Improvements relating to Travelling Trunks, Wardrobes, Show Frames, and like Articles.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 9th May, 1898
Complete Specification Left, 25th Jan., 1899-Accepted, 18th Mar., 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Travelling Trunks, Wardrobes, Show
Frames, and like Articles.
I, JOSEPH CRAWHALL CHAPMAN, Chartered Patent Agent, of 70, Chancery Lane,
in the County of London, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (which
has been communicated to me by Seymour Wentworth Bonsall, of 45, West 49th
Street, City, County and State of New York, United States of America, Gentle-
man), to be as follows;-
My invention relates to travelling trunks, wardrobes, show frames and
like articles, and comprises an improved device in which ladies dress-skirts in
particular and other garments can safely be carried without crushing or disturb-
ing the folds in which it is desired they should remain.
A device made in accordance with my present improvements possesses the
advantages of being at the same time a travelling receptacle, a wardrobe and a
show frame.
One portion of my device, namely the hanger, is useful as well in a fixed closet
or wardrobe as in a trunk, and I may, when convenient, use the same aside from
the trunk as herein described.
Referring to the drawings in which-.
Figure 1 represents in perspective my invention set on end with the top half
of the cover thrown back against the wall or resting against the swell of the
upper rounded end, the lower half of the cover lying flat on the floor, the cords
which normally confine the dresses untied and the rack on which the garments
are hung being pulled forward to allow ready access to any desired garment.
Figure 2 represents a cross section of the trunk taken approximately on the
line 22 of Fig. 3; this view shows clearly the two rounded sides, the rounded
end, the flat end and the garments in dotted lines.
Fig. 3 represents a view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2 with all the garments
removed, this view shows the staples to which the confining cords are attached,
the manner in which my sliding frame is hung and the flat top and bottom of the
trunk.
Figure 4 is a view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2; this shows in particular
the garments (in this case dress-skirts) hung in position and confined by the cords
attached to the back staples. The view also shows in dotted lines the rack pulled
forward, the cords untied and the garments in position for immediate service.
Figure 5 is a detail of the outer and upper corner of the sliding rack showing
the hinged leg or prop which also serves to prevent the garments coming in con-
tact with the lid or cover.
Figure 6 is a detailed view in plan and elevation of my hanger.
In all views similar letters of reference represent similar parts of my inven-
tion; thus my preferred form of invention has the flat cover or lid A, the flat
bottom B, the two similarly rounded or flattened coincidal sides C-C, the flat
end D and the rounded or flattened coincidal end E.

page_text: The cover or lid A is composed of the two parts or flaps F and F, the former
turning up and the latter turning down when the trunk has been set on end for
use as a wardrobe or dress closet. The flap F is provided with any convenient
form of handle or pull, f, by which it may be readily opened. Both flaps F
and are swung on any preferred form of hinges; f-f-fi are fastened
together by any desired lock or locks f"-f" and are further secured to the main
body of the trunk or the sides C-C by any reliable form of clasp or catch f_fil
On the inside of parts C-C, near the end E are placed two guides Grunning
from the bottom or back of the trunk, B, to the top or front of trunk, A. On
these guides the hanger frame or sliding rack, H, is placed so that it may run
easily back and forth when the trunk is in the position shown in the drawings
or even when lying on the bottom or back, B. The hanger-frame or sliding-
rack, H, may be constructed of any desired material as wood, aluminium, papier
mache, etc. and possesses any desired details as long as in plan it is rectangular
in form, fits loosely into the trunk so as to slide readily and has the two cross
pieces -h so spaced as to properly support the hangers, I, shown in Figure 6.
The hangers, I, may be of any desired form and material, my preferred form is
clearly shown in Figure 6 and the manner in which they are used is best shown
in Figures 1 and 2. In the form which I have here shown the round bars of
metal have been bent to form two sides of a right-triangle at i-i, the ends stove-
up, upset or merely flattened at and the tips turned down at a right angle
at Thus the hangers, I, can freely slide on the bars, h, the garments
hanging by loops from the notches i-i, the stove-up, upset or flattened ends
preventing a tendency to roll while the tips grasp the outer edges of the
bars and prevent lateral movement.
At the outer end of the hanger-frame or sliding rack is the cross-bar Jagainst
which the flap F preferably presses when closed firmly holding said hanger-
frame or sliding-rack motionless no matter how roughly the trunk may be handled
in transit. To the cross-bar, J, are secured the props or legs, L-L, joined near
their lower ends by the strut or brace M which holds them parallel to each other
and properly spaced so that they press lightly against the inner edges of the
sides, CC, when the lid is closed. The props L are shown attached to the
sliding frame by means of hinges K-K. This is a convenient construction for
some purposes, but my invention covers any mode of attachment of the props L.
