IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND SHOES
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Edwards at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st January 1879.
CHARLES EDWARDS, of Brooklyn, New York, United States of America, now of
8, Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
BOOTS AND SHOES."
My Invention relates to improvements in the manufacture of boots and shoes,
and is designed to modify the construction described in the Specification of former
Letters Patent granted to me and dated the 30th day of July 1877, No. 2897.
The said modification in construction enables me to produce much better results
than have been heretofore practicable.
According to the said former Specification I formed a rim around or partly
around the edges on the upper side of the outer sole, and a metallic plate was
secured to the inner sole, the outer sole being adjustable upon this plate by means
of the aforesaid rim.
According to my present improvements I construct a boot or shoe with a rim or
welt entirely or partially around the inner sole of the same, thus forming a strong
flange. The said welt may be formed by cutting a piece out of the centre of the
sole, the portion of leather that is left at the edges forming the said welt or rim.
I make the outer sole adjustable as follows, that is to say, upon the upper side
thereof I provide a plate of steel or other metal, or of india-rubber, gutta-percha, or
other suitable material, which plate is so attached that its edges will slide within
the aforesaid welt or flange on the inner sole, the two soles being thus securely
united. The outer sole having been so adjusted in its place is further secured by
means of a spring at that part of the bottom of the boot or shoe known as the
"waist," I prefer to employ for this purpose a spring extending crosswise which
may be compressed by hand, the two ends fitting firmly when released into sockets
provided for them upon the bottom of the boot or shoe. I may however use for
this purpose any suitable spring or other device, the object being to provide a
secure fastening which may be readily manipulated whenever it is required to
remove or attach a sole.
The adjustable outer sole fixed as above described may be readily removed when
worn, and a new one may be as readily adjusted in its place, both operations
requiring only a few minutes to effect.
The aforesaid plate upon the adjustable sole may be fastened thereto by means
of rivets, screws, or by other suitable means, and the said plate may be formed of
one or several pieces.

page_text: I construct the heel of the boot or shoe as follows, that is to say:-I. build the
heel up in the ordinary manner to a certain thickness, and then add a layer or
"lift" of india-rubber, gutta percha, or similar material, or this lift may be of
Jenther, but I-prefer-india-rubber-because-it is more elastic and forms a yielding
cushion. I then cut a picce from the centre of this "lift," thus leaving a rim or
flange around the edge, to which rim or flange an adjustable top "lift" provided
with a plate as hereinbefore described-in-regard to the sole may be fitted; or I may-
if desirable provide the rim or flange upon the top "lift," and the plate upon the
next lift. The said top "lift" is therefore adjustable in any direction, and may
be shifted as it wears away in use, and readily replaced by a new one when
necessary.
Boots and shoes made as above described are very durable, and are exceedingly
comfortable to the wearer by reason of the elasticity this peculiar construction
imparts to them, and the facility with which new soles and heels may be affixed
will enable persons to wear such boots and shoes for a much longer time than is
possible with those as ordinarily constructed.