US2860640A - Girdles - Google Patents

Description

NOV. 18, 1958 M CLARK 2,85Qfi40 GIRDLES Fild Feb. 16, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. MARGARET CLARA ATTORNEY 2, Sheets-Sheet 2 v? g 7 19 B INVENTOR CLARK III-I ATTORNEY M. CLARK Nov. 18, 1958 GIRDLE$ Filed Feb. 16, 1955 MARGARET United States Patent GIRDLES Margaret Clark, New York, N. Y., assignor to Flexnit Company, Inc., a corporation of New Jersey Application February 16, 1955, Serial No. 488,517

' 3 Claims. (Cl. 128-540) This invention relates to improvements in girdles and the like for women, and has for a principal object the provision of a girdle having novel elements in combination, which effect a degree of control of the abdomen not heretofore obtained.

Another object of the provision of a girdle or the like having at least one panel comprised of a relatively nonstretchable fabric of a pre-determined shape having lateral borders and having a series of angularly disposed comparatively narrow stretchable fabric webs freely spanning the surface of said panel and having their extremitie's secured to said borders, and a second series of comparatively narrow stretchable fabric webs extending angular with respect to and interwoven with said first webs, each of the webs in said second series also being free except that its extremities are secured to said lateral borders, said panel being adapted to be positioned coextensive with the abdomen of the wearer.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a girdle having at least two lateral stretchable panels having narrow interwoven stretchable webs spanning the surface thereof and a relatively non-stretchable panel therebetween influenced by both said first panels thereby performing the double function of controlling the abdomen and conforming to the contours of the hips.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a girdle having front and back panels which are joined together by a series of angularly disposed comparatively narrow stretchable fabric webs and having a second series of comparatively narrow stretchable fabric webs extending angularly with respect to and interwoven with said first webs, the webs of said interwoven structure having their extremities secured to said first and said second panels respectively on one side; and a second interwoven structure on the other side having its extremities secured to said front and back panels, so that the interwoven structures are on each side and span portions of the hips of the wearer, thereby providing greater ventilation and comfort to the wearer in addition to the other advantages described herein.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon a study of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings which are given by way of example to illustrate the invention:

Figure 1 is a front view of a figure wearing one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a front view of the garment of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a rear view of the garment shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional fragmentary view taken along the line 44 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a front elevation showing a modified form of the front panel shown in Figure 2;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a three-quarter view of a further modification of the invention shown on a figure;

2 Figure 8 is a front elevation of the garment shown in Figure 7;

.Figure 9 is a back view of the garment shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 1010 of Figure 8; and

Figure 11 is a view of a further modification of the invention wherein the garment is comprised of front and back panels joined by my novel interwoven structure on each side hereof.

Referring first to Figures 1, 2 and 3 my new and improved girdle 10 is comprised of right and left side panels 11 and 12, respectively. These side panels are stretchable in both the horizontal and the vertical sense, and they each may be made of one piece of material or of more than one piece, for example, the panel 12 may be formed of two panel elements 12a and 12b stitched together along a seam 14, and the edges of the seam are pressed flat. The: same may be the case with the side panel 13, wherein it. may be formed of two panel elements 13a and 13b stitched! together along a seam 15 and the edges of the seam are also pressed flat.

The garment has a front panel 16 of a shape generally resembling an inverted keystone and it is stitched to the side panel 13 with a special seam generally designated in Figure 4 by the numeral 17 and consisting of an inner strip 18 of cotton tape which has its edges 18a and 18b turned inwardly so that two thicknesses of said tape are included in each row of stitching 19 and 20. The fabric of the front panel 16 and the extremities of a series of angularly disposed comparatively narrow stretchable fabric webs 21, 22, 23 together with an extremity 16a; are stitched together with a special inside seam 21a for extra strength to hold the side panel 13 in place. Following this, the tape 18, the side panel 13 and the doubled extremities of the fabric 16 and the stretchable fabric webs are stitched together by means of the seam 19 already referred to above, then the other edge of the tape 1815, the fabric 16 and the stretchable webs are stitched together by means of the row of stitching 20, above referred to. This construction, with a minimum of material and effort, produces a strong and long-lasting seam which insures long life to the garment.

The side panel 12 is secured to the panel 16 by means of a seam 24 comprising rows of stitching 25, 26 (the special inside seam not shown is identical with that shown at 21 in Figure 4). The seam 24 and the special inside seam (not shown) are identical with those shown and described in connection with Figure 4 with the exception that the seam 24 includes a series of comparatively narrow stretchable fabric Webs 32, 33 and 34 which are angularly disposed relative to the webs 21, 22 and 23 and which are interspersed with the webs 21, 22 and 23. The extremities of the webs 32, 33 and 34 on one end thereof are included in the seam 24 together with the lower extremities of the webs 21, 22 and 23, and the lower extremities of the webs 32, 33 and 34 are stitched into the seam 17 in a manner like that shown for the webs 21, 22 and 23. In this way both series of angularly disposed comparatively narrow stretchable fabric webs freely span the surface of the panel 16 and therefore have a greater degree of control and eliminates the use of inner belts which are known in many other garments. The interspersed criss-cross pattern of the webs 21, 22', 23, 32, 33 and 34 flexibly and yet comfort-ably provide double support to the abdomen.

A back panel 27 has one edge thereof secured to the side panel 12 by means of a row 28 of fagoting and it has its opposite edge secured to the edge of the side panel 13 by means of a row of fagoting 29. A strip of facing 30 is stitched to the inner surface of the upper end of the then tubular structure, and a similar facing strip 31 is secured to the inner surface adjacent to the bottom edge of the garment all the way around. Both the strips 30 and 31 are stretchable lengthwise where they are stitched to stretchable material, namely, the extremities of the side panels 12 and 13 at the top and at the bottom; Where the facing strips 36) and 31 are secured to the panels 17 and 27 at the top and at the bottom, they are nonstretchable.

Secured to the bottom of the garment between the interfacing 31 and the side panels both in the front and the back at the bottom are a series of hose supporters 35.

Referring now to Figures and 6, the garment shown is identical with the garment just described above in connection with Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, with the exception that a panel of the two-way stretch net 36 overlies the panel 16 therefore the same numerals are given to the same parts in Figure 5 that correspond with the parts already described in connection with Figures 1, 2 and 3.

The panel of the power net 36, as stated above, overlies the panel 16, and it is secured with the other elements comprising the seam 17 as illustrated in Figure 6 wherein it will be noted that the power net 36 which is preferably a nylon mesh has one edge 36a turned inwardly and stitched together with the extreme edges of the fabric 16a and the extremities of the comparatively narrow stretchable fabric webs by means of the stitching 21 forming the special inside seam previously described for extra strength to hold the side panel 13, the doubled extremities of the fabric 16, the stretchable fabric webs and the doubled power net 36a are stitched together by means of the seams 19 referred to above. After that the other edge of the tape 18b, the fabric 16, the stretchable webs and the net 36 are stitched together by means of the row of stitching 20.

The side panel 12 is stitched together with the panel 16 in the same manner as that just described in connection with the panel 13 and this stitching includes the overlying nylon net 36. The upper and lower extremities of the nylon net panel 36 are stitched together with the upper and lower extremities of the tubular body at the time the upper interfacing 30 and the lower interfacing 31 are applied.

The use of the overlying power net 36 in combination with the interlaced or interspersed strips results in a firm support which not only holds the abdomen in but also in holding the abdomen up without the use of stays or other rigid materials to do the job. This new and improved garment functions to support the abdomen without any constriction whatever and consequently it gives the greatest support and yet the greatest degree of comfort.

Referring to Figures 7, 8 and 9, I show a further modification of the invention wherein a relatively non-stretchable front panel 40 is employed, and secured to the right edge of this panel in any suitable manner for example by means of a row of fagoting 37 is a flexible panel 38. Joining the panel 38 by means of a row 39 of feather. stitching is a second flexible panel 41. A series of angularly disposed comparatively narrow stretchable fabric webs 42, 43, 44 and a second series of angularly disposed comparatively narrow stretchable fabric webs which are both angularly disposed relative to the first series and interwoven therewith, such as strips 45, 46 and 47, have their common ends secured to the junction of the panels 38 and 41 by means of said row of feather stitching 39.

The panel 41 is joined to a back panel 48 by means of a row of fagoting 49. Where the panel 41 joins the panel '48, a hem 50 is formed in the panel 41, and stitched to the hem are the other extremities of the webs 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47 so that the flexible strips are secured to border of the panel by their extremities only and they freely overlie the surface of the panel 41. Due to the fact that they are interwoven, they conjointly exert ten- 4 manner, for example, by a row of fagoting 83 is a flexible panel 51 which is similar to the panel 38 and joining the panel 51 by means of a row 52 of feather stitching is a flexible panel 53 which is similar to the panel 41.

A series of angularly disposed comparatively narrow stretchable fabric webs 54, 55 and 56 and a second series of angularly disposed comparatively narrow stretchable fabric webs which are both angularly disposed relative to the first series and interwoven therewith, said strips being designated as 57, 58 and 59, have their common ends or extremities secured to the junction of the panels 51 and 53 by means of said row of fagoting 52. The panel 53 is joined to the back panel 48 by a row of fagoting 57. Where the panel 53 joins the panel 51 a hem 60 is formed in the panel 53 and stitched to the hem 60 are the other extremities of the webs 54, 55, 56 and 57, 58, 59 so that the flexible strips are secured to the border of the panel by their extremities only and they freely overlie the surface of the panel 53 due to the fact that they are interwoven, they conjointly with the strips overlying the panel 41, exert a firm and even tension on both the front panel 40 and the back panel 48 and thereby hold the abdomen in normal and proper position.

