A NEW OR IMPROVED SUBSTITUTE FOR EYES OR EYELETS TO BE APPLIED TO BOOTS AND OTHER LACED ARTICLES
Year: 1880

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd July 1880. A com-
munication from abroad by Claude Varlot, of Grenoble, Isère, in the Republic
of France.
BENJAMIN JOSEPH BARNARD MILLS, of the Firm of Harris and Mills, of 23,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent. "A NEW
OR IMPROVED SUBSTITUTE FOR EYES OR EYELETS TO BE APPLIED TO BOOTS AND
OTHER LACED ARTICLES." A communication from abroad by Claude Varlot, of
Grenoble, Isère, in the Republic of France.
The Invention is represented in the accompanying Drawings, Figures 1 to 10
of which are drawn to a scale of double the real size, Figure 11 being drawn to a
reduced scale.
The new or improved substitute for eyes or eyelets consists of a metal loop or
bridge piece eyeletted or otherwise rivetted or fastened to the article.
Figures 1 represent a side view and an end view of one form of the new or
improved article apart from its means of attachment; it is formed of round
iron wire bent to form, the two ends of which are enlarged by means of cross
cuts.
Figure 2 represents one of two small tubes with broad thin heads and counter-
sunk recesses to receive the enlarged ends of the loop or bridge piece, which are
fixed therein by means of a specially formed punch.
Figure 3 represents the loop or bridge piece united, the two tubes in the form in
which it is sold.
Figures 4 represent a plan and longitudinal section of a counter or rivetting
plate formed with two holes for rivetting.
The loop or bridge piece is mounted on the leather or other material in the
manner represented at Figure 5.
Two holes are pierced in the leather or other material at the required distance
apart; the two ends of the loop or bridge piece are inserted into them in a
reversed position, and supported in a suitable matrix. The counter or rivetting
plate is then placed on the opposite side of the material, and the two ends of the
tubes are rivetted at the same time by means of a double punch forming annular
rivets within the holes of the rivetting plate.
Figures 6 to 10 represent various other forms fulfilling the same purpose.

page_text: Figure 6 represents the loop or bridge piece formed of a single piece obtained by
turning with two shoulders; it is then bent and rivetted with a counter or rivetting
plate as in the previous arrangement.
Figure 7 represents a similar construction with the shoulders formed separately
and applied thereto.
Figures 8 represent a similar construction to the above, except that the two
shoulders are replaced by a single circular piece pierced with two holes.
Figures 9 represent the loop or bridge picce formed with a single central stem
formed with a screw, and fastened to the article by a nut, thereby permitting of
its being readily removed. Figures 10 represent the loop or bridge pieco a cut
out in one piece from a sheet of metal. The loop or bridge piece proper is rounded
on the interior. The counter or rivetting plate b is formed with a long recess, in
which are lodged the two turned up ends of the loop.
Figure 11 represents the arrangement of these loops or bridge pieces upon &
boot with single lace; they can also be employed for all other kinds of lacing,
-simple.or.double, and for all articles requiring lacing.
The advantages of the present Invention are;-
First. The loop or bridge piece being fixed firmly at two points cannot turn,
thereby ensuring the easy running of the lace, and permitting of tightening or
loosening without unlacing the lace.
Second. The lace passing along the surface of the leather or material has no
tendency to upset the loop or bridge piece.
Third. The entire produces very little projection on the exterior and none on
the interior, thereby preventing the wear of the trousers, and injuries to the feet
and legs.
The dimensions of the article can be varied, as also its applications.