An Improved Shoulder-brace and Skirt-supporter.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Mar., 1888
Specification Accepted, 27th Apr., 1888
An Improved Shoulder-brace and Skirt-supporter.
I, JAMES STEWART, of Pittsburgh, in the County of Allegheny, and State of
Pennsylvania, United States of America, Gentleman, 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 an improvement in shoulder-braces and skirt-supporters;
and it consists in the construction and arrangement of devices which I will now pro-
ceed to describe, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of
this specification, in which-
Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved device. Fig. 2 is a view showing the
same as applied to the body.
Like letters of reference indicate like parts in each.
In the drawings, a a represent two shoulder-loops formed of textile fabric or any
other suitable material. Extending between these loops, and sewed or otherwise
secured to the saine, is a back strap, b, composed of an elastic fabric of woven cloth
and rubber or other suitable material. Extending from the lower portions of the
loops a a, and sewed or otherwise fastened thereto, are short bands or strips of cloth
or other textile fabric c c, to the ends of which are secured the buckles d d. Engaging
with the teeth of the buckles are bands or strips e e, which are suitably sewed or
secured to bridle strips ff, the ends of which bridle strips are sewed or otherwise
fastened to a belt, g, at one end of which is a buckle, h, the belt being provided with
buttons i, for the purpose of securing the skirts of the wearer to the belt.
The operation is as follows: In adjusting and placing my improved shoulder-brace
and skirt-supporter to the body the arms are passed through the shoulder-loops a a,
as shown in Fig. 2, and the belt g is then fastened around the waist. Owing to the
buckles d, the distance between the belt g and the shoulder-loops a may be easily
regulated. By means of the elastic back-band b a pressure is exerted on the shoulders
through the loops a, tending to keep the shoulders of the wearer drawn back in their
proper position, while at the same time the elasticity of the band permits of an easy
and free movement of the shoulders.
I
am aware that shoulder braces and skirt-supporters are not new; and I do not
desire to claim the same, broadly. The advantages of my improvement are, however,
the lightness and simplicity of the device, which may be worn without discomfort,

page_text: and is equally effective as the more complicated, heavy, and cumbersome devices
heretofore in use. It may be easily adjusted so as to suit and fit people of
different sizes, without trouble, by merely lengthening or shortening the straps e in
the buckles d.
My improved device may be easily adapted for gentlemen's wear with but slight
modifications.
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
In a shoulder-brace and skirt-supporter, the combination of the shoulder-loops a,
elastic band b, buckles d, bridle-straps ef, and the bolt g, substantially as and for the
purposes described.