Improvements in Ladies' Skirts for Cycling.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Ladies' Skirts for Cycling.
I, MARY ANN WARD, of 92 Thomas Street, Bristol, in the County of
Gloucestershire, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The skirt is conveniently fastened to the waist of the rider; and from the part
covering the hips to the bottom of the skirt is a division on each side, the edges of
each overlapping the other. On the edge of the under-lap is sewn a row of
buttons; and on the edge of the upper-lap is a row of holes. Over each of the
divisions running down from the waist and secured at its upper end to the skirt is
a strap which may be called a gathering-up strap in which also is formed a row of
holes at suitable distances from each other; so that when the two edges of the
divisions are buttoned together, the gathering-up strap may likewise be buttoned
over the same; thus affording a means of shortening the drop of the skirt to suit
the wearer whilst riding. The skirt may be again let out to its full length for
walking by merely unbuttoning the gathering-up straps. More than the two
divisions can be made in the skirt if preferred; and studs or links may be used
instead of buttons. Also the straps for gathering up the skirt may be secured
apart from the skirt by means of a band or string if preferred.
The utility of this skirt over the ordinary is, that whilst a stylish dress for
walking may be worn, there is no danger, by reason of its length, in using the same
when cycling.
Dated this Fourth day of Mar 1896
MARY ANN WARD.
Improvements in Ladies' Skirts for Cycling.
MARY ANN WARD, of 92 Thomas Street, Bristol, in the County of
Gloucestershire, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
inanner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to improvements in ladies' skirts for cycling. The danger
of ladies wearing an ordinary walking dress when riding a cycle being so great
through the liability of being caught in the machine, I have made the following
improvements which enable ladies to ride cycles with perfect safety so far as the
skirt is concerned. In each side of the skirt I form a division running down from
the waistband to the bottom of the skirt-thus forming, as it were, an apron in the
front and back. At the waistband I attach a strap, hanging down loosely any
suitable distance, over each of the divisions. The two edges of each division are
then buttoned one over the other; and the two straps having holes worked down
them at convenient spaces apart are also buttoned over the divisions; and by
.

page_text: missing one or two or more buttons when fastening, the straps are consequently
made to lift and hold the skirt to any height required for the safety of the rider.
More than two straps may be used if preferred; and the straps may be attached
to a separate waistband instead of directly to the skirt. Studs or links can be
also used in the place of buttons if preferred.
The action of the straps lifting the skirt is in reality imitating the way in which
a lady gathers and holds up, with her hands, her skirt when wishing to keep the
bottom part out of danger of being soiled-say from a muddy road-whilst
walking.
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 :-
The manufacture of a skirt divided and fitted with straps and buttons or any
equally suitable fastening exactly as herein described.
Deted this Sixth day of February 1897
MARY ANN WARD.