A Device or Holder for Use with Hats, Bonnets, and other like Head Coverings to Retain them in Place on the Wearer.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 5'st Mar., 1894-Accepted, 2nd June, 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Device or Holder for Use with Hats, Bonnets, and other like
Head Coverings to Retain them in Place on the Wearer.
We JOHN MERCHANT, of York Villa, The Grove Road, St. Ann's Hill,
Wandsworth, in the County of Surrey, Secretary, and ALFRED ELIAS MAJOR
of 7 Dalby Road, Wandsworth in the County of Surrey, Mechanic, 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 a device or holder for use with hats, bonnets and the
like, to retain them in place upon the head of the wearer in such a manner that
they will not become lifted or displaced by the wind or other cause, and will at the
same time give additional comfort to the wearer.
The device or holder consists of a curved wire frame which is adapted to be
affixed to the underside of the hat or the like in proximity to that part where the
crown and brim meet, said frame being provided at or near the back with means
such as a comb for entering the hair and securing the hat or the like in position on
the wearer's head. The free ends of the device or holder may be plain, bent, or
formed as spirals for giving extra strength and springiness, as desired.
In order that our invention may be fully understood and readily carried into
effect we will proceed to describe the drawings hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a side elevation and Figure 2 an underside view shewing our device
or holder applied to a hat.
Figure 3 is a similar view to Figure 1 but with the holder in the position it
occupies when the hat is on the wearer.
Figures 4 and 5 are respectively a side view and plan of the device or holder
shewn detached.
Figure 6 is a side elevation and Figure 7 an underside view shewing a modified
construction of the holder applied to a bonnet, and
Figures 8 and 9 are respectively a side view and plan of the holder here
employed.
Referring more particularly to Figures 1 to 5 a is the holder formed of steel wire
the ends a of which are connected to the hat in any suitable manner as by stitching
or by fasteners, while the other portion is free and normally occupies an inclined
position as indicated in Figure 1. 6 is the comb which is firmly secured to the
back part of the holder by stitching or other convenient means, said holder being
formed with an enlargement or lug a' for the comb to be secured to. When the hat
is in proper position on the wearer the comb enters the hair at the back of the
head and the hat is pressed down until the holder occupies the position shewn in
Figure 3, that is to say partially entering the crown of the hat; an ordinary bonnet
pin is then inserted at or about the point c for retaining the hat in this position.
In this manner stiffness is given to the hat, and the holder acting like a spring
keeps the front of the hat down and effectually prevents any tendency of the front
to rise under the influence of the wind.
In the modified construction shewn at Figures 6 to 9 not merely the ends, but
the entire holder is secured to the bonnet, the same stiffness being obtained as
before but without the spring-like effect.

page_text: It will of course be understood that our invention is applicable to head coverings
of other kinds and shapes than those shewn, the shape of the holder varying with
that of the head covering to which it is to be applied.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
-claim is:
1. Our device or holder for use with hats, bonnets and like head coverings
substantially as hereinbefore described, whereby their lifting or displacement by
the wind or other cause is prevented and greater comfort to the wearer ensured.
2. The construction of a device or holder for use with hats and like head
coverings consisting of a frame of wire or other suitable material such as a having
at its front, free ends such as a' for connection to the hat and at its back a comb
such as 6 for attachment to the wearer's hair substantially as hereinbefore described
with reference to Figures 1 to 5 of the annexed drawings.
3. The modified construction of the device or holder substantially as hereinbefore
.described with reference to Figures 6 to 9 of the annexed drawings.
Deted the 21st March 1904
MELLERSH-JACKSON,
WM.
75, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicants.