IMPROVEMENTS IN CORSETS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Henry Symington, of Market Harborough, in
the County of Leicester, Stay and Corset Manufacturer, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN CORSETS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Henry Symington
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th March 1880.
WILLIAM HENRY SYMINGTON, of Market Harborough, in the County of Leicester,
Stay and Corset Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN CORSETS."
This Invention has for its object improvements in corsets.
As corsets are now constructed they are seamed more or less in a vertical
direction, and stiffened by the insortion of cords, bones, or stiffeners, to which
curvatures are given conforming to the lines of the figure. This system of con-
struction is at present continued over the bosom of the corset, and seams formed
in this portion of the corset commence at the top, and are continued always in a
downward direction.
Now according to my Invention I discontinue the usual vertically lined structure
at the bosom part of the corset, and I form the bosom of several transverse gores,
which are each wider in the middle than at the ends, like the segments employed
in covering a globe. These segments pass from side to side of the bosom part of
the corset approximately in an horizontal direction, and the cords or stiffeners by
which the requisite firmness is given also pass from side to side approximately
horizontally, but with a curvature following the fulness of the form.
Or the bosom part of the corset may be formed of triangular segments scamed
together with the seams radiating from a point at the summit of the curvature.
By these methods of construction a true form is given to the bosom part of the
corset independently of steam moulding, and this form will be retained both in and
out of wear.

page_text: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a portion of a corset constructed according to my
Invention, and having the bosom formed of several transverse gores joined together
by seams, which are approximately horizontal, and the requisito stiffness is given
to this part of the garment by cords laid in also approximately in horizontal lines,
and kept in place by lines of machine stitching between them. In place of cords
other stiffeners may be employed, as at present.
Figure 2 indicates the forms of the several pieces of which this corset is com-
posed. It will be seen that the ordinary approximately upright structure as
regards the seams and stiffeners is preserved in the other parts of the corset, but
that at the bosom this construction ceases, and is replaced by that of transverso
gores and approximately horizontal seaming and stiffening.
Figure 3 is a front elevation of a corset in which the structure of the bosom is
different. It is composed of triangular segments scamed together, so that the
seams radiate from a point at the summit of the curvature. The bosom so formed
is stiffened by cords or other stiffeners laid in horizontally, as already described in
respect to Figure 1. Figuro 4 indicates the forms of the pieces employed in
constructing a corset such as is represented by Figure 3.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention and the manner of
porforming the same, I would have it understood that I claim,―
First. The method of constructing the bosom part of a corset with transverse
goros, substantially as described in respect to Figures 1 and 2.
Second. The method of constructing the bosom part of a corset with triangular
segments, substantially as described in respect to Figures 3 and 4.

page_text: Third. The method of giving the requisite stiffness to the bosom part of a corset
by the insertion of cords or other stiffeners laid in approximately horizontally, as
illustrated by the Figures 1 and 3.
Fourth. The construction of corsets, substantially as described and represented
by the annexed Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Henry Symington, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty fifth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty.
W. H. SYMINGTON. (L.S.)