IMPROVEMENTS IN BOOTS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frederick Whitelaw, of Northampton, in the County of
Northampton, Pattern Cutter, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
BOOTS,"
Sealed, the 9th November 1877, and dated the 17th September 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick Whitelaw at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th September 1877.
FREDERICK WHITELAW, of Northampton, in the County of Northampton, Pattern
Cutter. "IMPROVEMENTS: IN BOOTS."
The main object of my said Invention is to render side-spring boots waterproof,
and it is applicable to boots of any size or design, whether blocked, goloshed, or
otherwise.
In carrying out my said Invention the backs or quarters of the boot are cut of
a size sufficient to cover over the ordinary elastic at the side of the boot and to
meet in front, thus forming flaps. At the end of each of these flaps a double or
lining is formed, one side of which double or lining is cut to correspond with, and
is joined to, that edge of the front of the boot to which the elastic spring is con-
nected. The said flaps and doubles thus form a complete covering for the spring
sides, and at the same time allow of their being stretched when drawing on and
taking off the boot.
The flaps are held in position and made to fit close to the foot by two straps or
bands, made partly or wholly of elastic or other yielding material, arranged to pass
one through the other, and joined together so as to fit closely round and give a firm
support to the ankle. These straps or bands may be multiplied as required, according
to the height of the boot.
The above arrangement may be modified by having one flap only on the inside
of the boot, in order to protect the springs from the rubbing together of the
ankles.
Boots made according to this Invention are as easily drawn on and taken off
the feet as ordinary elastic side-spring boots.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Frederick Whitelaw in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 16th
March 1878.
FREDERICK WHITELAW, of Northampton, in the County of Northampton, Pattern
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BOOTS."
Cutter.
My said Invention has for its principal object the rendering of the side-spring
boots waterproof, whilst at the same time the springs or elastic gussets of such
boots are protected from injury, and their durability increased; and it is applicable
to boots of any size, whether of a blocked, goloshed, or any other design.
In order to effect this object L make either the backs or quarters or the fronts of
side-spring boots of such a size and shape as to form flaps to cover over the ordinary
side springs or elastic gussets with which such boots are provided, the ends of the
flaps being made to meet at or near the centre of the front, or at the back of the
boot, as the case may be. To the loose side or end of each of these flaps I attach
one edge of a double or lining, the opposite side or edge of which is shaped to cor-
respond with and is joined to the adjacent edge of the boot to which the spring or
elastic gusset is connected. The said flaps and lining thus form a complete covering
to the springs or elastic gussets, whilst at the same time they admit of the springs
being stretched when drawing the boot on or taking it off the foot.
These flaps are held in position close to the boot by one or more straps or bands
(composed either wholly or partially of elastic or yielding material) passed partially
or entirely round the ankle, so as to embrace and give a firm support thereto.
And in order that my said Invention may be better understood; I have annexed
to this my Specification an explanatory Sheet of Drawings,-
*Figures 1 and 2 of which represent the two opposite sides of a blocked boot
with my improvements applied thereto."
Figure 3 represents the same boot when upon the foot, and Figure 4 is a side
elevation of a goloshed boot, illustrating a modified form of the flaps and mode of
maintaining the same in position against the boot.
Referring to Figures 1, 2, and 3 of my Drawings, A represents the quarters or
back of a blocked boot made to such a size and shape as to form two flaps B,
covering the springs or elastic gussets C, and meeting at a in or near the centre of
the front D of the boot immediately above the instep d.
To each of the front or loose edges of the flaps BI secure by stitching or other-
wise one edge of a double or lining e of leather or other suitable material, the
opposite edge of which lining I stitch or otherwise connect to the edge f of the
front D, to which one edge of the spring or elastic gusset C is also attached; E, E¹,
are two straps, one of which E' is secured to one of the flaps, and provided with
an opening g, through which the other strap E connected to the other flap is passed,
the two straps being made to encircle the ankle, as shown in Figure 3, and have
their ends connected together by a short length of elastic band h to admit of their
yielding when drawing on or taking off the boot; or the said straps may be made
wholly of elastic or yielding material, as before mentioned. Thus, by connecting
the flaps B to the boot by means of the lining e in the manner herein-before
described, no impediment is presented to the yielding or stretching action of the
spring when the boot is being drawn on to or removed from the foot, whilst the
elastic band h serves to ensure the flaps B being always maintained in position
against the boot, and thereby present a neat appearance.
In lieu of forming the flaps in one piece with the back of the boot, as herein.
before described, they may be made in one piece with the front E; or if desired
the flaps may be made separate from and stitched or otherwise connected to either
the front or back of the boot as found most convenient.
In the modification illustrated by Figure 4 of the Drawings, the straps E and E¹
are dispensed with, the flaps B being maintained in position by an elastic or

page_text: partially elastic band h passed round the front of the ankle only, and connected at
its opposite ends i to the two flaps B on opposite sides of the boot.
If desired two or more straps or bands may be employed, arranged one above
another according to the height of the boot.
Boots constructed in the manner herein-before described are rendered water-tight
as laced shooting boots without the necessity of lacing or buckling, whilst at the
same time the springs are protected from wear by friction, and consequently their
durability increased; and the boots may be drawn on to and removed from the foot
in the same manner as ordinary side-spring boots.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the mode of carrying
the same out in practice, I would observe in conclusion that what I claim as novel
and original, and secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent
is, rendering side-spring boots waterproof, and increasing the durability of the
springs or elastic gussets of such boots by covering the said springs or elastic
gussets with flaps of leather or other suitable material, substantially in the manner
herein-before described, and as illustrated by my Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Frederick Whitelaw, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of March, One thousand eight hundred
and seventy-eight.
FREDERICK WHITELAW. (L.S.)