US2501900A

US2501900A - Girdle and stiffening unit

Info

Publication number: US2501900A
Application number: US711255A
Authority: US
Inventors: Henry M Herbener
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1946-11-21
Filing date: 1946-11-21
Publication date: 1950-03-28
Anticipated expiration: 1967-03-28

Description

March 28, 1950 H. M. HERBENER GIRDLE AND STIFFEN'ING UNIT 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 21, 1946 Hear Herb ener March 1950 'H. M. HERBENER GIRDLE AND STIFFENING UNIT 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 21, 1946 r y M H 87 March 1950 H. M. HERBENER GIRDLE AND STIFFENING UN 4 Sheets-Sheet Filed Nov. 21, 1946 r Ymma a Patented Mar. 28, 1950 2,501,900 GIRDLEIAND STIFFENINGQUNI'IY HenryM: Herbenen; Thomasville; on

Application Novemben 21, 19%,,Se1'i al NQ1l-711,255.1

13 Glaiins:

vide a device of theaboye mentionedcharact'er including a body portion having the maximum strength adjace-ntto the end" or ends of'the short rib or ribs.

A further ob'jectofthe invention'is to provide a deviceofthe above mentioned" character which is free from uniold'ed'cutedges;v

A further object ofthe invention is to provide a device of the above-mentioned character, the elements of which will remain properly assembled prior to the device being securedtothe garment. v

A further object, of the, invention is: to provide a device of the above mentionedcharacter: which:

will remain substantially fiat in the proper'posie tion when secured to? the;- garment" and" isxsufficiently resilient to permit of the' proper'turn ing action of the shortri-b or ribs:-

A further object of the'invention is to'provide a stiffening unit of the above mentioned cha-r acter, which is nea-tin appearance; strong, durable,- thinand easy-to applyto-thegarment.

A further object of the invention is to-providemeans forpreventing-the vertically elasticback portion of a girdlefrom wrinkling orfolding in use; without imparing'its elasticity.

A further object of the inventionistoprovide means for fixedly attaching'a stifiening ribnear one end in an elastic elongated'pocket'; so-that thepocket can slide uponthe rib throughout the major portion of-the length of'the-ribn Other objects and advantages :ofthe invention will be apparent during the course-=of the=-fol-'-- lowing description.

In the accompanying: drawings formingapart" of this application and in" which.like numeralsare employed to-designate like partsthroug-hout the same,-

Figure 1 is a perspectivev-iew of agirdleemrr bodying my invention,

Figure 2'--is a-planviewofthe blank-from Whichthe body portion of thestiffening unit is formed;

Figure 3 is a plan view of 'a blank foriforming, the resilient side of the.uni.t,'1

Figure 4 is an exploded": perspectiveview of the body portion and resilient side; prior to assembling,

Figure 5j"i's aperspective view ofthe bodyportion andhresilient' side, assembled; for forming thestiffening rib. holding casing f Figure 6' is a central longitudinal, section. through the casing, with the transverse .tape at.- tached' at one end't'osthe casing,.taken online 6'6?of IFi'gure 5; I

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the casing, with the tapeextendingacross the resilient side, with one endiunattached;

Figure: sfisna perspectiveview. of the stiffeningelement,

Figure 9i's a perspective, view ofithe completed: casing having the stifiening element therein, 7

Eigure IO'is a central'longitudinalisectiontaken V on'line Ni -l0 'ofFi'gure' Figure. 11 is a. perspective. view' of" the complated stiifening unit" applied; to the inner. face ofthe'front panel'of,theigirdle;

Figure 12 is a horizontarsection taken onli'ne; l 2: l 2 ofEigure' 1'1';

Figure 13' is a similar viewtakenon line; Ii -i3? ofgFigure 11,

Figure 145115" a similar "view takenonzline I 4 ['4 of gFigure'll," j

Figure" '15 is an; exploded" perspective: View of" the elementsforming a modified form of resilient vside fore the rib holding casing,

Figure" 16" is a perspective view of" the assembledfel'ements" forming the moidified resi-l'ienfi side,

Figure 17 is a central longitudinal section through a' rib" holding casing embodying the modifiedresilientside,

