Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 27th June, 1888
Complete Specification Left, 28th Aug., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 28th Sept., 1888
GEORGE RODNEY MCDONALD 27 Milton Street City E.C. do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows :-
:-
A collapsible bustle the action being caused by a spiral spring placed at the base
or lowest wire of the bustle the ends of which are fastened in opposite directions
against other wires forming resistance. The frame or cross wires are joined by tape
cord or other suitable material so that when the wearer is seated the frame or cross
wires move upwards on the wearer rising the bustle by means of the spiral spring
pulls the wires down to their former position.

page_text: I, GEORGE RODNEY MCDONALD, of 27 Milton Street, London E.C. Manufacturor,
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 :-
The object of this invention for Improvements in Bustles is to provide a light and
elegant bustle for improving the adjustment and fit of ladies dresses, and which, while
readily vielding to external pressure shall be capable of automatically readjusting
itself after such displacement.
In carrying out iny invention I employ any suitable number of cross wires heat to
the form required and having their opposite ends connected to the opposite ends of a
common axis or base wire around which they are all free to turn. The several wires
are each secured to one or more rapes or cords or other suitable material which limit
their distances apart so that when opened to their full extent these wires form a light
open framework of the form desired for giving to the dress placed thereon the required
contour.
On the beforementioned axis or base wire is wound a helical spring, which is
attached to the two extreme cross wires in such a manner, that its tendency is to press
them apart in opposite directions and so maintain the whole framework in its open
or expanded condition.
When however any external pressure is applied such as for example, when the
wearer is sented, the frame readily yields, the cross wires rotating around the axis
or base wire thus causing the whole bustle to collapse and lio flat against the back.
On being relieved of the external pressure the wires are again caused by the action
of the spring to open and automatically resume their normal positions.
In the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings Figs. 1 and 2 are front and
sido elevations respectively of one arrangement of bustle constructed according to
this invention.
A suitable number of wires as a be bent to the required form have their opposite
ends connected to the axis or base wire d around which they are all free to turn,
and are secured at the proper distances apart to the tape e so that when open to their
full extent they form a light open framework as clearly shown.
On the base wire d is wound the helical spring the two ouls g h of which aro
attached to the two extreme cross wires ar so as to maintain the frame in its open
or expanded condition.
The bustle is secured to the waist of the wearer by means of the band & passing
through loops on the wire a.
Figs. 3 and 4 represent a front and side elevation respectively of a modified
arrangement, in which the helical spring facts upon a central wire attached to the

page_text: axis d and cross wire a, the two halves of the said spring being wound in opposite
directions and its two ends h being secured to the cross wire c as clearly shewn.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In the construction of bustles; the employment of a helical spring secured to
the axis or base wire so as to expand the frame wires substantially as described.
2. The arrangement and construction of bustles substantially as described with
reference to the drawings.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
156, Strand, W.C.,
Agents.