IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF HELMETS, HATS, CAP PEAKS, AND OTHER ARTICLES USUALLY MADE OF PATENT LEATHER
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John William Towell, of Regent Street, in the County of
Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
HELMETS, HATS, CAP PEAKS, AND OTHER ARTICLES USUALLY MADE OF PATENT
LEATHER."
caled the 6th November 1877, and dated the 20th May 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John William Towell at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th May 1877.
JOHN WILLIAM TOWELL, of Regent Street, in the County of Middlesex. "Iм-
PROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF HELMETS, HATS, CAP PEAKS, AND OTHER
ARTICLES USUALLY MADE OF PATENT LEATHER."
My Invention relates to the manufacture of helmets, cap peaks, military pouches,
and other articles usually made of " patent leather, which is generally stiffened
with a backing of common leather or cardboard, or other suitable material, and the
Invention consists in the employment, as a substitute for "patent" or enamelled
leather, and for the backing or stiffening above referred to, either of enamelled
cork, that is to say, sheet cork, enamelled or japanned by any of the ordinary
processes; or sheet cork covered with a woven fabric, enamelled or japanned, in
imitation of "patent" leather, and finished as desired,
By this Invention, not only is the cost considerably reduced, but the finished
article is lighter and more durable, as it will not crack or break so easily as the
patent" leather at present employed.
"

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
tho said John William Towell in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 26th
November 1877.
"IM-
JOHN WILLIAM TOWELL, of Regent Street, in the County of Middlesex.
PROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF HELMETS, HATS, CAP PEAKS, AND OTHER
ARTICLES USUALLY MADE OF PATENT LEATHER.”
My Invention relates to the manufacture of helmets, hats, cap peaks, pouches,
and other articles usually made of "patent" leather, upon a backing or foundation
of common leather or cardboard, and the Invention consists in the employment as
a substitute for the "patent" or enamelled leather, and for the backing or foundation
above referred to, either of enamelled cork (that is to say, sheet cork enamelled or
japanned by any of the ordinary processes, and of any color required so as to present
the appearance of patent leather), or plain sheet cork covered with a woven fabric,
which is glued or cemented to the cork, and afterwards enamelled or japanned in
imitation of "patent leather."
The cork may, to increase its tenacity, be covered on the back with a woven
fabric.
Instead of using a single thick sheet of cork in the manufacture of helmet or
other article in which strength is an object, I find it preferable to employ several
thicknesses of sheet cork glued or cemented together, the outer layer being
énamelled or japanned on the external surface as before.
A solution of india-rubber or marine glue answers best for attaching the fabric
to the cork, or the different layers of cork to one another.
By my Invention the cost of manufacturing the helmet, hat, peak, or other
article is considerably reduced, but the finished article is lighter and more durable,
and the material being pliable, is not so liable to crack as the "patent leather at
present employed.
"
Having described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of performing the
same, I declare that what I claim as my Invention to be protected by the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent is, the manufacture of helmets, hats, cap peaks,
and pouches (and other articles which are usually made of "patent" leather, on a
backing or foundation), of enamelled or japanned cork, or of cork covered with a
fabric japanned or enamelled, substantially as specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said John William Towell, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven..