Improvements in Means for Fastening Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Oct., 1894-Accepted, 10th Nov., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means for Fastening Boots and Shoes.
I, WALTER EDWARD PAGE of 21, St Pauls Crescent, Camden Square, N.W.
Clerk, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same 18 to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement
This invention relates to an unproved means for fastening boots and shoes, and
I intended to provide a substitute for laces, and an arrangement by which they
Can be more rapidly secured than with the ordinary attachment.
The device consists of a strip of thin steel or other spring metal, fixed in each
edge of the front, and extending from the top to the lower end of the opening.
These strips are fitted in the place usually occupied by the eyelets, and are formed
with a slot extending through their complete length
The sides of the boot are connected by means of a number of small bands of
metal, which extend across the opening and slide up and down in the two slots.
When these bands are moved to the lower ends of the slots which are enlarged to
receive them, the flaps can be pulled apart, but when the bands are raised higher
up the boot, the flaps are secured firmly together.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is had to
the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which
Fig. 1 18 a perspective view of a boot with fastener showu open,
Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the boot fastened, and
Figs. 3 and 4 are respectively a front and end view of the steel strips and bands
shown separately.
A is the boot, on the edges of the flaps a of which the fastening device is fitted;
the steal strips B shown in Figs 3 and 4 are fixed between two thicknesses of the
leather, and a slot C is cut through the strips and the leather of the upper, the
slots being formed with enlarged ends c. The bands D, preferably of spring metal,
extend across the opening and slide in the slots C. When these bands are passed
down into the lower portion of the slots as shown in Fig. 1, the flaps are freed
and the strips B being flexible the boot can be opened in the ordinary manner
When the bands are pulled into the position shown in Fig. 2 the boot is securely
fastened.
In order to retain the bands in proper position, a small pin o hook E is
employed fitted at the upper end of one of the strips, to which the upper band is
connected by a short chain e. The bauds are also connected to each other by
the chains e, thus preventing them falling after being put in the proper
position. Any number of bands may be employed, three being shown in the
drawings.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim 16.-
(1.) An improved fastening for boots and shoes, consisting of two flexible strips
fitted on the edges of the opening, each formed with a longitudinal slot, carrying
bands connecting the two strips together and adapted to slide in the slots,
substantially as described.
(2.) An improved fastening for boots and shoes, consisting of two flexible strips
fitted in the edges of the upper at the opening, each formed with a longitudinal
slot enlarged at its lower end, and bands connecting the two strips and sliding in
the said slots, substantially as described.

page_text: (3) The improved fastening for boots and shoes, consisting of a flexible stup
fitted in the upper at each side of the opening, formed with a slot, eulanged at its
lower end, and bands connecting the two strips together sliding in the said slots,
connected to each other by a projection at the upper end of the boot by chains or
the like, substantially as described and shown and for the purposes specified.
Dated this 4th day of October 1894.
5
GEO. HI RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C, Agent for the Applicant.