Improvements in Foot-coverings.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Feb., 1898-Accepted, 26th Mar.,
1898
Improvements in Foot-coverings.
I, JAMES HEARN MEETEER, of 40, Whitehall Street, in the City of New York,
County of New York, and State of New York, United States of America, Merchant,
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 certain new and useful devices for detachable applica-
tion to the shoe of a person for the purpose of protecting the foot during cold
weather and prevent the same from frosting. It is especially adapted for the
use of gripmen, motormen and others who are exposed to the cold, and it has for
its objects among others to provide a simple and cheap protector that can be
readily applied to the shoe or boot and there held without the employment of straps
and buckles or other extraneous means. A further object is to so construct the
protector that it shall not in any way cramp the foot of the wearer, but shall be
comfortable and adapt itself to the movements of the foot.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear in the
following description and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed
out in the appended claims.
The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with
the letters of reference marked thereon, form a part of this Specification and in
which
Figure 1 is a side elevation with a portion broken away showing the application
of the invention; and
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the frame-work of the protector.
Like letters of reference indicate like parts throughout the several figures of the
drawings.
Referring now to the details of the drawings by letter, A designates the longi-
tudinal portion of the support or framework of the protector; is preferably of
spring steel and is curved to conform to the shape of the foot upon the upper face
thereof, as shown, extending a greater or less distance upon the instep; its lower
or outer end is designed to engage in the groove at the toe between the upper
face of the sole and the upper.
B are transversely arranged strips, preferably of spring steel, each being curved
to conform to the shape of the portion of the foot upon which it bears, there being
in this instance three shown, but this number may be varied as may be deemed
most expedient. These are secured at or near their centers to the longitudinal
strip A in any suitable manner as by rivets, as seen in Figure 2 at C, and their
ends are turned from the outer sides of the protector inward and are adapted to
engage in the channel or groove D of the shoe between the sole and the upper so
as to hold the protector in place upon the shoe or boot by the resiliency of the
framework alone, thus avoiding the necessity of the employment of straps or other
devices for this purpose. The ends of the rearmost strip B may if desired extend
beneath the bottom of the shoe as seen in Figure 1 instead of engaging in the
channel thereof.

page_text: The transverse strips B are joined at their ends in any suitable manner, as by
wire E which is passed through the ends of the said strips as seen best in Figure 2,
its ends being held to the ends of the rearmost strip in any suitable way. This
wire holds the ends of the strips inward yet allows the said strips to spring outward
in placing the protector on the foot or in removing the same therefrom.
This frame is covered upon the outer face with leather or some suitable
material F while upon the inner or under face is the lining or covering G of felt,
wool or some other soft material which will serve to keep the foot warm and yet
render the protector easy and comfortable to the wearer. This inner and outer
covering may be secured upon the frame-work in any of the well known ways of
attaching cloth to a metallic frame or support.
The manner of use will be apparent; in Fig. 1, I have shown the protector as
applied to a shoe; in this instance it is held in place by the ends of the front and
middle transverse curved strips being engaged in the channel of the shoe, as is the
front end of the longitudinal strip, while the ends of the rear strip are engaged
beneath the sole just in front of the heel. In this position the protector covers the
portion of the foot most susceptible to cold and it can be quickly put on or taken off
when desired. The spring frame allows it to yield under the movements of the foot
so as not to occasion the wearer any uneasiness.
Modifications in detail may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of
the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
-
1. A foot covering consisting of a frame of spring strips shaped to conform to
the boot or shoe to which it is to be applied with the ends of the strips constructed
and arranged to engage the shoe to hold the covering in place, and a lining and
covering to said frame; substantially as specified.
2. The combination with the longitudinal strip and the transverse curved strips
secured thereto, of the cloth lining to the frame composed of said strips, and a
covering over the same; substantially as specified.
3. The combination with the central curved spring strip, of the transverse curved
spring strips secured thereto, the means joining the ends of said strips and the lining
and covering, all substantially as shown and described.
4. An improved foot covering consisting of a spring strip curved to conform to
and extend along the upper part of a boot with its outer end constructed and
arranged to engage in the channel of the boot, the transverse curved strips secured
to said strip with their ends arranged to engage in the channel of the boot, the
wire joining the ends of the strips, the lining upon the under side of the strips and
the covering upon the outside thereof, all substantially as shown and described.
5. A foot covering for the purpose described, consisting of a yielding frame
adapted for detachable application to a boot or shoe, and a covering to said frame;
substantially as specified.
Dated this 22nd day of February 1898.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.