Improvements in Stands or Supports for Dresses and other Articles of Wearing Apparel.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Nov., 1887
Specification Accepted, 30th Dec., 1887
Improvements in Stands or Supports for Dresses and other Articles
of Wearing Apparel.
I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 improvements in that class of garment stands which are
adapted to support skirts of ladies dresses, and particularly to that class in which the
stand consists of several vertical ribs around a central column, and which are made
adjustable to different diameters by collars on the shaft from which braces extend to
the ribs, so that by vertical adjustment of the collars, the braces will be thrown out-
ward or drawn inward, according to the direction in which the said collars are moved,
and the object of the invention is to construct the expansible portion of the stand
entirely from wire.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 represents a side view of the stand complete in an expanded
condition.
Figure 2 a vertical central section of the same.
Figure 3 one of the ribs detached.
Figure 4 two ribs enlarged, illustrating the method of connecting the upper ends
of the adjacent legs of the two ribs, and also the method of tying the legs together
and connecting the braces thereto.
Figure 5 a perspective view of the tie-pieces detached.
Figure 6, the blank from which the clip
formed.
Figure 7 a horizontal section through the clip applied to the legs, and showing the
loop.
L the alin showing the loon

page_text: Figure 9 a top view of the stand showing the series of loops with the adjusting
strap therein.
Figure 10, the invention as applied to a full figure the view being partly in
section.
A represents the base, upon which the stand is supported; this consists of a vertical
tube, with legs at its lower end upon which it may rest. Within this tube is a vertical
shaft B, supported by the tube A, but free to rotate. Near the tube A the shaft B is
provided with an external screw-threaded section C; above the screw-threaded
section C, which is firmly fixed to or made a part of the shaft B, and so as to rotate
therewith, a similar screw-threaded section D is arranged upon the rod, but this
section D is tubular, and through it the central shaft B extends. The upper end of
the screw-threaded tubular section D terminates in a suitable head E, by which the
section D may be rotated, and the shaft B extends through the head E and terminates
in a similar head F, by which the shaft B may be rotated, so that either the shaft or
the section D may be rotated, as occasion may require.
On the section C is an internally screw-threaded collar G, and on the section D is
a similar screw-threaded collar H. At the upper end of the section D is a collar I,
loosely supported upon the section D, so that the section D may be rotated without
revolving the collar I but yet the collar I is supported by a shoulder below so as to
prevent its up and down movement. The collars H and G are respectively adjustable
vertically by means of their respective screws.
Around the shaft several vertical ribs are arranged, connected near their lower end
by braces J with the collar G and near their upper end, are hung by braces K to the
collar I, and are also connected by braces L to the collar H, the braces K and L
being oppositely inclined from their point of connection with the ribs, to the respective
collars, as shown in Figure 2.
If the shaft B be rotated in one direction, it will draw the collar G upward, or in
the opposite direction will force the collar G downward, and such movement of the
collar G correspondingly changes the inclination of the braces J, and throws out, or
draws inward the ribs at the lower end accordingly as the collar is raised or lowered.
The tubular screw-threaded section D, being rotated, will cause the collar H to rise
or fall, according to the direction in which it is turned, and the braces L being con-
nected to the said collar, will be correspondingly moved to change their inclination
with relation to the ribs, and consequently throw out or draw inward the ribs,
according to the direction in which the collar H is moved, the ribs being hung by
the braces K to the stationary collar I above.
Broadly considered, this is a common construction, and arrangement of parts for
the adjustment of garment-stands.
The ribs are made from wire which is substantially V-shape in cross section as
represented in Figure 3 the apex of the V being downward, and forming the
termination of the ribs at the bottom.
The legs M N of the ribs at the point where the lower braces J are to be connected,
have a short bend formed in each, as at a Figure 3 and at the point where the
braces K L are to be attached, near the upper end, a like short bend d, d is made in
each leg, a series of such ribs are arranged around the standard. The upper end of
one leg M of one rib is connected to the adjacent leg N, by a clip P, this holds the
adjacent legs of the two ribs together, but permits the two legs of each rib to separate,
or be brought together, as occasion may require any expansion or contraction of the
stand.
