IMPROVEMENT IN SHIRTS
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to David Price Belknap, of San Francisco, in the County
of San Francisco, State of California, one of the United States of America,
Counsellor at Law, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENT IN SHIRTS."
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said David Price Belknap at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th June 1882.
DAVID PRICE BELKNAP of San Francisco in the County of San Francisco and
State of California one of the United States of America, Attorney and Counsellor
at Law. "IMPROVEMENT IN SHIRTS."
My said Invention relates to an improvement in shirts.
First. In providing the shirt with an open bosom or front, which is made double-
breasted or furnished with two flaps, one of which overlaps the other and are made
interchangeable.
Second. In providing an attached collar to such shirts, of such cut or shape that
it can be worn either high or low in the neck according to the arrangement of the
neck-tie, and to other details of construction or manufacture all of which will
hereinafter more fully appear.
In the Drawing which is hereunto annexed and which forms a part of this
Specification.
Figure 1 is a front view representing the right hand bosom flap turned within
and the collar standing up.
Figure 2 is a view representing the left hand bosom flap turned within and the
collar turned down the usual distance.
Figure 3 represents a partial view of the inner side of one flap shewing a strip
of cloth sewed thereon by one edge only to protect the inner face of the other flap
from contact with the stud, spirals, etc., when worn in bosoms. Figure 4 is a front
view showing the collar partially turned down. Figure 5 is a front view showing
the collar completely rolled over or turned down.
Similar letters of reference are used to designate like parts throughout the
several views.

page_text: I construct a shirt open in front the bosom of which opens lengthwise into two
parts, the flap A of the right hand portion being of such a width as to extend
part way across the left hand portion of the bosom, more or less, as may be desired,
while the flap B of the left hand portion is of such a width as to extend an equal
distance across the right hand portion of the bosom. The collar C is attached
directly to the body or neck of the shirt without an intermediate neck-band and
when in position the outer ends of the collar meet near the centre of the flaps or
bosom, as shewn, and a slight curvature is formed in the free upper end of each
bosom, so as to conform to the shape of the neck of the wearer and be concealed by
the collar when it is turned over the points. An intermediate neck-band however
may be employed, if desired, but in that case the collar cannot be turned down so
low in the neck as where no band is used. At the lower ends of the bosom pieces
or flaps, an opening or offset D is made so as to admit of an easy interchange of the
bosoms or flaps from right to left, or left to right again. By having the offset also
it will be seen that the bosom and collar can be worn and kept in position without
the use of buttons studs or other fastening, simply by the clasp of the ordinary
cravat or neck-tie as no drawing down of the bosoms or flaps will take place by
reason of the detachment from the body of the shirt at that point. By this con-
struction also, the bosom will set much smoother and will not gape open or be
easily crumpled by the movements of the body of the wearer as would be the case
if the bosoms or flaps were wholly joined to the body of the shirt at those points.
Being interchangeable as above described, one bosom flap, if soiled can be readily
and without loss of time or the annoyance of putting on a clean shirt covered and
the clean flap or bosom brought to the front. Should a detachable collar be
desired the usual band may be connected or sewed to the neck of the shirt and
bosoms and a button, or button-hole if a stud be employed, made in the upper ends
of the bosoms in the centres thereof by which means the detachable collar may be
connected in the usual way and by help of the usual button at the back of the
neck band. By using three studs the collar can be attached before putting on the
shirt.
Having thus described my said Invention what I claim and desire to secure
by Letters Patent is.
First. The open front shirt bereinbefore shown and described provided with the
over lapping or interchangeable flaps A, and B or one flap only without buttons or
studs with the offset D constructed and arranged to operate substantially in the
manner as specified.
Second. The combination and arrangement of a shirt, having one or more flaps
or bosoms, and provided with an offset or disconnection at the base of the bosom
or flaps and adapted to be worn with a collar permanently connected to the shirt,
or a detachable collar.
Substantially in the manner as herein set forth and specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said David Price Belknap have hereunto set my
hand and seal,