The props Lact in combination with the flap of the cover which lies on the
floor to properly sustain the outer end of the sliding frame or hanger. It is clear
that if the lowered flaps were not present to afford a bearing for the lower ends
of the two props, these latter would either fail to hold the sliding frame hori-
zontal or would be too long to go into the trunk. It will be seen that, as shown
in the drawing, the flap that lies on the floor is preferably made long enough to
afford a bearing for the props L when the frame is pulled out to its full extent.
Near the outer ends of the guides, G-G, are journalled the rollers N―N over
which the hanger-frame or sliding-rack, H, moves. Near the inner end of said
hanger frame or sliding-rack, the rollers NN are journalled so as to trundle
along the guides, G-G. When the hanger-frame or sliding-rack, H, has been
pulled forward into the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 4, the rollers N-N
and NN meet and prevent further forward motion thus forming a perfect and
elastic stop.
On the inside of the bottom or back, B, are fixed the staples, screw eyes or
equivalent fastening devices 0-0, 0-0¹, ("1_0", in pairs; each pair being
symmetrically placed as regards the center line of B the first or upper pair 0-0
being spaced nearest together and the third or lowest pair, "-", being spaced
furthest apart so as to approximately follow the natural outline of a dress-skirt
when hanging in the trunk.
Elastics, tapes, ribbons or other forms of bands, P-P-P, are secured at one
end to said staples, the other ends being tied by pairs in knots about the garments

page_text: in the trunk as shown in Figure 4, thus holding them 'securely in the desired
folds.
In practice I set the trunk up on the flat end 1), turn the flap F back and
the flap flat on the floor, then draw the frame H forward until the rollers N
and Ni meet, planting the legs I firmly on the flap F. The hangers I are all
removed from the bars and the trunk is ready for packing.
Through the loops of a dress skirt or any other article of apparel, thus prepared,
I
pass
the end of a hanger I letting said loops settle in the notches i-i of said
hanger. The hanger is then passed end wise between the front of the trunk and
the legs L when by slightly tipping said hanger it will pass up between the
bars hh, the hanger is then lowered, horizontally held, into its place, the desired
folds made in the garment and the next hanger similarly treated until at the
end D of the trunk the garments reach out to the legs L. The rack is pushed
clear in and the bands P are tied, when the remaining space can be filled with
underclothing, handkerchiefs and small articles in general. The trunk is then
closed and locked and as by its formation it can only be set in three positions
without rolling, it will be found that the clothes remain safe as packed.
When the destination is reached, the trunk is set on end as before, opened,
the small articles unpacked, the bands untied, the rack pulled out, and the
hangers pulled forward so as to leave a space between each hanger as shown in
Figures and 4. Any hanger can then he lifted, slightly tilted and lowered
between the bars - when it can readily be removed by sliding said hanger
and its burden out between the garment on each side of it. All the hangers are
then slightly pushed back so as to allow space to return said garment to the
front of the rack after using. Thus any garment can be selected at will, removed
and replaced without in the least disturbing the other articles of apparel. On
damp days, and to secure garments against thieves, and to protect them from
dust and dirt one has only to slide in the rack and lock together the flaps. When
about to leave the packing is practically done, one has only to tie the bands and
place in the smaller articles.
Ուլ
1000
Improvements relating to Travelling Trunks, Wardrobes, Show
Frames, and like Articles.
I, JOSEPH CRAWHALL CHAPMAN, Chartered Patent Agent, of 70, Chancery Lane,
in the County of London, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (which
has been communicated to me by Seymour Wentworth Bonsall, of 45, West 49th
Street, City, County and State of New York, United States of America, Gentle-
man) 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 travelling trunks, stationary wardrobes, show frames and
like articles, and comprises an improved device in which ladies' dress-skirts in
particular and other garments can safely be hung and carried without crushing
or. disturbing the folds in which it is desired they should remain.
A device made in accordance with my present improvements as hereinafter
described and illustrated in the drawings filed with my Provisional Specification
possesses the advantages of being adapted for use as a travelling receptacle, a
stationary wardrobe or a show frame.
One portion of my device, namely the hanger frame, is equally adapted for use

page_text: in a fixed closet or wardrobe as in a trunk, and I may, when convenient, use the
same independently of the trunk as herein described.
