Improvements in or relating to Leggings, Anklets, or Spats, and in the Means for and Method of Fastening the same.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Nov., 1894
Complete Specification. Left, 15th Feb., 1895-Accepted, 11th May, 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Leggings, Anklets, or Spats, and in
the Means for and Method of Fastening the same.
I, CALEB JOSIAH ALLEN of Cregoe Works Cregoe Street Birmingham in the
County of Warwick, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved formation and arrangement for leggings
anklets or spats and is more especially designed to meet a long felt want for the
use of cyclists (though for other purposes of wear will be found equally advan-
tageous), the primary object being to prevent the creasing of and consequent injury
to the legs of the trousers and the disfigurement occasioned by the spring
attachments or other methods now in use.
When applied to spats which may be made of any material suitable for the
purpose such as the usual cloth, leather, canvas, or such like, my arrangement
consists in making the upper or leg portion of considerably larger dimensions than
that of the ankle so as to afford space for the securing and protection of the bottom
of the trouser leg, by loosely folding the same, the absence of any pressure
preventing creasing, this upper part when required is suitably stiffened so as to
retain its position and shape or may be made of a thin metallic substance if
preferred and attached to the foot portion.
The enlargement of the leg of the spat whilst being continued around the same
to a certain extent is more particularly full at the back thereof, where the folding
of the trousers takes place, in order to diminish as much as possible projections or
obstructions that might be liable to resist the wind or come in too close proximity
to the gearing of the machine. When adapted for an anklet, the foot portion
being dispensed with-the construction of leg is precisely similar to the above.
The method of fastening 1 prefer to adopt in connection with my improvements
is as follows, I attach round the top of the spat or anklet, and also round the
ankle part thereof, or round the foot portion of the spat a circular divided ring of
suitable spring metal and of a nearly round section, the one meeting end has the
edges somewhat apart to allow of an opening, the lower edge being formed with
a thumbpiece or lever, the corresponding meeting end has a knob or enlarged part
thereon which will engage with its counter part when sprung into same, the knob
being securely held, in the concavity formed therein, when the two ends are in
juxta position the natural spring of the metal will probably be sufficient to cause
the fastening to be self closing, to release the same, pressure upon the thumb
piece or lever will disengage the parts.
I may when desired connect the upper and lower circular fastenings by a vertical
spring piece running down the meeting or overlapping edges of the spat or anklet
this will assist in maintaining the rigidity of the leg portion.
Though I have specified the above named fastening arrangement I may employ
other suitable kinds such as a lever, or stud, and eyelet, or side spring, buttons etc.
as usual.

page_text: By my arrangements a very much neater appearance is given to the rider with
ease and comfort in wear, also safety, and the creasing of the trousers avoided.
Dated this 14th day of November 1894.
EDWD. J. PAYNE & SON,
104, Colmore Row, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in or relating to Leggings, Anklets, or Spats, and in
the Means for and Method of Fastening the same.
I, CALEB JOSIAH ALLEN of Cregoe Works Cregoe Street Birmingham in the
County of Warwick Manufacturer, 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 :-
Reference being had to the drawings accompanying this Specification and to the
figures and letters shewn thereon.
Figure 1. is a side view of a spat with enlarged leg according to my
improvements.
Figure 2. a side view of another pattern.
Figure 3. a side view of an anklet.
Figures 4 and 5 shew front and side views of an improved form of spring fastening
I use.
Figure 6. is a side view of another improved spring fastening according to my
invention.
The first part of my invention relates to an improved formation and arrangement
for leggings anklets or spats, and is more especially designed to meet a long felt
want for the use of cyclists (though for other purposes of wear will be found
equally advantageous) the primary object being to prevent the creasing of and
consequent injury to the legs of the trousers, and the disfigurement occasioned by
the clip attachments or other methods for holding the bottoms of the trouser legs
to avoid contact with the gearing etc. as hitherto adopted.
For my purpose I utilize spats, or anklets which may be made of any suitable
material such as the usual cloth, leather, canvas, or such like or of waterproof
material and my arrangement consists in forming the upper or leg portion A. of
considerably larger dimensions than that of the ankle B. so as to afford space for
securing and protecting the bottom of the trouser leg, by loosely folding the same,
the absence of any pressure obviously preventing creasing, the upper portion A
may be suitably stiffened as required in order that the spat or anklet may retain its
position and shape, and will thus not be liable to fold or slip down in wear, for
this purpose
may sometimes prefer to form the upper or leg portion of a thin
metallic substance and attach same to the foot portion, but for general usage an
ordinary stiffening material will answer all requirements.
It will be observed that the enlargement of the leg A of the spat whilst being
continued around the same to a certain extent may be more particularly full at
the back part thereof A' where the folding of the trousers takes place in order to
diminish as much as possible, projections or obstructions, that might be liable to
resist the wind or come in too close proximity to the gearing of the machine, but
this is a mere matter of detail in carrying out my improvements.
When adapted for an anklet as seen in Figure 3-the foot part being dispensed
with the formation of the leg is precisely similar to the above.
For the purpose of ventilation I may suitably perforate the spats, or anklets in
the upper or lower parts of same as may be found expedient.
Referring to the second part of my invention, various descriptions of fastenings

