Improvements in Garment Supporters.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Garment Supporters.
I, ROBERT GORTON, residing at No. 19, Hyde Street, in the City of Newton,
in the County of Middlesex, and State of Massachusetts, U.S.A., Manufacturer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
-
I provide a garment supporter which is composed of webbing, an improved
buckle, and an improved device for attaching the webbing to a garment. A
strip of webbing, preferably elastic, is attached at its upper end to the improved
attaching device, and this webbing at its lower end extends through the improved
buckle from which is suspended one or more strips of webbing to the lower end of
which is secured a suitable device adapted to engage with the garment to be
supported. The attaching device at the upper end of the upper webbing consists
of an open frame, preferably made of wire, to which is secured a cross bar of sheet
metal, having its ends bent tightly around the side pieces of the frame, which
are preferably set in slightly to prevent the cross bar from slipping, and also to
form relatively wide openings above and below the bar for the webbing to pass
through. One longitudinal edge of the bar is provided with spurs or teeth that
may be inserted into and then bent over upon the webbing and the other longi-
tudinal edge of the bar is formed with a lip that is bent over on to the bar opposite
the teeth. The frame may be attached to a belt, or the like, but it is preferably
provided with a safety pin having the usual spring, hinge, and hood. The elastic
webbing is secured to the attaching device by first connecting the end of the web
to the teeth, then bending these teeth down upon the webbing, then passing the
webbing through the opening between the lower side of the cross bar and the
lower part of the frame; then carrying the webbing up back of the cross bar;
then down over it and again through the opening below the cross bar. In this
way a simple, strong and efficient attaching device is provided for connecting
the webbing to a garment. This manner of attaching the webbing is particularly
novel, whether applied to the device constructed as above described, or to any
device provided with a toothed bar, a slot below it, and a slot or opening above
the bar.
The improved buckle consists of a frame having upper and lower cross bars,
and side bars connecting them, and a bar attached to the side bars and adapted
to slide hereon. Teeth or spurs are formed on the lower edge of the slide bar,
and the upper edge is provided with a turned over lip. The frame is preferably
made narrower both inside and outside at its central portion than at its upper
and lower ends, and the bar when sliding does not abut against the upper and
lower cross bars of the frame, so that relatively wide openings are always pre-
sented at the ends of the frame to permit of the ready passage of a relatively wide
webbing that covers, or partially covers and conceals the side bars of the frame.
The slide bar is preferably struck up from sheet metal, has a longitudinal slot,
and its ends are curlod around the side of the frame, but are free to slide thereon.

page_text: Instead of making the frame narrow, as above described, for the purpose of
limiting the movement of the cross bar, the same effect might be produced by
Instead of making the cross bar
forming lugs or stops to limit its movement.
of sheet metal, it might be made of wire bent into proper form, and mounted to
slide in guides. The upper webbing passes through an opening in the buckle
above the slide bar, then across the bar and through another opening below the
bar. The teeth or spurs project into this last mentioned opening, engage the
webbing and prevent it from slipping. The lower wobbing is attached to the
slide har and exerts a downward pressure thereon when in use. The preferred
way of attaching this webbing to the slide bar is by passing it through the slot
in the bar and over the upper edge thereof. This buckle is readily manipulated
to lengthen or shorten the webbing. When the bar is slid upwardly the teeth
or spurs disengage from the web and this can then readily be adjusted in either
direction; but slipping of the buckle on the upper webbing is always prevented
by the engagement of the spurs with the webbing when the device is in use, because
the lower web always exerts a downward pull on the slide bar and holds the spurs
firmly in engagement with the upper web.
Moral ibis 4th day of Minhor 1807
Improvements in Garment Supporters,
I, ROBERT GORTON, residing at No. 19, Hyde Street, in the City of Newton,
County of Middlesex, and State of Massachusetts, U.S.A., Manufacturer, do hereby
declars the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be completely described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
According to my invention provide a garment supporter which is composed
of webbing, an improved buckle, and an improved device for attaching the webbing
to a garment. A strip of webbing preferably elastic, is attached at its upper end
to the improved attaching device, and this webbing at its lower end extends
through the improved buckle from which is suspended one or more strips of
webbing to the lower end of which is secured a suitable device adapted to engage
with the garment to be supported.