Figure, 18 is; a" perspective viewofia modified" form of: girdle having the stifieningunitst ap plied-toitsouterface;

Figure" leis aninner -side"elevation of the rear panel 'of agirdle; having my stifiening'units ap pliedth'ereto;

Figure" 20 is an enlarged perspective viewof" the rearpanel and-'- associated elements; parts broken away;

Figure" 2-1 is a" longitudinal sectiontaken on line 2' '-2-'i of Fig-ure'20";

Figure 22 isa side elevation of the:- stiifenin'g rib shown" in Fig-uresd 9 t'o I Figure 23' is-=a-.- side elevation of the inner -face of -er backpanel of" a girdle and associated ele ments, parts brokemaway;

Figure 24 is a fabric blank for forming means to secure the rib to the elastic portion of a garment,

Figure 25 is a perspective view blank partly folded,

Figure 26 is an edge elevation of the same,

Figure 27 is a perspective view of the completely folded and assembled blank and stiffening rib, showing the same applied to the elastic portion of a garment,

Figure 28 is a longitudinal section taken on line 2328 of Figure 27,

Figure 29 is a side elevation of a flexible strip, having one end secured to the elastic portion of the garment, before folding the strip to the closed position,

Figure 30 is a side elevation of the Strip and elastic portion, showing the strip in the closed position and stitched to the elastic portion,

Figure 31 is a longitudinal section taken on line 3 |3| of Figure 30,

Figure 32 is a longitudinal section taken on line 32-32 of Figure 30.

In the drawings, where for the purpose of illustration are shown preferred embodiments of my invention, attention being called first to Figures 1 to 14 inclusive, the numeral designates an elastic girdle comprising sides I l which are preferably two way stretch, a front panel I2 which is preferably non-elastic and a back panel |3 which is one way vertically elastic. This girdle is of the general construction shown in my Patent 2,136,742.

The numeral |4 designates stiffening units, secured to the front panel |2, substantially vertically arranged, and extending from the top of the front panel downwardly for about one third of the length of the front panel, although this may be varied. Since the front panel |2 is non-elastic, the stiifening units M are positioned upon the inner face of this panel.

Each stiffening unit includes a body portion |4' formed from an elongated rectangular fabric blank |5, which is preferably non-extensible. This blank is preferably formed of a light flexible strong fabric, such as nylon. The blank I is folded upon longitudinal lines IE, to provide a side i! and side sections I8 and folded edges |9. The inner edges of the side sections |8 abutt but do not overlap. The longitudinally folded blank is then folded upon transverse lines 20 to provide pocket walls 2|.

The numeral 2| designates a. longitudinally elastic strip or side, foldable upon transverse lines 22, affording reinforcing inturned flaps 23.

The folded ends of the elastic side 2| are now inserted into the pocket walls 2|, between the sides l1 and side sections |8.thereof, and are secured to these pocket walls 2| by transverse lines of stitching 24, which pass through these assembled parts only. The assembled body portion l4 and elastic side 2| now lie substantially flat, in superposed relation and constitute a stiffening element or rib receiving casing. The side 2| is narrower than the body portion l4 and the body portion has its longitudinal edges extending laterally beyond the elastic side 2| The numeral 25 designates a horizontal transverse retaining tape or band, which is applied to the outer face of the elastic side 2|, but is not stitched or otherwise secured thereto so that the elastic side may move with relation thereto. One folded end of this tape is sewed or tacked to the body portion I4 by a line of stitching 26.

The stiffening element is preferably of the form showing the 4 shown in my co-pending application for Girdle or the like, filed November 10, 1945, Serial No. 627,857. This stiffening element includes a long resilient rib 21, and short stiif ribs 28, hinged to the opposite ends of the long rib to provide knee joints, as shown. The stiffening element is now passed between the assembled body portion I4 and the elastic side 2|, and is enclosed within the casing. The opposite end of the tape 25 is folded inwardly and sewed or stitched to the body portion l4 by a line of stitching 36. This tape retains the stiffening element within the casing.

