IMPROVED BOOT NAILS TO PREVENT SLIPPING, AND A METHOD OF FIXING THE SAME
Year: 1884

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
I JOHN LILLEY of Wade Lock Uppermill, Saddleworth, in the County of York,
Minder of Selfacting Cotton Spinning Mules do hereby declare the nature of my
Invention for "IMPROVED BOOT NAILS TO PREVENT SLIPPING, AND A METHOD
OF FIXING THE SAME " to be as follows:-
These nails, which are for putting in boots, shoes, clogs, and slippers, to prevent
people from slipping when walking on frozen and slippery roads; are of two kinds,
the one with a spade-shaped head and the other with a spiked shaped head. The
bottom of these heads rest on a solid metal_ring, and under which is the part of
the nail to be driven into the boot or shoe. They are put in by a small metal tube
fitting on the upper part of the ring and then driven by the hammer.

page_text: I JOHN LILLEY of Wade Lock, Uppermill, Saddleworth, in the County of York,
Minder of Self Acting Cotton Spinning Mules do hereby declare the nature of my
Invention for " 'IMPROVED BOOT NAILS TO PREVENT SLIPPING, AND A METHOD
OF FIXING THE SAME" and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :—
These nails which are for the purpose of preventing people from slipping, when
walking on frozen or otherwise slippery roads, may be fixed to boots or shoes such
as ordinarily worn, or are fixed to boots or shoes that may be worn in addition to
the ordinary boots or shoes: in the latter case the use of such nails may con-
veniently be dispenced with when not required on any part or portion of road, or
when entering a building.
For the purpose as above described, I make a nail having a spike at one end, and
the other a spear shaped end or head, or with a spike at one end, and the other a
spade shaped end or head. In the centre, or midway between the two ends of the
nail I form a solid ring or collar of metal, on which when the nail is driven in to
the sole of the shoe or boot, the sole of such shoe or boot rests on one side, and the
bottom part of the head rests on the other side: the spike end of the nail being
driven either into the sole or heel portion, or both, of the shoe or boot, as many
nails being used as may be found convenient. In the method of attachment, I first
make the required holes in the sole or underneath part of the shoe by means of an
awl or other suitable tool, and in these holes the spike ends of the nails are fixed:
I then place a metal tube on the upper part of the ring or collar by which means
I can drive them into their place by a hammer without injury to the end or head
which rests on the ground.
In order that my Invention may be fully understood and readily carried into
effect, I now describe the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, reference being had to
the Figures and letters marked thereon. Similar letters refer to similar parts
through the several views. Fig. 1 is the sole either of an ordinary shoe or boot, or
a slipper. The nails or spikes may be placed either in the positions indicated on
the Drawings or the number may be increased or decreased as may be found
convenient. Fig. 2 is the side view of a slipper with nails attached that may be
worn over the ordinary boot or shoe, being secured to the foot by straps or similar
means such as are usually adopted for attaching skates: Fig. 3 is the side view of
a nail with a spear shaped end: Fig. 4 is a plan of the same. Fig. 5 is side view
of a nail with a spade shaped end. Fig. 6 is an edge view and Fig. 7 is a plan of
the same. Fig. 8 shows the relative position of the nail with the metallic tube
when being driven in by a hammer.
a. is the sole, heel or underneath portion of the boot shoe or slipper: b. are the
straps for securing the slipper to the foot when worn over any ordinary shoe: c. is
the solid ring or collar of metal in the centre of the nail: d. is the spear shaped
end: f. the spade shaped end: e. the spike fixed in the sole: g. the metal tube used
when driving in the spikes.
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. A nail with a spear shaped end or head or with a spade shaped end or head,
and having a collar or solid ring of metal in the centre or midway between the two

page_text: ends of the nails, such nails being for the purpose of being fixed to boots or shoes
as ordinarily worn, or to slippers that may be worn over the ordinary boots or shoes
to prevent persons slipping on ice or slippery roads or places.
2. The method of fixing such nails, by the use of a metallic tube to prevent
injury to the head when being driven in by a hammer.