In the accompanying drawings-
Figure 1 is a front elevation of so much of a garment supporter as is necessury
to illustrate the use of my invention;
Fig. 2 is a front elevation of one of the devices employed for attaching the
garment supporter to one of the garments of the wearer;
Fig. is a similar view of a modification;
Fig. 4 shows a vertical section through the attaching device and part of the
webbing;
Fig. 5 is a front elevation of my improved buckle;
Fig. 6 shows a vertical central section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 6;
Fig. 7 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing the manner of arranging
the webbing in the buckle;
Fig. 8 is a view of a modified form of buckle embodying my improvements;
Fig. 9 shows a transverse section thereof on the line 9-9, Fig. 8;
Figs. 10, 11 and 12 show further modifications of the buckle;
Fig. 13 shows a front elevation of a modified form of attaching device which may
be substituted for the device shown in Fig. 2;

page_text: Fig. 14 shows a modification of the buckle frame;
Fig. 15 shows, in vertical section, the arrangement of parts shown in Fig. 13;
Fig. 16 is a vertical section through the metallic frame shown in Fig. 13;
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the metallic attaching device shown in Fig. 13.
The webbing which I employ may be of any suitable kind. Preferably the
piece of webbing, A, is elastic, while the webbing, X, X, is preferably non-elastic.
At the lower ends of the pieces of webbing, X, X. devices of any suitable kind
should be applied for the purpose of attaching this webbing to hose or other
garments to be supported. These attaching devices are not here shown, as they
form no part of my present invention.
The piece of webbing, A, is attached to the device, B, and also extends through
the buckle, C, as indicated in Fig. 1. The webbing, X. is not connected directly
with the device, B. but is connected with the buckle, C, as indicated in Figs. 1
and 7. The attaching device. B. is of novel construction, and the first part of
my invention relates to this device.
In each instance the device which I employ for attaching the upper end of the
webbing. A, to the garments comprises a metal frame which is provided with
a cross-bar bridging the space between the upper and lower ends of the frame.
and which is formed with flexible or bendable teeth pointing in the same general
direction, and adapted to be turned inwardly upon the webbing. One end of
the webbing is attached to the cross bar by the teeth which are turned down upon
it. The preferred way of attaching the webbing to the device is by passing the
end of the web through the frame above and below the cross bar, and then turning
the webbing around the cross bar so as to cause it to cover the front and rear
faces and both longitudinal edges thereof.
I preferably make the frame of wire and the cross bar of metal, and provide
one edge of the cross bar opposite the teeth with a bent-over lip which affords a
rounded instead of a sharp edge to the cross bar.
When I employ a sheet metal cross bar and a wire frame. I preferably bend
inwardly the opposite sides of the frame and attach the ends of the sheet metal
cross bar to these bent-in portions of the frame. The several features referred
to are, however, independently novel and are claimed separately as independent
inventions, as hereinafter specified.
My improvements may be carried out in various ways. One convenient way
is by applying them in connection with a safety pin, as shown in Figs. 1. 2 and 3.
As there shown, the wire between the pin point hood, a, and the hinge or spring. b.
is bent downwardly so as to form a substantially rectangular frame or yoke. c.
The cross bar, D. is formed of sheet metal and at its cmds it is turned around the
sides, of the frame, c. and pinched tight thereon to form a strong and stable
connection. The sides of the wire frame, c, in this instance are set in. as shown.
so that the slot or space below the cross bar is of greater width than the distance
between the sides of the frame embraced by the cross-bar. The teeth or sharp
spurs, attached to the cross har are arranged opposite its face or inside the
longitudinal edges of the cross bar, and may be conveniently constructed as
follows:
In stamping out the sheet metal cross har the teeth, d. may be left as projec-
tions from the lower edge thereof, and then turned up to assume the position
shown in Fig. 2. The teeth are more or less flexible or bendable so that when
the webbing is attached to them they may be bent or turned down upon it. It
should be observed that the teeth are substantially parallel to each other and noint
in the same general direction. They extend cross wise of the har. 1. and, as
shown in the drawings, they are preferably arranged on the lower longitudinal edge
of the cross bar and extend unwardly therefrom in front of the bar.
The upper edge, 1 of the cross bar is preferably formed as shown with a lip
which is left in cutting out the blank, and is turned over upon the face of the bar.
