Patent GB-480227-A (GB)
Title: Lay figure for displaying fabrics in the form of garments
IPC: A41H5/00
Filed: 1937-05-18
Abstract: 480,227. Lay figures. SPANIER, W. May 18; 1937, Nos. 13836, 13837, and 13838. Convention dates, July 7, 1936, Oct. 6, 1936, and April 6, 1937. [Class 52 (v)] A lay figure for. displaying uncut fabrics in the form of made-up garments comprises distinct parts corresponding to those of the garment to be simulated, e.g. the bust, arm; collar, and lapel, separated by hollows and slots permitting the fabric to be disposed in the desired direction around each of the parts. The bust 1 collar 3, lapel 4 and leg 5 of sheetmetal or pasteboard are separately supported by a central rod 6. Ties 7, 8 support the bust and leg while a cross member 9 at the upper end of the rod 6 carries by ball joints 12, 13 telescopic rods 10, 11 supporting the collar and lapel respectively. The arm 2 is secured to the bust by a tie 14 with a nut 15 which enables the arm to be moved slightly away from the bust. To drape the figure the collar and lapel are moved about their joints 12, 13 towards the centre of the figure, the fabric arranged to hang over the front with slight excess of length and tucked into a slot 32 on the shoulder. The arm 2 is moved away from the bust, the fabric tucked between the arm and the bust, see Fig. 8, and the sleeve part held in place by a spring clamping strip 18. The bust is then covered, the surplus width of fabric being secured inside the bust by spring clamping strips 19, 20, a part being reserved to form the collar and lapel. A curved rod 26 mounted at the upper end of the central rod 6 is first displaced to bring it above the fabric, which is then passed over the lapel 4 and the latter returned to its normal position in which it is retained by a set-screw 34 acting on the ball joint 13. The curved extremity of the rod 26 imparts the desired curvature to the lapel. The collar 3 is then draped, with the pattern lying in the appropriate direction, returned to its normal position and held in this position by a set-screw 33. A spring clamping strip 24 holds the fabric on the collar and lapel, and excess fabric is brought within the bust. The length of fabric below the jacket is brought up within the bust, passed over a chain 27 and allowed to fall back over the outside of the leg 5, on which it is stretched, surplus width being supported by springs 28. Turned-up bottoms are simulated by a double fold held in place by clips 29, 30; and surplus length 16 is concealed behind the leg. Buttons and false pockets may be provided. The 'collar and lapel may be supported on a. removable front part of the bust so that the form of the garment may be readily modified. The lapel may have a sliding extension, the parts 11, 4<1> of the bust may be removable and padding members may be attached to the shoulders, chest and waist. The lower part 5<1> of the legs may be removable to enable breeches to be simulated. To. enable the arm to be moved away from the bust, it may be supported on two telescopic members spring-pressed to the normal position, or pivoted at the lower part and supported by a. telescopic member at the upper part. A catch may be provided in the telescopic members to maintain the arm separated from the bust while it is being draped. A curved rod pivoted on the central rod 6 to swing horizontally may be used instead of the chain 27 to support the fabric behind the bottom of the jacket. The rear of the leg has spring strips to maintain the fabric stretched. The arm and leg may be adjustable as to width. One side of each slot may comprise a pivoted flap to facilitate the insertion of the fold. In a simpler modification, the collar and lapel are fixed to or formed integral with the bust, slots or hollows being provided between the parts into which folds of the fabric can be introduced. The lips of the slots may be elastic to hold the fabric in place. The collar may be entirely removable, enabling it to be covered by a different fabric. The arm may also be fixed to the bust and may have its upper part 69, Fig. 33, pivoted at 70 to enable fabric to be wedged between the arm and the shoulder. At the lower end of the arm the fabric is returned to the inside of the bust through a recess 71. The rod 26 may be provided with a plate 67 of the same shape as the lapel 4 to support the fabric behind it. When the arm is shorter than the bust a vertical slot is formed in the bust below the arm to enable the fabric to be disposed without puckering. The arm may have spring clamping strips within it for maintaining the fabric in position, and may be articulated at the elbow. Two figures of the form shown may be juxtaposed to simulate a complete garment and may be mounted on a common support by links so that they can be moved apart, draped separately and then brought together.