I will describe my invention in reference to the said drawings in which Fig. 1
represents in perspective a travelling trunk constructed in accordance with this
invention. The trunk is shown as being set on end with the top section of the
cover thrown back and resting against the swell of the upper convex end, the
lower half of the cover lying flat on the floor, the cords which normally confine the
dresses untied, and the rack on which the garments are hung being pulled for-
ward to allow ready access to any desired garment.
Fig. 2 represents a cross-section of the trunk taken approximately on the
line 22 of Fig. 3; this view shows clearly the two rounded or convex sides, the
rounded end, the flat end and the garments in dotted lines.
Fig. 3 represents a view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2 with all the garments
removed, this view shows the staples to which the confining cords are attached,
the manner in which the sliding frame is hung and the flat top and bottom of
the trunk.
Fig. 4 is a view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 2; this shows in particular the
garments (in this case dress-skirts) hung in position and confined by the cords
attached to the back staples. The view also shows in dotted lines the rack pulled
forward, the cords untied and the garments in position for immediate service.
Fig. 5 is a detail of the outer and upper corner of the sliding rack showing the
hinged leg or prop which also serves to prevent the garments coming in contact
with the lid or cover.
Fig. 6 is a detailed view in plan and elevation of my improved hanger.
In all views similar letters of reference represent similar parts of my inven-
tion. In my preferred form of invention I employ a flat cover or lid, A, a flat
bottom B, the two similarly rounded or flattened convex sides C-C, a flat end D,
and a rounded or flattened convex end E.
In a travelling trunk the cover or lid A, Fig. 3, is composed of the two parts
or flaps F and F", the former adapted to turn up and the latter to turn down
when the trunk has been set on end for use as a wardrobe or dress closet. The
flap is provided with any convenient form of handle f, by which it may be
readily opened. Both flaps F and F are hung on any preferred form of hinges
such as f f f¹, are fastened together by a lock or locks ff, and are further
secured to the main body of the trunk or the sides C C by any reliable form of
clasp or catch fill fill
In the interior of the sides C C, near the end E are fixed two guides or sup-
porting bars & running from the bottom or back of the trunk B, to the top or
front of trunk A. On these guides the hanger frame or sliding rack H, is placed
so that it may be easily drawn out when the trunk is in the position shown in the
drawings, or even when lying on the bottom or back B. The hanger-frame or
sliding-rack H, may be constructed of any desired material as wood, aluminium
und so forth, and possess any desired details as long as in plan it is rectangular
in form, and fits loosely into the trunk so as to slide readily in and out; the two
cross pieces or bars hh are so spaced as to properly support the hangers I, as
shown in Fig. 6.
The hangers I, may be of any desired form and material, my preferred form is
clearly shown in Fig. 6 and the manner in which they are used is best shown in
In the form which I have here shown the round bars of metal
Figs. 1 and 2.
are bent at two parts to form notches such as the ends of the bar are upset
or merely flattened at and the tips turned down at a right angle as at
Thus the hangers I can freely slide on the supporting bars h, the garments
hanging by loops from the notches, the upset or flattened ends preventing
a tendency to roll while the tips grasp the outer edges of the bars hand
prevent lateral movement.
At the outer end of the hanger-frame or sliding rack is the cross-bar J against
which the flap F preferably presses when closed, firmly holding said hanger-

page_text: frame or sliding-rack stationary, no matter how roughly the trunk may be handled
in transit. To the cross-bar J, are secured props or legs L L, joined near
their lower ends by the strut or brace M which holds them parallel to each other
and properly spaced so that they press lightly against the inner edges of the
sides CC, when the lid is closed. The props L are shown attached to the
sliding frame by means of hinges K K. This is a convenient construction for
some purposes, but my invention covers any mode of attachment of the props I.
The props L act in combination with the flap of the cover which lies on the
floor to properly sustain the outer end of the sliding frame or hanger H. It is
clear that if the lowered flap was not present to afford a bearing for the lower
to hold
ends of the two props L L, these latter would either fail
the sliding frame horizontal, or would be too long to go into the
trunk or wardrobe. It will be seen that, as shown in the drawing, the flap F¹
that lies on the floor is preferably made long enough to afford a bearing for the
props L when the frame is pulled out to its full extent.
Near the outer ends of the guides G G are mounted the rollers N N over which
the hanger-frame or sliding-rack H moves. Near the inner end of said hanger-
frame or sliding-rack, the rollers N¹ N¹ are mounted so as to roll along the
guides G G. When the hanger-frame or sliding-rack H has been pulled forward
into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, the rollers N N and N N
meet and prevent further forward motion, thus forming an efficient stop.
