AN IMPROVED CORSET WITH AN ADJUSTABLE BELT
Year: 1885

page_text: We EMMA AMELIA FORD, Corset Maker, and JOSEPH FORD, Engineer and
Tricycle Maker, both of 141 Stockwell Road, Lambeth, in the County of Surrey
do hereby declare the nature of our said invention for "AN IMPROVED CORSET
WITH AN ADJUSTABLE BELT" to be as follows:-
Our invention consists of the combination of an adjustable belt with a corset,
and has for its object the regulation of the position of the belt with respect to the
corset. To this end we proceed as follows:-We take a corset of any approved
shape or pattern and fix on to one of the busks (preferably the under one, when
the corset is fastened,) near to the bottom of it a flexible plate made of steel, or
any other suitable material, and of a width not exceeding that of the busk. One
end of this flexible plate is fixed to the busk at a distance from the bottom of it
not exceeding the depth of the belt to be used. The free end of the plate extends
slightly beyond the bottom of the busk, and carries on the face of it, in any
convenient position not below the bottom of the busk, an eyelet stud.
We then take a belt of any approved shape or construction and near to the one
end of it, we make a vertical pocket, either forming part of the belt itself, or
constructed on the face of it, of leather or any other suitable material. In the face
of this pocket we make a number of eyelet holes arranged vertically.
The flexible plate fixed to the busk of the corset fits in the pocket of the belt,
and the stud on it engages in one or other of the eyelet holes in the pocket of the
belt, which thus adjusts the height of the belt with respect to the corset and
prevents it rising.
Instead of using a stud and eyelet holes, to regulate the position of the belt with
respect to the corset, a buckle and strap or any other convenient contrivance may
be used.
We prefer to stiffen the belt on either side of the pocket by any suitable means
to prevent it buckling or wrinkling up under pressure.
It will be seen that the position of the eyelet stud on the flexible plate is such
that when it engages even with the top eyelet hole in the belt, the top of the belt
will over lap the bottom of the corset; and also that as the belt is adjusted higher
with respect to the corset, it lies between the flexible plate and the corset.

page_text: This belt arrangement for adjusting and fixing its position, may be used with
any corset, and if applied to one already in use we prefer to cut a narrow slot in
the end of the flexible plate which is to be fixed to the corset, so that it may be
slipped past the bottom eyelet stud by which the corset is fastened. By this
means any one can fix and adjust the flexible plate on to any Corset to suit
individual tastes.
1000.
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer & Patent Agent,
Royal Courts Chambers,
70, 71, & 72, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent to the Applicants.

page_text: We EMMA AMELIA FORD, Corset Maker, and JOSEPH FORD Engineer and
Tricycle Maker, both of 141 Stockwell Road, Lambeth in the County of Surrey
do hereby declare the nature of my said invention for "AN IMPROVED CORSET
WITH AN ADJUSTABLE BELT," and in what manner the same is to be performed, to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
Our invention consists of the combination of an adjustable belt with a corset,
and has for its object the regulation of the position of the belt with respect to the
corset. To this end we proceed as follows:-We take a corset of any approved
shape or pattern and form, or fix, on to one of the busks near to the bottom of it
a flexible plate of steel, or other suitable material, and of a width not exceeding
that of the busk. The distance from the bottom of the busk at which the flexible
plate is fixed, is not greater than the depth of the belt to be used. The free end
of the plate extends beyond the bottom of the busk for a distance not exceeding
the depth of the belt, and carries on the face of it near to the free end an eyelet
stud.
We then take a belt of any approved shape or construction and at that part
which is of the greatest depth; i.e; the part that supports the front of the figure,
we make a vertical pocket, either forming part of the belt itself, or constructed on
the face of it. In the face of the pocket which is made of leather, kid, or other
suitable material, we make a series of eyelet holes arranged vertically.
The flexible plate fixed to the busk of the corset fits into the pocket of the belt,
and the eyelet stud on it engages in one or other of the eyelet holes in the face of
the pocket, and thus adjusts the height of the belt with respect to the corset and
prevents it rising.
Instead of using a stud and eyelet holes to regulate the height of the belt with
respect to the corset, and to prevent it rising, any other equivalent arrangement
may be used; for instance, we sometimes cut a series of notches or teeth, either on
the side, or sides, or through the face of the flexible plate; and provide a spring
snap on the belt to engage with the notches or teeth on the plate; or we sometimes
use a buckle and strap, fixing the buckle on the bottom of the plate fixed to the
corset, and the strap on the top edge of the belt, or vice versa. Instead of using
but one regulating apparatus we sometimes use two such arrangements placing
them one on each side of the figure instead of in front. We stiffen the belt on
either side of the pocket or other adjusting arrangement, by means of "bones"
by any other suitable means so as to prevent the belt buckling, or wrinkling, up
under pressure.
" or
The belt may if desired be fixed to the back of the corset by loops, straps, or by
any other suitable contrivances.
If it is desired to wear the belt under the corset instead of over it, a large eyelet
slot is made in the face of the pocket, so that the flexible plate may be passed
into the pocket at a convenient distance down the face of it.
This belt and arrangement for adjusting and fixing its position may be used with
any corset, and if applied to one already in use we provide a flexible plate with a
slot cut in one end of it, so that it may be shipped past the bottom eyelet stud by
which the corset is fastened, or we provide a plate with a portion of its length say
about 1" at the end to be fixed to the corset, of double width, this extra width is

