Improvements in or relating to Combined Braces or Garment Sus. penders and Bust Supports for Women.
Year: 1899

page_text: Improvements in or relating to Combined Braces or Garment Sus.
penders and Bust Supports for Women.
I, CHRISTINE HARDT, of Blasewitz, near Dresden, Saxony, German Empire,
Spinster, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The chief object of the present movement for the reform of ladies clothing is
to overcome the evils due to the manner of supporting and wearing the clothes
and in particular the evils connected with tight-lacing which injuriously affects
the development of vital parts of the body and limits breathing. Many more
or less useful suggestions have recently been made as to the arrangement and
wearing of corsets.
A characteristic feature of the present invention is a suspender or supporter
for ladies clothing (more particularly skirts and knickerbockers or trousers) put
on and buttoned similarly to men's braces or suspenders in combination with a
bosom support attached to the front webs or straps of the said clothing suspender.
This bosom support which can be made of any suitable woven, knitted or crocheted
material (either open or close meshed) and which takes the place of the usual
corset, is carried by the clothing suspender and fastened by sewing or buttoning,
so as to accommodate all possible shapes. The straps of the clothing suspender
or braces pass through hollow hems or sheaths in the sides of the bosom-support.
The clothing suspender or braces can be adjusted in length, so that in connection
with the bosom-support, which may also be adjusted in its position on the braces
all possible heights, sizes and shapes of body and bust can be suited. The bosom-
support thus carried by the clothing suspender does not, like the usual corsets
and "corset-jackets" entirely surround the body, but forms a bust protecting
and supporting device; and it can be opened and closed in front along its centre
line like a vest or under-shirt. The closing may be conveniently effected by
buttons.
The combined device of a clothing suspender' and bosom support preferably
fulfils the requirement of freeing the upper portions of the body from pressure
and moreover gives the bosom the necessary support and protection; it permits
of easy adjustment and change and allows by reason of its freedom from whale-
bones or steels (such as are used in ordinary corsets) not only perfect freedom
of motion for the work of adult women, but also absolute freedom for develop-
ment in the case of growing girls. The device is also especially adapted for
cyclists as it in no wise oppresses the vital portions of of the body. It may be
further mentioned that this easily opened bosom-support is particularly convenient
and well adapted for nursing mothers. The combined device meets all hygienic
requirements inasmuch as all tying of the skirts and lacing-up of the body are
entirely avoided. It is manipulated just as men's suspenders or braces are. Its

page_text: great lightness is an additional advantage as the suspender or braces receive from
the bosom-support an addition in weight of only a few grammes.
Dated this Sih day of March 1899
J. C. MEWBURN & ELLIS,
55 and 56, Chancery Lane, London,
Chartered Patent Agents.
Improvements in or relating to Combined Braces or Garment Sus-
penders and Bust Supports for Women.
I, CHRISTINE HARDT, of Blasewitz, near Dresden, Saxony, German Empire,
Spinster, 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:-
The present invention relates to improvements in combined braces or garment
suspenders and bust support and has particularly for its object improved braces
or suspenders of suitable form, intended for fastening and suspending the petti-
coats and drawers, in combination with a bust support, as hereinafter described and
set forth in the specification and illustrated by way of example in the accompany-
ing drawing.
Hitherto the lower garments have been fastened and adjusted by means of
bands and strings around the hips, thereby impeding the free circulation of the
blood and preventing the compressed organs from performing rightly their func-
tions, particularly during their pregnancy.
These troubles and inconveniences are removed by the use of the improved
and hygienic braces, which enable the garments to be supported much more readily
and securely, without impeding and obstructing in any way the movements and
functions of the body.
The annexed drawing illustrates a form of these improved braces or suspenders.
In appearance these braces resemble those worn by men, and consist of two
bands a-ba-b of fabric, which may be elastic or not. Said bands are joined
together at the back at d, by a flap of leather or the like, which at the same
time joins together the two bands - and an elastic band f. The latter
carries at its end g two tabs which are provided with buttons
holes.
and button-
and passes
The front part of each band is provided with a buckle
through a ring back to the buckle to which its end is secured.
The buckle is for the purpose of lengthening or shortening the braces.
The rings are provided with tabs or flaps o which are provided with buttons p
and button-holes q
The braces are placed over the shoulders in the ordinary way, that is to say
the part falls over the back whilst the parts a fall over the chest. The parts a
are provided with buttons serving to attach to the braces two pieces of fabric s
connected together by buttons, and provided with elasties n. At the lower part
of said pieces of fabric, is secured a loop or tabe made of elastic fabric and pro-
vided with a button ..
It will be readily understood that the tabs or brace-ends ho are intended
for the attachment of the lower garments by means of their buttons and button-
holes, without using any bands or straps. Moreover the pieces of fabrics are
intended to support the bust and enable the use of corsets or stays to be dispensed
with, the use of which is so prejudicial from the point of view of health, and
finally the loop or tab e serves to secure a hygienic napkin or pad, when required.

page_text: 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:-
1. Improved hygienic combined braces or garment suspenders and bust support
for women comprising two bands joined together at the back and provided there
and at their front ends with tabs or brace-ends provided with buttons and button-
holes for securing the lower garments, means for adjusting the length of the bands
and two pieces of fabric between and attached to the brace bands to act as breast
supports, with or without a loop or tab secured to the lower part of said pieces
of fabric substantially as described.
2. The complete combined braces or garment suspenders and bust support for
women substantially as described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 26th day of September 1899.
BOULT, WADE & KILBURN,
Agents for the Applicant.