Improvements in Dress or Skirt Lifters and Holders.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 12th June, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 9th Mar., 1894-Accepted, 21st Apr., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Dress or Skirt Lifters and Holders.
I, JOHN HENRY TYLER of 51 Daneville Road Denmark Hill in the County of
Surrey Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVE-
MENTS IN DRESS OR SKIRT LIFTERS AND HOLDERS to be as follows:-
My invention relates to apparatus for lifting holding and lowering a ladies
dress skirt or jupe which may be actuated at the front of the waist and worn on the
outside or underside of the garment. A tube groove or casing of metal or other
suitable material preferably in halves or segments united by a hinge, spring, leather
or other flexible substance is bent to encircle the waist and may be attached to a
waistbelt or band of material suitable for the purpose-a clasp, buckle, hook and
eye or other catch is attached to fasten the front and a mouth piece or lip formed
or a grooved sheave free to revolve on a pin may be fitted at any of the ends-
providing the material is sufficiently pliable for the tube groove or casing to be
formed in one piece openings are made at the back and mouth pieces or lips formed
on or sheaves fitted at any of the ends in a similar manner.
One end of a cord
termed the drawcord is passed through from the front end of one segment or side
of the tube groove or casing to the back, out of the first opening mouth piece or
lip and over the first sheave (if oue) then over the second sheave (if one) into the
second opening and so on through the other side or segment and out at the
front-if sheaves are fixed at the front ends the cord must also pass over them-
sufficient length of drawcord is retained for further requirements between the
back openings or sheaves to which is fixed a ring, hook, button or other catch as a
means for further attachment-sufficient length of drawcord is also retained
extending beyond the front ends of each side or segment: instead of a single
drawcord two may be used, one through each segment or side with a similar
catch or means for further attachment fixed on the back end of each. One or
more intermediate cords or tapes are prepared and when more than one they are
united together at one end and whether it be the single end of one cord or tape
or the united ends of two or more a hook, eye, loop or other catch is fixed on same
to correspond with that or those fixed on the drawcord or cords at the back-the
other single end or ununited ends have similar means for further attachment fixed
on each so that it or they may be connected to as many corresponding catches
fixed on the skirt. When the catch on the single or on each of the back ends of
the two drawcords are attached to the corresponding catch at the end of the single
or united ends of the one or more intermediate cords or tapes and the one or more
ununited ends of the latter are attached to the skirt or to corresponding catches
fixed thereon the skirt is lifted by pulling either one or both ends of the draw-
cord or cords in front, and it may be held suspended when both ends of the cord
or cords are pulled by tying the latter together or it may be held suspended by
passing either one or both ends of the drawcord or cords over a cleat or between
tension holders or the cord may be wedged in or at the entrances or mouths of the
tube groove or casing by fitting a plain or serrated taper plug or wedge urged by a
spring at each mouth and according to the method adopted for holding the cords
they can be released by hand or by a press button, pin or lever. Instead of
connecting two separate drawcords to one catch fixed at the united ends of the
intermediate cords or tapes the latter may be formed in two sections with a catch
on each to which the drawcords may be separately attached and the sections may
be arranged so that one drawcord can be utilized to lift the back or train of the
skirt and the other to lift both sides or either side of the skirt may be lifted

page_text: independently in combination with the back, in all cases sufficient slack is allowed
the intermediate side cords or tapes to prevent the sides of the skirt from being
lifted higher than necessary.
Dated this 19th dor of Lu 1002
Improvements in Dress or Skirt Lifters and Holders.
I JOHN HENRY TYLER of 51 Daneville Road Denmark Hill in the County of
Surrey Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVE-
MENTS IN DRESS OR SKIRT LIFTERS AND HOLDERS 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 apparatus for lifting holding and lowering a lady's dress,
skirt or jupe which may be actuated at the front of the waist and worn as a waist
bangle or waistbelt on the outside or underside of the garment.
