CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND SHOES
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Somervell and Robert Miller Somervell, both
of Netherfield, in the County of Westmoreland, and Marius Blanc,
of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, for the Invention of
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Somervell, Robert
Miller Somervell, and Marius Blanc, at the Office of the Commissioners
of Patents, with their Petition, on the 5th March 1862.
We, JOHN SOMERVELL and ROBERT MILLER SOMERVELL, both of Netherfield,
in the County of Westmoreland, and MARIUS BLANC, of Birmingham, in the
County of Warwick, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND SHOES," to be as
follows:-
This Invention consists in the manufacture of boots and shoes with wooden
soles, an angular groove being cut in the edge of the sole to which the upper
is attached by means of prepared nails. Also in the formation of an imitation
welt, by which the heads of the nails are entirely hidden. This is accom-
plished by inserting the nails a short distance from the edge of the upper.
The margin of leather thus left is then worked up, and afterwards set. Also
in a shaped iron plate, which is screwed on to the waist of the sole in some
cases, so as to add to its strength.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Somervell, Robert Miller Somervell, and Marius Blanc,
in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 2nd September 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, JOHN
SOMERVELL and ROBERT MILLER SOMERVELL, both of Netherfield, in the
County of Westmoreland, and MARIUS BLANC, of Birmingham, in the County
of Warwick, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fifth day of March in the year of our Lord One thou-
sand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-fifth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the said
John Somervell, Robert Miller Somervell, and Marius Blanc, Her special
licence that we, the said John Somervell, Robert Miller Somervell, and
Marius Blanc, our executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as
we, the said John Somervell, Robert Miller Somervell, and Marius Blanc,
our executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND SHOES," upon the condition (amongst others) that
we, the said John Somervell, Robert Miller Somervell, and Marius Blanc, our
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under our, or one
of our, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after
the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Somervell, for myself and on
behalf of my Co-patentees, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement,
that is to say:-
Our Invention consists in the manufacture of boots and shoes with soles of
walnut or any other suitable wood, an angular groove being cut in the edge
of the sole to which the upper is attached by means of strong wire nails or
otherwise strong wire staples U-shaped. A piece of leather is then sprigged
on to the sole and heel of the boot or shoe so as to cover them, and this
leather is protected by hobs, or other strong nails, tips, or plates. Also in the

page_text: formation of an imitation welt, by which the heads of the wire nails are
entirely hidden. This is accomplished by inserting the nails a short distance
from the edge of the upper; the margin of leather thus left is then worked
up and afterwards set. Also in a shaped iron plate, which is screwed on to
the waist of the sole in some cases, so as to add to its strength.
Having now described the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner
the same is carried into practical effect, we would have it distinctly understood
that we claim the exclusive manufacture of wood-soled boots and shoes
essentially as herein set forth and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Somervell, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of August, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
JOHN SOMERVELL. (L.B.)