Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Sept., 1886.
Complete Left, 21st Dec., 1886.
Complete Accepted, 21st Jan., 1887.
RICHARD LEWIS, of 4 Victoria Villas, Kilburn, in the County of Middlesex, Tea
Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to manufacture braces for suspending trousers in an
improved manner, and so as greatly to add to the comfort of the wearer.
In carrying out my invention, I fit metallic struts to the loops, at about the points
where they form junctions with the straps of the braces. These struts counteract the
tendency of the loops to draw the fabric of the trousers together, and cause the
upward draught of the brace, and its adjuncts, to be direct and vertical or thereabouts.
At the back of the braces, where they suspend the back of the trousers, I fit one
plate, the length of which is about equal to the width apart of the two buttons on the
upper part of the back of the trousers. The loops which hook on to the buttons, form
part of a cord or cords which pass over two pullies fitted to the ends of the plate. In
like manner I fit such plates to the front of the braces, one plate being fitted over each
pair of buttons, whereby the braces are prevented from acting in an indirect manner
and all tendency to fold or drag the trousers in a diagonal direction is avoided.
I do not confine myself to any particular material for the struts or plates, or to the
method of forming the loops, or of attaching the same to the plates, as the same may
be very much varied in detail, and either with or without pullies or runners attached
to the plates; and the loops may be formed of various materials.
GEO. DOWNING,
Agent for Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in Braces or Trouser Suspenders.
I, RICHARD LEWIS, of 4 Victoria Villas, Kilburn, in the County of Middlesex,
Tea Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of my said 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 manufacture braces for suspending trousers in an
improved manner, and so as greatly to add to the comfort of the wearer.
In carrying out my invention, I fit metallic or other struts to the loops, at about the
points where they form junctions with the straps of the braces. These struts counteract
the tendency of the loops to draw the fabric of the trousers together and cause the
upward draught of the brace, and its adjuncts, to be direct and vertical or thereabouts.
At the back of the braces, where they suspend the back of the trousers, I fit one
plate to project rather over the buttons the length of which is about equal to the width
apart of the two buttons on the upper part of the back of the trousers. The loops
which hook on to the buttons, form part of a cord or cords which pass over two
pulleys or equivalent attachments fitted to the ends of the plate. In like manner I fit
such plates to the front of the braces, and which may be slightly curved inwards
towards the body one plate being fitted over each pair of buttons, with loops fastened
to the ends of such plates, whereby the braces are prevented from acting in an indirect
manner, and all tendency to fold or drag the trousers in a diagonal direction is avoided.
I do not confine myself to any particular material or shape for the struts or plates,
or to the method of forming the loops, or of attaching the same to the plates, as the
same may be very much varied in detail, and either with or without pulleys or runners
attached to the plates; and the loops may be formed of various materials.
And in order that my said invention may be particularly described and ascertained
reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings, in which similar letters of
reference indicate corresponding parts.
Fig. 1 is a view of the back strut, loops, buckle, and a portion of the back straps;
and Fig. 2 is a view of one of the side struts, with corresponding appliances.
a a are the struts; bbare the loops for receiving the buttons fixed to the trousers;
c is a ring or eyelet, to which the hook of the ordinary buckle is fixed as shewn in
the drawings.
The back part of the brace is connected to the strut by means of a buckle d and
loops e e thus affording means for adjustment to suit the wearer.
The form of the struts may be very much varied, and made either plain or
ornamental; and the loops may be attached thereto by rivets (as shewn) or, if
preferred, their upper ends may be made to run upon pulleys fitted to the ends of the
struts, or otherwise, for affording greater freedom of movement to the wearer.

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 :-
1. The manufacture and use of braces or trouser suspenders, fitted with struts a a
for extending the points of suspension of the loops bb, substantially as herein before
described and shewn on the drawings.
2. The use and manufacture of metallic or other struts of any shape for the purpose
shewn and described.
3. The general construction, combination and arrangement of the several and
respective parts, together constituting my improvements in braces or trouser
suspenders, substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn on the drawings.