An Improved Convertible Corset or Bodice.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 4th June, 1890
Complete Specification Left. 3rd Mar., 1891-Accepted, 11th Apr., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Convertible Corset or Bodice.
I, CÉLINE CATHERINE FLOUEST, née VERGEAT, of 99-101, Rue Montmartre,
Paris, France, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows
My invention relates to an improved corset of which the whalebones or steels are
easily inserted and removed, so that the article may be worn either as a corset, or
as a slip-bodice, or corsage, this facility of conversion offering great advantages in
point of comfort and hygiene, especially in hot climates. The corset is more-
over designed to afford the utmost freedom of movement to the wearer.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this
Specification, wherein
Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my improved corset.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal section, taken through one of the pockets in which the
stiffenings are inserted, and
Figure 3 is an inside face view of the same, the two latter figures being drawn to
a larger scale.
Figure 4 is an outside, and Figure 5 an inside, view of a corset provided with
removable stiffenings which is also laced in such manner as to allow of the corset
being loosened without the necessity of unthreading the laces.
1,
In Figure 1a is a bodice of any form or material, but preferably of an open fabric,
bare two side gores furnished with elastic cross bands formed of spiral springs
made of galvanised wire, to allow of the article being washed without injury,
dd are the "bones" or steels (indicated in dotted lines) inserted in sheaths or
pockets e on the inside of the corset, part of the sheath being cut-away at f to
permit of the ready insertion or removal of the "bones" or steels.
In Figures 4 and 5, 6b are two eyeletted flaps attached to the inside of the corset
in which the lace c, whose ends are fastened to one of said flaps is threaded the
middle part of the lace being passed through the eyelets ee and the bight or loop d
depending on the outside (see Figure 4) so as to be easily accessible in order that it
may be pulled or slackened to tighten or loosen the corset as desired.
The corset is provided with a row of hooks for engagement with corresponding
eyelets (Figure 4) and also with a tab on the inside having hooks j for engage-
ment with eyelets (Figure 4) sewn on the inside of the corset by means of which
the corset may be retained in place even when all the hooks have been unfastened.
Or, instead of a single middle tab there may be three tabs ii with hooks j for
engagement with corresponding eyelets on the inside of the corset.
When the bones." are inserted in their sheaths or pockets, the article constitutes
a corset, but when these are withdrawn it is quite soft and pliant and may be worn
as a slip-bodice or corsage.
Dated this 4th day of June 1890
C. C. FLOUEST, NÉE VERGEAT.
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agents.

page_text: wherein
Figure represents a perspective view of my improved corset.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal section, taken through one of the pockets in which the
stiffenings are inserted, and
Figure 3 is an inside face view of the same, the two latter figures being drawn to a
larger scale.
Figure 4 is an outside, and Figure 5 an inside, view of a corset provided with
removable stiffenings which is also laced in such manner as to allow of the corset
being loosened without the necessity of unthreading the laces.
:2
In Figure 1, a is a bodice made of any form or material but preferably of an open
fabric, bare two side gores furnished with elastic cross-bands e formed of spiral
springs made of galvanized wire, to allow of the article being washed without injury.
dd are the "bones or steels (indicated in dotted lines) inserted in sheaths or
pockets e (Figures 2 and 3) on the inside of the corset, part of the sheath
being cut away at ƒ to permit of the ready insertion or removal of the "bones" or
steels.
In Figures 4 and 5, bare two eyeletted flaps attached to the inside of the corset
in which the lace c, whose ends are fastened to one of said flaps, is threaded the middle
part of the lace being passed through the eyelets ee and the bight or loop d
depending on the outside (see Figure 4) so as to be easily accessible in order that it
may be pulled or slackened to tighten or loosen the corset as desired. The corset
is provided with a row of hooks ƒ for engagement with corresponding cyclets y
(Figure 4) and also with a tab on the inside having hooks for engagement with
eyelets (Figure 4) sewn on the inside of the corset, by means of which the corset
may be retained in place even when all the hooks have been unfastened. Or,
instead of a single middle tab h, there may be three tabs ii with hooks j for
engagement with corresponding eyelets k on the inside of the corset.
When the bones are inserted in their sheaths or pockets the article constitutes
a corset, but when these are withdrawn it is quite soft and pliant and may be worn
as a slip-bodice or corsage.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
The herein described convertible corset or bodice characterized by the pockets or
sheaths for the "bones" or steels being so made that the latter may be inserted or
.withdrawn at will and by the metallic elastic cross-bands and lacing arrangements

page_text: whereby the corset may be readily loosened without the necessity of unthreading
the laces, substantially as shewn and described.
Dated this 3rd day of March 1891
C. C. FLOUEST, NÉE VERGEAT.
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agents..