İmprovements in Insoles and Soles for Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Apr., 1890-Accepted 24th June, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
İmprovements in Insoles and Soles for Boots and Shoes.
I, WALTER LAWES, of 328, Cedar Street, in the City of New Bedford, in the
County of Bristol, in the State of Massachusetts, United States of America,
Inventor and Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
My invention pertains to an insole provided with a plurality of channels which
provides a plurality of flanges, all of which will be fully described hereinafter
and particularly pointed out in the claims.
The object of my invention is to provide the insole with a plurality of flanges-
formed by channels in the material of which the sole is formed-between which
a reinforcement is placed and secured whereby a substantial sewing basis is pro-
vided and the sole having a flexible center; whereby I provide a firm and smooth
surface to the inside of the boot or shoe making it pleasant and easy for the
wearer, whereby the operator may trim off the inner seam perfectly smooth and
level without injury to the re-inforcement; whereby manufacturers can use a
lighter stock for the insole and at the same time obtain a substantial and flexible
insole, and also a sole for turned shoes, and whereby a sole is produced having
certain desirable characteristics not heretofore obtained by any other method so
far as I am aware.
I attain this object in the manner illustrated in the accompanying drawing,
in which :-.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a sole embodying my invention, one side of the
sole showing the Hanges and channels without the re-inforcements, and the
other side showing it with the re-inforcement cemented or fastened therebetween.
Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view showing the slits in the edge of the sole which
by turning up the separated portions forms the channels and flanges.
Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view showing the flanges turned up, and the outer
flange held in position by gutta percha or similar material and the re-inforcé-
ment being placed in position.
Fig: 4 is a cross sectional view showing the sole completed with the re-inforce-
ment in position and ready to be trimmed.
Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view showing a slight modification in the construction
of my invention, in which the inner slit begins at a point inside of the inner
edge of the outer slit.
In the drawings, A indicates the stock or body of the sole, which has an under-
slit a around its edge, and an upper slit 6 also around its edge as illustrated in
Fig. 2. By means of these slits a lower flange c is formed and when this flange is
turned up as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, a channel d is formed around the edge
of the sole which forms the feather edge e. Placed in the channel d is a suitable
quantity of gutta percha or suitable material f for supporting the flange c in the
proper position while being lasted and sewed. A re-inforcement is situated in
the channel h formed by the upper flange when it is turned in the position
shown in Fig. 3, for the reception of the re-inforcing strip g. The slit for form-

page_text: ing the inner flange and the inner channel h gradually increases in depth
from its outer edge for the purpose of increasing the strength of the inner
flange i and making it more substantial independent of the re-inforcing strip g.
In making a sole of this character, I slit the edge of the sole as illustrated in
Fig. 2 turn up the upper or inner flange then turn up the lower flange cand
place around it the gutta percha or similar material f for holding it permanently
in the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The re-inforcing strip g is then placed
between the flanges e and i and cemented in position by the use of ordinary leather
cement or glue and the parts forced into the position shown in Fig. 4. The
insole is then completed and the sewing flange composed of the two flanges d, i and
the re-inforcing strip y can then be trimmed to suit the character. of work desired
without injury to the insole or the sewing flange, and also leaves a perfectly smooth
seamless surface for the foot of the wearer, aside from its being exceedingly strong
and durable.
I am aware that insoles have heretofore been provided with a ridge pressed or
embossed in it; that heretofore a piece of tape has been cemented around the
feather edge, and also that it is old to have an ordinary channel cut around the
edge and the flange turned up and covered with canvas. Each of these however
essentially differ from my invention which involves the idea of having a plurality
of slits around the edge of the insole extending inward-in the same direction-
and by turning the flanges up, two channels are produced, the outer one
forming the usual feather edge and an upwardly extending flange, which together
with the flange formed by the inner channel forms two walls between which the
upper portion of the re-inforcing strip is placed, and the upper slit being longer
for extending in beyond the lower slit forms a space or channel between the
upper flange and the body or stock of the sole between which the inner edge of.
the re-inforcing strip is also clamped and fastened.
It will be noted that the inner edge of the re-inforcing strip g is cut away to
a tapering edge to fit in and correspond with the shape. of the channel formed by
the upper slit and by means of which no ridges or bulges are formed on the inner
surface of the insole, thus making a perfectly smooth inner surface for the foot.
of the wearer..
It will be noted that the upper.slit as just stated extends considerably beyond
the outer slit or channel which provides two horizontal parallel walls between:
which the inner edge of the re-inforcing strip is secured and this construction pro-
duces a projecting sewing flange which is equally as strong as the insole itself,
thus making a most durable construction.
An insole constructed as hereinbefore described and shown, avoids the difficulties
heretofore existing in prior constructions, in that there is no seam or bulge upon
the insole; in that it can be trimmed as much as desired without injury or weaken-
ing the inner seam, and without detriment to, the strength of the sewing flange
and avoids discomfort to the wearer..
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is;
1. A sole for shoes having its edge provided with parallel slits one above the
other, the upper slit being longer than the lower, whereby the walls of the slits
when turned up produce a shallow and a deep channel, one forming the ordinary
feather edge and the other adapted to receive a re-inforcing strip, substantially
as described.
2. A sole for boots and shoes having its edge provided with two slits one above
the other, the upper slit being deepest and increasing in depth at a point beyond
the inner edge of the lower slit, whereby the walls of the slits when turned upward
form upwardly extending flanges between which a re-inforcing strip may be
secured, and a re-inforcing strip situated between the flanges and extending inward
beyond the inner edge of the lower slit, substantially as described.
:

page_text: 3. A sole for boots and shoes having its edge provided with a plurality of parallel
extending channels formed by parallel slits in the edge of the sole and turning
up the walls of the slits to form flanges, and a re-inforcing strip situated and
secured between the flanges, substantially as described.
4. A sole for boots and shoes provided with two inwardly extending slits, one
projecting inward beyond the other, the walls of the slits forming when turned
upward two parallel extending channels, and a re-inforcing strip situated and
secured between the flanges, substantially as described.
5. An improved sole for boots and shoes provided with two parallel channels
at its edge formed by two slits extending in the same direction, whereby their
points of connection with the sole are independent and separate, the walls of the
slits turned upward and forming together the means of attaching the shoe upper,
substantially as described.
Dated this 4th day of Anvil 1900
F. WISE HOWORTH,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
F. WISE HOWORTH,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.