CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN BOOTS, SHOES, AND OTHER LIKE COVERINGS FOR THE FEET
Year: 1884

page_text: I THOMAS PHILADELPHIA MILLETT, of 17 Portland Road, Finsbury Park in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN BOOTS, SHOES, AND OTHER LIKE COVERINGS FOR
THE FEET" and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
First the Invention relates to that description of beel worn by ladies, which is
composed of wood covered with leather. The heels of Boots or shoes so covered
soon lose their color and freshness of appearance in consequence of the leather
covering shrinking after being worn a short time thereby giving the leather surface
of the heel a shrivelled and unsightly appearance to obviate this is the object of
the first part of my Invention which consists in substituting for the leather a
covering composed of a web or skin of rubber or an elastic composition moulded or
shaped to the outline or surface of the heel it is intended to cover, This elastic
cover when stretched over the surface of the wooden heel will give such surface a
smooth and lustrous appearance which will not readily be affected by wear or
exposure, such elastic cover may be so constructed that the portion of the same
forming the tread under the heel will be of a thickness or substance which will
form a substitute for leather, or such under portion may be merely a skin or web
over which the leather heel is secured, or in lieu of leather a durable substanco
composed of gutta percha and steel or other metal filings may be employed.
The web of elastic material, covering the heel may be grained in imitation of
morocco or other fancy leather, and colored to suit the particular style of boot for
which the heel is intended, Further I propose to shield the outer edge of the trend
whether composed of wood leather or other substance with a rim of metal which
will not only give strength to, and prevent the heel splitting but will make the
heel more durable and lasting.
Secondly the invention relates to the buttoning of boots, and is designed as a
substitute for stitching to obviate the necessity of restitching on the button when

page_text: not in accordance with the dimension of the ankle and foot which such boots are
designed to fit, In carrying out this portion of my invention, I fix the buttons in
slotted plates, one to each button secured to the leather flap of the boot, and so
formed that it will allow the T head of the button shank to pass through such slot
and be firmly retained therein, The slot of each plate takes a zig zag formation
somewhat in the shape of a horizontal Z thus N the shank of the button rests
when in use in one of the two vertical portions of the slot, for example, if for a
small ankle the button will be retained in the vertical slot nearest to the bottom
hole giving the minnimum distance, but if for a thick ankle the shank of the button
will be forced from the near vertical slot down the inclined portion of the same
into the back vertical slot where it will be retained and give the maximum
distance, The button holes at the point where their pressure is exerted on the
shank of the button when buttoned I shield with metal wire which not only
makes the button holes more durable and lasting, but enables them to keep their
shape.
Finally the invention relates to the material I employ for sewing the soles of
Boots or Shoes to the welt and also to the upper and consists in the employment of
soft metal wire in lieu of thread. The use of wire as a substitute for thread will
be found a great advantage as it is more durable than thread and will bind the
materials tenaciously together.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
First. Covering the wooden heels of boots or shoes with an elastic medium in
lieu of leather in the manner and for the purpose herein substantially described.
Secondly. The employment of a metal rim for strengthening the heels of boots
and shoes in the manner as herein described.
Thirdly. The novel employment of adjustable buttons fixed in slotted plates
secured to the boot which will enable buttoned boots to be readily adapted to
different thickness of ankle without restitching the button together with the use
of a metal shield in the eye of the button-hole against which the shank of the
button presses when the boot is buttoned. The adjustable button and metal shield
to be used in the manner and for the purpose as herein substantially described.
Fourthly. The novel employment of metallic wire in the manufacture of boots
and shoes to be used as a substitute for hemp as a binding material for stitching
and retaining the various parts of the boot and shoe together.
THOMAS WRIGLEY,
36, High Holborn, W.C.,
Agent to the Applicant. 40