Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Mar., 1887.
Complete Left, 27th Apr., 1887
Complete Accepted, 27th May, 1887.
invention to be as follows:-
In this my invention I provide a trousers stretcher which is capable of being adjusted
to any required length of trousers, and which may be rendered both small and compact
when it becomes necessary to pack it for travelling purposes.
My invention may be described as follows:-
-
Instead of the tension rod commonly in use in combination with trousers stretchers
I provide two distinct pieces, one of which pieces is constructed in the form of a
tube, and of such an inside diameter that it can freely pass over its corresponding
piece, which may be a rod, said corresponding piece being provided at its centre or
thereabouts, with a swivel joint, and at its extremity a screw thread, which fits into a
screwed socket. The before mentioned tubular bar is provided at its extremity namely
that at which its corresponding bar enters, with a set screw by means of which the
combined tension bar (consisting of tube and rod aforesaid) is held in position when
adjusted to a suitable length. The projecting end of the solid metal tension bar passes
through a suitable screwed socket and is then formed into a ring by bending the said
rod into a circular form. The afore mentioned screwed socket is securely attached to
parallel clamps at right angles to the tension bar which clamps are provided with suit-
able means for holding one end of the trousers tightly when placed between them.
At the lower extremity of the tubular tension bar corresponding clamps are suitably.
attached which clamps clip the lower part of the trousers when placed between them:

page_text: The manner in which my invention is utilized is as follows:-The trousers, after being
suitably folded are placed and gripped between one of the clamps in such a manner
that the lower extremeties of the trousers may be placed and gripped between the
corresponding clamps. The two clamps are now drawn apart as far as the length of
the trousers will permit. The before inentioned set screw, which adjusts the length of
the combined tension bars is tightened. By turning the upper portion of the solid
tension bar (by means of the ring formed at its extremity, and which solid tension bar
is allowed to turn by reason of the swivel joint thereon) the two clamps are drawn
apart, which imparts any required amount of tension in the trousers.
1000

page_text: An Improved Trousers Stretcher.
I, WILLIAM WILSON HORN, of the Firm of Horn & Son, Patent and Registration
Agents, of 151 Strand, Middlesex, (a communication to me from abroad, by Edward
C. Weston, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America,) 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:-
My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in trousers-stretcher, which
improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying
drawings, in which-
Fig. 1 represents side elevation of trousers-stretcher embodying my invention.
Fig. 2 represents a top plan view of portion of same. Fig. 3 represents a bottom
plan view of another portion of same. Fig. 4 represents a side elevation of detached
portion. Fig. 5 represents an end view of a detached portion.
Similar letters of referonce indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.
My invention consists of a trousers-stretcher which is simple in construction and
effective in operation, as will be hereinafter fully set forth.
Referring to the drawings, A represents a clamp, two of which are employed, one
being adapted to engage with the upper part of a pair of trousers and the other with
the lower part thereof. Each clamp consists of two bars, BB, which are united at
one end by a piece, C, of metal bent to form a spring, the other ends of the bars being
provided, respectively, with a screw, D, and slotted strap E, the slot of the strap being
adapted to receive the shank of the screw, so that when the screw is properly rotated
its head tightens against the strap and controls the same, whereby separation of the
bars B of the clamp is prevented.
The upper clamp is slightly different in form from the lower one, as seen in Figs. 2
and 3.
Connected with the side of one of the clamps A is a tube, F, which extends at or
about a right angle to said clamp, so that when the device is in operation the tube *
occupies a vertical position, said tube having a screw, G, and receiving a tube or rod, H,
the upper end whereof enters a socket, J, which is secured to the other clamp A. A
knob or piece, K, encircles and is connected with the rod H, and serves to allow the
hand to grasp the rod in a firm manner for adjusting the stretcher, as will be herein-
after stated.
Within the bottom of each leg of the trousers is located a tree, L, which consists
of bars M, having rounded faces conformable in a measure to said bottom and movable
in opposite directions, one of the bars having a rod, N, which extends parallel with
and enters the other bar, the latter being provided with a screw, P, which is adapted
to tighten against the rod N, it being seen that the bars may be moved or adjusted
so as to properly occupy the bottom or gaiter portion of the trousers and tighten

page_text: against the same, after which the screw P is rotated, and thus the tree retains its
position within the leg of the trousers.
When the clamps are located in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3, they grasp the
trousers at the places herein before stated. The tube and rod F H are then moved in
opposite directions, thus stretching the trousers, after which the screw G is tightened
and thus the clamps are prevented from moving toward each other. The trousers
may now be hung up or otherwise disposed of, and when they are properly stretched
the screw G is loosened, and, owing to the telescopic connection of the tube and rod F H,
the clamps A are no longer held separated. The screws D are loosened, whereby the
straps E are released, and the connections C cause the bars B to spring apart, whereby
the clamps are disengaged from the trousers. The screws P are also loosened, so that
the bars M of the trees slide toward each other, and the trees are thus readily remov-
able from the trousers. By the use of the trees the set of the bottom of the trousers
is preserved and creasing of the front and rear of the same by the clamp A is
prevented.
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. In a trousers stretcher, the combination, with clamps A and trees L, consisting
of adjustable parts, of the tube F, secured to one of said clamps, the rod H, secured
to the other clamp and adapted to operate in the tube F, the screw G, all substantially
as described.
2. In a trousers-stretcher, the clamps A, in combination with the trees L, consisting
of adjustable parts M, located between the bars B B of lower clamp and means,
substantially as described, for adjustably separating said clamps from each other, all
substantially as described.
3. A trousers-stretcher having the spring-clamps A, with fastening devices, the
tube F, secured to one of the said spring-clamps, the rod HI, secured to the other
clamp and operating in said tube, the screw G, and the trees I, consisting of adjust-
able parts M, and adapted to be secured between the bars B B of said lower clamp, all
of said parts being combined and operating substantially as described.
Dated this 27th day of April 1887.
HORN & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.