Improved Trunk or Case for Carrying or Exhibiting Ladies' Wearing Apparel and other Articles.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Trunk or Case for Carrying or Exhibiting Ladies' Wearing
Apparel and other Articles.
I, MARY GLOVER, of No. 29, Lower Charles Street, Leicester, in the County of
Leicester, Spinster, Saddle and Harness Maker, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to ladies travelling cases and consists of a trunk or case
for carrying ladies wearing apparel or other articles of the following order, dress,
hat, bonnet, boot, linen, toilet, umbrella, or other articles of wear or use.
The combination case is arranged in the following or equivalent manner and is
made of leather or other suitable material usually employed in making trunks or
cases.
The frame of the case is made of iron or wicker but different in formation to the
dress, hat or toilet cases now in use inasmuch, that the articles of dress or wearing
apparel can be hung within the case without packing or folding, thus obviating a
great fault, which most ladies desire to see when the articles are required to be
worn or exhibited, that they are not crushed or folded, when the case is opened out.
The sides, back and lid of the case in design is made the same as in ordinary dress
cases, and I prefer to make the flanged front to fall down upon the lid being opened
to allow of umbrella's or the like to be taken therefrom, also to gain access to the
minature wardrobe without disturbing it, when desired; the interior of the case is
arranged in the following manner, at one side, looking to the front are several com-
partments extending from front to back with holding devices therein for boots,
shoes, hats, bonnets, or linen; in close proximity thereto I also provide either a
pocket or other suitable receptacle for soiled linen, and wood, brass, or iron rods
are arranged both across and also along, near the top of the case one above the
other, fitting in slots in the lining of the case and will carry hooks or clips
either fitted in sliding rings or set permanently at the required intervals, and
loops are also arranged for holding other articles of wear, the lid carries the usual
tapes and tray case if desired, the top of the front of the case has the usual
strengthening bar, and the drop down front is provided with two locks secured by
the usual fastenings in the lid, outside straps will be also employed so that the
outside of the case or what I prefer to call it "the minature ladies travelling
cabinet resembles an ordinary case except that it is somewhat higher and
narrower.
Dated this 24th day of May 1898
W. BESTWICK MAXFIELD,
Applicant's Agent.

page_text: Improved Trunk or Case for Carrying or Exhibiting Ladies' Wearing
Apparel and other Articles.
I, MARY GLOVER, of No. 29, Lower Charles Street, Leicester, in the County of
Leicester, Spinster, Saddle and Harness Maker, 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:-
This invention relates to an improved trunk or case for carrying or exhibiting
ladies wearing apparel or other articles and is constructed or designed with a view
of forming a combination wardrobe for the reception of dresses, blouzes, hats,
bonnets, boots, shoes, slippers, clean and soiled linen, toilet requisites, umbrellas,
parasols, and other articles which it is the habit of ladies carrying when upon
travel; this combination carrying wardrobe cabinet will be found more particularly
useful to ladies whose profession requires the carrying about of a large quantity
of costumes which now require a number of skips or boxes, besides having to pack
and often messes and creases the different articles in trying to sort them out
especially if in a hurry when wanted
In order that this my invention may be clearly defined and understood I have
attached a sheet of drawings hereunto in which:
Figure 1 shows in a perspective view the trunk or case-closed, and all but
strapped up ready for going away.
Figure 2 is another perspective view of same with part cut away, and lid open to
show the internal arrangements.
Figure 3 shows the tray for holding linen, gloves and the like, fitting on top of
the frame inside the case flush with the top of the body thereof, and Figure 4 a
modification of the frame shown in Figure 2 and hereinafter further described.
Letters of reference are used and denote like parts in all the figures in which they
occur,
Before describing the construction I would explain that I do not claim a drop
down front, for the trunk opens in this way or lifts so that the contents can be
easily inspected or exhibited, taken out and replaced without interfering or
misplacing the other articles.
The parts in Figures 1 and 2 that are partly shaded is to represent the grain of
leather cloth, or canvas of which the outside is formed, the parts not so shaded are
the binding edges of leather.
The said combination basket trunk or case A is made as follows: The
basket B is composed of wicker, or compressed cane, the outer covering being of
leather cloth, suitable canvas, or the like C, between the wicker work and outer
cover is put waterproof or mill board D, and also between the basket and lining
thus making the outer surface perfectly even as shown; if the basket is made of
compressed cane the outer covering is cemented thereto and the mill board
dispensed with, the edge on all sides are bound with solid leather the inside of
the drop down, sliding or lifting front is provided with straps fitted similarly to
those shown in the tray E2 Figure to hold umbrellas, sticks, parasols or the like,
consequently the front will bulge slightly in the centre, the inside of the basket
lid besides being lined carries the tapes 6 for holding any other requisites. The
flanges a¹ which are made of metal covered with leather are secured to the hinged