A circumferentor of tube, grooved wire, plain wire (with or without eyes or rings
attached) casing or spun bangle wire preferably of metal is bent circumferentially
to the form of the waist and if necessary that it should be in halves or segments
they may be united by a hinge, spring, leather or other flexible substance or
attached to a waist belt or waistband of metal, leather, webbing, or other suitable
material that would serve the purpose of a hinge-to any or either of the circum-
ferentors whether separately or in combination with a waistbelt a pair of clasps or
fore-ends are affixed and a chain and hook, buckle, hook and eye or other catch
attached to fasten them in front of the waist and back carriages hereinafter called
terminals are affixed at the back; similar attachments may also be affixed to a
waistbelt without a circumferentor for exterior wear only.
The end of a cord termed the drawcord is passed through the clasp or fore-end
through or along the circumferentor and through the terminal from the front to
the back on one side of the waist and a second drawcord is passed through the clasp
circumferentor and terminal in like manner on the other side of the waist-a
sufficient length of drawcord is retained extending beyond each clasp or fore-end
for actuating it and a tassel or other stop attached to each of the two front ends,
sufficient length of drawcord is also retained extending beyond each terminal at the
back and a loop formed on each of the two back ends or a ring hook button or other
catch affixed for further attachment.
One or more cords or tapes hereinafter called intermediate cords are prepared
according to the necessities of the wearer by forming or attaching a fastener at
both ends of one or of several-one end of each to correspond with the loops or
other catch at the back ends of the two drawcords and the other to correspond
with buttons loops or other fasteners attached to the skirt. When the loop or
other catch at the back end of each drawcord is attached to a button or corre-
sponding catch at the end or ends of the intermediate cord or cords and the other
end or ends of the latter are attached to corresponding fasteners fixed on the
skirt-the skirt is lifted by pulling either one or both of the drawcords in front and
it may be held suspended by passing one or both of the drawcords over a cleat or
between tension holders attached to the clasps fore-ends or buckle; or it may be
suspended automatically by wedging the drawcord at the entrance to the circum-
ferentor or within the clasp or fore-end by a plain serrated or corrugated taper
plug or wedge urged by a spring into the entrance or seating prepared to receive
it through which the drawcord passes; or by gripping the drawcord between the
periphery of a sheave free to revolve on a pin and a disc milled or corrugated on
its edge acting eccentrically on a pin and urged by a spring against the drawcord
in its passage over the sheave; or by gripping the drawcord between the inner

page_text: part of the clasp case or suitable circumferentor and a disc fitted in a somewhat
similar manner to the preceeding-by either of the last three methods the drawcord
is gripped automatically in opposition to the pull upon it caused by the weight of
the skirt and may be released in either instance by a pull or push pin or button
actuated by hand in opposition to the spring which withdraws the taper plug wedge
or disc from contact with the drawcord and allows the skirt to drop into its normal
position.
Instead of connecting both drawcords to more than one intermediate cord the
latter may be formed into two sections to which the drawcords may be separately
attached-one for each section-and the sections may be so arranged that one
drawcord may lift the train or back of the skirt and the other both sides. Or
either side of the skirt may be lifted independently of the other and either one or
both in combination with the back-sufficient slack should be allowed the inter-
mediate side cords at the discretion of the wearer to prevent the sides of the skirt
from being lifted higher than necessary.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 representative sections and cross sections of circumferentors preferably
of metal showing the drawcord D in relation thereto : T tube with or without a
soldered seam T grooved wire-T plain wire (the eyes e are not always necessary)
T3 casing and T spun bangle wire either of which may be varied in form and
encircle the waist in one piece or in segments hinged together also used separately
or in combination with a waistbelt.
Fig. 2 representative varieties of clasps and fore-ends which may be attached
to circumferentors Fig. 1 or to a waist belt sectious and cross sections are given
where necessary to show the methods of holding and releasing the drawcord D.
