CERTAIN APPARATUS FOR MEASURING THE " HUMAN FIGURE, AND TRANSFERRING THE SAID MEASUREMENT TO CLOTH
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Cattanach; of Aberdeen, Scotland,
for the Invention of "CERTAIN APPARATUS FOR MEASURING THE
"
HUMAN FIGURE, AND TRANSFERRING THE SAID MEASUREMENT TO CLOTH."
T
Sealed the 30th July 1853, and dated the 31st January 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Cattanach
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 31st January 1853.
I, CHARLES CATTANACH, of Aberdeen, Scotland, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "CERTAIN APPARATUS FOR
MEASURING THE HUMAN FIGURE AND TRANSFERRING THE SAID MEASUREMENT
TO CLOTH" to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in combining straps or strips of steel with
upright and cross slides, in such manner that they may be easily
and readily adjusted to such parts of the human figure as usually
require to be measured in order to make garments to fit them; and
the object and intention of this Invention is not only to be able to
envelope any particular part of the human figure so as to take an
exact measure thereof, but also by a peculiar arrangement and

page_text: combination of strips of steel, with measures, indices, and scales, to be
able to fix the same, so that when the instrument is removed from
the person measured, it will still retain the exact measurement and
shape of the several parts, and when the instrument is laid flat
upon the cloth to be cut, will present a perfect pattern to cut by.
The Inventor would remark that he is aware of a machine or
instrument for measuring the human figure having been patented
previous to this Invention; such instrument being composed of
elastic straps or bands moving within each other; he does not,
therefore, lay any claim to the use of such parts, except when the
same are combined and arranged in such manner as that, when the
instrument is laid flat, it will present a complete outline or pattern
of the part or parts measured and required to be fitted, whereby
a considerable saving of time will be effected, and a better fit ensured
than by the use of the measuring instruments as, hitherto con-
structed.
13
And in order to explain the nature of this Invention more
fully, I will proceed to describe the illustrative Drawings here-
unto annexed, reference being had to the numeral figures and letters
of reference marked thereon as follows:
::
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Fig. 1, represents a back view of the apparatus when upon the
body, shewing a number of straps to slide one above the other as at
1, 3, 5, and 15; all having indices and adjusted by couplings and
adjusting screws with cross slides, as at 7, 8, also indiced; and with
couplings and adjusting screws. There are also wires marked d,
with indiced tape running along same, and adjusted by couplings
and adjusting screws: At the top and bottom of the back,
the straps are divided as at 6, 6, 2; 2. The dotted lines F
represent the sleeve measure crossing the back; and Figure 4, repre-
sents the back sye. N represents fastenings for attaching and
detaching the apparatus. Fig: II. represents a front view of the
apparatus, with straps, indices, and adjusting screws, 9, 10, 11, 13,
with wires and indiced tape, adjusted at d; with coupling and

page_text: adjusting screws, two fastenings in front m; and at the end of strap
10, there is a coupling and adjusting screw, which prevents the
apparatus from shifting when taken from the body. The apparatus
is unloosed at the shoulder with a button and hook n, as shewn in
Fig. 1, and in the front by two hooks or clasps m. Fig. III. repre-
sents an arm measure, with straps, indices, and adjusted by couplings
and adjusting screws as F, E, with a tape measure at 17, and
shewing the measure as crossing the back at F. These measures
may at once be taken from the body, and laid upon the cloth; the
screws being made tight, and the patterns obtained or the indices
adjusted upon Figures 4, 5, and the instrument marked B. Fig.
IV. represents one side of back with slides coupling screws at
1, 2, 3, 5; Fig. 4, shews the back sye. Fig. V. represents
front and side of. apparatus, as laid upon the cloth to
form a pattern, and is adjusted to the indices of Figures 1,
and 2. These instruments are made to slide the one upon
the other, by means of an opening or slit in one of the parts
to allow a projecting part from the other to pass through the same,
and fixed by a screw represented at 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. The
difference between this and Figs. 1 and 2, consists in the slides as
described, and also a steel strap, indiced from d to r, passes through
a coupling at r, instead of at d, where the strap is attached, instead
of wire and tape, and the cross slides 7, 8, are adjusted by an
opening in the centre. The slides at a, adjust the distance required
forin the arm to the hollow of the waist, and is adjusted by a screw.
The straps marked 10, and those terminating with b, c, are fixed to
or form one piece with the centre piece a, except the ends thereof,
which represent straps b, c. All the other straps turn upon a joint,
except the cross slides, which are required to fix the top and
bottom of side-seam, as also the back 2, in Fig. IV. The instrument
marked B, is for giving the proper angles of the skirt of a coat, as
marked 14, 15, and correspond to same in Fig. 1; 16, 17, the sleeve
head, and correspond to same in Fig. III.
By an adjusting screw, I mean a screw which holds two pieces
together, either by turning the screw or a nut. By a coupling, I

