Improvements in Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Mar., 1896
Complete Specification Left. 28th Dec., 1896-Accepted, 30th Jan., 1897.
Improvements in Boots and Shoes.
I, JOHN ALFRED MAYO of 29, Portland Square, Bristol, Boot and Shoe
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in boots and shoes, and has for its object
to provide and arrange certain appliances for attachment to front laced boots and
shoes, which will supersede the tongues which are at present used to prevent the
laces and eyelet holes from rubbing the stockings or feet of the wearer, and at the
same time will cause the boots and shoes to fit more comfortably over the instep
and heel.
My invention consists in using an elastic gusset instead of the ordinary tongue,
attaching it at the lower part to the top of the vamp in the usual manner between
the linings; the gusset is made wide enough to extend a suitable distance behind
the lace holes on each side, where, conveniently, incisions are made in the linings
and the gussets inserted and fastened; by this means the boot or shoe will be held
firmly in position over the instep and the annoyance caused by shoes slopping at
the heel will be prevented.
Dated this 25th day of March 1906
J. G. WESTLAKE,
2, John Street, Bristol, Applicant's Agent.
35
ли югося,
I, JOHN ALFRED MAYO, of 29, Portland Square, Bristol, Boot and Shoe
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
My invention relates to improvements in boots and shoes and has for its object
to provide material and its attachment to boots and shoes in such a manner as to
dispense with the loose tongues at present used to prevent friction on the stockings
and feet, and that will also cause the boots and shoes to fit more comfortably over
the instep, and to obviate slipping at the heel.
With ordinary "Balmorals" and "Oxfords" the leather tongues are stitched at
the bottom only, under the lap seam by which the vamp is attached to the quarters,
and after a very short time they wear to one side and lie in folds on the instep, out
of the way of the lace holes; by my invention this is prevented, a piece of elastic
gusset, of sufficient width and elasticity to allow the foot to be inserted and yet to
hold it firmly when the shoe is put on, is employed instead of the leather tongue,
and is stitched at the bottom and to the quarters at each side, the edges of the
gusset being placed between the quarters and linings.
The accompanying drawing illustrates an ordinary "Oxford" shoe made

page_text: according to my invention, the quarters being drawn open to show the gusset in
position, in this shoe the lace hole facings extend inwards to take the rows of
stitching, and the quarter linings are cut smaller than the outsides, extending only
beyond the stitching, the elastic gusset is then fitted between the facings and
linings and stitched as shewn, the vamps are then stitched on, and the uppers
finished in the usual manner.
Although the illustration is that of a plain Oxford shoe, the invention includes
various shapes and patterns of uppers, the essential feature being the substitution
of an elastic gusset of the required width for the ordinary leather tongue.
With boots and shoes made as described, the quarters will be held firmly over
the instep until the laces are tightened, and there will be no tongue to, ruck down
into folds, nor will there be any slopping of the foot at the heel or instep.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is :-
The insertion of an elastic gusset or tongue in boots and shoes in place of the
ordinary leather tongue, which will prevent the tongue being displaced or falling
into folds, and will also prevent the slopping of the heel or instep when the boot or
-shoe is worn, substantially as and for the purpose described and shown.
Dated this 24th day of December 1896.
J. G. WESTLAKE,
2, John Street, Bristol, Applicant's Agent.