Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 6th May, 1887
Complete Left, 4th Feb., 1888
Complete Accepted, 9th Mar., 1888

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Means of Supporting Stockings and similar
Garments.
1, GEORGE DOUGLAS LEECHMAN of 17 Manor Park Road Harlesden in the county
of Middlesex, Engineer, 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 :—
The object of my invention is to support stockings and similar garments without
direct pressure on the legs.
To attain this end I use a light frame of metal or other suitable material, which
either wholly or partially encircles the leg and resists compression. The frame
is provided with small flanges, spikes or their equivalent to confine or fix the stocking
and its support to the said frame.
After the stocking is drawn on the leg, the frame is slipped round the leg and
when it is just below the knee the stocking is turned down over it. The band of the
knickerbocker, hose, drawers or similar garment is fastened round the frame over the
stocking which is thereby fixed thereto and so supported.
In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1. is a view-partly in section-showing
the practical adaptation of my invention. Figures 2 and 3 are a sectional elevation,
and a plan, respectively of a supporting frame for partially encircling the leg.
Figures 4 and 5 are sectional elevations of modified forms of the frame and Figures 6
and 7 are sectional elevation, and plan, respectively of a frame for wholly encircling
the leg, and provided with spikes for fixing the stocking.
Throughout these views similar parts are marked with like letters of reference.
Referring to Figures 1, 2. and 3. it will be seen that the ring A has small edges or
flanges rolled or turned up at its edges. The frame is made somewhat of a horse-
shoe shape so that it may be placed round the leg B by passing it over the leg at its
smallest part i.e. the ankle, and then drawing it up into position over the
stocking C which is then turned down over it. The band d of the supporting
garment D is then fastened round the frame to hold the stocking C between it.
Instead of forming two flanges on the frame it may be formed as illustrated by
Figures 4 and 5 with one flange, and either bent or curved to form a support against
the upward pressure of the stocking, which is very small.
As a modification the frame A may completely encircle the leg, in which case I
prefer to make it of a spring plate, which may be passed round the leg and the ends
fastened by any suitable form of catch a¹. This spring plate may be either formed
with flanges as hereinbefore described, or it may be formed with a series of short
spikes a, a etc. pressed or stamped up out of the plate to form a support for the
stocking and fastening band.
The great advantage to be derived from this method of supporting stockings and
similar garments is the entire absence of any pressure on the legs and thus perfect
freedom for the muscles.

page_text: 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. The method of supporting stockings and similar garments as hereinbefore
described.
2. The frame A adapted to resist compression and having flanges a or their
equivalents, for supporting stockings and similar garments as set forth.
3. The frame A having spikes a, a, etc. or their equivalent, for supporting stocking
and similar garments as set forth.
4. In a frame for supporting stockings and similar garments on the legs, the
construction of the frame, to resist compression, and to admit of its being passed
round the leg, as set forth.
water this on day of February 100p.
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
Royal Courts Chambers,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
Royal Courts Chambers,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.