Improvements in Ladies' Garments for Cycling and other Purposes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Apr., 1896-Accepted, 30th May, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Ladies' Garments for Cycling and other
Purposes.
1, FRANCES HENRIETTA MÜLLER, of Meads, Maidenhead, in the County of
Berks, Gentlewoman, 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 :-
These improvements consist in the form and combination of three specially
constructed articles of ladies' costume, so made as to afford special facility and
convenience when cycling.
Reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which
Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate a combination vest and knickerbockers.
Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 refer to a skirt, and Figs. 7, 8, 9 and 10 show an outside-
garment or cont.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 which form respectively frout and back views of n.
combined vest and knickerbockers, it will be scen that the fastening is made by
buttons A down the left side, and that at the back a fold B may be let down
by undoing the buttons C. The knickerbockers are long enough to extend below the
knee and may be provided with strap and buckle, buttons, or elastic band, to retain
them at this point. They may be of more or less fulness according to the taste of
the wearer.
. Over this garment the skirt shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 is intended to be worn..
It will be seen that it is a simple gored article, and may clear the ground say by
about six inches. Dispensing entirely with lining, it has only a narrow stitched
hem around the bottom, and a waistband provided with a row of buttons on the
outside, as marked D in Fig. 3.
In Fig. 4 is shown the skirt opened quite out, the opening (shown buttoned up
in Fig. 3 by buttons E) extending the full length of the article. At F in Fig. 4.
(which shows the inner or wrong side) will be seen a series of loops, their purpose
being obvious by reference to Figs. 5 and 6. In these sketches are shown the
loops attached to buttons D, so that as in Fig. 5 the front of the skirt is opened,
leaving the knees and feet free for pedalling or other movements, although the
back of the skirt remains intact-somewhat similar to a "Fishwife" skirt.
By continuing the looping up process (for which the remaining loops F and
buttons D are conveniently placed) this garment can be entirely hidden under the
coat hercinafter described. The limbs would now be free altogether as far as a
skirt restricts their action, and a machine of the diamond frame type could be
readily ridden.
The coat, shown in Figs. 7, 8, 9 and 10, may fit the figure in the usual way and
have full sleeves, according to the wearer's taste. In length, it is designed to reach
to the knees and is provided with a row of buttons G extending the whole
distance down the front as shown, supplementary buttons H being also pro-
vided that, as shown dotted in Fig. 10, the lower ends may, if wished, be held
back. Obviously the wearer may use it buttoned as shown in Fig. 9; that is, only
closed above the waist, or as in Fig. 10 closed below the waist only, the continuity
of the overlapping or buttoning portions ceasing at the waist, so that one part is
quite independent of the other. As regards pockets, I find it a convenient
arrangement to put two watch pockets, one on each side, in the breast of the vest,
a single pocket in the skirt, and two in the coat, though extra pockets according to
special taste may of course be added.

page_text: The whole suit forms a knickerbocker costume with all its conveniences, yot
which may be wholly or partially disguised at the will of the wearer, and admits
of freedom in riding a diamond frame machine if desired, with facility for a
return to more ordinary costume if wished at resting places, by releasing the
looped up skirt.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
(1.) The combination of special garments forming the cycling or athletic suit
for ladies substantially as described and illustrated.
(2.) In a cycling or athletic dress a skirt divided down the front and provided
with means whereby it may be partly or wholly looped up substantially as and for
the purpose described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
(3.) In a cycling or athletic dress a jacket having the overlapping portions of
the front formed in two separate lengths substantially as and for the purpose
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 24th day of April 1896.
CASTLE SMITH,
"Invention" Office, Mitre Court, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.