IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GARMENTS OR OTHER COVERINGS FOR THE BODY, FORMED OF INDIA-RUBBER OR OTHER WATERPROOF FABRIC, TO FACILITATE VENTILA- TION IN USE, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE IN THE CON- STRUCTION OF WATERPROOF TENTS AND OTHER LIKE COVERINGS."
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Bernard Birnbaum, of No. 21, New Broad Street, in the
City of London, Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF GARMENTS OR OTHER COVERINGS FOR THE BODY, FORMED
OF INDIA-RUBBER OR OTHER WATERPROOF FABRIC, TO FACILITATE VENTILA-
TION IN USE, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE IN THE CON-
STRUCTION OF WATERPROOF TENTS AND OTHER LIKE COVERINGS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Bernard Birnbaum at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th September 1877.
BERNARD BIRNBAUM, of No. 21, New Broad Street, in the City of London, Manu-
facturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GARMENTS OR OTHER
COVERINGS FOR THE BODY, FORMED OF INDIA-RUBBER OR OTHER WATERPROOF
FABRIC, TO FACILITATE VENTILATION IN USE, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO
APPLICABLE IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF WATERPROOF TENTS AND OTHER LIKE
COVERINGS."
The object of the Invention is to facilitate ventilation in the use of garments or
other coverings for the body, tents, and other coverings formed of india-rubber or
other waterproof fabric.
I am aware that various arrangements have heretofore been adopted in the con-
struction of india-rubber garments, so as to facilitate ventilation in the use of them,
but hitherto the means adopted have been attended with very limited results.
The method I adopt is to apply to the seams and such of the parts desired strips
or ribbons of vulcanized or prepared india-rubber, having perforations or passages
formed therein near to each other in parrallel lines and at angles to the strip or
ribbon, or the direction of the seam to which such rubber is applied; the inner ends
of the passages being placed upward, whilst the lower ends thereof come to the
exterior, so that whilst greatly increased facility is afforded for the ready admission
of fresh air and the free escape of the heat or vapour generated by the body of the

page_text: wearer in using such garments, the direction of the passages prevents the flowing
therein of the rain or other external moisture falling on such garment.
The strips or ribbons of vulcanized or prepared rubber I employ are formed by
the application of ribs or pieces of the india-rubber applied parrallel to each other
between ribbons of the rubber or other material, the ribs or pieces being placed at
angles to the length of the strips or ribbons, and of thickness and at distances apart
depending on the size of the passages desired to be produced. These inclined
passages may be otherwise formed or moulded through the strips or ribbons of the
rubber.
The form of the passages produced may be varied, as round, square, oblong, or
other figure, and the strips or ribbons produced are applied to the seams in the
formation of the garment, the arms, back, sides, front, or other part of an overcoat,
or the side or other of the seams or parts of leggings or other coverings of the body
where it may be desired to obtain free ventilation, and yet at the same time to exclude
rain or other moisture from flowing therein.
These improvements are also applicable to the seams and other parts of tents and
other coverings formed of waterproof material requiring ventilation.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Bernard Birnbaum in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 2nd March
1878.
BERNARD BIRNBAUM, of No. 21, New Broad Street, in the City of London, Manu-
facturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GARMENTS OR OTHER
COVERINGS FOR THE BODY, FORMED OF INDIA-RUBBER OR OTHER WATERPROOF
FABRIC TO FACILITATE VENTILATION IN USE, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO
APPLICABLE IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF WATERPROOF TENTS AND OTHER LIKE
COVERINGS."
The object of the Invention is to facilitate ventilation in the use of garments or
other coverings for the body, tents, and other coverings formed of india-rubber or
other waterproof fabric.
I am aware that various arrangements have heretofore been adopted in the con-
struction of india-rubber garments, so as to facilitate ventilation in the use of them,
but hitherto the means adopted have been attended with very limited results.
The method I adopt is to apply to the seams and such of the parts desired, strips
or ribbons of vulcanized or prepared india-rubber, having perforations or passages
formed therein near to each other in parallel lines and at angles to the strip or
ribbon, or the direction of the seam to which such rubber is applied, the inner ends
of the passages being placed upward, whilst the lower ends thereof come to the
exterior, so that whilst greatly increased facility is afforded for the ready admission
of fresh air, and the free escape of the heat or vapour generated by the body of the
wearer in using such garments, the direction of the passages prevents the flowing
therein of the rain or other external moisture falling on such garment.
The strips or ribbons of vulcanized or prepared rubber I employ are formed by
the application of ribs or pieces of the india-rubber applied parallel to each other
between ribbons of the rubber or other material, the ribs or pieces being placed at

