Improvement by Perforation in the Soles of India-rubber, Gutta- percha, and other Non-absorbent Materials of Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd July, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Apr., 1893-Accepted, 27th May, 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvement by Perforation in the Soles of India-rubber, Gutta-
percha, and other Non-absorbent Materials of Boots and
Shoes.
JAMES THOMAS MCMAHON, 10 Victoria House, South Lambeth Road
London, S.W., Surgeon do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows :-
:-
The improvement for which provisional protection is sought, has for its object to
remove the one great draw-back to the more extensive use of india rubber and
gutta percha as material for the soles of boots and shoes. This draw-back, is a
most serious one, in that persons wearing boots or shoes having soles made of
either of the above mentioned materials suffer from what is termed "drawing of
the feet," the popular expression for non absorption of perspiration. My improve-
ment consists in the perforation of outside soles of boots and shoes made of the
above mentioned substances or any other substance non-absorbent-such perforations
to be of any size number or pattern, thus securing a certain amount of ventilation
and the escape of the hot and moist air of the inside of the boot or shoe when the
feet are throwing off perspiration.
At the present time india rubber soles are being much used in the manufacture
of policemen's boots, but the men who wear them are always complaining of their
tendency to "draw the feet" and it is well known that such soles are only used by
order of the authorities the reason being that the approach of a constable
wearing such soles is noiseless and a better chance is consequently offered for the
detection of persons attempting burglary or other offences.
Dated 11 of 11, 1900
J. T. MCMAHON.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvement by Perforation in the Soles of India-rubber, Gutta-
percha, and other Non-absorbent Materials of Boots and
Shoes.
I, JAMES THOMAS MCMAHON, formerly of 10 Victoria House, South Lambeth
Road, London, but now of 19 Osborne Terrace, Clapham Road, London, S.W.,
do hereby declare the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:―
My invention relates to the use of india-rubber, gutta-percha, and other non-
absorbent materials, and the application of the same materials, for the soles of
boots and shoes; and its object is to overcome the chief objection thereto, which
persons wearing such boots and shoes usually make, vic.what is popularly termed
drawing the feet, which is caused by the want of suitable means of escape for the
perspiration.
My invention consists in the application of outer or additional soles formed of
any of the before mentioned substances, to boots and shoes; such outer soles being
formed with a number of perforations of any size, number, or pattern. These
perforations furnish means for the access of the outer air to the leather soles, and
thus secure a certain amount of ventilation, and provide for the escape of the hot
and moist air from the inside of the boot or shoe, when the feet are emitting
perspiration. Coolness and comfort of the feet are also thereby secured.

page_text: This invention may be applied to the soles of newly made boots or shoes or those
previously worn by means of cement screws rivets, nails or stitches or other usual
means of attaching.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be perforined, I declare that what_I
claim is
The application to boots and shoes of soles formed of india rubber, gutta percha,
or other non-absorbent materials; such soles being perforated and affixed substan-
tially as and for the purpose specified.
Dated and A1002
GEO.
DOWNING,
8, Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent.