IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO THE LACING OF GLOVES AND of " BOOTS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alonzo Clark Mather of Chicago Illinois USA at
present of 6 Lord Street Liverpool in the county of Lancaster for an Invention
IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO THE LACING OF GLOVES AND
of
"
BOOTS
"J
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alonzo Clark Mather at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th June 1883.
ALONZO CLARK MATHER of Chicago Illinois U.S.A. at present of 6 Lord Street
Liverpool in the county of Lancaster "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO
THE LACING OF GLOVES AND BOOTS.
My invention relates in the first part to improvements in lacings for gloves
provided with slits heretofore closed by a continuous lacing cord applied in a zig
zag manner to and caught under the heads of hook-shaped buttons rivetted in and
necessarily projecting considerably above the surface of the glove, said buttons
being arranged opposite each other, on each side of the slit, and both end buttons
of one of the rows or series being bent down so as to firmly hold the cord upon
that side, the cord being sufficiently slacked between these two points, so as to be
hooked in a zig zag manner by catching it on alternate buttons of the opposing
row, said cord being joined at its free and double ends by an ornamental slide,
through an eye of which the cord passes.
From the above described construction it will be observed that to lace the
glove, the slacked and rigidly held portion of the lacing cord, must necessarily be
booked over its respective buttons by means of the fingers or an instrument, which
is not only tedious, but somewhat difficult with one glove already on the other
hand; that the free cord, that is to say the portion of the cord not rigidly held by
the buttons, is not even auxiliary in closing the slit, but is purely ornamental as
are the buttons upon which it is caught; and that the slide has no other function
except that of merely joining the cords and ornamenting the glove.
Buttons of the character described or any other shank button rivetted to the
glove are objectionable in that they rock to one side when subjected to the lateral

page_text: strain of the cord or of the button hole, and not only become painful to the wearer
by pinching and pressing upon the wrist, but tear out of and ruin the glove;
furthermore these hook buttons cannot be successfully employed for holding a
continuous lacing cord, unless the cord is rigidly secured to one or more of them, to
prevent the accidental detachment of the cord, and when so held by even one of the
buttons, the cord when drawn tight by taking hold of its free ends, does not
uniformly close the slit, for one cord is almost sure to have more slack in it than
the other when grasped
The objects of this part of my invention are to avoid these objections by
providing a glove with a continuous lacing cord, connected in such a manner with
the glove that when the two projecting ends of the cord are pulled, the cord will
adjust itself in and exert a uniform strain upon the glove in closing the slit upon
the hand of the wearer; to provide a glove with retaining devices for a continuous
lacing cord, which devices are adapted to cause the strain of the cord when
tightened to be exerted in a plane with the glove and with uniformity upon cach
and every retaining device; and to provide a glove the cord of which is free to
travel in its retaining devices with a slide running upon the cord and adapted to
be operated with one hand in locking the cord simultaneously with the tightening
thereof.
The second part of my invention relates to continuous lacing for boots and. shoes,
and has for its object a lacing that can be expeditiously performed without the use
of hooks or need of passing the ends of the ties through a series of eyelets during
the operation and that will provide a ready means for fastening the lace or ties.
The glove is provided with the usual slit opening at the wrist end in which and
on each side of the slit, is secured a series of opposing eyelets, which when secured
in position, are substantially flat and flush with the surfaces of the glove, so as not
-to present an unisightly appearance or hurt the wrist of the wearer, when pressed
upon the same in tightening tho glove.
Running in these eyelets is a zig zag and crossed arranged cord which is first
inserted through the eyelets next the hand, and its free ends passed through the
succeeding eyelets, in the manner shown, and projecting some distance beyond the
wrist end of the glove, these ends are joined by passing them both through a
single perforation in a slide, which slide may be spherical, oblong, or of any other
shape having an attractive appearance, or may be provided with lever to bind or
lock the cords.
The eyelets are of sufficient size to allow the cord to freely work in them, and
one cord when joined by the slide, is made continuous with reference to the eyelets,
and by this construction and arrangement the cord is made self-adjusting when
pulled upon to close the slit, and will close the whole length of the slit, uniformly
by a single pull upon its projecting ends.