page_text: mean a piece of brass or other substance attached to one part of the
apparatus, with an opening to admit a strap or wire to pass through,
as also one which adınits of two straps to cross each other at right
angles, and return the apparatus the same when off the figure as up
on it. By indices, I mean figures or marks to denote distance. And
although a particular shape is given for the back of the apparatus,
the same may be altered to suit different garments, such as coat, vest,
or ladies habit, or other dress required to fit the figure. The points
may be deviated from, provided that what is added to the back must
be taken from the adjoining part of the breast or sleeve, as the case
may be, and vice versa. The front of a habit may require more straps
than is shewn in the Drawing; and as it is presumed that there is not
a human figure the same on both sides, the length of the strap
may be altered, and the indices put on that one most convenient for
use.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters
Patent, filed by the said Charles Cattanach in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 30th July 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
CHARLES CATTANACH, of Aberdeen, Scotland, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirty-first day of January,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
fifty-three, in the sixteenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself,
Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Charles Cattanach, Her special licence that I, the said Charles
Cattanach, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said Charles Cattanach, ny executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for " CERTAIN

page_text: APPARATUS FOR MEASURING THE HUMAN FIGURE AND TRANSFERRING THE
SAID MEASUREMENT TO CLOTH," upon the condition (amongst others).
that I, the said Charles Cattanach, by an instrument in writing under
my hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to
be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the
date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Charles Cattanach, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement thereof (that is to say):
My Invention consists in combining straps or strips of steel with
upright and cross sliding pieces in such manner that they may be
easily and readily adjusted to such parts of the human figure as
usually require to be measured in order to make garments to fit
them. And the object and intention of my said Invention is not:
only to be able to encircle any particular part of the human figure
so as to take an exact measure thereof, but also by a peculiar
arrangement and combination of strips of steel, with measures,
indices, and scales, to be able to fix the same, so that when the
instrument is removed from the person measured, it will still retain
the exact measurement and shape of the several parts which it
encircled, and when the instrument is laid flat upon the cloth to
be cut, it will present a complete outline or pattern of the part or
parts so measured and requiring to be fitted, whereby a considerable"
saving of time will be effected, and a better fit ensured, from the
circumstance of having a perfect pattern to cut by, than by the use
of the measuring instruments as hitherto constructed. I would
remark, that I am aware of a machine or instrument composed of
elastic straps or bands moving within each other, having been'
made and employed for measuring the human figure; but such
instrument has not been available as a pattern for cutting out by,
but has.only given the measurement of the parts of the body which
it encircled, and such measurement has then to be transferred to

page_text: paper, and a pattern cut in a similar manner to that commonly
practised by tailors.
And in order to explain my said Invention as completely possible,
I will proceed to describe the best means I am acquainted with for
carrying the same into practical effect, reference being had to the
illustrative Drawing hereunto annexed, and to the numeral figures
and letters of reference marked thereon respectively, as follows:
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Figure 1, exhibits a back view of an apparatus constructed
according to my said Invention, and as it would appear when applied
to the human body; at which figure it will be seen that there are a
number of straps sliding one above the other as at 1, 3, 5, all of
which are furnished with indices and are adjusted by couplings and
adjusting screws with cross slides, as at 7 and 8, which slides are
also furnished with indices, couplings, and adjusting screws as above
mentioned (in respect of 1, 3, 5). There are also cords marked d,
formed of strands of wire twisted, and with indiced tape running
along the same, and adjusted by couplings and adjusting screws. At
the top and bottom of the back part of the instrument or apparatus,
the straps are divided and kept asunder by other straps, as at 6, 6,
and 2, 2. The dotted lines at' f (shewn also at Figure 3) repre-
sents the sleeve measure croping the back; and 4, represents the
back sye (shown also at Figure 4); n, n, represents fastenings for
attaching and detaching the apparatus. Figure 2, represents a front
view of the apparatus, with straps, indices, and adjusting screws
9, 10, 11, 13, with wires and indiced tape adjusted at d, with.
coupling and adjusting screws and two fastenings in front at m;
and at the end of strap 10, there is a coupling and adjusting screw,
which prevents the apparatus from shifting when taken from the
body. The apparatus is unloosened at the shoulder part by a
button and hook at n¹ (as shewn at Figure 1), and at the front
part by two hooks or clasps at m, m (as shewn at Figure 2).
Figure 3, represents an arin measure, with straps and indices
adjusted by couplings and adjusting screws, as at f, e, with a tape

