IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO STOCKINGS, SOCKS, AND KNICKERBOCKER STOCKINGS."
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Shaw, of Bradford, in the County of York,
Gentleman, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO
STOCKINGS, SOCKS, AND KNICKERBOCKER STOCKINGS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Shaw at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd February 1880.
THOMAS SHAW, of Bradford, in the County of York, Gentleman. " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO STOCKINGS, SOCKS, AND KNICKERBOCKER
STOCKINGS."
My improvements relate to knitting or weaving the leg and upper part of the
foot of a stocking, sock, or knickerbocker stocking independent from the heel,
bottom part of the foot, and toe, so that they are in two distinct parts, and when
joined, woven, or knitted together they form a complete stocking, the finishing of
the upper part being so effected that the loops thereof can be easily taken up, and
the slipper or heel, bottom part of the foot, and toe can easily be woven, knitted,
and sewn theoreto.
The upper part of the stocking is independent of the slipper or lower portion,
but both parts are made to correspond in material and design, and the stocking
when knitted or manufactured is made with both parts joined.
Any number of slippers or detached heels, bottoin parts of feet, and toes can be
purchased separate, and are made to fit and match the upper parts, and when the
slippers are worn out, that is to say, with holes in the heels and toes, instead of the
usual uncomfortable and tedious process of darning, the connections of the slippers
and upper part of the stockings are cut through, and the slippers removed and new
ones joined thereto by threads of the same colour and material as the stockings,
and which make perfect joints.
By these means I effect a great saving, as one pair of uppers will last several
pairs of slippers.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Shaw in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 31st July
1880.
THOMAS SHAW, of Bradford, in the County of York, Gentleman. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO STOCKINGS, SOCKS, AND KNICKERBOCKER
STOCKINGS."
The said improvements relate to knitting or weaving the leg and upper part of
the foot of a stocking, sock, or knickerbocker stocking independent from the heel,
bottom part of the foot, and toe, so that the stocking shall be in two distinct parts,
and when joined, woven, or knitted together they shall form a complete stocking,
the finishing of the upper part being so made that the loops thereof can be easily
taken up, and the slipper or heel, bottom part of the foot, and toe can easily be
woven, knitted, and sewn thereto.
The upper part of the stocking is independent of the slipper or lower portion,
but both parts are made to correspond in material and design, and the stocking
when knitted or manufactured is made with both parts joined.
Any number of slippers or detached heels, bottom parts of the foot, and toes can
be purchased separately, and are made to fit and match the upper parts, and when
the slippers are worn out, that is to say, with holes in the heels and toes, instead of
the usual uncomfortable and tedious process of darning, the connections of the
slippers and upper part of the stockings are cut through, and the slippers removed
and new ones joined thereto by threads of the same colour and material as the
stockings, and which make perfect joints.
By these means I effect a great saving, as one pair of uppers will last out several
pairs of slippers.
But in order to enable my improvements to be better understood I will proceed
to describe the same by reference to the accompanying Drawing, which represents
a part elevation of a stocking having the slipper fitted thereto according to my
Invention.
The upper part A of the stocking is independent of the lower portion or slipper
B, C, D, and the parts A and B, C, D, are made of the same material and design,
and are made to correspond, and the stocking when manufactured or knitted is
made with both parts joined.
The finishing parts E, F, G, of the upper and lower parts are made with loops, so
that the joining can be easily taken up and a new slipper sewn on the part A when
the slipper is worn out, that is to say, having holes therein. By this means of
replacing the slippers or lower ends of the stockings I do away with the usual
uncomfortable and tedious darning process, and effect a great saving in stockings.
Having thus described my Invention, I would have it understood that what I
claim is, the weaving or knitting of the leg and upper part of the foot of a stocking,
sock, or knickerbocker stocking independently from the heel, bottom part of the
foot, and toe, so that when joined, woven, or knitted together they form a complete
stocking, substantially as and for the purpose described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Shaw, have hereto set my hand and
seal, this Thirtieth day of July, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
sight
Witness,
WALTER JAS. TURNER, C.E.,
Patent Agent,
Bradford.
THOMAS SHAW. (L.S.)