Improvements in Pneumatic Soles and Heels for Boots, Shoes, and the like.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Sept., 1891
.
• Complete Specification Left, 14th Jan., 1892-Accepted, 20th Feb., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION...
Improvements in Pneumatic Soles and Heels for Boots, Shoes,
and the like.
I, JOHN RICHARD HUDSON of Matilda Street, Sheffield, in the County of
York, Provision Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PNEUMATIC SOLES AND HEELS FOR BOOTS, SHOES AND
THE LIKE to be as follows:-
"
As the principle of my invention is the same whether applied to a boot, shoe, or
the like a description of it as applied to an ordinary walking boot will suffice, to
such a boot I provide a sole and heel or a sole or a heel together or separately of
an elastic non-conducting material capable of being inflated by air and of retaining
the same so as to form an elastic cushion to walk upon, and by means of which the
action of walking may be facilitated, the feet kept dry and warm and prevented
from slipping especially in the winter time.
I effect these objects by constructing the sole and heel either or both in india-
rubber or other suitable elastic and air tight material in such a manner and of such
a form that it may be fastened or attached to the upper portion of the boot by the
welt or to the sole or to the sole and heel of a finished or partly finished boot as the
case may be and in either case an air space would be provided with a suitable
opening or openings by means of which air could be pumped in and secured.
My improved sole and heel either or both I construct with the portion that is
attached to the boot of comparatively thin material whilst the sides and tread of the
same I make thicker and stronger the whole forming an envelope or envelopes that
is to say the sole and heel may be constructed together having one air space or the
sole may be constructed separately from the heel each having their separate air
spaces and in the latter case would be provided with separate openings by means of
which air could be pumped in and secured.
A sole and heel or soles and heels thus constructed could be inflated when
detached and separate from the boot and can be secured to the boot either in the
inflated or uninflated condition by means of cement or by stitching, pegging or
rivetting to a welt or other suitable contrivance.
In some cases instead of the air space in the sole or heel being all in one they
may be divided longitudinally, transversely or diagonally by suitable divisions such
air spaces however being made to communicate with one another or in groups as
required the divisions being formed of the same material as the elastic sole and
heel.
The treads or wearing surfaces of my improved soles and heels may be ribbed,
grooved and scored in a manner similar to that employed for goloshes or other
india-rubber boots and shoes.
Dated this 22nd day of September 1891.
R. HEBER RADFORD,
Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pneumatic Soles and Heels for Boots, Shoes,
and the like.
I, JOHN RICHARD HUDSON, of Matilda Street, Sheffield, in the County of
York, Provision Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PNEUMATIC SOLES AND HEELS FOR BOOTS, SHOES AND

page_text: "
THE LIKE and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
+
As the principle of my invention is the same whether applied to a boot, shoe or
the like, a description of it as applied to an ordinary walking boot will suffice. To
such a boot I provide a sole and heel, either together or separately, of an elastic
non-conducting material capable of being inflated by air and of retaining the same,
so as to form an elastic cushion to walk upon and by means of which the action of
walking may be facilitated, the feet kept dry and warm and prevented from
slipping especially in the winter time.
I effect these objects by constructing the sole and heel, either or both, in india
rubber or other suitable elastic and air tight material, in such a manner and of such
a form, that it may be fastened or attached to the upper portion of the boot by the
welt or to the sole, or to the sole and heel of a finished or partly finished boot as
the case may be and in either case an air space or air spaces would be provided
with a suitable opening or openings by means of which air could be forced in and
secured.
My improved sole and heel, either or both, I construct with the cover or portion
that is attached to the boot of comparatively thin material, whilst the sides and
tread of the same I make thicker and stronger, the whole forming an envelope or
envelopes, that is to say the sole and heel may be constructed together having air
spaces connected together or common to both or the sole may be constructed
separately from the heel each having their separate air spaces and in the latter case
would be provided with separate openings by means of which air could be pumped
in and secured.
