Page:Federal Reporter, 1st Series, Volume 10.djvu/921

 LINDSAY V. STEIN. 909 �ted liead, which is projected from the tail in such mannor that its flanks, in case the olasp is pressed "against the leg of the wearer," may bring up against it "in a manner to prevent" the tail of the lower jaw from being aceidently moved inward, so as to open thejaws sufficiently to cg,use them to let go their hold "on the stocking;" and "the slotted head is also to enable the clasp to be attached to a strap of a stocking supporter." The claim of No. 156,429, is this: "The clasp composed of the levers provided with the operative spring, pivoted together by means of the indentations, as described, and made with concavo-convex jaws and tails, and with the one jaw to close within the concavity of the other, all substantially as speci- fied." �In January or February, 1874, the plaintiff invented the sleeve supporter afterwards patented by No. 202,735. It consisted of two of the clasps described in No. 156,429, one being at each end of a connection either elastic or non-elastic. No. 202,735 deseribes the supporter as one "for the sleeves of shirts and other garments." It is applied to the sleeve in a direction longitudinal with the arm, "thereby avoiding the compression and consequent interference with the free circulation of the blood incident to that class of supporters which partially or entirely eneirele the arm." One. clasp grasps a fold of the lower part of the sleeve to be supported, while the other clasp grasps a fold of the upper or supporting portion of the sleeve ; the lower portion of the sleeve being drawn up to the desired distance before attaching the second clasp, the intermediate portion between the two clasps being drawn up into folds by that operation. The specification disclaims "a garment supporter consisting of an elastic strap and two tongued plates attached to its ends, the tongues being made to enter holes in the garments, and being afterwards clinohed down thereon." Italsosays: �"My improved supporter simply grasps the sleeve, and does not go into or through it, and consequently, in detaching the supporter therefrom, it does not require to be pulled lengthwise, and thereby cause undue strain, which tends to tear the sleeve. Nor does my supporter require cuts or holes to be made in the sleeve to receive it, as is usually the case with garment sup- porters." �The claims of No. 202,785 are two, as follows: �"(1) The improved methodof supporting or shortening the sleeves of shirts and other garments without compression, to avoid interference of the free circulation of the blood of the wearer incidental to the use of eneircling bands by means of a holder, consisting, essentially, of a short piece of elastic ��� �