IMPROVEMENTS IN BOOTS AND SHOES AND IN APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED THEREIN FOR VENTILATING THE SAME
Year: 1884

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
JOSEPH GERARD 257 Kings Road Chelsea London Mechanical Boot Maker do
hereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BOOTS AND
SHOES AND IN APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED THEREIN FOR VENTILATING THE SAME,
to be as follows:-
A light metal box having an Air shaft and perforated Chamber. The shaft is
closed by a slide which is acted upon by Steel Springs, and can be closed at will
while the boot or shoe is on the foot or being worn. This Ventilator cannot be
seen when the Boot or Shoe is in wear.

page_text: I, JOSEPH GERARD of 257 Kings Road Chelsea in the County of Middlesex
Mechanical Boot Maker do hereby declare the nature of my said invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN BOOTS AND SHOES AND IN APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED THEREIN
FOR VENTILATING THE SAME, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to the production of an improved appliance by which
boots and shoes, can be ventilated in a simple and efficient manner.
This appliance can be fashioned to suit requirements and can be made of metal
or any other substance or combination of substances, and consists of an improved
appliance always in gear, and by one and the same action performs one or more
distinct motions.
In its application to the ventilation of Boots and Shoes an important feature of
this invention is the adaptation and perforation of the inner and outer soles at the
waist of Boots or Shoes for the purpose of ventilation, for by reason of the foot
having three distinct actions-viz-extension, expansion, and contraction there is
by natural means created a constant suction and discharge of air through the
ventilator which can be quickly and easily regulated or when necessary quite closed
by a very simple adjustment without removing the boot or shoe from the foot, thus
insuring thorough ventilation without the least inconvenience.
This appliance adds no extra weight to the boot or shoe, but is inserted in the
sole in place of superflous leather, and it in nowise interferes with the elasticity of
the boot or shoe, or the comfort of the wearer.
The following describes the references upon the drawings.
Fig. 1. Represents the top plate of ventilator on the inside of boot or shoe.
Fig. 2. Is a section through the ventilator and its mechanism.
Fig. 3. Is plan of bottom plate shewing the detail of mechanism.
Fig. 4. Shews the sliding valve.
Fig 5 Shews the bed plate.
Fig 6 Is a cross section through the ventilator.
Fig. 7. Shews two views of beam.
Fig. 8. Shews the spring to retain the beam in position.
Fig. 9. 10. 11. Represent the position of the ventilator in the boot.-A shews the
position of plate inside the boot-B the space cut out of the sole to receive the
ventilator C the end of the perforation through the heel-and D shews where the
outer sole is pierced for the bottom plate.
The ventilator consists of a light metal box partly to contain the mechanism and
to form an air chamber.-the whole of the top plate E, and part of the bottom plate
at F, are perforated with small holes through which the air passes-The plate G
forms a cover to the mechanism and acts as a bed plate, upon this bed is fixed the
revolving beam H having a shoulder on top and a small pin at one end on the
underside at the back of the ventilator is a short cylinder K which passes through
the heel of the boot or shoe to the outside at C within this cylinder is a spiral
spring and piston the end of which is fitted with small guide to run in the groove L
stamped in the bed plate, on the bed plate is fixed the catch spring M working on
the shoulder of the beam to hold same in position,-the sliding valve N is prepared
with a cam in which the pin of the beam works-the valve is fitted close to the
bottom plate and runs in grooves on the sides of the box, so that when shut it
closely covers the perforated part of bottom plate,-on the turn up of the box at P

page_text: is fixed an india rubber cushion, to receive the end of the valve and thus make it a
watertight joint.
The action of the valve is obtained by simply pressing in the button Q at the
back of the heel of boot, the other end of the piston then strikes the beam thereby
working the valve and thus regulating opening, or closing the air shaft of
ventilator-the catch spring M brings the beam into position, at the same time
locking the valve either open or closed.
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;-
1st The improved appliance to be employed for the ventilation of Boots, and
Shoes, substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
2nd The utilization of the "waists." of the soles of Boots or Shoes for the purpose
of ventilation, substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.