Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Aug., 1896-Accepted, 24th Oct., 1896
1, ANNIE MARIA KEENE, of 9 Portland Street, Oxford Street, W. Unmarried,
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 this invention is to provide a new or improved corset which is
specially designed to obviate the numerous and grave disadvantages, frequently
pointed out by the medical profession, of the class of corsets now generally
worn.
The improved corset is intended to fulfil all the conditions of a properly
constructed and fitted corset, affording a sufficient support without being liable
to compress the breasts stomach and abdominal parts, and allowing of complete
freedom of movement of the body of the wearer and freely permitting of all kinds
of outdoor and gymnastic exercises.
The new or improved corset, in many of its constructive parts is like the
ordinary corset, but is provided with elastic insertions consisting of a suitable
number of short strips or lengths of elastic webbing or band extending hori-
zontally or nearly so, from edge to edge of the body of the corset and forming a
disjointed vertical band downwards from the arm-pit over parts of the side of the
bust, the waist and hips to the lower edge of the corset, and in front from the
waist downward, leaving open spaces of convenient width for pleasant and at
the same time sufficient ventilation of the body of the wearer thus obviating a
serious disadvantage otherwise connected with the use of elastic material when
employed in one piece.
To the vertical seams connecting the said elastic bands to the body of the corset
I secure in suitable manner busks or vertical stay pieces of either steel whalebone
or other convenient material and sufficient strength to stretch draw and hold the
said edge seams in the desired aud correct positions in accordance with the form of
the body of the wearer.
In order that iny invention may be more readily understood I have annexed a
sheet of drawings illustrative thereof, like letters of reference indicating like or
corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
Fig. 1, represents parts of a model of the female figure with my improved corset
applied thereto.
Fig. 2 is an elevation of one half of a corset provided with my improvements,
and
Fige. 3 and 4 illustrate details.
A, represents the body of the corset, and e, e, indicate the hereinbofore
described insertions of elastic bands or straps extendingly horizontally from edge
to edge of the parts of the body piece which they are intended to connect with
each other and fastened thereto by stitching or in other suitable manner.
Figs. 3 and 4, illustrate in section the manner of connecting the elastic bands e, e,
with the material a of the body parts A of the improved corset, and securing the
busks or stays a, a, in their proper position.
Other methods may however be employed to attain the same purpose.

page_text: 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 :-
In corsets the coinbination and application of a suitable number of short lengths e, e,
of elastic band or webbing between vertical busks or stays a, s, of steel whalebone
or other suitablo material substantially as and for the purpose set forth and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 29th day of August 1896.
HUGHES, ELI & HUGHES,
Agents for Applicant.