Improvements in the Manufacture of Materials for Soling Boots and Shoes, and for other Purposes.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Jan., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 20th Nov., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 15th Jan., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
:
"
Improvements in the Manufacture of Materials for Soling Boots and
Shoes, and for other Purposes.
I, THOMAS COWBURN, of Mödling, near Vienna, in the Empire of Austria, Manager
of Boot and Shoe Manufactory, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows :-
My invention chiefly relates to a novel method of combining leather with india-
rubber, gutta-percha or other material having, relatively to leather, a smaller degree
of expansion under hygroscopic conditions.
According to my said invention I form in the leather a series of slits, cuts or the
like in such a manner that when the leather is drawn out or stretched a series of
openings of square, diamond or other shape will be formed therein, giving it a
reticulated appearance.
The leather is next backed with india-rubber gutta-percha, or the like, this backing
being applied in such a condition that portions thereof will enter the square, diamond
or other shaped opening and fill the same.
Leather having india-rubber, gutta-percha, or the like combined therewith as herein-
before described when applied for soling boots and shoes has the advantage that the
bottom of the sole remains rough, thus preventing slipping, the leather swelling and
projecting beyond the gutta-percha in wet weather, while in dry weather it shrinks so
that the gutta-percha or its equivalent projects.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Materials for Soling Boots and
Shoes and for other Purposes.
I, THOMAS COWBURN, of Mödling, near Vienna, in the Empire of Austria, Manager
of Boot and Shoe Manufactory, 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 chiefly relates to a novel method of combining leather with india
rubber, gutta percha, or other material, having, relatively to leather, a smaller degree
of expansion under hydroscopic conditions, and it comprises the improvements herein-
after described.
In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 represents my invention as applied to a boot sole, but without the
backing hereinafter described.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the same.
Figure 3 is a view similar to figure 2 of a sole having a backing applied
thereto, and
Figure 4 is a view illustrative of the method of forming the openings shown in
figure 1.
In carrying my invention into practice I take a piece of leather a, say of the shape
shown in figure 4, and form in the same series of slits b, b by means of a multiple
bladed knife or by any other desirable means.
As shown in figure 4, the said slits are formed in parallel rows, the slits of one row
alternating with the spaces between the slits of the adjacent rows. The leather when
thus slit is stretched, as shown in figures 1 and 2, to form a series of openings c, c
giving it a reticulated appearance. As shown these openings are of diamond shape
but it is obvious that the shape of the same will vary according to the relative arrange-
ments of the slits.
The leather is next backed with a layer d of india rubber, gutta percha, or the
like, this backing being applied in such a condition that portions thereof will enter
.the diamond or other shaped openings and fill the same.
As shown in the drawing, this backing is extended over the whole surface of the
sole, but it is to be understood that it is only necessary to place the layer over the
reticulated portion, and that such layer may be of any desired thickness.
Leather having india rubber, gutta percha, or the like combined therewith as herein-
before described when applied for soling boots and shoes has the advantage that the
bottom, of the sole remains rough, thus preventing slipping, the leather swelling and
projecting beyond the gutta percha in wet weather, while in dry weather it shrinks
so that the gutta percha or its equivalent projects.
I wish it understood that I do not limit the application of my invention to boot
soles as it is obvious that my improved combination material may be used for
various purposes.

page_text: A great advantage of my invention is that no waste of leather occurs in forming
the openings.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
(1.) The improved material hereinbefore described consisting essentially of a piece
of leather having a series of openings and a backing of india rubber, gutta percha,
or other suitable material, the said openings being produced by forming series
of slits in the leather and then stretching the same, substantially in the manner
described.
(2.) The manufacture and use of the improved combination material hereinbefore
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
Dated the 20th day of November 1888
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London,
Agents for the Applicant.