Improvements in Coverings for Silk and other Hats.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Nov., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 18th June, 1890-Accepted, 19th July, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Coverings for Silk and other Hats.
I, EDWIN ROBERT BARTHOLOMEW, of No. 2 Victoria Terrace, Ludlow, in the
County of Shropshire, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this Invention to
be as follows:-
This Invention relates to improvements in coverings for silk and other hats for
keeping the outer surface of the hat free from, and preventing its being spoilt by
contact with rain, snow or dust, and also for preserving the said surface in a smooth
and glossy condition when put away in a hat box or otherwise.
This invention consists of a covering formed of gutta-percha or similar thin elastic
material which by its elasticity fits tightly over and is secured firmly in position upon
the outer surface of the hat. The part of the covering which fits around the hat band
when in position on the hat, is provided with an elastic ring, or a thin elastic tube
furnished inside with a spiral spring which ring or tube is circular in cross section for
the purpose of rolling thereon or unrolling the elastic material forming the covering
when removing such covering from the hat or replacing it thereon. The top part of
the covering is provided inside with two semicircular steel springs which clasp the
front and back edges of the top of the hat so as to hold the top of the covering securely
in its proper position whilst the lower part is being unrolled to cover the body of the
said hat. The top of the covering is provided with a mark or raised rib running
centrally therewith so as to indicate when the same is in its proper central position
upon the hat, and the elastic ring at the bottom of the said covering has fixed to it a
band of similar material thereto which band is drawn over the rim of the hat and
kept in position by an elastic cord or other suitable trimming sewn around the edge
thereof. The body of this improved hat covering may be made in one piece or in
several parts joined together in any suitable manner.
Dated this 22nd day of November 1889.
HUGHES, ELI & HUGHES,
76, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Coverings for Silk and other Hats.
I, EDWIN ROBERT BARTHOLOMEW, of No. 2 Victoria Terrace Ludlow, in the
County of Shropshire, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, that is to say:-
This invention relates to improvements in coverings for silk and other hats for
keeping the outer surface of the hat free from, and preventing its being spoilt by,
contact with rain, snow, or dust, and also for preserving the said surface in a smooth
and glossy condition when put away in a hat box or otherwise.
The invention consists of a covering formed of gutta-percha or similar thin elastic
material which by its elasticity fits tightly over and is secured firmly in position upon
the outer surface of the hat. The part of the covering which fits around the hat band
when in position on the bat is provided with an elastic ring, or a thin elastic tube
furnished inside with a spiral spring, which ring or tube is circular in cross section for
the purpose of rolling thereon or unrolling the elastic material forming the covering,
when removing such covering from the hat, or replacing it thereon. The top part of
the covering is provided inside with two semicircular springs, either of metal or of other.
suitable material which clasp the front and back edges of the top of the hat so as

page_text: to hold the top of the covering in its proper position whilst the lower part is being
unrolled to cover the body of the said hat. The top of the covering may be provided
with a mark or raised rib running centrally therewith so as to indicate when the
same is in its proper central position upon the hat and the elastic ring at the bottom
of the said covering has fixed to it a band of similar material thereto which band is
drawn over the rim of the hat and kept in position by an elastic cord or other
suitable trimming sewn around the edge thereof. The body of this improved hat
covering may be made in one piece or in several parts joined together in any suitable
manner.
In the accompanying Drawing Fig. 1 represents a hat cover rolled up displaying
the inside of the crown to which the two spring adjusting clips a are attached. The
cover in this case is made of thin india-rubber which is stretched over the springs so
as to secure the same in the process of manufacture. This cover really consists of an
inverted bag with a flat top and about two inches from the bottom of the bag is a
strengthening ring b and the selvodge of the open end is strengthened by doubling the
thickness of the material or by other means such as a cord or tape.
Fig. 2 represents a cross section of a hat over which the cover has been rolled from
which it will be seen that the ring b occupies a position near the band of the hat
and fitting tightly around the same enables the remainder of the cover to be stretched
over and partially beneath the briun, the strengthened selvedge c serving to retain it in
this position.
Fig. 3 represents a similar section showing how the cover rolls upon the ring b.
It will be readily seen that my invention is capable of being variously modified
according to the purpose for which it is intended to be used: thus if intended for a
hat with a round top or crown the clips a may be dispensed with also instead of being
made to roll over the hat the cover may be formed with a vertical slit which may
when the cover is placed in position be fixed by bands or clips. When intended to be
worn over a hat bearing a cockade a slit may be made in the cover for the same to
pass through.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :
1. A hat-cover formed of india-rubber or other elastic material capable of being
rolled over a hat substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying
Drawings.
2. A hat cover such as described having clips a for securing the adjustment
thereof.
1
HUGHES, ELI & HUGHES,
76, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.