Improvements in and connected with Pockets for Articles of Wearing Apparel.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Pockets for Articles of Wearing
Apparel.
I, JOHN MARTINDALE THOMPSON, of 70 Market Street, Manchester in the
County of Lancaster, Merchant Tailor, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows:-
This Invention has been designed with the object of enabling different articles,
such for example as gold, silver and bronze coins, to be kept separately in a single
pocket, so that either of them may be withdrawn at will with certainty and without
much precaution.
In describing the nature of my Invention, I will assume that it is desired to
keep separately therein two different articles or classes of articles, and from this
description it will be obvious that pockets may be similarly constructed to
separately contain a greater number of different articles.
In making an ordinary pocket, two thicknesses of fabric are sewn or secured
around three edges, the other edge or the unsewn part, forming the mouth of the
pocket. But, in making a pocket according to this Invention three (or more)
thicknesses or layers of the fabric are sewn or secured together in a similar
manner. Thus, when three layers are used, two compartments are produced which
do not communicate with each other and both of which are accessible through
the mouth common to both. The compound pocket thus produced is attached to
the garment by sewing the two outer parts or layers of fabric thereto in the
usual manner.
I prefer to reinforce the free edge of the middle part or parts by binding
thereon a flexible strip of material which will yield on the insertion of the hand
into the pocket, and, after the hand has been withdrawn, will recover its position.
Any or all of the compartments of the pocket may be protected or secured by
a button, clip, or other fastener, or by a plurality of such devices.
... 01 November AD 1896
W. E. HEYS & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
0 Improvements in and connected with Pockets for Articles of Wearing
Apparel.
I, JOHN MARTINDALE THOMPSON, of 70 Market Street, Manchester in the
County of Lancaster, Merchant Tailor, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-

page_text: tion, 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 pockets for articles of wearing apparel and its object
is to so form or construct them that different articles such as gold, silver, or
bronze coins may be kept separately in a single pocket in such a manner that any
or either of them may be withdrawn at will with certainty and without much
precaution.
A pocket formed to embody these improvements consists of two or more com-
partments the mouths of which are contiguous to each other or open into a common
mouth. Different articles or classes of articles are placed in each compartment,
as for example, bronze coins in one and silver coins in the other. When it is
desired to withdraw either class of coins the handi is placed in the proper com-
partment.
It is preferred to so arrange the pocket that when the hand is inserted in the
usual way it always enters one compartment, that containing the copper say, and
that a certain amount of force or skill is required to enter the other compartment.
This may be conveniently effected by forming one of the compartments with a
spring mouth which is normally kept closed.
A compound pocket having two compartments which do not communicate with
each other may be produced by sewing together three layers of fabric.
The accompanying drawings to which I will hereinafter refer show one form of
my improved pocket and also illustrate a' form of spring which may be used to
maintain the mouth of one of the compartments in a closed condition.
Figure 1 represents a cross section through a side pocket provided with two
compartments.
The two compartments A and B do not communicate with each other and each
is provided with a separate mouth. It will be obvious on réferring to the
drawings that either compartment may be entered at will and have its contents
withdrawn. The pocket is formed of three layers of suitable material the middle
one of which is common to the two compartments.
The two mouths may consist simply of the material of which the pocket is
composed but it is preferred to stiffen one of the mouths or to otherwise furnish
it with suitable appliances to maintain it in a closed position. With this con-
struction the hand would naturally enter the compartment without the spring or
similar mouth, and this compartment may be employed to contain the least
valuable coins or articles. The other compartment could only be entered by
design and with the expenditure of a certain amount of force.
One way of maintaining one of the compartments in a closed position is to
provide it at each side of its mouth with a spring strip of steel, vulcanite, or other
suitable material. The two spring strips are shown at C and D in Figure 1.
They normally tend to keep close together and have to be forced apart by the
fingers before the hand can be inserted. The pocket illustrated is designed more
especially for a ladies dress where it hangs loose but it may also be applied for
men's use. The latter's pockets however need only be furnished with one spring
edge to one of the 'compartments as the garment is held close against the body.
Figures 2 and 3 illustrate a form of spring which may be applied to the mouth
of one of the compartments. The two strips C, D, shown in Figure 2 are bent in
opposite directions and are placed together and have their ends secured together
as shown in Figure 3. One strip is of course combined with each edge of the
compartment to be guarded: The compound strip will keep the compartment
normally closed.
Any or all of the compartments may be secured by buttons, clips or the like.
The steel or other strips may have their ends guarded or protected by india-
rubber or other caps E as shown in Figure 2.
It will be understood that. although I have only described my improved pocket 5

page_text: as containing two compartments any greater number of compartments may be
employed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. A pocket having two or more separate compartments, constructed and
arranged substantially as and for the purpose herein before described and as
illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
2. In a pocket provided with two or more compartments, the combination with
the edge or edges of one of the compartments of a spring or resisting strip or
strips, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth and as illustrated by
the accompanying drawings.
3. A compound pocket constructed and arranged substantially as herein before
described and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 21st day of August A.D. 1897.
W. E. HEYS & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.