IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND SHOES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Rodolph Isaac Marsden, of Haverstock Hill, in the County
of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE
OF BOOTS AND SHOES."
Sealed the 8th August 1879, and dated the 26th February 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Rodolph Isaac Marsden at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th February 1879.
RODOLPH ISAAC MARSDEN, of Haverstock Hill, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND SHOES."
This Invention relates to improvements in the manufacture of boots and shoes,
the object of the improvements being to make boots and shoes waterproof in a more
simple and economical manner than by the means now in use.
Hitherto it has been the practice in the manufacture of leather and kid water-
proof boots and shoes, to employ two uppers, between which was placed a thin
sheet of waterproof material, the whole being sewn together on to the soles, between
which was also placed a sheet of waterproof material.
Now by my improvements I employ ono upper only, on the inside of which I
permanently fix by the process hereinafter described, a sheet or lining of thin gutta
percha, a sheet of gutta percha being also placed on the sole.
In carrying out my Invention, the different parts to form the uppers and soles
are cut out to the required shape in the usual manner, and on the inside surface of
these parts I then apply by means of a brush or otherwise a thin layer of a solution
preferably formed of shellac and methylated spirit, in the proportion of about nine
ounces of shellac to one half pint of methylated spirit.
Before the solution dries, I place thereon the thin gutta percha sheeting, and
after rolling the same it is coated with the said solution, and the material to form
the lining is then placed over this gutta percha. I then pass over the whole a
roller with an even pressure, and in a short time it will be found that the sheeting
has become firmly adhered to the leather forming the uppers and soles, and the
lining to the sheeting so as to render the parts impervious to water, and prevent
the lining becoming creased, as is now commonly the case. The parts are then
made up in the usual manner.
In some cases it may be advisable to apply the waterproof sheeting and lining to
the leather before the parts are cut out.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Rodolph Isaac Marsden in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 15th
August 1879.
RODOLPH ISAAC MARSDEN, of Haverstock Hill, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND SHOES."
This Invention relates to improvements in the manufacture of boots and shoes,
the object of the improvements being to make boots and shoes waterproof in a
more simple, economical, and efficient manner than by the means now in use.
Hitherto it has been the practice in the manufacture of leather and kid water-
proof boots and shoes to employ two leather uppers, between which was placed a
thin sheet of waterproof material, the whole being sewn together on to the soles
between which was also placed a sheet of waterproof material. This sheet of
waterproof material being loose, is very liable to crack and wear in holes, and the
boots and shoes would be no longer waterproof.
Now by my improvements I employ one leather upper only, on the inside of
which I permanently fix, by the process heroinafter described, a sheet or lining of
thin gutta percha, a sheet of gutta percha being also placed on the sole.
In carrying out my Invention, the different parts to form the uppers and soles
are cut out to the required shape in the usual manner, and on the inside surface of
these parts I then apply by means of a brush or otherwise a thin layer of a solution
hereinafter described.
The solution which I have found to answer well in attaching the gutta percha
sheeting to greasy leathers, such as grain hide, wax, or russett calf and porpoise.
hide, may be made as follows:-
I take equal proportions of para india rubber and gutta percha, and separately
.dissolve them in solvent naphtha in the following manner :-
I cut the india rubber into small pieces, and place the same in a mortar or vessel
containing about six pints of naphtha to one pound weight of india rubber, and
allow it to stand for about twelve hours. I then stir it by means of a pestle or
stirrer until the two materials are formed into a solution free from lumps.
The gutta percha is cut into strips and placed in a vessel with solvent naphtha
in about the proportion of one pound weight of gutta percha to one pint of naphtha.
The vessel is then placed over a stove or steam chest, and when warm, it can be
easily mixed by slight stirring. The india rubber solution is then mixed by
stirring with the gutta percha solution while the latter is warm, in about oqual
proportions by measure.
For non-greasy leathers, such as glove and glazed (glacé) kid; levant morocco,
bronze, and other coloured kids, patent calf, and enamelled hide, I add to the
herein before described solution an equal proportion by measure of gold size, and
well mix them together by stirring.
On the leather painted with the hereinbefore described solution I place a thin
sheet of gutta percha, and the leather and gutta percha sheeting thus prepared are
placed between two suitable boards and subjected to pressure in any suitable press
for a period of from ten to fifteen minutes. The material is then taken out of the
press and left to dry for about twenty four hours, and it well then be found that
the sheet of gutta percha strongly adheres to the leather without in any way
destroying its elasticity and suppleness, and without the solution becoming hard
or brittle.
To make up boots and shoes with leather prepared as herein before described, I
proceed in the usual manner as follows:-
all
After the prepared upper leather is closed and welted onto the insole, I extract
pegs and fill in the peg holes with the solution hereinbefore described for greasy
leathers by means of a brush or otherwise, and also fill in the welt seam; I then

page_text: paint the welt seam and strip it with a strip of gutta percha sheeting to the outside
edge, then paint the whole of the insole and place in the necessary fillings; I
repaint the whole, and place thereon a sheet of gutta percha sheeting from heel to
toe, after which I paint the prepared outer sole, and proceed with the making of
the boot or shoe in the usual manner, care being taken to work the whole securely
down together, whether the work be hand or machine sewn. It is to be understood
that the usual linen or drill lining is employed.
I would here remark that the herein first described solution should be used with
all bottom working.
Amongst the advantages derived from manufacturing boots and shoes according
to my Invention, may be mentioned greater imperviousness to water, lightness and
durability, and less liability of the leather to contraction.
Having thus described my said Invention, and the manner of carrying the same
into effect, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise
details herein laid down, as the same may be varied without departing from the
peculiar character of the Invention; but what I do claim is,-
The improvements in the manufacture of boots and shoes as hereinbefore
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Rodolph Isaac Marsden, have hereto set my
hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
Witness,
G. F. REDFERN,
4, South Street,
Finsbury.
RODOLPH I. MARSDEN. (L.S.)