Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 17th June, 1887
Complete Left, 13th Mar., 1888
Complete Accepted, 13th Apr., 1888
I, EDWARD HALE of 11 Greenheys Road, Liverpool in the County of Lancaster,
Iron Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention consists in placing metallic, waterproof, elastic, strengthening plates
of copper, zinc, iron, steel or other metal, but preferably of tin plate, as a layer or
layers between the inner sole, and the sole proper, or otherwise as a layer with the
leather in the soles of foot coverings, and such other like articles, so as to afford a
protection from dampness, and to strengthen them without injuring materially their
ability to bend under the tread.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
6, Lord Street, Liverpool,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in or relating to the Soles of Boots and Shoes and
other like Articles for the Purpose of Waterproofing and
Strengthening.
I, EDWARD HALE of 11 Greenheys Road, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Iron Manufacturer, 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 :-
The object of this invention is to strengthen the soles of foot coverings, and protect
the feet of the wearers from damp, without materially injuring the ability of the said
soles to bend under the tread.
The invention consists in placing a metallic, waterproof, elastic, strengthening plate
or plates of copper, zinc, iron, steel or other metal, but preferably of tinned plate, as a
layer or layers between the insole and the sock sole, or otherwise as a layer with the
leather in the soles of foot coverings, and such other like articles.
The invention may be described by reference to the accompanying perspective
drawing of a boot, which is opened at the toe so as to show the internal
construction.
A and B are respectively the ordinary out-sole and insole. These may be made of
lighter material, when used in conjunction with a metallic strengthening plate in
accordance with my invention. C is the metallic sole plate, preferably of tinned steel.
D is the sock sole, and E the upper. The plate C extends preferably the entire length
from the toe to the back of the heel. It is secured in position by one or more,
preferably three, tacks or rivets C₁ or their equivalent. These pass through the
plate C and into or through the insole B, by preference at the toe end thereof. The
sock sole D is folded over the edges of the plate and insole, as shown at F. The sock
sole, insole, upper and welt, are all sewn together in the usual way, but not through
the plate. The sock sole and insole thus form a case or cover for the plate, and
prevent it from rusting. Any water running from the upper, will be conveyed beneath
the plate and insole so that the foot may be kept perfectly dry in wet weather.
The plates being elastic, spring under the tread, and are a protection against rough
roads, thus affording ease and comfort for tender feet. The perspiration is absorbed
by the sock soles, and cannot pass beneath the plates, and being near the surface, the
boots or other foot coverings are dried very quickly after removal, and are soon ready
again for use, thus greatly preserving the leather.
Instead of a single plate, I may, if preferred, use two or more very thin plates.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. As a strengthening and damp-proofing medium for the soles of foot coverings, a
thin plate of tinned steel, slightly smaller than the insole of the article for which it is

page_text: intended, and pierced near the edge with one or more holes for the purpose of
attachment to the said insole.
2. In a foot covering, a thin metallic plate slightly smaller than the insole, placed
between the latter and the sock sole, and held in position on the said insole by one or
more rivets or their equivalent, and by the inturned edges of the said sock sole,
substantially as and for the purposes described.
3. The method of strengthening and damp-proofing the soles of foot coverings, by
inserting one or more thin metallic plates between the insoles and sock soles thereof,
substantially as described.