Improvements in or relating to Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Jan., 1891-Accepted, 10th Oct.,
1391
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Boots and Shoes.
I, FRANK PAUL MCINTYRE of No. 422 North Thirty Ninth Street, in the City
and County of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania United States of America,
Dealer in Granite, Marbles etcetera, 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 provide an elastic bearing or cushion in the
insale of heels of shoes and boots, whereby the wearer of the shoe or boot shall be
greatly relieved of the shocks or jars of walking; and also whereby railway
conductors and others whose time is mainly passed upon moving trains, may be
relieved from the continuous and injurious jars to the system occasioned by the
vibration of the cars.
To this end, the invention consists in the combination, with an ordinary boot or
shoe, of an elastic pad or plate, preferably of india rubber, which is adapted to be
inserted in the inside of the boot or shoe, immediately over the heel portion, and to
be retained in that position as hereinafter described.
The invention consists further in the particular construction of the pad, whereby
ventilation is secured; also in other details of construction which will be herein-
after pointed out.
Although the device may be made in various forms without departing from the
essential principle of the invention, I have shown in the annexed drawings, and shall
proceed to describe that form and construction which I believe to be the most
simple, efficient and altogether desirable for general use.
Referring to the drawings:
:-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the elastic pad or spring plate detached and
inverted.
Figure 2 is a sectional plan view of the heel portion of a shoe with the said plate
removed.
Figure 3 is a section on line -, Figure 2, with the said pad in place.
The pad A. shown detached in Figure 1, consists of a plate a of india rubber,
smooth on its upper surface (which comes next to the heel of the wearer) and on its
under side provided with a series of projections, or corrugations a' leaving inter-
spaces or channels between them. Preferably this plate is integral, that is, moulded
in rubber. Its outline is substantially that of the heel of a shoe. The shoe is
prepared for the reception of this plate or pad by forming a rocket or depression b
within the shoe immediately above the heel, which may be done by suitable devices,
either by compression of the leather, or by cutting it away. In the present instance,
this socket is formed by shortening the insole instead of continuing it over the
heel as is usually done. The pad is inserted in the socket, which it neatly fits,
although normally projecting slightly above the level of the top of the insole 6', as
seen, and the supplemental or thin insole 2 is or may be pasted over it, the pad
thereby aiding in holding the latter in place.
remark that the unused part of the insole, may be economised for use in
making heels, as also when the upper layer or layers of the heel are cut out they
may be used for a like purpose for heels of smaller shoes.
I usually prefer to provide the pad with, say, four or more points of support a
projecting beyond the other points thereof, and make corresponding sockets b³ in
the inside of the heel of the shoe. Thus, the pad is better kept from lateral
displacement. The relative length of these projections a² and the depth of the
sockets are such, preferably, that, normally, (that is, when the shoe is not worn)
they keep the upper surface of the pad somewhat above the adjacent inner surface

page_text: of the shoe, and also receive the ordinary impact or weight of the wearer, but
allowing the other part or points of the pad to bear against the surface beneath
when an extraordinary weight is brought against the heel, as in jumping or rapid
walking.
I sometimes dispense with the supplemental or thin insole for maintaining the
pad in place, in. which case, when the projections a² are used, I secure the pad by
means of a suitable cement applied to the sockets, or to the ends of the
projections.
It will be obvious that my device may be readily applied not only to shoes and
boots, in the process of manufacture, but also (by cutting out a suitable depression
to receive the pad) to those already made; also that one of the pads may be easily
removed when desired, and another substituted therefor. I purpose making the
pads of different resistances or elasticity, so that those may be inserted that are
best adapted to the weight of the wearer, or to other special requirements.
It will be observed that in the particular construction of the pad shown, the air
may pass through the channels between the projections or corrugations, thus giving
ventilation beneath the heel of the wearer.
I am aware of the fact that what are known as spring heel shoes have long been
in use also that india rubber and other clastic heel plates have been applied
permanently to the bottom or underside of shoes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. A ventilating and spring heel pad adapted to be inserted in shoes, consisting
of a plate shaped like the heel of a shoe, and provided with a series of elastic
projecting points or bearings, substantially as described.
2. The spring heel pad, consisting of a plate, provided with an elastic bearing on
its under side and elastic point or studs extending beyond the said clastic bearing,
substantially as described."
3. In a boot or shoe, the combination with a socket or depression in the inside
surface of the heel portion thereof, of an elastic pad inserted therein, substantially
as described:
4. In a boot or shoe, the combination with a socket or depression in the inside
surface of the heel portion thereof, of an elastic pad inserted therein, and secured in
place by means of the supplementary insole, pasted to the main insole, and also to
said pad, substantially as described.
5. In a boot or shoe, the combination of the depression b, the sockets b³, and the
pad provided with the elastic projections a adapted to enter said sockets,
substantially as described.
Dated this 26th day of January 1891.
WM. P.. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.