Improvements in Non-slipping, Damp-proof, Noiseless, and Protecting Coverings, Part Coverings, or Protectors or Tips for Soles and Heels of Boots and Shoes, and in Heels for Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Aug., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 3rd May, 1894-Accepted, 28th July, 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Non-slipping, Damp-proof, Noiseless, and Protecting
Coverings, Part Coverings, or Protectors or Tips for Soles and
Heels of Boots and Shoes, and in Heels for Boots and Shoes.
I FREDERICK JOHN PALMER of Sidford House, Dawlish, Devonshire do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The invention consists of means principally intended for protecting the heels and
soles of boots and shoes from wear, for keeping same level, and preventing their
wearing or grinding over on one side, or grinding down at any one or more particular
parts, Also for softening, the tread for tender feet, for rendering same noiseless, for
keeping feet dry, and preventing slipping and for providing means for readily and
cheaply repairing soles or heels of boots and shoes according as the case may be.
When intended for heels, the above device can be made in connection with special
heels and form part of same--or can be arranged as a seperate covering, part
covering coverings or protector for fitting upon ordinary soles and heels of boots and
shoes according as the case may be. The herein described means can be used in
whole or in part-with or without modification-the invention being described as
follows: 1st. The protectors or plates, for saving the wear of soles and heels of
boots and shoes, formed of pieces, plates, pads, covering or part coverings of metal
or other material with or without rubber, leather or substitute combined and made
of circular, eliptical or other convenient shape of suitable thickness and size the
same being screwed to heel or sole of boot or shoe by means of screw, screws or
equivalent passed through the centre of said plate or protector (herein called
revolving plate) or in other suitable position or positions whereby revolving plate
is firmly held or retained in its proper position but is free to be revolved, partly
revolved or turned from time to time when necessary thus changing, relieving or
moving the wear and tear from any one or more points upon its circumference outer
rim or other portion of same by which means the whole or greater part of outer
rim, circumference or surface exposed to wear can in turn be brought into position
or positions for receiving the greatest amount of wear and tear, and as such part or
parts become worn, or partly ground down, their position can be changed, by
revolving or partly revolving the revolving-plate, when other portion or portions of
same will similarly move into position or positions (exposed,) for receiving such
wear in their turn, and so on in rotation, or as desired-by which means the whole
or greater part of revolving plate can be exposed to the same amount of wear in
turn, thus always keeping same flat or nearly level, and preventing it being ground
down or worn over all on one side. The protectors or revolving-plates thus lasting
much longer than ordinary ones, increase the durability of heel or sole to which
they may be attached and help to keep same always level, the surface of protectors
or revolving plate coming next to shoe can be made slightly concave or hollow or
have a raised rim, or projecting portions or in other way be arranged for fitting
closely and neatly against heel or sole, or for increasing its strength or adaptability
for fixing, or attachment, the under surface of protector or revolving-plate can
have raised, corrugated, flat, or other suitably shaped rim, or band, round same, or
have projections or spikes or can be corrugated, embossed, or roughened all over
surface, or have portions cut out, or made partly concave, or hollow in centre or in
other way be arranged for preventing slipping, for lightness of weight, and also for
keeping surface fairly flat, level or slightly concave and preventing its being ground
down into a sort of convex form as the outer portion or rim is worn away. In the
centre or other suitable portion or portions of device, a hole, holes, or slots, can be

page_text: "
arranged for receiving screw, screws or equivalent for securing same to heel or sole
of boot or shoe, upon which the plate can be revolved or moved, as described, or
permanently fixed (for not revolving) if required: Again instead of the above the
revolving plate can be mounted upon a fixed non-revolving-plate, plates, or piece, or
pieces of metal of suitable shape and size the former revolving on the latter and being
secured by means of screw or pivot in centre, or the one can have curved or circular
grooves, slots, tongues, or rebates, revolving upon and being secured to the other by
means of corresponding screws, studs, or flanges, grooves, tongues or rebates
arranged in connection with same, the one working against and fitting into the
other according as the case may be. Or again the revolving plate can be cut out
in the centre being splayed, grooved, tongued or rebeted, or in other way arranged
for fitting or revolving upon or around an inner fixed plate fitting into or against
the former, the latter being secured to heel or sole and provided with corresponding
splays, tongues, studs, grooves, or rebates, or other means according as the case may
be for fitting or securing same together, or the former can have projecting rim, or
portions of same fitting over or into the fixed-plate, the above being splayed,
grooved, and tongued rebeted or in other way secured to each other as desired.
