Improvements in Removeable Coverings for Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Nov., 1891-Accepted, 19th Dec., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Removeable Coverings for Boots and Shoes.
We, ALFRED HAREL, of 106, Rue de la Boetie, Paris, in the Republic of France,
and GASTON MÉLIES, of the firm of "Méliès," of 37 Imperial Mansions, New
Oxford Street, in the County of Middlesex, and 3, Rue Taylor, Paris, in the
Republic of France, 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, that is to say :-
Our invention relates to coverings for boots and shoes, so made that they can
readily be put on and taken off, and they not only keep the upper part of the boot
or shoe clean in dirty weather but also perfectly preserve the sole of the shoe from
damp, the covering constituting practically a novel and very useful combination of
an ordinary "gaiter" with a waterproof galosh.
In order to put our invention in operation we make a covering of cloth or other
suitable material shaped to the shape of the foot and ankle and when in place
fastened by buttons, catches, or other ordinary fastenings down one side-preferably
the inside of the foot and ankle, the back of the covering reaching down to the
top of the heel of the boot or shoe, and its front extending forward nearly to the
toe. To this extended part we attach an india rubber galosh, reaching from
the front of the heel, and its upper edge being united by stitching, cement, or other
suitable means, to the lower edge of the cloth cover already described, and pre-
ferably also covering the toe for a short distance back.
The boot or shoe of the wearer is therefore entirely contained in the combined
covering, with the exception of the heel, which protrudes down through the space
left between the back of the upper cloth covering and the back edge of the bottom
or sole of the india rubber galosh.
We make this india rubber sole of what is known as hard india rubber in order
to give greater durability and stability to the part which treads the ground, but we
prefer to make the part between this sole and the back edge in front of the heel,
which is beneath the lower arch of the foot, of soft and elastic india rubber which
by its elasticity is held in close contact with the sole of the boot or shoe and
prevents wet from getting access to the latter.
Our improved removeable covering for boots and shoes is cheap and neat in
appearance, and very easily put on and taken off as required and comfortable when
in use, whilst from the protection which it affords against damp feet, it is very
valuable for preserving the health, especially as air has access round the heel.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
--
The removeable covering for boots and shoes, consisting of an upper flexible
covering fastened at the side, reaching down to the heel and covering the top of the
foot, in combination with a galosh the upper edge of which is united to the first
mentioned covering, the sole being of hard india rubber in the part treading the
ground, and of soft india rubber fitting the lower arch of the boot or shoe, and
reaching back to the front of the heel of the latter, substantially as and for the
purpose described.
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicants.