IMPROVEMENTS IN BOOTS AND SHOES AND OTHER " COVERINGS FOR THE FEET
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Greer, of Beswick, in the County of Lancaster,
for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN BOOTS AND SHOES AND OTHER
"
COVERINGS FOR THE FEET."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Greer at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd May 1881.
ALEXANDER GREER, of Beswick, in the County of Lancaster.
IN BOOTS AND SHOES AND OTHER COVERINGS FOR THE FEET."
'
"IMPROVEMENTS
My Invention relates in the first place to improvements in and additions to boots
and shoes known as bluchers. Previous to my Invention such boots have ordinarily
been formed with a front piece of leather stitched or sewn to the top of the front
or instep, and has been liable to fall down or buckle. To remedy this defect and
to increase the strength of the boot at this part, I increase the width of the front
piece, and carry it to the top or nearly the top of each side flap of the boot, such
side piece forming a web with the front piece and side flaps. The said web is
connected to the side flaps by means of two or more rows of stitches, and the
perforations for the eyelets are made through the two pieces. A second part of my
Invention consists in strengthening the quarter or lower part of the back of such
boots by stitching a piece of leather on the outside instead of the inside as
heretofore. By this method no interference to the comfort of the wearer can occur,
as is now the case, and caused by such piece when stitched inside becoming buckled
or forming an uneven surface to the heel of the wearer. The said piece may be
extended to the top of the back of the boot, and the boot strap preferably formed
of a loop of leather secured by stitching it between the two. A third part of my
Invention consists in forming the back and side flaps of the boot in two parts-
instead of one as heretofore, and covering the seam thus formed up the back by
means of the hereinbefore mentioned outside piece of leather; parts of the
Invention being applicable to other coverings for the feet, as, for example, low shoes
and slippers.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Alexander Greer in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 2nd November
1881.
ALEXANDER GREER, of Beswick, in the County of Lancaster.
IN BOOTS AND SHOES AND OTHER COVERINGS FOR THE FEET."
"IMPROVEMENTS
My Invention relates in the first place to improvements in the class of boots
known as "bluchers." Previous to my Invention such boots have ordinarily been
fitted with a front piece of leather stitched or sewn to the instep part of the
front of the boot, and has been liable to crease or buckle. To remedy this
defect and to increase the strength, and to render the boot more water-tight, I
increase the width of the front piece or "bellows," and connect it by stitching or
otherwise to the top or. nearly the top of each side flap of the boot. The said
"bellows" is connected to the said flaps by two or more rows of stitches, and the
perforations to receive the eyelets are made through the two pieces of leather. A
second part of my-Invention consists in strengthening the lower quarter or back
of boots by stitching the strengthening piece on the outside in lieu of in the inside,
by means of which the appearance of the boot is improved, and more ease obtained
by the wearer. A third part of my Invention consists in forming the back or
quarter of the boot in two pieces in lieu of one as heretofore, and covering the
seain at the back thus formed by stitching the two pieces together with the
hereinbefore mentioned strengthening piece of leather. Parts of my Invention are
equally applicable to other coverings for the feet, as, for example, to low shoes and
slippers.
And in order that the said Invention may be more fully understood I have
caused to be appended hereunto a Sheet of Drawings marked with letters of reference,
and illustrating the application of my Invention to the description of boot known
as "bluchers." Referring to the Drawings, Fig. 1 represents a side view, and Fig. 2
a front view of a boot. The front part or "bellows" a is cut or formed from one
piece of leather, and connected by one or more rows of stitches to the upper b and
front quarters c, c. The perforations d for the eyelets are made through the two
pieces c and a. The bellows a thus formed and connected renders the boot
practically water-tight at this part, and further prevents the "bellows" from falling
down to the discomfort of the wearer, as was heretofore the case in this description
of boot. The back quarter of the boot is formed of two pieces c, c, and connected
together at the back by stitches. The seam thus formed is hid from view by the
strengthening piece e sewn to the outside and back part of the boot in lieu of in
the inside, as has heretofore been the case; or a single strip of leather of may be
employed. I am thus enabled to effect an economy in the consumption of leather,
as comparatively smaller pieces of leather are employed in the formation of the
back quarter. Fig. 4 represents the strengthening piece e, shown applied in Fig. 1;
Fig. 5 represents one form of pattern for the "bellows." I have only thought it
necessary to illustrate the application of my Invention to "bluchers," as it will be
readily understood that modifications thereof are equally applicable to other
descriptions of coverings for the feet.
Having now described and indicated the nature of my Invention, and sonie
means of carrying the same into effect, I would have it to be distinctly understood
that I claim,
First. The formation and method of attachment of the "bellows" a with the
boot b, for the purpose specified.
Secondly. Forming the back quarter in two parts c, c, and securing the same.

page_text: Thirdly. Combining the strengthening piece e with the boot by connecting it on
the outside and back of the quarter c, for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Greer, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this First day of November, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty one.
ALEXANDER GREER. (L.S.)
Signed and sealed by the said
Alexander Greer, in the
presence of
HUGH G. GRANT,
Of the Firm of Messrs. Bosshardt and Grant,
Patent Solicitors,
Manchester.