Improvements in Dress Stays.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application. 22nd July, 1892-Accepted, 3rd Sept., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Dress Stays.
I WILLIAM JOHN NESBITT of 28 Fitzwarren Street Pendleton in the County
of Lancaster, Mechanic, 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 :-
"
This invention relates to the manufacture of strips of spring steel or other metal
or suitable material covered with a woven fabric, which are known by the name of
"dress stays
and are adapted to be sewn or otherwise applied to the inside of the
waist of ladies and childrens dresses to support and improve the set of the same:
and prevent the formation of unsightly wrinkles or creases.
The objects of the present invention are to improve the manufacture and
appearance of the woven covering of such metal or other strips to improve the
latter and to prevent the ends of the cover from being worn through by the
pressure and friction of the ends of the metal springs; and the nature of my said
invention will be readily understood on reference to the illustrative drawings.
hereunto annexed and the following explanation thereof.
.
Fig. 1 on the drawing is an elevation of one of my improved metal springs.
Fig. 2 illustrates the form of metal spring hitherto adopted, and
Fig. 3 is an external view of one of my improved "dress stays" with its woven.
cover complete.
"
One of the principal objections to the "dress stays as now ordinarily made is
that the ends of the steel or other metal spring or strip a (see Fig. 2) are made of
a convex rounded form, the intention being doubtless to prevent the sharp corners
of the metal from cutting through the woven covering or case.
This convex form however has been found to be inefficient for the purpose as the
convex end is found to cut through the woven fabric first at the centre of the
curve, and when once this has been effected its convex form assists in enlarging
the opening and the end of the spring projects in an unsightly and even dangerous
manner.
To remedy this defect according to my invention I make the ends of the metal.
spring or strip a concave (as shown at Fig. 1) instead of convex as usual which
considerably decreases the surface subject to pressure and friction, and even if the
extreme rounded edges or corners b on each side should cause the end of the woven
covering to be worn through at these points, the central portion which lies in the
concave part at the end of the spring or strip a not being subject to wear or
friction, will hence remain entire and not allow the end of the metal spring or
strip a to escape and protrude through the covering.
My improvement in the woven covering or case c of dress stays consists in the
introduction therein at both edges of a cord d (Fig. 3) during the process of
weaving, such cord not being woven in the manner of the ordinary warp but drawn
in through what are known in "leno-weaving " as doup healds" or other similar
device whereby the cord instead of lying in a straight line like the other warps is
crossed over the latter backwards and forwards at intervals, so as to form a kind of
raised scalloped edging as shown at Fig. 3 whereby it may be conveniently and
securely sewn to the waist of the dress and has at the same time a pleasing and
ornamental effect. When the strip has been inserted in the covering, caps e are
placed over the ends and the whole secured together by cyclets f.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
First. A spring strip for "dress stays
purpose described.
"
having its ends concave as and for the
Secondly. The introduction into the edges of the woven cover of dress stays
(during the process of weaving) of the raised scalloped edging by means of cords
crossed backwards and forwards over the straight warp threads as described and
illustrated and,
Thirdly. The combination of the concave ended metal spring woven covering
with scalloped edging, caps for protecting the ends of the same and eyelets for
securing the whole together substantially as described and illustrated.
Dated this 21st day of July 1892.
GEO. DAVIES & SON,
4, St. Ann's Square, Manchester, Agents for the Applicant.
GEO. DAVIES & SON,
4, St. Ann's Square, Manchester, Agents for the Applicant.