The webbing is applied as shown in Figs. 1 and 4: that is to say. the end, z. of
the webbing is passed up through the slot or space below the cross bar and is

page_text: engaged with the teeth or spurs, d. It is then carried back and over the cross
bar as at ', then down in front of the teeth, d, and is finally threaded through the
slot or space below the cross bar. In this way the front and rear faces, and both
longitudinal edges of the cross bar are covered by the webbing, and this part of
the device is not exposed to rub against the garments of the wearer.
The lip,, presents a smooth edge over which the webbing is drawn and it holds
the webbing out away from the points of the teeth when it is wrapped around
the cross bar. The feeth, d, being arranged and located as described afford a
quick, certain and economical means of attaching the webbing without stitches
and such cutting of the rubber strands as is incident to stitching is avoided.
In attaching the device to the webbing the operator holds the metallic device
between the thumb and the first two fingers of the left hand, with the points of
the teeth upward. The web is then passed through the slot below the cross bar
far enough to overlap the teeth on the bar. The end of the web is then held
against the bar by the thumb of the left hand, and a quick jerk is given to the
other end of the webbing by the right hand, causing the teeth to engage the
webbing. This operation is repeated until a gross or more. of the devices are
attached to the webbing and then the points of the teeth are bent down by a foot
press after which the webbing is wound around the cross bar in the manner
before described.
These operations may be very quickly performed. Skilled operators practically
accomplish the attachment by only two movements, namely, a movement of the
webbing in one direction past the teeth, and then a movement of the welthing
backwardly, which causes the web to engage the teeth. The process of turning
the teeth down upon the webbing by a fool press is, of course, a quick one, and
skilled operators very quickly wrap the web around the bar, in the manner before
described.
While I have shown my improvements applied to a safety pin device. it should
be understood that my invention is not limited to this particular kind of a device.
In Figs. 13, 15 and 17 I have shown a webbing attaching device of a somewhat
different character. The frame is bent up from a single piece of wire, the ends
of the wire being butt-jointed, as indicated on the line, c, Fig. 17, and a sleeve
or tube of sheet metal, E, is turned around the joint. The sides of the frame are
set in and the cross bar. D), is of the same construction as that shown in Fig. 2,
and is applied to the sides of the frame in the same manner.
The frame above and below the cross bar may be of the same or unequal widths,
this being a matter of taste, and determined somewhat by the particular location
in which the device is to be used.
In the particular instance shown the frame below the cross bar is considerably
wider than that above it, making the slot or opening, X. wider than the slot or
opening. Z. in order to facilitate the use of wider clastic webbing.
The manner of using this device is illustrated particularly in Fig. 13. The
loop of the webbing, 2, (preferably non-elastic) is passed around the upper end
of the frame, and its ends are stitched to the belt or waist-band, E. The web-
bing. A, is applied in precisely the way before described in connection with
Figs. and 2, and the greater width of the slot, Y, permits the lateral expansion
of the webbing so that it practically covers the cross har.
Other ways of embodying my invention might be shown and described, but
those above described are deemed to be sufficient.
The next part of my invention relates to the improved buckle shown in Figs. 1, 5.
6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12, and 14. It will be observed that each of these figures illus-
trates details of the principal fentures of my invention.
The gist of my invention in this connection being a slide bar buckle consisting
of a frame having upper and lower cross bars and side bars connecting them: a
bar attached to the side bars of the frame adapted to slide thereon and provided
with spurs or teeth on its lower edge, and with means for attaching the webbing
in combination with webbing extending through the frame between the upper

page_text: and lower cross bars thereof and the opposite edges of the slide bar and around
the spurs and another web attached to the slide bar and extending downwardly
therefrom. Another feature of my invention, which is preferably used in connec-
tion with the spurred or toothed slide bar, but which may be used (so far as the
broad features of this part of the invention are concerned) without the spurs or
teeth, is the use of a frame narrower both inside and outside at its central portion
than at its upper and lower ends, in connection with a bar adapted to slide on
the central portion of the frame without abutting against the upper cross bar
thereof, whereby a relatively wide slot is provided at the upper end of the frame
through which a relatively wide web passes which covers or partially covers or
conceals the side bars of the frame, the slide bar being limited in its movement
so as to at all times leave an unobstructed slot at the top of the frame.