On the inside of the bottom or back B, are fixed the staples, screw eyes or
equivalent fastening devices 0 0, 0¹ 04, 001, in pairs; each pair being
symmetrically placed as regards the centre line of B, the first or upper pair 0 0
being spaced nearest together and the third or lowest pair 0 0", being spaced
farthest apart, so as to approximately follow the natural outline of a dress-skirt
when hanging in the trunk or wardrobe.
Elastics, tapes, ribbons or other forms of bands, P P P are secured at one end
to said staples, the other ends being tied by pairs in knots about the garments in
the trunk or wardrobe as shown in Fig. 4, thus holding them securely in the
desired folds.
In use I set the trunk up on its flat end D, turn the flap back and lay the
flap F flat on the floor, then draw the frame H forward until the rollers N and N¹
meet, planting the legs L firmly on the flaps F. The hangers I are all removed
from the bars and the trunk is ready for packing.
Through the loops of a dress skirt, or any other article of apparel, provided
with loops I pass the end of a hanger I letting said loops settle in the notches ii
of said hanger. The hanger with the garment secured thereto, is then passed
endwise between the front of the trunk and the legs L when by slightly tipping
said hanger it will pass up between the bars h h, the hanger is then lowered,
horizontally held, into its place, the desired folds made in the garment and the
next hanger similarly treated until at the end D of the trunk the garments reach
out to the legs L. Then the rack is pushed clear in and the bands P are tied
around the garments when the remaining space can be filled with underclothing,
handkerchiefs, and small articles in general. The trunk is then closed and
locked and as by its formation it can only be set in three positions without rolling,
it will be found that the clothes remain undisturbed as packed.
When the destination is reached, the trunk is set on end as before, opened,
the small articles unpacked, the bands untied, the rack pulled out, and the
hangers pulled forward so as to leave a space between each hanger as shown in
Fig. 1 and dotted in Fig. 4. Any hanger can then be lifted, slightly tilted and
lowered between the bars h h when it can readily he removed by sliding said
hanger and its burden out between the garments on each side of it. All the
hangers are then slightly pushed back so as to allow space to return said garment
to the front of the rack after using. Thus any garment can be selected at will,
removed and replaced without in the least disturbing the other articles of apparel.
On damp days and to secure garments against thieves, and to protect them from

page_text: dust and dirt one has only to slide in the rack and lock together the flaps. Thus
when applied to trunks the sliding suspension rack facilitates the packing and
placing of garments into small space while at the same time it enables any one
of such articles to be easily available as though each were placed on top. Further-
more by forming the sides and top-end of the trunk as described and shown with
reference to the drawings it will not likely be placed otherwise than on its back
or on the bottom end, and thus the edges of the garments cannot be made to carry
the weight thereof. When preparing for a journey the packing is practically
done, one has only to tie the bands and place in the smaller articles.
Obviously the hanger or suspension frame H may also be used in connection
with stationary dress receptacles such as wardrobes, cupboards, show cases and
the like, when it will be found to save a great amount of space, preventing con-
fusion and minimizing trouble when inspecting and taking out any one of the
garments or .articles suspended from it.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention (as communicated to me from abroad) and in what manner the same
is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A travelling trunk, having a flat top, a flat bottom, one flat end, one rounded
or convex and two rounded or convex sides, in combination with an internal sliding
hanger or suspension frame and devices for suspending garments between said
hanger and said flat end substantially as and for the purpose herein described.
2. In a travelling trunk a sliding suspension frame adapted to be moved for-
ward when the trunk is on one end, a prop at the forward end of said sliding
frame and a covering flap hinged to said trunk at one end and adapted when
open to afford a bearing for the lower extremity of said prop when drawn out,
substantially as described.
3. In a wardrobe, trunk, or receptacle for garments, a sliding suspension frame,
supports for the same and rollers on said frame and its supports adapted to come
in contact when the frame is drawn fully out and thus limit its outward move-
ment, substantially as described.
4. In a trunk or wardrobe or receptacle for garments, a suspension frame
arranged to slide back and forth, said frame comprising side bearing pieces and
intermediate supporting bars, in combination with transverse hangers for said
garments adapted to slide on said supporting bars, all substantially as described.
5. For use in a receptacle for garments such as above referred to a suspension
frame adapted to slide back and forth therein, said frame comprising side bearing
pieces and intermediate supporting bars, in combination with hangers constructed
as specified and adapted to slide on said supporting bars and a prop for said frame
hinged to its outer end, all arranged substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Dated this Twenty-fifth day of January 1899.
J. C. CHAPMAN, C.P.A.