Year: 1888

page_text: I, ROSE EDEN ABINGER FENWICK Spinster, 33 Earls Court Square South Kensington,
London, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
By the application of three or any other number of wires, whalebones, celluloid,
canes bent wood, or any other suitable material I arrange that bonnets.are made
collapsible and may be compressed for packing or if oven need be used as fans. They
may be joined at their junctions by loops, hinges or any similar contrivanco or may be
simply hung by tapes or sockets of any suitable material. The bonnet may be con-
structed of any material. I.also apply the same principle to caps, giving great facility
for packing.

page_text: A New and Improved Collapsible Hat, Bonnet, or Cap.
ROSE EDEN ABINGER FENWICK 33 Earls Court Square South Kensington
London S.W. 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 consists in the simple construction of a collapsible frame or shape for
bonnets hats or caps so as when not in use or when it is required to pack same the
bonnet hat or cap may be folded up into a small compass and unfolded without injury
or alteration to the shape or trimming and is carried out in the following manner.
provide a suitable frame or shape for a bonnet hat or cap which is constructed of two
or more wires (preferably three) & are bent to the desired shape of the bonnet hat or
cap to be constructed and this forms the shape or configuration of the bonnet hat or
cap which carries the trimming of any suitable material. This said frame or shape
containing the said wires or whalebone or other suitable material or metal is jointed or
fixed so as the said wires or other material or metal will fold up flat and unfold when
required. In the accompanying drawing I have shown a bonnet containing three
wires which form the collapsible frame or shape and these said wires are secured or
fastened at each of their ends to a piece of muslin, leather or other suitable material
which keeps them in position and allows the wires to move freely and serves as a hinge
and allows the frame to fold and unfold. I do not bind myself to this method of
securing or fastening the ends of the said wires. I may adopt any suitable method
of securing or fastening the ends of the said wires as will not encumber the folding
and unfolding of the frame; I do not bind myself to the specific number of wires to
form the said collapsible frame or shape of bonnet. I find three wires suitable to the
shape & make of bonnet as shown in the annexed drawing but in other shapes and
makes of bonnets hats or caps 1 may use more or less number of wires in different
shapes when expedient which when secured and arranged according to this invention
will form a collapsible frame to fold and unfold the bonnet hat or cap. It will be
readily understood that this collapsible bonnet hat or cap will overcome a great incon-
venience and supply a long felt want; for instance ladies visiting theatres can take off
their bonnet hat or cap fold it up and put it in their pocket or use it as a fan without
the slightest inconvenience or injury to the bonnet, or without creasing or crushing it.
In the accompanying drawing
Fig. 1 shows a side view of a trimmed collapsible bonnet frame or shape containing
three wires which fold up when required.
Figs. 2 & 3 show side and front views of a collapsible bonnet frame or shape con-
taining three wires A. B. C fastened at D. These three wires are fastened at their
each corresponding end to a piece of muslin or leather or other suitable material E

page_text: which keeps them in position and serves as a hinge and is so arranged as to prevent
the ends of the wires projecting through the material. A is the front wire of bonnet
B the middle wire C back wire.
Fig. 4 shows a side view of a trimmed bonnet when folded and as used as a fan.
Figs. 5 & 6 show side and front views of the folded frame.
Having fully described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and the
purpose for which it is invented what I claim is
Hats bonnets or Caps made up on frames of wire hinged together and arranged
substantially as described.
E. EATON & Co.,
Agents for Applicant.