Corset.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 7th July, 1896-Accepted, 24th Oct., 1896
Corset.
I, CLARA EVELYN WOODWORTH, of the City of London, in the County of
Middlesex, in the Province of Ontario, Canada, Dressmaker, 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 a close fitting bodice or waist, stiffened by suitable
means, usually tightened by lacing, and worn for the purpose of supporting and
giving shape to the figure.
And it consists of the improved construction and combination of parts of the
same as will be hereinafter first fully set forth and described and then pointed out
in the claims.
In order that my improvements may be better understood, I have illustrated
in the accompanying drawings, a corset constructed according to my invention.
In which drawings;-
Fig. 1. is a front view of my improved corset.
Fig. 2. is a side view, and Fig. 3. is a back view of same.
Fig. 4. is a sectional view of one side on the line, x, x, of Fig. 2.
In the accompanying drawings;-
F, designates the front and, B, the back of the corset, formed separately and
independently of one another and of any suitable material.
The corset front, F, is divided or formed of two separate and independent
divisions, f, f, and secured to the adjacent edges of said divisions, f', f, are the
front corset stays or busks, C1, C2, formed of steel or other suitable material..
H, H, designate clasps, and, I, I, designate headed studs secured to the stays, C³,
and, C', respectively, by means of which the divisions, 1, 12, of the front
section, F, may be readily and easily connected together or disconnected as
required.
The outer edges of the divisions, f, f, are each provided with a stay, D',
and the central lower portions of each, with the stays, E, E, and the upper portion
of the corset extending over the busts is formed in loose folds, G.
The back, B, of the corset is also divided into two separate and independent
divisions, b, b, and secured to the adjacent edges of said divisions, b', b, are the
stays, J, J, and to these divisions, a short distance from the stays, J, J, the
stays, K, K, are secured, and in these divisions between these stays, J, J,
and, K, K, eyelets, L, L, are formed, through which the laces, M, are projected, by
means of which, the divisions, 6, 62, are connected and held together, and to the
outer edges of these divisions, b', 63, the stays, N, N, are secured.
O, O, designate shoulder straps the ends of which are connected to the front, F,
and back, B, which straps extend over the shoulders of the wearer for the purpose
of supporting the weight of and for holding the corset in place.
The side sections, T, T, of the corset are formed of rubber or elastic bands,
which are longer at the top and bottom than at the waist thereby forming an clastic
section, T, at each side of the corset, under the arms which is wider at the top and
bottom than at the waist, to permit the upper and lower portion of the sections, T,
to give more than at the waist, because the figure is larger at these points.
This together with the fact that the result of the longer elastic bands is to give
proportionately narrow front and back sections, as a consequence this construction
gives great freedom to the wearer.
And again, these bands are formed of two or more folds or thicknesses at the
waist or about midway of the corset and at the bottom of the corset, or from the

page_text: waist to the bottom of the corset as desired, for the purpose of giving the portion
of the body below the waist line greater support, and at the same time, a graceful
and elegant appearance.
The ends of said bands, P, P, are sewn or otherwise secured with the stays, D',
and, N, to the front, F, and back, B, respectively of the corset, thereby forming a
strong and durable connection between the ends of the rubber bands, P, and the
adjacent edges of the front, F, and back, B, of the corset.
Each side of the corset is provided with a strap, R, one end of each of said
straps being secured to the back, B, and the other end to the front, F, by any
means, or in any manner found most suitable or convenient, for the purpose
of assisting the elastic bands, P, in supporting the lower portion of the body of the
wearer.
G', are extensions of the loose folds, G, above the body of the corset in front,
and, B', are extensions of the back, B, above the body of the corset at the back,
for the purpose of supporting and protecting the body of the wearer above the body
of the corset.
By forming the front, F, separately and independently of the back, B, and again
making the latter in two divisions, 61, 62, each of the latter may be, and is preferably
made in one piece without seam or gore.
And the divisions, 1, 2, and, 61, 62, of the front, F, and back, B, respectively,
are connected together by the clasps, H, engaging with the headed studs, I, and the
laces, M, respectively, but these divisions may be connected together by any means
or in any manner found most suitable and convenient. -
And by forming the side sections, T, T, of the corset of rubber or elastic
bands, P, P, wider at the top and bottom than at the waist and with the alternate
openings, S, and connecting them to the back, B, and front, F, as described, and
by forming the bands, P, double at the waist or about midway of the corset, and at
. the bottom of the corset, this prevents the lower ends of the front stays or
busks, C1, C2, from protruding and disfiguring the dress, and they also give great
support and comfort to the body, particularly to the portion below the waist line,
thus forming a durable corset as well as one which will give the wearer great
freedom and a graceful and elegant appearance.
The upper rubber bands, P, in connnection with the upward extensions, G¹,
and, B, and the shoulder straps, O, O, are most effective in keeping the top of the
corset close to the figure, and avoids and completely prevents it forming a visible
ridge, which is so often noticed in ordinary corsets, and the whole construction
adapts it to the figure to which it tends to impart elegance.
And by forming the corset herein shown and described, shorter from the top to
the waist, a perfect bicycle corset will be provided, and by reducing it in length
from both the top and bottom to the waist, a perfect gentleman's corset will be
provided.
I have found by experiment that the construction herein shown and described
gives the best results, at the same time, while I prefer the construction shown and
described, I do not wish to limit myself to the details thereof, as they may be
modified in various ways, without departing from the spirit of my invention.
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.-
1st. A corset, the side sections, T, T, of which are composed of elastic
bands, P, P, longer at the top and bottom than at the waist and separated by the
openings, S, S, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2nd. A corset, the side sections, T, T, of which are composed of elastic
bands, P, P, separated by the openings, S, S, the bands above the waist being
formed of a single thickness, and those at the waist and at the bottom of the corset
of two or more folds or thicknesses of elastic material, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.

