IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ELASTIC BANDS TO BE USED AS GARTERS, BRACE STRAPS, BELTS, AND OTHER LIKE ARTICLES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ELASTIC BANDS TO BE USED AS
GARTERS, BRACE STRAPS, BELTS, AND OTHER LIKE ARTICLES." A com
munication from abroad by Frank Armstrong, of Bridgeport, Connecticut,
United States of America.
Sealed the 13th November 1877, and dated the 19th May 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th May 1877.
WILLIAM ROBERt Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
ELASTIC BANDS TO BE USED AS GARTERS, BRACE STRAPS, BELTS, AND OTHER LIKE
ARTICLES." [A communication from abroad by Frank Armstrong, of Bridgeport,
Connecticut, United States of America.]
This Invention relates to the manufacture of elastic bands, chiefly designed to
form garters, but which may be used for brace straps and other like articles, where
a comfortable and convenient elastic fastening or support is desirable.
The most important novel feature of this Invention is the employment in the
formation of the bands to be used as garters or other like articles, of a series of
small spiral springs of equal or nearly equal length, and which are placed parallel with
each other transversely to the length of the band; that is to say, the band is made
up of a number or series of these short spiral springs, whose length is the width of
the said band. Through these springs I run tapes or cords which cross each other
in passing through the said springs. These tapes or cords are fastened at the ends
of the garter or other article, but run freely through the entire series of springs
between these ends. Therefore the band has an elasticity to the extent of the
lateral compression of the said springs, and may be elongated by pulling like an
ordinary elastic band or spring.
:
I provide the ends of the garters formed of the said improved elastic bands with

page_text: Each of
hooks, so constructed and arranged that when the garter is worn one hook will
fasten the garter on the inside, and the other on the outside of the same.
the said short transverse springs forms & catch, with which the said hooks may
engage, so that the bands or garters can be adapted by the wearer to any required
size.
I prefer that the ends of the said short springs throughout the length of the band
or garter should be provided with small caps of metal or other suitable material to
protect the tapes or cords, and improve the comfort and convenience of the
garter.
According to a modification of my said Invention, instead of using short spiral
springs, I use short metal-or other tubes placed across or transversely to the length
of the band, and pass through them in the manner above described elastic cords or
strips, which give the required elasticity to the band, and allow the same to be
elongated or stretched to the extent of their elasticity.
:
c
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 19th
November 1877.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co., Patent
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE
Agents, Southampton Buildings, London.
OF ELASTIC BANDS TO BE USED AS GARTERS, BRACE STRAPS, BELTS, AND OTHER
LIKE ARTICLES." A communication from abroad by Frank Armstrong, of Bridgeport,
Connecticut, United States of America.
6.
This Invention relates to the manufacture of elastic bands, chiefly designed to
form garters, but which may be used for brace straps and other like articles,
where a comfortable and convenient elastic fastening or support is desirable.
The said Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawing, in which
Figures 1 and 2 are side views of an elastic band suitable for a garter.
The most important novel feature of this Invention is the employment in the
formation of the bands to be used as garters or other little articles, of a series of
small spiral springs a of equal or nearly equal length, and which are placed parallel
(with each other transversely to the length of the band; that is to say, the band is
made up of a number or series of these short spiral springs a, whose length is the
width of the said band when the same is unstretched, as in Figure 1. Through
these springs a I run tapes or cords b, which cross each other in passing through
"the said springs. These tapes or cords are fastened at the ends of the garter or
other article, but run freely through the entire series of springs a between these
ends. Therefore, when the band is pulled or stretched, as shewn in Figure 2, the
tape or cord compresses the said springs, and increases the distance between them;
that is say, the elasticity or longitudinal extension of the band is in proportion to
the lateral compression of the said springs, and the said band may be elongated
by pulling or stretching like an ordinary elastic band or spring.
I may provide the ends of the garters, formed of the said improved elastic bands,
with hooks so constructed and arranged that when the garter is worn one hook will
fasten the garter on the inside, and the other on the outside of the same. Each of
the said short transverse springs forins a catch with which the said hooks may

page_text: engage, so that the bands or garters can be adapted by the wearer to any required
size.
I prefer that the ends of the said short springs a throughout the length of the
band or garter should be provided with small caps of metal or other suitable
material to protect and preserve the tapes or cords b, and increase the comfort and
convenience of the garter.
According to a modification of my said Invention, instead of using short spiral
springs, I use short metal or other tubes, placed across or transversely to the length
of the band, and pass through them in the manner above described elastic cords or
strips, which give the required elasticity to the band, and allow the same to be
elongated or stretched to the extent of their elasticity.
And I may form my improved garters or other articles of two or more of the said
elastic bands, placed side by side, and fastened together in any convenient manner.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim, in the formation or construction of elastic bands, the combination of
short spiral springs or tubes and cord or tape secured at the ends of the said bands,
but running freely through the said springs or tubes, as above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal; this Seventeenth day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
WM. RORT LAKE