IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND MANUFACTURE OF MOVEABLE OR ADJUSTABLE HEELS DATA
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Wadsworth, of Salford, near Manchester, in
the County of Lancaster, Machinist, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND MANUFACTURE OF MOVEABLE OR ADJUSTABLE HEELS
DATA"
Sealed the 12th September 1862, and dated the 13th March 1862.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Wadsworth at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
13th March 1862.
I, JAMES WADSWORTH, of Salford, near Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Machinist, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND MANUFACTURE OF MOVEABLE OR
ADJUSTABLE HEELS FOR BOOTS AND SHOES," to be as follows:-
The moveable or adjustable heels to which the said Invention has reference
are those which are so constructed that they may be turned about their
centres and made to assume different positions from time to time in order that
fresh surfaces may be exposed in those directions in which the heels are found
to wear away most rapidly.
The first of the said improvements consists in a method of attaching such
heels to boots or shoes by means of a combination of plates, discs, or rings,
united by annular edges or flanches mutually overlapping each other, with a
spring catch or detent attached to one of the plates or rings and taking into
notches or recesses formed in the other of them. The overlapping edges or
flanches secure the plates together and attach the heel to the boot without

page_text: restraint upon its rotary motion. The engagement of the spring catch or
detent with one of the notches prevents the rotation of the heel while in use.
When it is proposed to alter the position of the heel the spring catch or detent
is disengaged, the heel turned partially around its centre, and the catch or
detent entering another of the notches or recesses detains it in the new position
until further alteration.
The second part of the said improvements consists in a method of attaching
such heels as aforesaid by means of a combination of a central screw, which
retains the plates in close contact with a spring catch or detent taking into
notches or recesses for the purpose of preventing rotation of the heel during
use. When the position of the heel is to be altered the spring catch or
detent is temporarily disengaged and the heel turned partially round its centre,
as in the former case, into a fresh position, in which it is retained by the
re-engagement of the spring catch or detent. The central screw is separate
from or independent of one of the moveable plates so as to permit the heel
to be turned when necessary without altering the position of or slackening
the screw.
The third of the said improvements consists in a method of attaching such
heels as aforesaid by means of screws in combination with plates, discs, or
rings, furnished with prominences or projections and recesses or depressions
relatively corresponding to each other and so disposed on the faces of the
plates or rings that the latter can be fitted together in a variety of positions.
By withdrawing or partially withdrawing the screws and separating the plates
so far as to disengage the prominences and recesses from each other, the heels
can be shifted into fresh positions, and secured therein by again tightening the
screws.
The fourth part of the said improvements consists in a method of manu-
facturing moveable or adjustable heels of the kind described in the Specification
filed in pursuance of the conditions of certain Letters Patent heretofore granted
to me for an Invention of "Improvements in the Construction of Moveable
or Adjustable Heels for Boots and Shoes, and of Spurs adapted thereto and to
be used therewith," which Letters Patent bear date the 13th day of November
1858, and are numbered 2545. This method consists in forming the plates or
discs of such heels by stamping or compressing sheet metal in suitable dies,
and afterwards completing the formation of the flanches or overlapping edges
by the process technically known as "knurling" or "milling."
The fifth improvement consists in constructing the stationary disc or plate
with a central bearing, underneath which the spring is attached in a separate
plate, the moveable plate fitting closely on the aforesaid central bearing or in

page_text: the two separate parts of the heel.. I make a V-groove on one part, and on
the other part a projecting slide to fit tightly into it and secure them from
slipping, as described in my other plans..
The sixth of the said improvements consists in the use of wood in combi-
nation with leather as the material whereof such moveable or adjustable heels
as aforesaid are to be composed.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said James Wadsworth in. the Great Seal Patent Office on the
12th September 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
WADSWORTH, of Salford, near Manchester, in the County of Lancaster,
Machinist, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria,. Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of March, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-fifth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said James Wadsworth, Her special licence that I, the said
James Wadsworth, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said James Wadsworth, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to
time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should
and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND MANUFACTURE OF
MOVEABLE OR ADJUSTABLE HEELS FOR BOOTS AND SHOES," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said James Wadsworth, my executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of
their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said James Wadsworth, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement (that is to say) :-

