IMPROVEMENTS IN COMFORTERS, NECKTIES, CRAVATS, AND THE LIKE ARTICLES OF GARMENT FOR. THE NECK AND CHEST,
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Frederick Tolhausen at the Office
of the Commissioners, of Patents, with his Petition, on the 29th July
1861. A communication from Messrs. Samuel Weil and Raphael Weil,
Brothers, residing at No. 35, Boulevart Bonne Nouvelle, Paris, France.
I, FREDERICK TOLHAUSEN, Civil Engineer and Patent Agent, of 35,
Boulevart Bonne Nouvelle; in Paris, in the Empire of France, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN COMFORTERS,
NECKTIES, CRAVATS, AND THE LIKE ARTICLES OF GARMENT FOR. THE NECK AND
CHEST," being a communication from Messrs. Samuel Weil and Raphael Weil,
Brothers, two persons resident at No. 35, Boulevart Bonne Nouvelle, Paris,
France, to be as follows:-
These improved comforters are made up of a comparatively narrow band of
silk, cloth, or other suitable material, which band surrounds the neck or throat,
and its two ends joining at the front part of the throat widen out into two wide
scarf-like flaps or shirts, with which the wearer covers his chest, by either
crossing the said flaps, or laying them parallel (more or less over-flapping) on
his bosom. At the point where the narrow throat band merges into the wider
flaps, the comforter is united by means of a stud or button, or a breast pin, or
a clasp, or any other suitable locking device. The visible or outer side of this
comforter is ornamented in any suitable style, such as trimmings of artificial
or real fur set along the edges. The inner side which is turned towards the
chest and throat may be wadded or padded, or rendered calefactory by any
other equivalent device. The comforter thus devised is intended to be worn

page_text: either on the chest and neck, or over any other garment, such as the necktie,
waistcoat, and so forth.
In order to give the necessary elasticity to garments for the neck or throat
and chest generally, such as gentlemen's and ladies' cravats, scarfs, neckties,
comforters, collars, and so forth, of any shape and material whatsoever, I have
devised the following means :-I divide the neck or throat band in any point
whatever of the circumference into two parts, so that one of them may be
inserted into the other in the manner of a sheathe. In the interior of this
sheath I place an elastic strip or band of india-rubber, or other elastic
material, one end of the said band being fastened to the male part, and the
other to the female part of the neckband. Thus it will be seen that the cravat
or other neck garment may be stretched out to any diameter required,
according to the size of the neck of the wearer.
These improvements further comprize a button or stud, being provided with
hooks and lugs on its under side, for the purpose of tying round the neck
cravats, scarfs, and the like articles, also a spring clasp fastening similar to
those used for bracelets and portmonnaies. I moreover ornament the ends of
short neckties by trimming them with metallic fringes set in one straight line,
or in several angular or curved lines.
The annexed Sheet of Drawings represents several views shewing the
manner in which the improved comforter may be made up.