Improvements in and relating to Boots, Shoes and the like.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Nov., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 7th Aug., 1900-Accepted, 22nd Sept., 1900
Improvements in and relating to Boots, Shoes and the like.
We, WILLIAM HENRY MOTTERSHEAD and ANNIE MOTTERSHEAD, both of 5, Bux-
ton Terrace, Matlock Bridge, in the County of Derby, Boot and Shoe Manų-
facturers, do hereby declare the nature of our said invention to be as folows:-
This invention relates chiefly to boots and shoes with which, as at present
made and fitted with buttons, it is often necessary, in order to suit the instep,
and to allow of the proper fitting of the shoe to the wearer's foot, to move the
buttons The object of our invention 18 to reduce the necessity of such altera-
tion, which takes up a lot of a shop-keeper's time, to a minimum, and to employ
means to effect such desuable end which are ornamental, and add a neat finish
to the shoe, as well as ensure of a comfortable fit.
According to our invention we prefer to make the boot and shoe after the
manner of a laced boot or shoe, with the two edges of the upper abutting,
and we employ what may be called an attachable and detachable front or yoke,
made of leather or other material in keeping (by preference) with the boot or
shoe.
This front or yoke we cut to a shape which approximates to a triangle with,
or without an ornamental outline, and along two of its edges we provide a series
of button or like holes
In applying it to the boot or shoe we cause the front to lie centrally over
the opening and to overlap the two edges aforesaid When so placed we ther
mark the positions for the buttons on the boot or shoe, and afterwards stitch on
the buttons We then button the said front by means of the said button-holes,
and buttons on to the boot or shoe, and thus make provision for the fastening
of the same when on the foot
A shop-keeper having boots and shoes to sell made according to our invention
would be supplied with a number of loose fronts of various makes and sizes in
keeping with his stock, hence if the purchaser of a boot or shoe, made as afore-
said, complained of the buttons being too near, or too far apart to allow of the
proper fit across the instep, all he would require to do would be to detach the
front then on the shoe or boot, and substitute a larger or smaller, or broader
or narrower front, the buttons remaining in exactly the same position and the
change being made in a few seconds with very little trouble.
In such manner we allow for a great saving of time to a dealer in boots and
shoes, and whilst so doing provide a boot or shoe of a new style, the outline,
color and finish of the fronts also giving a very neat and stylish appearance to
the boot or shoe
The improved fronts may be applied to old, as well as new, laced boots, and
may be applied also to existing button boots
To give further utility the fronts may embody an elastic gusset and may be
cut awar in parts to display a fancy backing or the wearer's stocking
In lieu of being upon the shoe or boot, the front may be within the shoe with

page_text: buttons instead of button-holes, but we prefer it to be outside.
may also be substituted for buttons.
Dated this 3rd day of November 1899
Hook fastening
We, WILLIAM HENRY MOTTERSHEAD and ANNIE MOTTERSHEAD, both of 5, Bux-
ton Terrace, Matlock Budge, in the County of Derby, Boot and Shoe Manu-
facturers, 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.-
This invention relates chiefly to buttoned boots and shoes with which as at
present made and fitted with buttons it is often necessary, in order to suit the
weareis foot, to move the buttons. Although this with a single pair of boots
or shoes may be a trifling task it is a very tiresome task to a shoe or boot shop
assistant who in the course of a day may have a number of boots or shoes to alter
The object of our invention is to dispense with, or reduce the necessity of,
altering the position of the buttons, and to effect such desirable end by means
of a device which is also ornamental, adds a neat finish to the shoe, and ensures
a comfortable fit
According to our invention we prefer to make the boot and shoe after the
manner of a laced boot or shoe, e with the two edges of the upper abutting,
and we employ what may be called an attachable and detachable front or yoke,
made of leather or other material in keeping (by preference) with the boot or
shoe
This font or yoke we cut to a shape which approximates to a triangle with,
or without an ornamental outline, and along two of its edges we provide a series
of button or like holes
In applying it to the boot or shoe we cause the said front or yoke to lie
centrally over the opening, and to overlap the two edges aforesaid, with the point
o lower end of the front immediately over the bottom of the opening.
When so placed we then mark the positions for the buttons on the boot or
shoe, and afterwards stitch on the buttons We then button the said front, by
means of the said buttons and button-holes, on to the boot or shoe, and thus
make provision for the fastening of the same when on the foot
A boot or shoe shop assistant having boots and shoes to sell made according
to our invention is supplied with a number of loose fronts of various makes
and sizes, in keeping with his stock of the said boots and shoes, hence if the
purchase of a boot or shoe made as aforesaid complains of the buttons being
too near, or too far apart to allow of the proper fit across the instep, all he
requires to do is to detach the front then on the shoe or boot, and substitute a
larger or smaller (broad or nairower) front, the buttons remaining in exactly
the same position, and the change being made in a few seconds with very little
trouble.
In such manner we allow for a great saving of time to a dealer in boots and
shoes, and whilst so doing provide a boot or shoe of a new style, the outline.
color and finish of the fronts also giving a very neat and stylish appearance to
boot or shoe

page_text: To make our invention perfectly clear we have hereunto attached a sheet of
diawings in which,
Fig illustrates a perspective view of a shoe made and fitted with the
improved front or yoke in accordance with our invention
Fig 2 illustrates a plan of one size of yoke or front separate from the shoe
Fig 3 illustrates an edge view
The shoe (A), as illustrated by dotted lines, is formed with the edges (B) of
the upper arranged to meet or abut, and the front, or yoke (U) with button
holes (C) les centrally over such edges, with one end or part immediately
over the bottom of such opening, and the other end at a point above (or flush
with) the top of the shoe
A row of buttons (D) 18 stitched to one side, and a similar low (E) to the
other side) and the distance between the two lows is determined by the size
and form of yoke on front to be employed
The outline of the loose front is preferably as shewn but it may be any other
according to the style of shoe or design required
The improved fronts may be applied to old, as well as new laced boots, and
may be applied also to existing button boots'
To give further utility the fronts may embody an elastic gusset, and may be
cut away in parts to display a fancy backing or the wearer's stocking
In lieu of being upon the shoe or boot, the front may be within the shoe with
buttons instead of button-holes, but we prefer it to be outside
Hook fastenings
may also be substituted for buttons
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim 18.—
1 A boot, shoe on the like made with the two edges of the upper (01 like
part) abutting and provided with two rows of buttons, in combination with a
loose front or yoke, having button-holes and adapted to be fastened on to the
said 10ws of buttons and lie across the front opening of the boot, shoe or the
like, substantially as and for the purposes set forth
2 A series of interchangable fronts or yokes of various sizes with means for
attaching each of them to a boot, shoe or the like, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
3. A front or yoke with means for attaching it to a boot, shoe or the like,
substantially as set forth.
Dated this 2nd day of August 1900.
WILLIAM HENRY MOTTERSHEAD.
ANNIE MOTTERSHEAD
By John G. Wilson & Co,
Agents