IMPROVEMENTS IN CAOUTCHOUC SHOES
Year: 1881

page_text: "
LETTERS PATENT to Sydney Pitt, of Sutton, in the County of Surrey, for an
Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN CAOUTCHOUC SHOES." A communication
from abroad by A. Hutchinson and Company, of Paris, in the Republic of
France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Sydney Pitt at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th July 1881.
SYDNEY PITT, of Sutton, in the County of Surrey. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
CAOUTCHOUC SHOES." [A communication from abroad by A. Hutchinson and
Company, of Paris, in the Republic of France.]
This Invention has for object to produce a foot covering exactly resembling a
China-man's shoe in its form, its thick sole, and general appearance, without being
materially heavier than such shoes are.
An inner sole of india rubber and fibre is first attached to the form, then a lining
of knitted fabric is pasted on to the inner sole, and to this a felt sole of a suitable
thickness is applied. This sole is made up in one or more thicknesses and without
caoutchouc. It is firmly attached to the lining by means of a band of cotton or.
cloth coated with caoutchouc. This being done the felt sole is wrapped round
with a band of caoutchouc and fibre to give firmness to the sole. Finally, the
upper and the exterior sole are put on as for an ordinary india rubber shoe, and
the shoe is then ready for vulcanization.
The felt may be replaced by other light substance, such as hair, cork, or other
inaterial.
The felt or other material for forming the intermediate sole should be compressed.
sufficiently to ensure its keeping its form, but without depriving it of its lightness
and natural elasticity.
The shoe being finished it receives, if desired, a coat of paint to imitate the
ordinary Chinese shoes.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Sydney Pitt in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 26th January
18$2.
SYDNEY PITT, of Sutton, in the County of Surrey,. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
CAOUTCHOUC SHOES." A. communication from abroad by A. Hutchinson and
Company, of Paris, in the Republic of France.
This Invention has more especially for its object to produce a foot covering
exactly resembling a China-man's shoe in its form, its thick sole, and general
appearance without being materially heavier than such shoes are; but soles made, as
hereinafter described, may be used in the making up of other forms of coverings
for the feet. The Drawing annexed shows, a side view and a transverse section
on an enlarged scale of a foot covering made, as above described, to resemble a
China-man's shoe. An inner sole a of india rubber and fibre is first attached to
the form, then a lining of knitted fabric b.is pasted on to the inner sole a, and to
this a felt sole of a suitable thickness is applied. This sole is made up in one or
more thicknesses and without caoutchouc. It is firmly attached to the lining b by
means of a band d of cotton or cloth coated with caoutchouc. This being done
the felt sole is wrapped round with a band of caoutchouc and fibre e to give
firmness to the sole. Finally, the upper f and the exterior sole g are put on as for
an ordinary india rubber shoe, and the shoe is then ready for vulcanization.
The felt may be replaced by any other light substance, such as hair, cork, or
other material.
The relative thickness of the layers and of the soles may be varied, always
retaining an intermediate sole of felt or other like material. The uppers also may
be made of any suitable matter or material other than caoutchouc, such as fabrics
of cotton, wool, silk, and others.
The felt or other material for forming the intermediate sole should be compressed
sufficiently to insure its keeping its form, but without depriving it of its lightness
and natural elasticity.
The shoe being finished the sole receives, if desired, a coat of paint to imitate
.the ordinary Chinese shoes.
As above stated, the soles of other forms of coverings for the feet may be made
up in the above described manner.
Sheets also may be formed of materials made up in the way described and soles
afterwards cut from such sheets.
Having thus described the nature of the Invention and the manner of performing
the same, I would have.it understood that what is claimed is,
First. The thick sole in caoutchouc rendered light by the filling composed of a
light substance unmixed with caoutchouc, such as felt, hair, or cork, arranged
substantially as above described.
Second. The manufacture of shoes, substantially in the manner herein before
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Sydney Pitt, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twentieth day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.