US559681A - Underskirt - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

M. J. OOLVERF,v

UNDBRSKIRT.

Patented May 5, 1896.

Mann: :2 (mam M FHDTO 1mm wasmmmn DC 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.) I

M. J. GOLVER. UNDERSKIRT. No. 559,681. Patented May 5, 1896.

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MARY J. COLVIIR, OF FRANKFORT, INDIANA.

UNDER SKIRT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 559,681, dated May 5, 1896.

Serial No. 542,732. (No model.)

To (LZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, hIARY .I. COLVER, of Frankfort, in the county of Clinton, and in the State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Petticoats; and Idohereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a petticoat or underskirt made in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section thereof. Fig. 3 is a horizontalsection. Fig. i is a detail perspective view of one of the goddets, and Fig. 5 is a like view of one of the goddet rings or bands.

Letters of like name and kind refer to like parts in each of the figures.

The object of my invention is to enable the outside dress-skirts of ladies" apparel to be draped or shaped according to a desired style or fashion "without applyingv to such skirts themselves, as a part thereof, the heavy and expensive linings and trimmings, such as haircloth, chamois, or other stiitening or shaping materials and to this end said invention consists in a petticoat or undergarment constructed substantially as and for the purpose hereinafter specified.

In designing my invention I have had in view more especially the production of means to enable the outer skirts of ladies dresses to be shaped or arranged in accordance with the style known as the organ-pipe or goddct. This style of dress, as ordinarily made, involves the use of stiifening material, such as hairoloth, to produce and preserve the desired shape, which is objectionable, both as adding to the cost of the .dress and making it unduly heavy.

In the carrying of my invention into practice I employ a petticoat or undershirt A that at its top edge is provided with a drawstring 13 or other means for securing it to the person and at its back is preferably divided vertically and provided with a lace or cord 0 to permit of adjustment of the pettieoat to various sizes and styles. Attached at its side edges to the back portion of the petticoat, upon each side of the lacing O, is a piece I), forming a supplemental back to whichis secured. a numberas shown, four of tubes E and E, that extend vertically from the waist to the bottom of the petticoat and have the tapering form, with their larger ends at the bottom, that is characteristic of the goddeis. Each of these tubes is formed, preferably, of goods or material the same as is employed in making the petticoat, and is kept normally distended by a series of horizontal elastic rings or bands F and F, that successively increase in diameter from the waist downward, and which are secured within the tube by means of a piece or strip of tape G, covering them and stitched to the tube. The rings or bands F may be made of pieces or strips of metal or other elastic material, bent into circular shape, an d the ends of each suitably united, as by a clip f, as shown.

The tubes E and E are attached to the petticoat, preferably by being stitched or sewed thereto. Secured by sewing or otherwise to the garment at each side of each tube E are several spring clips or clasps H and H at points respectively near the upper and lower ends thereof, which are designed to catch or grip the outer skirt or dress and cause the same to be held in folds, closely conforming to the't-ubes, and thus produce the goddet or organ-pipe effect.

The supplemental back D is made to curve convexly outward and to properly support the tubes and the dress by means of a number of flexible horizontal strips I and I, socured to the inner sides thereof and placed a short distance apart from the bottom of the petticoat for about three-fourths of the way to the top or waist. Said strips may be of spring metal or other elastic material.

To extend or flare out the bottom of the outer dress a number, preferably four, of parallel horizontal strips or bands K and K of elastic, metal, or other material are secured to the bottom of the petticoat a short distance apart and extend only around the sides and front of the same from the points where the side edges of the supplemental back are attached thereto.

To weight the front portion of the bottom of the petticoat, so as to more perfectly balance the same, I use two short flexible metal strips or pieces L and L, that are respectively secured to the petticoat in the two spaces between the three lower ones of the bands K and K.

To use a dress in connection with my petticoat, it is necessary simply to place the former in position over the latter and, closely conforming the back portion of the dress to each of the tubes E and E, fasten the same in place over the latter by means of the clips or clasps II and II. The effect produced is precisely similar to that obtained wherethe goddets are made a permanent part of the dress, as by the use of the stiffening materials heretofore referred to; but with the use of my petticoat there is a material diminution in weight and cost. Of course the number of the tubes E and E may be diminished or increased without departure from my invention.

\Vhere greater stiffness is desired than is afforded by a single strip I in the supplemental back, I propose to use two or more thereof, superimposed upon each other, and of course at any of the places where flexible strips or bands are used in the garment the same plan can be pursued to secure added stiffness.

Having thus described my invention,what I claim is-- 1. An undergarment having a series of longitudinally-extending, projecting ribs, and means at the sides of each of the latter for holding the dress-skirt, drawn inward over each of the ribs, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. An undergarment having at its back a series of longitudinally-extending, tubular dress-supports and provided with fasteners at the sides of each of the latter forengaging the dress and holding the same drawn inward over each of the supports, substantially as and for the purpose shown.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 18th day of March, 1895.

MARY J. COLVER'.

lVitnesscs ASA H. BoULnEN, ARTHUR L. COOPER.

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