Improvements in Dress Shields.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Oct., 1891-Accepted, 28th Nov., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Dress Shields.
A communication from ISAAC BENJAMIN KLEINERT, of 26 to 32, East Houston
Street, New York City, New York, United States of America, Dress Shield
Manufacturer.
I. Alfred JuliUS BOULT, of 323 High Holborn, London, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent, 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 improvement relates more particularly to that class of shields which are
formed of textile fabric lined with rubber, and the invention consists in the peculiar
construction, arrangement and combinations of parts hereinafter more particularly
described and then definitely claimed.
The accompanying drawing represents a perspective view of a dress shield,
constructed according to this improvement, with one corner turned up to show
other portions that would otherwise be hidden.
In the ordinary dress shield, as commonly made, the curved shape causes the
portions of the edge about midway between the highest and lowest parts to curl
over and lie in wrinkles, thus leaving a part that should be protected, uncovered,
besides injuring the wrinkled part of the shield, and causing an uneasy feeling to
the wearer, owing to the wrinkle. To avoid this, is the object of this invention,
which I accomplish by making the sides and bottom of the shield substantially
straight and preferably square, as shown.
In carrying out this invention, I take two pieces of textile fabric A, (preferably
woven) each having three of its edges substantially straight, and two of them
preferably at right angles to the bottom one, and its upper portion curved in the
usual form of the tops of dress shields. These curved portions are united in any
way, but preferably by sewing, and their edges may be bound, or hemmed, as
desired, as shown at a. Between the two pieces, I then set a double layer B, of
rubber, or other approved waterproof material of the ordinary dress shield shape,
which I generally secure therein by sewing each layer to that part of the textile
fabric nearest it by a line of sewing C, thus making a lining of waterproof material
of the ordinary dress shield shape and size.
This lining of waterproof material may be made of one piece, or of two pieces
joined together at the curved edge, but preferably of a single piece, and it may be
united by cement to the textile fabric, or not, as desired, or be formed by coating
the fabric in any known manner, to suit the taste of dealers, or users, or, if preferred,
the entire inner surface of the textile fabric may be coated with waterproof material,
and may have a second covering of textile fabric so as to entirely hide said
waterproof material.
By this arrangement, the entire surface of the shield is caused to lie flat, and
thus the corresponding surface of the dress, covered by the waterproof lining, is
bound to be reliably protected, the injury to the dress prevented and discomfort to
the wearer avoided.
Another advantage is, that the edges can be seamed securely into the seams of
the waist without necessitating the puncturing of the body of the dress by the line
of stitching around the curve of the dress shield which stitches must, of necessity,
be very slight and therefore insecure, so that they are apt to break away, thus
leaving the shield in a condition likely to be displaced by the motion of the body.
I do not limit myself to the exact shape shown, as the bottom edge may be
slightly curved, or the shield may be either narrower or wider at the top than at
the bottom without departing from the spirit of my invention,

page_text: Nor do I limit myself to a woven fabric, as stockinet may be used, if preferred,
in which case I should prefer to make the textile fabric without scam at the inner
curve and formed into shape in the usual manner but in this case it would be
advisable, in the practical manufacture, to make the protected part of the shield in
the usual manner and then stitch onto it pieces to make the bottom square. It may
become a mattor of economy, in ordinary bound shields, to have the squaring piece
separate; and again, in expensive silk shields, it may become a matter of strength,
as well as economy, to attach to the silk shield proper, a squaring piece of cotton
fabric.
I sometimes add tapes T at the lower corners, as shown, which tapes may be
attached to the dress by sewing the ends into the seams, or otherwise, but these
tapes maj. he omitted.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :
1st. A dress shield having its sides substantially straight, as and for the purpose
specified.
2nd. A dress shield having its edges substantially straight, and provided with
tapes at the corners, substantially as described.
3rd. A dress shield having its edges substantially straight, and the waterproof
lining of the ordinary crescent shape, substantially as described.
4th. As an improved article of manufacture, a dress shield comprising a covering
of textile fabric having its top edge curved and its side and bottom edges straight,
and a waterproof lining of double crescent shape of smaller size than said covering,
and having its concave-curved edges fitting under the curved edges of the
covering, and its convex-curved edges attached to the inner sides of the same at
a distance from the straight edges, all substantially as herein shown and described.
Dated this 7th day of October 1891.