An Improved Method of Lacing Boots, Shoes, and the like.
Year: 1890

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of Lacing Boots, Shoes, and the like.
JEAN FRANÇOIS AMIGUET of Lausanne, Switzerland, Boot 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 :-
According to my invention I employ a lace L, eye-studs A, an ordinary_hook-
eyelet B and a lever-hook C shown in the accompanying drawings in all the Figures
of which the same or similar parts are indicated by like letters of reference.
I dispense with the ordinary hook-eyelets usually fitted upon boot uppers above the
instep and employ in their stead and in the stead of the ordinary boot and shoe eyelets
eye-studs A.
The lace employed may be of gut, leather, twist, or other very strong material.
The ends of the lace are to be tied once for all at a convenient length sufficient to
allow for passing the loop thus formed under the hook-eyelet B and thence once
around the leg (see Figures 1 and 2 and the diagrams Figures 3 and 6) and to secure
the end in the lever hook C; or to secure the lace in this way without passing it
around the leg (see the diagram Figure 7).
This latter arrangement is to be employed principally for shoes and the like low
foot coverings.
The hook-eyelet B is of the ordinary kind (see elevation and plan Figure 8); the
lever-hook C is similar to the lever-hooks now commonly employed as a fastening for
gloves (see elevation and plan Figure 9).
The hook-eyelet B and the lever-hook C are secured to the boot or shoe
the eye-studs A.
upper above
Figures 1 and 2 represent a boot laced; the lace being secured in the lever-
hook C.
It is obvious that the tied lace may be fastened in four different ways corresponding
to four degrees of tension upon the instep. If the two ends a and b are passed round
the hook-eyelet B (Figure 3) the strain upon the foot will be the greatest. According
to Figure 4 the end & only is passed round the hook-eyelet B (crossed lacing) which
makes the lacing looser. The strain may be further reduced by passing the end a
only round the hook-eyelet B (non crossed lacing Figure 5) and the loosest style is
obtained by passing neither ends around the hook-eyelet B as shown in Figures 1, 2
and 6.
This method of lacing may be adapted to all kinds of light or heavy boots or shoes
whether laced over the instep or at the side of the uppers.
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 method of lacing boots shoes and the like by means of a lace tied once
for all at a suitable length substantially as described and shown in the accompanying
drawings.
2. The combination of the eye-studs A and the lever-hook C for lacing boots shoes
and the like by means of laces tied once for all, substantially as described and shown
in the accompanying drawings.
3. The combination of the eye-studs A hook-eyelet B and lever hook C for lacing
boots shoes and the like by means of laces tied once for all, substantially as described
and shown in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 15th day of April 1890.
AYRTON & THOMAS,
Agents for the Applicant.