As the eyelets are substantially flat it will be observed that the lateral strain of
the cord is in a plane through the fabric of the glove, hence there is no liability of
the eyelets to pinch the wrist of the wearer, and tear out and injure the glove,
and furthermore, every eyelet has its sub-function to perform, and the strain of the
cord upon each eyelet is equally distributed to the other, when tightening the glove
by drawing the opposing edges of the slit together.
To insure adoption by the public, it is essential that a glove fastener shall
present a neat appearance and not disfigure the glove, and the practicability of a
glove fastener depends largely upon its not becoming accidentally detached and
upon the ease with which it may be loosened, adjusted, and tightened.
The boot to which my invention is applicable is of that class which has a lacing
slit, a flap or tongue is laced near one of its edges to one of the edges of the said
slit, the other edge of the said tongue being left free or loose, loops each consisting
of a piece of leather folded upon itself are stitched along its central portion to the
underside of the flap. Eyelets of ordinary construction are arranged near the
edges of the lacing slit. A button is applied to the boot near the upper corner of
that side of the lacing slit to which the tongue is laced, a comparatively short

page_text: strap is applied to the end of the lacing cord and having in it a series of button
holes.
To lace the boot I fasten one end of the lacing cord near the button, pass it
thence through the inner opening of the upper loop, thence through the eyelet near
the lower end of the said loop, from the outside of the boot inward thence through
the next eyelet on the same side of the boot and so on to the bottom of the slit,
until the lower eyelet upon the opposite side of the lacing slit is reached, the cord
being passed through that eyelet, then upwardly through the outer opening of the
lowest loop, thence inward through an eyelet, and upward and outward through
the next succeeding eyelet upon that side of the lacing slit, and so on until the
lacing cord passes through the upper eyelet opposite the button.
In applying this lacing to boots adapted for being buttoned, I stitch the flap to
the boot in the usual manner and insert buttons in button holes or eyes made in
that flap. In the places at which the buttons are usually applied I apply eyes or
eyelets so that these eyes or eyelets will be exposed as well as the eyes on the
buttons I then attach the lacing cord to the boot near the lower part of the lacing
slit, and pass the cord thence, upward through all the eyes alternately so that the
cord when tightened will draw down the lacing flap upon the boot, I then wind
the lacing cord once or more around the shoe and fasten the cord to the upper
button.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Alonzo Clark Mather in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
21st December 1883.
ALONZO CLARK MATHER, of Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A; at present of 6 Lord
Street, Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster, "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING
TO THE LACING OF GLOVES AND BOOTS
"
This invention relates in the first part to improvements in lacings for gloves,
provided with slits heretofore closed by a continuous lacing cord, applied in a zig-
zag manner to, and caught under the heads of hook-shaped buttons rivetted in and
necessarily projecting considerably above the surface of the glove, said buttons
being arranged opposite each other on ench side of the slit, and both end buttons
of one of the rows or series being bent down so as to firmly hold the cord upon
that side, the cord being sufficiently slacked between these two points, so as to be
hooked in a zig-zag manner by catching it on alternate buttons of the opposing
row, said cord being joined at its free and double ends by an ornamental slide,
through an eye of which the cord passes.
From the above described construction it will be observed that to lace the glove,
the slacked and rigidly held portion of the lacing cord must necessarily be hooked
over its respective buttons by means of the fingers or an instrument, which is not
only tedious, but somewhat difficult with one glove already on the other hand-;
that the free cord, that is to say, the portion of the cord not rigidly held by the
buttons, is not even auxiliary in closing the slit, but is purely ornamental, as are
the buttons upon which it is caught; and that the slide has no other function
except that of inerely joining the cords and ornamenting the glove.
Buttons of the character described or any other shank button rivetted to the
glove are objectionable in that they rock to one side when subjected to the lateral
strain of the cord or of the button-hole, and not only become painful to the wearer
by pinching and pressing upon the wrist, but tear out of and ruin the glove;
furthermore these hook buttons cannot be sucessfully employed for holding a
continuous lacing cord, unless the cord is rigidly secured to one or more of them,
to prevent the accidental detachment of the cord, and when so held by even one of
the buttons, the cord when drawn tight by taking hold of its free ends does not
uniformly close the slit, for one cord is almost sure to have more slack in it than
the other when grasped.
