Improvements in Foot Coverings.
Year: 1896

page_text: Improvements in Foot Coverings.
I, HENRY LOWENFELD, of 31 Lowndes Square London S.W. do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to foot coverings, and partakes somewhat of the
characteristics both of a boot or shoe and sandal, and may be carried out in the
following manner:-
The sole or portion underneath the foot may be of ordinary construction, and
thick or thin, and fitted with spikes or not according to requirement, the invention
relating to the upper portion. To the sole direct or preferably to a short edge of
leather-practically a welt or the lower portion of the ordinary upper-I attach an
open-work upper or covering, which serves to secure the sole upon the foot. This
open-work upper may be made in any desired manner, and of any suitable
material, but a suitable form is to construct it of string or cord, worked so that the
chief portion is quite open, having simple threads or cords across it, sufficiently
close together to secure the sole to the foot without cutting or hurting the latter.
I prefer to form, partly for ornament and partly for strength, edges or selvedges
around all the edges, and preferably at some other parts, particularly straight down
the middle of the front, so as to hold the otherwise loose cords in their respective
positions. The cords can be looped through the edgings or the edgings may be
looped over the cords, the centre band being preferably so arranged that the
cords can slide through it, and it can freely adjust itself to the shape of the foot.
At the heel I adopt substantially the same construction, the threads lying
approximately vertically with an edging below and above. A space may be left
at the instep between the heel portion and the front portion of the covering of a
shoe, but in the case of a boot I prefer to make the covering complete and to reach
as high up the ankle as desired.
In the case of a shoe the fastening may be effected by a strap and buckle or the
like; a boot may be secured by any of the well-known methods.
A boot or shoe constructed according to this invention is peculiarly suitable for
athletic purposes where it is desirable to keep the feet cool or allow the escape of
perspiration.
It will be appreciated that a similar covering could be made out of leather or
other continuous material stamped or cut so as to provide the separate bands or
cords etc. and produce substantially the same result as that previously described
when the covering is made of string or the like.
Dated this 15th day of Sent 1806
H. LOWENFELD,
Boult & Wade, Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: I, HENRY LOWENFELD, of 31 Lowndes Square, London, S.W., do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to foot coverings, which partake somewhat of the
characteristics both of a boot or shoe and sandal, and are peculiarly suitable for
athletic purposes, where it is desirable to keep the feet cool and facilitate the
escape of perspiration.
In carrying out the invention the upper portion of the foot covering is formed of
openwork, of a webbed or analogous construction and of any suitable material.
The open work is attached either direct to the sole or to a short leather edging on
the scle.
The sole may be of ordinary construction, thick or thin, and fitted with spikes or
not according to requirements, this invention relating only to the upper portion
of the foot covering.
In the accompanying drawing is shown a form of foot covering of the shoe type
constructed according to this invention.
The sole A and heel A', of ordinary construction, have a narrow edging of
leather B, practically a welt or the lower portion of the ordinary upper-provided
with holes B¹ for the attachment of the openwork upper of the shoe, formed in this
case of string or cord. In the front portion the cord is arranged in parallel lines C,
running transversely across the foot, preferably formed, as shown, of one piece of
cord looped at the sides, each loop C being caught by a loop D formed by an
independent cord D strung through the holes B'.
Partly for ornament and partly for strength, borders or selvedges E are formed
around all the edges, and desirably, at some other parts, particularly straight down
the middle of the front as at E¹ so as to hold the otherwise loose cords C in their
respective positions. The selvedges may be formed of cords like the other portion
of the upper, but may be of a different colour for the sake of ornament, and the
selvedge cord may be either looped round the cords C or these cords looped round
the selvedge cord.
At the heel substantially the same construction is carried out, the cord F
running approximately vertically, and being fastened at the bottom to the welt B
by loops F D like the front portion; the upper loops F2 being engaged by loops Gl
to the strap G furnished with a buckle or other means of fastening to secure the
shoe on the foot.
A space may be left as shown between the heel and front portion of the upper and
this may be provided with loops H, so that a lace I may be employed to reinforce
the strap G in holding the shoe on the foot if this is thought desirable.
Instead of being made like a shoe, as shown in the drawing, the upper may be
shaped like a boot, no space being left between the front and heel portions and the
upper reaching as high up the ankle as desired. Any of the well known methods
of fastening may be adopted, the strap and buckle being replaced by a suitable
edging to carry the loops and take the hooks, eyelet holes or other fastenings.
Instead of round cord as herein described, flat bands or tapes of leather or other
material may be employed, or a sheet of leather or other material may be
stamped out or cut out so as to produce substantially the same result as that herein
described.
It is evident that in carrying out the invention many variations may be made
without departing from the spirit of the invention and I do not limit myself to
the details herein described,

page_text: 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 I
elaim is:-
1. In a foot covering the combination with a sole or tread portion of an upper
pcrtion or portions formed of open work substantially as described.
A foot covering comprising a sole, with or without a heel, and a welt or
edging such as B, all of ordinary construction, and an upper portion of string or
similar openwork substantially as described.
3. The complete foot covering substantially as described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawing.
Dated this 14th day of June 1897
HENRY LOWENFELD,
Boult & Wade, Agents for the Applicant.