Improvements in or connected with Corsets.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 7th May, 1896-Accepted, 13th June, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Corsets.
I, GIOVANNI PAOLO FESTA of 63, Grosvenor Street, Grosvenor Square,
London, Gentleman, 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 improvements in corsets and refers more particularly
for those intended for use when cycling or other extreme form of exercise is being
taken. The object of this invention is to provide an extremely light corset giving
perfect ventilation, so as to allow free vent for the exhalations of the body
consequent upon such exercise, while the said corset is fitted with special elastic
hip gussets arranged so as to expand with the movements of the legs, such as occur
either in operating the pedals of a cycle or in horse riding.
My improved corset is further formed with a high back enclosing the shoulder
blades which has the effect of greatly improving the appearance of the bodice worn
over the corset, at the same time affording support to the spine without pressure;
and as there are no steels or other metal stiffenings employed in its construction,
the danger resulting from the breakage of such steels is avoided.
In order that my invention may be fully understood I will now proceed to
describe same with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a
general view of the corset laid out flat and Fig. 2 a view of the elastic gusset
drawn full size.
As shown in Fig. 1 my improved corset will be seen to consist of a series of
pieces of light netting or canvas which while affording a firm support to the body
allow of perfect ventilation. The stiffening ribs rare of whalebone or other
similar material, and encased in the ordinary manner, while the corset is formed
with a bigh back b so as to cover and support the shoulder blades and prevent
them projecting above the corset and showing through the dress. The corset is
furnished with a suitable number of buckle fastenings upon one side, a corre-
sponding number of tabs t being secured to the other and designed to pass through
the aforesaid buckles. The elastic gussets g are so shaped or fashioned as to bulge
slightly at the parts lightly shaded in Fig. 2, so as to readily give to all movements
of the hip, while two ribbons, tapes or the like a are provided, so that the corset
may be retained around the waist while the said fastenings are secured, and the
whole corset is finished off in any suitable manner so as to present a neat and
ornamental appearance.
By the use or employment of a loose canvas or netting as shown, an extremely
light yet strong corset is secured, affording firm support to the wearer while at
the same time giving readily to all movements of the body, the various shaped
portions or sections of which it is constructed being sewn or secured together in
the ordinary manner.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performned, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The new or improved corset constructed or formed of light canvas or netting
in combination with special elastic gussets such as g and furnished with a high
back 6 for the purpose of enclosing or covering the shoulder blades, the whole
combined, arranged and constructed substantially as herein described and shown
and for the purposes specified.

page_text: 2. The improvements in or connected with corsets substantially as herein
described and shown and for the purposes specified.
Dated this 4th day of May 1896.
F. G. CASSELL
(Of Cassell & Co.),
22, Glasshouse Street, Regent Street, London, W.,
Agent for the Applicant.
F. G. CASSELL
(Of Cassell & Co.),
22, Glasshouse Street, Regent Street, London, W.,
Agent for the Applicant.