page_text: folded so as to form a double thickness between which the busk slides. A notch
is cut in the side of the plate to engage with one of the eyelet pieces of the busk
and so when the covering is applied to the busk, fixes the portion of the plate
without the necessity of rivetting it. By these means anyone can fix and adjust
the flexible plate on to any corset to suit individual tastes.
In order that our invention may be fully understood we will more particularly
describe it with the aid of the accompanying drawings in which similar parts are
marked with like letters of reference.
Fig. 1. shows a figure wearing a corset and belt constructed, and arranged
according to our invention. Figs. 2 and 3. are enlarged views, showing the method
of fixing the flexible plate to the busk, and the method of adjusting the belt when
it is worn over the corset, the belt being shown in section in Fig. 3. Figs. 4. and 5.
are enlarged views showing the method of adjusting the belt when it is worn under
the corset, the belt being shown in section in Fig. 5. Fig. 6 shows a method of
attaching the flexible plate to one of the busks without rivetting it, & Figs. 7. and 8.
are front and side elevations respectively of the self-attaching flexible plate.
Referring to figures 1. 2. and 3. A. A. designate the busks of the corset. B the
flexible plate rivetted or otherwise fixed to one of the busks A and carrying an
eyelet stud b near its free end, and C the pocket formed on the belt and provided
with eyelet holes c. c. etc. Referring to Figs. 4 and 5. A. A desiguate the busks
of the corset, B the flexible plate with the eyelet stud b, C the pocket of the belt
with the eyelet holes c. c. etc. and D the large eyelet hole to allow the plate B to
pass into the pocket at a suitable distance from the top of the belt, to allow the
belt to lie under the corset. Referring to Figs. 6. 7. and 8 A. A designate the
busks of the corset, and B the flexible plate carrying the eyelet stud b and having
& double thickness formed at one end with a slot b¹ cut through the sides of it,
which engages with one of the busk fasteners a. so as to render it self-attaching
when the covering is fixed on the bust.
.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is
First. The construction and arrangement of a corset and belt, as and for the
purpose herein before described and shown.
Secondly. Connecting a belt to a corset so that its position in a vertical direction,
may be varied with respect to the corset.
Thirdly. The method herein before described and shown for regulating, adjusting,
and fixing the position of a belt with respect to a corset, or any mere modification
thereof.
Fourthly. The flexible plate B attached to, or forming part of, one of the busks
of a corset and carrying the eyelet stud b, in combination with the vertical pocket C
of the belt provided with eyelet holes c. c. etc all combined, arranged, and operating
as and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth.
* this On1 1-C Dal
100x