Improvements in or relating to Shoes.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Nov., 1893-Accepted, 30th Dec., 1893
Improvements in or relating to Shoes.
We ABRAHAM MILLER, HYMAN CHISSICK, and MIADECKI SWEETMAN,
Boot and Shoe Manufacturers, all of 30 Mile End Road London E. 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 stiffening pieces and the method of fixing the same in
shoes and is especially intended for ladies dancing or dress shoes.
The stiffener in such shoes is generally fitted in place while the upper is turned
inside out, the parts being sewn in that position and afterwards turned along with
the stiffener.
This process does not allow of a stiffener of proper strength being used and thus
the shoes are unfit for ordinary walking purposes and the ordinary leather heels
cannot be applied.
With our arrangement these shoes are rendered strong and durable and can be
used equally well for walking or for indoor wear.
In carrying out our invention the stiffener is formed of the ordinary board used
in stiffeners for walking shoes which is bent round to take the shape of the heel or
back of the upper. To apply this to the light shoes to which our invention applies,
we fix two socks of the material commonly used in ordinary boot and shoe socks.
One of these is fixed on top of the lower edge of the stiffener which is turned
under for some distance, and the other preferably of smaller dimensions is fixed on
the lower side, by small nails or other ordinary means.
These socks do not extend to the end of the shoe, but are cut off at some distance
from the front, and thinned or shaved off to prevent any ridges being formed in
the sole.
The ordinary socks are then placed on top in the usual manner.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is had to
the accompanying sheet of drawings in which
Fig. 1. is a section of a shoe fitted with our improved stiffener, Fig. 2. is a
longitudinal section, Fig. 3. a plan, and Fig. 4. a cross section of the stiffener.
The stiffener A as shown in Fig. 1. is placed between the leather and the lining
of the upper B, being slipped under the lining after the shoe has been turned.
The stiffener is formed with turned under edges a. on the upper side of which the
sock c. is fixed, covering the edges and thus keeping the sole even and smooth. To
the upper sock and if preferred, also to the rim a. is fitted the under sock c', which
as shown is narrower than the upper one. On top of these socks are placed the
common socks b. as in Fig. 1. The complete stiffener is thus a strong and com-
paratively rigid article which will completely prevent the back of the upper loosing
its shape or getting bent. The socks are necessary to retain the proper shape of
the stiffener and allow of its being inserted in the manner described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is.
1. A stiffener for shoes intended for evening wear consisting of a stout stiffening
piece bent into the proper shape, and with turned under edges, to which is fixed a
sock keeping the stiffener rigidly in form, the article being then fitted in the shoe
substantially as described and for the purposes specified.

page_text: 2. A stiffener for shoes intended for evening wear, consisting of a stout stiffening
piece bent into proper shape and with turned under edges and two socks, one fixed
on top and the other underneath the said edges, the article being then fitted in the
shoe, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
3. The improved stiffener for shoes intended for evening wear and the method of 5
fixing the same in the shoe, substantially as described and shown in the accom-
panying drawings and for the purposes specified.
Dated this 24th day of November 1893.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicants.