A Protector or Strengthener for Corset Clasping Steels.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Jan., 1897--Accepted, 13th Mar., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Protector or Strengthener for Corset Clasping Steels.
I, CHLOE FRANCES TILTON (née ANDREWS) of 1938 Vallejo Street,
San Francisco, in the County of San Francisco and State of California, United
States of America, Lady, 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 :-
My invention relates to a metallic strip secured to one of the front clasping
may be
steels of the corset, preferably before the same is adjusted to the body, and
made and applied in various ways. However, for the purpose of this application,
I have illustrated different modes, of constructing and fastening the same, which
will be more fully described hereinafter.
Heretofore, women wearing corsets have had considerable trouble with the
clasping steels, as they break very often, particularly near the waist while leaning
the body forward, because that part of the steels is rather weak for the strain
sometimes required, and my invention has for its object to strengthen the steels
and prevent them from breaking and thereby prevent any accident to the body
which may occur should the steels break.
In the accompanying drawing, which forms part of this specification, in
which―
Figure 1 is a perspective view, showing the outlines of a corset provided with
my improvement,
Figure 2 is a broken view of one of the clasping steels and corset, showing my
invention in position, and,
Figures 3 and 4 are similar views, but showing my invention secured to the
corset in different manner.
Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.
A represents the corset, and B, C, the clasping steels provided with the usual
studs and loops. To the middle, or at that place called the waist, of the clasping
steels, and preferably between the studs a, b, 1 place my improvement, which
consists of a metallic strip, D, preferably made out of stiff wire, and which may be
secured in some suitable manner, but I prefer to carry out my invention in the
manner shown in the detailed views, where it will be seen that the strip is adapted
to spring around the studs so that it can be easily adjusted to the corset and
quickly removed when desired.
As shown in Figures 2 and 3, one end of the strip underlaps the clasping steel, C,
near stud b, and springs against the outer side of the stud while the shank projects
to the next stud and terminates in a loop-shaped c which passes freely over the
head of stud a, and springs against its inner side.
In Figure 4, the ends of the strip, D, are bent inwardly and spring outwardly
around the studs, a, b, as at d, d, for the purpose of keeping the strip in position,
if desired.
O and may terminate in loop-shaped e, e,
While constructing my invention in the manner above described, the ends, or
rather the part near the studs must be made thin enough to leave room for looping
the clasping steel, B, to the steel, C.
Thus constructed, when the clasping steels are looped together, either one of the
5 strips just described will be permanently locked in its place until the steels are
senarated.

page_text: My invention can be used satisfactorily with broken clasps, if applied in the
nanner described, and if desired, stitches may be made all along the shank to
make it permanent to the corset.
Thus it will be easily conceived from this description that the shape or form of
constructing my invention, or the manner by which it is secured to the corset or
the material used to carry out the object I have in view is immaterial; and 1
believe I have produced a valuable improvement to corsets.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. As an article of manufacture, a protector or strengthener for corset clasping
steels consisting of a narrow strip suitably secured to the steels, substantially as
described.
II. A protector or strengthener for corset clasping steels consisting of an
adjustable thin metallic or other strip and means to secure the strip to the corset,
substantially as described.
III. The combination with a corset clasping steel provided. with studs, of a
protector or strengthener provided with means for detachably securing the
protector to said studs, substantially as described.
IV. In combination with a corset clasping steel, a strengthener or protector
formed of a narrow strip bent at its ends to form means for adjustably securing the
protector to the steel, substantially as described.
V. In combination with a corset clasping steel provided with studs, a strengthener
or protector formed of a narrow strip having at one end a bend to removably
engage one of said studs, and at the other end means for removably connecting it
to the steel, substantially as described.
VI. In combination with a corset clasping steel provided with studs; a pro-
tector or strengthener consisting of an adjustable metallic strip provided with
fastening device consisting of spring loop made at the ends of the strip and
removably adjusted around the stud, substantially as described.
VII. In combination with a corset clasping steel provided with fixed studs, a
protector or strengthener provided at one end with an eye removably and pivotally
engaging one of said studs, and provided at the other end with a bend for
removably securing it to the steel, substantially as described.
Dated this 18th day of January 1897.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.