Across the two legs of one rib, and in the bends a, a wire tie-piece e is applied, the
two ends of the tie-piece bent around the two legs in the said bends, so as to firmly
secure the tie-piece and at the same time, tie the legs together at that point, this tie-
piece midway between the two legs, has a short bend f.
The braces J are made from wire the inner end is bent in the form of an eye,
through a corresponding hole in the collar G and the outer end is bent around the
bend in the tie-piece, the said bend in the tie-piece centrally locating the outer end
of the brace, midway between the two legs M N.

page_text: At the bends d near the upper end, a similar tie-piece g is applied connecting one
leg N of one rib with the adjacent leg M of the next rib this tie-piece is made of
wire, bent around the respective legs in the bends d of the legs, so that while it ties
the two legs together at that point, it is, like the tie-piece e, prevented by the short
bends from vertical movement.
The tie-piece g has a short bend / midway between the two legs M N. The braces L
are also made from wire, their inner end bent through holes in the collar H, so as to
form a hinge-eye for the brace, like the inner end of the braces J, and the outer end of
the braces L are bent around the tie-piece g in the short bend h so that the outer end
of the braces L are located midway between the adjacent legs of the two ribs.
The braces K are also made from wire, their inner ends bent through the respective
holes in the stationary collar I, and their outer end bent around the tie piece G in
the bend so that these braces, like the braces L, are located between the adjacent
legs of the two ribs.
The short bends in the tie-pieces form a pintle upon which the outer ends of the
braces may turn as a hinge, while the connection between the braces and the collar
form hinges at their inner ends, and so that as the collars are adjusted, the braces
readily adapt themselves to the different inclinations to which they may be brought
in the expansion or contraction of the stand.
The upper ends of the adjacent legs of the ribs being connected by the clip P,
permit the upper ends of the ribs to move outward under the action of the braces, so
as to expand the extreme upper end of the stand.
It is desirable that the upper ends of the ribs may be contractible independently of
the braces, because this corresponds to the waistband of the skirt, which is variable to
a different extent from that of the ribs below; to accomplish this adjustment, the clips
are made to not only secure the ends of the legs together, but also to form a transverse
rib, through which a strap may be run.
In Figure 6 the blank from which the clip P is made is represented; this clip is in
the form of a cross, cut from suitable sheet metal, as brass or tin, the length trans-
versely being greater than the distance required between the two legs to be connected,
so as to form a flap i at each side, which may be bent around the respective legs, as
seen in Figure 7. The vertical extensions Il of the clip are turned inward, the one
up and the other down, as seen in Figure 8, so as to form a transverse loop m in the
connection between the legs of the respective ribs. The series of loops thus formed,
are represented in Figure 9. Through these loops a strap n is run, and made
adjustable by a buckler or otherwise, so that by drawing upon the strap, the clips
and the upper ends of the ribs which they connect, will be drawn inward to contract
the circumference of the stand at the waist, or if the strap be loosed, the elasticity
of the wires will cause the clips to spring outward; thus the circumference of the
waist may be adjusted to any desirable extent independently of the adjustment of
the ribs.
By this construction, the ribs, the adjusting braces, and the connection between
the braces and ribs, being all made from wire, are consequently cheap, and no soldering
being required, there is no liability to accidental detachment.
The invention has been thus far described as applied to forms for skirts only, but
in many cases a full form is desirable, as shown in Figure 10. In that case the ribs
for the skirt portion and their braces are made the same as herein before described, but
in such case the lower collar G is arranged upon the central shaft, and it is preferably
held against vertical movement, but left free to revolve upon the shaft, or the shaft
within the collar. The lower braces connect this collar with the ribs, in the same
manner as before described.
The shaft extends above the neck of the form, and the tubular section B is arranged
at the upper end with two converging series of braces, the meeting ends of the braces
being united to the neck of the waist portion of the stand. The same screw-threaded
collar H connects the lower ends of the braces, so that by the rotation of the screw-
threaded section D, the neck of the form will be expanded, the same as hereinbefore
described for the upper portion of the body of the form.