page_text: front by the rivets a²; or the said flanges may be in the form of the letter U also
of section as seen in Figures 1 and 2, but instead of being rivetted at a², the
flanges would be rivetted to the sides, and also along the bottom, the latter indicated
by dotted lines a³ Figure 2, holes would be made in the bottom of the U shaped
frame to receive pins projecting from the bottom of the what would be a sliding
drop down loose or unhinged front-space being left between the sides for the front to
fit between. The sides and back of the completed trunk or case are rivetted at e to
the metal frame E, or E¹, and compartments are made on the one side of the
divisional wall F for the reception of head and foot coverings, clean linen or the
like, the coned shaped holders G carrying hats and other head gear, soiled linen
may be carried in a pocket (not shown) secured to the other side of the division
wall F, wood, brass or iron rods H are arranged across and along the iron frame E,
or rings Harranged on the underside of the movable iron shelf I of the iron
frame E Figure 4, carried in the supports J, the rods H may either be rigidly or
movably fitted in the rectangular frame E, in the latter case the said rods would
carry a small nut and washer and slide in longitudinal grooves made in the frame
so that by the aid of a wrench or key each rod may be shifted has occasion may
require.
Hooks, clips or the like K of any ordinary kind suitable for gripping the rods or
rings and for suspending the blouzes or dresses L from the frame E, or E¹, the
rings H¹ used in the latter are made fast by the rivets h, at intervals as seen in
dotted line Figure 4.
Clean linen, gloves and handkerchiefs as before stated can be placed in the
tray E, Figure 3 which is of a corresponding size to fit in the top part of the
iron frame, E or E¹.
The front besides being held by the lid and straps M and M³ carries a central
strap on its inner face (not shown) which is readily fastened round the front of the
frame E or E¹, the lid is secured in the ordinary manner and such fastenings are
not lettered not being any new element in travelling trunks or cases.
It will be readily observed by reference to Figure 2 that the articles of dress or
wearing apparel L can be suspended in regular order without creasing or crushing
upon opening the lid and front, broad tapes are fitted within each so that they
shall not drop too far.
I would have it distinctly understood that I make no general claim to a
travelling trunk or case with a drop down front for this has been long since well
known, or merely for a dress skirt case, or for a case with shelves and drawers,
but
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed. I declare that what
I claim is:-
:-
1. A combination wardrobe basket forming, with a packing of waterproof board,
an outer covering of leather cloth or suitable canvas, edged with leather and lined;
a trunk or case, having the sides and back secured to an inner supporting
rectangular frame in which are firmly or movably secured transverse and other wood
or metal rods, carrying a series of suspending devices for ladies wearing apparel,
compartments for head or foot coverings, a drop or sliding front, all secured and
arranged in the manner, substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 to 3
of the accompanying drawings.
2. A combination wardrobe basket of compressed cane forming, with an outer
covering of leather cloth or, suitable canvas cemented thereto, edged with leather,
and lined; a trunk or case the sides and back being secured to an inner supporting
ectangular frame with carrying devices of the character as hereinbefore described
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
3. In a trunk or case for carrying or exhibiting ladies' wearing apparel and other
articles the securing of the sides and back thereof to a metal rectangular frame

page_text: such as E or E¹, with their carrying devices, and arranged substantially in the
manner with reference to Figures 1 to 4 inclusive of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 20th day of October 1898.
W. BESTWICK MAXFIELD,
Registered Patent Agent,
No. 34, Belvoir Street, Leicester,
Applicant's Agent.