Improvements in Boots and Shoes for Cyclists' and Tourists' Wear.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 21st May, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 21st Feb., 1893-Accepted, 25th Mar., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Boots and Shoes for Cyclists' and Tourists' Wear.
1, GEORGE FOWLER HUTCHINGS, of Portland Square, Bristol, Boot
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in boots and shoes for cyclists and tourists,
whereby the strain and pressure on the upper part of the foot from the instep to
the toes, may be either removed or greatly reduced.
Most foot coverings made for use in walking and cycling have a more or less
harsh and unyielding material in the uppers, and the constant friction of this.
material on the joints causes a swelling of the foot and consequent discomfort;
while if the uppers are made of canvas, cloth, or other textile fabric, they will not
stand the hard wear to which tourists' shoes are subjected; by my invention, the
whole tension which is necessary to hold the boot or shoe in position, is applied
across the instep from the heel or ankle, the front part of the shoe having a gusset
of elastic or other flexible material from the instep towards the toes, which yields
readily to the action of the foot, while that part of the upper which is nearest the
ground may be of the usual material employed in the manufacture of walking
shoes.
In carrying my invention into effect, the boots or shoes are made to fasten over
the instep by latchets or tabs, which are either attached to the quarters of the shoes
or form integral parts thereof, buttons, buckles, laces, or any other fastenings being
used that may be preferred; beneath the latchets a gusset of elastic webbing is
inserted, reaching from above the instep to the toes or thereabout, the edges placed
between the upper leather and lining like an ordinary elastic fronted shoe, the
hinge of the latchets being placed at the top and close to the edges of the gusset,
so that when the latchet is fastened, the shoe will be held tightly in its place over
the instep, while the joints, which perform most of the work in walking or cycling,
will be free from any undue presssure: If a non-elastic material, such as cloth,
canvas, or the like be used for the gusset, the upper part thereof must be left free
to allow room for the foot to pass into the shoe, like a tongue or lap in an ordinary
shoe.
The advantages of shoes or boots made in the manner described are, that every
necessary support is given to the foot by the fastenings of the latchets, while the
joints have much greater freedom and comfort than is possible with shoes made
according to the present method.
Dated 20th May 1899
J. G. WESTLAKE,
Applicant's Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Boots and Shoes for Cyclists' and Tourists' Wear.
I, GEORGE FOWLER HUTCHINGS, of Portland Square, Bristol, Boot
0 Manufacturer, 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 :-
My invention relates to boots and shoes for tourists' and cyclists' wear and has
for its object to provide boots and shoes that may be tightened on the instep to any
5 reasonable extent, where support is mostly required, and at the same time will not
cause any undue strain or pressure on the toes and joints.

page_text: With most shoes that are made for cycling or walking, the fore-part of the upper,
known as the vamp, is made of leather, which soon becomes harsh and unyielding
over the joints and in wear causes pressure and discomfort, while if the vamps are
made entirely of cloth, canvas, or similar material, there is not sufficient wear in
them to resist the constant friction to which they are liable; by my invention the
strain of the shoe across the joints is prevented or relieved by the insertion of a
gusset of elastic or textile material, extending from the instep nearly to the toes,
the quarters being laced or otherwise fastened across the instep.
In carrying my invention into effect, the vamps may be made in any conventional
shape, and a gusset of clastic inserted in the middle from the instep reaching nearly
to the toes, and preferably terminated by a toecap, the elastic at the instep being
sufficiently tight to hold the shoe on the foot without lacing, the latchets being
brought over the elastic and laced like an ordinary shoe; the accompanying
drawing illustrates a shoe with a long quarter, the elastic being stitched close to
the edge as far as the latchet, and then continued in a straight line to the top of
the instep as shown, leaving the latchet loose to be drawn tightly over the elastic
when on the foot. The drawing fully illustrates the manner in which the elastic is
inserted, and also a suitably shaped shoe for the purpose, but it may be made in
the ordinary "Derby" or any other shape that may be preferred.
The shoe may also be made with the gusset of any non elastic material, such as
cloth or canvas, in this case, an opening must be left under the latchet, to allow
the shoe to be drawn on, like an ordinary lap or tongue.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
In the manufacture of boots and shoes for cyclists' and tourists' wear, which are
fastened over the instep with latchets, the insertion of an elastic or textile gusset
to prevent any undue pressure on the toes and joints of the wearer, substantially as
and for the purpose herein set forth and described, and illustrated in the accom-
panying drawing.
Dated this 20th day of February 1893.
J. G. WESTLAKE,
2, John Street, Bristol, Applicant's Agent.