Improvements in Foot Coverings and Soles therefor.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Dec., 1897-Accepted, 8th Jan.,
1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Foot Coverings and Soles therefor.
I, GEORG BRUCK, of 43, Michaelkirchstrasse, Berlin, in the German Empire,
Chemist, 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 to boots, shoes and similar foot coverings and consists in
improved arrangements for ventilating the same by means of the sole which is
formed in such a manner that when walking air passes through the foot covering
from the top and through a permeable insole into an enclosed space between the
insole and outer sole and thence escapes through an outlet placed above the reach
of wet and dirt. The necessity of allowing the perspiration of the human body
to take place without obstruction is recognised as essential for health by sanitary
science, and is complied with generally in the arrangement of clothing with the
exception of the foot coverings, and the object of this invention is to afford this
necessary facility of perspiration to the feet, without allowing wet, dust or dirt
to enter, and also to afford protection against injurious effects of the outer tem-
perature.
The drawing appended hereunto shows how my improvements may be applied
to a boot, the arrangement of the sole being subject to the modifications hereinafter
set forth.
Figure 1 shews a longitudinal section of the improved sole with outline of the
boot.
Fig. 2 a view from the underside, with the outer sole removed.
Figure
shows a cross section of the sole.
The sole of the boot consists of the inner sole a, which may be replaced by
any equivalent part, the supports 6 and the outer sole c.
The inner sole a is made of a material permeable by air, or if unimpermeable
material is used, it is provided with suitable air passages. Various forms of
such passages, circular, rectangular and triangular are represented in Figure 2;
any other suitable shape may be used.
Between the inner sole a and the outer sole or soles c, which is or are made in
the usual manner, an air chamber is formed, the two soles being kept apart by a
rim and suitable supports b. The formation and arrangement of these sup-
ports may be varied, their purpose being only to afford a sufficiently solid support
for the foot resting upon the inner sole, and as the rim d passing all round the
soles closes the air chamber, the supports 6 might be omitted if the inner sole
should be sufficiently strong. It is immaterial whether the supports consist of
separate blocks or pieces of leather, ribbons, tissues or netting, as long as they
allow air to percolate between them and afford a sufficient support to the foot
of the wearer of the boot or shoe.
The air chamber between the two soles a and c is provided at one or more
suitable places, for instance at the heel, with an air outlet e or more than one,
which is so arranged that wet, dust and dirt cannot enter into the air space. For
this purpose it may be provided with a back pressure valve f as indicated on
דנ...D

page_text: Figure 1 or the clack valve may be replaced by a simple wad, which should be
renewed from time to time, or in the case of high boots, an open air channel
running upwards in the leg of the boot may be used.
When walking the foot moves in the shoe, and forces air through the permeable
insole a into the air chamber between the insole a and outer sole c, and then
out of the outlet e. Fresh air will enter through the top into the boot or shoe,
as the top never closes airtight, whether the boot be laced, have high tops or
elastic sides.
If the foot is at rest, no circulation occurs in the boot, and the layer of air
acts as an insulator, so that neither the heat nor the cold of the floor will affect
the foot.
The air space may be filled with permeable disinfecting or sanitary preparations.
The arrangements described with reference to the Figures may be varied as
hereinbefore indicated, the essential feature of the invention consisting in the
formation of an enclosed airspace between the inner and outer soles so arranged
that the air fitting this space is taken from above through the inside of the
foot covering but not from below or the sides near to the floor, and is expelled
through a duct protected against the entry of wet and dirt. By these means
the desired object of permitting a free exhalation of the foot while protecting it
against contact with cold or damp air or wet is attained and the foot is always
surrounded with fresh warm air.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:--
1. In foot coverings the arrangements for ventilating the same herein before
described and illustrated by the drawings.
2. In foot coverings the arrangement of an airchamber between the insole and
the outer sole having air inlets through the insole and an outlet or outlets pro-
tected against the entry of wet and dirt, substantially as herein before described.
3. The improved arrangement or formation of a ventilating sole for foot cover-
ings formed of an insole permeable by air, an outer sole, a rim connecting the
two soles, supports for the insole with air passages between them and an outlet
or more than one arranged so that wet and dirt cannot enter the space enclosed
by the two soles and rim, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by
the drawings.
DL: 0011
1
100%'
R. J. URQUHART,
57, Barton Arcade, Manchester,
Harrington Chambers, 24 North John Street, Liverpool,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent.