Patent GB-190221000-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to Lay Figures and Skirt Stands
Inventor: GEMS JULIUS FREDERICK
Filed: 1902-09-26
Granted: 1903-10-26
Abstract: 21,000. Gems, J. F. Sept. 26. Lay-figure an d like stands. - Consists of an improved adjustable lay-figure and skirt stand, in which the upper or lower part, or both, can be expanded o r contracted horizontally, and the upper part lengthened or shortened vertically, for adjusting the device to the size and cut of the garments it is to support. The bust is divided into four vertical segments a, Fig. 3, which are expanded or contracted by the non-rotating travelling block D carried by the rotary screwed spindle c forming part of the pedestal C. The segments are connected by lugs with the wires d<1> on the diamond-shaped piece D, these wires being connected at both ends to the block, or, as shown, at one end, to a metal plate d<1>x fastened to the block. When the block D is moved up or down by rotating the spindle c, the rails d' pull the bust sections in or out by means of the lugs. The arms d<2> are forked, each prong engaging a rail a<2>, inclined in a manner corresponding to the horizontal movements of the bust sections relatively to the vertical movement of the block D, so that they do not interfere with the expansion or contraction but cause the various parts to expand in their proper proportions relatively to each other. The hips B are divided into four vertical segments b, Figs. 3 and 4, and mounted upon the vertically-movable cross-shaped plate b<1> by means of U-shaped slides b<2>, each arm of which slides in the eyelets or guides b<3> on the carrier, the base of the slides being secured to lugs b<4> carried on the inner side of the hip. The waist is lengthened or shortened by means of the screws c<2> passing through the platform c<1> and into the plate b<1>. The device E, Figs. 3 and 5, for adjusting the size of the neck may also be used on a larger scale for the skirt stand or hips. The segments e carry the cams or studs e<1> which engage in suitable slots e<2> in the plate e<3> carried by the shaft e<4>, the segments being expanded or contracted by turning the lever e<6>. The skirt stand, Fig. 9, is suspended from the hips by the joints f<1>, which are horizontally rotatable and slidingly connected with pairs of parallel and approximately-vertical rods f <2>. Normally, these joints assume by gravity the position shown in Fig. 3, but they may be shifted to an approximatelyhorizontal position by hand, when they project beyond the body and allow the bust to slide down inside the skirt stand for packing up &c. The loose collar f supports the guiding-arms f<4>, which frictionally engage the arms f carried by the links f The links f move radially on expanding or contracting the stand, while the skirt sections f, which are held in these links, are freely capable of lateral motion relatively to the slides. The skirt stand may be used alone or with a non-expanding body, which can be adapted to fit inside the stand ; or the stand may be used along with an abdomen without bust, the abdomen being expanded by a device similar to that shown in Fig. 5. Further, the slides f<5> may be provided with branches f<6x> which hold the skirt segments f, as shown in Fig. 8, instead of the link f<6> being used. The slides are double, and are surrounded by rings f<7> of small bore sliding between the outer end of the arm f<4> and the inner end of the slide f the slides not lying so close together at these points as at the intermediate points. The ring, when placed near these end points, grips the slides and prevents motion, while, when placed as shown in Fig. 8, the slides can move freely. The figure is covered; preferably with stockinet, which may have strips of more elastic material, such as insertion or sheet caoutchouc, let into it over the joints of the figure, to prevent straining when the figure is expanded. The covering may be woven or otherwise made in one piece, so that some portions are more elastic or more close fitting than others.