IMPROVEMENTS IN THIMBLES
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Marie Děmme at the Offico
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th September 1883.
MARIE DEMME, of Mühlhausen, Thuringia, German Empire "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THIMBLES
"
Thimbles hitherto used to protect the finger when sewing have generally been
mado entirely of metal for the greater part of iron or steel and they are
frequently lined with lead.
Such thimbles by constant use press the finger, even when they fit properly.
If the thimble be too tight, then the pressure is still worse, but if the thimble bo
even only a little too largo it will not keep on, and it cannot therefore be used
without discomfort.
Further, iron thimbles lined with lead, as well as thimbles of brass or other
metal, cause discoloration of the finger; in the first case the discoloration caused
is of a blackish hue and in the second case of a greenish huc, such discoloration
arises from the oxydation of the metal and may under certain circumstances cause
inflammation, or blood poisoning, such for example, as when there is a small cut or
wound on the finger.
By my invention these defects are obviated and in carrying out my improvements
I provide the interior surface of the thimble with a lining of suitable clastic
material preferably india-rubber which lining is turned over the edge of the
thimble and fixed by cement or in the case of india-rubber by vulcanizing it.
Thimbles constructed according to my invention fit the finger more comfortably
than those now in use, can be used with greater facility, and do not discolor or
hurt the finger

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Marie Děmme in the Patent Office on the 17th March 1884.
MARIE DEMME, of Muhlhausen, Thüringia, German empire "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THIMBLES
"
Thimbles hitherto used to protect the finger when sewing have generally been
made entirely of metal for the greater part of iron or steel and they are frequently
lined with lead.
Such thimbles by constant use press the finger even when they fit properly. If
the thimble be too tight then the pressure is still worse, but if the thimble be even
only a little too large it will not keep on, and it cannot therefore be used without
discomfort.
Further, iron thimbles lined with lead, as well as thimbles of brass or other
metal, cause discoloration of the finger; in the first case the discoloration caused is
of a blackish hue and in the second case of a greenish hue, such discoloration arises
from the oxydation of the metal and may under certain circumstances cause
inflammation, or blood poisoning, such for example, as when there is a small cut or
wound on the finger.
By my invention these defects are obviated and in carrying out my improvements
I provide the interior surface of the thimble with a lining of suitable elastic
material preferably india-rubber, which lining may advantageously be turned over
the edge of the thimble and fixed by cement or in the case of india rubber by
vulcanizing it.
Thimbles constructed according to my invention fit the finger more comfortably
than those now in use, can be used with greater facility, and do not discolor or
hurt the finger.
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
Providing thimbles with an interior lining of elastic material such as india
rubber for the purpose hereinbefore described.
In Witness whereof I the said Marie Demme bave hereto set my hand and
seal this fourteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord, One thousand eight
hundred and eighty four.
MAKIE DEMME (L.S.)
Geb. Rechenbach