Untitled record

Application filed July 5,1893. Serial Ko. 479,667. (No model)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Friedrich Diedrich Behrens, of Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton andState of Ohio,haveinventedcer5 tain new and useful Improvements in BuckleShields; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use io it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in buckle shields, and it consists in the novel manner of adjusting the same, whereby the 15 same shield may be used effectively on straps of varied widths, as will be fully described hereinafter and especially referred to in the claims.

Buckle shields now in general use are con20 structed in various sizes to fit as many different kinds of straps, so that one shield of this description is only of use in connection with a strap of its size, while it is necessary for the dealer to carry a large stock if he is to keep 25 in hand all sizes. My present invention is directed toward the relief of these difficulties by providing an adjustable buckle shield, which may be applied to straps of various widths, and which will be just as effectual on 30 one as another.

Referring to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1, is a perspective view of my improved .shield in position over a buckle. Fig. 2, is a cross sectional view of the same. Fig. 3, is an 35 inverted plan view. Fig. 4, is a longitudinal sectional view of Fig. 3. Fig. 5, is a perspective view of the parts of the shield detached. Fig. 6, is a plan view of a modified form of shield.

The shield as illustrated in Fig. 1, is formed of two parts and consists of the inner dishshaped member A, provided with the longitudinal slots B in its periphery which are directly across from each other, while adjacent 45 thereto are the correspondingly formed slots C, which are slightly narrower than slots B for the purpose presently to be explained. Incasing the outer portion of the member A, is the capping D, which is formed of brass, 50 copper or any other ornamental material, with which it is desired to decorate the harness, and formed therein upon opposite sides are the slots E which are adapted to register with either of the slots B orC, as the case may be. The member A is adapted to turn within the 55 capping so as to bring either set of slots in register with the said capping slots, as will be readily understood. The edge of the capping is flanged as shown at E, so as to fit down around the lower edge of member A, and thus 60 hold the same securely bound together. The slots B in the core or member A are the same length as the slots in the capping E, while slots C are slightly narrower than the others. The longer slots are for the purpose of accom- 65 modating the wider straps, while for narrower straps the core or member A, may be turned within the capping so as to register its shortest slots with those of the capping, and thus provide a tight fit for the narrower strap even 70 though a slight portion of the core is visible through slot F of the capping, yet there is not sufficient amount of the same to impair the ornamental effect. In fact the core can be constructed with slots of several sizes and 75 operating in the manner above described, accommodate numerous straps of different width in the same shield.

A modification of my invention is shown in Fig. 6, which consists of a lower heavy plate 80 G, slotted at its ends as at G', and pivoted thereon and extending thereover is the correspondingly formed plate II of ornamental metal or other material, which is adapted to hide the buckle. In using this form the slots 85 in the two plates may register exactly if the width of the strap is the same as the length of the slot but if the strap is narrower than the slot the under plate G may be turned slightly to one side, thus shortening mate- 90 rially the continuous slot through the device, as will be readily understood, and thus adapt the shield to a strap of that particular width.

In the construction illustrated in Fig. 1, the slot in the core as well as the capping may 95 correspond in length and the width of the opening be regulated in the manner described above of the modified form.

In either construction the under portion is made of stronger and thicker material than 100 the ornamental plate or cap above it, so that the shield is quite -strong and will stand a great deal of rough usage.

Buckle shields are usually formed of expen3

509,718 sive metals, and in order to make them sufficiently thick to withstand the wear to which they are subjected, a considerable quantity of the metal is required and hence their cost 5 is no small item.

In my construction the under or inner plate or capping is formed of a cheap, yet durable metal, while the outer capping or plate is the only portion formed of brass or ornamental io material, thereby lessening their cost, while in nowise reducing their effectiveness.