instead of the above the fixed plate can have projections or a rim fitting over or
into the revolving portion. The fixed plate being screwed to heel or sole, or can
have spikes for sticking into same, or projections for fitting or clasping round or
gripping into heel or sole, and can be made slightly concave or in other way.
adapted for strong and neat attachment.
Or
2nd. If desired the protector or revolving plate can be made partly of or have a
leather or rubber pad covering or part covering (herein called the pad,)
attached to same and forming part of the device so as to render same noiseless
or soft and easy to the tread of feet, or to prevent slipping the said pads
being composed wholly or partly of rubber, leather or substitute, can be
corrugated, embossed, roughened or in other way be adapted to prevent
slipping, and can have canvas, or other material embedded or arranged in
same for increasing their strength and durability. The pads being screwed,
rivetted, sewn, stuck on with solution or composition, or in other way attached
to the revolving plates which can be sunk, cut out, or have a raised rim
or projections for receiving, securing and protecting pads amd breaking
the joint, or arranged in any other suitable manner, according as the case
may be.
The revolving-plate can be roughened, have portions cut out,
be perforated, splayed, grooved, rebated, or in other way arranged for-
receiving the pads, and for better and more firmly securing same, or
flanges rims, tongues or equivalent can be arranged for bending over or
sticking into pads for extra strength, or holes can be made in sides of rim or in
other suitable positions for receiving rivitts, pins, wires or equivalent for inserting
through pads for securing same, which pads can be made in the form of rings
open in the centre, or entirely or partly covering the revolving plate, or made
in one, two or more pieces placed in suitable position or positions on plate and
revolving when required with same. The pads may be solid, or partly hollow
forming if desired soft or pneumatic cushions for softening the tread of feet and
made slightly concave underneath so as to retain level position when wearing
down, or same can be made of partly semi-cylindrical, semi spherical, or other
suitable shape, hollow or solid as previously stated. Again instead of being mounted
or secured upon revolving plates as above stated the pads can have round, or
suitably shaped-plate or pieces of metal, or equivalent, embedded or fitted in
them for stiffening and for enabling them to be more firmly fixed to sole or heel,
the said plate or pieces of metal or equivalent (just referred to,) can be perforated,
.composed of fine cross wires or in other way be suitably adapted for enabling pads
to be pressed through, or firmly secured to same; these pads being secured by
screws, rivetts, or equivalent as before stated for revolving or not revolving as required.
One or more protectors, or revolving plates or pads can be placed upon the heel
or sole respectively according to their size or as the case may be. Or the pads

page_text: if of rubber or such suitable material can be strengthened if necessary with cloth,
canvas, leather, or substitute,, embedded. into, cemented, sewn; or stuck to same, or
in. other way arranged for preventing too much. stretching, for hardening and
increasing the durability of wear and for being firmly attached or secured to heel
or sole of boot or, shoe by means of screw,, screws, nails, rivetts or equivalent
attached to, inserted or passed through or connected with plates,, eylets, rings
clips or other suitably shaped pieces of metal or equivalent embedded in,
or inserted through, or clenched, clamped, sewn, stuck,, or in other way attached
or secured to, in, or around the said pads, (or to the leather lining, forming
part of same) and in this instance, forming part. of device, or the pads or
equivalent can be arranged: in other suitable manner for being screwed,
nailed, rivetted or in other way attached to boots or shoes, the bearing or upper
surface (coming next to shoe) can also be made slightly concave or hollow, or
have a raised band or rim round the edge, for enabling same to fit more closely
and form a neater finish against the edge of sole or heel of boot or shoe or other
portion of same, and to prevent pads gaping, bagging or opening round sides, the
pads or equivalent it desired can entirely or partly cover the heel or sole, or can
be made in a kind of U, or horse shoe, or rounded, or curved shape, open, or partly
open in the centre or cut out of each other being thus pliable for bending and
adapting themselves to the different shapes, fittings, and sizes of heels or soles of
boots and shoes, thus. forming, a rim or band round, partly round, or near the
outside or edge of same for protecting sole or heel from wear, preventing slipping,
and raising same. off the ground out of the, damp. If it is found necessary the
threads or texture of canvas or substitute can be placed diagonally to the sides of
pads (or sole and heel of shoe) in order that canvas may be slightly elastic and
stretch,. or contract with rubber according as the case may be. For similar
reasons should the pads have a lining; or layer or layers of leather or substitute,
sewn, stuck on, or other way attached to same for strength or better fixing
(which can be used if desired) the same can be split or partly split down in
suitable position or positions in order that it may stretch and give with the rubber.
