A New or Improved Method of and Means for Fastening or Securing Coverings for Cushions, Pillows, Bolsters, and the like, applicable also for Suspending Curtains.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Aug., 1896-Accepted, 2nd Jan., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Method of and Means for Fastening or
Securing Coverings for Cushions, Pillows, Bolsters, and the
like, applicable also for Suspending Curtains.
I, ELIZABETH TODD of Minster View, Duncomb Place York Lady 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 object of this invention is to entirely dispense with the use of buttons
tying strings cords or the like in fastening or securing various household articles
such as pillows, bolsters, mattresses and cushions in their various covers or
casings.
By the adoption of this my invention the covers or casings of every article
requiring such can be so arranged as to entirely do away with the sewing on of
buttons which are liable to get damaged in washing or when passing through a
mangle. There is an entire absence of bulging or bursting which at present is
unavoidable between each button string or fastening. More expensive covers may
be used for cushious by using my invention as they can be readily changed without
appearing soiled. It is also useful for the tops of curtains dispensing with the
rings the rod passing through the ladder tape instead the construction and uses of
which I will now proceed to describe as follows:-
The "tape ladder" or "ladder tape" is in the following form, as the name
implies in the form of a ladder which may be woven entire in one continuous
piece of any length with holes or slots of any suitable shape (shown square in the
drawings) which may be either stamped out of the material by machinery or made
in course of weaving or otherwise as most convenient. The ladder may be woven
or made in any suitable material and of any thickness width or color according to
taste or requirement. Its position when in use is as follows:-A required length
of the "ladder tape" is stitched or otherwise attached to the mouth or opening
of the cover or pillow case. The ladder tape is stitched or arranged so that when
the two edges of the cover or pillow case are brought together the "rung" in one
ladder exactly faces the opening between the rungs on its other edge or side and
so on alternately. By the use of this invention the ordinary hem may be dispensed
with as the raw edge of the cover or pillow case may if preferred be stitched or
otherwise fastened to the edge or side of the ladder.
In order to properly secure the opening of the cover or pillow case one or more
tape or tapes ribbons or other material is or are passed through over and under
each rung alternately, such tape, ribbon or other material being preferably fastened
at one extremity of the ladder and when drawn tightly the other end may be left
either loose or fastened in a bow or other device according to taste. For this
purpose any ordinary tape needle may be used.
In order that this my said invention may be more fully understood, I will now
proceed to describe the same by the aid of the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 shows a length of the ladder tape or tape ladder.
Fig. 2 is a cushion or pillow open at one end and showing the position of the
ladder tape or tapes and the method of threading the ribbon or cord through the

page_text: Fig. 3. slows the pillow or cushion closed with the loose end of the ribbon or
cord after drawing tight and closing the mouth of the cushion case.
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 I
claim is
1. The improved method of securing the openings of cushion or pillow cases
and the like by the use of ladder tapes or tape ladders and a ribbon or cord.
2. The construction of the ladder tape or tape ladder either in one piece or
in several pieces and in various colors materials and sizes.
3. The method of arranging and fixing the tape ladder or ladder tape to the
various articles and for the various purposes as herein set forth.
Dated this 31st day of August 1896.
GERALD GRAHAM & Co.,
Hogarth House, Clapham Road, S. W., Representative of the Applicant.