The objects of this part of the invention are to avoid these objections by
providing a glove with a continuous lacing cord connected in such a manner with
the glove that when the two projecting ends of the cord are pulled, the cord will
adjust itself in and exert a uniforin strain upon the glove in closing the slit upon
the hand of the wearer; to provide a glove with retaining devices for a continuous
lacing cord, which devices are adapted to cause the strain of the cord when tightened
to be exerted in a plane with the glove and with uniformity upon each and every
retaining device; and to provide a glove the cord of which is free to travel in its
retaining devices with a slide running upon the cord and adapted to be operated
with one hand in locking the cord simultaneously with the tightening thereof.
The second part of this invention relates to continuous lacing for boots and shoes
and has for its object a lacing that can be expeditiously performed without the
use of hooks or need of passing the ends of the ties through a series of eyelets

page_text: during the operation, and that will provide a ready means for fastening the lace
or ties.
Fig. 1, is a plan view of a glove embodying the invention, with the lacing cord
slacked, and the slit in position for pulling the glove on.
Fig. 2, a similar view, with the slit closed, and the lacing cord drawn taut and
locked by the slide, and
Fig. 3, a similar view of a glove having a closed slit and embodying this
invention.
Fig. 4, detailed view in section on enlarged scale of slide suitable for use with
this invention.
Fig. 5, is a perspective representation of a shoo provided with lacing embodying
this invention.
Fig. 6, is a detail showing the manner of connecting the lacing loops.
Fig. 7, is a cross section of the same.
Fig. 8, is a sido view showing the shoe when laced, and
Fig. 9, represents a modification showing the eyes or eyelets attached to the
ordinary flap of a buttoned boot.
In Figs. 1 and 2 is shown a glove provided with the usual slit A opening at the
wrist end of the glove, in which, and on each side of the slit, is secured a series of
opposing eyelets C, which when secured in position are substantially flat and flush
with the surfaces of the glove, so as not to present an unsightly appearance or hurt
the wrist of the wearer when pressed upon the same in tightening the glove.
Running in these eyelets C is a zig-zag and crossed arranged cord B, which is
first inserted through tho eyelets next the hand, and its free ends passed through
the succeeding eyelets in the manner shown, and projecting some distance beyond
the wrist end of the glove; these ends are joined by passing them both through a
single perforation in a slide D, which slide may be spherical, oblong, or of any
other shape having an attractive appearance, or may be provided with lever d to
bind or lock the cords as shown in Fig. 4.
The eyelets are of sufficient size to allow the cord to freely work in them, and
one cord, when joined by the slide, is made continuous with reference to the eyelets,
and by this construction and arrangement the cord is made self-adjusting when
pulled upon to close the slit, and will close the whole length of the slit uniformly
by a single pull upon its projecting ends.
As the eyelets are substantially flat it will be observed that the lateral strain of
the cord is in a plane through the fabric of the glove, hence there is no liability of
the eyelets to pinch the wrist of the wearer and tear out and injure the glove, and
furthermore, every eyelet has its sub-function to perform, and the strain of the cord
upon each eyelet is equally distributed to the other, when tightening the glove by
drawing the opposing edges of the slit together.
To insure adoption by the public, it is essential that a glove fastener shall
present a neat appearance, and not disfigure the glove, and the practicability of a
glove fastener depends largely upon its not becoming accidentally detached, and
upon the ease with which it may be loosened, adjusted, and tightened.
As will be seen the glove fastener embodying this invention and above described
is not only neat in appearance, but cannot be accidentally detached, and that it
can be instantly tightened or loosened.
In operating the fastener with glove on, the right hand for instance, the ends of
the cord or lacing are taken hold of, and pulled in a direction towards the arm of
the wearer, and when tightened the slide inay be slipped forward toward the glove,
by the thumb and forefinger of the hand pulling upon the cord, but the more
common method is, after tightening the cord, to take its ends between the fore-
finger and thumb of the gloved hand, holding the cord taut, and pushing the slide
to place with the other hand.
