Improvements in the heels and in the soles boots
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Mar., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 30th Nov., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 15th Jan., 1889
I, CHARLES ROBERT BULL of No. 40 Landells Road East Dulwich in the County
of Surrey Builder do hereby declare the naturo of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to Improvements in the heels and also in the soles of boots
and shoes of every size and also to improved appliances for repairing boots and
shoes.
First as regards the heels of boots or shoes I would prefer to have them manu-
factured with heols specially adapted for the reception of the plates aftermentioned
but this is not essential as I can fix the plates upon any ordinary boots :-I attach to
each heel of a pair of boots or shoes a inetal plate one portion of which is raised
in a dovetail manner about one eighth to one fourth of an inch higher than the
other I then attach to this plate by means of a screw nail about quarter of an iuch
in diameter another metal plate dovetailed to fit the upper one and covered under-
neath with as great a thickness of leather as may be desired to form the lower
portion of the heel which is worn out in walking. If this lower portion gets worn
on one side-say the outside more than on the inside the metal plate to which it is
attached can be separated from the upper plate by simply unscrewing the connecting
screw, and the same being done to the heel of the other boot or shoe, the lower
plate which was upon the right foot is transferred to the left and the left to the right
so that the boots or shoes will wear evenly down. When this lower part of the heel
is worn out & requires renewal this is accomplished by simply taking out the
connecting screw, removing the lower plate with its leather covering and attaching
an exactly similar new plate covered in the same way with fresh leather.-This
exchange is so easily effected that a child can do it.-1 so construct the plates that
they are quite invisible from the outside.-Of course more screws may be used to
connect the two plates but I prefer to use only one which may vary in size
according to the boot or shoe.

page_text: Second. In regard to soles of boots and shoes I affix to the makers' sole by means
of screws a thin metal plate covered underneath with leather of any thickness desired
and when this is worn out it can be replaced by simply taking out the screws-
removing the worn sole and plate, & fitting on a new one exactly similar.-This is as
easily done as the heel.
For boots and shoes likely to be used in a very rough manner as for instance by
navvies bricklayers & other labourers schoolboys &c. I would cover the plates with a
mixture of leather and nails and sometimes add metal toe caps but the substance of
the covering does not matter-because, whatever it consists of, when it is worn out
it can be replaced by a new plate and sole in the manner above described.
In regard to smaller repairs where only small portions of the soles or heels are
worn out I would have suitable plates of different sizes and shapes covered with
leather, nails, or other substances ready to be affixed removed and replaced in the
manner above described.
Dated the 10th day of March 1888
CHARLES ROBERT BULL,
40, Landells Road, East Dulwich.

page_text: Improvements in the Manufacture and Repairing of Boots and
.
Shoes.
CHARLES ROBERT BULL, 40 Landells Road East Dulwich in the County of
Surrey, Carpenter do hereby declaro. 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 :-
This invention relates to improvements in the heels and also in the soles of boots
and shoes of every size and also to improved appliances for repairing boots and
shoes of Men Women & Children.
First as regards the heels of boots or shoes I intend to manufacture beels specially
adapted for the reception of the plates aftermentioned but this is not essential as I
can fix the plates upon any ordinary boots-I attach to each heel of a or any pair of
boots or shoes a metal plate one portion of which is raised in a dovetail manner about
one eighth to one fourth of an inch higher than the other. I then attach to this plate
by means of a screw nail about a quarter of an inch in diameter another metal plate
dovetailed to fit the upper one and covered underneath with as great a thickness of
leather as may be desired to form the lower portion of the heel which is worn out
in walking, If this lower portion gets worn on one side say the outside more than on
the inside the metal plate to which it is attached can be separated from the upper
plato by simply unscrewing the connecting scrow and the same being done to the
heel of the other boot or shoe the lower plate which was upon the right foot is
transferred to the left and the left to the right so that the Boots or Shoes will wear
evenly down, When this lower part of the heel is worn out and requires renewal this
is accomplished by simply taking out the connecting screw removing the lower plato
with its leather covering and attaching an exactly similar new plate covered in the
same way with fresh leather, This exchange is so easily effected that a child can
do it.
I do attach a plate with three or more indentions, about an eighth of an inch deep
which with a self locking adjustment fit a corresponding plate. This answers the samo
purpose as the plate previously described, I so construct the platos that they a requite
invisible from the outside.
Of course more screws may be used to connect the two plates but I intend to uso
only one which may vary in size according to the Boot or Shoe.
Second, in regard to the soles of Boots and Shoes I affix to the makers sole by
means of screws a thin metal plate covered underneath with leather of any thickness
desired and when this is worn out it can be replaced by simply taking out the screws
removing the worn sole and plate and fitting on a new one exactly similar, This is
as easily done as the heel.
In Boots and Shoes likely to be used in a very rough manner as for instance by
Navvies Brick Layers and other Labourers, Schoolboys &c. I cover the plate with

page_text: a layer of leather and nails or gutta perela with metal toe plate but the substance of
the covering does not matter because whatever it consists of when it is worn out it
can be replaced by a new plate and sole in the manner above described.
In regard to smaller repairs where only small portions of the soles or heels are
worn out I have suitable plates of different sizes and shapes covered with nails, or
other substances ready to be affixed removed and replaced in the manner above
described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion and what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is
1. For a heel, I fix a metal plate which is slightly raised on a boot or shoe by
means of screws, I then attach annother plate dovetailed to fit the other upper one
which is covered with any thickness of leather required 1 then fit by means of a
connecting screw, or screws, the two together which form a solid heel.
2. I have annother indented plate which fit to any ordinary Boot or Shoe by screws,
I then attach annother plate which fits in the upper or with a self locking adjustment
the two plates being connected as in Number 1. with a connecting screw or screws.
3. In regard to the sole of a Boot or Shoe, I fit a layer of leather or gutta percha
to a metal plate with screws or rivets and then screw the whole plate to the Boot or
Shoe.
4. I also have a hobnailed metal sole plate which screw on to any size boot or
shoe for rough use.
5. For repairing I have metal plates hobnailed of all size and shapes.
CHARLES ROBERT BULL.