IMPROVEMENTS IN ELASTIC GAITERS
Year: 1884

page_text: I, GABRIEL BLUMENTHAL, of Berlin Leipzigerstreet 11, do hereby declare tho
nature of said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELASTIC GAITERS," to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to elastic fastening devices for gaiters and consists chiefly
in connecting the loops or eyelets, serving to receive the buttons, by a helical spring
or springs with the body or fabric of the gaiter.
For this purpose I preferably fix to the front part of the gaiter an oblong metallic
plate of suitable size which is slightly flanged on its circumference and serves to
hold one or more helical springs suitably connected with the loop or eyelet proper
and controlling the same. By this arrangement the fastening device is permitted
to follow the tension of the foot whereby the gaiter conveniently fits to the foot
whatever the position of the same. Instead of mounting the helical spring or
springs on a plate, they may be directly fastened between the lining of the gaiter.
The eyelet receiving the button may be plain or slotted and provided with a
perforated elastic slide controlled by a helical spring so as to assist the putting on
and removal of the gaiters. The elastic fastening device may be mounted on short
or long gaiters made of elastic or inelastic material.
A part or the whole of the gaiter may also be rendered elastic by sewing in a
strip of elastic fabric adapted to assist the eyelet springs or to replace the same.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I, GABRIEL BLUMENTHAL, of Berlin, Leipzigerstreet, 11, do hereby declare the
nature of said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELASTIC GAITERS," and in what
manner the same is to be performed; to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to fastening devices for gaiters. For the purpose of
making the flaps of ordinary gaiters to form a constantly tight and convenient fit,
I use clastic eyelets or hooks, the effect of which may eventually be assisted by the
use of clastic cloth or entirely replaced by elastic cloth.
M
The patent is not limited to the special construction of the eyelets or fastening
mechanisms proper. All kinds of fastening devices or eyelets may be employed
The invention mainly consists in the elastic arrangement of the eyelets or fastening
devices on the gaiter, which is best obtained by means of helical or flat springs.
The indiarubber strip or band hitherto employed presses the foot too much in
various positions and soon becomes useless by wear and tear, while helical springs
produce a constant and uniform pressure.
The construction of the elastic fastening device is represented in detail by Figs. 3
and 4, which illustrate two different forms.
The eyelet o is not, as usual, directly connected with the flap a of the gaiter, but
indirectly by means of the helical spring s so that this eyelet o, made elastic in the
direction of the strain, can give way, when the foot is stretched, so that the gaiter
conveniently fits in each position of the foot.
Fig. 5 represents a modification of the eyelet proper.
The eyelet (represented in section and plan) is provided with a cap a which
protects the button b.
Fig. 4 représents a special kind of fastening eyelets, which permit an easy and
convenient fastening and removal of the guiters. The elastically mounted eyelet o
consists of two parts.
The slide n is also elastic, and by pressing on the same, the fastening pin k is
disengaged.
Figs 6 to 9 represents various modifications of the elastic gaiter, which show the
elastic fastening.device as applied to the part forming the leg or shank of the gaiter,
or replaced by elastic cloth, or the fastening devices used in combination with
elastic cloth.
In the modification represented by Fig. 6 the part covering the leg is supposed
to be made of knitted fabric, which replaces the elastic fasteners of the upper part
of the gaiter, while the lower part of the gaiter, that which covers the foot, is
provided with elastic fasteners. In the modification represented by Fig. 7 the
elastic fasteners o of the lower gaiter are replaced by ordinary or inelastic fasteners o',
and a strip of indiarubber fabric g' is inserted into the firm cloth, and the lower
gaiter thus made elastic is combined with an upper gaiter made of elastic cloth.
The modification represented by Fig. 8 illustrates the use of fastening for the
upper gaiter, that is to say either ordinary, inelastic fasteners o', or elastic fastening
devices o, which greatly facilitates the putting on and removal of the gaiter.
Two other modifications of this kind are represented by Figs, 9 and 10.

page_text: In the modification represented by Fig. 9, the fasteners of the lower gaiter are
inelastic, while the upper gaiter is made of elastic cloth and may be with or without
elastic fasteners. Fig. 10 represents a gaiter made entirely of elastic cloth, the
upper gaiter being elastic, while the lower gaiter, from p to q, is rendered inelastic
by means of lining u consisting of cotton, wool, linen etc, (which is represented in
the drawing to protrude); the lower part thus retains the shape of the gaiter and
thereby corresponds to the combination described.
In order to render the elastic fastening device as flat as possible, the helical
spring is preferably arranged sideways of the elastic pin, that is, so as not to
surround the same. (fig 3).
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
In gaiters:
1. A series of elastic hooks or eyelets o serving as a substitute for elastic bands
sewn in, for the purpose of obtaining a good fit along the whole length of the
gaiter, in any position of the foot, and without undue pressure on the same.
2. The combination of a lower part made of ordinary (inelastic) cloth and having
elastic fasteners o or elastic bands g', with an elastic shank or leg portion (made of
knitted fabric or similar material) which may also be provided with elastic fasteners,
if desired.
3. The combination of a lower part made of ordinary (inelastic) cloth, with an
elastic shank or leg portion (figs 9 and 10) which may be made to extend over the
lower part, so that the latter serves as a lining.
Dated this 24th day of January 1885.
°