As to the details of construction. these are preferably as illustrated in Figs. 5,
6 and 7, in which the frame G, is shown of a general rectangular shape and formed
by bending a piece of wire to form side bars, g, and upper and lower cross bars, g',
The side bars are preferably set in a little, as indicated, as this results in the
formation of projections, h, that act as stops to limit the upward movement of the
slide and the formation of guides in which the webbing runs. It also causes the
webbing, which may be of a width slightly in excess of the width of the central
or guide opening in the frame, to cover the sides of the frame and the ends of the
slide running thereon, as illustrated in Fig. 1, so that when in use only the upper
and lower cross bars of the frame are visible.
The end bar of the frame, which in this instance is the lower bar. where the
two ends of the wire abut may be enclosed in a sleeve, which serves to conceal
the ends of the wire and forms a smooth round surface against or opposite which
the webbing draws. The slide, H, is mounted upon the side bars, g, of the frame,
and slides thereon. It may be made of sheet metal and carried over at the ends
to form sleeves or eyes that embrace the side bars of the frame. The parts thus
carried over are preferably notched, as indicated at, in line with the slot, f.
that is formed in the bar, the purpose and effect of which are to allow the full
length of the slot, f, to be utilized and the recesses formed by so cutting away
the metal constitute guides that receive the edge of the webbing.
The edge of the slide har above the slot may be made smooth and rounded by
turning over a lip, f, as indicated. The opposite or lower edge of the slide is
formed with projecting spurs or teeth, m. The strip of webbing, X, which I call
the supporting webbing, and to which the garment supporters or clasps, are
attached, is connected with the slide bars.
In this instance the connection is made by threading the webbing through the
slot, f. and between the upper edge of the slide bar and the inner edge of the
upper cross bar of the frame. The webbing, A. which I call the suspending
webbing, and to which a fastening device (such as a safety pin, 13.) is attached,
and which is usually elastic webbing, is threaded between the upper bar of the
frame and the slide bar, thence across the front of the slide bar, and thence
between the lower edge of the slide bar, past the spurs or teeth, and the inner
edge of the lower cross bar of the frame.
It will be observed that the webbing, X, tends to give a downward pull to the
slide bar, while the webbing, A, exerts a strain in the opposite direction, the effect
being to cause the teeth, m, to enter the webbing, A. and securely hold it when
the parts are in use.
It will also be observed, by reference to Fig. 1. that the webbing. A, conceals
the cross bar and also the side bars of the frame. If the free end of the webbing, A.
be grasped with one hand, and the two branches of the webbing, X. be grasped
with the other hand close to the buckle, and a strain he applied to the end of
the webbing. A, the effect will be that the resulting strain in the opposite direc-
tion upon the webbing. X. will raise the slide bar. moving its teeth away from the
lower cross bar of the frame, and the webbing, A, may be readily drawn past the
teeth to shorten it.

page_text: On the other hand, if it be desired to lengthen the webbing, A, it is only
necessary to hold the webbing, X, as before, at the slide or the slide by the sides,
and pull up the loop of webbing lying over the face of the buckle, exerting the
strain in such direction as to draw the free end of the webbing up between the
teeth of the slide and the lower cross bar of the frame.
The webbing cannot slip in use, and any strain applied to the webbing draws
the slide down, and the teeth thereon engage the webbing, A, and hold it securely.
The webbing, X, to which the garment supporters are attached, may be readily
drawn through the slide bar to equalize the length of the two ends or to make
one longer than the other, as may be desired, but when the strain is applied the
webbing holds in its adjusted position. In some cases only a single length of
webbing, X, carrying a single clasp is employed, and in that event the upper
end of the webbing may be threaded through the slide in the manner shown and
stitched to or otherwise secured upon itself.
There are numerous ways in which the buckle might be constructed and used
in connection with webbing and yet be within the scope of my invention.
For instance, in Figs. 8 and 9, the open rectangular frame is shown as struck
up from sheci metal leaving wings on each of the four sides, those, 4, at the upper
and lower ends being turned over outwardly to give a rounded edge, and those
at the sides being bent inwardly to form ears or grooves, n', in which the straight
or flat ends of the slide bar, D. work.
Figs. 10 and 11 show a similar construction, except that the sides are formed
with projections, o, near their ends and the slide is hent up from a length of wire
whose two painted ends, p, form the spurs or teeth of the slide bar.
Fig. 14 shows a portion of the rectangular frame cut out of sheet metal, and
having projections, extending inwardly from the side bars adjacent to the
upper end of the frame.
Fig. 12 shows a frame made of wire and the ends of the sheet metal slide split
so that the central tongue, g, may be hent in one direction and the tongues q, on
each side thereof in the opposite direction so as to form open jaws that run upon
the side bars of the frame.
