Improvements in Waterproof Suits.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Jan., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Oct., 1893—Accepted, 11th Nov., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Waterproof Suits.
I, OTTE VAN OOSTRUM of Portland in the County of Multnomah and State of
Oregon, United States of America, Painter, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
My invention consists in a close fitting waterproof suit made of mackintosh cloth
or other suitable waterproof material, of novel construction substantially as herein-
after described extending from or about the neck to and including the feet and
including a pair of rubber or other boots or shoes connected with what forms the
trousers portion of the suit or garment.
The waterproof or mackintosh garment is shaped to fit the figure of a
man and
extends from the ueck or shoulders down to the feet and virtually forms one integral
piece or waterproof garment, the vest or body portion being provided with sleeves.
This portion has buttons generally designed as ornaments down the front and the
trousers are attached to the body part in such a manner as to exclude water at the
seam or joint so that the two parts are practically integral. The body portion has
an opening at the shoulders closed by overlapping front and back strap portions
passing over the shoulders from back and front and secured by being buttoned or
otherwise fastened over the shoulders in front so as to hold the garment up in close
fit at the shoulder portion of the body. Water is excluded from entering up within
the sleeves and the leg portions of the garment, the only exposed parts, as follows;
Each sleeve is contracted and has an india-rubber or elastic band applied to or
worked in about and around the wrist which prevents water from entering up the
sleeve, while each leg portion has closely sealed or cemented within it, the upper
leg portion of an india rubber boot or shoe and cach leg portion of the trousers has
attached to it a strap which passes under the boot or shoe to hold the trousers down
and to relieve the waterproof junction of the boot or shoe with the trousers from
strain, which might cause it to break loose, the whole forming a perfect water-
proof suit adapted to leave the limbs of the person wearing it perfect freedom of
action.
In some cases, as for instance in the case of a miner working in a wet or dripping
mine, a waterproof cap with attached pendant hood may also be worn to give
protection to the head and neck and to prevent water passing down between the suit
and the body at the neck, thus, in connection with the suit or garment, keeping the
wearer perfectly dry.
In some cases also, instead of the trousers and body portion being so connected
as to form but one piece, the body portion with its sleeves may be made to constitute
one piece and the trousers a separate piece in which case the body portion may not
only fasten over the shoulders as described but likewise be made to button down
the front. When the trousers are made separate from the body portion, then said
two parts of the suit may be united at their junction to close the joint, by a fly
extension of the one of said parts being made to fit between the double edge of the
other and such fitting parts united by a button, or the closing of the joint may be
otherwise effected. Furthermore, if desired, ventilating apertures or devices may
be arranged under the arm pits of the body portion.
Dated this 3rd day of January 1893.
O. VAN OOSTRUM,
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Waterproof Suits.
I OTTE VAN OOSTRUM, of Portland in the County of Multnomah and State of
Oregon, United States of America, Painter 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 waterproof garments for men or boys,
and has for its objects to provide a novel suit of external clothing for males, which
will be waterproof and that from its peculiar formation will be adapted for easy
donning and a sealed connection with shoes or boots that are detachable, and a like
attachment upon the wrists of the wearer. The invention also comprises convenient
means for compliance with the calls of nature and a sealing appliance for the
provided aperture, and further consists in the peculiar construction and combination
of parts, as is hereinafter described and claimed.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this
Specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in
all the figures.
