IMPROVEMENTS IN NECKTIES OR SCARFS
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Harris Lake at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th December 1879. A communi-
cation from abroad by Thomas Jefferson Flagg, of the City and State of New
York, United States of America, Merchant.
HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. “IMPROVEMENTS IN NECKTIES OR SCARFS." [A
communication from abroad by Thomas Jefferson Flagg, of the City and State of
New York, United States of America, Merchant.]
This Invention relates to that class of scarfs for men's wear known in the trade
As "flat" scarfs, and to the construction of improved shields to be used in com-
bination therewith.
As is well known the projecting sides of flat scarfs as ordinarily made are apt to
curve or bend outward, presenting comparatively an unsightly appearance. This
results from the use of small shields, or shields which are flat and made of inelastic
material, such as pasteboard, or thin pliable metal.
It will be observed also that the combination with a flat scarf of a comparatively
small shield tapering more or less from a comparatively wide centre to narrow ends
is disadvantageous in that the upper outer edges of the scarf are left unprotected
by the shield, and measurably unconfined by the neck band adjusted to said shield,
resulting in an ill fit of the upper portion of the scarf upon the wearer.
The object of this Invention is to remedy these defects in the old styles of flat
scarfs, and to so improve and perfect the shield and its combination with the scarf
as to obtain a neater and more comfortable fit of the upper part of the scarf upon
and about the neck of the wearer, and give a handsomer finish thereto when
properly secured in place by the neck band than heretofore.
It consists in the first place in the combination with a flat scarf of a shield
conforming in length to the entire width of the upper portion of the scarf so as to
support and stiffen the outer edges of the scarf, and so constructed that the length
of its upper edge shall equal or exceed. that of its lower edge, and the outline of its
outer ends conform substantially with the corresponding edges of the scarf.
It consists, secondly, in the combination with a flat scarf having an upper edge
extended sufficiently to bend upon the neck of the wearer of a stiffening piece or
shield placed upon the underside and projecting to the extremities of said upper
edge, and of a neck band arranged to intersect and engage said upper edge at or

page_text: near its extremities so as to produce when properly secured a flexion of the shield
and scarf.
It consists, thirdly, in the construction of a broad shield made of an elastic
material adapted to the width of the scarf and with outer ends curved inwards,
these inwardly curved outer ends tending, when the shield is properly applied to i
the scarf, to maintain the projecting sides of the scarf in close contact with the
shirt bosom of the wearer, and to restore them to position should they by accident
be bent outward.
The lower edge of the shield may be partially indented or cut away either in the
centre or at the ends without departing from the principles of this Invention, in
which such a proportion of the ends with reference to the centre is contemplated
that the former shall approximate to the width of the latter, and impart firm
support to the upper end of each apron along its outer edge.