Improvements in or relating to the Manufacture of Boots and Shoes or to Loose Soles Inserted therein.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Dec., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 15th July, 1891-Accepted, 22nd Aug., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by WILLIAM NEWLANDS, Junior, of Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil, Merchant.]
Improvements in or relating to the Manufacture of Boots and Shoes
or to Loose Soles Inserted therein.
I, JOSEPH SINCLAIR FAIRFAX, of 433 Strand, London, in the County of
Middlesex, Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This invention, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, relates to
the manufacture of boots and shoes, or to loose soles or pads inserted therein. The
object in view is to render the above named articles damp proof, and this is
accomplished by inserting a layer of impervious substance between the materials
composing the said articles.
In carrying this invention into effect, a sheet of mica or tale is inserted between
the welts and the soles, or between the sheets or layers of leather forming the soles
of boots and shoes, or both, as may be considered desirable. Or the mica may be
placed inside the hoot beneath the insole, and this latter plan is convenient in
In this
applying this invention to boots and shoes made in the ordinary manner.
way, the feet of the wearer are protected from dampness arising through the
natural heat of the feet drawing moisture through the soles; as the mica is not
only impervious to such moisture, but is also a good non-conductor of heat; and
therefore tends to prevent, or to reduce, the evaporation arising from this cause.
Layers of mica or talc can also be inserted between the leather forming the
uppers of boots, and the linings thereof, when it is desired to more effectually
prevent exterior dampness penetrating to the interior. Similar layers may also be
placed next to or between woven, felted, or natural substances, (such as cork), or
combinations thereof, in the manufacture of loose soles for insertion within boots and
shoes. Or a sheet of mica may be secured to a thin piece of leather to form an
insole, and placed within the foot covering-after its manufacture-as previously
mentioned; in which case there is less liability of the leather becoming loose and
doubling up within the boot, as is often the case now. In the latter named example,
it is preferred to employ a single sheet of mica, of moderate thickness, for each
insole, so that the resilience of the mica will prevent the doubling up of the leather
.above named. Otherwise it is preferred to split up the mica into as thin sheets as
possible especially for lining the uppers-in order that the same may conform
freely to the movement of the feet. The layer of impervious material above
-mentioned need not be in all cases a complete integral sheet of mica or talc,
although it is preferred. Two or more pieces may be used, and as the sheets will
split up into very thin layers, they are easily perforated and sewn through for
attachment to the contiguous leather or other material employed as already described.
Moreover, the mica being very light, as well as thin, it may be used in the manu-
facture of boots, shoes and slippers worn by ladies or children.
Dated this 19th day of December-1890.
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
433, Strand, London, Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to the Manufacture of Boots and Shoes
or to Loose Soles Inserted therein.
I, JOSEPH SINCLAIR FAIRFAX, of 433 Strand, in the County of London,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
.
This invention, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, relates to
the manufacture of boots and shoes, or to loose soles or pads inserted therein. The
object in view is to render the above named articles damp proof, and this, is accom-
plished by inserting a layer of impervious substance between the materials composing
the said articles.
In carrying this invention into effect, a sheet of mica or talc is inserted
between the welts and the soles, or between the sheets or layers of leather forming.
the soles of boots and shoes, or both; as may be considered desirable. Or the mica
may be placed inside the boot beneath the insole, and this latter plan is convenient
in applying the invention to boots and shoes made in the ordinary manner.
In
this way, the feet of the wearer are protected from dampness arising through the
natural heat of the feet drawing moisture through the soles, as the mica is not
only impervious to such moisture, but is also a good non-conductor of heat; and
therefore tends to prevent, or to reduce, evaporation from this cause.
"
In the
Layers of mica or talc can also be inserted between the leathers forming the
uppers of boots, and the linings thereof, when it is desired, to more effectually.
exclude dampness. Similar layers may be placed next to, or between, woven,
felted, or natural substances (such as cork), or combinations thereof, in the manu
facture of loose soles for insertion in boots and shoes. Or a sheet of mica-may-be=
secured to a thin piece of leather to form an insole, and placed within the foot.
covering after its manufacture-in-which-case there is less liability-of-the.leather
becoming loose and doubling up within the boot, as is frequently the case.
latter named example, it is preferred to employ a single sheet of mica of moderate
thickness for each insole so that the resilience of the mica will prevent the doubling
-up-of-the-leather,-referred-to.--Otherwise, -it-is-preferred to split-up-the-mica into.
as thin sheets as possible- especially for lining the uppers-in order that the same
may conform freely to the movements of the feet. The layer of impervious material
named need not be, in all cases, a complete integral sheet of mica or talc. Two
or more pieces may be used, and as the sheets will split up into very thin layers,
they are easily perforated and sewn through, for attachment to the contiguous
leather or other material employed. Moreover, the mica being very light, as well
as thin, it may be used (as described) in the manufacture of boots, shoes, and slippers
worn by ladies and children.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is;
1. The combination of a layer of impervious material, such as mica, with the
sole of a boot or shoe, substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein
described.
2. The combination of two or more layers of impervious material, such as mica,
with the sole and the upper of a boot, substantially in the manner and for the
purpose herein described.
3. The combination of one or more layers of impervious material, such as mica,
with a loose insole for insertion within a boot, shoe or slipper, substantially as and
for the purpose.described..

page_text: 4. An insole for a boot or shoe, consisting of a sheet of mica secured to thin
leather, substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein described.
Dated this 15th day of July 1891.
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
433, Strand, London, Agents for the Applicant.