Figure 1 is a front view of the suit of clothing as it appears in use;
Figure 2 is a front view of the suit of clothing applied for use, the upper portion
being adjusted to disclose inner portions embodying features of the invention;
Figure 3 is a vertical section of the garment, on line 3-3 in Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a sectional plan view of the improvement, on the line 4-4 in
Figure 1;
Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view in part, of a sleeve of the improved water-
proof garment, on the line 5-5 in Figure 2;
Figure 6 is a vertical sectional side view of part of one leg of the improved
garment and an attached shoe, broken away above, the section being taken on the
line 6-6 in Figure 7, and showing one method for connecting these parts neatly
and in a waterproof manner;
Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view in part, of the garment leg and an attached
shoe, shown in Figure 6, the section being taken on the line 7-7 in said figure;
Figure 8 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of details of construction
comprising a portion of the improvement, the section being taken on the line 8-8
in Figure 2;
Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view of the lower portion and side of one leg of
the improved garment' on the line 9-9 in Figure 2;
Figure 10 is a front perspective view of a modified construction for the
improvement;
Figure 11 is an enlarged longitudinal section in part of a leg portion of the
garment shown in Figure 10;
Figure 12 is an enlarged sectional view in part, of a sleeve in the garment
represented in Figure 10; and
Figure 13 is a plan view of the jacket portion of the garment indicated in
Figure 10, with its parts in opened adjustment, the sleeves being removed to avoid
a confusion of parts.
The suit of external clothing shown, and which embodies the novel features of
improvement, is mainly manufactured from waterproof goods, by preference, that
known as mackintosh cloth, but other textile fabric which is pliable, of a neat
exterior finish, and is rendered waterproof by any suitable means, may be utilized
if desired.
The major portions of the improved waterproof garment, consist of the trousers A,
that encase the lower limbs of the wearer, and a blouse or jacket B, that serves
to neatly envelop the upper part of the body and arms when donned by the person
to whom the garment has been fitted. The parts A, B, are made shapely, and the

page_text: seams sewed tightly, so as to exclude the elements at these points, pockets a, being
supplied for the jacket, which pockets are of waterproof material, and are located
at the usual points, as indicated in Figure 1.
The jacket B is joined to the waistband of the trousers A, at a suitable point
above the lower edge of the part B, in a water-proof manner, so as to afford a
loose pendant flap for the jacket, which gives it a more conventional appearance,
this feature of construction appearing in Figure 3. The jacket and trousers are
each furnished with the usual front opening, in appearance, and the jacket front
flaps and the flies of the lower garment are finished to simulate the construction of
separate garments of their class, buttons and buttonholes being provided to afford
means for joining the overlapped edges of both main portions A, B, of the complete
garment.
There is a suitable opening provided at the upper part of the jacket portion B,
to adapt this part to fit neatly around the neck of the wearer when the jacket is
buttoned up, as shown in Figure 1, and if desired the imitation shoulder flaps b
may be secured on the material at the shoulders to reinforce the material and cover
the seams at said points.
When the garment is in an unbuttoned condition, as represented in Figure 2, an
important feature of the improvement is displayed, which, as shown clearly in
Figures 2, 3 and 4, consists essentially of a waterproof, thin, strong, folding fibrous
partition or lining c, which has its side edges secured with a waterproof joint to
the inner surface of the heavier jacket material. The relative dimensions of the
lining c, permits it to be bulged out forwardly, and as its lower portion extends to
the crotch of the trousers A, and is secured at the side edges to the inner surface
of said portion of the garment, it will be seen that ample room is afforded at the
upper opening of the jacket, for the easy donning of the entire suit, by first
introducing the feet and lower limbs through the space mentioned, and which is
plainly indicated in Figures 3 and 4.
At a proper point for convenience in use, there is a more elastic fabric d, secured
upon the lower part of the lining or partition c, which part d, constitutes a
diaphragm that is apertured of a proper size for an obvious purpose. Said orifice
is normally closed with a peripherally grooved oval disc e, formed of any proper
rigid material, the relative size of the disc considered diametrically, requiring the
material of the diaphragm to be stretched for its insertion, the subsequent
contraction of the edge of the hole in the diaphragm serving to retain the disc
from accidental displacement, while a quick removal is permissable when occasion
requires, the contraction of the elastic diaphragm upon the grooved edge of the
rigid disc rendering the joint between said parts water-tight.