Again if desired the pads may have pieces of metal (with projecting spikes or
pins, or roughened surface) attached to,, or embedded' in same, for sticking into sole
or heel for further securing pads, or for roughing, the under surface for sticking
into ground and increasing the grip on same for preventing slipping. Ordinary
circular plates, or eylets, rings or other suitably, shaped pieces of metal can, be
used for strengthening the fixing of pads, one or more screws or equivalent being
passed through same and fixed into sole or heel, or the plates, eylets; rings or
equivalent can have fangs or turned up portions for sticking into or passing
through pads and being, clamped or clenched. in same,, or. again the plates,, eylets,
rings,, or equivalent. can have screw groves, or spiral threads turned in same for
receiving the fixing screws, or equivalent (secured into, shoe) which screws. and
plates eylets, rings or equivalent can be deeply sunk in. pads, or be kept flush,, or
project beyond surface for increasing durability if desired. Or instead of having
plates; or equivalent, the pads can be pierced with holes or slots for receiving,
fixing, screws having large Hat or suitably shaped heads which, can be sunk. in the
pads and thoroughly protected from wear yet firmly secure same to boot or shoe,
the use of screws or equivalent for fixing pads coverings or part covering, of rubber
or equivalent. to soles and, heels or under portion of boots and shoes forming part
of this invention. Special eylets may be used having a plate (with hole in same,),
secured to same on side coming next to shoe or be blocked or stamped out of one
piece of metal,, so that instead of there being an opening through same the size of.
inner ring or opening in eylet, as in usual kinds, a flat plate disc, or projecting.
tongues or flangs can be formed inside, or on the side of eylet coming nearest.
to shoe, which having a smaller hole through same than the opening in remainder
of eylet, forms a kind of sinking, rim, or sunk ring (inside eylet,) for receiving
and preventing the head of screw or equivalent from passing entirely through the
former, yet. allowing. head of screw, to be sunk or embedded in eylet and pad

page_text: and to be secured as flat as possible against the shoe, by which means the screws or
equivalent are protected from wear by surrounding pad, the pads or other portions
of device can if desired have slots or grooves arranged in same for receiving the
screws or equivalent before mentioned and for allowing pads or other portion of
device a little freedom or play to move or stretch if necessary. The surface of
said pads or other portion of device can if desired be covered with sticking
solution or composition, so that persons when attaching same to boot or shoe will
simply have to warm the same or in other suitable way prepare solution or
composition and then adjust or stick pads or equivalent on soles or heels in the
form of a plaster and secure the screws or equivalent as previously described the
pads or other portions being thus firmly placed and fixed in position required. Or
the solution or composition can be dispensed with entirely. Small pieces of metal
pointed at one end for piercing holes in sole or heel (for inserting screws) and
flattened or made in form of a screwdriver at other extremity for turning and
fixing screws or equivalent can be supplied with the pads if desired.
