To call whom it may concern:
  Be it known that I, EDWARD GEARY, Jr.,
of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented
an Improved Method of Protecting Corset­
Springs, of which the following is a specifica-
tion:
  My invention relates to an improved method
of protecting corset-springs from the injuri-
ous action of perspiration or moisture, and
prevent the same from corroding or rusting
from wear or from washing; and it consists
in covering them with an elastic water-proof
compound that will bend with the spring with-
out cracking or breaking. The springs are
inclosed and hermetically sealed in the com-
pound, which is cemented to them at the same
time, so as to be held securely in place, as will
be hereinafter set forth.
  The compound which I employ consists of
raw rubber, sulphur, and oxide of zinc; and
it is applied to the springs in the following man-
ner, viz: The ingredients are ground and mas­
ticated together in the ordinary manner well
known to rubber-manufacturers, until they form
a homogeneous mass, which I roll into sheets of
a thickness suitable to the thickness of the fin­
ished covering. These sheets I cut into strips
slightly longer and wider than the springs.
Inclose each spring between two of these
strips, previously coating the springs with
liquid rubber cement, consisting of rubber
dissolved in bisulphide of carbon or other
suitable solvent. I then press the edges of
the rubber together all round the spring, so
as to unite and incorporate the strips at said
edges, and form a hermetically-closed casing
entirely round the spring. I then trim off the

superfluous rubber from the edges, so as to
give the article a neat and uniform appear-
ance, taking care not to cut through, the cov-
ering so as to expose the spring. The springs
thus covered and ensealed are to be vulcan-
ized in any convenient manner; but I prefer
to vulcanize them in soap-stone in the manner
well known to rubber-workers.
  The proportions of the sulphur and rubber
employed in the formation of my compound
and the temperature used in vulcanizing may
be varied so as to form a coating or covering
of soft or hard rubber upon. the springs, as
may be desired, to suit the requirements of
the trade, as some corset-makers will require
a heavier and harder covering than others, as
will be readily understood by skilled persons.
The proportion of oxide of zinc to be em-
ployed may be varied almost indefinitely, as
weight and thickness of the coating may re-
quire.
  I design to form my compound of all colors,
which may be done by employing the various
metallic oxides in conjunction with or in place
of the oxide of zinc, or by the use of other
mineral coloring matter.
  What I claim as my invention is—
  The method of protecting corset-springs
herein described, by hermetically sealing the
same and attaching to them a covering of
rubber, sulphur, and zinc applied in a soft
state, as set forth, and vulcanized in the well-
known manner.

EDWARD GEAIY, JR.

Witnesses:                    

R. H. WHITTLESEY,
I. F. HALLECII.