Improvements in the Manufacture of Half-hose or Socks.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Oct., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Feb., 1890-Accepted, 15th Mar., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Half-hose or Socks.
I HENRY BRIGHT ASHFORD 20 Marlow Road South Penge Park County of Kent
Commercial Traveller do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of this invention is to improve the fit of the portion of the half-hose or
socks forming the ribbed top of the same.
In merino (a mixture of wool and cotton) half-hose or socks the goods are usually
made in the white or natural condition of the yarn and afterwards dyed in the bulk to
the shade required. The whole has hitherto been made of the same yarn the con-
sequence being a want of elasticity in the ribs or upper part of the half-hose causing
frequent complaint when drawing them over the instep.
To obviate this objection I propose to use for the ribbed tops all wool which is
elastic and although this will take a self-shade in dyeing whereas the article is a
mixture yet the whole will be in complete harmony and in no way prove objectionable.
I claim this advantage for all makes of half-hose or socks that are not all wool and
which goods are now dyed in bulk or after the goods are made.
Dated this Seventeenth day of October 1889.
.
H. B. ASHFORD.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Half-hose or Socks.
I HENRY BRIGHT ASHFORD of 20 Marlow Road South Penge Park in the County
Kent, Commercial Traveller 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 :-
The object of this invention is to improve the fit of the portion of the half-hose or
socks forming the ribbed-top of the same.
In merino (a mixture of wool and cotton) half-hose the goods are usually made
first in the white or natural condition of the yarn and when made are afterwards dyed
in the bulk to the shade of color required.
The whole article being made of the same yarn there is frequently a want of
elasticity in the ribs or upper part of the half-hose or socks, causing complaint when
drawing them over the instep. To obviate this objection I propose to use for the
ribbed-tops all wool, which is elastic and although this will take a self shade in dyeing
whereas the article is a mixture or another kind of yarn yet the whole will be in
complete harmony and in no way objectionable.
The knitting of the half hose or socks is performed in the usual manner.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I would state that I am aware
that half hose or socks have before been made with the ribbed top of a different yarn
from the remainder but in such cases the half hose or socks have always been knitted
from dyed yarn which is costly :-I lay no claim to such manufacture but what I
claim is :-
The manufacture of half hose or socks by knitting the upper ribbed part from
undyed woollen yarn and the remainder from undyed yarn and afterwards dyeing the
whole together.
Dated this 3rd day of February 1890.
HENRY BRIGHT. ASHFORD.