page_text: The moveable or adjustable heels to which the said Invention has reference
are those which are so constructed that they may be turned about their
centres, and made to assume different positions from time to time in order
that fresh surfaces may be exposed in those directions in which the heels are
found to wear away most rapidly.
The first of the said improvements consists in a method of attaching such
heels as aforesaid by means of a combination of a central screw, which retains
the plates in close contact with a spring catch or detent taking into notches or
When
recesses for the purpose of preventing rotation of the heel during use.
the position of the heel is to be altered, the spring catch or detent is tempo-
rarily disengaged and the heel turned partially round its centre, as in the former
case, into a fresh position, in which it is retained by the re-engagement of the
spring catch or detent. The central screw is separate from or independent of
one of the moveable plates, so as to permit the heel to be turned when
necessary without altering the position of or slackening the screw.
The second of the said improvements consists in a method of attaching
such heels as aforesaid by means of screws in combination with plates, discs,
or rings furnished with prominences or projections and recesses or depressions
relatively corresponding with each other, and so disposed on the faces of the
plates or rings that the latter can be fitted together in a variety of positions.
By withdrawing or partially withdrawing the screws and separating the plates
so far as to disengage the prominences and recesses from each other the heels
can be shifted into fresh positions, and secured therein by again tightening the
screws.
The third part of the said improvements consists in a method of attaching
such heels as aforesaid by forming a rectangular or V-groove in one of the two
separate parts of the heel, and forming on the other part a projecting slide to
fit tightly in the aforesaid groove, the two parts being prevented from shifting
by means of a spring. The various parts of the aforesaid adjustable heels are
either made of cast brass or formed by stamping or compressing sheet metal in
suitable dies.
The fourth of the said improvements consists in a method of making
the metal parts of moveable heels by means of stamping or compressing sheet
metal in suitable dies and afterwards completing their formation by the process
technically known as knurling or milling. The several metal parts of this
arrangement consists of a plate or disc permanently attached to the heel part
of the boot or shoe, and a disc or plate to which the wearing parts of the heel
are attached. The plates or discs are both formed with flanches and recesses,
so that the flanches may be interlocked within each other and the moveable

page_text: part prevented from turning by the entry of a spring into one of the
recesses.
The fifth of the said improvements consists in constructing the ring or disc
which is secured to the boot or shoe with a central bearing, in the hollow of
which the spring is attached in a separate plate.
And lastly, the sixth of the said improvements consists in the use of wood
in combination with leather as the material whereof the wearing parts of such
moveable or adjustable heels as aforesaid are to be composed.
The first and second parts of this Invention are so simple and self-evident
as to require no further description nor illustration, but the arrangement and
combination of the other parts of my Invention will be more clearly understood
by referring to the figures and letters on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings,
in which the third part is represented in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4; Fig. 1 being
a plan of the under side of the plate or disc which is permanently attached to
the boot or shoe; Fig. 2 a vertical section of the same; Fig. 3 a plan or
top view of the moveable plate or disc to which the wearing parts of the heel
are attached; and Fig. 4 a vertical section of the same.
In Figs. 1 and 2, a represents the plate or disc which is attached to the
boot or shoe, it has across the centre a rectangular or V groove b, above which
at right angles is the spring c.
In Figs. 3 and 4, d represents the moveable plate or disc, it is provided
with the projecting slide e, having in the middle a space or recess f, to allow
the entrance of the spring c. The projecting slide e is so formed as to fit
tightly in the groove b, and when the spring centers the recess f, the two
parts are prevented from shifting. The upper plate has in it a hole to allow
the ping to be entered and raise the spring from the recess, so as to enable
the moveable plate d to be drawn out at one side, and afterwards placed in a
reverse position.
The fourth, fifth, and sixth parts of this Invention are represented in Figs.
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16; Fig. 5 is a plan of the under
side of the plate or disc, which is permanently attached to the boot or shoe ;
Fig. 6 a vertical section of the same at the line A, B; Fig. 7 a vertical section
at the line C, D; Figs. 8 and 9 are detached views of the spring; Fig. 10
a plan or top view of the disc or moveable plate to which the wearing parts of
5 the heel are fixed; Fig. 11 a vertical section of the same; Fig. 12 a vertical
section of the wood attached to the moveable plate; Fig. 13 a plan of the
leather which is attached to the wood; Fig. 14 a vertical section of the
moveable portion of the heel plate, wood, and leather combined together;
Fig. 15 a vertical section of the moveable part of the heel connected with the

