Improvements in Waterproof Garments.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Waterproof Garments.
1, CHARLES EDWARD FORBES MOUAT-BIGGS of 2 Fauconberg Villas, Bayshill,
Cheltenham, in the County of Gloucester, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
The principal object of this invention is to supply the want, long felt by cyclists,
of a very light, cheap, and durable waterproof garment, which, though capable of
being packed into a small compass, will serve as an effectual protection for their
knees and thighs so that they can cycle in wet weather in comfort, and without any
fear of contracting a chill, stiffness, or rheumatism in the parts mentioned.
A garment for this purpose, according to this invention, comprises two thigh
pieces of waterproof sheet material, each of a size adapted to be folded over and
cover the front and side portions of a person's thigh and knee but to leave uncovered
a considerable portion of the rear surface of the thigh, and means attached to the
said thigh pieces for securing the same in position for use.
As designed to be used for cycling my improved garment comprises two equal
and similar thigh-pieces of thin waterproof material such as macintosh cloth or
rubber coated fabric preferably black on the outer side, and such as is used for
cyclists' capes. These thigh pieces. are preferably made in separate parts arranged
to slightly overlap each other along a central vertical line where they are attached
together by suitable means such as by a solution of rubber, or by sewing by machine
or hand, or by both these means combined. The width and shape of the thigh
pieces are such that, when fitted on the lower ends of the said thigh pieces will
reach just below the knees and almost surrcand the legs at this part, whilst the
remaining portions of the thigh-pieces will cover the front and side portions of the
thighs sufficiently to prevent their getting wet but leaving uncovered a considerable
portion of the rear or underside of the thighs so that the thighs will remain cool
and ventilation thereof be not materially interfered with.
A waist band, preferably made of woven material such as used for the waistbands
of dresses, is suitably attached to the upper ends of the thigh-pieces to permit of
their being readily secured around the wearer's waist. To the lower ends of the
thigh pieces are attached knee fastenings preferably in the form or strips of elastic
inserted in hems made by turning up the lower ends of the thigh-pieces and
attaching them to the main portions of the thigh-pieces by means of a solution of
rubber or by stitching. The knee-fastenings are preferably each stitched to one
corner of the corresponding thigh-piece. The waistband and the knee fastening
may be each provided with a buckle to permit of their ends being easily connected
together. They may however be made of sufficient length to permit of their being
tied together if desired.
For securing the intermediate portions of the garment in position on a person's
thighs retaining strips of elastic are permanently attached to the two edges of each
high piece, by suitable means such as a solution of rubber, or by stitching, or both,
he connection being strengthened if desired by small superimposed pieces of
nacintosh cloth also secured in position by solution of rubber.
When intended for a person riding on horseback, or for walking, the thigh pieces
of such a garment are preferably made of white macintosh cloth, which may bẻ

page_text: either thin or thick for riding, but is preferably thin for walking; and the fastening
and retaining strips are also then preferably made of white mnacintosh cloth instead
of elastic, which is preferably black when the garment is intended for use. in cycling.
A garment such as described which need not weigh for a man of average size,
more than about 3 ounces, will be found to be of the greatest benefit also in cycle
racing, the small addition in weight being more than compensated for by the thigh
muscles being kept during a race dry and vigorous instead of getting wet and
consequently easily tired. My improved garment will also be of great service in
riding on horseback and walking in wet weather; and will become an indispensable
part of a tourist's outfit.
Improvements in Waterproof Garments.
I, CHARLES EDWARD FORBES MOUAT-BIGGS of 2 Fauconberg Villas,
Bayshill, Cheltenham, in the County of Gloucester, Gentleman, 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 principal object of this invention is to supply the want, long felt by cyclists,
of a very light, cheap, and durable waterproof garment, which, though capable
of being packed into a small compass, will serve as an effectual protection for
cyclists' knees and thighs so that they can cycle in wet weather in comfort, and
without any fear of contracting a chill, stiffness, or rheumatism in the parts
mentioned.