C a clasp and its fellow with cover removed the serrated taper plug or wedge w
is urged by the helical springs into the entrance of the circumferentor tube T to
which the clasp C is attached and permits the drawcord D to be pulled in one
direction only until it-the plug or wedge w-is withdrawn by pressing the push
button or pin p attached to same in opposition to the springs which releases the
drawcord D and allows the skirt to drop into its normal position.
v is a sheave
over which the drawcord D passes-the adjustable chain and hook c connects the
clasps in front of the waist.
Ca modification of C in which the drawcord D is released by a pull pin p
attached to the forked lever of which is the fulcrum-the drawcord D may pass
over the sheave v and through the bottom of the clasp-or it may pass between the
forked end of the lever and through the mouth piece u as shown in the
corresponding clasp-the clasps are connected to a circumferentor of grooved
wire T and fastened in front of the waist by the hook and eye c-the cord or
chain attached to the pull pins p. p. serves to actuate both the latter at the same
time.
C² a clasp or fore-end and its fellow with cover removed showing a disc milled
or corrugated on its edge and acting eccentrically on the pin n grips the drawcord D
on or against the periphery of the sheave through the force exerted by the helical
springs which is communicated to the disc by the lever of which f is the
fulcrum the disc is slotted to allow play for the lever pin and its eccentric action
on the pin n permits the drawcord to be pulled in one direction only until released
by pulling the pin p connected to the lever in opposition to the spring s which
removes the disc a from contact with the drawcord D and allows the skirt to drop
into its normal position-the chain and hook c fastens the clasps in front of the
waist and the cord or chain; acts as in C-the clasps C' are shown attached to
a circumferentor of casing T³.
C³ a modification of C in which the disc a acting eccentrically on the pin n grips
the drawcord D within the interior of the circumferentor tube T through which
the drawcord passes, the rod r connects the disc with the combined slide and push

page_text: pin p and communicates the force exerted by the helical springs coiled round the
tube T to the disc -on pushing the pin p in opposition to the springs the
disc is withdrawn from contact with the drawcord D-the clasps C³ and circum-
ferentor tube T are shown in combination with a waistbelt A fastened in front of
the waist by the buckle K.
C' a fore-end and its fellow through which the drawcord D passes to the tension
plate t over which it is placed and released by hand-the plan of the tension plate t
shows it attached to an eye y formed at one end of the circumferentor wire T' and
a hook z at the other end serves to connect it in front of the waist.
C' a buckle K acting as a fore-end to which a cleat t is attached to hold the
drawcord Dover which it is placed and released by hand-the buckle K is attached
to a waistbelt A of leather webbing or the like.
Fig. 3 representative varieties of back carriages or terminals with sections of
same which may be attached to circumferentors Fig. 1 or to a waistbelt also
showing the drawcord D in relation thereto.
B a pair of terminals attached to circumferentor segments of tube T T and
connected together by the hinge b-one terminal has its cover removed showing
the sheave over which the drawcord D passes-the hinge b may be dispensed
with when a waistbelt or band of flexible material is used in combination.
B' a double terminal fixed to a circumferentor of grooved wire T¹ which encircles
the waist in one piece-the cover is removed showing a portion of one side of the
groove cut away to give a free passage to the drawcords D D over the quadrant
plates q. q. or sheaves may be used as in B.
B2 a double terminal fixed to a circumferentor of casing T3 a portion of the
cover is removed showing the drawcord D passing over a quadrant plate q or it
may pass over a cross pin or sheaves as in Bº.
B³ terminals or lips formed by bending the back ends of the circumferentor tube
segments T. T. downwards through which the drawcords D D pass-the circum-
ferentor tube T is shown attached to a waistbelt of leather which serves the
purpose of a hinge.
B terminals attached to a circumferentor of wire T2 which encircles the waist
in one piece as a bangle-one terminal is shown as a mouth piece m and the other
as an eye or ring m' either of which or other form of terminal may be used.
B a double terminal contained or formed within a circumferentor of spun bangle
wire T which encircles the waist in one piece-a portion of the terminal cover is
removed showing the drawcord D passing over the sheave and through the lower
rim or edge of the bangle.
