Improvements in connection with Skirts for the Use of Lady Cyclists.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 8th July, 1896-Accepted, 8th Aug., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in connection with Skirts for the Use of Lady
Cyclists.
I, DIANA ELIZABETH TOGWELL, Earl of Jersey's School, Middleton Stoney,
Bicester, Oxon., Schoolmaster's Wife, 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 :-
The object of my invention is to provide a substitute for what are commonly
known as divided skirts." It supplies the want (much felt by lady cyclists) of a
simple, inconspicuous contrivance whereby the skirt is prevented from becoming
deranged by the air or wind when the user is riding, and when the rider dismounts
it permits the wearer to walk as freely as in an ordinary skirt. In carrying out my
invention, I proceed in or in about the following manner. Near the lower edge of
the centre of the back breadth of the skirt or of the lining thereof, I attach by
hemming or otherwise a piece of leather (preferably morocco) or other suitable
material having attached to it a strong metal spring clip, tongue or flap, the free
end of which hangs downwards. In the centre of the front breadth of the skirt, I
attach by hemming or otherwise another piece of leather (preferably morocco) or
other suitable material having in it (and passing also through the material of the
skirt itself) a horizontal slot or button-hole and the outside of the slot or like is
covered by a flap free at its lower end. The position of the slot is arranged so that
the upper end of the clip on the back breadth shall be a trifle higher above the
bottom of the skirt than is the slot. The arrangement is used as follows:-Before
mounting, the rider takes up the hem or bottom of the back breadth of the skirt
with the right hand and lifts the clip or tongue and passes it through the slot or
button hole in the front breadth which it will at once clip and bring the back and
front breadths together, thus dividing the bottom of the skirt into two portions, one
portion surrounding one of the wearer's feet and the other portion the other foot.
On dismounting, the clip is lifted by the users fingers when the back breadth will
easily slip to its former position leaving the skirt free for walking purposes. The
clip may be of the kind used for fastening gloves, or it may be of any other
description. Instead of a spring-clip or tongue on the back breadth a button,
hook or equivalent may be used and instead of the slot in the front breadth, an eye
or equivalent may be employed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The attachment of a spring or other clip, tongue hook, button or equivalent
to the lower part of the inside of the centre back breadth of a skirt (or to the lining
thereof) the said clip, tongue, hook, button or equivalents being destined, as and
when required, to clip, hook, button, or otherwise attach to, or be inserted in a
suitably situated slot, hole, eye or equivalent formed or provided in or on the lower
part of the front breadth of the skirt (or in or on the lining thereof), the whole
substantially as and for the purposes described and set forth in the above
specification.
2. The method of and means for temporarily dividing the lower part of a

page_text: ladies skirt so that each foot may be surrounded by half the circumference of
the said lower part of the skirt, the whole provided for and carried out substantially
as described in the above specification.
Dated this 1st day of July 1896.
HUGHES & YOUNG,
23, Coleman Street, London, E.C., Agents for the Applicant.