A sole and heel or soles and heels thus constructed could be inflated when
detached and separate from the boot and can be secured to the boot or to the sole
of a boot either in the inflated or uninflated condition by means of cement or by
stitching, pegging or rivetting to a welt or other suitable contrivance.
In some cases instead of the air spaces in the sole or heel being all in one I divide
then longitudinally, transversely, diagonally or otherwise by suitable divisions,
such air spaces however being made to communicate with one another or in groups
as required, the divisions being formed of the same material as the elastic sole and
heel.
The treads or wearing surfaces of my improved soles and heels may be ribbed,
grooved and scored in a manner similar to that employed for goloshes or other india
rubber boots and shoes.
The nature of my invention will be better understood on reference to the
accompanying three sheets of drawings in which,
Fig. 1. (Sheet 1.) is a plan of one of my improved india rubber soles looking on
the inside or part which is fastened or secured to the boot or sole of the boot,
Fig. 2. being a section of the same on the line A. B.
Fig. 3. is a plan looking on the sole or tread when inflated;
Fig. 4. being a section of the same also when inflated, taken on the line A. B.
Fig. 5. is a side elevation of the sole uninflated,
Fig. 6. is a similar view inflated.
Fig. 7. (Sheet 2.) is a plan of one of my improved india rubber heels looking on
the inside or part which is fastened or secured to the boot,
Fig. 8. being a section of the same on the line C. D.
Fig. 9. is a plan looking on the tread when inflated,
Fig. 10. being a section also of the same when inflated, taken on the line C. D.
Fig. 11. is a side elevation of the heel uninflated.
Fig. 12. is a similar view inflated.
Fig. 13. (Sheet 3.) represents the side view or elevation of a boot with one of
my improved soles and heels attached and inflated.
Fig. 14. is a plan of the same.
The same letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

page_text: 6. 1s the air space or air spaces in the sole or heel.
b. is the opening in the same by means of which air is forced in and secured
either by a valve or other equivalent means.
c. is the cover of comparatively thin material by which the india rubber sole or
heel is attached to the boot, this part may in some cases be dispensed with and the
sole or heel secured to the boot without it.
d. is the side or sides of the india rubber sole or heel.
e. is the tread of the same.
f. is a longitudinal division in the sole forming two air spaces, this division being
placed in or near the centre or to the left or to the right of the centre of the sole
as best suited to the tread and habit of the wearer.
is
a division in the air space in the heel by means of which the inflated parts
of the heel are kept to the back, front and sides and clear of the centre of the tread
of the heel.
A. is the rim or flange of the india rubber sole or heel by which in addition to or
independent of cement they may be stitched, pegged, riveted or otherwise secured.
i. is a guard, retaining plate or curb, which may be constructed in metal, leather
or other suitable material and which I employ for the better securing of the india
rubber sole and heel when stitching, pegging or riveting is resorted to.
j. is a peg or rivet or other equivalent fastening with a large head or washer by
means of which the centre part of the heel may be secured.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is.
1. In boots and shoes and the like forming the sole and heel either together or
separately of india rubber or other suitable non-conducting elastic material with
cellular air spaces, air passages and openings connected therewith and provided
with a valve or valves or their equivalents by means of which such air spaces and
passages may be inflated either together or separately or in pairs or in groups or by
means of which they may be discharged, adjusted or regulated, in the manner and
for the purposes substantially as herein described and illustrated.
2. In boots and shoes and the like, the particular method of forming elastic soles
and heels with divided air spaces, passages and connections in the manner and for
the purposes substantially as herein described and illustrated.
3. In hoots and shoes and the like the method of securing the specially formed
elastic soles and heels in combination with the guard, retaining plate or curb, i, in
the manner and for the purposes substantially as herein described and illustrated.
4. In boots and shoes and the like the combination of a pneumatic sole and
pneumatic heel whether made together or separately, the air spaces in which being
of cellular construction formed, fitted and secured in the manner and for the
purposes herein previously claimed, described and illustrated.
Dated this 12th day of January 1892.
R. HEBER RADFORD,
Agent for the Applicant.