Improvements in or relating to Soles of Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Improvements in or relating to Soles of Boots and Shoes.
I, EMILE GEORGES JACOBER, of 95 Boulevard Beaumarchais, Paris, in the
Republic of France, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:
-
The present invention relates to the formation and use of a galvano metallic
sole for boots and shoes which I form in the following way:-
I take a sheet of argentan-electrum which has been previously reduced to the
desired thickness by rolling or otherwise and I cut it out or form it according to
the required shape of a sole with a rounded, pointed or other shaped end, as desired.
This piece of argentan electrum constitutes the core or middle of the sole and acts
as a negative electrode. I then cover it with a layer of plumbago and immerse it
in an alkaline bath composed of acetate and carbonate of copper bisulphite of
soda, cyanide of potassium and water.
I then suspend the sole thus prepared in a galvanic bath so as to cause a layer
of red or yellow copper to be deposited over the whole of its surface.
I thus obtain a sole constituted by a plate of argentan electrum completely
coated with copper.
In order that the contact of the foot with the sole may generate a current, it is
necessary that both metals appear on the upper surface of the sole: for this pur-
pose I make on this upper surface two or more of transverse oblique grooves like
strips or of any other shape in order to remove along these grooves the electrum-
argentan by means of a plane scraper or any other suitable tool.
Under the influence of the temperature of the foot there is generated between the
two metals an electric current which is transmitted to the body as will be easily
understood. There is moreover in the interior of the plate a series of secondary
currents generated by local piles constituted by the core of argentan electrum
itself the composition of which is as follows:-

page_text: '
At the end of a few minutes there takes place in the foot in contact with the
metallic sole an elevation of temperature producing a slight sudiation the result of
which is to increase the voltaic current as it plays the part of a current exciter.
The lower surface of the galvano metallic sole which is completely covered with
copper, is subsequently covered with a solution of peroxide of lead applied electro-
lytically. This layer of peroxide of lead may be replaced by a sheet of laminated
lead which may be either soldered or cemented on; it may also be replaced by a
simple layer of antimonious lead, which consists of four parts of lead and one part
of antimony, I reserve to myself the right to replace this layer of lead by a layer
of ceruse or of any other suitable salt of lead.
Peroxide of lead, ordinary or antimonious lead, as well as ceruse, act as pro-
tectors against damp and prevent the coppered sole from becoming oxidised by
the action of water from the ground whereby the formation of the electric current
would be impeded. The lead and its compounds will also be valuable auxiliaries
for the galvano-metallic soles, as electric accumulations which becomes solely
charged and which utilises superfluous current and they will completely prevent
losses through the earth caused by short circuiting which might be caused by con-
tact with a tack a nail etc.
To avoid moreover all waste of electric fluid, the metallic sole may be placed
above a felt-sole, which completely insulates it from the ground. The felt may of
course.be replaced or used in addition to any other suitable insulating material.
In the foregoing description I have specified certain metals such as copper and
argentan electrum, I reserve to myself the right of replacing them or any of them
by any other metals producing the same results.
When the galvano metallic sole has been prepared in the manner described
finally polished or burnished, it may be covered with a layer of palladium or
analogous substance destined to prevent it from becoming discoloured under the
influence of hydro-sulphuric emanations or of the atmosphere.
1004
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in or relating to Soles of Boots and Shoes.
I, EMILE GEORGES JACOBER, of 95, Boulevard Beaumarchais, Paris, in the
Republic of France, 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 present invention relates to the formation and use of a galvano metallic sole
for boots and shoes, which I form in the following way.
I take a sheet of argentan electrum which has been previously reduced to the
desired thickness by rolling or otherwise and I cut it out or form it according to
the required shape of a sole with a rounded, pointed or other shaped end, as desired.
This piece of argentan electrum constitutes the core or middle of the sole, and acts
as a negative electrode. I then cover it with a layer of plumbago, and immerse it
in an alkaline bath composed of acetate and carbonate of copper, bisulphite of
soda, cyanide of potassium and water.
I then suspend the sole thus prepared in a galvanic bath so as to cause a layer
of red or yellow copper to be deposited over the whole of its surface.
I thus obtain a sole constituted by a plate of argentan electrum completely coated
with copper.

