IMPROVEMENTS IN COUNTER-STAYS OR HEEL STIFFENERS FOR BOOTS OR SHOES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Harris Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, &
Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention. of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN COUNTER-STAYS OR HEEL STIFFENERS FOR BOOTS OR
SHOES." A communication from abroad by Samuel Lockwood Bailey, of the
City and State of New York, United States of America, Manufacturer.
Sealed the 13th April 1880, and dated the 17th October 1879.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Henry Harris Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th October 1879.
HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN COUNTER-STAYS OR HEEL
STIFFENERS FOR BOOTS OR SHOES." A communication from abroad by Samuel
Lockwood Bailey, of the City and State of New York, United States of America,
Manufacturer.
According to this Invention a counter-stay for each boot and shoe is made in two.
pieces of sheet metal (scrap tin being generally used) of the form hereinafter
described. The said two pieces of sheet metal are formed in dies to conform to the
sides of the "counter" of the boot or shoe. The sides of the said pieces or plates
are rounded down at their ends, and are so placed between the heel and side seams
as to render the inside of the counter even and smooth, and the lower parts or
seats are brought under the insole so as to be secured by the pegs or nails which
hold the heels in place.
By using two plates instead of one for each shoe free action of the heel of the
wearer is permitted. A certain degree of elasticity or play is thereby allowed,
which is favourable to the comfort of the wearer and the durability of the counter.
In good boots or shoes the cost of counters, made as usual of fine sole-leather,
amounts in some cases to as much as or more than sixpence per pair of shoes. These
metallic counter stiffeners are as good as, and in most cases better than, the solid
leather counters, and can be furnished at one tenth of the cost of the same.
I provide the seat with a series of perforations stamped-up without loss of metal
for the ready insertion of lasting and other pegs or nails.

page_text: 0, 0, are the perforations in the seat for the lasting and other pegs or nails.
These perforations are made by means of a die; the metal is struck up and not cut
away, so as to form a series of corrugated holes with raised edges on the upper side
of the seat.
The said corrugations impart stiffness, the raised edges secure a firm hold on the
leather, and the perforations are of great convenience and value in lasting and in
securing the counter stays to the boot or shoe.
These counter-stays have the desired shape imparted to them in suitable dies,
and are made of any required size. "Four cross tin is preferably used for the
construction of these improved counter stays, but other thickness of tin, iron, or
other metal may be used as preferred. The Drawing shows a series of transverse
corrugated perforations, and this is the form of perforations I prefer to use, but
their number and form may be varied. If the perforations are made by cutting out
any of the metal the stay will be weakened.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood'
that I claim,
First. Metallic counter stays formed of two pieces, and provided with a series of
perforations, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Second. The metallic counter-stays formed of two pieces of metal constructed
and arranged as described, and provided with a series of corrugated lasting holes or
perforations, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Third. The metallic counter stays formed of one piece of metal with the cleft,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Fourth. The metallic counter-stays formed of one piece of metal with the cleft,
and provided with a series of corrugated perforations, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Harris Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
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