IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO WATERPROOF GARMENTS
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Howard Busby Fox, of Oxton, in the County
of Chester, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO
WATERPROOF GARMENTS.”
Scaled the 29th July 1873, and dated the 1st February 1873.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Howard Busby Fox
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 1st February 1873.
I, HOWARD BUSBY Fox, of Oxton, in the County of Chester, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
AND APPLICABLE TO WATERPROOF GARMENTS," to bo as follows:-
My Invention relates to constructing waterproof garments in such a
manner that the rain or moisture passing over or running down the
surface of such garment may be directed or led to one or more distinct
points, and thus obviate the inconvenience and disadvantage caused by

page_text: the water dripping off all round on to the wearer's knees and under cloths.
To accomplish this object I construct waterproof garments with a cord,
ridge, or raised projection round the bottom thereof. The raised pro-
jection and the garment together forming a gutter, ridge, or way serving
to divert the water. These raised cords may be in the case of water- E
proof coats, jackets, cloaks, capes, and other analogous articles com-
menced at each side about the lower button in front of the garment,
and about six inches from the bottom thiercof. The cord or gutter may
then incline gradually to the back part of the garment and terminate in
a small spout or way to direct the water clear of the wearer's legs.
]
In some cases the cords or gutters may incline from the back and front
terminating at the sides of the garment respectively, this latter form
being especially suited to riding coats.
In the case of waterproof garments adapted for coachmen, bus drivers,
or other persons having to wear such garments in a sitting position, the 3
cords forming the gutters I prefer should be formed on the body or
upper part of the garment.
In all cases the cords or gutters may terminate in a suitable waterway
or spout to discharge the water. The sleeves also of the garments may
be fitted with a ridge or cord serving to direct the water to the under 2
side of the sleeve only.
In the case of waterproof leggings I form a cord or gutter round tho
bottom of the legging or gaiter that will tend to throw the water over
the sides of the wearer's boots respectively. The principle of this my
Invention is to form waterproof garments with a ridge, cord, or water- 2
way so placed that rain or other moisture running down the surface will
be directed or led to one or more distinct points, and run away clear of
the wearer's kuces and under cloths.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Howard Busby Fox in the Great Seal Patent 30
Office on the 30th July 1873.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the First day of February, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the
thirty-sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said Howard (Busby Fox, Her
special licence that I, the said Howard Busby Fox, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Howard
Busby Fox, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at
any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO WATERPROOF GARMENTS,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Howard Busby
Fox, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under my, or their, or one of their hands and scals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Howard Busby Fox, do hereby
declare the nature of my said 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 constructing waterproof garments in such a
manner that the rain or moisture passing over or running down the
surface of such garment may be directed or led to one or more distinct
points, and thus obviate the inconvenience and disadvantage caused by
the water dripping off all round on to the wearer's knees and under cloths.
To accomplish this object I construct waterproof garments with a cord,
ridge, or raised projection round the bottom thereof. The raised pro-
jection and the garment together form a gutter, ridge, or way serving to
divert the water. These raised cords may be in the case of waterproof
coats, jackets, cloaks, capes, and other analogous articles commenced at
cach side about the lower button in front of the garment, and about six
inches from the bottom thercof. The cord or gutter may then incline
gradually to the back part of the garment and terminate in a small
spout, or way to direct the water clear of the wearer's legs.

page_text: In some cases the cords or gutters may incline from the back and
front terminating at the sides of the garment respectively, this latter
form being especially suited to riding coats.
In the case of waterproof garments adapted for coachmen, bus drivers,
or other persons having to wear such garments in a sitting position, the 5
cords forming the gutters I prefer should be formed on the body or
upper part of the garment.
In all cases the cords or gutters may terminate in a suitable waterway
or spout to discharge the water.
The sleeves of the garments may be fitted with a ridge or cord serving 10
to direct the water to the under side of the sleeve only.
In the case of waterproof leggings I form a cord or gutter round the
bottom of the legging or gaiter, that will tend to throw the water over
the sides of the wearer's boots respectively.
The principle of this my Invention is to form waterproof garments 15
with a ridge, cord, or waterway so placed that rain or other moisture
running down the surface will be directed or led to one or more distinct
points, and run away clear of the wearer's knocs or under cloths.
My Invention is applicable to all kinds of waterproof garments, such
as india-rubber coats, capes, cloaks, jackets, and leggings; oilskin coats, 20
capes, cloaks, jackets, and leggings; leather coats, capes, cloaks, jackets,
and leggings; and every other kind of waterproof garment, and is par-
ticuliarly applicable for the use of troops, policemen, coach and cab
drivers, and in fact any partics subject to exposure in wet weather.
Having now fully described and ascertained the nature, object, and 25
purposes of this my Invention, and described how the same may bo
carried out, I wish it to be clearly understood that I do not confine
myself to applying my Invention to any particular kind or description of
waterproof garment, nor do I confine myself to shape or size of the ridge
or waterway, as the same may be considerably varied without departing 30
from my Invention, as will be well understood, but what I claim as
secured to me by Letters Patent as aforesaid is, the manufacture and
use of waterproof garments whether of india-rubber, oilskin, leather, or
other material with a cord, ridge, or raised projection or projections
forming a waterway or waterways to direct the water clear of the 35

page_text: wearer's legs, boots, or nether garments, substantially in the manner and
for the purposes herein-before set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Howard Busby Fox, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of July, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three.
HOWARD BUSBY (L.S.) FOX.
Witness,
FREDERICK JOHN CHEESBROUGH,
of 15, Water Street,
Liverpool.