Improvements in Boots and Shoes for the purpose of Rendering Improved Support to the Insteps of the Wearers.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Apr., 1891-Accepted, 23rd May, 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Boots and Shoes for the purpose of Rendering
Improved Support to the Insteps of the Wearers.
I, WILLIAM YORK, of Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton in the County of
Stafford, Boot 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:-
This invention has for its object certain improvements in boots and shoes,
according to which improved support is given to the insteps of the wearers,
rendering the boots and shoes fitted with the improvements of peculiar service to
persons having delicate, weak, or flat feet, and tending in all cases to prevent the
falling or lowering of the insteps, such improvements being of a character which
avoids unnecessary weight and unsightliness of appearance.
According to this invention, a block or fillet, which is considerably narrower
across than the width of the boot or shoe, so as not to detract from the symetry of
the outline thereof as seen when it is resting on the ground, is carried down along
the middle of the hollow part or waist of the boot or shoe so that when the foot is
bearing properly upon the ground the bottom of the block or fillet rests thereon
also and thus gives perfect support to the waist of the boot or shoe, and
consequently to the instep of the wearer. The block or fillet is fixed by sewing,
riveting, or otherwise, to the sole and heel of the boot or shoe. It may be of any
suitable material such as rubber, leather, and even wood or metal.
It is preferred to form the block of vulcanized india-rubber, with a thin flange or
sole by which it is fixed in place.
In order that the invention may be clearly understood, I will proceed to
describe, with reference to the drawings herewith, a convenient form of its
application.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through the centre of a sole and heel of a
boot or shoe having the invention applied thereto, the "upper" of a shoe being
shewn by broken lines, to make the view more complete ;
Figure 2 is a plan of the underside of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a section taken on line zx of Figure 1;
Figures 4 and 5 are detached views of the block, Figure 4 being a side and
Figure 5 a back end elevation.
•
The block A consists of a flange or sole a (shewn by broken lines only Figure 1)
by which it is secured to the boot or shoe, and of a downward projection 6 which
rests on the ground when the boot or shoe bears fairly thereon. The part a is
conveniently of the width of the part of the boot or shoe to which it is attached,
but the part 6 is considerably narrower, as shewn, so as to be well back on each
side from the outer edge of the sole and thus be fairly out of sight when the boot
or shoe is in use. It is preferred to insert the flange a of the block A between
the inner sole e and outer solef of the boot or shoe, in which case the part b
thereof projects through a slot formed for such purpose through the outer sole f.
In fixing the block in this manner it is convenient, previously to fixing the outer
sole to the inner sole, to pass the part 6 of the block through the slot of such
outer sole and sew or rivet the flange a thereto, as indicated by the lines of
stitches, Figure 2, after which the outer sole is itself sewn to the welt or riveted
through to the under sole. It is preferred also to form at the rear end of the
block A a part d, which is of the width of the part b, but of less depth, for the
purpose of strengthening the hinder part of the block, and, by fitting within a
notch or recess in the heel, of assisting in securely holding the block in place.

page_text: The block is, in the instance shewn, conveniently made of vulcanized india-rubber,
but it may be of leather (built up), or of wood, metal or other suitable material.
It is preferred to place the flange a between the inner and outer sole of the boot
or shoe, but it may be fixed to the outside of the outer sole.
When the block illustrated is made of a material, such as india-rubber or leather,
which can conveniently be cut with a knife, its flange may be somewhat wider
originally than its intended finished size, and be pared to the right size after being
fastened in place.
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. A downward projection forming a support for the waist of a boot or shoc,
which is narrower than the boot or shoe, and bears upon the ground when the boot
or shoe rests properly thereon, substantially as described, for the purpose set
forth.
2. A. support for the waist of a boot or shoe formed of a thin portion or flange a
and of a narrower part b, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
3. A. boot or shoe fitted with a support in the waist thereof of which a thin
portion or flange is in position between the inner and outer soles of the boot or
shoc and of which a portion projects downwards through an opening formed
therefor in the outer sole, substantially as described and shewn, for the purpose
set forth.
4. The means, substantially as described and shewn by the drawings herewith,
by which the instep of the foot is supported without detracting from the symetry
of the outline of the boot or shoe as seen when resting properly upon the ground.
Dated this Twenty-second day of April 1891.
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.