Improvements in Waterproof Coats and Garments for the purpose of Ventilation.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Aug., 1899-Accepted, 14th Oct., 1899
CUAIT LEIE
SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Waterproof Coats and Garments for the
purpose of Ventilation.
I, JOHANN MUCK, of Meran, South Tyrol, 'in the Empire of Austria, Supervisor
of Royal Forests, 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 rain-proof coats which have hitherto been in use have this disadvantage
that they hinder the requisite ventilation of the body, in consequence of the
impermeability of the material and the seams. This invention is designed to
remedy this defect. It allows the vapour passing from the human body to escape
from the inside and also air to enter from the outside at the same time remaining
absolutely proof against any downfall of rain.
In the accompanying drawings such a water-proof coat is shown and will
be described with reference thereto.
Fig. 1. Front elevation showing one method of construction.
Fig. 2. Enlarged detail showing position of folds relatively to each other.
Fig. 3. Transverse section of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4. Sectional plan of Fig. 2.
For its manufacture any kind of water-proof material may be employed, though
the most suitable are the thinner and lighter textile materials proofed with some
impregnating substance such as indiarubber or wax. It is composed of a number
of transverse strips a, b, c arranged one over another like the slates of a roof
with a suitable amount of lap. These strips are arranged in vertical folds along
their whole length and are so connected together that the hollows of the folds
of the upper strip coincide with the projections of the folds of the lower one and
they are sown together only at the places where they meet each other. By this
arrangement a row of channels f is formed in the horizontal seams with their
lower ends opening outwards and their upper ends inwards, which allow the free
outlet of vapours coming from the body of the person clothed therewith and free
ingress of the external air whilst any rain falling on the surface cannot penetrate.
In order to preserve the form of the plaited folds and to keep the channels formed
by them always open continuous bands g of slightly elastic material are laid
along the long zigzag edge of each strip and fastened to it at the hollows of the
folds. These when fastened in this way prevent the folds from holding together
and keep the air-channels sufficiently open even in cases when the original form
of the folds is unavoidably interfered with by pressure or any other accidental
circumstance.
If the rainproof coat in question is provided with sleeves they may be either
made as usual or on the same system as the rest of the coat, out of folded strips.
Waterproof trousers may likewise be made on the same plan.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
A ventilated waterproof coat or garment formed of a series of transverse

page_text: strips a, b, c arranged like roofing slates one over another made of folded water-
proof material of which the vertical plaited folds are maintained in shape by
continuous bands laid on the back of the longitudinal zigzag edge and the strips
so placed in relation to each other that the hollows of the folds of the upper strip
always come opposite to the projections of the folds of the under one whereby in
consequence of the overlaps being only fastened together at their places of con-
tact a row of vertical channels is formed which allow of the ventilation of the
body of the wearer while completely effecting the exclusion of any rain sub-
stantially as described.