And in this connection it should be observed, that the cord and slide are as

page_text: easily manipulated with a gloved as an ungloved hand, this being an important
feature of the invention.
When a slide is used having but a single perforation just large enough for the
cords, it firmly holds them when pushed down upon the glove, owing to the change
of direction of the cords from the eyelets through the slide causing the cords to
bind upon the edges of the perforation. Or the slide may be arranged with n
locking lever d as shewn Fig. 4, which when placed in position will bind the
cords and hold them tightly between its edges and the walls of the slide.
The boot shown is intended to represent a boot of that class which has a lacing
slit, and F is a flap or tongue laced near one of its edges to one of the edges of
the said slit, the other edge of the said tongue being left free or loose, as is clearly
indicated in Fig. 5. E are loops each consisting of a piece of leather folded upon
itself, and stitched along its central position to the underside of the flap F.
GG are the ordinary eyelets usually arranged near the edges of the lacing slit.
His a button applied to the boot near the upper corner of that side of the lacing
slit to which the tongue is laced. I is the lacing cord, and J is a comparatively
short-strap applied to the-end of the said cord, and having in it a series of button
holes as shown.
To lace the boot I fasten one end of the lacing cord near the button H, pass
it
thence through the inner opening of the upper loop E, thence through the eyelet
near the lower end of the said loop, from the outside of the boot inward, thence
through the next eyelet on the same side of the boot and so on to the bottom of
the slit as sliown, until the lower eyelet upon the opposite side of the lacing slit
is reached, the cord being passed through that eyelet, then upwardly through the
outor opening of the lowest loop E, thence inward through an eyelet, and upward
and outward through the next succeeding eyelet upon that side of the lacing slit,
and so on until the lacing cord passes through the upper eyelet opposite the
button H, all of which is clearly indicated in Fig. 5.
It will be perceived from the foregoing description, and from reference to the
drawing, that by drawing up or tightening the cord I the boot will be tightly and
firmly laced with facility. After tightening the cord in this manner as much as
need be I wind it around the ankle in the direction of the button H, and button
the strap J to the head of the said button as is indicated in Fig. 8.
In applying this la-ing to boots adapted for being buttoned, I stitch the flap F
to the boot in the usual manner, and insert buttons in button-holes or eyes made
in that flap, as shown Fig. 9. In the places at which the buttons are usually
applied I apply eyes or eyelets, so that these eyes or eyelets will be exposed as
well as the eyes on the buttons. I then attach the lacing cord to the boot near
the lower part of the lacing slit, and pass the cord thence upward through all the
eyes alternately so that the cord when tightened will draw down.the lacing flap
upon the boot. I then wind the lacing cord once or more around the shoe, and
fasten the cord to the upper button.
It will also be perceived that the cord need not be withdrawn from the loops or
eyes in unlacing or loosening the shoe.
I am aware that shoes have heretofore been provided with lacing flaps or tongues
having two rows of eyelets therein, and a row of eyelets upon each side of the
lacing slit, and that separate lacing cords have passed from one set of eyelets to
the other, and tied in separate knots, and I do not intend therefore to claim the
saine.
Having now described the invention, I wish it to be understood that what I
desire to protect under the Letters Patent is
1st. As a new article of manufacture, a glove having a slit A, on either side of
which is a series of opposing eyelets C, through which is inserted a continuous
lacing cord B crossed between and running freely in and through all of said eyelets,
the free end of said cord passing through a slide D, adapted to hold the cord in its

page_text: operative position when drawn taut, and close the slit A, substantially in the
manner described and shown.
2nd. A shoe provided with a flap or tongue having loops or eyes on its under
side, the side or sides of the instep opening being provided with eyelets or eyes,
and the lacing cord being applied through the said loops and eyes or eyelets,
substantially as specified for the purposes set forth.
In witness whereof I the said Alonzo Clark Mather, have hereunto set my hand
and seal this twenty ninth day of November in the year of our Lord, one thousand
eight hundred and eighty three.
ALONZO. C. MATHER, (L.S.)