IMPROVEMENTS IN LEGGINGS OR GAITERS AND OTHER LIKE ARTICLES
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the "International
Patent Office," No S, Southampton Buildings,
Buildings, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Consulting Engineer, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LEGGINGS OR GAITERS AND OTHER LIKE ARTICLES."―
A communication from abroad by William George Rule, of the
City and State of New York, United States of America.
Sealed the 17th July 1868, and dated the 3rd February 1868,
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 3rd February 1868.
1, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the International Patent Office,"
No. 8, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, Consulting Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN LEGGINGS OR GAITERS AND OTHER LIKE
ARTICLES," a communication, to be as follows:-
The said improvements relate more especially to waterproof coverings
for the legs, and consist chiefly in the combination of a peculiarly
constructed elastic metal frame with the leather, cloth, or other
covering material, which frame allows the legging, gaiter, or other
Q.1

page_text: article to be readily and securely attached to the leg, and to be quickly
removed therefrom, without the use of buttons, studs, catches, or other
like fastenings, and the consequent trouble and soiling of the hands in
adjusting the same.
The metal frame is preferably formed of steel, and consists of two
side pieces united at their extremities to coil or scroll springs, one of
which encircles the leg above the calf, and the other at the ankle.
These springs are so formed that when placed around the leg they will
clasp the same firmly enough to prevent the accidental coming off of
the legging, but will yet allow the latter to be readily removed by
unclasping or bending back the spring A strap to pass under the foot
may be attached to the bottom of the legging or gaiter. The side
pieces of the frame form the edges of the legging or gaiter, and are
made sufficiently flexible to adapt themselves to the shape of the leg
These side pieces and the springs are rivetted or otherwise securely
fastened together, the leather, cloth, or other covering material being
secured to the same by strong stitching, with or without an interior
lining as desired The said springs are preferably formed of flat pieces
of spring steel of the proper size and temper to clasp the leg of the
wearer with the required firmness, and of such a length that when thus
clasped around the leg one edge of the legging or other article will
overlap the other for a sufficient distance to hold the two edges securely
together, forming a close joint and giving to the legging a neat and
smooth appearance. The length of the legging or gaiter may be varied,
and the same may be extended above the knee if desired
When my
improved leggings are provided with a strap below the instep the same
may have a buckle to adjust the strap properly to the foot This
adjustment will not be required except when the leggings are first
worn, as the strap is not unfastened when the legging is put on or
removed.
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 3rd August 1868
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
ROBERT LAKE, of the "International Patent Office," No. 8, Southampton

page_text: Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Consulting
Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Third day of February, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the
thirty-first year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said William Robert Lake, Iler special
licence, that I. the said William Robert Lake, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Robert Lake,
my executors, administrators, and assigns. should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time, and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN LEGGINGS OR GAITERS AND OTHER LIKE ARTICLES," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said William Robert Lake,
my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under
my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Robert Lake, do herchy
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying
Sheet of Drawings forming a part of this Specification:-
The said improvements relate more especially to waterproof coverings
for the legs, and consist chiefly in the combination of a peculiarly
constructed elastic metal frame, with leather, cloth, or other covering
material, which frame allows the legging or gaiter to he readily and
securely attached to the leg, and quickly removed therefrom without
the use of buttons, studs, catches, or other like fastenings, and the
consequent trouble and soiling of the hands in adjusting the same.
The metal frame is preferably formed of steel, and consists of two
straight or nearly straight side pieces, and two scroll springs, one of
which encircles the leg at the top of the legging or gaiter, and the
other at the bottom. These springs are so formed that when placed

page_text: upon the leg they will clasp the same firmly enough to prevent the
accidentally coming off of the legging, but will yet allow the latter to
be readily removed by unclasping or hending back the springs.
may be attached to the bottom of the legging or gaiter.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
A strap
Figure 1 is a side view of one of my improved leggings showing the
same adjusted and secured upon the leg of the wearer; Figure 2 is a
perspective view of the metal frame of the said legging or gaiter. Like
letters indicate the same parts in both of the Figures.
The side pieces a of the frame form the edges of the legging or
gaiter, and are made sufficiently flexible to adapt themselves to the
shape of the leg. These side pieces and the springs bare rivetted or
otherwise securely fastened together at c and d, the leather, cloth, or
other covering material e being secured to the frame by stitching or
other method of fastening, and may be made with or without lining as
desired. The springs bare preferably formed of flat pieces of spring
steel of the proper size, and are formed and tempered to clasp the leg
of the wearer with the required firmness. The said springs are of such
a longth that when thus clasped around the leg one edge of the legging
or gaiter will overlap the other for a sufficient distance to hold it
securely together, forming a close joint and giving to the legging a neat
and smooth appearance
The side pieces a of the frame are extended
beyond the lower spring, as shown at f, Figure 2. These extended
portions of the frame fit on each side of the foot or instep, and when
the legging or gaiter is worn will prevent the turning round of the
The leather or other covering material should be extended below
the frame, as shown in Figure 1. The length of the legging or gaiter
may be varied, and the same may be extended above the knee if
desired. The said legging or gaiter may also be provided with a lip or
projection to cover the upper part of the foot, or may be otherwise
adapted to suit the taste or convenience of the wearer
improved leggings are provided with a strap below the instep the same
may have a buckle to adjust the strap properly to the foot.
same.
When my
Having thus described ny said Invention, I wish it understood that
I do not claim the employment of springs at the top and bottom of a
legging or other similar article, nor do I claim making such legging or
other article with overlapping edges or sides; but I claim a legging,

page_text: gaiter, or other like covering for the leg provided with a metal frame,
which consists of side pieces a and springs b, constructed and arranged
In such a manner as to allow the said legging or gaiter to be readily
put on and removed, and which without the aid of independent clasps,
buttons, or other fastenings secures the said legging or other article, and
keeps the same in its proper position upon the leg, substantially a's
set forth.
In witness whereof, 1, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Third day of August, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.
put on and removed, and which without the aid of independent clasps,
buttons, or other fastenings secures the said legging or other article, and
keeps the same in its proper position upon the leg, substantially a's
set forth.
In witness whereof, 1, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Third day of August, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE
(L S.)
Witness,
THO. N. PALMER,
Clerk to Messrs Haseltine, Lake, & Co.,
8, Southampton Buildings,
W.C.