Improvements in Detachable Heel-tips or Top-pieces for Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 15th May, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 11th Feb., 1891-Accepted, 14th Mar., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Detachable Heel-tips or Top-pieces for Boots and
Shoes.
WILLIAM JOHN JONES, Accountant, 64, St. John's Villas, Upper Holloway,
London, N., do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention applies to improvements in the construction of heel tips or top-
pieces for boots and shoes and the means of securing them to the main part or body
of the heel, the heels to be of the ordinary or horse shoe shape or circular and
revolvable--but I now prefer to describe the ordinary or horse shoe shape. The
heel tips or top-pieces to be detachable at will, and may be applied to ordinary
leather heels, hollow metal heels, or other heels.
In carrying out my improvements I provide a separate wearing surface or top
piece of suitable thickness, of leather, metal or other suitable substances or materials
which shall be provided with studs or screws inserted so that the heads project
slightly from the upper or non-wearing surface. The surface of the base of the
heel upon which this top-piece will fit and become attached shall be fitted with a
metal plate fixed by means of rivets screws or otherwise, this metal plate will have
holes corresponding in number to the screws or studs in the top piece-these holes
will be somewhat similar in shape to key holes-so that when the heads of the studs
or screws are inserted in the circular parts of the holes the top piece will project
over the main body or base of the heel but when it is pushed into its proper position
then the necks of the studs or screws projecting from the top-piece will slide into the
slits or narrow parts of the holes the heads of the studs or screws will pass under the
metal plate and hold the top piece in its proper position flush with the base of the heel.
Suitable cavities or spaces will be left under the holes in the metal plates on the
base of the heel to allow the heads of the studs or screws to pass freely. A small
adjustable bolt or spring will be attached to the base of the heel and project slightly
& fit into a small slot in the top piece to prevent it shifting from its proper position
during wear.
By adjusting this small fastening the top-pieces can be removed and shifted at
pleasure from one foot to the other, thus what was the outer edge on one foot will
become the inner edge on the other, an arrangement which will enable the heels to
be worn evenly all over and when quite worn out can be replaced by new ones
purchased already prepared.
Or the above method may be reversed, and the studs or screws be inserted in the
base of the heel and the metal plate arrangement fitted to the top-piece.
Dated this Fifteenth day of Mar 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Detachable Heel-tips or Top-pieces for Boots and
Shoes.
WILLIAM JOHN JONES, of 126, Mercers Road, Tufnell Park, in the County of
Middlesex, Accountant, 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:―
This invention relates to improvements in detachable heel tips, or top-pieces for
boots and shoes. The heel-tips or top-pieces are of the ordinary or horse shoe shape
and may be made of metal wood, leather, or other suitable material, in different
sizes, and are detachable and interchangable so that they may be removed and

page_text: shifted from one boot or shoe to the other, when worn down, at the will of the
wearer; so that in changing, what was the outer edge on one boot or shoe will
become the inner edge on the other, and vice-versa; an arrangement that will enable
the heels to be worn evenly all over, and when quite worn out may be instantly
removed and replaced by new ones to be purchased already prepared and obtained
separate from the boots or shoes. Or the top-pieces may be purchased together
with the metal plates and instructions so that the public themselves may affix them
to their own boots or shoes not previously so fitted. And in order that my invention
may be properly understood and readily carried into effect I will now proceed to
describe the drawings hereunto annexed.
The heel tip, or top piece, Fig. 1 is provided with studs or screws at C inserted
so that the heads project slightly from the under, or non-wearing surface.
Fig. 2 is a metal plate provided with holes at B corresponding in number with
the screws or studs in the top piece; and I will here point out that the shape or
number of the holes and screws or studs may be varied (without departing from the
nature of my present invention) provided that they be arranged to act in the
manner and for the purpose set forth. The plates may be of cast metal, preferably
of malleable cast iron, or stamped or cut out of sheet metal; and are fastened to
the main part, or body, of the heel by rivets or screws at e, or by spikes cast in
the plates. The plates are also provided with an automatic locking arrangement
at A, which consists of a semi-circular continuation at right angles which fits into
the face of the heel. At the back of this continuation is rivetted a metal bolt,
shewn in Figs. 5, 6 & 7 working freely on a rivet at d, the point passing through
the opening in the plate at c, this bolt I prefer to make of brass. In the bolt at a,
is a small stud or a blind hole, by means of which the bolt may be operated
upon, through the opening at c¹, in the event of anything interfering with its free
working.
-
The top-piece, Fig. 1, is further provided with a shield at D-see also Fig. 8-
which has a slot at 9, into which the bolt fits and locks when projecting through the
plate Fig. 2 at c, thus preventing the top-piece from shifting during wear. Due
provision must be made in the top-piece for the reception of the shield at D, by
removing a portion of the material of which the top-piece is made, so as to make it
fit flush, and at the same time leave sufficient space to admit the point of the
bolt freely in the slot at g. The shield may be made of the same metal as the
plate Fig. 2, and fixed to the top-piece by rivets or screws at f., or by spikes cast in
the shield.
In the event of the top-piece being made of metal the shield will not be required,
the slot at g being either cast or drilled, and the projections at C may also be cast in
the top-piece.
The main part, or body, of the heel may be of any desired height, and of leather,
composition, metal or other suitable material. If made of leather then a top lift, or
thin layer, would be provided as shewn in Fig. 3, so as when fitting on the under-
side of the metal plate Fig. 2-as shewn in Fig. 4-the holes at B₁ provide space
for the heads of the studs or screws in the top-piece to pass under the plate through
the holes at B. The space at A¹ Fig. 3 is to admit a small portion of the locking
arrangement, as shewn at A¹ Fig. 4, a small semi-circular piece must be cut out of
the face of the heel so as to receive the remainder of the locking arrangement and
of sufficient depth to allow the bolt to work freely, the whole fitting flush and true
with the face of the heel.
In the event of the body of the heel being made of composition then the thin
lift shewn at Fig. 3 may be dispensed with, suitable cavities for the purpose herein
set forth being otherwise provided.
And further, if the body of the heel be made hollow, of metal or other suitable
material, then I would here point out (without otherwise departing from the nature
of my present invention) that the plate shewn at Fig. 2 will also be dispensed with
by providing holes at B, c, c', and d, to act in the manner and for the purpose as
herein set forth.
:

page_text: Fig. 9 represents the plate shewn at Fig. 2, fitted to the main part or body of
the heel.
Fig. 10 represents the top-piece placed on the body of the heel, the heads of the
screws or studs being inserted into the holes B, at a, Fig. 2.
Fig. 11 represents the top-piece flush with the body of the heel, as during wear;
the heads of screws or studs being under the metal plate at B, b, Fig. 2. The
dotted figure at K shews the position of the bolt passing through the opening in the
plate at c, and fitting into the slot g in the top piece.
In order to remove the top piece, hold the boot sole upwards, when the bolt will
fall below the level of the plate and thus release the top piece, which is then
pushed back into the position shewn at Fig. 10 and removed.
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 :-
1. Attaching the top piece to the main part, or body, of the heel by means of the
heads of screws or studs projecting from the top piece and passing under the metal
plate fixed to the main part, or body, of the heel through the holes at B, substantially
as herein described & illustrated.
2. The automatic locking arrangement at A, Fig. 2 by means of which the top
piece is held in position, and prevented from shifting during wear, substantially as
herein described and illustrated.
Dated this 11th day of February 1891
WM. J. JONES.