I contemplate forming the inner side of the casing of a short section of longitudinally elastic fabric 32, Figures 15, 16, and 17. I provide flexible attaching elements 33 for the elastic section 32. Each attaching element is formed of a section of non-elastic fabric, such as nylon, folded upon itself upon longitudinal lines to provide a side 34 and side sections 35. The elastic section 32 is slightly narrower than the attaching element 33 and its end is inserted into the end of the same and secured thereto by a transverse line of stitching 36. The outer ends of the attaching elements 33 are inserted between the layers of the pocket side 2| and are secured thereto by lines of stitching 31.

The assembled elements thus described constitute a completed stiffening unit, which may be made and sold as such, and may be applied to any garment, when desired. I contemplate omitting the intermediate portion of the body portion I4, between the lines a, Figure 4, and I would then omit the tape 25.

As shown in Figure 1, two of these stiffening units Hi are arranged upon the inner face of the front panel |2, as stated, since the front panel is non-elastic. The body portion I4 is next to the panel. The stiffening units are secured to the front panel l2 by longitudinal lines of stitching 38 passing through the body portion I6 pocket sides 2| and the front panel i2, Figure 11, but not through the elastic side of the casing, nor through the attaching elements 33 or the elastic section 32, Figures 15, 16, and 17. The pocket walls or sides 2| form with the body portion l4, pockets 32, receiving the outer ends of the short ribs 28, the hinge joints occurring near the lines of stitching 24. The flaps 23 extend longitudinally inwardly beyond these lines of stitching and provide a reinforced two layer formation for engagement with the inner ends of the short ribs. The pockets 32 which receive the outer ends of the short ribs have opposite sides which are of two layer formation. The stiffening units |4 may also be secured to the inner face of a non-elastic lining, arranged upon the inner face of the panel |2, and this lining would thus serve to attach the units M to the panel |2 or garment.

When applied to the front panel, as shown in Figures 1 and 11, the upper short ribs turn upon their hinges to follow the curvature of the body, as the wearer stoops forwardly, thus preventing the jabbing action by the upper ends of the long ribs. The lower short ribs follow the curvature of the body and prevent the lower ends of the long rib jabbing the wearer.

As shown in Figure 18, a longitudinally elastic front panel I2 is substituted for the front panel |2, other parts of the girdle remaining the same as described in connection with Figure 1. Since the front panel -|2 islongitudinally elastic, the stiifening units 4 may be applied to the outer face of the front panel |2', with the elastic side 22 'l sne'xti toilthenpanel .|:2 The bo'dyrzportiom 14' Lof the zunit |4Eisr stitched toltheafront paneli t2 byllineslofistitching .39; terminating:-atthehinges *oflthea short ribs, and intermediatellines ofistitch- Ping 340. The elastic-sided 'a may :be' omitted, if

desired.

In Eigur-e 1, Lhave showmstiffening:units M .i'cortesponding-l to the units. I 4, larrangedlupon the inner face of the sides vand Jstitched thereto "as irrdicated in 2 connection with I the sstiifening imits- M. since -the sides I l are elastic,2-thei=stifielding-units: M maybe arranged upom the outer face of the sides I |,'Figure l8, withthe modification :of the stitching;as-described in connection with i Figure I 18. -shorter than the 'stiffening 'units I4, but are "otherwise identical with the same. The: stifienii-ng units I Hi extend vertically from the to' oof thelgirdleaand are spaced, andany 'suitabie number ofth'em' maybe used.

ln Figures'l to21, Ihaveshownthe rear panel or portion-4| of a girdle, which panel: is vertically elastic. The panel or portion'extends to' -thetop of the girdle. Preferably arranged upon theinner face of the panel or portion-"4| "aihorizontal line of stitching 41, passing through .theslotliand connecting the-"strip-42,*fiap 43 andpanel 4|.

It is thusseen that the top end of the rib-44 is fixedly secured to the garment panel or pertion-4|, at the top end of the rib and-garment, while thecasing or pocket formed by the" strip or 'tape 42 and panel4| is freely "longitudinally "slidable upon the rib44, throughout substantially the"='enti-re length of the rib. *By'providing' this c'oristru'ction at the back of the garment, when the user stoops forwardly or sits down, the panel or portion 4| is free tostretch longitudinally with relation-to the rib44. isreli'e'ved, the panel "or portion 4| returns'to thenormal 'condition, but there is no tendency for the panel or portion 4| to fold or'wrinkle, as itis "held substantially flat by the ribs "44.

