Improvements in Fastenings for Shoes, Gloves, and other Articles having Flaps or Sides.
Year: 1896

page_text: This Print is in accordance with the Original Specification as it stands after
Amendment (under Section 18 of the Patents, &c. Act, 1883) as allowed by
the decision of the Comptroller General, of the 12th day of November 1898:
Date of Application, 3rd Dec., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 28th Aug., 1897-Accepted, 3rd Feb., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fastenings for Shoes, Gloves, and other Articles
having Flaps or Sides.
I, JOHN FRANCIS POPE, residing at 1649, West Harrison Street, in the City
of Chicago, State of Illinois, United States of North America, do hereby declare
the nature of my invention to be as follows:-
It consists of a button (or a series of single or double buttons) fixed by a cord
alone, or cord and belt to one flap of the shoe or other article to be buttoned
or fastened together and a fork like socket of two prongs fixed in a corresponding
position on the other Hap of the shoe, glove or other article. When the flaps or
sides of the shoe or other article having flaps or sides are to be fastened together;
the button is lifted over the prongs and the attached cord placed or dropt into
the cleft or opening between the prongs of the socket or button holder; the
form and position of the prongs being such as to securely hold the button in
place, and thus fasten or hold together the flaps or sides of the shoe &c. How I
attain this is illustrated in' the annexed drawings in which-
Fig. 1 illustrates the plan or top view of two such buttons marked, a, a with
their cords a', a and their belt or attachment as the latter serving the double
purpose of both connecting the buttons (if more than one be desired) and cords
together and fixing them to the flap el el of the shoe &c. by sewing or otherwise.
If desired, each button may be separate & disconnected from its neighbor, in
which case the attachment a will be but a short length on each side of its cord.
The belt or attachment may be entirely dispensed with and the end of the
cord a be itself sewn into or in any suitable way secured to the flap el el. a³
represents slots or countersinks in the buttons to receive the prongs of the sockets
or button holders. If desired these slots may be omitted and the prongs lie
outside the surface of the buttons. In Fig. 1 el e represents the flap of the
shoe &c. to which the buttons and cords are fixed by the belt or attachment 2:
the buttons a, a and the cords a¹, a' being free to move on the flap. The other
flap of the shoe &c. is represented by e e, to which the sockets or button holders,
described later on, are fixed; f f represents the dividing.line between the flaps :
the flaps however may overlap one another as usually occurs in ladies button
shoes. The dotted lines on the buttons a, a of Fig. 1 show the position the sockets
or button holders will occupy when fixed in place on their flap, e e.. The dotted
lines on the right hand button a showing a button holder with a rectangular
bottom plate more fully illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 7 by the letters b, b and b.
Fig. 2 represents a side elevation of the button a, cord a¹. belt or attachment
and slot a Similar letters correspond to similar parts in Figs. 1 and 2.
Figs. 3 and 4 represent plan or top view and front elevation respectively of the

page_text: button holder or socket shown in dotted lines on the right hand button of Fig. 1.
In these, Figs. 3 & 4 b represents the bottom plate which is directly fixed to the
flap e e as seen in Fig. 1; 6 represents the prongs projecting from the bottom
plate, and clinching pieces cut, in part, out of the same bottom plate b, which
are turned upward & clinched on to the flap e (as shown by b2, Fig. 7) to hold the
socket or button holder in position.
Figs. 5 and 6 represent plan & front elevation respectively of a socket or button
holder having a circular bottom plate with a clinching cylinder such as is usually
used in securing brass eyelets and hooks to shoes, leather &c. This socket or
button holder in no sense differs as a button holder from that shown in Figs. 3
& 4 as far as the principle of this invention is concerned.
Fig. 7 shows the complete fastener (button & button holder) when in use.
Similar letters in this figure correspond to similar letters in Figs. 1, 2, 3 & 4.
Fig. 8 illustrates how, if for symmetry, a row of buttons be desired down each
flap, as is at times the fashion. In this case one of the buttons as d³ may be
made a fixture to one of the flaps as e3 by a wire or cord g passing round the
cord and through the material of the flan e leaving at the same time the
cord and the button d free to move on the flap, so that it may be freely placed
into the socket or button holder represented by the letters c. c¹ and e; in which
c represents the bottom plate. ¹ the prongs and 3 the usual clinching cylinder.
clinched into the flap. In Figs. 5, 6 and 8, c, c¹ & c³ represent similar parts.
Thus Fig. 8 represents the complete fastener in position & use with a socket or
button holder as shown in Figs. 5 & 6, and also by the dotted lines on the left
hand button a of Fig. 1.
Fig. 9 illustrates how the fastener may, if desired, be duplicated on both flaps
of the shoe &c., and Fig. 8 be replaced by a duplicated button of this invention.
In Fig. 9 the prongs n¹ are shown rectangular instead of curved and entirely
concealed within the buttons m. m. The buttons m. m are also shown cylindrical
in shape instead of hemispherical as in Figs. 2. 7 & 8.
It is immaterial to the principle of this invention what shape or size the buttons
are, provided they are made to suit the prongs of the socket. Also the uprights
or hooks of the prongs may be curved or straight provided they suit the buttons.
Lastly, the buttons, cords & attachments and the sockets or button holders may
be of any suitable material or combination of materials.
20th November 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (AMENDED)...
Improvements in Fastenings for Shoes, Gloves and other Articles
having Flaps or Sides.
I, JOHN FRANCIS POPE, residing at 1647, West Harrison Street, in the City
of Chicago, State of Illinois, United States, North America, by profession a
Civil Engineer and Architect, 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, reference being also had to my
drawings "left with the Provisional Specification" No. 27593 dated 3rd December
1896.
This my invention consists of a button (or a series of single or double buttons)
fixed by a cord alone or a cord and strip to one flap of the shoe or other article