page_text: 3rd. A corset, the side sections, T, T, of which are composed of elastic
bands, P, P, longer at the top and bottom than at the waist and separated by the
openings, S, S, the bands above the waist being formed of a single thickness, and
those at the waist and at the bottom of the corset of two or more folds or
thicknesses of elastic material, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
4th. A corset consisting of a front, F, formed in two divisions, f, f, and a
back, B, formed in two divisions, 61, 62, each provided with stiffening stays, in
combination with side sections, T, T, formed of elastic bands, P, P, longer at the
top and bottom than at the waist, and separated by the openings, S, S, substantially
as for the purpose set forth.
5th. A corset consisting of a front, F, formed in two divisions, f, and, f, and
a back, B, formed in two divisions, b', and 6, each provided with stiffening stays in
combination with the side sections, T, T, forined of elastic bands, P, P, separated
by the openings, S, S, the elastic bands above the waist being formed of a single
thickness, and those at the waist and at the bottom of the corset of two or
more folds or thicknesses of elastic material, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth..
6th. A corset consisting of a front, F, formed in two divisions, f, and, f, and a
back, B, formed in two divisions, 61, and, b, each provided with stiffening stays in.
combination with the side sections, T, T, formed of elastic bands, P, P, longer at
the top and bottom. than at the waist and separated by the openings, S, S, the
elastic bands above the waist being formed of a single thickness, and those at the
waist and at the bottom of the corset of two or more folds or thicknesses of
elastic material, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
7th. A corset consisting of a front, F, and a back, B, the upper part of the
front, F, being formed in loose folds, G, and with the extension, G, in loose folds,
and the back, B, with the extension, B₁, and the shoulder straps, O, O, in
combination with the side sections, T, T, composed of elastic bands, P; P, separated
by the openings, S, S, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
8th. A corset consisting of a front, F, and a back, B, the upper part of the
front, F, being formed in loose folds, G, and with the extension, G¹, in loose
folds, and the back, B, with the extension, B', and the shoulder straps, O, O, in
combination with the side sections, T, T, composed of elastic bands, P, P, separated
by the openings, S, S, the elastic bands above the waist being formed of a single
thickness, and those at the waist and at the bottom of the corset of two or more
folds or thicknesses of elastic material, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
9th. A corset consisting of a front, F, formed in two divisions, ff, and with
the loose folds, G, and extension, G', in loose folds, and provided with the
stiffening stays, C1, C2, D', and, E, in combination with the back, B, formed in two
sections, 6, 6, and with the extension, B', and provided with the stiffening
stays, J, K, and N, and the side sections, T, T, formed of elastic bands, P, P,
separated by the openings, S, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
10th. A corset consisting of a front, F, formed in two divisions, f, f, and with
the loose folds, G, and extension, G', in loose folds, and provided with the
stiffening stays, C, C, D', and, E, in combination with the back, B, formed in two
sections, 61, 62, and with the extension, B', and provided with the stiffening
stays, J, K, and, N, and the side sections, T, T, formed of elastic bands, P, P,
longer at the top and bottom than at the waist and separated by the openings, S,
the bands above the waist being formed of a single thickness, and those at the waist
and at the bottom of the corset of two or more folds or thicknesses of elastic
material, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
11th. A corset consisting of a front, F, formed in two divisions, f', f³, and with
the loose folds, G, and extension, G', in loose folds, and provided with the
stiffening stays, C, C, D, and, E, the clasps, H, and the headed studs, I, in
combination with the back, B, formed in two sections, 61, 62, and with the
extension, B', and provided with the stiffening stays, J, K, and N, eyelets, L,

page_text: laces, M, and the side sections, T, T, formed of elastic bands, P, P, separated by
the openings, S, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
12th. A corset consisting of a front, F, formed in two divisions, f', f, and with
the loose folds, G, and extension, G', in loose folds, and provided with the stiffening
stays, C1, C2, D', and, E, the clasps, H, and the headed studs, I, in combination
with the back, B, formed in two sections, b¹, 63, and with the extension, B', and
provided with the stiffening stays, J, K, and, N, eyelets, L, laces, M, and the side-
sections, T, T, formed of elastic bands, P, P, longer at the top and bottom than at
the waist, and separated by the openings, S, the bands above the waist being
formed of a single thickness, and those at the waist and at the bottom of the
corset of two or more folds or thicknesses of elastic material, and the straps, R, R,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 6th day of January 1896.
CLARA EVELYN WOODWORTH.