A Bathing Corset or Shield.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Nov., 1895-Accepted, 11th Jan., 1896
CUBIT LEIDDI ECIFICATION
A Bathing Corset or Shield.
We, KATE HATCH, of 275 South Second Street, Brooklyn, in the County of
Kings, and State of New York, United States of America, and CHARLES
FREDERICK LANGHAAR, Book-keeper, of 794 Prospect Place, Brooklyn, in the
County of Kings, and State of New York, United States of America, do hereby
declare the nature of our invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved bathing corset,
designed for the use of ladies while bathing in the surf, river, lake or other place,
and arranged to protect and shield the upper, front part of the body.
The invention consists principally of a solid front, made of rubber or other
suitable but pliable material, which will adapt itself snugly to the wearer's body,
the said front being provided with shoulder and back straps, to securely attach the
shield to the wearer's body.
The invention also consists of certain parts and details and combinations of the
sume, as will be fully described hereinafter and then pointed out in the claims.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this
Specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in
both the figures.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improvement as applied; and
Figure 2 is an enlarged rear perspective view of the improvement.
The improved bathing corset or shield is provided with a front A made of a
single piece of rubber or other suitable but pliable material, so as to fit snugly
and conform to the upper part of the wearer's body, as plainly illustrated in
Figure 1.
The front A is formed with pockets A¹ for supporting the bust, and the upper
end of the said front is provided with shoulder straps B, B', made of the same
material as the front A, and adapted to hook upon hooks C, C', secured to rear
extensions A and A³ respectively formed on the sides of the front A at the lower
ends thereof.
The shoulder straps B and B are provided with longitudinal openings B' and B³,
through which extend loosely the side straps D and D' respectively, extending
from the sides of the front, near the upper ends thereof, so as to pass under the
wearer's arms, to cross to the back and to be attached to hooks E on the sides of
the front, as is plainly illustrated in Figure 1.
Back straps F and F extend from the extensions A and A³, to pass through
loops G and G respectively, secured on the extensions A³ and A³ respectively, as
indicated in Figure 2. The front ends of the back straps F and Fi are hooked
upon books H secured to the front A below the hooks E.
As indicated in the drawings, each of the straps is provided with a series of
apertures, one of which is adapted to engage the corresponding hooks, so as to
permit the wearer to draw the strap sufficiently tight to conveniently support the
corset on the wearer's body. Other suitable fastening means instead of hooks and
apertures may be employed.
When it is desired to use the garment, the straps D, D' and F, F' are disengaged
from their hooks, so that the wearer can readily apply the shield at the frout, upper

page_text: .
portion of the body, and then fasten the shoulder straps B, B' upon their hooks,
and the side straps D, D', and back straps F, F' upon their corresponding hooks,
so as to securely fasten the shield in place.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. As a new article of manufacture, a bathing shield or corset having a solid
front made of rubber or other suitable pliable material, to conform to the shape of
the wearer's body, the said front being provided with straps for supporting it on
the wearer's body, substantially as shown and described.
2. A bathing shield or corset comprising a front of pliable material provided at
the opposite sides of its lower end with rearward extensions, shoulder straps
extended from the opposite sides of the upper end of the front, means for securing
the shoulder straps to the rear extensions, connections between said lower
extensions, and the side or arm straps extended from the front, back through
loops on the rear lengths of the shoulder straps and secured at their other ends to
the opposite side of the front, all substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
3. A bathing shield or corset comprising a front having at its lower corners
rearward extensions the shoulder straps having rear lengths extended longitudinally
downward without crossing and secured at their lower ends to their respective rear
extensions, side straps extended from one side of the front, back and secured at
their ends to the opposite side of the front, said side straps crossing each other and
the rear lengths of the shoulder straps diagonally and having a sliding connection
with said lengths of the shoulder straps, and connections between the opposite
lower extensions of the front, all substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
4. A bathing shield or corset, comprising a front having at each side edge a
shoulder strap, a side strap and a rear extension, the shoulder straps being each
provided with a loop through which its respective side strap may be extended, and
the rear extensions being provided with straps to connect each with the opposite
extension, and fastenings by which to secure the free ends of the several straps,
substantially as set forth.
Dated this 25th day of November 1895.
A. M. & W M. CLARK,
53 Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents..