US79350A - Theodoeb hi mbs - Google Patents

Description

THEODORE HIMES, OF NEW-ALBANY, INDIANA Letters .Patent No. 79,350, dated June 30, 1868.

IMPROVEMENT IN DRESS-PROTECTORS.

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TO ALL WHOM. IT MAY CONCERN:

Be it known that I, THEoDoItE I-IIMES, of New Albany, in the county of Floyd, and State of'Indiana, have invented a certain new and improved Dress-Protector for ladies; and I'do hereby declare that the following is a. full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification. 1

Figure 1 is a view ofthe protector, as applied to the person.

Figure2, a sectional perspective view of the same, detached.

Figure 3, a view ofthe overskirt.

Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

` My invention consists ofa water-proof covering cr dress for ladies, in which the lower portion of the ordinary dress and skirts may be enclosed and fully protected from becoming soiled by mud or wet during stormy weather, as hereinafter set forth.

As represented in the drawings, the protector of an outer covering, A, of the size andforrn of the lower portion of a ladys crinoline, united at the bottom to an inner concentric lining, B, so as to leave between the two an annular space, C, in which the lower portions of the dress, crinoline, and skirts are enclosed. The upper edges ofthe concentric portion, B, terminate in outside drawers, D D, which connect at the bottom with leg-gings E E, as clearly shown. The parts may be made of oil or rubber cloth, or .other water-proof material, and are kept distended in proper shape by wires n n 1t n, as represented.

To the upper edges of the parts A and B are respectively attached two series of straps, d d and e e, the former, d, being secured to a belt,f, encircling the waist on the outside ofthe dress, and .the latter, e, fastened to a belt, g, that clasps around the waist under the dress, and next to the corset. The length of these straps, as well as the depth of the annular space C, may be varied, and the former regulated by buckles or equivalent appliances, so as to elevate the bottom of the protector, to a greater' or less height, as the taste or convenience of the wearer may require. The inner straps e c are provided with hooks z' z', or equivalent, by which they can be readily disconnected in removing thcprotector, while the belt may remain around the waist. If preferred, the belt g maybe dispensed with, and the straps e connect with rings, or loops attached to the corset itself'. An outer skirt, I, also made of water-proof fabric, and of suitable length to envelope the protectorA B, is employed, which not only protects the upper portion ot' the skirt, but, by concealing thc bottom of the protector, causes the whole to present a common and unobjectionable appearance.

'lhcoperation and manner of applying my improvement are obvious.

The drawers D being drawn on, the inner straps e are attached under the skirts to the waist, when the skirts are arranged in the annular space C, and the bcltf to which the outer straps are secured fastened around the waist over the dress.

The skirt I, being then put on over the whole, the protection is complete. The protector is removed with the greatest facility by simply disconnecting the straps e, and unclasping the outer belt. v

As the dress when arranged in the protector is designed to be raised but a short distance from the ground, say from six to ten inches, more or less, it is left comparatively loose, so as not to bc crumpled or disordered by folds or wrinkles. This mode of protection is of great importance during stormy weather, and especially on those occasions (which are very frequent) when it is desirabloio retain the ordinary dress, and still have it suitably protected.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by/ Letters Patent, is-

The dress-protector, consisting of the drawers I), leggings E, double covering, A'B, attached to the drawers, and skirt I, all hcld up and suspended by straps from waistbands fg, substantially as and for the purposes eet forth.

In witness whereof', I have hereunto signed my naine in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

. TIIEODORE IIIMES. Witnesses:

' N. 1I.v Conn,

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