Improvements in Shirts, Vests, and similar Under-garments.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 10th July, 1890-Accepted, 11th Oct., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Shirts, Vests, and similar Under-garments.
I, GOTTLIEB BENGER, of 70 Böblinger Strasse, Stuttgart, in the Empire of Germany,
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 :-
The object of the present improvements in shirts and similar wear without slot is to
considerably enlarge the neck opening of the same, the insufficient head opening in
such garments without slot hitherto known having probably been the cause of the
otherwise excellent idea not having been generally adopted.
The said purpose is intended to be accomplished by so arranging two loose flaps,
forming component parts of the shirt as to cause the same to loosely overlap each other
on the shoulders, thereby producing convenient and reliable closing of the garment.
Reference being had to the accompanying drawing
Fig. 1 shows an arrangement in which the free ledge of flaps L starting
from the neck opening k extends over the shoulder and terminates in the rear of the
sleeves A.
Fig. 2 illustrates an arrangement in which the free ledges 1 of the flaps L running
over the shoulder terminate in the rear sides of the seams of the arm holes.
Fig. 3 shows the double flaps L provided alternately on the front and back part of
the shirt, the free ledges / extending from the neck opening k respectively to the arm
hole seams in the front and in the back.
Fig. 4 illustrates an arrangement similar to that shown in Fig. 1. but the inner flap
terminates with its loose ledge in the front sleeve seam.
Fig. 5 is a front and a rear view of another arrangement of double flaps in which
one flap is on the inner and the other on the outer side of the shirt, the free ledges 11
of flaps L extending from the neck opening k over the shoulder and around half of the
said opening to the seams of the arm holes.
By means of flaps arranged in any of the described ways the largest possible head
passage is attained; moreover a double layer of fabric covers the shoulders, which
however is only partially the case in the arrangement shown in Fig. 1.
The chest, shoulders and back being covered with a double layer of material in the
new system, the improved shirts are particularly adapted for the use of soldiers and
workmen, as the double fabric readily absorbs perspiration and also serves to protect
the shoulders, when heavy weights are carried. The arrangement also allows of an
easy removal of the shirt when in a damp state.
The described manner of forming the closing around the neck is very exact,
particularly in those arrangements, in which the flap lies over the shoulder and is
consequently carried by both shirt halves.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :
1. In shirts, vests or similar underwear, in which there is no open front or slip-
slot, the closing around the neck is effected by means of flaps having an upper free
ledge, the application of flaps L sewn to the body of the shirt and extending from the
neck opening k over the shoulder, their free ledges l' commencing either on the rear
side of the sleeves or arm hole seams, or at the neck opening k and half surrounding
the latter, while terminating at the arm hole seams, substantially as set forth.
2. In flap shirts forming the subject of claim 1, the application of both flaps L on

page_text: the outer sides of the shirt in such a manner as to cause one flap to lie uppermost on
the chest, and the other on the back, while the free ledges of said flaps extend
from the front or rear side of the neck opening respectively to the continguous arin
hole seams, substantially as illustrated and described..
DL: FIL
1000
GOTTLIEB BENGER.
By Huelser & Co.,
Attorneys.