Improvements in Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 15th June, 1898-Accepted, 10th Sept., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Boots and Shoes.
I, EDMOND HEROUx, of Yamachiche, County of St. Maurice, Province of Quebec,
in the Dominion of Canada, Sculptor, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion 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 shoes:-
The objects of my invention are to provide an adjustable tongue which acts to
open and close the shoe. A further object is to provide a shoe in which the
tongue will snugly fit the foot of the wearer in whatever position it is placed. A
further object is to provide a series of studs for holding the tongue in position,
but which will allow of its ready movement upwards or downwards. A further
object is to provide the tongue with means for moving it upward or downward.
A further object is to provide a shoe which is neat and attractive in appearance,
which will fit the foot of the wearer snugly, which can be readily taken off. and
put on, which will prevent the inlet of dirt, etc., and which can be manufactured
at a moderate cost.
To these ends my invention consists in the improved construction and combina-
tion of parts hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.
In the drawings, in which similar letters of reference indicate similar parts in
all of the figures.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shoe having my improvements attached.
Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken through one of the studs showing its
manner of attachment.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the stud.
Heretofore, lace shoes have been provided with various modes of lacing, and
these shoes have generally been provided with tongues, secured either at its
lower end or its side. In these constructions however there are many disadvan-
tages, such as the bunching up of the tongue, the liability of the shoe lace becom-
ing fastened to the stud, or the laces becoming knotted necessitating the spending
of considerable time to undo the knot.
To obviate these disadvantages together with many others not named, I provide
the following described shoe.
A designates a shoe, having the usual upper a, sole a¹ and heel a², the shoe
being preferably of the class known as lace shoes.
Secured to the opposite sides of the front opening of the shoe, are a series of
studs a³ formed substantially as shown in Figure 3. These studs consist of a
cylindrical band having an opening 5 of a width less than the diameter of a
central cylindrical opening a A suitable securing means is provided, by means
of which the stud can be readily attached to the shoe.
B designates the tongue, which consists of a strip, 6 having its upper end wider
than its lower, and having its sides provided with enlarged portions or rolls 61
adapted to pass into and be embraced by the band at, as shown in Figure 2. The
upper end of these rolls 61 are continued upward a suitable distance for a purpose
hereinafter described.

page_text: The putting on and taking off of the shoe is performed in the following
manner:—
The shoe and tongue being in the position shown in Figure 1, and it is desired
to put on the shoe, the lower end of the tongue is grasped and pulled downward,
until the top has reached a position at or close to the bottom of the opening, in the
front of the shoe, the upper ends of the rolls 61 passing downward through the
openings in the studs as the tongue is pulled down. The foot is then inserted
and the upper ends of the rolls 61 grasped and pulled upwards until the tongue
fits the front of the foot snugly.
It will be apparent that in whatever position the tongue is, it will he prevented
from "bunching" or "buckling," and also that the farther upward it is pulled,
the tighter will the shoe be forced against the foot, but in a gradual manner.
If the tongue pulls out by accident, it can be readily reinserted by passing the
upper ends of the rolls b¹ through the studs commencing at the bottom, the tongue
necessarily following.
While I have shown one way to fasten the studs to the shoe, I do not limit
myself to that particular construction, but may use any_suitable mode.
The rolls 6' may be made in any suitable manner but I prefer to form them as
shown in Figure 2.
The advantages of this construction are obvious and it is not thought necessary
to set them forth.
While I have herein described an improved method of fastening shoes, and
shown a means for carrying the same into effect, yet I do not limit myself to such
construction, but claim the right to use any and all modifications that may come
within the scope of this patent.
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
claim is:-
1. The combination with a shoe; of an adjustable tongue mounted thereon.
2. The combination with a shoe; of a removable tongue adjustably mounted
thereon.
3. The combination with a shoe; of a tongue adjustably mounted thereon, and
means for adjusting said tongue.
4. The combination with a shoe having an open front; of a tongue mounted
thereon in juxtaposition to said open front, and having a sliding movement over
said open front."
5. The combination with a shoe having an open front, and also having studs
mounted on opposite sides of said open front; of a tongue mounted in said studs.
6. The combination with a shoe having an open front, and also having studs
mounted on opposite sides of said open front; of a tongue mounted in said studs
and having an up and down movement therein.
7. The combination with a shoe; of a tongue adjustably mounted thereon, said
tongue having its ends of different widths.
8. The combination with a shoe having an open front, and also having studs
mounted on opposite sides of said open front: of a tongue mounted in said studs,
said tongue having its ends of different widths.
9. The combination with a shoe having an open front, and also having studs
mounted on opposite sides of said open front; of a tongue mounted in said studs,
and having an up and down movement therein, said tongue having its ends of
different widths.
10. The combination with a shoe, having an open front; of means, carried by
said shoe, for simultaneously moving the edges on each side of said open front
from one position to another.
•
11. The combination with a shoe; of a tongue, having enlarged sides.
12. The combination with a shoe; of a tongue provided with upwardly extend-
ing portions.

page_text: 13. The combination with a shoe; of a tongue adjustably mounted thereon,
said tongue being provided with upwardly extending portions, normally located
above the top of the shoe.
14. A shoe stud comprising a cylindrical band; a central cylindrical opening
within said band; an opening formed in said band of less width than the diameter
of the central opening; and means for securing said stud to the shoe.
Dated this 15th day of June 1898.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.