IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF HELMETS, HATS, CAPS AND OTHER 33
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John William Towell of the firm of W. Jones and Co.
of 236 Regent Street in the County of Middlesex, for an invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF HELMETS, HATS, CAPS AND OTHER
33
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John William Towell at
.
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th March 1882
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· JOHN WILLIAM TOWELL of the firm of W. Jones and Co. of 236 Regent Street
in the County of Middlesex. 'IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF HELMETS,
HATS, CAPS, AND OTHER HEAD COVERINGS."
My Invention relates to the manufacture of helmets, hats, caps, or other head
coverings, and it has for its object to render these articles lighter and more
durable than hitherto and avoid cracking. To this end my Invention consists in
making the helmet or other article of a foundation composed of a sheet or sheets
of cork with an outer covering or facing of cloth or other material and a lining of
horse hair fabric which is attached to the cork preferably by an indiarubber
solution, the object of the horse hair sheet being to impart flexibility to the
article and prevent splitting of the cork. Instead of a single sheet of cork, I may
employ a number of thin sheets which would be superposed and united by the
aforesaid solution or other adhesive matter, the horse hair fabric being in this case
interposed between these several layers or placed on the back as before.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John William Towell in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 16th September 1882
JOHN WILLIAM TOWELL of the firm of W. Jones and Company of 236 Regent
Street in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
HELMETS, HATS, CAPS, AND OTHER HEAD COVERINGS."
My Invention relates to the manufacture of helmets, hats, caps, or other head
coverings, and it has for its object to render these articles lighter and more durable
than hitherto and avoid cracking of the body or foundation when the helmet or
hat becomes indented or forced out of shape by blows or contact with other hard
bodies in wear.
To this end my Invention consists in making the helmet or other
article of a foundation composed of a sheet or sheets of cork, with an outer
covering or facing of cloth or other material and a lining of horsehair fabric which
is attached to the cork preferably by an indiarubber solution, the object of the
horsehair sheet being to impart flexibility to the article and prevent splitting of
the cork. Instead of a single sheet of cork I may employ a number of thin sheets
which would be superposed and united by the aforesaid solution or other adhesive
matter, the horsehair fabric being in this case interposed between these several
layers or on the back or inner surface as before.
The thickness of the cork and the number of layers would depend upon the
strength of body required. It is preferable to employ several thin sheets of cork
and if great pliability and strengh are required the horsehair fabric should be
cemented between the layers of cork, but for ordinary purposes it may be applied
on the back or inner side thereof. The sheets of cork are cut into pieces of the
proper shape according to the intended form of the body and applied to the
horsehair fabric by blocking in the ordinary way of hat making the facing of
cloth, felt, silk, drill or other material being also pulled over the body in the
usual way.
The great advantage of the horsehair over the material hitherto used, is that it
absorbs the adhesive material better, is stronger and more pliable and thereforè
more effectually prevents the body getting out of shape.
Having described the nature of the said Invention and the manner of performing
the same I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected by the
herein before in part recited Letters Patent is.
The manufacture of helmets, hats, caps, and other head coverings with a
foundation composed of a layer or layers of cork combined with a layer or layers
of horsehair cloth superposed and united together substantially as herein specified.
In witness whereof I the said John William Towell have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Fourteenth day of September A.D. 1882.