Improvements in Leggings.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Apr., 1899-Accepted, 2nd June, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Leggings.
I, WILLIAM HENRY PETERSON, of 20, Summer Street, Boston, in the County of
Suffolk, and State of Massachusetts, one, of the United States of America, Manu-
facturer of Leather Goods, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates more especially to riding leggings, but is applicable to
leggings generally.
Leggings, as ordinarily constructed, comprise a body moulded or shaped to en-
close and fit the calf of the leg from the ankle to the knee-joint. These are some-
times made whole after the manner of a boot-leg, and are sometimes divided
longitudinally at the sides and laced with eyelets or hooks like a shoe. This latter
construction is very awkward to handle, and requires much time for its adjustment.
Moreover it frequently becomes unlaced accidentally.
My invention is designed especially to overcome the above stated and other
objections, and to furnish means whereby the leggings may be quickly adjusted
and secured without danger of accidental unlacing.
:
In order that the invention may be clearly and readily understood, I will describe
the same with reference to the drawings herewith, which illustrate, by way of
example, a practical application of the same particularly to the purpose of a riding
legging.
Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved legging shewn as closed and laced.
Figure 2 is a similar view of the same with the flaps open. Figure 3 is a section
taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1. Figure 4 is an edge elevation of one of the flaps.
Figure 5 is a detail view of the free end of the lacing strap. Figure 6 is a section
taken on line 4-4-of Figure 5; and Figure 7 is an elevation shewing one of the
lacing loops and the portion of the leather or other material to which it is perma-
nently attached.
A represents the legging considered as a whole, comprising a body shaped to
the calf-portion of the leg and divided longitudinally at the front forming flaps b d
the lower edges of which are cut away at f to over-ride the instep of the wearer.
Suitably adjacent the edge of the flap 6 a series of loop holes g are formed, and
correspondingly arranged on the companion flap d there is a series of staple shaped
loops. These are preferably of stiff wire bent substantially into rectangular
shape and their ends secured by heading or riveting to a plate i disposed between
two thicknesses of leather or other suitable material stitched together at m.
At , close to the upper edge of the flap d, a flat lacing strap C is secured. This
strap is of a width suitable to fit closely in the loops h. In the free end of this
strap a stiffener, consisting preferably of a flat piece of metal, is incorporated and
is entirely covered by the material of said strap as shewn in Figures 3 and 6. This
stiffener assists in threading the lacing strap through the loops and acts also as a
fastener for the end as hereinafter described.
Close to the upper end of the flap 6 there is a narrow slit 2 of a size to admit

page_text: the strap C tightly and in alignment with the loop openings ; and near the
lower end of same Hap there is a similar slit q arranged at one side of, and diago-
nally in relation to, the line of the loop openings g..
On the inner face of the legging at the rear near its upper edge there is a flexible
ears provided with a button-hole t, and a like ear is secured to the inner face of
the flap (see Figure 4). These ears are designed to receive buttons on the leg
or knee band of the short trousers or riding-breeches and support the legging
against sagging.
In use, the legging is adjusted around the calf of the wearer, the flaps bd being
in front. The lacing strap C is then passed through the top slit p and the loops h
Then the flat lacing
are projected through the loop openings in the flap b.
strap C is threaded downward through said loops as in Figure 1.
After passing through the last or lowest loop, the end of the strap is given a
partial turn as at v, and the stiffened end projected, in a downwardly inclined direc-
tion, through the diagonal slit q. The end of the strap is thus not only concealed
from view but, its enclosed stiffener prevents said end from accidentally becom-
ing withdrawn from said slit q.
By means of the slit p, the edges of the flaps are held closely together and cannot
be forced apart by the play of the leg, thus maintaining in great degree the appear-
ance, so much desired, of the hunting boot leg.
The legging may, of course, be constructed to be laced upwards instead of down-
wards, if desired.
It will be seen that in my improvement the legging can be quickly adjusted;.
the lacing is substantially rigid and allows no play of the flaps; a lacing strap of
the same colour as the body of the legging may be employed; and said lacing
strap cannot accidentally unthread, thus avoiding all danger of loosening even
though the stiffened end of the strap is not inserted in the slit q.
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 legging having an under flap provided with loops and an over flap pro-
vided with openings through which, respectively, the loops may be passed, and
having a flexible key which may be passed through the loops to secure them with-
in the openings, substantially as described.
2. A legging having an under flap provided with rigid loops and an over flap pro-
provided with openings through which, respectively, the loops may be passed, and
having a flexible key which may be passed through the loops to secure them within
the openings, substantially as described.
3. A legging having an under flap provided with rigid loops of a substantially
rectangular shape, and an over flap provided with openings through which, respec-
tively, the loops may be passed, and having a flat lacing strap which may be passed
through the loops to secure them within the openings, substantially as described.
4. A legging having an under flap provided with loops, and an over flap pro-
vided with openings through which, respectively, the loops may be passed, and
having a lacing strap secured at one end to the legging and adapted to be passed
through the said loops to secure them within the openings, substantially as
described.
5. A legging having an under flap provided with loops, and an over flap pro-
vided with openings through which, respectively, the loops may be passed, and with
a slit beyond one of the end openings, and having a lacing strap secured at one
end to the under flap and adapted to be passed first through the said slit and then
through the said loops to secure them within the openings through which they
pass, substantially as described.
6. In a legging having a strap by means of which the flaps are secured, a
stiffener carried by the free end of the strap in combination with a slit or opening
which is adapted to receive the stiffened end of the strap, said slit being formed

page_text: diagonally to the line of the main length of the strap when the same is in use,
substantially as described for the purpose set forth.
7. In a legging having a lacing strap, a slit to receive and retain the free end
of the strap, substantially as described.
8. A legging constructed to adapt it to be fastened substantially in the manner
described and shewn by the drawings herewith.
Dated this 30th day of March 1899.
STEPHEN WATKINS & GROVES,
Walsall, Agents for the Applicant.