page_text: to be buttoned or fastened together, and a fork like socket of two prongs fixed
in a corresponding position on the other flap of the shoe glove or other article.
having flaps or overlapping sides. When the flaps or sides of the article are to
be fastened together the button with its attached cord is lifted over the prongs
and the attached cord then placed or dropt into the cleft or opening between the
prongs of the socket or button holder, the form and position of the prongs
being such as to securely hold the button in place, and thus fasten or hold
together the flaps of the shoe or other article having flaps or sides. How I attain
this is shown and illustrated in the drawings "filed with my Provisional Specifi-
cation." The scale of these drawings is about 3 times the natural size of the
invention used in a shoe or boot.
The following Figures Nos. 1 to 9 refer to similarly numbered figures in the
drawings "left" with my Provisional Specification."
Fig. 1 illustrates the plan or top view of two such buttons marked a, a with
their cords a, a and their strip or attachment a; the latter serving the double
purpose of connecting the buttons (if more than one he desired) and cords together
and fixing them to the flap el e of the shoe &c. by sewing or otherwise.
desired each button may be separate and disconnected from its neighbor, in which
case the attachment as will be but a short length on each side of its cord. The
strip or attachment a² may be entirely dispensed with and the end of the cord a¹
be itself sewn into or in any suitable way secured to the flap el e¹. a³ represents
slots or recesses in the buttons to receive the prongs of the sockets or button
holders. If desired these slots may be omitted and the prongs lie outside the
surface of the buttons. In Fig. 1 e el represents the flap to which the buttons &
their cords are fixed by the strip or attachment a²: the buttons a, a and the
cords a, a being free to move on the flap. The other flap of the shoe &c. is
represented by ee to which the fork like sockets or button holders, described
later on, are fixed; f f represents the dividing line between the flaps; the flaps
may however overlap one another as usually occurs in ladies shoes or boots as
they are called in England. It is necessary to note here that the word shoe in
America has the same significance as boot in England; a boot in America heing
a long hoot in England; and a slipper in the former is called a shoe in the
latter. The dotted lines on the buttons a, a of Fig. 1 show the position the sockets
or button holders will occupy when fixed in place on their flap e e. The dotted
lines on the right hand button a show a button holder with a rectangular bottom
plate, more fully illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 & 7 by the letter b.
Fig. 2 represents a side elevation of the button a, cord a', strip or attachment a
and slot Similar letters correspond to similar parts in Figs. 1 & 2.1
a
Figs. 3 & 4 represent the plan or top view and front elevation respectively of
the button holder or socket shown in dotted lines on the right hand button a
of Fig. 1. In these b represents the bottom plate which is directly fixed to the
flap e as seen in Fig. 1: 6 represents the curved prongs projecting from the
hottom plate, and a clinching pieces cut, in part, out of the bottom plate b, which
are turned upward & clinched on to the flap e (as shown by a Fig. 7) to hold
the socket or button holder in position.
Figs. 5 & 6 represent plan & front elevation respectively of a socket or button
holder of circular hottom plate with a clinching cylinder such as is usually used
in securing brass eyelets & hooks to leather &c. This socket or button holder.
in no sense differs as a button holder from that shown in Figs. 3 & 4 as far as the
principle of this invention is concerned.
Fig. 7 shows the complete fastener (button and button holder) when in use.
Similar letters in this fig. correspond to similar letters in Figs. 1, 2, 3 & 4.
Fig. 8 illustrates how if for symmetry a row of buttons be desired down on
each flap as in military uniform; in this case one of the buttons as may he
made a fixture to one of the flans as 3 by a wire or cord a passing round the
cord and through the material of the flap e. leaving at the same time the
cord and the button d free to move on the flap, so that they may be freely