While Ihave "shown these ribs 'and' associated elements applied to the back portion or the gar- Tm'ent;they may be applied to any" other portion 'of'jthegarment; as found desirable.

'InFigure '23, the'ribs 44may be applied to the backportion or panel 4| of'a girdle having a band'48 at its top, 'providedwith transverse stiffeningribs49,'as shown inrny Patent 2,136.742. Whenthis is done, the elastic strips or tapes' lz extendover the edge of the band 48, between the "ribs"49,' and terminate'near the transverse center of the band 48, between the ribs. The strips "42"a'reiheld.inplace'bythe lines of stitching46 ,aridthel.sametransverse line of stitching 41 is employed; to fiXedly. attach the top. endof the fribll tothe band'48. The ribs 44 e'xtendtoland beyond'the top of the panel or portion-4|, and retain'the top portion of thepanel flat but-permitlofflthe longitudinal stretching ofthe portion I'- with relationtoatheribs 44, for the reasons stated-tin connection with Eigure 19.

.The: stiffening units |4 'J-are I When the tension permit of the lon itudinal stretching "of the foundation element whilelthe riborr'ibsfll would retain it flat against folding-or: wrinkling. The pocket 5.6 and associated elements-maybe employed to attach either the :upper or*lower end of the ribi'i to the foundation element.

In-Figures z l toi28 inclusive, Ithaveaishowna further construction for fixedly securing onetend,

such as the upper-end,-ofthe rib' toan elastic portion of the garment. In connection with'ithis 'form of invention; the numeral 5 49 designates a 'iabric blank which is longitudinally elastic. I his wblank is foldable' upon longitudinal lines "50 120 form a side-5|, and side'p0rtions 52. 'One'end of the folded blank is then folded transverselyupon 'a' line 53, Figure 25, forming an inner' fiap'54, stitched to the side 5|, and side sectionsl52 by longitudinal lines of stitching 55, Figure25, forming a pocket 55. 'The short rib'28 of the longrib 21, Figure 25, is swung upon 'itshinge so that its inner end extends outwardly beyond the" rib any other portion of the girdleorother 'garment.

When'thus applied the rib 'zl is *nex't to the foundationelement and the side sections 52-=are nextto the'same. The folded unit is stitched to the foundation element i2 by longitudinal zigzag lines of stitching fifl, terminating at the'elevation of'the hinge of the short rib-and furtherby line's of zigzag stitching 59. The'pOcket EG receiving the inner endof the the short rib: serves to fixedly attach-the end of the rib 27 to the garmentgso that it' cannot move longitudinally with relation to the same, while the casingorpocketSil -formed bythe folded unit and the foundation element i2 is freely slidable uponthe' rib fl. This will In Figures 29, 36, 31, and 32,1 haveshowna gfurther modification wherein "a longitudinally elastic strip or tape kit is provided, which is'ap- :plied to a vertica'iiy and longitudinally elastic "foundation element or section 6 i.

The tape when 'a'pplied to the section B i overlaps" thesame and extends upwardly beyond it. 'These overlapping parts are-secured together by a zigzag line of stitching S2 terminating at points 2. The

strip 69 is now folded downwardly upon a transverse' line 63, overlapping the flap- 54 and section 8!. These overlapping parts 69,--64,"and"' 6|,

-'are now secured together by zigzag lines ofstitching-(i5, terminating at andzigzag-linesof stitching fit'connecting elements 60 and 6|. "The slotfiB formedin the upper endof 'thesho'rt'rib ,28and secures this short rib to the upper-end of the s'ection'BI or garment. When the strip-this applied" to the-secti0n"fi| the-fiap fi i is'next' to the section-6| and the strip-6E) may be'applie'd "to the inner or outer face ofthesectionBl.