Be a double terminal attached to a circumferentor of tube T encircling the
waist as a bangle-an opening is formed in the back portion of the tube T to
allow a free passage for the drawcords D. D to pass out of the tube and over the
· sheaves v. v.
B a double terminal attached to a circumferentor of grooved wire T' which
encircles the waist in one piece as a bangle-the grooved wire is here shown
twisted at the back at a right angle to the sides so that the drawcords D. D. may
pass freely over cross pins or sheaves v. v. and obviate cutting away one side of the
grooved wire as in B.
Bs a pair of adjustable terminals fitted to slide on the waistbelt A of metal
leather webbing or other suitable material-the terminals may be held at any
required distance from each other against the pull of the drawcords D. D. towards
the front by the teeth a a attached to the terminal case which catch in the
waistbelt.
Here it may be observed that most of the clasps and fore-ends described under
Fig. 2 and terminals described under Fig. 3 may be used with each other also
with any kind or form of circumferentor described under Fig. 1 whether the latter
is used separately or in combination with a waistbelt.
Fig. 4 represents a front, two edge and a back view of one method of attaching
a clasp or fore-end C' to a waistbelt A when utilized without being in combination

page_text: with any circumferentor described under Fig. 1-the clips iiii are attached to or
combined with the clasp case C' which latter may also be screwed, sewn or soldered
on according to the nature of the waistbelt material-similar remarks and methods
of fastening also apply to the terminals under Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 separate view of the drawcords D. D. with all waist fittings and attach-
ments removed to show them as when in position-their back ends are attached to
the buttons o. o. fixed on M M intermediate cords in two independent sections each
section lifting one side of the skirt in combination with the back.
Fig. 6 is a variation of the preceeding in which one drawcord D attached to the
intermediate cords M M lifts both sides of the skirt and the longer drawcord D'
attached to the intermediate cords M₁ lifts the train, other variations of the
intermediate cords are shown in the following.
Fig. 7 view of the general arrangement of a dress or skirt lifter and holder-
comprising a circumferentor of tube-here shown in segments T T bent to the
form of the waist with C2 C2 clasps or fore-ends attached--the latter are con-
nected in front of the waist by the chain and hook c. B. B. terminals attached
to the back ends of T. T and united by the hinge b the drawcords D. D. pass
through C T and B one on each side of the waist and form one continuous
drawcord when the loops at their back ends are both attached to the button o
fixed at one end of the intermediate cord M the loop at the other end of the
intermediate cord M being for attachment to a button fixed on the skirt-it is
obvious that any required number of intermediate cords M2 represented unattached
may also be looped on between the button o and buttons attached to the skirt.
The curved side cords in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 show a method of allowing slack, and
these figures are of reduced size.
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 circumferentor of tube, grooved wire, plain wire (with or without eyes or
rings attached) casing or spun bangle wire preferably of metal bent circumferentially
to the form of the waist and constructed in one piece as a bangle or in two or more
segments substantially as described.
2. The clasps or fore-ends and back carriages or terminals in combination with
either kind of circumferentor mentioned in Claim 1 substantially as described.
3. A waistbelt or waistband of metal leather webbing or other suitable material
in combination with metal clasps or fore-ends and back carriages or terminals also in
combination with either kind of circumferentor mentioned in Claim 1 substantially
as described.
4. A dress or skirt lifter and holder consisting of a circumferentor to encircle
the waist or a waistbelt separately or in combination with a circumferentor, a pair
of clasps or fore-ends attached thereto at or near the front of the waist and a
double or pair of single back carriages or terminals also attached thereto at or
between the back and sides of the waist, a continuous or two separate drawcords
connected to one or more intermediate cords or tapes arranged and attached to
the skirt in accordance with the requirements or necessities of the wearer substan-
tially as described.
Dated this 0th day of March 1904
JOHN H. TYLER.