Improvements in Crinolettes, Crinolines, and Dress Improvers.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Dec., 1886
Complete Left, 2nd Sept., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 4th Oct., 1887.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Crinolettes, Crinolines, and Dress Improvers.
EUGENIE VICTORIA GOAD of No. 3 Westrop Villas, Canonbury, Middlesex, married,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:--
My invention consists of the improvements hereinafter described, in the con-
struction, and manufacture of Crinolettes, Crinolines and Dress Improvers, and applied
for dress improving by being placed underneath the skirt to raise and stand out the
back of the dress. The object of my invention is to make the Crinolette, Crinoline
or Dress Improver in such a manner so as to expand when sat upon by the wearer
and go flat, and on rising immediately to contract and fly back to its original and
perfect form. By each side expanding outwards when sat upon it will thus avoid
having to be carefully placed at the side of the wearer before sitting down as those at
present in use do, which if sat upon would cause their complete destruction, and are
also inconveniently in the way of others in vehicles sitting down near. Also to
contract and expand when walking to prevent the cramped feeling at every step
caused by the present ones in use.
Firstly. In order to construct my Crinolette, Crinoline or Dress Improver I take
any suitable material such as Satin, Merino, Prints or open Net work and cut in any
suitable shape and size to form the basis for the reception of the expanding and
contracting power of my invention.
Secondly. I next machine or otherwise place on the tape runners horizontally or
vertically inside from top to bottom at distances to suit my purpose for sliding in the
Steel, Cane or Whalebone ribs or other suitable springing article.
Thirdly. Before sliding the ribs into the runners so that they shall not cut or
force their way through the material by pressure as they at present do, thus
destroying the dress improver in a very short time I prepare the ends of the ribs
by placing on the ends a smooth hall or oval of sealing wax, glass, rubber or
wood, by preference about the size of a pea and fix it on to the ends, thus doing
away at once with all sharp, rough, thin and flat edges, and the ball or oval cannot
possibly force its way through the material.
Fourthly. Having placed the ribs into the runners 1 next fix in the expanding
and contracting power comprising springs of various kinds, but I take by preference

page_text: elastic webbing of a suitable size thickness, strength and length and fasten on to the
ends of the runners or ends of the ribs and fasten down the elastic webbing or
springs to the runner, that is to say the middle of the webbing or springs will be
made a fixture to the center of the runner, or the webbing or springs will be allowed
to slide backwards and forwards on the center of the runners, but by preference I
fix tapes on the centre of the runners and then place them over the center of the
webbing or springs to tie down or I fix or not fix a little ring to the center of the
webbing or springs and draw it down to the center of the runner by means of
threading the tape through the ring and tie down or otherwise fix it down tightly
or loosely according to the wearers wish of raising or puffing up the dress more
or less.
The webbing or springs holding the ribs in a semicircle the webbing or springs
take the form of a right angle and any pressure on the sides or back causes the ribs to
flatten out and the pressure being removed they take again their semi-circular
shape.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of my invention and the manner
in which the same is or might be constructed, I would observe that I do not limit
myself to the precise details herein given as various modifications may be made therein,
while retaining the essential features of my said invention.
Dated this 19th day of November 1886.
EUGENIE VICTORIA GOAD.

page_text: the crinolette will be caused to assume a flat or relatively flat position and upon the
wearer rising from the seat it will, under the action of the elastic webbing or springs,
immediately contract and retake its original position.
A great advantage of my improved crinolette or the like is that it can be flattened
out or expanded to enable it to be packed in a small compass.
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 I claim is :-
1. A crinolette, crinoline, dress improver, or the like, adapted to flatten out or
expand under pressure and to retake its original shape on the pressure being removed
substantially as described.
2. A crinolette, dress improver, or the like, comprising a series of flexible or hinged
ribs connected at the opposite sides by means of elastic connections, for the purpose
specified.
3. The improved crinolette or dress improver constructed substantially as herein-
before described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
1007
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London,
Agents for the Applicant.