Improved Spring Devices for the Heels of Boots and Shoes, applicable also to Horse-shoes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 16th July, 1897-Accepted, 4th Sept.,
1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Spring Devices for the Heels of Boots and Shoes, applicable
also to Horse-shoes.
I, GEORGE ELBRIDGE SWAN, Gentleman, of Beaver Dam, in the County of Dodge,
and State of Winconsin, United States of America, 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 has relation to heel plates. The object of the invention is to
provide a device of this character by means of which all jar to a person incident
in bringing the heel in contact with the pavement or floor in the act of walking,
is lessened to a minimum, and his movements accelerated in raising the heel in
walking.
With this object in view, the invention consists broadly in a spring cushion
having an upwardly and forwardly yielding movement, whereby when the heel is
raised, the tendency of the cushion to assume its normal position will cause the
foot to be slightly elevated and projected forwardly.
The invention further consists in certain features of construction and combination
of parts which will be hereinafter fully set forth and claimed.
In the accompanying drawing:-
Figure 1 is a bottom view of a heel, showing my improved plate secured thereto;
Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the same, showing in full
lines the spring actuated cushion projected through the plate, and in dotted lines
the position it assumes when forced upward and forward by the weight of the
person;
Figure 3 is a detail perspective view of the device removed from the heel; and
Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a modification.
In said drawing, 1 denotes a plate provided on its upper face with two parallel
ears 2, and at the periphery with an upwardly projecting ear 3. A recess is made
in the heel of the shoe, and this plate is adapted to be secured over said recess by
screws 4. 5 denotes the cushion, which, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, consists of
a slug 6, having an inclined base 7 thicker at its forward end than at its rear end.
This slug is located in a central elongated aperture in the plate, and has its rear
thin end supported upon the top of the plate, and is provided with a stud 9 at
its forward end, which projects upwardly through the hole. At the opposite sides
of the stud 9 lugs 10 project laterally from the slug, and serve to prevent the same
from being forced out of the aperture of the plate.
11 denotes a spring, consisting of two coils, which are arranged between the
parallel ears of the plate, and are connected thereto by a pivot 12, and is formed
with a loop 13 which embraces the stud of the slug and exerts its energy to force
the slug through the aperture in the plate.
In use, as the heel comes in contact with the pavement or floor, the slug will
be pressed upwardly and forwardly, and will relieve the wearer of much of the
hock due in bringing the heel in contact with the pavement.
In lifting the foot, the spring exerting its pressure upon the slug, will force said

page_text: slug downwardly and rearwardly in a direction directly reversed to that when the
heel comes in contact with the pavement, thus materially lessening the effort in
walking.
In Figure 4, of the drawing, I have dispensed with the slug entirely, and have
extended a loop of the spring through the aperture of the plate so that it may come
in contact with the ground. By this construction I secure exactly the same
results as when employing the slug.
By slight changes in the construction, it is evident that this invention may be
applied to horse shoes.
From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying
drawing, the construction, operation and advantages of the invention will be
apparent without requiring further explanation.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what i
claim is :-
1. A heel plate for the purpose described, having a spring cushion which, during
compression, has a forward and upward movement, for the purpose described.
2. The combination with a plate having parallel ears and a central slot, of a slug
having an inclined wearing face thicker at its forward end than at its rear end;
and a spring for normally holding the thicker end of said slug projected through
the slot of the plate, substantially as set forth.
3. The combination with a plate having parallel ears and a central aperture, of
a slug projecting through the aperture a spring secured between said ears and
provided with a loop, said slug having a stud projecting upwardly through the
loop and provided with laterally projecting stop ears, substantially as shown and
described.
Dated this 16th day of May 1897
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.