page_text: placed between the curved prongs of the button holder fixed on the other flap
The clinching cylinder is shown clinched in Fig. 8; f represents the division
between the flaps, these may however overlap. Fig. 8 shows the complete fastener;
button & socket, in position and use. Figs. 5, 6 & 8 similar letters denote similar
parts.
Fig. 9 illustrates how similar buttons of this invention may be used on both
flatis; the prongs n being almost entirely concealed inside the buttons m, min
the slots or recesses provided for their reception; by pressing or squeezing the
prongs together after
after their insertion into one of the
the buttons, this
button can be thus made a fixture on the flap, and the other button
attached to the same cord m¹ can then be used as a free button to be
fastened or unfastened, as desired, in its socket. The buttons m, m are shown
cylindrical in shape in Fig. 9 and the prongs n as rectangular hooks. The
button holders are fixed to the flaps by clinching cylinders similar to that shown
in Figs. 5 & 6. The size & shape of buttons & sockets are immaterial so that
they mutually suit.
To revert to Fig. 7. In this fig. the strip or attachment a³ is shown outside
the flap to which it is secured. In general this would not be the case, as it
would be concealed between the double thickness of the flap el or underneath
it, in which case the flap would terminate at the shoulder between the strip at
and its cord a' and be flush with the top of the latter.
To briefly describe my invention so that a competent workman might make it
without a drawing as demanded on page 2 paragraph (X) (b) of the circular
forwarded to me from the Patent Office. Take a hook as now fixed on to a lace
boot (in America called shoes); split the projection of the hook and part the
split portions to form two prongs say 1/8 inch apart. Next take a cord of
diameter slightly less than the cleft between the prongs and fix a button (of
any shape) larger than the cleft to one end of the cord; make slots in this button
to suit the size and shape of the two prongs of the split hook. Secure the
other end of the cord (its length being reduced if necessary) to the flap opposite
to the split hook so that the distance to the attached button will just permit the
latter by pulling the flaps well together (making also use of the elasticity of
the cord) to have the prongs enter the slots of the button provided for them.
The natural recession of the flaps after the pull or tension is taken off them
will tend to keep the flaps together, and the greater the pressure of the foot
inside the boot the tighter or more secure will be the fastening or hold of the
flaps together.
The buttons with their cords and attached strip and the different parts of the
socket may be made of any suitable size or shape, but the first mentioned three
should preferably be made of an elastic material such as india rubber or some-
thing having similar qualities.
I am aware that the clinching devices mentioned for securing the sockets to
their flaps have been so long in use as to be common property to all; nor do I
claim the mere projecting prongs themselves as I understand they also have been
in use some time, though they are an original idea of mine I never having seen
such before I invented them.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
I. A fastening device for holding together the flaps or sides of shoes, boots,
gloves and articles having flaps or sides comprising in construction, a connecting
member or cord having a member at one end to secure it to one flap of the boot,
glove or the like, and a head or button like member at the other end, the button
having specially prepared recesses or slots in it: and a socket or button receiving
device (for the above button) secured to the other flan consisting of upward
and angularly extended prongs rising from a plate or clinching member which

page_text: secures the socket to the flap. The upward and angularly extended prongs being
of such size and shape as to enter into and fit into the recesses or slots in the
above mentioned head or button.
II. A fastening device for holding together the flaps or sides of shoes, boots,
gloves and articles having flaps or sides comprising in construction, a connecting
member or cord having a head or button like member at each end with specially
made recesses or slots in each head; and a socket or button receiving device
secured in a corresponding position on each of the flaps of the flapped article,
the socket consisting of upward and angularly extended prongs rising from a
plate or clinchung member which secures each socket to its flap, the prongs being
of such size & shape as to fit into the recesses or slots in the above mentioned
head or button, the prongs being compressed laterally, if desired, on one of these
buttons after insertion therein.
Dated this hightoauth dane of tux1807
JOHN FRANCIS POPE,
Inventor.
Chicago, Illinois United States, America,