Untitled record

Application filed January 14, 1891, Serial No. 377,688. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Prudence A. Smith, a resident of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Im5 proyement in a Dress-Form, of which the following is a clear, full, and exact description.

My invention relates to an improvement in a dress-form; and it consists in a peculiar system of adjustable graduated tapes of either io cloth or strap-steel, which can be applied to the human form and by which a detail measurement of the form is obtained.

The object of my invention is to construct a device by which every curve of the human 15 form may be accurately measured, and, if desired, transferred to and set up in a comparatively rigid form, upon which form the dress may be fitted. In this case the measurements should be taken by a system of 20 graduated tapes, from which they are recorded or transferred to a like system of graduated steel bands, upon which the dress can then be fitted.

My invention is shown in the accompanv25 ing drawings, in which—

Figure 1 is a detail front view of the neckband and its tapes. Fig. 2 is a side view of an arm-band and its tapes. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the junction of the tapes 30 near the shoulder. Fig. 4 is a front perspective view of my system of tapes as applied to the human form. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the tapes, showing the graduations; and Fie’. 6 is a longitudinal section on the line c c, Fig. 5.

Similar letters refer to similar parts.

A is a neckband, from w'hich are suspended a number of graduated tapes B B, that extend down in front and in the rear, and shouldertapes C C, which may be shorter than the 40 others.

p are arm-bands, from each of which a strap E is suspended, carrying graduated tapes F.

The graduated tapes B C F are all supplied with suitable button-holes and fastenings at 45 any desired interval, so that they may be adjustable one to another. One form of fastening G is shown in detail in Fig. 6. This fastening extends through perforations H, Fig. 5, and is retained in place by lugs on the ends 50 of two.spring-shanks. Another form of fastening may be what is called a “spring-button,” such as is commonly used on men’s gloves.

To any specific form of fastening I do not desire to limit myself.

The measurements are ascertained in the 55 following manner: The neckband A is first, placed around the neck and fastened. The arm-bands D are next adjusted so that the strap E will hang directly under the arm, and the tapes C are then fastened to the arm-bands 60 D. The tapes F are then brought up around the body in the front and rear and buttoned or fastened to the straps B, all substantially as shown in Fig. 4. The perforations or fastenings are so numerous at every crossing that 65 the straps may be fastened one to another and interlaced into a perfect net-work, substantially as shown, so as to give perfect adjustment. When the form is finally fitted, the length of each tape and position of crossings 70 may be transferred to a book as a record for future reference, or directly to a steel-band dummy which is an exact reproduction of the cloth system of tapes, and which, in fact, may be directly used on the human figure accord- 75 ing to this invention. By this means the exact outline and curves of the body may be obtained and set up in a steel form, to which the dress may be fashioned, thereby insuring perfect fitting to the body. It may be desired 80 to introduce extra tapes, as shown by J, for connecting the arm-bands, and also tapes K, Fig. 4, for connecting the straps C and J. This can readily be done without affecting the remainder of the system. By the extension of .85 some of the straps F over the shoulder, (shown in Fig. 4,) the fit of the shoulder of the sleeve is readily ascertained.