The traditional type of headset is adjusted by tightening or slackening of the top race . Once adjusted it is fixed in place by a lock nut. To prevent movement and slackening of the headset, a keyed flat washer is used between the two components. Even with correct assembly and adjustment, vibration in use has a tendency to slacken the headset over time, introducing play into the whole steering assembly. Various attempts have been made to modify the method of locking, including the use washers with serration's matched to similar serration's in the adjustable top race.

In an effort to reduce this problem, Jack Smith redesigned the assembly by modifying both the top race and the lock nut as shown above. The top race was modified by the addition of a tapered extension, around which six radial slots were cut and when compressed by the lock nut, that was coned internally to match, forced the top edges of the extension into the threads of the fork stem, locking it in place.

Whilst in October 1954, Rattray's applied for and were subsequently granted a UK patent, it never gained universal acceptance or for that matter replaced the traditional assembly. Interestingly though, at the Earl's Court Show in London in (November) 1954, Brampton Cycle Fittings Ltd. showed a variant of their "Alatet" headset, that used the same slotted extension as in the patent application. The connection between the two is not known as yet. The full specification for the Patent is shown below, as well as the Brampton Alatet headset. The headset was also successfully patented in France (No. 1129,389).