United States patent 708773

Fig. 1. Fig. 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JULIUS LINDAUER, OF PARIS, FRANCE. CORSET. SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 708,773, dated September 9, 1902.

Application filed September 30, 1901. Serial No. 77,074. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JULIUS LINDAUER, a subject of the German Emperor, and a resident of 42 Faubourg du Temple, Paris, in the Republic of France, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Corsets, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

This invention relates to improvements in corsets, and has for its object to provide for a corset affording a good support to the bust, though the stomach region is left perfectly free.

The objection to ordinary high corsets is that they are fitted with long steel busks, which extend up over a good part of the sternum, (or front part of the thorax,) thereby causing the corset to encircle the thoracic cage and exercise an injurious pressure on the organs contained therein, because they do not permit the chest to expand in the manner in which it expands when no corset is worn. In order to remove this inconvenience, extreme low corsets which cover the trunk from below the bust down only are often worn; but these leave the bust unsupported and can only be worn by young and slender ladies. The inconvenience of these extreme low corsets has partially been removed by adding a bust-supporter thereto, bearing on the shoulders by means of straps or bands.

However, these bust-supporters fatigue the shoulders and back and replace the corset in a very imperfect manner owing to their want of rigidity. The corset which forms the object of the present invention removes all these inconveniences and as regards elegance presents all the advantages of the other corsets.

It is characterized by the fact that the part which forms the front is only a belt or band provided with busks, which does not reach up over the sternum, thus leaving the region of the stomach and the respiratory organs perfectly free, while the remainder presents the height of an ordinary corset, in which the bones extend from the bottom to the top thereof and which is left perfectly open in front.

The accompanying drawings show a specimen of my improved corset.

Figure 1 is an inside view of the corset, and Fig. 2 is a front view of the corset as it appears when worn.

Referring to these figures, it may be seen that the corset is substantially formed of a main part A, surrounding the whole body, except in front, and a front part B, covering only the abdomen up to slightly above the waist. This part B is formed of two symmetrical sections, which are provided with busks at their free adjacent edges for securing the corset in place and which are sewed by their other edges to the main part. The main part A is also formed of two symmetrical sections connected together at the back by means of a lacing for the adjustment of the corset.

This part A is provided with whalebones or steels for the whole of its height, like an ordinary corset, while the part B is only provided with busks and has no whalebones or steels. The part B is widened downwardly, as illustrated in the drawings, and it is formed, as already stated, of two sections which are symmetrical with relation to their contact edges.

In order to allow of the corset supporting the bust well and having the pit of the stomach and the upper front part of the bust completely uncovered, the whalebones or steels are arranged at an angle, as shown at a, in such a manner as to bring the bust forward and to give the necessary support without in any way restraining the respiratory movements.

It is obvious that the corset can be ornamented with trimmings, ribbons, knots, and it can also be provided with a bow-shaped tie on the uncovered part, if desired.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed,

I declare that what I claim is---

A corset comprising a main part A of substantially the usual height adapted to pass around the body except in front, provided with whalebones for the whole of its height and formed of two sections connected by a

lacing, in combination with a downwardlywidened part B of less height than the main part arranged at the front of the corset and covering only the abdomen to slightly above the waist, said part B being formed of two symmetrical sections provided only with busks at their free adjacent edges for securing the corset in place, and being seamed to

the main part A, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two witnesses.

JULIUS LINDAUER.

Witnesses:

LOUIS MOSES,

EDWARD P. MACLEAN.