IMPROVEMENTS IN LEGGINGS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Thomson, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, for the Invention of " IMPROVEMENTS IN LEGGINGS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Thomson at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th September 1877.
ROBERT THOMSON, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN LEGGINGS."
This Invention has reference to a new or improved construction of leggings, pre-
ferably made of waterproof material, for the protection of trowsers from rain,
moisture, or mud in all weathers.
As hitherto made, objections have been raised against the use of leggings, par-
ticularly on account of the inelegant and clumsy methods heretofore adopted for
attaching them to the person or garments of the wearer; but under the present
Invention such objections are entirely removed, while at the same time a legging is
produced which in appearance cannot be distinguished from ordinary trowsers when
an overcoat or deep frock coat is worn with them.
Under the present Invention the body of the leggings is cut out and shaped in
the usual slip or sleeve forın, permanently jointed by solution or otherwise, and
preferably made of waterproof material, which may either be the ordinary india-
rubber, cotton, or similar web fabric, rendered waterproof by immersion in or coating
with a waterproof solution, but by using woollen cloth immersed in a waterproof
solution the appearance of ordinary tweed or other woollen trowserings is produced,
and the essential novelty of the present Invention consists in the method of securing
such leggings upon the legs of the wearer. This is effected by stitching round the
interior of the leggings a little below the level of the knee a circlet of lining cloth,
the upper
free edge or rim of which is loose hemmed all round, and through this

page_text: hem or fold of the lining is run (or inlaid before hemming) a stout ring or band of
vulcanised india-rubber, which, when the legging is drawn on from the foot up
over the knee, firmly grips the leg of the wearer just between the knee and the calf
of the leg, and securely holds the legging in position for any length of time.
Although an endless band of vulcanised india-rubber is preferred as the simplest
and easiest method of fastening the legging, it is to be understood that an elastic
band formed of strands of india-rubber and thread, either woven or plaited, may be
used, or a leather strap and buckle, or a cord or tape with free ends for tying in a
loop may be used; these or any of them being run into or through the before-
mentioned circlet of lining instead of into the body of the legging itself, so as to
preserve the general appearance of a trowser leg, while keeping the method of
attachment entirely out of sight, the upper portion of the legging sitting firmly
over and extending sufficiently above the knee to be under the level of and hid by
the skirts of the overcoat or frock coat.
The lower inner end of the legging is preferably lined with india-rubber web or
solution to withstand all weathers, and completely protect the boots from rain or
moisture, as well as withstand the friction and wear to which that part of leggings
is subjected; thus by means of this Invention gentlemen going out to evening dress
parties or other meetings may be in full dress completely protected by an ordinary
overcoat and a pair of these new or improved leggings, having the appearance of
ordinary trowsers, and capable of being removed and stowed away with the utmost
ease and promptitude, while for pedestrians generally they will be of great utility
as the most comfortable, clegant, portable, and easy of adjustment or removal
hitherto introduced.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Robert Thomson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th March
1878.
ROBERT THOMSON, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain.
" IMPROVEMENTS IN LEGGINGS."
My said Invention has reference to a new or improved construction of leggings,
preferably made of waterproof material, for the protection of trousers from rain,
moisture, or mud in all weathers.
As hitherto made, objections have been raised against the use of leggings, par-
ticularly on account of the inelegant and clumsey methods heretofore adopted for
attaching them to the person or garments of the wearer, but under the present
Invention such objections are entirely removed, while at the same time a legging is
produced which in appearance cannot be distinguished from ordinary trousers when
an overcoat or deep frock coat is worn with them.
And in order that the nature and novelty of my said Invention may be properly
understood I now proceed to describe the two Figures on the accompanying Sheet
of Drawings, which I have hereunto appended for the purpose of showing the best
modes or means I am at present aware of for putting my Invention into effect or
practice.
Figure 1 is a side view of the legging, showing it upon the leg of the wearer;
and Figure 2 is a sectional view of the same corresponding to Figure 1, showing
the upper portion of the legging folded down, as in the act of being drawn on to
the leg of the wearer.
Referring to these Figures, the body of the leggings A, A', is cut out and shaped in
the usual slip or sleeve form, permanently jointed by solution or otherwise, and pre-
ferably made of waterproof material, which may either be the ordinary india-rubber,
cotton, or similar web fabric rendered waterproof by immersion in or coating with
a waterproof solution, but by using woollen cloth immersed in a waterproof solution
the appearance of ordinary tweed or other woollen trousering is produced, and the
essential novelty of the present Invention consists in the method of securing such
leggings upon the legs of the wearer. This is effected by stitching round the
interior of the leggings A, A¹, a little below the level of the knee, a circlet of lining
cloth B, the upper free edge or rim b of which is loose hemmed all round; and
through this hem or fold b of the lining B is run (or inlaid before hemming) a stout
ring or band of vulcanized india-rubber C, which, when the leggings are drawn on
from the foot up over the knee, firmly grips the leg D of the wearer just between
the knee and the calf of the leg, as seen dotted in at a in the Figures, and securely
holds the legging in position for any length of time.
Although an endless band of vulcanised india-rubber is preferred as the simplest
and easiest method of fastening the legging, it is to be understood that an elastic band
formed of strands of india-rubber and thread, either woven or plaited, may be used,
or a leather strap and buckle, or a cord or tape with free ends for tying in a loop may
be used; these or any of them being run into or through the before-mentioned
circlet of lining B instead of into the body of the legging A, A¹, itself, so as to
preserve the general appearance of a trouser leg, while keeping the method of
attachment entirely out of sight, the upper portion of the legging sitting firmly
over and extending sufficiently above the knee to be under the level of and hid by
the skirts of the overcoat or frock coat.
The lower inner end of the legging A, A¹, is preferably lined with india-rubber
web or solution to withstand all weathers, and completely protect the boots from
rain or moisture, as well as withstand the friction and wear to which that part of
leggings is subjected; thus by means of this Invention gentlemen going out to
evening dress parties or other meetings may be in full dress, and completely protected
by an ordinary overcoat and a pair of these new or improved leggings A, A¹, having

page_text: the appearance of ordinary trousers, and capable of being removed and stowed away
with the utmost ease and promptitude, while for pedestrians generally they will be
of great utility as the most comfortable, elegant, portable, and easy of adjustment or
removal hitherto introduced.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same, I have to state that I do not confine myself to the precise details
herein described or delineated, but what I consider novel and original and therefore
claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters
Patent is, the construction of and method of attaching leggings to the legs of the
'wearer, substantially as herein-before described in reference to and shown in the
accompanying Drawings; or any mere modification thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Thomson, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Eighth day of March, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.
ROBERT THOMSON. (L.B.)