Improvements in or connected with Capes for Cyclists and others.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Nov., 1894-Accepted, 29th Dec., 1894
Improvements in or connected with Capes for Cyclists and others.
I, JOHN FLETCHER of Gill House Ulverston Lancashire, 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:-
My invention relates to improvements, in or connected with capes more
particularly applicable to waterproof capes such as used by cyclists, but which
of course may be applied to capes of, various descriptions when found suitable, the
object being to provide a means for stiffening the front or other portion of such
articles so that they may stand out well from the body of the wearer, and yet at
the same time to allow them to be rolled up into a very small space so as to be
easily carried when not required for use.
In carrying my invention into practical effect I furnish the cape near the lower
edge of same with an air tube closed at one end and furnished at the other with a
suitable valve for inflating purposes. This air tube, which is enclosed in a covering
of canvas or not as desired, may be of any required length so as to go round any
part or the whole of the lower edge of the cape, and is enclosed between the
material of the cape and a covering strip or band of canvas, leather, mackintosh,
or other suitable material attached to the said cape by means of stitches, india-
rubber solution or in any suitable manner. When it is required to be used the air
tube is inflated by means of any suitable and well known pump such as used for
pneumatic tyres thus causing the cape to spread out and stand well away from the
body of the wearer, at the same time allowing plenty of room for the handle bars
to be freely manipulated, while owing to the slant given to the cape the rain quickly
runs off.
In order that my invention may be more fully understood I will now proceed to
describe same with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a
front view of a cape furnished with my improvements and Fig. 2 is a section
through same.
In the drawings the tube is shown extending only across the front of the cape,
but it is obvious that it may be of any length so as to embrace any required
portion, or it may in some cases completely surround it.
According to my invention the cape C is furnished near the bottom of same with
an air tube t of the required length furnished at one end with a suitable inflating
valve while the other end is closed. The said tube is enclosed between the
inaterial of the cape C and a covering strip or band c which is placed over same
and secured to the cape by means of stitches, solution, or in any other suitable
manner, while upon inflating the tube the cape will stand well away from the body
of the wearer as hereinbefore described so that the rain may run off easily and at
the same time allow sufficient room for the proper steering of the machine.
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. In capes for cyclists and others the application of an air tube closed at one
end and furnished with a suitable inflating valve substantially as herein described
and shown and for the purposes specified.

page_text: 2. The improvements in or connected with capes for cyclists and others
substantially as herein described and shown and for the purposes specified.
Dated this 23rd day of November 1894.
F. G. CASSELL,
Of Cassell & Co.,
22, Glasshouse Street, Regent Street, London, W.,
Agent for the Applicant.
F. G. CASSELL,
Of Cassell & Co.,
22, Glasshouse Street, Regent Street, London, W.,
Agent for the Applicant.