page_text: At the waist portion of the body a similar double converging series of braces is
arranged, the upper ends of the upper series are hung to a collar 2, supported on the
shaft against vertical movement, but free for the rotation of the shaft or of the collar,
as the case may be. The lower ends of the lower series of braces are hung to a
collar 3, which works upon a screw-threaded section 4 made fast to the shaft, so as to 5
revolve with it, consequently as the shaft is turned in one direction, it will cause the
collar 3 to rise, or in the opposite direction to fall, and the braces being connected to
the upper ends of the skirt ribs, and to the lower end of the waist ribs, will cause the
expansion or contraction of the waist band according to the direction in which the
screw-threaded section 4 is moved, the upper series of ribs being hung to the collar 2,
so as to have no up and down movement.
The result of raising the collar 3 is not only to expand the waist, but also to cause
the waist band to rise, and the skirt ribs being connected thereto, will correspondingly
rise, and as the lower series of skirt ribs will correspondingly swing upward from
their connection with the fixed collar G, the result is that the lower portion of the
skirt ribs expand, but the same screw section may be applied to the lower series of
skirt ribs, as before described, and the expansion of the lower skirt be thereby
produced, the same as first described.
In making the connection at the waist with the braces, they may be made directly
to the clips before described, or the upper ends of the ribs may be connected by
segments.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me by my foreign
correspondent I declare that what I claim is ;-
First. In a garment stand consisting of several vertical ribs surrounding a central
shaft, two series of braces hung to collars on said shaft, the said collars made adjustable
vertically on said shaft, each of said ribs made from wire, of V shape, the upper end
of one leg of each rib connected to the adjacent leg of the next rib, the said legs
constructed with short bends at the points where the braces are to be connected,
combined with tie-pieces made from wire, bent around the respective legs in said
short bends, thereby connecting the said legs, the said tie-pieces constructed with a
short bend midway between the respective legs, the braces also made from wire, their
outer ends bent around the said tie-pieces in the short bends, and the inner ends of
the braces hung to the collars on the shaft, and a series of braces hung by one end to
a stationary point on the shaft, extending downward and outward, their outer ends
hung to the said ribs, substantially as described.
Second. A garment-stand, consisting of several ribs arranged around a central
shaft, the said central shaft carrying vertically adjustable collars, the said ribs made
from wire of V shape, the upper end of one leg of each rib connected to the upper end
of the adjacent leg of the next rib by a clip P, the said clip P having its two sides
closed around the said upper ends of the legs, and the said clip also constructed with
flaps at the top and bottom, the said flaps turned toward each other to form loops m
around the upper end of the stand, combined with braces extending from the collars on
the shaft, and hung to the ribs, and with braces hung by their inner end to a stationary
point on the shaft, extending downward and outward, hung by their outer end to the
said ribs, with a flexible band through said loops substantially as described.
Third. In a full figure garment stand, the combination of the shaft, the collar 2
loose on the said spindle, but fixed as to vertical movement, the shaft provided with a
screw-threaded section 4, and carrying a correspondingly screw-threaded collar 3,
two series of converging braces, the one series hung by their inner end to the said
collar 2, and the other series hung to the said collar 3 and their outer ends united to
the junction of the waist and skirt ribs, substantially as described.
Fourth. In a full figure garment stand, the combination of the shaft, the collar 2
loose on the said spindle, but fixed as to vertical movement, the shaft provided with a
screw-threaded section 4, and carrying a correspondingly screw-threaded collar 3, two
series of converging braces, the one series hung by their inner end to the said collar 2,

page_text: and the other series hung to the said collar 3, and their outer ends united to the
junction of the waist and skirt ribs, with a collar G on the shaft below said screw-
threaded section 4, fixed on the shaft against vertical movement, but free for
revolution, and with a series of braces hung by their inner end to the said collar G,
and running therefrom obliquely downward and outward their outer end hung to the
skirt ribs, substantially as described.
Fifth. In a full figure garment stand such as described, a vertical central shaft
through the stand, series of expanding and contracting braces, with a screw thread
upon the shaft adapted to operate the said braces, and the said braces connected to the
ribs at the junction of the waist and skirt, a double series of oblique ribs at the upper
end, tubular screw-threaded section D on the shaft, the said braces hung to a collar on
said screw-threaded section, and to the neck band substantially as described.
Tint the onl
CAT
1007
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicant.