IMPROVEMENTS IN BUSTLES
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Feb., 1887.
Specification Accepted, 25th Mar., 1887.
I, THOMAS PORTER TAYLOR, Manufacturer, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, United
States of America, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN
BUSTLES, 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 the manufacture of bustles and has for its object to simplify
and cheapen their construction and at the same time to greatly improve their operation
With these ends in view I have devised the novel construction of which the
following description in connection with the accompanying drawing is a specification
the several parts of the device being indicated by numbers.
in use.
Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, are perspective views illustrating slightly different forms in
which I have applied my invention in use, the bustles being represented as in the
expanded position ;
Fig. 5, a side elevation illustrating the form shown in Fig. 1, in the folded or
collapsed position; and
Fig. 6, is a side view illustrating the form shown in Fig. 4, in the folded or collapsed
position.
It is well understood by those familliar with these articles that the essential
requirements are that they shall be light, shall be so constructed as to collapse easily
when the wearer sits down but adapted to instantly spring back into place when the
wearer rises, so that the drapery of the dress will be restored to the bouffant condition,
which is of course the primary object for which they are worn.
1, denotes the side pieces, and 2, spring ribs made integral with or secured thereto.
3, denotes spring coils by which the spring ribs are preferably connected to the side
pieces, 4, eyes in the side pieces and 5, connecting strips or cords extending between
the side pieces which assist to hold the bustle in shape, and by which it may be adjusted
if desired. 6, denotes a cross piece at the top which may be used if preferred,
7, supplemental ribs connected to the side pieces which may be used
assist in holding the clothing to the distended position, and 8, the belt which
preferred to
may be
attached in any suitable manner preferably to the eyes at the tops of the side pieces.
The distending portion of the bustle is ordinarily formed of wire and may, with the
exception of the supplemental ribs, be made in a single piece. In Fig. 1, I have shown
the spring ribs as curved outward and over from the bottom of each side piece their
opposite ends being loosely connected to the top of the side piece at the opposite side
of the bustle. These ribs cross each other about midway, and the supplemental rib
curves upward and over from each side piece at the bottom to the opposite side piece
it the bottom, a holding strip 9, extending from the cross piece to the supplemental

page_text: rib being eyeleted thereto, and a loop 10, extending from the supplemental rib around
both spring ribs at their points of intersection. In this form, the supplemental rib is
shown as made from what is known as twin wire. In Fig. 5, I have illustrated this
form of my invention in the folded or collapsed position. It will be seen that as the
wearer sits down, the folding ribs are pressed upward carrying the supplemental rib
or ribs with them. As soon as the pressure is released, that is, when the wearer rises,
the spring ribs instantly resume their original position and of course carry the
supplemental ribs to their proper position. The form shown in Fig. 2, differs from
that shown in Fig. 1, only in that the supplemental rib extends from side piece to
side piece at the top of the bustle, it being loosely connected to both side pieces, and a
strip 9, secured to the cross piece being provided to prevent it from dropping down
out of position. In the form shown in Fig. 3, the cross piece at the top is entirely
dispensed with, but one spring rib is used which instead of extending from one side
piece at the bottom to the other side piece at the top, curves outward then inward and
is connected to both side pieces at the bottom, spring coils being preferably used as in
all the forms. In this form two supplemental ribs are used both ends of which are
connected to the side pieces at the bottom, strips 9, extending from the eyes at the tops
of the side pieces are eyeleted to the supplemental ribs and the loop 10, passes around
In the
the spring rib at the center in substantially the same manner as in Fig. 1.
form shown in Fig. 4, eyes are provided in both side pieces, and the supplemental ribs
are connected to these eyes, and curved outward and over from one side pieco to the
other. A holding strip is connected to the cross piece at the top, to each of the
supplemental ribs, and to the spring rib at the bottom. The manner in which this
form folds or collapses is illustrated in Fig. 6. The supplemental ribs are loosely
attached and yield readily when pressure is applied. The instant pressure is released,
the spring rib resumes its normal position, and of course carries the supplemental ribs
to their normal positions.
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 :-
1st. A bustle consisting of side pieces a spring rib or ribs connected thereto, a
supplemental rib or ribs and a connection between the spring rib or ribs and the
supplemental ribs so that when pressure is released the spring rib or ribs will act to
draw the supplemental ribs to their proper position.
2nd. A framework for holding bustles consisting of side pieces having eyes at the
tops and a curved spring rib at the bottom connected to said side pieces by coils.
3rd. A bustle consisting of side pieces a spring rib or ribs connected thereto, and a
distending portion formed of curved ribs, the ends of said ribs being connected to the
side pieces, and strips connecting the distending portion with the spring rib or ribs.
4th. A bustle consisting of two side pieces, a cross piece connecting them, diagonal
spring ribs, one end of each rib being attached to one side piece at the bottom and to
the opposite side piece at the top said ribs crossing each other midway their length, an
independent rib curving upward and under the diagonal ribs from one side piece to
the other and a strip and loop connecting the supplemental rib with the spring ribs
substantially as described.
5th. In a bustle, the combination with side pieces 1, spring ribs 2, and supplementa
ribs 7, of a connection for example a strip or cord whereby the ribs 7, are connected
to ribs 2, and brought to place after the bustle has been folded.
....... 107
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.