US564271A - Kate j - Google Patents

Description

(No Mdel.)

K. J. (100K. BICYCLE SKIRT.

Patented July .'21, 1896-,

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UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

KATE J. COOK, OF NEV YORK, N. Y.

BICYCLE-SKIRT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 564,271, dated July 21, 1896.

Application tiled April 29, 1896. Serial No. 589,528. (No model.)

T0 @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, KATE J. COOK, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bicycle-Skirts; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to apparel, and especially to bicycle-skirts for lady riders. Its object is to provide in a single garment one which will prevent Contact of any of the parts with the wheels or gearing of the machine, which will be comfortable in use, and which will be graceful upon the user.

The invention consists of a main dividedskirt portion extending down to a point about on a level with the ankles, a trousers-seat which is adapted to be hooked or buttoned to the front portion of the skirt, and a strap or straps extending around the lower end of each part of the divided skirt to take up the folds of the skirt and convert it into trousers. Around the waist the skirt-band hooks or buttons at the rear,making the garment it closely to the form at that point.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of the garment used as a skirt. Fig. 2 is a similar 'view of the same when used as trousers. Fig. 3 is a back view of the same, showing the waistband thrown open. Fig. 4. is a cross-section.

Like reference-numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views.

The skirt part l is made upon a waistband 2 and extends down to a point opposite the ankles of the wearer. This skirt part is suitably plaited and is divided longitudinally at the center,forming two leg portions,as clearly shown. rlhe rear sides of the leg-pieces have reinforcing-strips 3 8 secured to them, to the upper ends of which is secured the trousersseat piece 4, which is adapted to lbe hooked or buttoned to the waistband 2 and afterward partially covered, if desired, by folding the skirt-band 2 around at the rear and connecting the ends thereof. At the lower ends of the reinforcing-strips 3 are secured straps 5 5, which are provided for the purpose of securing the folds of the skirt when it is desired to convert the skirt form of the garment into its trousers form. These straps are also adapted` to be buttoned closely to the reinforcing-strips 3 when the garment is used in its skirt form.

From the foregoing description it will be evident that when the user of the garment desires to mount her wheel it is only necessary to unbutton the straps 5 5, turn them around to the front, and catch up the folds of the skirt. Vhen in this position, it is impossible for any portion of the garment to come in contact with the gearing of the machine, and thereby tear the dress or otherwise interfere with the proper movements of the rider. At the same time, by reason of the trousers-seat 4, there is never any portion of the garment which can inconveniently come in contact with the seat of the bicycle. When the rider dismounts and has occasion to walk in the garment, it is only necessary, in order to convert the same into its skirt form, to unbutton the straps 5 5 from around the folds of the skirt and button the same along the rear in close contact with the reinforcing-strips 3 3. I also provide at points along the line of division of the two parts of the skirt hooks and eyes 6 6, which may be utilizedif desired for making the closure between the two parts of the skirt more complete.

I-Iaving thus described my invention,what I claim as new7 and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

rlhe herein-described convertible garment which consists of a divided skirt comprising two loose leg portions secured to a suitable waistband, reinforcing-strips sewed to the rear sides of the leg portions, a seat portion constituting a rear fall secured to the upper end of said reinforcing-strips, hooks or buttons thereon, by means of which it may be attached to the waistband, and straps attached to the lower side of said reinforcing-strips, whereby the folds ofthe garment may be taken up for the purpose of converting it from its skirt form to its trousers form, sub` stantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

KATE J. COOK. Vit-nesses AUGUSTUS FEEY, WEBSTER CASE.

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