US2528639A - Collapsible hoop skirt - Google Patents

Description

NOV. 7, 1950 c, CLAYTON 2,528,639

COLLAPSIBLE HOOP SKIRT Filed Aug. 12, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVEN TOR.

MARY C- CLAYTON ATTORNEY Nov. 7, 1950 M. c. CLAYTON 2,528,639

COLLAPSIBLE HOOP SKIRT Filed Aug. 12, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 'JNVEN TOR.

MARY C. CLAYTON Patented Nov. 7, 1 950 f; s'rA'r oo L PsIBLE Hoor SKIRT Mary 0. Clayton, Decatur, Ga. Application August 12, 1948, Serial No. 43,922

, 1 'lhis invention relates to feminine attire, and more particularly to a new and improved, collapi le 09 Skirt,

I For many years in this country, and particularly in the southern part thereof, it has been customary for women to wear at formal functions whatis known as hoop skirts, these consisting essentially of a very wide and'full garment sup-'- ported' by a series of circular hoop-like members, increasing in their over-all diameter from the topdown, and extending the material of the skirt away from the body of the wearerin a picturesque and pleasing manner.

An,ob vious' objection to garments of this type liesinthe fact that they are quite bulky, and hencedifiicult to pack or transport.

Another objection lies in the fact that conventional hoop skirts are heavy, which factor is accentuated in the case of elaborate costumes as are oft'eriused on the stage and screen.

Another objection arises because the hoops of these skirts are usually relatively rigid, making it diflicult to sit down, as for example in an automobile when wearing such, and even creating a problem in some cases in passing through doors or narrow passageways.

object of my invention is to provide a collaps'iblehoop skirt that may be readily packed in a' small container and easily transported.

Another object is to provide a'collapsible hoop skirt that is readily adjustable into several different forms.

Another object is to provide an instrumentalit of theinstant type which is easily cleaned.

j A still further object is to provide lightness-and buoyancy in such a device.

Another object is to provide simplicity of construction in a collapsible hoop skirt.

Another object is to make possible ready adjustability of such a device to thewaist of a wearer. Another object is to provide economy of manufacture in such a device. 7

Another object is to make possible facile and positive adjustment in a collapsible hoop skirt."

' These and other objects are achieved by my invention, a full and complete understanding of which is facilitated by reference to the drawings herein, in which: Fig. l'is a view substantially .inperspective showing my device adjusted to a wearer, preparatory to receiving a covering skirt; i

- Fig. 2 shows the outer garment in place and illustrates the over-all effect thereby attained. l Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a modification or adjustment whereby what is known as the"Farthingale effect is attained.

. Fig. 4 is a view similar to that of Figs. 1 and 3, in which a bustle or train effect is achieved;

Fig. 5 is a side view of the instant device in collapsed form; I

13 Claims.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view, fragmentary in part, showing the structure of Fig. 5, together with the locking device; 7

I Fig. '7 is an enlarged view showing the upper structure of Fig. 6 expanded, and the locking device in place;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7, showing the lower portion of Fig. 6 expanded and locked; and

Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the locking arrangement, in vertical section taken along the line 99 of Fig. 7, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now to the drawings, Figs. 1, 5, 7 and 8, it will be seen that my collapsible hoop skirt is formed with a plurality of identical strips l0, fabricated from'plastic. or other suitable material, and pivotally united at their center portions by means of brad-like elements H, thereby providing a continuous articulated structure in generally circular form.

. In'the upper hoop assembly a series of tapes i2 are passed through suitable holes 13 in oppo sitely disposed-and adjacent ends of elements I0 at. suitable intervals, and a somewhat similar arrangement exists in the case of the lower or bottom hoops Where tapes [2 are initially passed through openings M in the adjacent ends of crisscrossed elements I0, and then securely anchored in conjunction with apertures l5 atthe lowermost points when elements ID are joined. At points where tapes 12 do not pass through openings such as I3, [4 and l5, and in both the upper and lower hoops, brad elements l6 are employed tosecure ends of It in such a manner that the assembly may be opened or closed, a reasonable snugness of fit being desirable at these points.

Tapes 12 extend upwardly to a waist band I1, where they are securely anchored. Said waist band may be formed of any suitable flexible material, and has as a feature, a series of securing such as snaps 18, which provide for adjustability in the garment and make it adaptable to any size waist. A loop [Sis-likewise secured to belt I], for a purpose explained hereafter.

