IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC APPLIANCES TO BE AFFIXED TO THE HEELS AND SOLES OF BOOTS AND SHOES FOR THE REPARATION OF SAME.”
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Sumner, of the City Road, in the County of
Middlesex, Boot Manufacturer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
METALLIC APPLIANCES TO BE AFFIXED TO THE HEELS AND SOLES OF BOOTS
AND SHOES FOR THE REPARATION OF SAME.”
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Sumner at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd March 1881.
ALFRED SUMNER, of the City Road, in the County of Middlesex, Boot
Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC APPLIANCES TO BE AFFIXED TO
THE HEELS AND SOLES OF BOOTS AND SHOES FOR THE REPARATION OF SAME.".
The object of this Invention is to provide tips and plates of metal of various
shapes and sizes and of unequal thickness, to be used in the repair of the soles and
heels of boots and shoes when irregularly worn down.
I am aware that metal plates and tips have hitherto been used in the manu-
facture of boots and shoes, but the present Invention is not intended for and
cannot be used in such manufacture. On the contrary it is only applicable to the
repair of the soles and heels of boots and shoes when they have become irregularly
worn.
In carrying out my Invention I construct my repairing tips and plates in the
following manner :-I construct entire half heels, side plates, and toe plates in
moulds, which have been carefully prepared from casts taken from a considerable
number of worn boots and shoes, so as to provide various sets of such repairing
plates adapted to all average requirements. Thus each set will contain entire
plates suitable for repairing all those portions of a boot usually worn down by use,
and each plate will be an equivalent, as regards both shape and substance, for the
part of the leather worn away, thus restoring the sole and heel to their original
level.
I preferably attach these repairing plates by means of screwed rivets passing
through holes previously cast in the said repairing plates, and I deeply groove the
undersurface of each such plate to prevent slipping.
These sets of repairing plates will be constructed of several sizes and shapes
suitable for use in repairing the boots of men, women, and children.
I preferably employ malleable iron in casting the said tips and plates, but brass
may be used if desired.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Alfred Sumner in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 23rd
September 1881.
"
ALFRED SUMNER, of the City Road, in the County of Middlesex, Boot
Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC APPLIANCES TO BE AFFIXED TO
THE HEELS AND SOLES OF BOOTS AND SHOES FOR THE REPARATION OF THE
SAME."
The object of this Invention is to provide tips and plates of metal of various
shapes and sizes and of an unequal thickness, to be used in the repair of the soles.
and heels of boots and shoes when irregularly worn down. I am aware that
metal plates and tips have hitherto been used in the manufacture of boots and
shoes, but the present Invention is not intended for and cannot be used in such
manufacture. On the contrary it is only applicable to the repair of the soles and
heels of boots and shoes when they have become irregularly worn.
In carrying out my Invention I construct my repairing tips and plates in the
following manner :-I construct entire half-heels, side plates, and toe plates in
moulds which have been carefully prepared from casts taken from a considerable
number of worn boots and shoes, so as to provide various sets of such repairing
plates adapted to all average requirements. Thus each set will contain entire
plates or pieces suitable for repairing all those portions of a boot usually worn
down by use, and each plate will be an equivalent as regards both shape and
substance for the part of the leather worn away, thus restoring the sole and heel
to their original level.
I preferably attach these repairing plates or pieces by means of screwed rivets
passing through holes previously cast in the said repairing plates, and I deeply
groove the under surface of each such plate to prevent slipping. The grooving of
the several plates or pieces may be effected during or after casting.
In the accompanying Drawing I have shown a set of three repairing plates
constructed and secured to portions of a boot according to my Invention.
Figures 1 shew a half-heel plate or piece in end view, inverted plan, and side
view. In these Figures A is the half-heel plate which serves by its peculiar shape
to restore the worn heel to its original level; a is a deep groove formed in the
wearing surface of the said half-heel plate to prevent slipping, and a¹ are screws
or screwed rivets passing through holes cast in the said half-heel plate to secure
the same to the heel.
From these Figures it will be seen that the plate A is constructed so as to
correspond with that portion of the heel which has been worn away, and that it
varies in thickness from a fine edge on its inner side to a considerable depth of
metal on its outer side.
Figures 2 shew in inverted plan view and cross section a side plate B constructed
according to my Invention; b, b, are the grooves to prevent slipping, and b₁ the
screws to attach the plate to the outer or worn part of the sole of the boot, thus
restoring the same to its normal level.
Figures 3 show in cross section and inverted plan view a toe plate or tip C
constructed according to my Invention; c, c, c, are the grooves running in any
convenient direction to prevent slipping, and c¹, c¹, are the screws or their
equivalent for securing the toe plate or tip in place upon the boot.
It will be obvious that other repairing plates or pieces may be constructed on.
the same principle to restore the worn portions of the soles and heels of boots and
shoes to their normal level, but the above will serve as an example.

page_text: These sets of repairing plates will be constructed of several sizes and shapes
suitable for use in repairing the boots of men, women, and children.
I preferably employ malleable iron in casting the said plates, but brass may be
used if desired.
"
Having now set forth the nature of my Invention of "Improvements in Metallic
Appliances to be Affixed to the Heels and Soles of Boots and Shoes for the
Reparation of the same," and having explained in what manner the said Invention
may be carried into effect, I wish it to be understood that I claim,—
The manufacture of metallic plates or pieces for the reparation of worn boots
and shoes, as above described, the said plates or pieces being applied to the boots
or shoes, as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alfred Sumner, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, the Twenty first day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
ה ATnT
ATTUAND