Improvements in Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Feb., 1894-Accepted, 12th May, 1894
Improvements in Boots and Shoes.
I, LUCIUS ROOT EASTMAN of 97 Chambers Street, New York, in the United
States of America, Boot and Shoe Salesman, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to an improvement in ventilated boots and shoes, by
providing a flexible ventilator and shank for boots and shoes, said ventilator
and shank are inserted between the bottom sole, the insole, the counter and the
vamp.
It is made by bending steel or other wire so as to conform to the shape of the
sole, leaving longitudinal and latitudinal spaces for the circulation of air between
the bottom sole and the insole, and by continuing the ends of the wire previously
bent, after it reaches the junction of the vamp and the top of the heel in a
"U" shaped loop, between the counter and the vamp, to a point in the vamp
about 1 inches from the base of the heel where this "U" shaped loop passes around
an eyelet, thus leaving a space between the counter and the vamp for the circulation
of air. This eyelet placed in the vamp accomplishes two purposes, viz. the
providing of an opening for the introduction of fresh air to the spaces between the
vamp and the counter and between the bottom sole and insole, and the holding at
its upper end of the ventilator and shank securely in its place.
Still another object of my invention, in conjunction with the ventilator, is to
provide a flexible shank for a boot or shoe; this object being attained by me by
means of wires bent longitudinally and latitudinally and running from the heel to
the toe of the boot or shoe, and contracted at the shank of the boot or shoe. This
does away entirely with the trouble caused by the solid piece shanks now in general
use, riz.; the wearing through of either bottom or insole of the boot or shoe at the
end of the shank, underneath the ball of the foot. This providing a more flexible
shank, insures smoother surfaces, no abrupt termination underneath the ball of the
foot, better finish to the boot or shoe, greater elasticity and better permanency of
form.
The ventilator at the heel of the shoe, before reaching the counter is bent into
the form of two spiral springs, which overlap each other slightly, by giving the
wires one or two circular twists and then proceeding longitudinally until it reaches
the counter where it is bent at right angles to the sole. of the boot or shoe and
carried in a vertical direction between the vamp and counter until it meets the
eyelet previously mentioned, around which it passes and is thus, at this extremity,
held securely in its place.
The other parts of the ventilator, after conforming to the shape of the boot
or shoe, are at the toe twisted back to the heel of the boot or shoe and are
then left free and unfastened.
The object being to secure a flexible shank, and give greater elasticity, as
well as to aid the pump or valve action at the ball of the foot and heel of the
shoe.
Still another object of my invention, is the providing of a support for the
counter of a boot or shoe, by the insertion of the vertical part of the ventilator
as above set forth, between the counter and the vamp, thus forming a strengthening
back to the counter, which on this account can be made much lighter than it
now is, and it also will obviate much of the trouble now caused by the sides, of
the heel rubbing against the ordinary counter.

page_text: Another object I attain by my invention is that by inserting the ventilator
between the vamp and counter, the boot or shoe is not weakened as it would be, if
a portion of the counter had to be cut away to make room for the ventilator.
The above objects, I obtain by means of the elements set out in the accompanying
drawings and in which
invention.
Figure 1 represents the section of a boot or shoe embodying my
Figure 2 is a plan of the bottom sole with a plan of the metallic shank and
ventilator in place.
Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse section.
By referring to the drawings, A represents the boot, B the insole which is of the
usual form and has in addition thereto a number of perforations b. D, Figures 1
and 2 shows metallic ventilator and shank in place, so that it is under the
perforations in the insole. C, Figures 1 and 2 represent the bottom sole upon
which is placed the metallic ventilator and shank D. & Figures 1, 2 and 3, shows
the air space between the counter and the vamp for the introduction of fresh
air to the air spaces between the vamp and counter, and the bottom and inner
sole.
G, and G', Figure 2, show the spiral coils or spring to the ventilator. H and
H', Figure 2, show the points in which the spiral springs. overlap each other.
F and F, Figure 2 show the ends of the ventilator and are not connected for
the purpose of increasing the elasticity of the shank and action of the ventilator.
The operation of my invention is as follows:-
In the act of walking the spaces between the foot and the sole of the boot or
shoe are alternately contracted and expanded. An action, similar to that of a
bellows and a piston, is thus formed and the object of the spiral coils G and G' is
to increase this action, as it is already seen that the weight of the body being
brought to bear upon these coils will increase the contraction and expansion of the
air underneath the heel of the foot. By the combined action at the toes and ball
of the foot, and that at the heel, fresh air is drawn in and forced out of the air
spaces between the bottom and inner sole, the counter and the vamp through the
eyelet, J. A complete circulation of the air is thus assured between the lengths of
the ventilator and shank and through the perforations in the inner sole of the
shoe.
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.
First. In a ventilated shoe, the combination of an eyelet J, with the metallic
ventilator D, said ventilator being held in place by passing around the eyelet J,
and said eyelet being inserted in the back of the vamp, above the heel, substantially
as described and set forth.
Second. In a ventilated shoe, the combination of the spiral springs G and G¹,
with the metallic ventilator, forming part of the same and said spiral springs being
situated in the space between the bottom and the insole and over the heel of the
shoe, substantially as described and set forth.
Third. The combination of a single wire bent at the heel and toe, contracted at
the shank of the shoe, forming lengths placed between the bottom and the insole,
and so arranged that the open ends F and F of the wire terminate at or near the
heel of the shoe, and the whole forming a flexible shank, substantially as described
and set forth.
Fourth. In a ventilated shoe, the formation of an air space by the insertion of
the vertical end (K) of the ventilator between the counter and the vamp of the
boot or shoe, substantially as described and set forth.
Fifth. In a ventilated shoe, the combination formed by bending a wire in a
"U" shaped loop, inserting the same between the counter and the vamp of
the boot or shoe, securing it at its upper end by an eyelet J, and thus forming a
backing or support to the counter substantially as described and set forth.*

page_text: Sixth. In a ventilated shoe, the combination of an insole, having perforations b
with a single wire bent at the toe, conforming to the foot, and having several spiral
coils, G and G¹, besides being bent at the heel, forming lengths, and said lengths.
being placed along the shoe between the bottom and inner sole, and the spiral
coils G and G¹ being placed over the heel between the bottom and inner sole, and
the whole forming an air space, and conforming to the shape of the shoe, all the
lengths being contracted at the shank of the shoe, and a portion at the heel, beyond
the spiral coils G and G', being bent nearly at right angles, inserted between the
vamp and counter secured at its upper end by the eyelet J and forming an air
space between the counter and vamp of the boot or shoe, substantially as described.
and set forth.
DL: 01-
1004
R. HADDAN,
Of the Firm of Herbert Haddan & Co.,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C..