It will be noted that tapes l2 are free to slide in openings [3 of the upper hoopassembly which means that this hoop may be lowered as desired.

Attention is now directed to the locking means whichl have provided for the purpose of securing the hoops in fixed position, once they have been extended to a, desired point. This means consists of a pliable tab-like element 20, secured to adjaor raised cent ends of criss-crossed elements In, as by means of a metallic fastener 2!, and extending vertically downward. Element 20 has formed therein, a series of openings 22 preferably of a shape suggestive of an inverted keyhole, which openings are calculated to engage a securing element 23 anchored to adjacent lower ends of eleability is made possible, with reference to thepoints at which the hoop assembly may be locked. The foregoing arrangement is applied-to both theupper and lower hoops.

Attention is now directed to the features made possible by the structure illustrated in: Figs. 3:

and 4 of the drawings, the first being for thepurpose of producing what, is known as the Farthingale effect, which isin substance a hoop in the nature of an ellipse, such being desirable when asomewhat flattened front and rear contour is desired, as for example when dancing. To attain this effect, I provide a pair'of tapes'24, which are snapped onto or otherwise secured? to opposite sides of the upper hoop assembly, thereby dra wing in the hoop andforming the desired shape' said elements 2'4 being of a suitable length toattain this result.

'When'it is desire'dto produce a bustle or train efiect'; I" employ another tape-like elementZii (Fig, 4)., which is passed through loop f9; and in turn secured at opposite sides of the upper hoop assemblyas at 26 and 2?. This serves to draw the composite structure" rearwardly, and with appropriate adjustment of tapes l2 to'provide increased length in the rear, and thereby place the upper hoop on a suitable plane; a foundation is provided to receive'a' wedding dress or similar garment having a train. Or, a simple bustle effect' may be garments.

From-the foregoing, it is believed that theop attained in the case of other eration of my collapsible hoop skirt will be obvious, it only" being necessary to expand" the a upper and lower hoops in the desired manner, step into the assembly,. secure thewaist band at a' point corresponding to 1 that of the waist measure ofthe'wearer,preferably fasten locking tab 2Bin' place, and then put on the outergarment over'thefoundationthus provided;

Itisf'urtherapparent that my device composes itself nicely for sitting; either with the hoopsf fully'expanded, or if desired, such maybe pushed together so that they confornr to any space at; a

Adaptations for producing the Farthingale and traineffect's have-been described heretofore.-

Itin'ay be further noted that mydevice folds into an eight inch round box, and as producedat' present, weighs less than two pounds in sucha box; is capable of expanding to a circumference of'ininetyinches, andireplaces five. crinoli'ne petticoats.-. Of'course, larger. or smaller. versions may readily becreated: in keeping with the exigencies of 'algiven situation.

My device isli'ght: in weight, economical: of

manufacture; easily cleaned, attractive in appearance; adjustableboth at the waist and in the. hoopsthemselves both horizontally and vertical- 15 is provided-with a simple but effective locking means, and altogetheris thoroughly adapted for its intended purposes.

While I have described in considerable detail 7 strued in keeping with my contribution to the in- 4 one form of my invention herein, it is apparent that various changes, modifications, alterations, reconstructions, transpositions, and other expedients. such. as providing inflatable hoops, may

' be resorted to without departing from the scope of the instant claims, which are to be fairly constant art.

15. In.- a. device of, the character described, a collapsible upper hoop assembly comprising a plurality of identical strips, means pivotally uniting said strips at their center portions, means pivotally joining oppositely disposed adjacent ends of said strips; an identical lower hoop assembly of greaterpotent'ial' circumferencethan said upper assembly; pliant tape. means connecting said upper and lower assemblies; and a waist bandi secured to the upperextremities of said t'a'peimembers;

2; Inv a device of the character described; a

collapsible upper hoop assembly comprising aplurality of strips; means'pivotally uniting saidfl strips at their center'portions, means pivotallyjoining oppositely disposed adjacent ends of said strips a, substantially identical lower hoop= as sembly" of greater potential circumference than said upper assembly, pliant tapemeans connecte ing said: upperand lower assemblies; and 1 an adjustable' waist band" secured to the upper ex tremities of saidtape members.

3'. In a device or the character described: a. collapsible upper hoopassembly comprising a plurality of strips, means" pivotally unitin'g said-i strips at their center'portions means pivotallyjoining oppositely disposed adjacent ends o'fsaid strips; a substantially identical lower hoop as sembly' of greater potential circumference than said'upper assembly; lockingmeans' for said'ih'oo'p" assemblies, pliant tape means connecting saith assemblies, and an adjustablev waist bandsecured to. the upper extremities of" said? tape members.

