Improvements in and relating to Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Apr., 1893-Accepted, 2nd June, 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Boots and Shoes.
I THOMAS CRAWFORD of 4 Hart Street Ulverston, Lancs. England Postman,
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 relates to a pneumatic arrangement for boots and shoes, in which
a detachable pneumatic sole is employed. This sole consists of a hollow cushion or
pad of indiarubber or other flexible material placed in the interior of the boot or
shoe on top of the ordinary leather sole.
The latter is made slightly hollowed out, a rim being formed around the edge
eo that the cushion is kept in place. A tube is connected to the underside of the
pneumatic sole and passes through the heel, projecting at the back or at the front,
under the instep.
This tube is furnished with a valve of suitable construction allowing the sole to
be inflated with air, by a small pump or other means. In order that the invention
may be more clearly understood, reference is had to the accompanying sheet of
drawings, in which
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of a shoe fitted with my improved sole.
Fig. 2 is a cross section of the same and
Fig. 3 is a section of the heel showing the tube used in filling the sole in a
different position.
A is the shoe having a leather sole B on the top of which rests the pneumatic
cushion or sole C formed to fit the interior of the shoe.
The ordinary sole B is formed with a rim b around its edge to which the upper
is attached, so that the middle of the sole is hollowed out to receive the pneumatic
pad and keep it in proper position.
passes
The tube D for charging the sole with air is attached to the heel part and
through the ordinary heel B' to the front of the heel, as shown in Fig. 1, imme-
diately under the instep, or to the back as shown in Fig. 3. A small cap dis
employed, screwed on to the end of the tube to prevent any escape of air from the
sole. When the boot or shoe requires to be repaired the pneumatic sole can be
readily removed the tube being pulled through the aperture in the heel, and replaced
when desired.
The outward appearance of the shoe is the same as that of an ordinary shoe,
the edge of the sole being of about the usual thickness. The upper side of the
pneumatic sole before the shoe is put on is of convex form, so that when the foot
bears upon it it is compressed and yields so as to distribute the pressure evenly
over the foot.
If desired a thin inwardly projecting strip 61, of leather at the top of the rim
where the upper is fastened may be provided (as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2),
bearing on the upper part of the pneumatic sole at the edge, ensuring it being
held in place, but this device is not necessary.
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
(1) A boot or shoe having a sole of leather or similar material, furnished with
a rim forming a shallow recess in which a detachable pneumatic sole is placed,
having an inflating tube passing through the ordinary heel and furnished with a
valve and cap substantially as described and for the purposes specified.

page_text: (2) The improved pneumatic device for boots and shoes fitted and constructed
substantially in the manner described and illustrated in the accompanying sheet of
drawings and for the purposes specified.
Dated this 11th 1-
SA 1000
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.