Referring now to Figure 10, the above described structure is illustrated in section wherein the front panel 40 has an extremity 46a doubled back on itself, and stitched to this is a lining 61 which also has an edge 6011 turned under and stitched to the front panel 40 by a row of stitches 62. The narrow elastic panel 51 has a hemmed edge 51a which is secured to the front panel 40 by the fa'got stitch 52 as described above. The other edge of this elastic panel 51 has a hem 51b. The panel 53 has a hem 53a and joining this hem is the series of extremities of the elastic strips 54, 55, 56 and 57, 58, 59 and the hem 51b, 53a are joined by the row of feather stitching 52.

A strip of facing 63 is stitched to the inner surface of the upper end of the then tubular structure, and a similar facing strip 64 is secured to the inner surface adjacent to the bottom edge of the garment all the way around. Both the strips 63 and 64 are stretchable lengthwise where they are stitched to stretchable material, namely, the extremities of the side panels 38, 41 and 53, 51 at the top and at the bottom. Where the facing strips 63 and 64 are secured to the panels 40 and 48 at the top and at the bottom, they are non-stretchable.

Referring now to Figure 11, a further modification of the invention is shown wherein a front panel 65, which may be comprised of one piece or several pieces, secured together such as a member 66 with auxiliary panels 67 and 68 stitched thereto along seams, such as the seams 69 and 70, respectively. The garment has a back panel 71, and the front panel may have a suitable bound edge 72 at the top and a similar bound edge 73 at the bottom, the back panel 71 may also have the bottom and top edges bound or bordered for example as shown at 74 on the bottom edge, the top edge does not show in Figure 11. The front panel has a right hand edge 75 and a left hand edge 76 while the back panel has :a right hand edge 77 and a left hand edge 78.

Joining the right edge 75 of the front panel and the right edge 77 of the rear panel is a structure 80 comprised of a series of angularly disposed comparatively narrow stretchable fabric webs, and a second series of angularly disposed comparatively narrow stretchable fabric webs which are both angularly disposed relative to the first series and interwoven therewith. The extremities of all of these fabric webs 79 on the front are secured to the edge 75 of the front panel array and likewise the other extremities of the webs are secured to the edge 77 of the back panel 71.

Joining the left edges of the front and back panels is a like structure 82 formed of a series of angularly disposed comparatively narrow stretchable fabric webs 81 and a second series of angularly disposed comparatively narrow stretchable fabric webs 81 which are both angularly disposed relative to the first series and interwoven therewith. The extremities of said strips on the front side are permanently secured to the edge '76 to the front panel array and the other extremities of these webs are commonly secured to the edge 78 of the back panel thereby providing a garment of this class which not only molds the figure but which is also cool and ideal for summer wear, due to the fact that the interwoven elastic strips are not secured to each other where they cross and therefore they freely span the portions of the hips which lie between the front and the back panels.

Although I have herein shown and described by way of example several embodiments of the invention I wish to emphasize that the only limits to the form of the invention covered are the scope of the following claims.

Iclaim:

1. A generally tubular garment adapted to embrace the torso of and to support the abdomen of a wearer, said garment having in combination right and left side panels, a back panel, and a front panel secured together, said front panel being shaped generally like an inverted keystone, said last panel having lateral borders and having top and bottom edges coinciding with the top and bottom edges of the garment, and an array carried upon said last panel and comprising; .a first series of angularly disposed comparatively narrow flexible fabric webs having their extremities secured solely to said lateral borders, and a second series of comparatively narrow flexible fabric webs angularly disposed relative to and interlaced with said first webs and also having their extremities secured solely to said borders.

2. A generally tubular garment adapted to embrace a portion of the body of and to hold in the abdomen of a wearer, said garment having a combination, right and left side panels, a back panel and a front panel, said front panel being generally in the shape of an inverted keystone and adapted to extend over said abdomen, said front panel having lateral borders joining the remainder of the garment, and an overlay freely spanning said front panel and comprising two interlaced groups of comparatively narrow elastic webs each group extending angular with respect to the other and angular with respect to the vertical axis of said panel, said webs having their extremities secured to said panel along said lateral borders and being free between said lateral borders, and flexible reinforcing means secured to the front panel and overlying the front panel and said overlay.

3. The invention according to claim 2 in which a net panel overlies both said last mentioned panels, said overlay, and is secured to said last mentioned panel about the edges thereof and providing a greater degree of control over the abdomen of a user and a net panel overlying both said last mentioned panel and said overlay, thereby providing a greater degree of control of said abdomen.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,945,093 Strait Jan. 30, 1934 2,745,103 Van Horne May 15, 1956 2,758,310 Lewis et al Aug. 14-, 1956

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