Improvements in Braces, Suspenders, and the like.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 29th May, 1891-Accepted, 5th Sept.. 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Braces, Suspenders, and the like.
A communication from OTTO GEISSLER, Gentleman, and EDUARD LEHMANN,
Manufacturer, both of Kötzschenbroda, in the German Empire.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
M.I.M.E., do hereby declare the naturo 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 :-
In the braces forming the subject of this Specification the two supporting or
shoulder straps or bands unlike those of the ordinary braces are independent of
cach other, and consist each of two parts connected together simply by means of a
readily detachable hook capable of being turned in any direction within a ring or
eye. The two supporting bands or straps are only connected with each other at
the upper portion of the back part of the braces, such connection being formed in
each case by a link freely movable by means of hooks within suitable rings or
eyes. Thus the front portion of the braces does not extend farther than the
shoulder of the wearer, where it joins the back portion to which it is attached by
a movable junction-piece in such a manner that the two portions are situated at a
sharply defined angle to each other. Besides owing to the indicated arrangement
of the back portion, the position of the two straps of which it is composed is such
that the spine is at all times free from any pressure between them, a circumstance
which materially adds to the comfort and case of the wearer while the angular
disposition of the two portions ensures a better fit of the braces round the shoulders
which part of the body as is well-known is mainly subjected to the strain which
the wearing of braces involves. A further advantage lies in the facility with which
each part or member of the braces may be connected with, or disconnected from,
the rest at will, which enables any such part happening to be accidentally torn or
damaged, to be replaced separately whereas a similar accident would have hitherto
necessitated the supply of an entirely new pair of braces. But the advantage
deserving attention above all others is that these braces are capable of adjustment
according to the size of the user, not only in front as is the case in many of the
systems hitherto known but at the back as well so that the same pair of braces
may with equal certainty of a perfect fit be instantaneously adjusted from the size
of a grown-up man to that of a small boy.
In the accompanying drawings
Figs. 1 and 2 show the braces from the rear in the position they occupy in use.
Fig. 3 is a front view and Fig. 4 a side view of the improved braces.
Fig. 5 is a detail view of the hook-and-eye coupling whereby the front and back
portions of the braces a and d are connected together by means of the link 9 which
is here seen from the front while Fig. 6 is a side view of the same.
The two front bands a are at one end each fitted with a hook b which engages in
the eye or ring c provided at the ends of a strap the pair of which form the back
portion of the braces. By means of buckles suitably passed on the back straps d
the latter may be shortened or lengthened as required. To the rings or eyes e¹
provided at the opposite ends of the back straps d the ordinary leather tabs f
provided with button-holes or equivalent are attached by means of hooks b. From
the foregoing it will be seen that each of the two parts of which these braces
mainly consist forms a complete and distinct contrivance entirely independent of
its counterpart both being coupled together by flexible junction-pieces y 9' suspended
from or loosely attached to rings or eyes c c by means of suitable hooks
equivalent. The picces g g' are formed of any suitable elastic material.
or

page_text: .
'
It will thus be seen that not only can the individual portions or sections of these
braces be at pleasure detached from the rest, but each is also capable independently
of the other parts of extension and contraction owing to the yielding nature of the
before-mentioned movable junction pieces or links g¹ so as to exactly fit the
corresponding part of the body only a slight pull being sufficient to bring about
this result as will be understood by inspecting Figs. 2 and 3.
y
To prevent the flexible back-straps d from being injured by perspiration they
may be on the side which is to be nearest the body lined with soft flexible
cushions Figs. 3 and 4, made of sponge, cork or any other damp-absorbing
material in consequence of which the said back-straps will feel very light and as it
were hollow greatly to the comfort of the user.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondents, and in what manner
the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
1. In braces or suspenders the arrangement of double straps such as a d the two
parts of each of which are connected by means of a hook movable in and detachable
from a suitable ring the adjustable back portions of which straps are also
connected at their upper and lower ends by means of elastic junction-pieces such
as g g also movably and detachably suspended by means of hooks and rings
substantially as and for the purpose described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
2. In braces or suspenders such as described the arrangement of moisture-
absorbing-pads such as k on the adjustable back parts d substantially as described
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
3. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete braces
or suspenders substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this 28th day of Max 1801
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.