Improvements in Invalids' Garments.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 10th June, 1890-Accepted, 12th July, 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Invalids' Garments.
"
to be
I, EMMA L. TOZER, Manufacturer of undergarments, of Canandaigna, in the county
of Ontario, State of New York, United States of America, do hereby declare the
nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN INVALID'S GARMENTS
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The chief object of this invention is to provide a very simple series of combination
garments for women's wear, especially adapted to the use of invalids by allowing
convenient access of the physician, surgeon or nurse to the back as well as the forward
part of the body, without the necessity of removing any article of under-clothing.
This effect by constructing each combination or union garment with separation along
the whole length of front and back, securing each line of separation or opening by
buttons and button holes or other detachable fastenings. The said lines of separation
connect with each other below the crotch so that the combination garment readily
divides into two parts each comprising a leg an arm or shoulder hand and one half of
the body portion.
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 represents a view in front elevation of the under combination garment of my
system or series embodying my invention;
Fig. 2 represents a rear elevation of the same.
Fig. 3 represents a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the outer combination garment
put on over the inner one:
Fig. 4 represents a rear elevation of the same.
Figures 5 and represent similar views of the combined skirt and waist which
constitutes the third garment of the series, a part of the inner garment appearing also
and the extremities being omitted.
Figure 7 represents a side elevation of the garment shown in Figs. 1-and-2-omitting
the lower part, and
Fig. 8 represents a rear view of a night gown or dressing gown which may be worn
over all.
Figs. 9 and 10 represent views taken from the inside of the right and left sections
of the garment separated.
A designates the inner combination garment which is made to fit easily the wearer's
body. It consists, in effect of an undershirt and drawers united and divisible easily
into two sections A¹ A² by two vertical lines of separation a b, fastened by buttons c,
said lines runing centrally up and down the front and back and connecting below the
crotch. The rear line of separation at the seat divides into two short branches de,
along the edge of section A¹ and the other along the edge of section A². The button
holes of both branches are formed in section A', and the buttons are arranged in
corresponding lines and at equal intervals on section A2. In each section the material
between the branch lines of fastening de constitutes a flap m. These flaps make a
double thickness under the seat of the garment.
B designates the second garment of the series consisting of a waist and pantalets
united as above described and having lines of separation a¹ and corresponding to a
and and fastening in the same manner by buttons c¹.
C designates the third garment consisting of a waist and skirt the former having
lines of separation a corresponding to a and b and to a' and ' and fastening in the
same manner by buttons ². The skirt may be divided to form a bifurcated covering
for the legs.
D designates a night gown or dressing gown with an opening at the back from the
neck to below the waist. This line of separation is indicated by 63. The buttons c
close it

page_text: Instead of this latter garment, any ordinary dress or gown may be worn over the
combination garments before described, they being well suited to the ordinary use of
healthy people, and very comfortable, as well as easy to put off and on.
The comfort
s derived in part from the inner garment being made to conform, without stretching
or piecing, to the convexities of the limbs and body, as illustrated very clearly in
Fig. 7. Thus over the bosom at f the fitting is precise and smooth although the
material is not strained, and the usual pieces let into the front to fill out the bosom are
omitted. This fitting to the boson is caused by cutting the edges f¹ of sections A¹ A³
on curved lines. See Figs. 7, 9 and 10.
These considerations are still more important to invalids who have much more
occasion than others to feel any roughness or inequality in what is next the skin. But
the accessibility of the person is often a still more important consideration. If, for
example a place upon the sufferer's back needs examination or poulticing or dressing
it is necessary only to unbutton the successive garments along the lines b 61 62 63, of
course beginning with the last. As the four rows of buttons are superposed this is
easily done; the four thicknesses of clothing, even when so many are worn together,
hardly constituting an obstacle.
With ordinary apparel an almost total uncovering of the upper part of the person
might be necessary; or at least the discarding of all the garments but one or two,
which nevertheless would be in the way.
By turning over the flaps of the garinents on either side of the line of separation of
my series almost any point can he very conveniently reached. There is thus very
little need to disturb the patient and the work of the nurse and doctor is simplified
and expedited. Of course it is not necessary that even the three garments A B and
should be worn together. They have a combined usefulness as explained; but my
invention is broad enough to include any combination garment coming within the
terms of my claim whether used with other garments of the same sort or worn with
different garments or not worn at all.
The garment A is preferably woven of soft material but it may be knitted or made
in any other manner. Either animal or vegetable fibre may be used for any one of
these garments, as preferred. I do not exclude any suitable material.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :
1st. A combination garment comprising a body covering and a bifurcated covering
for the legs, the said garment being separable into two sections, the lines of separation
running up and down the front and back, connecting with each other under the crotch
and provided with detachable fastenings substantially as set forth.
2nd. A combination garment divided into two sections the lines of separation
running up and down the back and front and connecting under the crotch the rear
line dividing into branches de which form flaps under the seat for the purpose set
forth.
Dated this 10th day of Inne 1800
EDWARDS & Co.,.
35, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.