page_text: In order that the contact of the foot with the sole may generate a current, it is
necessary that both metals appear on the upper surface of the sole for this pur-
pose I make on this upper surface two or more transverse, oblique grooves, like
stripes, or of any other shape, in order to reveal, or bring to the surface, along
these grooves, the argentan electrum, by means of a plane, scraper, or any other
suitable tool.
Under the influence of the: temperature of the foot there is generated. between
the two metals an electric current, which is transmitted to the body, as will be
easily understood. There is, moreover, in the interior of the plate, a series of
secondary currents, generated by local piles, constituted by the core of argentan
electrum itself, the composition of which is as follows:-
The zinc always contains a little iron and cadmium, and these five metals, under
the influence of heat, effect the production of voltaic currents.
The electric phenomena are therefore complex and their actions are added one
to the other.
At the end of a few minutes there takes place in the foot in contact with the
metallic sole, an elevation of temperature, producing a slight sudation the result.
of which is to increase the voltaic current, as it plays the part of a current exciter..
The lower surface of the galvano metallic sole, which is completely covered with.
copper, is subsequently covered with a solution of peroxide of lead applied electro-
lytically. This layer of peroxide of lead may be replaced by a sheet of laminated
lead, which may be either soldered or cemented on; it may also be replaced by
a simple layer of antimonius lead, which consists of four parts of lead and one
part of antimony; and I reserve to myself the right to replace this layer of lead.
by a layer of ceruse, or of any other suitable salt of lead.
The peroxide of lead, or the sheet lead or antimonius lead, as well as ceruse,
act as protectors against damp, and prevent the coppered sole from becoming
oxidised by the action of water from the ground, whereby the formation of the
electric current would be impeded. The lead, and its compounds, will also be
valuable auxiliaries for the galvano-metallic soles, as electric accumulators which
become solely charged, and which utilises superfluous current and they will com-
pletely prevent losses through the earth, caused by short circuiting, which might.
be caused by contact with a tack, a nail, etc.
To avoid moreover all waste of electric fluid, the metallic sole may be placed above
a felt-sole, which completely insulates it from the ground. The felt may of course
be replaced or used in addition to any other suitable insulating material.
In the foregoing description I have specified certain metals, such as copper and
argentan electrum, I reserve to myself the right of replacing them by any other
metals producing the same results.
When the galvano-metallic sole has been prepared in the manner described, and
finally polished or burnished, it may be covered with a layer of palladium or
analogous substance, destined to prevent it from becoming discoloured under the
influence of hydro-sulphuric emanations, or of the atmosphere.
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:-
1. A sole for boots and shoes consisting of a plate of argentan-electrum (an
alloy of zinc, copper and nickel) coated in a galvanic bath, with a layer of yellow
or red copper, this layer being subsequently removed in places on the upper surface
of the sole, for the purpose of rendering the under surface of alloy visible, sub-
stantially as described.
2. A sole for boots and shoes, of the character described, provided with a layer

page_text: of peroxide of lead, laminated lead, antimonious lead, or ceruse, or other analogous
salt of lead, substantially as described.
3. In combination with a sole for boots and shoes of the character described,
an under sole of felt or other insulating material, substantially as described.
4. A sole for boots and shoes, of the character described, provided with a layer
of palladium, substantially as and for the purpose described.
5. The manufacture of a sole for boots and shoes, consisting in cutting a sheet
or argentan electrum to the desired shape, covering it with plumbago, immersing
it in an alkaline bath consisting of acetate and carbonate of lead, bisulphite of
soda, cyanide of potassium and water in order to coat it galvanically with a layer
of yellow or red copper, and finally in removing some parts of the upper face of
the plate to render the argentan electrum visible, substantially as described.
Dated this 20th day of December 1897.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.