Year: 1886

page_text: I, REGINALD HADDAN of the firm of Herbert and Company, Patent Agents, of
67 Strand, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention, a communication to me from abroad by Ratcliff Hicks
of 913 F Street, Washington, United States of America, Manufacturer, 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 an improvement in stocking supporters the object of
the same being to provide a stocking supporter which shall be easy to adjust,
which shall produce au even strain on all points of attachment and which shall be
durable and capable of being manufactured at a price within reach of all.
In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a view of the supporter in position for
use. Fig. 2 is a detached view of the slide and adjacent parts. Fig. 3 is a detached
view of the loop plate. Fig. 4 is a detached view in side elevation of the clasp.
Fig. 6 is a view of a modification, and Fig. 7 represents another modification.
A represents a waist band provided with a strap and buckle or other suitable
means for securing it about the waist. The band is preferably provided on its
lower edge with two pairs of depending pointed extensions B in the ends of which
are strongly secured the ends of two strong cords C, the latter forming depending
The slides D are fortned of metal and consist
loops for attachment of the slides D.
of elongated curved eyes a through which the cords C extend, and a depending
closed loop d¹ for the attachment of the elastic strip E. The edges of the eyes d
are curved outwardly in a flaring shape to prevent any undue chafing of the cord
I find that the slides D may be very
as the slide plays back and forth thereon.
conveniently as well as cheaply constructed by providing a flat piece of metal
with elongated closed slots, one located in each end, bending the centre of the
plate into concave form and then bringing the two ends together with the slots
registering with each other. Aside from the simplicity of construction the form of

page_text: slide may be readily adjusted on the cord C after both ends of the cord are secured
to the waist band. The upper end of the elastic strap E is secured in the slot or
loop of the slide and its lower end is adapted to extend through the buckle F,
attached to the stocking attachment G, and lock the latter in the desired elevated
adjustment. The stocking attachment portion of the supporter consists of a web
strap passed through the loop of the buckle F and secured therein in such a
manner as to cause the ends to diverge from each other, each being provided with
a clasp H adapted to grasp the upper end of the stocking.
As thus constructed, the supporter will adjust itself to the different positions
which the body is liable to assure and the strain will be evenly distributed among
the several points of attachment and the article will thereby be easier to wear and
its life will be prolonged.
Instead of connecting the straps G to the loop C by elastic straps E, as shown in
Fig. 1 the loop can be of elastic material and the connecting strap of nou elastic
material as shown in Fig. 7. In this figure the loop C¹ of elastic material is
provided at its opposite ends with hooks a which latter are adapted to be passed
through eyelits in a corset, or instead of the hooks the loop C¹ can be secured to a
waist band as shown in Fig. 1.
In Fig. 7, the strap E¹ which is of non-elastic material is connected to the elastic
loop by the slide E which consists simply of a metal plate having a series of
slots therein for the passage of the strap E. This plate is bent into U shaped
form and holds the strap E in position on the elastic loop C'.
The slide E is adapted to move back and forth upon the elastic cord B so as to
accommodate the supporter to various positions of the wearer. When the wearer
stoops over, the friction of the slide upon the cord is sufficient to cause it to bind
and draw upon one portion of the elastic cord, the other portion of said cord being
left slack. This is important since in the such position of the wearer both portions
of the elastic cord should be put under tension the strains on the supporter
produced thereby might be uncomfortable.
The clasp H consists essentially of sheet metal plate having side flanges and
prongs which latter are adapted to be passed through the strap between the
longitudinal threads thereof. The side flanges are adapted to be bent around the
side edges of the strap G. This plate is also provided with the large opening a
and with a restricted or narrower opening a forming a continuation of the
opening a.
The button plate H¹ shown in Fig. 4 consists essentially of a plate having
prongs for its attachment to the strap G¹ and a button H³. This strap G may be
a continuation of the main strap G, as shown in Fig. 6 or may be a supplemental
strap attached to the main strap by stitching or by the prongs and side flanges of
the plate H as shown in Fig. 5.
In using this clasp the upper end of the hose or a section of the garment is
placed between the loop plate H and the button H, and button elevated until it
rests opposite the opening a of the loop plate H. By pressing the button and loop
toward each other the button is forced into the opening à carrying with it the
section of the garment or hose, and by pulling up on the plate H, or pressing down
on the button the latter is forced into the restricted opening a' of the loop and
securely locks the garment against withdrawal. By elevating the button, the
garment can be withdrawn without difficulty.
If desired the waist band A can be provided at the front and rear with the
loop P for the attachment of a napkin.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:―
1. A stocking supporter consisting essentially of a waist band a pair of cord
loops secured thereto, clasps adapted to grasp the stocking, and elastic straps

page_text: attached to the cord loops by elides and adjustably secured to the clasp straps, all
of the above parts arranged, substantially as set forth.
2. The garment supporter consisting of the main strap, the latter having at its
lower end a supplemental strap carrying a button, the said main and supplemental
straps being united by a metallic loop having attaching prongs and side flanges.
3. The combination with a corset or belt, of elastic cord secured thereto and
inelastic webbing pendant from said elastic cord and two ends, bearing stocking
clasps or holders and connected to the depending non-elastic webbing by an
adjustable connection such as a buckle, substantially as described.
1007
R. HADDAN.
By Herbert & Co., Agents.