Improved Attachment to the Human Foot as an Aid to Swimming.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Apr., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 15th Jan., 1892-Accepted, 20th Feb., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Attachment to the Human Foot as an Aid to Swimming.
I THOMAS O'REILLY Ballyconnell Co. Cavan Ireland Gentleman do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention consists of an attachment somewhat after the manner of a boot
or shoe made of leather, canvas or other suitable material and furnished with a
sole of wood, thin steel or other suitable substance.
I next attach to the sole a light bar of steel, which extends along the centre of
the sole from heel to toe, and is secured to the sole by rivetting or in any other
suitable way. To this said centre bar I hinge two wings or blades consisting of
a light framework of steel wire or the like, and over which framework is stretched
and secured thereto a covering of any suitable material.
The wings are constructed to open in the form of an ellipse, and to close against
one another, but in order to prevent them from entirely closing they are furnished
with a projecting rim on their outside edges so that when a stroke is made in
swimining, the pressure of the water at once forces them apart.
For the purpose of forming an abutment for the wings when they are forced
open, I place on the sole a fixed guard of steel wire or the like, which is similar
in shape and size to the wings when open-and I attach the said guard to the
above mentioned centre bar, and to the sole of the boot by rivetting or other
suitable means.
The covering which is stretched to form the wings may be placed on the inside
of such framework, or it may be in duplicate, that is a layer on either side of the
framework.
The upper part of the boot may as before mentioned be of leather, canvas or
other suitable material and may be laced in the ordinary way. I prefer however
for additional case in securing the boot on the foot, to use a form of spring
fastening, having a steel spring catch attached to the edge of the sole on one side
of the boot, and a steel loop attached to the " upper" on the opposite side of the
boot, so that when the boot is placed on the foot, the steel loop is pressed over
the spring catch which at once tightly secures the boot on the foot, and is easily
released when desired.
For additional security of attachment an india rubber or other elastic loop inay
be fixed to the neck of the boot and through which the foot is thrust so that the
said loop or band fits round the foot above the ankle.
As my improvements are capable of some modifications without departing from
the principle thereof I do not restrict myself to materials, dimensions, or to the
precise form or placement of the various parts thereof.
Dated this 16th day of April 1891.
RAYNER & CASSELL,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
Improved Attachment to the Human Foot as an Aid to Swimming.
I THOMAS O'REILLY Ballyconnell Co. Cavan Ireland Gentleman 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 :-
My invention consists of an attachment somewhat after the manner of a boot or

page_text: shoe, made of leather, canvas or other suitable material, and furnished with a sole
of wood, thin steel or other suitable substance. I next attach to the sole a light.
bar of steel, which extends along the centre of the sole from heel to toe, and is
secured to the sole by rivetting, or in any other suitable way. To this said centre
bar hinge two wings or blades consisting of a light framework of steel wire or
the like, and over which framework is stretched and secured thereto a covering of
any suitable material.
The wings are constructed to open in the form of an ellipse, and to close against
one another, but in order to prevent them from entirely closing they are furnished
with a projecting rim on their outside edges so that when a stroke is made in
swimming, the pressure of the water at once forces them apart.
For the purpose of forming an abutment for the wings when they are forced
open, I place on the sole a fixed guard of steel wire or the like.
The covering, which is stretched to form the wings may be placed on the inside
of such framework, or it may be in duplicate, that is a layer on either side of the
framework.
The upper part of the boot may as before mentioned be of leather, canvas or
other suitable material, and may be laced in the ordinary way. I prefer, however
for additional ease in securing the boot on the foot, to use a form of spring
fastening, having a steel spring catch attached to the edge of the sole on one
side of the boot, and a steel loop attached to the " upper on the opposite side of
the boot, so that when the boot is placed on the foot, the steel loop is pressed
over the spring catch which at once tightly secures the boot on the foot, and is
easily released when desired.
"
For additional security of attachment an india rubber or other elastic loop may
be fixed to the neck of the boot and through which the foot is thrust so that the
said loop or band fits round the foot above the ankle.
Referring to the accompanying sheet of drawings,
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my apparatus with the blades in their closed
position,
Fig. 2 is an underside view showing the blades open, and
Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the blades.
1. is the shoe shown as an ordinary laced shoe, but which may be provided with
either or both of the attachments above described.
2. is a steel rod fixed to the shoe by means of angle pieces 3, on which the
wires forming the frame of the blades are binged. On this frame the sheet 5 of
flexible material is fixed, projections 6 being formed at the edge of the frame, in
order to prevent the blades completely closing and clinging together. The rods 7
with bent ends form a check which prevents the blades being pushed past their
proper open position.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
:-
1. An improved device attached to a shoe or other suitable covering for the
human foot, as an aid in swimming, comprising two blades or wings, of suitable
material, hinged together, so that they may open and close, at each complete stroke
taken in swimming, substantially as described and for the purpose specified.
2. The improved device to be used as an aid in swimming substantially as
described and shown in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 15th day of January 1892.
RAYNER & CASSELL,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.