"It to'be understood'ithat the" forms of 'my "invention herewith shown and described are to be takenas preferred examples of the samemand Ithat variouschanges in the shape size andzarrangement of parts maybe resortedto, (without departing from the spirit ofwmy inventions/or the-scope of the subioined claims.

- Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A stiffening unit comprising a flexible fabric casing including opposed'sides, one side being at least in part elastic, means forming pockets near the ends of the casing, said pockets having their inner ends spaced longitudinally of the casing, said opposed sides having their adjacent edges disconnected throughout the major portion of their length, and a stiffening element within the casing, said stiffening element including a long rib and short ribs hinged to the ends of the long rib, the short ribs extending into the pockets, one side of the casing to be stitched to a garment part.

2. A stiffening unit comprising a flexible casing including opposed sides, one side being folded transversely upon itself near its ends for forming pocket sides, the inner ends of the pocket sides being spaced longitudinally of the side which carries them, the other side being at least in part elastic and secured to the pocket sides, the pocket sides being adapted to form pockets with the first named side, said pockets having their inner ends spaced longitudinally of the casing, the adjacent longitudinal edges of the opposed sides being disconnected throughout the major portion of their length between the pockets, and a stiffening element within the casing including a long rib and short ribs hinged thereto near the ends of the long rib, the short ribs extending into the pockets, said casing to be secured to a garment part.

3. A stiffening unit comprising a two layer first side folded transversely upon itself near its ends for providing pocket sides forming pockets with the first side, said pockets having their inner ends spaced longitudinally of the first side, a second side which is at least in part elastic secured to the pocket sides, the first and second sides having their adjacent edges between the pockets disconnected throughout the major portion of their length, and a stiffening element arranged between the first and second sides and including a long rib and short ribs hinged to the ends of the long rib, the outer ends of the short ribs ex- ;tending between the pocket sides and first side,

the first side to be stitched to a garment part.

4. A stiffening unit comprising a two layer first side folded transverselyupon itself near its ends for providing pocket sides which form pockets with the first side, said pockets having their inner ends open and spaced longitudinally of the first side, a second side which is at least in part elastic and including two layer end portions attached to the pocket sides, the adjacent edges of the first and second sides being disconnected throughout the major portion of their length between the pockets, anda stiffening element arranged between the first and second sides and including a long rib and short ribs hinged to the ends of the long rib, the outer ends of the short ribs being covered by the pocket sides and the inner ends of the short ribs being covered by the two layer end portions, the first side being stitched to a garment part.

5. A stiffening unit comprising a first side foldable transversely upon itself near its ends for providing pocket sides forming pockets with such first side, the inner ends of such pockets being open and spaced longitudinally of the first side, a second side which is at least in part elastic secured to the pocket sides, the first and second sides having their adjacent longitudinal edges disconnected between the pockets throughout substantially their entire length, a stiffening element arranged between the first and second sides and including a long rib and short ribs hinged to the ends of. the long rib, the outer ends of the short ribs extending between the pocket sides and first .side, and means secured to one side between the pockets to prevent the removal of the stiffening element from between said sides.

6. A stiffening unit comprising a first side including a fabric blank folded longitudinally upon itself to provide a layer and layer sections arranged in overlapping relation, the longitudinally folded blank being folded transversely near its ends to provide pocket sides forming with the first side pockets, said pockets having their inner ends open and spaced longitudinally of the first side, a second side including a longitudinally elastic fabric folded transversely upon itself near its ends for providing flaps arranged in overlapping relation to the second side, means securing the ends of the second side to the pocket sides, the first and second sides having their longitudinal edges between the pockets disconnected throughout the major portion of their length, and a stiffening element arranged between the first side and second side and including a long rib and short ribs hinged to the ends of the long rib, the outer ends of the short ribs being covered by the pocket sides and the inner ends of the short ribs being covered by th flaps.