By the
above means pads, protectors, covering part coverings composed wholly of metal
or rubber or leather or equivalent or of metal, rubber, or leather or equivalent
combined can be easily secured to heels or soles of boots and shoes, for keeping
same level, for protecting same from wear or for preventing slipping, softening
the tread or for deadening the sound or keeping feet dry, or for repairing soles
or heels, or for any other purposes for which same can be applied a layer of felt,
cloth, rubber or substitute or washer can be inserted between revolving and
fixed plates for deadening sound, or between the revolving plate and heel of shoe
for similar purpose.
! Dated this 2nd day of August 1893.
FREDERICK JOHN PALMER.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Non-slipping, Damp-proof, Noiseless, and Protecting
Coverings, Part Coverings, or Protectors or Tips for Soles and
Heels of Boots and Shoes, and in Heels for Boots and Shoes.
I FREDERICK JOHN PALMER, of Sidford House Dawlish, in the County of
Devon, Architect, 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 :-
This invention has for its object to provide means for protecting the heels and
soles of boots and shoes from wear, for softening the tread for tender feet, for
rendering the same noiseless, for keeping the feet dry and preventing slipping, and
also to provide means for readily and cheaply repairing the soles and heels of boots
and shoes, and consists in the employment of protector pads or plates of india
rubber or other suitable material strengthened if necessary by means of canva.
leather, metal plates, or other suitable material cemented to or embedded therein,
and the whole secured to the soles, insoles, sock linings or heels by means
screws, rivets, nails, cement or other suitable means.
02
In carrying this invention into practical effect the protector pads or plates are
moulded or stamped to the required shape, and preferably concave on their inner
face, leaving a raised ridge or rim on their edges which accommodates itselt to the
conformation of the part to which it is applied and forms a close and neat joint
when secured, the outer surface being formed with corrugations or with raised
and thickened wearing surfaces, or with other suitable roughening and wearing
surface.
,
The protector pads for the soles or heels are constructed with layers of strong
canvas or fine rows of cross wires;: leather or the like embedded in them and
with leather composition or metal-washer plates or plugs for securing the screws

page_text: or rivets. The canvas or wires can be placed diagonally, thus permitting of
slight expansion or flexure. Instead of the canvas or wires, perforated metal
or leather plates may be employed to prevent the rubber tearing away when
secured, the said leather or metal plates forming a fixing for retaining the
heads of screws or rivets, while the perforations form keys for the rubber to
pass through thus greatly increasing the strength and durability of the sole.
The pads may be in the form of rings or horseshoes, or curved in form
somewhat similar to the letter U to permit of their better accommodation to
the varying sizes and shapes of the sole or heel of the hoot or shoe and may
be moulded in rubber or leather composition, or stamped from sheet rubber or
leather.
A boot or shoe sole so formed tends to keep the feet cool in summer and
warm in winter by keeping a part of the sole free of the ground in summer
and of the wet or cold in winter, ventilating under the soles, protecting the
same from wear, rendering same noiseless, preventing, slipping, and softening
the tread for tender feet.
In the accompanying two sheets of illustrative drawings several methods of
carrying out this invention are shown.
Fig. 1 shows a sole a with pads b and c of horseshoe or U shape secured to the
sole insole, sock-lining or heel by means of screws d or rivets t passing through
washer plates e embedded or sunk in the rubber pads.
Fig. 2 shows plain corrugated sole and heel pads secured by screws d or rivets t
passing through washer plates.
Fig. 3 shows a sole pad with the middle part removed to permit of its better
accommodation to the varying sizes and shapes of soles of boots and shoes, and
secured by screws d or rivets t, the heel pad c being formed with thickened faces f
and secured by screws or rivets also.
Fig. 4 shows a continuous pad b, the left hand part illustrating a band or ring,
having cross section as at g, secured by screws or rivets, while the right hand side
illustrates a pad having a cross section as shown at h and being also secured by
screws or rivets.
