Improvements in Boot and Shoe Fastenings.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Apr., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 30th Dec., 1889-Accepted, 25th Apr., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Boot and Shoe Fastenings.
JOHN MACGOWN M.D. Millport, Buteshire do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
I do away with the usual lacing and eyelets and fix a flexible steel band with spring
at the bottom to open boot or shoe and two ball knobs to fix the boot or shoe when
closed.
The improvement consists of a flexible steel band being attached to each side of the
opening of the boot or shoe, with a spring at the lower end of the plate.
The spring acts in the same manner as a knife spring. The plates will have a ball
knobe on each side attached near the top. They are not required to keep the boot or
shoe closed, but will keep the boot or shoe closed should the spring give way from
any cause.
A
1
1000
JOHN MCGOWN, M.D.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Boot and Shoe Fastenings.
JOHN MACGOWN, Millport, Buteshire, Scotland, Doctor of Medicine, 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:-
The invention consists in placing metal stiffening plates between folds of leather
on each side of the boot or shoe, and fastening the boots or shoes with a spring lock.
The catch being on one side. The metal plates may be of tin, zinc, brass or steel.
The boots or shoes may fasten in the usual way or have a flap over.
No laces, no buttons, no elastic required.
Saving of expense, and time in putting off and on.
Boots and shoes on this principle are elegant in appearance and can be sold at
less price than those made on the old principle.
DESCRIPTION OF METAL PLATES, AND HOW THEY ARE APPLIED.
The plates are made either from tin, brass, or spring steel. For childrens shoes I
use tin; for boys and girls boots I use spring steel, such as is used in the manu-
facture of ladies stays. The plates vary in size according to the size of the boot or
shoe to which they are applied. The plates range in size from 2 inches to 8 inches
long. Breadth half an inch and from to in thickness according to the material
used. When I use tin plates which I do in all cases when there is no great strain on
the shoe, I cut rivets out of the plate itself, pass these through the inside lining of
the shoe, and then double the rivet back over the leather on the inside.
The steel and brass plates are used in men and boys boots and shoes. I fix these
with a button headed rivet, such as is used in the manufacture of braces.
The plates are supplied with rivet holes about one inch apart. When the upper
of the boot or shoe is made the outer and inner leather are left open till the metal
plate is inserted between. The plate being placed in proper situation, and fixed by
rivets, the edges of the leather are brought together and stitched. The catch is now
placed on the part of the boot that folds over about an inch from the top, and riveted
to the leather and plate. The lock is placed on the other side opposite the catch
riveted to the lower plate and leather. When the two sides of the shoe are brough
[Price 6d.

page_text: together, the small stud passes into the hole in the catch, then the spring is brought
down and the whole is secured and kept in position.
The above is the mode I have hitherto used but in the drawing filed, I have
improved on this lock. The stud is replaced by a small thumb screw; and made to
pass through an opening on the upper plate.
When the boot is closed an half turn is given to the thumb screw, the spring is
brought down and the boot is securely fastened.
I claim no invention for the locks, as these have been used before for purses, and
ladies bags.
The metal plates refered to in form Care usualy made from spring steel, set so as
to fit the forni of the foot.
The plates are usualy half an inch wide thick, and vary from three to
eight inches in length, according to the size of the boot. They have rivet holes
at a distance of every inch. There are two plates to each boot and shoe.
The spring lock is attached to one plate and the catch to the other. The plates are
placed between the outside and inside layers of leather, which form the upper of the
boot, about a quarter of an inch from the edge.
The plates are riveted through & through by flat headed eyelets, and the seams of
the leather are stitched up, and finished in the usual way.
I use two catches and locks, for full sized ladies boots, but only one for shoes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is
1. That the boots and shoes, made and fitted with the stiffening rods or
plates, can be put on and off in far less time than the ordinary lacing or button
boot.
2. The cost of the lock and plates is so little that each pair of boots or shoes
can be placed in the market at 3d. or 4d. less than boots or shoes made on the usual
principle, namely with eyelets and laces or button holes and buttons.
3. The boots and shoes made as above described have been worn by my own
children, and have turned out a complete success.
Dated this 11th day of February 1890.