page_text: measure at 17, and shewing the measure as crossing the back at f¹.
These measures may at once be taken from the body and laid upon
the cloth, the screws being made tight, and the patterns obtained or
the indices adjusted upon Figures 4, 5, and the instrument marked
B. Figure 4, represents one side of back, with slides and coupling
screws at 1, 2, 3, 5, 6. Figure 5, represents the front and side
of the apparatus as it would appear when laid upon the cloth as a
pattern for cutting out by. These instruments are made to slide
one upon the other, by means of an opening or slit formed in one
of the parts, which allows a projecting piece from the other part to
pass through the same, and fix by a screw as represented at
9, 10, 11, 12, 13, of Figure 5. The difference between the arrange-
ment lastly above mentioned and those exhibited at Figures 1;
and 2, consists in the slides as above described, and also in the use
of a steel strap, indiced from d tor (at Figure 5), which passes
through a coupling at r, instead of at d; where the strap is
attached instead of the wire, cord, and tape before described. The.
cross slides 7, and 8, are adjusted by an opening in the centre. The
slides at a, adjust the distance required from the arm to the hollow
of the waist, by means of a screw. The straps marked 10, at
Figure 2, and those terminating with b, c, at Figure 1, are fixed to
or form one piece with the centre piece a, except the ends thereof,
which represent straps b, c. All the other straps of the apparatus
turn upon a joint, except the cross slides, which are required to fix
the top and bottom of side seam, as also the back 2, at Figure 4. The
instrument marked B, at Figure 5, is for giving tlie proper angles
of the skirt of a coat, as denoted by 14, and 15, shewn also at-
Figure 11. The numbers 16 and 17, at Figures 3 and. 5*, denote.
the sleeve head. In order to be able to take a measure for a long
waisted coat, or other similar garment, it is necessary to elongate
the straps at the back and sides of the apparatus, which. I effect by
connecting short straps x, in which several small holes are made for
connecting thereto, by means of hooks or other suitable fastenings,
a cloth skirt to suit various shapes, thereby dispensing with the use
of the instrument exhibited at Figure 5*, at pleasure. And I would

page_text: remark, that the above-mentioned straps may be made of any other-
material than steel, such as gold, brass, or other suitable elastic sub-
stance, and said straps may be made of such lengths and curvature as
the change of fashion may require; provided always, that the one
slides over the other. And further one part of the apparatus may
be used without the other part, videlicit, the body measure without
the sleeve or arm measure; and the cross slides may be applied to
other parts of the body than those represented by the Drawing.
I wish it also to be understood, that in making use of the above
expressions to explain my Invention, I mean as follows:- By an
adjusting screw, I mean a screw which holds two pieces or parts
together, either by turning round a screw or a nut. By a coupling,
I mean a piece of brass or other substance, attached to one part of
the instrument or apparatus, with an opening therein to admit a
strap or wire to pass through, as also one which admits of two
straps crossing each other at right angles, and by which the
apparatus is the same when off the figure which it encircled, as
when upon it. By indices, I mean figures or marks to denote
distance. And although the Drawing exhibits a particular shape for
the back of the apparatus, the same may be varied to suit different
garments, such as a coat, vest, ladies habit, or other article of dress
required to fit the figure. The points may be deviated from, provided
that what is added to the back part must be taken from the adjoin-
ing part of the breast or sleeve, as the case may be, and vice versa.
The front of a habit may also require more straps than is shewn by
the Drawing. And as it is presumed that there is not a human
figure of the same shape on both sides, in order to suit this difference
the length of the straps may be altered, and the indices put on that
strap most convenient for use.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention and in
what manner the same is to be and may be performed, I desire it to
be distinctly understood, that I do not claim the exclusive use of
any of the separate parts above inentioned and referred to, except
in so far as the same may be employed in combination, and for the
purposes of my said Invention, which I hereby declare to consist

page_text: in, and I claim as of my Invention, the arranging and combining
together of certain parts in the manner herein-before particularly
described, set forth, and represented by the illustrative Drawing
hereunto annexed, and constituting "An Apparatus for Measuring
the Human Figure, and Transferring the said Measurement to
Cloth."
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Cattanach, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-ninth day of July, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-
three.
CHARLES CATTANACH. (L.S.)
Witness,
JOHN SPARK, of the City of Aberdeen, Clerk,
and residing at Number 2, Guestrow,
Aberdeen.