A Regulative Expansible Bustle or Dress Improver.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Oct., 1889
Complete Specification Left. 29th Apr.. 1890-Accepted. 31st May. 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Regulative Expansible Bustle or Dress Improver.
WILLIAM TOWNSEND 5 Falcon Street Aldersgate Street London E.C. Manufacturer
of Fancy Goods do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention consists of strips of steel, whalebone horn cane or featherbone
inserted in grooves in, or stitched upon woven fabrics, secured in plaits at the ends in
such a manner that when extended from the sides produces a bustle or dress improver
which can be regulated to any size by simply extending or contracting an inner strap
arranged for the purpose, and which when released collapses into a flat position capable
of being packed in the smallest compass.
October 15th 1000
WILLIAM TOWNSEND.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Regulative Expansible Bustle or Dress Improver.
I, WILLIAM TOWNSEND, of No. 5 Falcon Street, Aldersgate Street, in the County of
London, Manufacturer of Fancy Goods, 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:-—
My invention relates to a regulative expansible and reversible bustle or dress
improver; and its object is to produce a bustle capable of being regulated in respect
of its size when required to be worn, and of assuming a compact flat shape when not
so required; thereby economizing space and expense in packing and transit.
Now, in order that my invention may be better understood, I will proceed to explain
the same with the aid of the accompanying drawing, in which
Figure 1 is a plan of my said bustle when not in use; and
Figure 2 is a plan thereof when the same is ready for use.
Accordingly, in carrying my said invention into effect, I prepare a fabric of woven
or other suitable material, and of a rectangular shape. Across this fabric, I form a
series of parallel slots or cases, a, equidistant from each other, such slots or cases
being preferably narrower than the intervening bands, b, of the fabric. A flat strip
of any suitable material which, (by virtue of its natural elasticity), is capable of
returning to its original flat position after its two ends have been approached, is fitted
into each slot or case. I do not confine myself to any particular material, but I
mention busk-steel as one eminently adapted to accomplish the purpose of this part
of my invention; although whalebone, or horn, or cane, or feather bone may be used
therefor.
After each slot or case is fitted with its spring strip, all such slots or cases are
brought together, side-edge to side-edge; so that the area of the fabric is diminished
by the folding up, upon themselves, of the intermediate bands, 6. Or any other
equivalent method of incorporating the spring strips with the fabric may be adopted.
A tab, c, is then sewn or attached in any convenient way to each end of the fabric
so diminished as aforesaid, and both tabs, c, are provided with any suitable device
whereby they can be joined together and easily released. Such joining together will
naturally have the effect of bending the spring-fitted fabric into the form of an
arch, the terminal points of which are connected by a straight line, namely, the two
tabs, c.
The joining device is preferably regulatable in respect of the distance between the
points of the arch; and it may consist of a stud or button, d, on one tab, and one or

page_text: more stud holes or button holes, e, in the other; or a buckle and strap may be
so used.
Each side of the fabric is likewise provided with a suitable tab, f, furnished with a
string, g, or any equivalent device, by which the bustle can be fastened or attached to
the wearer's waist.
When the bustle is to be worn, the end tabs, c, are joined together, so that the ends
of all the spring strips will be held in two parallel lines. The side tabs, f, are then
pulled away from each other, with the result of stretching the spring strips as
far apart, as to their centres, as the intermediate bands, b, will allow; thereby bring-
ing the bustle into its proper shape for wear, as shewn in Figure 2. It is then
ready for being fixed in position on the wearer's waist by the device, g, provided
for that purpose.
This bustle is reversible, that is to say, it may be worn either side outwards.
I wish it to be distinctly understood that my invention does not confine me to any
particular method of producing the fabric with its four tabs.
When the end-joining device, d, is released or unfastened, the bustle assumes its
original compact flat shape, as shewn in Figure 1 ; and it may be rolled up with the
tabs, c, and d, inside, and the strings, g, wound round it apronwise; or it may remain
flat; in either case it can be conveniently packed into a very small compass without
injury thereto.
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 :-
The combination of fabric, spring strips incorporated therewith, intermediate bands,
end-joining device, and extending device, substantially for the purpose and in the
manner hereinbefore set forth and described, and illustrated in the accompanying
drawing.
DL: GOAL 1
C Am 1000
WILLIAM TOWNSEND,
Applicant.