Improvements in and in connection with Adjustable Linings for Hats.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Nov., 1891-Accepted, 2nd Jan., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and in connection with Adjustable Linings for
Hats.
I, ARTHUR EGERTON Bridgwater House Belvidere Kent 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 :-
This invention relates to adjustable crowns or linings for hats and has for its
objects the strengthening of the hat in which it is fitted and forms a receptacle in
which handkerchiefs, flowers or other light articles may be carried without
inconvenience to the wearer of the hat or damage to the articles.
For this purpose I form an oval ring or frame of any suitable material but
preferably of a band of spring steel of the required strength and of such dimensions
that it will fit the interior of the hat. On cach end of the strip a loop preferably
of brass, but may be of other metal, is soldered, rivetted or otherwise affixed
through which the opposite end of the steel strip or band is passed, thus forming
a sliding joint. Over this metal ring or frame a double or single layer of silk or
other like material is drawn and pleated to the centre, where it is secured and kept
tight by an elastic band. This apparatus is inserted in the hat and is kept in any
desired position by the outward pressure of the flexible steel ring or frame.
For the better illustration of this my invention I have hereunto affixed a sheet
of drawings in which
Fig. 1 represents a plan view of the complete apparatus.
Fig. 2 a front elevation view and Fig. 3 a side elevation of the sliding joint on
an enlarged scale.
Figs. 4 and 5 show cross sectional elevations of the two forms of hats in common
use, in which the apparatus is fitted.
Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.
A A is the oval ring or frame formed of a strip or band of spring steel or like
material on which the silk or other lining B is stretched and kept tight by means
of a rubber or other flexible band enclosed at C. This lining is shown partly
removed at D to show the sliding joint formed by the two metallic loops or slides E
and E.
The loop or slide E is affixed to the end F¹ of the frame A the end F sliding
freely through, the loop or slide E¹ being affixed to the end F allowing the end Fi
to slide freely therethrough. The construction of this sliding joint is more clearly
shown in the detail views Figs. 2 and 3 to the parts of which similar letters also
refer. To insert the apparatus in a hat the ring or frame is pressed to cause the
ends F and F 1 to overlap sufficiently to pass the same into the hat, and when in
the desired position, the spring frame A is released and it then expands until it
presses equally on all sides of the interior of the hat in which position it is retained
by the said expansive pressure.
The apparatus can be made to fit any hat and can be raised or lowered as
desired.
By the use of this invention the hat is considerably strengthened by the pressure
exerted by the spring frame forming a support completely round the sides of the
hat and a very convenient receptacle G. is formed between the false lining and
the crown of the hat, in which handkerchiefs, flowers or other light articles may be
conveniently and safely carried, the flexible orifice in the centre, allowing the same
to be easily passed therein. If preferred a spiral or other spring may be used in
lieu of the spring frame but the latter is neater.
$

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I
claim is,
The false crown or lining for use in hats, for the purposes herein specified and
constructed substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this 26th day of Navanhan 1001
GRAHAM & GRAHAM,.
Agents for the Applicant.