Improvements in or relating to Stays or Corsets.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Aug., 1899-Accepted, 5th May, 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Stays or Corsets.
I, GUSTAV ENGEL, of No. 131, Potsdamer Strasse, Berlin, in the Empire of
Germany, Merchant, 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 stays or bust-holders which combine all the
advantages of the ordinary corset without the disadvantages of the same.
In order to render the present specification easily intelligible reference is had
to the accompanying drawing in which similar letters of reference denote similar
parts throughout the several views:-
Fig. 1 is a front elevation and Fig. 2 a rear elevation of the device.
The bust holder d which is formed to fit the breast may be fastened at the
front by means of hooks and eyes, or lacing ', and is provided with shoulder
straps having buckle fastenings h at the top. These straps or bands h
extend over the shoulders and are attached at the back to the top of the back
piece a, whilst side portions b b extend from the front parts d to the said straps
or bands at the rear underneath the arms and joining the rear parts of the
shoulder straps h at their point of juncture with the back piece a. The back
piece is stiffened with suitable elastic stays or bars i. A strap or band e passes
round the hips and the abdomen. The side pieces bb are adjustable and may
be adapted to fit the body by means of the laces g g. The skirts are suspended
from the bands ff suspended from the front part of the holder and the adjust-
able rear holders c c. The weight of the breast bearing against the front parts d
of the holder will keep the upper part of the back piece and the shoulder
straps properly in position, whilst the strap or band e will keep the lower part
of the said back piece properly pressed against the back of the wearer. The
abdomen and the hips are not subjected to any pressure whatever, whilst the
skirts suspended from the front and rear of the stays fall leisurely without
forming creases. The front part d enclosing the bust is shaped to correspond,
and may be provided with fur or lace as indicated at №ª.
The improved device not only forms a substitute for corsets but is also of
assistance in accustoming the wearer to go without the ordinary corset, unin-
terrupted employment or wearing of which weakens certain of the muscles of
the back, and brings the same into an improper position, thus causing pain
and inconvenience, when the corset is omitted. By means of the present stays,
these muscles are gradually returned in their proper position and regain their
strength.
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:-
Stays or bust-holder having the front parts d with fastening as specified and
shoulder straps extending to the back niece said hack niece bains stiffond

page_text: elastic stays or bars, an abdominal band or strap to the lower part of the back
piece and means for suspending the garments at the front and rear substantially
as described.
OF
1
F
I
1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.