A garment for this purpose, according to this invention, comprises two thigh
pieces of waterproof sheet material, each of a size adapted to be folded over and
cover the front and side portions of a person's thigh and knee but to leave
uncovered a considerable portion of the rear surface of the thigh, and means
attached to the said thigh pieces for securing the same in position for use.
And in order that my invention may be clearly understood I will proceed to
describe the same with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a
front view and Fig. 2 a back view of my improved garment in a nearly flattened-
out condition, Fig. 3 showing the garment as it appears when worn by a cyclist in
riding.
As designed to be used for cycling, my improved garment comprises two equal
and similar thigh-pieces A B C D E and A B F G H of thin waterproof material
such as macintosh cloth or rubber coated fabric, preferably black on the outer side
and such as is used for cyclists' capes. These thigh pieces are preferably made in
separate parts arranged to slightly overlap each other along the central vertical
line A B where they are attached together by any suitable means such as by a
solution of rubber, or by sewing by machine or hand, or by both these means
combined. The width and shape of the thigh-pieces are such that, when fitted on,
the garments will assume the position indicated approximately in Fig. 3, the lower
ends or parts CD and FG of the thigh pieces will reach just below the knees and
almost surround the legs at this part, whilst the remaining portions of the thigh-
pieces will cover the front and side portions of the thighs sufficiently to prevent
their getting wet but leaving uncovered a considerable portion of the rear or
:

page_text: underside of the thighs so that the thighs will remain cool and ventilation thereof
be not materially interfered with.
A waistband I, preferably made of woven material such as used for the
waistbands of dresses, is suitably attached to the upper ends of the thigh-pieces as.
by a solution of rubber and preferably also by stitching thereto at the corners E.
and H, so as to admit of the thigh pieces being readily secured around the wearer's.
waist. J are knee fastenings preferably in the form of strips of elastic inserted in
hems made by turning up the lower ends of the thigh-pieces and attaching them to
the main portions of the thigh-pieces by means of a solution of rubber or by
stitching. The knee-fastenings J are preferably each stitched to the corner D or G
of the corresponding thigh-piece. The waistband I and the knee fastenings J may
be each provided with a buckle as shown, to permit of their ends being easily
connected together. They may however be made of sufficient length to permit of
their being tied together if desired.
For securing the intermediate portions of the garment in position on a person's.
thighs, retaining strips K, L of elastic are permanently attached to the edges of
each thigh piece in the positions shown, by suitable means such as a solution.
of rubber or by stitching, or both, the connection being strengthened if desired by
small superposed pieces M of macintosh cloth also secured in position by a solution.
of rubber, the said pieces of macintosh to be stitched also.
A garment such as described, which need not weigh for a man of average size,
more than about 34 ounces-will be found to be of the greatest benefit also in.
racing, the small addition in weight being more than compensated for by the thigh
muscles being kept during a race dry and vigorous instead of getting wet and
consequently easily tired. My improved garment will also be of great service in
riding on horseback in wet weather, and will become an indispensable part of a
tourist's outfit. It will also be found of great use for military purposes such as
cavalry campaigning in wet weather.
For a man of average size, suitable measurements for the thigh pieces of the
garment are as follows:-Length A.E=A H = about 11 inches; CD=FG =
about 12 inches; DE G H = about 27 inches; waistband I about 36 inches.
long; each knee strap J, about 14 inches long and inch wide; and each
retaining strip K or L about 12 inches long and inch wide. When intended for
a person riding on horseback, the thigh pieces A B C D E and A B F G H of
such a garment are preferably made of white macintosh cloth, which may be either
thin or thick for riding, and the fastening and retaining strips J, K and L are also
then preferably made of white macintosh cloth instead of elastic, which is..
preferably black when the garment is intended for use in cycling.
Having now particularly described and ascertained, the nature of the said.
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what.
I claim is :-
The hereinabove described improved waterproof garment constructed substan-
as described and shown for the purposes specified.
tially
Dated this 10th day of March 1897.