Improved Method of and Means for Hanging Skirts and the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Method of and Means for Hanging Skirts and the like.
I, CICELY FULCHER, of 11, Kingdon Road, West Hampstead, in the County of
Middlesex, Spinster, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to a certain improved method of hanging up ladies' skirts,
capes and such like articles to which pressure in irregular folds is injurious and
causes unsightly creases, while a slight pressure acting on the regular folds and a
slight stretching, due to their weight, is beneficial. The object is the prevention of
creases in the article suspended by this method especially when a number are super-
posed on one hook in close proximity, preservation of the apparel, and economy of
space in wardrobes, hanging cupboards, and so forth, and my invention further
comprises certain special construction of spring hanging clips to be used in effecting
this method.
According to my improved method I fold the skirt flat in three or four folds being
careful to see that no irregular creases occur, and I secure together the folded base
or hem (not the waist band) with a spring clip fitted with means for suspending the
whole, the skirt thus hanging upside down in regular folds and being subject to the
straightening and stretching effect of its own weight, and if need be, by suitably
applied additional weights.
The clip consists of a pair of side pieces or holders which may be of wood of
suitable length to receive the folded base of the skirt between them. The inner
parts of each are cut away at and about each end with the object of leaving enlarged
end spaces to receive the turns of the folds so that these will not be nipped
or marked by the pressure, and I may line the inner faces of both holders with cloth,
leather, or other soft and non-injurious material which may or may not be padded.
To fix these two specially constructed side pieces or holders together with ease and
rapidity, I may employ a sufficiently strong and wide metal spring. This is preferably
of circular form and may be continuous throughout the whole length of the holders
or extending only for a short distance centrally thereof, or I may use more than one
such spring connector suitably spaced apart. Or I may use end clips one preferably
permanently connecting one pair of ends and the other removable or only in part
fixed so as to be thrown back while inserting the skirt and afterwards turned forward
and suitably engaged. Such end clips will not touch the skirt but only embrace the
two ends of the holder. In convenient position upon the upper side of said spring
clips I provide eyes, rings or other appliances for attaching a cord or chain for hanging
the whole to any ordinary wardrobe hook or hooks and this cord or chain may be
supplied with a hook for hanging articles on a bar and stand.
Dated the 3rd day of November 1897.

page_text: Improved Method of and Means for Hanging Skirts and the like.
I, CICELY FULCHER, of 11, Kingdon Road, West Hampstead, in the County of
Middlesex, Spinster, 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:-
My invention relates to a certain improved method of and means for hanging up
ladies' skirts, capes, and any other articles to which pressure upon irregular folds is
injurious and causes unsightly creases, while a slight pressure acting on the material
and a slight stretching, due to gravity is beneficial. The objects are the prevention
of creases in the article suspended, especially when a number are superposed in close
proximity, also preservation of the apparel, and economy of space in wardrobes,
hanging cupboards, and so forth; and my invention further comprises certain special
constructions of spring clips for the articles to be suspended.
In carrying out my invention, I fold the article, if a skirt, flat by the hem in
three or four folds being careful to see that no irregular creases occur, and I secure
together the folded base or hem (not the 'waist band) with a special kind of spring
clip fitted with means for suspending the whole; a skirt would thus hang upside
down in regular folds and be subject to the straightening and stretching effect of its
own weight, aided if need be, by suitably applied additional weights.
I will fully describe the means for effecting the above purpose in reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which Figs. 1 and 3 are perspective views of two forms
of my improved hanging clips. Figs. 2 and 4 are respectively cross-sections of Figs. 1
and 2, and Fig. 5 is a plan of Fig. 3.
In my improved clips I employ a pair of side pieces or holders A which may be
made of wood, metal or other suitable material and of appropriate length adapted to
receive the folded edge of the article, or base of a skirt between them. The inner
parts of such holders A are each cut away at and about each end as shown at A¹ in
order to provide enlarged end spaces for receiving the turns of the end folds of the skirt,
or other article, so that these will not be nipped or marked by the pressure applied by
the clip proper. The inner faces A2 of both holders may be lined with cloth, leather,
or other soft and non-injurious material and may also, if desired, be padded.
The two side pieces or holder A A are connected and pressed evenly together by
metal springs. In Figs. 1 and 2 I have illustrated an arrangement consisting of a
pair of plates P P which may be conveniently cut to the form shown and attached by
the parts pp to the two holders. These plates are bent to the form shown in the
figures and their upper parts are enclosed and acted upon by the spring B which is
slotted at 6 to allow the projections P¹ on the plates P to pass through and form a
hand operating device by which the clip may be easily opened to required extent.
In Figs. 3 and 4 and 5 I have shown an arrangement of two springs, the one B is
permanently attached to both holders A A while the other B¹, is only connected at B2
to one of the holders and is held in position on the other holder by means of a pin or
çatch or equivalent holding device such as A³ provided on such holder, and passing
through a hole in the extremity of the spring. Thus by removing the end of the
spring B¹ from its holder this latter can be opened as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 5
to facilitate the insertion of the skirt or other article between the holders, after which
they are closed up and the free end of the spring B¹ secured by slipping over the
pin A³.
As will be seen from the drawings the springs are always arranged so that
they do not touch the article but only embrace the sides, ends or other convenient
parts of the holders.

page_text: In some cases several of these spring clips may be coupled together so as to form
a multiple hanger for the purpose of economizing space in hanging dresses or the
like.
I also provide eyes or rings or equivalents such as C in convenient positions upon
the upper side of each holder for attaching a cord chain or wire D thereto and such
cord or chain may be provided with a ring E, or hook, for suspending the device from
a bar or stand.
The effect of springs thus arranged is to cause the holder to apply and maintain
an even and regular pressure upon the material, no matter how thick it may be,
except at the end folds which are not subjected to any pressure whatever.
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
Clip appliances for hanging skirts and other articles after the manner above set
forth, consisting of two or more side pieces cut away internally about their ends for
securely holding the article or articles without pressing the end turns of the folds,
and provided with spring connections so arranged that the appliance can be opened
to admit of the insertion and adjustment of the article or articles and then closed
securing same and exerting a light and resilient pressure thereupon, whereby the
article can not be creased or injured, substantially as herein set forth.
1000