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. A garment supporter device, comprising a metal frame having at one end
means for attaching it to a garment, and provided with cross bar bridging the
space between the upper and lower ends of the frame, and formed with flexible
or bendable teeth pointing in the same general direction, and which are adapted to
extend into and he turned inwardly upon the webbing, in combination with
webbing, one end of which is attached to the cross bar by the teeth which are
turned down upon it.
2. A garment supporter device, comprising a frame bridged by a cross har
having teeth pointing in the same general direction crosswise at the bar, in
combination with webbing one end of which is attached to the teeth and which
is passed through the frame above and below the cross bar and covers the front
and rear faces and both longitudinal edges thereof.
3. A garment supporter device, adapted to be attached to webbing, comprising
a frame, a sheet metal cross bar whose ends are bent tightly around the sides of
the frame, and which has teeth located opposite the face or inside the longitudinal
edges of the cross bar, and a bent over lip at the edge of the bar adjacent to the
end of the teeth, all substantially as and for the purpose set forth
4. A garment supporter device adapted to be attached to webbing, consisting
of a frame made of wire and having its opposite sides ant in, a sheet metal cross bar
hoving its ends bent around and secured to the set-in sides of the frame, and also
having teeth located opposite the face or inside the longitudinal edges of the cross

page_text: bar, and a bent-over lip at the upper edge adjacent to the ends of the teeth, all
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
5. A slide-bar buckle consisting of a frame having upper and lower cross-bars
and side bars connecting them, a bar attached to the side bars of the frame adapted
to slide thereon and provided with spurs or teeth on its lower edge, and with means
for the attachment of a webbing, in combination with webbing extending through
the frame between the upper and lower cross bars thereof, and the opposite edges
of the slide bar, and around the spurs and another web attached to the slide bar
and extending downwardly therefrom.
6. A slide bar buckle consisting of a frame having upper and lower cross bars
and side bars connecting them, and a bar attached to the side bars of the frame
adapted to slide thereon, provided with spurs or teeth on its lower edge, and with
means for attaching a webbing, in combination with webbing extending through
the frame between the upper and lower cross bars thereof and the opposite edges
of the slide bar, and around the spurs and another web attached to the slide bar
and adapted to exert a downward pull thereon to cause the spurs or teeth to engage
the first-mentioned webbing.
7. A slide bar buckle consisting of a frame having upper and lower cross bars
and side bars connecting them, a slotted toothed bar attached to the side bars of
the frame and adapted to slide thereon, in combination with a web extending
through the frame between the upper and lower cross bars and the opposite edges
of the slide bar, and around the spurs and another web extending through the
slot of the slide bar and over the upper edge thereof and adapted to exert a down-
ward pull thereon to cause the spurs to engage the first-mentioned webbing.
8. A buckle consisting of an open frame narrower both inside and outside at
its central portion than at its upper and lower ends, and a bar mounted to slide
on the central portion of the frame without abutting against the upper cross bar
thereof, whereby relatively wide slots (the upper one of which is always unob-
structed) are provided at the ends of the frame to permit the insertion of a
relatively wide webbing that covers or partially covers and conceals the side bars
of the frame in combination with webbing extending through said slots.
9. A slide bar buckle consisting of an open rectangular frame formed of a bent
length of wire and having the sides set in to form guides for a slide-bar and to
provide widened openings for the webbing at the top and bottom of the frame,
and a central portion which is narrower both inside and outside than the upper
and lower ends of the frame, and a slide bar struck up from sheet metal with its
ends curled around the sides of the frame formed with a slot and having projecting
spurs or teeth on its lower edge in combination with webbing extending through
the slots or openings above and below the slide bar and other webbing extending
through the slot in the slide bar.
10. A slide bar buckle consisting of an open rectangular frame formed of a
bent length of wire, and a slide bar struck up from sheet metal with its ends curled
around the sides of the frame formed with a slot and having the curled-over
edges of the metal cut away opposite the ends of the slot in combination with
webbing extending through to the rectangular frame and other webbing extending
through the slot of the slide bar.
11. A device for attaching the upper end of the webbing of a garment supporter
to a garment, substantially as herein shown and described.
12. A slide bar buckle, substantially as herein shown and described.
TY
1 T
A
1000
ROBERT GORTON.