Improvements in Belts, Shoulder Straps, and the like, adapted to be Used as Cloaks or Similar Garments.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 17th July, 1894-Accepted, 1st Sept., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Belts, Shoulder Straps, and the like, adapted to
be Used as Cloaks or Similar Garments.
I, EDMUND RICE, of Post Office Box 2926 Boston, Massachusetts, United
States of America, Colonel in the United States Army, do hereby declare the
ature 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 belts, shoulder straps, and similar devices, adapted to be
worn upon the person to support articles to be carried, and the objects in view are
to provide a belt with extensions or flaps, which, when spread, adapt the device for
use as a garment, either for citizens or soldiery; and furthermore to provide the
device with supporting or suspending appliances, which may be used when the
article is used as a belt or shoulder strap, or as a garment and to provide means for
fastening the device to the person when used in either capacity.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following
description.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a view of the device with the flaps or extensions spread out, as when
in use as a garment.
Figure 2 is a view of the device folded and adapted for use as a belt or shoulder
strap.
Figure 3 is a view of the device provided with extensions or flaps of different
form from those shown in Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a view of the same with the extensions or flaps folded.
Figure 5 is a front view of the device shown in Figure 1 in use as a garment.
Figure 6 is a rear view of the same.
Figure 7 is a front view showing the manner of using both of the devices
illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, as garments.
Figure 8 is a view of said devices shown in Figures 1 and 3, illustrating the
manner of using the same respectively as a belt and a shoulder strap.
Figure 9 is a view showing the manner of using said devices as shoulder straps.
Figure 10 is a side view showing the manner of using one of the devices as a
garment, and the other as a strap.
Figure 11 is an inside view of the device shown in Figure 3.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures of the
drawings.
The construction or form of the flaps or extensions, which are used in connection
with the improved belt, is an immaterial feature of my invention, in that it be
varied to suit the desired shape of the garment when extended.
may
In Figure 1, I have shown flaps A, which are constructed to form a chest and
loin protector, adapted especially for use in the military service, but which may be
worn by others engaged in out of door occupation. In Figure 3, on the other
hand, I have shown the device provided with extensions or flaps B, which are
constructed to form a cape, adapted to be worn around the shoulders. It should
be understood however, that I do not limit myself to any particular form of flaps
or extensions.
The belt or strap proper is shown at a, and when the device is designed for use
in the military service, said belt or strap is preferably provided with receptacles
for cartridges. This belt is provided near its extremities with series of eyelete b,
adapted to facilitate the fastening of the device around the waist or over the
shoulder by means of hooks, lacings, or other means in common use for this purpose,

page_text: and therefore not illustrated in the drawings. The belt or strap proper is further
provided at intervals with flexible straps or holding devices e, adapted to be
extended around the flaps or extensions when the latter are rolled, or folded,
contiguous to the belt or strap proper, in order to hold said flaps or extensions in a
compact roll or bundle resembling a belt or strap.
Referring to the form of my invention which is shown in Figure 1, the extremities
of the upper flap are provided with a hook c, and an eye c' to facilitate the fastening
of the garment around the throat of the wearer, and secured to the flaps are
strengthening bands, to which are attached hooks and eyelets b', adapted to be
used to support a haversack, canteen, or other article, which the wearer desires to
carry.
Referring to the form of my invention which is illustrated in Figures 3 and 11,
the flaps are provided with eyelets 6', to facilitate fastening around the throat of
the wearer, and with bands or straps f provided with eyelets g adapted to support
a haversack, canteen or the like.
It will be understood that the specific construction of the means for securing the
ends of the belt or strap together, when the device is used as a belt or strap, and
the means for supporting or suspending articles to be carried by the wearer,
whether the device is in its folded or extended condition, may be varied without
departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of my invention, and
that the particular shape of the flaps or extensions, and of the means for holding
such flaps or extensions, when folded may be modified to suit the particular use for
which the improved belt is designed.
1
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 :-
1. A belt or strap provided with flaps or extensions adapted to be spread to form
a garment, substantially as specified.
2. A belt having a body portion, and flexible flaps or extensions, said flaps
adapted when extended to form a garment and when folded to lie contiguous to the
body portion, substantially as specified.
3. A belt provided with flaps or extensions adapted to be spread to form a
garment, and means for holding the flaps or extensions when folded, substantially
as specified.
4. A belt provided with terminal fastening devices and having flaps or extensions
provided with means for holding the same in position when in use as a garment,
substantially as specified.
5. A belt provided with flaps or extensions and short straps attached to the
belt and adapted to secure said flaps or extensions when folded, substantially a6
specified.
6. A belt provided with flaps or extensions and supporting or suspending devices
attached to the said flaps or extensions and adapted to be engaged with articles to
be carried, substantially as specified.
7. In a belt, the combination of a body portion, flaps or extensions adapted to be
folded contiguous to the body portiou, and supporting or suspending devices
adapted to be exposed when the flaps or extensions are folded, substantially as
specified.
Dated this 17th day of July 1894.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.