An Improved System of Undergarments for Women.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Aug., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 9th May, 1894-Accepted, 9th June, 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved System of Undergarments for Women.
I, LEONORA LOUISE STAUDER, wife of the Reverend Doctor Stauder of
34 John Street, Bedford Row, in the County of London, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention has for its object an improved system of underclothing for women
who are enceinte and who wish for many and obvious reasons to hide the alteration
in their figure as much as possible without resorting to the use of unnatural and in
many cases injurious devices.
In carrying my invention into practical effect I provide an abdominal protector
or belt of flannel, felt, stockinette, elastic, or other suitably warm material to
protect the wearer from any sudden change of temperature, and of a convenient
shape and size to completely envelop the abdomen and exact a gentle pressure
thereon. This protector or belt which is fastened at the back, and when formed of
non-elastic material, has let into it elastic expanders thus allowing it to more closely
fit the wearer's body, is provided on its lower edge with a flounce to protect the
thighs, and with a belt or band forming an auxiliary support for the abdomen.
The front part of the drawers, petticoat, and other undergarment I cut away or
so reduce in thickness as to remove from the parts covered by the protector all
unnecessary bulky material; and I so raise such undergarments over the hips by
flounces, pleating, padding, springs, whalebone, or the like as to enlarge them;
thus, while the front of the figure appears to be flattened the hips are artificially
enlarged and the natural proportions of the female figure are thus restored, the eye
being diverted from the condition of the wearer.
Although in the above description I have given a particular construction and
arrangement of the undergarments, these may be modified, as for instance, instead
of constructing the protector as a separate garment this may be connected to and
form part of the drawers, petticoat, or other undergarment; the padding or other
arrangement for increasing the size of the hips may be removed from the drawers,
petticoat, etc., and attached to the protector or used on both or independently of
either, and the above described underclothing may also be used independently, if
desired, of the protector.
It will also be understood that my improved system of underclothing may be
used by women who are not enceinte, but who suffer from having an enlarged
abdomen.
Dated this 0th day of Ammun 1902
CASTLE SMITH,
"Invention" Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved System of Undergarments for Women.
1, LEONORA LOUISE STAUDER, wife of the Reverend Doctor Stauder, of
14 Heathcote Street, Mecklenburgh Square, late of 34 John Street, Bedford Row,
in the County of London, 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:-
My invention has for its object an improved system of underclothing for women
who are enceinte, and who wish for many and obvious reasons to bide the alteration

page_text: in their figure as much as possible without resorting to the use of unnatural and in
many cases injurious devices.
In carrying my invention into practical effect I provide an abdominal protector
or belt of flannel, felt, stockinette, elastic, or other suitably warm material to
protect the wearer from any sudden change of temperature, and of a convenient
shape and size to completely envelop the abdomen and if desired exert a gentle
pressure thereon. This protector or belt, which is fastened at the back, and, when
formed of non-elastic material, has let into it elastic expanders thus allowing it to
more closely fit the wearer's body, is provided on its lower edge with a flounce to
protect the thighs, and, where desirable, with a belt or band forming an auxiliary
support for the abdomen.
The front of the drawers, petticoat, stay bodice and other undergarments I cut
away, or so reduce in thickness as to remove from the parts covered by the protector
all unnecessary bulky material; and I so raise such undergarment over the hips
and lower part of the back by flounces, pleating, padding, springs, whalebone, air
pads or the like, as to enlarge them; thus, while the front of the figure appears to
be flattened, the hips and lower part of the back are artificially enlarged and the
natural proportions of the female figure are thus restored, the eye being diverted
from the condition of the wearer.
And in order that my invention may be more fully understood and carried into
practice I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying
drawings, of which
Fig. 1 shows a plaster model with my improved protector or belt applied;
Fig. 2 a section of Fig. 1 on line A-B, and
Figs. 3 and 4 views of a pair of drawers and a petticoat respectively constructed
according to my invention.
The belt a may be of flannel, felt, stockinette, or other warm material, and
provided with buckles 6 or the like, whereby it may be secured at the back. This
belt a is provided with suitable pads c¹ and c² which fill the cavities which occur in
the body of a person enceinte immediately above and on either side of the abdomen,
and when constructed of non-elastic material, elastic expanders d are let into it to
allow it to more closely fit the wearer's body. A flounce or apron e is attached to
the lower edge of said protector to protect the thighs, and also to prevent the
petticoat and dress curving inwards immediately below the abdomen, and an
auxiliary abdominal band or belt may, when found necessary, be attached to the
lower part of the protector to give the wearer additional support.
The front of the drawers, petticoat, stay bodice and other undergarment, I cut
away, or reduce in thickness as far as practical in the front, as shown at g
(Figs. 3 and 4), and these are preferably fastened in front, so as to remove as far as
possible all constraint from the part covered by the protector, and to reduce all
unnecessary bulkiness; and I raise the petticoat over the hips by padding, flounces,
pleating, or the like h, so as to enlarge them, and thus balance the undue
enlargement of the abdomen, and divert attention from the condition of the wearer.
In cases where it is desired, the front of the petticoat where cut away, may be
filled up with some very light and thin material.
Although in the above description I have given a particular construction and
arrangement of the undergarment, these may be modified, as for instance instead of
constructing the protector as a separate garment this may be connected to, or form
part of, the drawers, petticoat, stay bodice or other undergarment; the padding or
other arrangement for increasing the size of the hips, or filling cavities, may be
removed from the drawers, petticoat, stay bodice, protector, etc., and attached to all
or any of these garments, or they may be used independently of either, and the
above described undergarment may also be used independently, if desired, of the
protector. But in all cases, whether used as applied to or part of any garment,
or independently, the position of the pads must be those indicated in the
accompanying drawings, or such, as taking into account the various types of build,
answer thereto.

page_text: It will be understood that my improved system of underclothing may be used by
women who are not enceinte, but who suffer from having an enlarged abdomen.
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.) An abdominal belt or protector constructed substantially as and for the-
purpose described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
(2.) Drawers, petticoats, stay bodice and the like undergarments cut away or
reduced in thickness in front, substantially as and for the purpose described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
(3.) The improved system of undergarments for women substantially as and for
the purpose described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Deted this Oth dor of Max 1801
CASTLE SMITH,
"Invention" Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,.
Agent for the Applicant.