Boot and Shoe Ventilator. to &
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Jan., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Jan., 1896-Accepted, 23rd May, 1896
Boot and Shoe Ventilator.
THOMAS GRAINGER, Brynteg Temperance Hotel, Treallaw, Rhondda Valley
S.W., Engine Driver, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
For causing circulation of air to boots & shoes.
The object of this invention is to cause a circulation of air to the bottom and the
front part of the feet witbin the boots or shoes by means of holes made through
the insole and eyelets fastened in the same, the holes will be made through the
insole in the hollow between the toes. Two or more eyelets may be used if
required.
A trench or airway is cut out of the next layer of leather which is nailed to the
insole for filling up the middle part of the boot or shoe. A branch airway is
formed from each eyelet and brought back to join into the main airway under the
first joints of the toes.
The main airway is then brought back to the heel of the boot or shoe, then-a
portion of the stiffening is cut out also a certain width of the upper is cut out
from the heel nearly to the top of the boot behind, so as to form the airway from
the 'ront part of the boot or shoe to the top part of the upper behind.
A thin spring (steel wire) similar to a large sized watch spring is coiled and
Jaid in the airway extending from the junctions to the top part of the boot or shoe
behind to prevent obstructions in the airway.
The same spring is connected into the side of a small receptacle or box made
of metal, which is inlaid at the top of the airway beneath the fabric strap,
hermetically sealed with a flange around the back edge, this flange will lay
between the inner upper, and the outer upper with the sides of the box
projecting through the leathers, then the edge is expanded a little outward,' a
cap is then placed over the edge of the box with the rim turned inward.
The face of this cap contains many small holes for ventilation, when the box
and cap is pressed together, the sides of the box will expand under the cap and so
be clinched, also pressing the leathers tightly, including a strip of leather which
will be sewn on each side of the airway from the top of the upper down under the
heel.
The next layer of leather is laid over the airway under the foot to form the first
tap and inclosing the airway right through, allowing the boots or shoes to be
finished off in the usual manner.
The action of the current of air is caused by the movement of the foot when
walking or other positions, for instance, a person walking gives a step forward,
when the heel of the boot comes in contact with the ground first, then leaning the
body forward to give the next step, the foot presses into the front part of the boot
or shoe, thereby forcing the damp foul air through the eyelets under the foot and
back through the airway to the exhaust at the top of the upper behind, and so
continues to give a circulation to the feet which I claim to be of great benefit to
the public both in winter and summer months.
Dated this 13th day of January 1896.
THOMAS GRAINGER.

page_text: Boot and Shoe Ventilator.
I, THOMAS GRAINGER, Brynteg Temperance Hotel, Treallaw, Rhondda Valley,
South Wales, Engine Driver, 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 ventilation in boots and shoes, and the object of it, is to 5
supply free circulation of air to the feet.
Referring to the accompanying figures which are to be taken as part of this
Specification, and read therewith,
Fig. 1. represents a vertical section of bind part of boot or shoe.
Fig. 2. represents horizontal section of the under part of right boot or shoe 1
before the taps are attached.
Fig. 3. represents side view of air receptacle.
Fig. 4. represents front view of exhaust cap, with ventilating holes.
A. represents insole of boot or shoe with filling up leather nailed on,
shewing airway and junction cut in same and leading back to heel part of boot 1
or shoe.
B and B 1. represent eyelet holes made through the insole in the bollow
between the toes, two or more eyelets may be used (if required).
C. represents junction of airway leading from eyelet holes B. and B 1. to the
main airway D.
D. represents main airway leading back to heel part of boot or shoe, then a
portion of the stiffening is cut out, also a certain width of the upper is cut out
from the heel part nearly to the top or any part of the boot or shoe behind, so as
to form the airway from the front part of the underside of boot or shoe, to the top
part or any part of upper behind Fig. 1. and an extra thickness of leather, may be
sewn on each side of airway D, also around receptacle G, to strengthen and
correspond with airway as in Fig. 2.
E. represents a spiral steel spring, (or other suitable metal), coiled and flattened
to suit airway, and coated to preveut rust or other injury to spring, then laid in
airway, extending from the junction C. to the top or any part of hind part of boot
or shoe Fig. 1. (by replacement of receptacle G if required), to prevent obstruction
in the airway.
E 1. represents continuation of spring to air receptacle G.
F. represents a strip of leather of substantial thickness, which is sewn on one
side of the upper leather, then lapped over, covering airway at the back of boot
or shoe Fig. 1. with hole cut allowing receptacle G. to project, then sewn on
opposite side in the usual manner.
G. represents front view of air receptacle made of suitable metal, the sides
projecting and inlaid between the inner upper, and outer upper leathers, but in
cases of single upper leather being used, a strip of leather can be sewn on the
inside of boot or shoe extending downwards, to inclose receptacle, and to provide
against irritation, the spring passing between the inner strip and the outer side of
leather stiffening.
G. 1. represents side view of air receptacle made of suitable metal, with slots
cut, and upper edge made thinner (if required), so as to expand, also shewing
where spring E 1. enters in receptacle G, the slots should not be cut too deep, so
as to interfere, or weaken the receptacle.
H. represents front view of exhaust cap. The face of this cap contains many
holes for ventilation, when the receptacle G. 1. and cap H. are pressed together,
the sides of receptacle will expand under the cap H, and so be clinched, also
pressing the leathers tightly, including the strip of leather F, which will be sewn

page_text: on each side of the airway D, from the top of the upper, down under the heel
part of boot or shoe. The next layer of leather is laid over the airway D. under
the foot, to form the first tap, and inclosing the airway D. throughout, allowing the
boot or shoe to be finished off in the usual manner.
The action of the current of air is caused by the movement of the feet when
walking, or other positions. For instance, a person walking gives a step forward,
when the heel of the boot or shoe comes in contact with the ground first, then
leaning the body forward to give the next step, the foot presses into the front part
of the boot or shoe, thereby forcing the damp foul air through the eyelets. under
the foot, and back through the airway D. to the exhaust cap H. of the upper
behind, and so continues to give free circulation of air to the feet.
The novelty I claim, is ventilation to boots and shoes, caused by the aforesaid
mechanism in connection with the action of the feet.
Dated this 14th day of January 1896.
THOMAS GRAINGER.