page_text: may be used for my improved spats, and anklets, such as are in common use,
though one improved arrangement I adopt is shewn in Figures 4 and 5, which
consists of two vertical side springs C. bent in their length as at D. thus giving a
shoulder to follow the contour of the extended leg portion A. the under side spring
has an eyelet hole E. at its top and a slotted eyelet E' at its bottom part, the
corresponding upper spring has a lever tongue piece F. suitably hinged or other-
wise attached thereto which lever passes through the eyelet E, the bottom part
having a stud F' which springs into the eyelet E' and thus forms a very secure
and easily adjustable method of fastening.
Another improved arrangement of spring fastening according to my invention,
that I may sometimes adopt seen in Figure 6. is constructed in the following
manner viz. I suitably attach round the top of the spat or anklet and when required
round the ankle part thereof, or round the foot portion of the spat, a suitably
formed divided ring of spring metal, and of a nearly round section, for the top of
the spat and also the ankle portion I use a circular spring metal ring H. but for
the foot the ring may be of a kind of elliptical shape I. as shewn, the one
meeting end in each case is curved with a narrow neck to form a concave opening J.
and having a thumb piece or lever K. the corresponding meeting end has a knob
or enlarged curved piece L. thereon of similar shape to the before named which
will engage with its counterpart J. when sprung into same, the knob or curved
piece L. being securely held in the concavity formed by the spring opening J.
When the two ends are in juxta position the natural spring of the metal will
probably be found sufficient to cause the fastening to be selfclosing.
To release the same pressure upon the thumb piece or lever K. will disengage
the parts.
I may when desired connect the upper and lower metal rings by vertical spring
pieces M, M (either from the top to the ankle or to the foot) within the meeting
or overlapping parts of the spat or anklet, this will assist in maintaining the
rigidity of the leg portion A. and also causing the upper and lower springs to act
in unison with one another when fastening and unfastening.
By my arrangements a very much neater appearance is given to the wearer
with ease and comfort as also safety and all creasing and injury to the trousers
obviated.
I wish it to be understood that I do not contine myself to the particular forma-
tion and arrangement herein more fully described as I may vary the details as
occasion may require.
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,
Firstly. In leggings, spats, and anklets, the particular formation of an enlarged
upper or leg portion and being suitably stiffened, for the purpose substantially as
set forth and described.
Secondly. In spats and anklets, forming the upper or enlarged leg portion of
thin metal or metallic substance as set forth and described.
Thirdly. In spats and anklets, the formation and arrangement of spring metal
fastenings as shewn in Figures 4 and 5 for the purpose substantially as set forth
and described.
Fourthly. In spats and anklets, the formation and arrangement of spring metal
fastening consisting of an upper circular ring H the formation of the concave
opening J. therein to receive the corresponding part L. the thumb piece K. the
vertical springs M, M', in connection with said ring H. and the elliptically shaped
ring 1. and its meeting parts J. and L. with thumb piece K. and operating in
manner and for the purpose substantially as set forth and described.
Fifthly. In spats and anklets, the arrangement of a circular spring metal
fastening round the ankle portion in connection with the upper circular spring
metal fastening by means of vertical spring pieces; as set forth and described.

page_text: Sixthly. The general improvements in or relating to leggings, spats & anklets,
and the means or other similar acting means for carrying the same into effect for
the purpose or purposes set forth and described.
Dated this 14th day of February 1895.
EDWD. J. PAYNE & SON,
104, Colmore Row, Birmingham, Patent Agents for the Applicant.