AN IMPROVED APPLICATION OR METHOD OF APPLYING ELASTIC FABRICS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND SHOES
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Bostock, of Stone, in the County of
Stafford, Boot and Shoe Manufacturer, for the Invention of "AN
IMPROVED APPLICATION OR METHOD OF APPLYING ELASTIC FABRICS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND SHOES."
Sealed the 19th October 1869, and dated the 28th April 1869.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Bostock at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 28th April 1869.
I, THOMAS BOSTOCK, of Stone, in the County of Stafford, Boot and
Shoe Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "AN IMPROVED APPLICATION OR METHOD OF APPLYING ELASTIC FABRICS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND SHOES," to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to remedy the patchy and unsightly
appearance of elastic gussets as at present inserted in the uppers of boots
and shoes, and incidentally to afford to the elastic the advantages of
protection from wear and greater economy in use.

page_text: The Invention consists in the application of the elastic fabric or
spring beneath some portion of the upper, so to be wholly or partially
concealed, and yet so that it shall have sufficient play to allow the boot
or shoe to be put readily on the foot.
In carrying out the Invention I attach to or insert in the fore part or
vamp of the upper of a boot or shoe a piece of elastic web or fabric,
which is concealed from outside wear by the quarter or back part of the
boot or shoe. The same method is equally applicable to Blucher boots
as well as to other kinds of boots and shoes, the principal feature of my
Invention being the insertion of any elastic fabric concealed beneath the
upper, so as to act as a spring in keeping the boot or shoe adjusted to
the foot, whether there be any auxiliary fastening such as a buckle
or not.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Thomas Bostock in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 28th October 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
BOSTOCK, of Stone, in the County of Stafford, Boot and Shoe Manu-
facturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-eighth day of April, in the year
of our Lord One thousand cight hundred and sixty-nine, in the thirty-
second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Thomas Bostock, Her special licence
that I, the said Thomas Bostock, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Thomas Bostock, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thercafter during the term
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "AN IMPROVED
APPLICATION OR METHOD OF APPLYING ELASTIC FABRICS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
BOOTS AND SHOES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
Thomas Bostock, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should

page_text: particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and
in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to
be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months
next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Thomas Bostock, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement in writing, that is to say :-
The object of this Invention is to remedy and dispense with the patchy
and unsightly appearance that elastic gussets or "clastics" have as
usually inserted in the uppers of boots or shoes, and to afford to the
"elastic or elastic material the advantages of protection from wear,
and consequently greater duration and economy in use.
The Invention consists in the application of the elastic fabric or
spring beneath some portion of the upper, so that it is wholly or partially
concealed and will yet have sufficient play or action as to allow of the
boot or shoe being readily put on or taken off the foot.
"
I would here remark that I am aware that the "clastic may be
concealed and protected from outside wear by various methods or con-
trivances, such as by the flap of the vamp, or by pieces of leather or
other material being attached or secured in, at, or to the fronts or sides
of the gussets, which pieces may or may not be themselves fastened by
laces, buttons, elastics, or other similar appliances; but in practically
carrying out my Invention the portion of the upper of the boot or shoe
in or to which I insert, attach, or secure a suitably sized piece (according
to the description or make of the boot or shoe) of elastic web or fabric
at each side of the boot or shoe is the fore part of the boot or shoe, com-
monly called the "vamp," and such elastic web or fabric is concealed
and protected from outside wear by the back part of the boot or shoc,
commonly called the quarter. Where required, or when desirable,
any auxiliary fastening, such, for example, as a buckle, may be attached
to the boot or shoe in addition to the improved appliances above
described. The same method or application is equally applicable to
Blucher boots, and to any other description or kinds of boots or shoes in
which "elastics" are generally inserted.
Having now described the nature and object of my said Invention for
"An Improved Application or Method of Applying Elastic Fabrics in
the Manufacture of Boots and Shoes," together with the manner in

page_text: which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into practical
effect, I would remark in conclusion that I claim as my Invention the
improved application or method, substantially as herein-before described,
of applying "elastics" or clastic fabrics to the fore part or "vamp" of a
boot or shoe, the said "elastics" being concealed and protected from
outside wear by the back part or "quarter" of the boot or shoe; and I
claim especially the combination of these two particular elements, that
is, the application of the elastic to the fore part, and its concealment by
the back part of the boot or shoe.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Bostock, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-third day of October, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.
THO. BOSTOCK. (L.S.)