Year: 1886

page_text: I, AMANDA ELIZABETH STOUT of Lakewood, Ocean County, State of New
Jersey, United States of America, lady, 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 invention relates to a new shoulder brace for ladies, which keeps the shoulders
in the desired position, and likewise supports the bust.
The invention consists in the various elements of improvement hereinafter more
fully pointed out.
In the accompanying drawing, figure 1 represents the brace extended.
Fig. II is a front view of the same properly laced.
Fig. III is a front view of the brace on the body of a person, and figure IV &
back view of the same on the person.
The brace consists of two broad bands A A' and B B¹, connected together at a
proper angle as at C.
The front parts A and B of the bands are made broad and nearly square at the
ends, where they are provided with suitable eyelets, for the purpose of lacing the
same together similar to a corset. Near these ends suitable enlargements or
pockets D D are made, so arranged that when the straps A, B, are laced together,
as. shown in figures II and III, these enlargements or pockets will receive and
support the bust.
The rear parts A¹ B¹ of the bands are made tapering towards their ends, and
provided with one or more button holes vv for the reception of buttons ww
attached to the front parts A B.
F F, are elastic straps connecting respectively the parts A¹ with B and the
parts B¹ with A. The straps are of sufficient length to pass above the arms, and
to thus keep the brace in its proper position.
The outer edges of the straps A B, from the intersecting points E to the points
of attachment m of the straps F are slightly concaved, as shown at c to accommodate
the arins.
The manner of using and wearing this brace is represented in figures II, III, and
IV. The parts A¹ B₁ pass over the shoulder joints keeping the shoulders in the
desired position and by being made broad do not cut into the flesh, but by passing
over the shoulder blades strengthen the back.

page_text: The straps F F which pass over the arms hold the brace in place, and being
made of elastic material yield to every motion of the arms.
The front A B of the brace serves as a corset to support the bust. This brace
will allow the chest to expand and thus strengthen the lungs.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that
what 1 claim is :
1. The combination of bands A A¹, and B B¹, crossing each other, with the elastic
straps F F, for connecting such bands, substantially as specified.
2. The combination of bands A A¹, and B B', crossing each other, with the
bands F, and pockets D, the parts A. B, having a concave edge c, substantially as
specified.
3. A shoulder brace consisting of the bands A A¹, and B B¹, crossing each other,
the rear ends of which are made tapering and provided with suitable button
holes vv, and the front ends of which are made square, with eyelets x, and enlarge-
ments or pockets D D, and with elastic bands F F, and buttons ww, substantially
as and for the purpose specified.
Dated this 15th day of April 1886,
Signed in the presence of
W. J. HARRISON.
W. P. ROBBINS.
AMANDA ELIZABETH STOUT.