Improved Expanding Combination Protector for the Toes of Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Nov., 1891
Complete Specification Left. 18th Aug., 1892-Accepted, 1st Oct., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Expanding Combination Protector for the Toes of Boots
and Shoes.
THOMAS READING 80, Bentinck Street Birkenhead in the County of Chester,
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Consisting of a suitably formed metal device, cast or otherwise, being formed and
made so as to expand in a vertical, lateral or opening direction thus entirely dis-
pensing with cutting or rasping away any part of the toe of the boot or shoe to
which it is desired to apply my invention, and so overcoming the greatest difficulty
now existing in combination toe plates, and caps. This cutting or rasping is a
great detriment to the boot or shoe, and if not done by skilled labour the boot or
shoe is liable to be entirely spoilt thus incurring a great loss to the public good.
To enable me to set forth the features of novelty, advantages and method of
applying my invention I have appended drawings alphabetically marked like letters
representing like parts throughout.
Fig. (1) plan, A is the sole protecting portion, B, are slots or cuts, C screws or
nails, D, being a part of F. provided with a spike or other suitable projections by
which the upper parts of the protector H and F are secured after the part A has
worn off, this being a great advantage over other combination toe protectors.
Fig. (2) side elevation, H the upper protecting portion, F. the sole edge pro-
tecting portion, I, indentation between the sole and upper, E, suitably shaped holes
or slots in the indentation I, by which the protector expands vertically,
D part of F.
Fig. (3 and 4) protector expanded.
It will be seen by placing the protector on the toc of the boot or shoe, and
driving it in the direction of the arrow it will expand, the slots B. and E allowing
it to adapt itself to the size and shape.
Dated his 10th N
1001
•
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Expanding Combination Protector for the Toes of Boots
and Shoes.
THOMAS READING 80, Bentinck Street, Birkenhead, in the County of Chester
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:-
My invention consists of a suitably formed metal device which may be cast or
otherwise, it is formed and made so as to expand in a vertical, lateral or opening
direction, and thus entirely dispensing with cutting or rasping away any part or
parts of the toe of the boot or shoe to which it is desired to apply my invention
and so overcoming the greatest difficulty now existing in combination toe plates
and caps. This cutting or rasping is a great detriment to the boot or shoc, and if
not done by skilled labour the boot or shoe may be entirely spoiled thus incurring
a great loss to the public.
I propose to make my said improved expanding combination protector for boots
and shoes in sheet metal steel or otherwise of any suitable thickness.
I am aware that it has been proposed before the date of my Specification to use
metal caps and plates combined for the protection of boot and shoe toes but in all
cases (I believe) these plates and caps are of a rigid construction and cannot be
Pin31

page_text: made to fit the different shapes or différent sizes, so necessary in boots and shoes,
now owing to these numerous shapes and sizes, all attempts to make a metal plate
and cap to fit any size or shaper toe, have failed (I believe) owing to their rigid
construction.
My invention consists essentially in a metal protector, that will expand, and
adapt itself to the shape and size required, at the same time dispensing with the
objectionable cutting or rasping away of any part, or parts of the boot or shoc,
and that may be affixed without skilled labour or boot makers appliances.
The construction of my said invention will be more readily understood with aid
of the accompanying drawings in which
Fig. 1, represents a plan of the blank before being bent or pressed into shape.
Fig. 1, is an underside plan of the protector in position on a boot toe. Fig. 2, is a
side view of the same. Fig. 3, and 4, are two views of the protector expanded to fit
a larger size boot or shoe.
The blank Fig. 1^, may be cut or punched out of the sheet metal, and when bent
or pressed into shape the part F, will form a flexible band, or sole edge protecting
part. The V pieces A forming the sole protecting portion any number of V pieces
may be used. The parts D, will form projections by which the protector is partly
secured to the boot or shoc, the slots or holes E, may be of any suitable shape
whereby the protector may expand in the required direction the part H, forming
the upper protecting portion.
The V, pieces A, Fig. 1, will be seen to close as at B, and form slots or cuts by
which the protector gains part of its expanding qualities. The sole edge protecting
part F, being left quite flexible and forming a band round the toe of the boot or
shoe sole edge, at the extremities of this flexible band F, the parts D, are formed,
D', showing the position of the D, pieces before being secured, by this means the
parts H, & F, are secured to the boot or shoe after the V, pieces A are worn off.
C, are holes for screws, nails, or other suitable appliances to assist in securing the
protector. In Fig. 2, which is a side view of Fig. 1, H, is the upper protecting
part, F is the flexible band or sole edge protecting part, I, is a suitably formed
indentation or groove between the upper part H, and sole edge part F. The holes
or slots E, may be of any other suitable shape to allow the necessary expansion,
D, are spikes formed at the ends of the flexible band F, A, the sole protecting
parts. Fig. 3 and 4, are two views of the protector expanded to fit a larger boot
or shoe.
It will be readily seen by placing the protector on the boot or shoe and
by pressing or driving it in the direction of the arrow, it will expand, the cuts or
slots B, and holes E, allowing it to adapt itself to the shape and size required.
The said improved expanding combination protector may be made with or without
the part H, or D..
I wish it to be understood that I make no claim broadly for the protecting of
boot and shoe toes by means of a metal plate and cap combined. I am aware that
such has been proposed before.
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.
1st. The construction, application and use of the said improved expanding com-
bination protector for the toes of boots and shoes consisting of the V, pieces A, in
'combination with the flexible band F, and with or without other parts, substantially
as described and shown in the drawings.
2nd. An improved expanding combination (metal) protector for boots and shoes
consisting of the V, pieces A in combination with the flexible band F, and with or
without the part H, or D, substantially as described.
Dated this 16th day of August 1892.
THOMAS READING.