An Improvement in or relating to the Soles of Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improvement in or relating to the Soles of Boots and Shoes.
I, HENRY MARLOW, of 29, Finsbury Park Road, County of London, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
-
The object of this invention is to maintain the original "lasted shape" of the
front or vamp of a boot or a shoe while in wear and so prevent the formation of
permanent creases across the toe portion between that and the instep.
To carry this invention into practice, I stamp, shape, and temper a steel plate,
or one of hard brass having a springiness, to an approximate configuration of a
leather sole, and by a hole in the heel end I attach said plate in position, with
the forward or tread portion free to adjust itself longitudinally and transversely
to follow the shape of tread of the wearer.
The spring shaped plate can be recessed or partially so into the inner or to the
outer sole of the boot or shoe, or it may lie between and occupy the space usually
filled with waste or a liner to bring up the. level of the welt, or of the bottom
strip in machine-made boots and shoes.
By this invention, boots and shoes, when old or well worn, retain in the front
all the appearance of newly lasted ones and although all the bending of the vamp
takes place while walking or kneeling, the vamp by the position and power of
the sole spring, brings back the front to its original appearance, and keeps it
free from creases.
וג
P
1
1000
H. GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said Henry Marlow.
I, HENRY MARLOW, of 29, Finsbury Park Road, County of London, Engineer,
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:-
The object of this invention is to maintain the original "lasted shape" of the
front or vamp of a boot or a shoe while in wear and so prevent the formation of
permanent creases across the toe portion between that and the instep.
To carry this invention into practice, I stamp, shape, and temper a steel plate,
or one of hard brass or of other suitable material having a springiness, to an
Price R71

page_text: approximate configuration of a leather sole, and by a hole in the heel end I
attach said plate in position, with the forward or tread portion free to adjust
itself longitudinally and transversely to follow the shape of tread of the wearer.
The spring shaped-plate can be wholly or partially recessed into the inner or
the outer sole of the boot or shoe, or it may lie between and occupy the space
usually filled with waste or a liner to bring up the level of the welt or of the
bottom strip in machine-made boots and shoes.
By this contrivance, boots and shoes when old, or well worn retain in the front
all the appearance of newly lasted ones, and although all the bending of the
vamp takes place while walking or kneeling, the sole spring brings back the
front of the boot or shoe to its original appearance and keeps it free from creases.
My invention has only one object viz. the prevention of creases in the upper
front, a result obtained by securing the steel or other metal plate by one attach-
ment only at the heel portion, the other part being free to slide forwardly and
sideways to follow the varied movement of the wearer's foot during walking,
kneeling, or other exertions, the front upper always recovering its uncreased and
freshly lasted condition until the boot or shoe be completely worn out.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is :-
:-
1. A shaped steel or springy plate between the inner and outer sole or insole
liner having its heel end secured in the boot or shoe and its front portion free
for self-adjustment between the inner and the outer sole substantially as and for
the purpose described.
2. The means hereinbefore described of preventing the formation of permanent
creases in the vamp and maintaining a freshly lasted appearance, substantially
as described.