Figs. 5 and 6 represent plans of the outside and inside surfaces of a corrugated
and plain sole pad 6, the central part being open so as to permit of it being adjusted
to the varying shapes. and forms of sole to which it is, applied. Plates e are
embedded or sunk in the rubber or leather which is secured to the sole by screws,
rivets or the like, sinkings q being formed in the said pad for receiving the screw
or rivet heads. The forms of the cross sections of the pads and the rim or ridge
round edges are indicated by the sections l, m, n.
Fig. 7 shows a section of a sole pad with turned up edges s to enable it, when
fixed, to accommodate itself to the conformation of the sole of the boot or shoe, and
to fit up closely against same.
Figs. 8 and 9 show plans of the inside and outside of the same sole pad having
canvas or wire gauze o and also plates e embedded or sunk in the rubber, and
sinkings g for the reception of the screw or rivet heads by which the pad is secured
to the sole. The form of the cross section before it is applied to the sole is
indicated at r.
.
Fig. 10 is an elevation of the lower part of a boot or shoe showing how the
turned up edge of the rubber pad adapts itself to the conformation of the sole,
as at s¹.
Figs. 11 and 12 show soles provided with plain and corrugated pads respectively,
and Figs. 11 and 13 show pads applied to both sole and heel, each figure showing
respectively different methods of scarfing or halving in the bevelled portion of
pads to fit the waist of shoe should the old sole be worn away.
Figs. 14 and 15 show two shapes of pads as cut from sheet rubber leather or
other suitable material, whereby the material is economized.
Fig. 16 shows a combined piercer and screwdriver for use in fixing the pads to
boots and shoes.

page_text: Figs. 17 show in perspective forms of fanged or tubular rivets suitable for
securing pads to the soles, insoles or sock linings and heels of boots or shoes, but
more especially applicable for tennis and similar shoes, or where the soles are very
thin.
Fig. 18 shows a section of a pad in which the fanged rivet t is inserted through
the pad the head being sunk in the recess or sinking q layers of canvas, wire
gauze, or suitable material o and a metal plate e being embedded in the rubber b
to receive and distribute the pressure from the. rivet head when the fangs are
clinched.
Figs. 19, 20 and 21 show sections of a pad b secured to a sole, insole, sock lining
or heel a by a fanged rivet t which is clinched either in the sole, insole sock
lining or heel or on the embedded plate e. Instead of the fanged rivets above
described I may use tubular rivets clinched in the same manner as ordinary
eyelets.
:
In Figs. 22 and 23 the fanged rivet is replaced by screws v.
Fig. 24 shows the rubber pad secured by screws whose heads are recessed or
sunk into the sole, insole or heel a, and which screw into plates e embedded in the
pad, or into nuts to under the plate.
Fig. 25 shows a method of securing the rubber pad to the sole by means of a
screw v, a metal composition or leather washer a, being let into. the sinking a to
receive the head of the screw v..
In Fig. 26 a flat headed screw only is shown for the same purpose.
Fig. 27 shows a screw v passing through an eyelet y secured to the rubber pad b.
Fig. 28 shows the pad 6 secured to the sole insole, or heel a by a screw, v,
a leather wooden or composition plug being inserted into the recess or sinking in
the pad.
20
•
Fig. 29 shows the pad b secured to the sole insole, sock lining or heel a by means
of a screw and rivet whose heads are embedded in a composition, wooden or leather
plug in the recess or sinking in the pad.
Fig. 30 is a section through a perforated metal sheet z embedded in the pad and
shows the pad secured to the heel, sock lining, insole or sole a by means of a
rivet a whose large flat head is recessed into the pad b.
Fig. 31 is a section through.crossed or rows of wires b' and a rubber pad having
a plate embedded in it to receive the head of a rivet or screw.
Fig. 32 represents in section an eyelet c' embedded in. the rubber pad band
provided with a perforated plate c³ (Fig. 34) for the reception of the fixing
screw v.
Figs. 33 represent an eyelet formed with projections d¹ for catching the head of
the fixing screw, and
Figs. 34 represent an eyelet with perforated plate c³ for receiving the fixing
screw.
Figs. 35 represent spiked or fanged plates for securing the pad to the sole
or heel.