'l. A stiffening unit comprising a first side including an elongated fabric blank folded longitudinally upon itself to provide a layer and layer sections arranged in overlapping relation, the longitudinally folded blank being transversely folded near its ends for forming pocket sides, each pocket side including a layer and opposed layer sections, th pocket sides forming with the first side end pockets having their inner ends open and spaced longitudinally of the first side, a second side including an elongated longitudinally elastic blank folded transversely upon itself near its ends for providing flaps, the folded ends of the second side being inserted between the layers and layer sections of the pocket sides and stitched to the pocket sides, the first and second sides having their adjacent edges between the pockets disconnected throughout the major portion of their length, and a stiffening element arranged between th first side and second side and including a long rib and short ribs hinged to the ends of the long rib, the outer ends of the short ribs being covered by the pocket sides and the inner ends of the short ribs being covered by the flaps.

8. A stiffening unit comprising a first side including a fabric blank folded transversely upon itself near its ends to provide pocket sides arranged in overlapping relation to the first side and forming with the first side end pockets, said end pockets having their inner ends open and spaced longitudinally of the first side, a second side which is at least in part elastic arranged opposite to the first side and narrower than the first side, means securing the ends of the second side to the pocket sides, and a stiffening element arranged between the first side and second side and including a long rib and short ribs hinged to the ends of the long rib, the outer ends of the short ribs being covered by the pocket sides, the arrangement being such that longitudinal lines of stitching following the longitudinal edges of the first side and pocket sides may secure the first side and pocket sides to a garment part without engaging the second side.

9. A stiffening unit comprising a first side including a fabric blank folded upon itself near its ends for forming pocket sides, a second side ineluding a longitudinally elastic section, nonelastic attaching elements, each attaching element including a fabric blank folded longitudinally upon itself to provide overlap-ping layer and layer sections, the ends of the elastic section being inserted between the layers and layer sections of the attaching elements and secured thereto, the opposite ends of the attaching elements being secured to the pocket sides, and a stiffening element arranged between the first side and second side and including a long rib and short ribs hinged to the ends of the long rib.

10. A garment, a stiffening unit for coaction with the garment, the stiffening unit comprising a first side having its ends folded inwardly upon itself for forming pocket sides which form end pockets with the first side, said end pockets having their inner ends open and spaced longitudinally of the first side, a second side which is at least in part elastic disposed opposite to the first side and narrower than the first side, means securing the ends of the second side to the pocket sides, a stiffening element arranged between the first side and second side and including a long rib and short ribs hinged to the long rib near its ends, the outer ends of the short ribs being covered by the pocket sides, and longitudinal lines of stitching passing through the first side, pocket sides and garment and not through the second side.

11. A casing for a stiffening element, including a long rib and short ribs hinged to the ends of the long rib, said casing including a non-elastic fabric blank folded upon longitudinal edges to provide a layer and layer sections arranged in overlapping relation, the folded blank forming a first side which is folded transversely near its ends for providing pocket sides which form end pockets with the first side, said end pockets having their inner ends open and spaced, and a second side which is at least in part elastic secured to the pocket sides and disposed opposite to the first side, the first and second sides having their adjacent, longitudinal edges between the end 10 pockets disconnected throughout the major portion of their length.

12. A stiffening unit comprising a first side having means secured to one end thereof for forming an end pocket having its inner end open, a second side which is at least in part elastic secured to the pocket forming means, means connecting the opposite ends of the first side and second side, the inner open end of the pocket being spaced from the connecting means, the first and second sides having their adjacent longitudinal edges between the pocket and connecting means disconnected throughout the major portion of their length, and a stiffening element arranged between the first side and second side and including a long rib and a short rib hinged to one end of the long rib, the short rib projecting into the pocketing forming means.

13. A stiffening unit to be applied to the body of a garment and formed separate therefrom, comprising an elongated separate fabric strip folded at its end transversely to form a flap which is stitched to the strip for providing a pocket, said pocket having its inner end open and spaced from the opposite end a stiffening rib, and a short rib hinged to the end of the stiffening rib and extending into the pocket and means to secure the separate strip to the body.

HENRY M. HERBENER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 398,569 Bannier Feb. 26, 1889 1,523,914 Thorp Jan. 20, 1925 1,581,962 Kispert Apr. 20, 1926 2,062,131 Hirsch Nov. 24, 1936 2,132,033 Kapinas Oct. 4, 1938 2,136,742 Herbener Nov. 15, 1938 2,301,047 Hendley Nov. 3, 1942