page_text: angles to the length of the strips or ribbons, and of thickness and at distances apart
depending on the size of the passages desired to be produced. These inclined
passages may be otherwise formned or moulded through the strips or ribbons of the
rubber.
The form of the passages produced may be varied, as round, square, oblong, or other
figure, and the strips or ribbons produced are applied to the seams in the
formation of the garment, the arms, back, sides, front, or other parts of an overcoat,
or the side or other of the seams or parts of leggings or other coverings of the body
where it may be desired to obtain free ventilation, and yet at the same time to
exclude rain or other moisture from flowing therein.
These improvements are also applicable to the seams and other parts of tents and
other coverings formed of waterproof material requiring ventilation.
But that the Invention may be the better understood, I will by the aid of the
accompanying Drawing proceed to describe means pursued by me in carrying the
same into effect.
Figure 1 shows by a sectional side view a strip or ribbon of vulcanized or prepared
india-rubber, with parallel and inclined openings through it, applied to a seam, the
one portion of the fabric united by such seam would be applied to one outer surface
of the strip or ribbon, and the other to the other outer surface, as will be better seen
by the sectional edge view, Figure 2.
Figures 3 and 4 show opposite side views of two pieces of fabric connected at the
seam by a perforated ribbon between them; and Figure 5 shows a transverse section
of the same taken through the line A, B, of the inside view, Figure 4.
In each of the views the same letters are employed to indicate corresponding
parts.
a represents the strip or ribbon of vulcanized or prepared india-rubber, with
holes a' formed through it from edge to edge in parallel and inclined lines; b and c
represent the two surfaces which at the seams would have their respective edges
brought to the opposite sides of the ribbon, and to prevent rain passing in by the
passages a², it is desirable to apply the ribbon so that the edge of it brought to the
exterior of the seam be that with the lower ends of the passages opening outwards.
Figure 6 represents a side and an edge view; and Figure 7, a transverse section
(taken through the line C, D, of Figure 6) of a piece of such strip or ribbon, thus far
described shown separately.
In this case the holes are formed in the relations and at the inclinations desired
by moulding, but it will be evident to persons engaged in operation with such india-
rubber, that the desired passages may be variously obtained to strips or ribbons of
the material; and Figures 8 and 9 show by side view, edge view, and transverse
section (taken through the line E, F, of the side view) a modification in which the
desired passages are obtained in the strip or ribbon by employing two separate
surfaces d and e of the prepared or vulcanized india-rubber, connected together by
other strips or partition walls f.
Figures 10, 11, 12, and 13 show by side view, by sectional side view, by edge view,
and by transverse section (through the lines G, H, of the side view, Figure 10), a
modification in which the perforations are obtained by the use of separate portions
of tubular prepared rubber g laid parallel between two strips or ribbons d and e of
the india-rubber, the parts d, e, and g being united together, as is well understood
by persons in the habit of uniting portions of such rubber, to produce various forms
or effects.
It will be readily understood that strips or ribbons of rubber with such passages
formed in then may be applied as means of ventilation not only to the seams of
coats, of leggings, and of other coverings of the body, but also to tents and other like
coverings, and that they may be applied at a great variety of parts depending on the
taste or wish of the user.

page_text: It will also be understood that the surfaces of the strips or ribbons are connected
to the desired surfaces to which they are applied by india-rubber solution in the
usual way; and if desired, the outer ends or openings in the strips or ribbons may
be hidden from direct view by overhanging portions of or applied to the parts
united.
For reversible coats it may be desirable to employ strips or ribbons with perfora-
tions or passages inclined upwards partly from one edge and partly from the other,
as represented by Figure 14, or in curved lines forming passages of a similar
character.
Having thus described my Invention and means which I adopt in carrying the
same into effect, I would have it understood that I do not confine myself to the
precise arrangements of parts as shown and described, as variations may be made
therein without departing from the peculiar character of my Invention, but what I
claim is, the improvements in the manufacture of garments or other coverings of the
body, formed of india-rubber or other waterproof fabric, and in waterproof tents and
other like coverings, by the application to the seams and other desired parts thereof,
of strips or ribbons of vulcanized or prepared india-rubber, having perforations or
passages formed therein in parallel lines and at angles to the strip or ribbon, sub-
stantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Bernard Birnbaum, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this First day of March, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.
Witness,
ALFRED G. BROOKES,
62, Chancery Lane,
London.
B. BIRNBAUM. (L.S.)