Figs. 36 represent plates which are embedded in the rubber pads and receive, the
heads of the fixing screws or rivets.
Figs. 37 and 38 show two pads arranged to conform themselves to different
shapes and sizes of sole of shoe, each with thickened wearing surfaces el f¹, and cut
to form a flap g¹ of thinner section which is held under the part and helps to
keep the centre of soles dry as will be readily understood from the section.
Figs. 39, 40, 41 and 42 show different forms of pads split so as to permit of their
adjustment to different. forms and sizes of soles.
Fig. 40 shows two half pads b with leather, wooden or composition plugs & let
into sinkings in pads, for receiving the fixing screws or rivets for distributing the
pressure of heads of same, and for increasing the durability of pads.
Fig. 43 illustrates a pad with perforated plates e¹ or sheets of perforated metal z,
with or without plates embedded in it, and secured to the sole by screws or rivets,
or by a slotted waist plate having a slot 1 which engages with a stud or rivet on

page_text: the sole, and also by grip plates l' which engage with rivets or screws m' in the pad.
and grip the sole by the turned over teeth.
Fig. 44 represents a pad having flutes on its inner face to permit of the
circulation of.air between it and the sole for ventilation.
"
Figs. 45 and 46 represent heel pads with raised wearing surfaces f, and rim or
ridges round their edges which accommodates itself to the conformation of the.
part to which it is applied, forming a close and neat joint when secured; and
Figs. 47 and 48 show heel pads with open centres and ends to permit of their
adaptation to varying sizes of heels and provided with metal, leather or composition.
plates or plugs and layers of canvas or other suitable material embedded in same as
previously described.
Having now particularly.described and ascertained the nature of my said inven--
tion and in what mauner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The construction of a protector pad with turned up edge so as to readily
adapt itself to the conformation of the sole or heel of the boot or shoe and to form
a tight joint substantially as described.
2. The employment of protector pads of open or U or ring shape to facilitate
their application to varying sizes and shapes of boots and shoes, and to ventilate
and roughen the soles and to keep same cool, or warm and dry, substantially as
described.
3. The construction of protector pads for boots and shoes with canvas, crossed or
rows of wires or wire gauze embedded therein substantially as described and for-
the purpose set forth.
4. The construction of protector pads for boots and shoes with perforated metal
plates embedded therein substantially as described and for the purpose
forth.
.
set
5. The employment of metal discs or fixing plates, embedded or sunk in the
protector pads, for receiving the fixing screws or rivets and preventing the tearing.
of the rubber substantially as described.
6. The construction of protector pads for boots and shoes substantially as.
described with reference to Figs. 1 to 9 of the drawings.
7. The employment of fanged rivets for fixing protector pads to the soles,
insoles, sock linings and heels of boots and shoes substantially as described with
reference to Figs. 17 to 21 of the drawings.
8. Securing protector pads to boots and shoes by means of tubular rivets,.
substantially as described.
9. Securing protector pads to the soles, sock linings insoles and heels of boots
and shoes substantially as described with reference to Figs. 22 to 32 of the
drawings.
10. The construction of eyelets substantially as described with reference to
Figs. 33 and 34 of the drawings.,
11. The employment of fanged or spiked plates as shown in Figs. 35 of the-
drawings.
12. The construction of split or divided protector pads substantially as described.
with reference to Figs. 37 to 40 and to Figs. 41 and 42 of the drawings.
13. The arrangement of protector pads substantially as described and shown in
Fig. 40 of the drawings.
14. The means of attaching protector pads to boots and shoes substantially as
described with reference to Fig. 43 of the drawings.
15. The employment of fluted protector pads as shown in Fig. 41 and for the
purpose set forth.
16. The construction of protector heel pads substantially as described with
reference to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 and to Figs. 45 and 46 and to Figs. 47 and 48 of
the drawings.

page_text: 17. Economizing material by cutting protector pads from sheets in the forms
shown in Figs. 14 and 15 of the drawings.
Dated this 2nd day of May 1894.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.