IMPROVEMENTS IN SHIRTS AND SHIRT FRONTS
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Ridley, of Fore Street, Cripplegate, in the City
of London, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SHIRTS AND SHIRT
FRONTS"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Ridley at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st December 1881.
JAMES RIDLEY of Fore Street, Cripplegate in the City of London. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN SHIRTS AND SHIRT FRONTS."
The object of this Invention is to construct shirts and shirt fronts in such
manner as to prevent the same from creasing, by the bending or stooping of the
body of the wearer. For this purpose I form the bottom part of the front tongued
or tapered on each side of the centre line, and I make it of such a depthi as not to
reach below the lowest rib of the body; the two tongues or flaps thus formed in the
bottom part of the front may be tapered off in a straight or curved direction on
one or both sides.
When stooping the bend in the front of the shirt will be across the tongues while
the rest of the shirt front or the visible part of the shirt front will be without bend
or crease.
For an open front shirt I may form the shirt with an opening below the front
say an inch or two in depth and provide it with button and button hole. This
Invention is applicable to shirts in general and especially to the so called open in
frout and button behind, shirts.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said James Ridley in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 30th June
1882.
JAMES RIDLEY of Fore Street Cripplegate in the City of London.
MENTS IN SHIRTS AND SHIRT FRONTS."
"IMPROVE-
The object of this Invention is to construct shirts and shirt fronts in such
manner as to prevent the same from creasing by the bending or stooping of the
body of the wearer. For this purpose I form the bottom part of the front tongued
or tapered on cach side of the centre line and I make it of such a depth as not to
reach below the lowest rib of the body, the two tongues or flaps thus formed in
the bottom part of the front may be tapered off in a straight or curved direction on
one or both sides.
For an open front shirt I may form the shirt with an opening below the front
say an inch or two in depth and provide it with buttons and button hole. This
Invention is applicable to shirts in general and especially to the socalled open in
front and button behind shirts.
The accompanying Drawings illustrate the manner in which my Invention may
be conveniently carried into effect as applied to a shirt buttoned in front. Figure 1
shows one modification in front elevation and Figure 2 shows another modification
also in front elevation and Figure 3 shows a portion only of the front part removed
in order to more clearly show the under tongue piece. Similar letters of reference
refer to like parts in the three Figures.
a a are the tongued portions of the lower part of the front, in Figure 1 I have
shown these tongued portions curved and at Figure 2 I have shown them curved
only at the base with angle pieces sloping to the curves or tapered off it will
be however understood that I do not limit myself to any special curved shape
or taper, b shows the button below the front for securing the lower portion of the
shirt opening. When stooping the bend in the front of the shirt will be across the
tongues at the point shown by the dotted lines d while the whole front c of the
shirt will be without bend or crease. Although not shown as applied to a so called
button behind shirt the Invention is equally applicable to such shirts as to those
opening in front.
Besides producing a shirt the front of which does not become creased as in shirts
of ordinary construction, I am able to materially economise the material used in the
manufacture.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed I declare that I claim as my aforesaid "Improvements in
shirts and shirt fronts.
The formation of the base or lower ends of the front of shirts on each side
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
In witness whereof I the said James Ridley have hereunto set my land and
seal this Twentyninth day of June in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty two.
JAMES RIDLEY. (L.S.)