Protectors; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, aud exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to io which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which—·

Figure 1 is a rear view⁷ showing our improved 15 protector applied to a pocket in position for operation. Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line x x in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the complete protector detached; aud Fig. 4 is a detail view 2C of the plate or frame of the protector.

The same letters refer to the same parts in all the figures.

This invention relates to that class of devices which are known as “pocket-protectors,” 25 and which may be applied permanently to any pocket for the purpose of retaining articles placed in such pocket securely therein, as well as for the purpose of preventing the unlawful abstraction of its contents.

The invention has for its object to provide a device of this class which shall possess superior advantages iu point of simplicity, durability, and general efficiency.

With these ends in view the invention con35 sists in the improved construction, arrangement, and combination of parts which will be hereinafter fully described, aud particularly pointed out in the claims.

Our improved pocket - protector, as illus40 trated in the drawings hereto annexed, is constructed of a strip of light sheet metal, designated by letter A, of a length somewhat exceeding the width of the pocket to which it is to be applied. The ends of this strip are 45 provided with vertical slots B B, which may be and are preferably formed by striking up tongues C 0 and bending the same inward over the body of the plate, as shown, so as to form smooth and rounded inner edges to the 50 slots B B. Slits D D extend from the lower ends of the latter to the edge of the plate. The said plate is also provided with a longitudinal slot, E, extending through the greater portion of its length, and its sides F F are longitudinally creased or corrugated for the 5; purpose of insuring strength and preventing it from bending.

Upon the frame thus formed is stretched a rubber or other elastic band, G, which is inserted through the slits D D into the slots B 6c B, after which the said slits are closed by pressing the metal back to its original position, so as to present a smooth and even surface. The rounded inner edges of the slots B B, formed by the tongues C 0, against which 65 the rubber band bears, will prevent the said band from being cut or otherwise injured.

After the pocket, which is designated by letter H, has been attached to the garment the protector is applied by simply inserting 7c the pocket between the front part of the rubber band and the front side of the plate or frame, and then sliding the latter up to the top of the pocket, which is thus held clasped between the elastic band and the rigid frame. 75 The latter is then suitably attached, by stitching or otherwise, to the cloth or lining of the garment, or both, and the device is then ready for use.

The operation and advantages of this in- 80 vention will be readily understood from the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings hereto annexed. The mouth or opening of the pocket, being held clamped or clasped in the manner described, will not 85 prevent the insertion or removal of articles, but will effectively prevent their accidental loss, as well as their unlawful abstraction, inasmuch as any attempt to remove the contents of the pocket will involve the distension of 90 the mouth of the same against the tension of the elastic band, which, while easily effected by the wearer of the garment, cannot be performed without drawing his attention.

Various modifications of this invention may 95 in practice be resorted to. Thus, for instance, the frame might, instead of sheet metal, be formed of wire, either of a single continuous or of two or more pieces; or instead of an elastic band, as herein shown, a single elastic 10

320,882 strap might be used, having its ends secured by clinching or otherwise to the ends of a plate or frame. We would therefore have it understood that we do not limit ourselves to 5 the precise construction herein shown and described; but,