Improved Stockings, Leg Covering, or Garment.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 14th June, 1887.
Specification Accepted, 15th July, 1887.
Improved Stockings, Leg Covering, or Garment.
1, JOHN HOLMES of Boston, County of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, one of the
United States of America, 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:-
This invention has for its object to provide a stocking or leg covering especially
adapted to be worn by bicycle riders and children.
As herein embodied my improved stocking or leg covering from a point above the
knee to the top of the foot is ribbed, that part of the stocking embracing the thigh
being preferably plain as is also the sole of the foot covering portion.
A pair of improved stockings will be provided at their upper ends with a waist-
band by which they may be held up in place so as to make the stocking fit the
calf of the leg tightly, the said band also preventing the stocking from falling down
over the knee as the leg is bent, such for instance in bicycle riding.
My improved leg stocking or leg covering entirely obviates the use of garters or
elastics, or of stocking supporters having clasps to engage the top of the stocking.
My invention consists essentially in a pair of stockings having each component
member provided with an upper thigh covering portion, and a ribbed calf covering
portion inade in one piece with the thigh covering portion, and a welt or pocket, the
said thigh covering portion being left open at or near the pointe to the welt or pocket,
substantially as will be described.
The drawing shows in elevation a pair of stockings or leg coverings constructed in
accordance with my invention.
Each stocking or leg covering A is made in one piece; and from a point, as a,
above the knee to a point 6 of the foot near the toe, the said stocking is shown as of
ribbed knitted fabric, the portion marked c above the point a and which in practice
embraces the thigh being preferably of plain kuitted fabric.

page_text: The edges of the thigh covering portions from the point e to the top thereof have
selvedge edges and at the top have welts or pockets, as d.
The stocking A is shown as composed of flat knitted webs having selvedge edges
which are stitched together as indicated from the point e downward to the point e.
As herein shown the heel, sole and toe portion shown as of plain knitted web or
fabric is stitched to the leg covering part from e¹ to e³, and at e³, e.
Both stockings A will in use be knitted or otherwise joined together, as at d, the
upper portion of each thigh covering portion having a welt or pocket through which a
waist-band or string d' is inserted by means of which the said stockings are securely
held up in place from the hips, the stocking being held up firmly to fit the leg snugly.
When employed by bicycle riders my improved stockings are of especial advantage
as the stockings are absolutely prevented from working down over the knee as the leg
is bent in the act of pushing the pedal of the bicycle.
My improved stocking enables the use of elastics or garters to be entirely dispensed
with, which, when sufficiently tight to maintain the ordinary stocking in place, clasp
the leg with such force as to stop or impede to a certain extent the circulation of the
blood in the leg.
t
As herein shown it will be seen that the so called thigh covering portion constitutes
a stocking supporter.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
As an improved article of manufacture, a pair of stockings or leg covering having
each component member A provided with an upper thigh covering portion c, and a
ribbed calf covering portion made in one piece with the thigh covering portion c, and
a welt or pocket, the said thigh covering portion being left open at or near the point e
to the welt or pocket, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Dated the 14th day of June 1887
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 & 56 Chancery Lane, London,
Agents for the Applicant.