When the garment has been drawn upwardly upon the lower limbs and body,
the wearer inserts his arms through the sleeves g, that are furnished at their open
free ends with elastic inner cuffs, (Figure 5) that are each contracted at the
outer end so as to produce an opening which will be small enough to require the
material to stretch when the wrist of the wearer is within. said cuff, the margin of
the wristband being protected by an elastic piping band ', which insures strength
and affords a neat finish thereto.
The lower end portions of the trousers legs may be permanently secured to the
shoes or boots worn on the feet of the party encased with the waterproof
garment A, B, as indicated in Figure 6, or preferably, have a separate connection
therewith, as shown in Figure 9. The means for removably connecting the
shoes C, with the legs of the trousers A, consist of two similar inner tubular
attachments i, that are fitted one within each leg, and thereto attached by the
upper edge of the parts i, that for convenience are designated junction pieces. On
the free lower edge of each junction piece i, a more elastic annular piece i is
secured, so as to depend therefrom, there being a piping rib formed on the lower
edge of each part i.
The shoes, or if preferred, the boots worn by the wearer of the improved water-
proof garment, have each a similar encircling rib m, formed thereon, which from

page_text: their position on the upper part of the foot covering are adapted to receive the
ribs on the elastic pieces i¹, that are of such a relative diameter in the rings they
form, as to require to be stretched when applied to the ribs m, so that they may
pass over the latter, and embrace the ankle covering of the shoe or boot, thus
effecting a water-tight joint between these engaged parts, the attachment and
removal being easily and quickly effected.
It will be seen, that if the provision for an attachment of the junction pieces i,
is provided, as represented in Figure 9, the lower parts of the trousers legs will
hang in the usual manner over the shoe, and present a neat appearance, a water-
tight joint being at the same time produced by the concealed parts that have been
described.
When the shoes are to be permanently attached to the junction pieces i, these
parts are sewed at their lower edges around the upper parts of the shoes, as shown
in Figures 6 and 7, the elastic extensions, being then dispensed with.
When the waterproof garment has been donned, and is in the condition repre-
sented in Figure 2, the surplus material of the waterproof lining c, is lap-folded, as
indicated in Figure 4, which will permit the jacket B, to be buttoned, and the
trousers also, the complete garment then appearing as shown in Figure 1.
It is also a part of this invention to construct the waterproof garment, as
indicated in Figures 10, 11, 12 and 13, which is a modified form therefor, the
changes made from the preferred formation for the garment comprising features
that will now be described.
The most important deviation from the preferred construction consists in the
provision of a capacious opening in the jacket B', at its neck orifice, which feature
is clearly represented in Figures 10 and 13, comprising the opening of the shoulder
seams and the production of the flaps n, at this point, these folding upwardly and
towards each other when the garment is to be closed, to neatly encompass the neck
of the wearer, and being preferably cut to produce angular points thereon, as shown
in Figure 13.
Upon the rear half section of the jacket B¹, two similar flaps o are formed or
secured, and are of a suitable length to cover the shoulders when they are folded
forwardly and downwardly, as represented in Figure 10, their free ends for a
portion of their length being sloped edgewise so as to produce a neat appearance,
and said flaps o are furnished with buttonholes to permit them to be removably
attached upon the front upper part of the jacket B' where buttons o¹ are
affixed.
On the upper front section of the jacket other flaps or tabs p, are produced,
which fold rearwardly upon the shoulder of the wearer when the garment is donned
and these tabs have hooks secured on their transverse outer edges that may be
hooked into eyes that are secured on the inner sides of the flaps o, near their points
of junction with the rear section of the jacket, thereby securing the front tabs
imposed on the wearer's shoulders, the flaps n being first secured by hooks and eyes
to the rear shoulder section of the jacket.
It will be seen that when the person who is to wear this modified form of water-
proof garment desires to encase his person with it, the flaps and tabs that have been
described, are all released, and outwardly folded as shown in Figure 13, this will
produce an aperture at the top of the jacket B', of a capacity equal with its
dimensions at the shoulders, or just above the sleeves, so that the wearer can with
ease draw the garment over his lower limbs and body, the hooked and buttoned
adjustment of the flaps in proper order as before explained, serving to close the
upper part of the garment around the neck of the individual in an obvious
manner.