page_text: l
permanent plate or disc; and Fig. 16 an external elevation of part of a boot
having this arrangement of my improved moveable or adjustable heel. The
plate or disc which is fixed to the boot or shoe has in the centre a circular
boss or bearing k, and also four projecting parts at the lower side of the
plate or disc, which parts are formed into annular segments or flanches by
knurling or milling. Between the said flanches there are recesses m, two of
which are shewn in section in Fig. 6, and the section through two of the
flanches in Fig. 7. Inside the boss or circular bearing there is a blade or
spring n, rivetted to a small metal plate o, which is soldered or otherwise fixed
to the boss k, so as to leave the opposite end to the rivet free to yield when
acted upon by a pin or wire p, which is temporarily introduced through an aper-
ture q, formed in the ring for the purpose of raising the spring. The disc or
metal forming the top part of the moveable heel is shewn at r, it is stamped or
compressed out of sheet metal, and has a central recess s, fitting over the central
plate or boss k of the stationary plate or disc. The moveable disc has also
four projecting parts t, which are knurled or milled so as to fit under the
annular segments or flanches 7 of the plate or disc i, when they are placed in
contact, as shewn in Fig. 15. Between the flanches of the moveable disc
there are spaces or recesses u, into one or other of which the spring n enters,
when the flanches of the two plates or discs are brought fully in contact with
each other. The flanches of the permanent plate or disc i and moveable
disc rare of equal depth or thickness, so that when the two plates or discs are
united by turning the flanches of the one under the flanches of the other, they
fit accurately without any looseness. To the under side of the moveable disc is
screwed the ring or block of wood v, having a projection w fitting the hole x
of the piece of leather y, which is nailed or otherwise fastened to the wood,
and forms with the lower surface of the projection the bottom part of the heel.
The wood is boiled or steeped in oil to prevent it varying from changes of the
weather. When the adjustable part of the heel is formed by the union of the
wood and leather with the disc r, and when the said part is placed in any of
its wearing positions, the spring n drops into one of the recesses u and prevents
the disc from turning upon its central bearing. It will be seen that if the
upper side of the moveable disc be applied to the lower side of the permanent
plate or disc, so that a line passing through the middle of opposite flanges in
the one shall co-incide with a line passing through the middle of opposite
spaces or recesses in the other, the flanches of the one piece will pass into the
corresponding recesses of the other piece, and the moveable disc may be
placed in contact with the permanent plate or disc. If the disc be now turned
one fourth round, the flanches of the one piece will be inserted behind the

page_text: flanches of the other and the two discs or plates will be fastened together, and
as the spring enters in one of the recesses in the disc the moveable or adjustable
part of the heel will be held firmly in its place. When it is required to shift
the moveable part to another position according as it is worn, or to liberate it
entirely, a pin or wire, as shewn at p, Figs. 5 and 6, is passed through the
hole q, and the spring is raised out of the recess, which thereby allows the
disc to be turned so as to separate the flanches of the one piece from the
flanches of the other, and place the flanches opposite the recesses, when the
two parts will be free of each other. In the Figures there are four flanches
and recesses in each of the plates or discs, but this number may be varied as
desired, as the system of interlocking the flanches and having the spring in
one of the recesses will be the same whatever be the number.
Having now described the nature and particulars of my said Invention, and
the manner in which the same is to be performed, I desire it to be understood
that I claim,
First, the improved mode of manufacturing moveable or adjustable heels
for boots and shoes by means of stamping and compressing sheet metal in
suitable dies and completing the construction of the metal parts of the same
by knurling or milling.
Secondly, the construction of the improved moveable heels with a central
boss or bearing in which there is a spring attached to a separate plate.
And, thirdly, the employment of wood, boiled or steeped in oil, in combination
with leather, as the material whereof the wearing parts of such moveable or
adjustable heels are composed, as all such improvements are herein described
and illustrated in the accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Wadsworth, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Ninth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
Signed, sealed, and delivered by the
within-named James Wadsworth
in the presence of
E. J. HUGHES,
Patent Agent,
Manchester.
JAMES WADSWORTH. (L.S.)