AN IMPROVED BOOT OR SHOE
Year: 1884

page_text: JOSEPH GERARD 257 Kings Road Chelsea, London, Mechanical Boot Maker do
hereby declare the nature of my Invention for AN IMPROVED BOOT OR SHOE
to be as follows :-
An improved boot or shoe cut in one piece of leather, and has but one seam.
The attachments and fastenings are at the side, and cannot be seen when worn.
When desired provision is made for the free use of the ankle by the insertion of
a tongue or piece of elastic at the top of the upper.
Ventilation is obtained by perforation, ingress and egress of air is shut off by a
sliding arrangement at the waist.

page_text: I JOSEPH GERARD of 257 King's Road Chelsea, in the County of Middlesex,
Mechanical Boot Maker do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention
for "AN IMPROVED BOOT OR SHOE" 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 devise a novel ventilated and improved boot or
shoe, the upper being blocked to shape in one piece of leather having its seam at
the back and provided with a new method of lacing, its most essential feature
being the adaptation and perforation of the waists of both the insole and outer sole
for the reception of an instrument to regulate ventilation; (this instrument is the 1
subject of another patent, but must of necessity be mentioned in conjunction with
this Invention) as hereinafter detailed.
In order that my Invention may be better understood I now proceed to describe
my Drawings.
Fig. 1. View of boot shewing section through space for ventilator.
Fig. 2. Plan of outer sole of boot.
Fig. 3. Plan of insole or inner sole of boot.
A. shews the section of space for ventilator.
B. is the plan of outer sole where perforated through the waist for inlet plate of
ventilator.
C. shews the insole where perforated for top plate of ventilator.
D. shews the end of perforation through the heel for end of ventilator.
E. shews the method of lacing.
F. shews the elastic gusset to relieve the ankle of undue pressure.
.
]
2
The upper of the boot being blocked to shape in one piece of leather having its 2
seam at the back, preserves its useful qualities, its elasticity and durability and
renders it more comfortable to the wearer.
When desired provision can be made for the more free use of the ankle by the
insertion of a tongue or an elastic gusset at the top of the upper F.
The method of lacing is shewn at E and is made thus ;-the upper is cut at the 3
side on the inner side of the foot, wherein is inserted a bellows or ordinary tongue,
near the edge and through the inside facing only are holes through which the lace
is inserted, it being first fastened at the bottom,-at the corresponding back part
of the upper hooks are fixed and it is then ready for use, by simply looping the
lace over these hooks, with one pull of the lace, the edges are easily drawn 3
together and the boot secured to the foot, but if it is desired, the boot can be made
to button or buckle.
A. represents the perforation made through the waist of both the insole and
outer sole, piercing the outside at B., the inside at C., and through the heel to the
outside at D.
The inner sole instead of being cut out at C, may be perforated with small holes
in lieu of the top plate of ventilator as a matter of choice.
The adaptation of the waist of the insole and outer sole for the purpose of
ventilation forms the most important feature of this Invention for by the natural
action of the foot in walking ventilation is greatly aided, the weight of the body 4
being brought to bear on the instep it presses down the waist or arch of the foot,
and it is manifest that as the foot is raised and so relieved from pressure, there is
a constant induction and discharge of air through the ventilator which can be
regulated by a sliding arrangement of the instrument.

page_text: It may also be stated that this instrument adds no weight or bulkiness to the
boot but displaces its own weight in superflous leather and in no wise interferes
with the comfort of the boot.
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 is,
1st The adaptation of the waists of the sole of boots or shoes for the purpose of
ventilation as specified.
2nd The formation of the upper in one piece of leather as specified.
3rd The method of lacing as specified.