The trousers A' are preferably secured by sewing upon the lower part of the
jacket on its inner surface, but may be attached thereto removably by any preferred
means, said lower portion of the waterproof garment being of usual form, but devoid
of a front opening.
There are straps r preferably provided for the retention of the trousers in a

page_text: proper pendant condition over the foot coverings, which, in this case, are boots E,
that are attached by their upper edges to the trousers within the same, as indicated
in Figure 11.
The sleeves glare of ordinary shape with the exception that their free edges g
have an elastic piping band secured thereon, which bands are adapted from their
shape and internal diameter, to closely encircle the wrists of the wearer when the
garment is donned.
The modified form of the garment is equally well adapted to resist the elements,
and both styles of construction provide neat clothing that will, if made of suitable
material, exclude rain or snow and, if desired, permit the wearer to enter a stream
of water without wetting his inner raiment, it being understood that there must, in
this case, be shoes or boots of waterproof construction provided as a part of the
garment.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what !
claim is,
1. A waterproof garment, comprising a jacket and trousers, joined to provide a
depending flap or skirt for the jacket, substantially as described.
2. A waterproof garment, comprising trousers with flies adapted to be closed
with buttons or equivalent means, a jacket open in front, overlapping the trousers
waistband and secured thereto, and also adapted to be closed by buttons or like
connecting devices, substantially as described.-
3. A waterproof garment, comprising trousers open in front, and adapted for
closure with buttons or equivalent means, a jacket secured near its lower edge upon
the waistband of the trousers and overlapping said waistband, and a folding and
laterally-extensible lining piece secured by its edges to the inner surface of the
jacket and trousers near their flap edges, substantially as described.
4. A waterproof garment, composed of trousers and jacket joined together, a
folding interior lining wall adapted for outward extension when the jacket and trousers
are open in front, and sleeves and legs for the composite garment, adapted to form
water-tight joints with the wrists and foot covering of the wearer, substantially as
described.
5. In a waterproof garment, the sleeves having the elastic inner cuffs adapted to
clasp the wrists of the wearer, substantially as described.
6. In a waterproof garment, the trousers, the jacket joined to the trousers, and
both open in front, the folding and laterally-extensible lining within, and the
removable disc in an aperture formed in an elastic diaphragm attached upon the
lower portion of the lining, substantially as described.
7. In a waterproof garment, comprising trousers and an attached jacket, tubular
elastic edges near the lower ends of the legs of the trousers within, and an elastic
encircling rib on each shoe adapted to form removable waterproof connections
between said shoes and the lower portions of the trousers, substantially as
described.
8. In a waterproof garment, a jacket having flaps and tabs adapted to fold
outwardly at the neck portion thereof, and provide an aperture equal to the diameter
of the girth of the jacket, substantially as described.
9. In a waterproof garment, a jacket, provided with outwardly and inwardly-
folding flaps or tabs at the neck, and which are adapted to be secured together
detachably when inwardly folded, substantially as described.
10. In a waterproof garment, a jacket provided with contractile bands at its
wristbands, substantially as described.
11. In a waterproof garment, trousers enveloping waterproof boots, and secured
thereto at the upper edges of said boots, substantially as described.
12. In a waterproof garment, trousers secured to the lower edge of a jacket
portion, and enveloping waterproof boots which are secured by their upper edges
to the legs of the trousers, substantially as described.

page_text: 13. In a waterproof garment, a body portion or jacket attached permanently or
removably upon the waistband or trousers, the body portion having sleeves which
are contractile at the wristbands, said body portion also having flaps or tabs at the
neck to provide a capacious opening, and the legs of the trousers furnished with
straps that pass below boots, which boots are waterproof and have their upper
edges secured interiorly upon the legs of the trousers, substantially as described.
Dated this 3rd day of October 1893.
O. VAN OOSTRUM,
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.