4; In a, device of, the character described; at collapsible upper hoop assembly, comprising a plurality, of? strips, means pivotally uniting said, strips at their centerportl'ons, means pivotally. joining oppositely. disposed, adjacent ends. ofj'said strips, a substantially identical. lower, hoop. ask, semblytof greater potential circumference. than said upper assembly, adjustable locking, means,- for said hoop .assemblies pliant tapemeansconnecting said assemblies, and an. adjustable waist, band secured to.- the, upper. extremities ofl said tape members" f e i v 5. p In a; device 013.the:-characterdescribed' amol lapsible upper hoop assembly; comprising a? plu rality of; identicalstrips,v means pivotally uniting said i stripsv at: their center portions, means p iV-.-- otally joining: oppositely: disposed; ad acent ends of} said; strips, an identical lowen hoop assembly; of greater potential,circumferencethan said up per assembly, adjustable pliant tape means-;con:-- necting, saidupper andalower, assemblies; and: a waist: band; secured; to; the, upper extremities: of; said tape member-s2,

6;; Inia=device of the, character-described, acollapsiblei upper; hoop. assembly; comprising, a plus rality'of strips, meansipivotally unitingisaid strips at. theirgcenten; portions, means. pivotally joining oppositely disposed. adjacent, ends of said strips, ai substantially identical lower; hoop assembly) of greater-potential circumference than said. upper assembly, locking meansvfor one of said hoopaS- semblies, pliant tape means connecting saidiase semblies, and an adjustable waist band secured to the upper extremities of said tape members.

'7. In a device of the character described, a collapsible upper hoop assembly comprising a plurality of strips, means pivotally uniting said strips at their center portions, means pivotally joining oppositely disposed adjacent ends of said strips, a collapsible lower hoop assembly, adjustable locking means for said hoop assemblies, pliant tape means connecting said assemblies, and an adjustable waist band secured to the upper extremities of said tape members.

8. In a device of the character described, a collapsible upper hoop assembly comprising a plurality of strips, means pivotally unitin said strips at their center portions, means pivotally joining oppositely disposed adjacent ends of said strips, a substantially identical lower hoop assembl of greater potential circumference than said upper assembly, locking means for said hoop assemblies, pliant tape means connecting said assemblies, means connecting opposite front and rear portions of the upper hoop assembly whereby same assumes an elliptical contour, and an adjustable waist band secured to the upper extremities of said tape members.

9. In a device of the character described, a collapsible upper hoop assembly comprising a plurality of strips, means pivotally uniting said strips at their center portions, means pivotally joining oppositely disposed adjacent ends of said strips, a substantially identical lower hoop assembly, means connecting opposite front and rear portions of the upper hoop assembly whereby Said assembly assumes an elliptical contour, pliant tape means connecting said upper and lower assemblies, and a waist band secured to the upper extremities of said tape members.

10. In a device of the character described, a collapsible upper hoop assembly comprising a plurality of strips, means pivotally uniting said strips at their center portions, means pivotally assembly,

joining oppositely disposed adjacent ends of said strips, a substantially identical lower hoop tape means connecting said assemblies, an adjustable waist band secured to the upper extremities of said tape members, a loop secured to the rear center of said band, and tape means passed through the loop and fastened to opposite sides of the upper hoop in such a manner as to pull such rearwardly and thereby produce a train effect when a garment is placed over the composite assembly.

11. In a device of the character described, an articulated upper hoop assembly, an articulated lower hoop assembly, a plurality of flexible tapes connecting said upper and lower assemblies, and a waist band secured to the upper extremities of said tapes.

12. In a device of the character described, an articulated upper hoop assembly, an articulated lower hoop assembly, flexible means connecting said upper and lower assemblies, and a waist band secured to the upper extremities of said connecting means.

13. In a device of the character described, an articulated upper hoop assembly, an articulated lower hoop assembly, a plurality of flexible tapes connecting said upper and lower assemblies, and an adjustable waist band secured to the upper extremities of said tapes.

MARY C. CLAYTON.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 1,755 Neumann Aug. 30, 1864 991,241 Rae May 2, 1911 1,271,889 Granger July 9, 1918 2,412,415 Navon Dec. 10, 1946

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