IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND SHOES AND IN FASTENINGS FOR HOLDING THE LACES OF BOOTS SHOES GLOVES STAYS CORSETS AND OTHER ARTICLES TO WHICH SUCH FASTENINGS ARE APPLICABLE
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Israel Drakeford of Northampton in the County of
Northampton for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE
OF BOOTS AND SHOES AND IN FASTENINGS FOR HOLDING THE LACES OF
BOOTS SHOES GLOVES STAYS CORSETS AND OTHER ARTICLES TO WHICH SUCH
FASTENINGS ARE APPLICABLE
"
Northampton for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE
OF BOOTS AND SHOES AND IN FASTENINGS FOR HOLDING THE LACES OF
BOOTS SHOES GLOVES STAYS CORSETS AND OTHER ARTICLES TO WHICH SUCH
FASTENINGS ARE APPLICABLE
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Israel Drakeford at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th July 1883.
ISRAEL DRAKEFORD of Northampton in the County of Northampton
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND SHOES AND IN FASTENINGS
FOR HOLDING THE LACES OF BOOTS SHOES GLOVES STAYS CORSETS AND OTHER.
ARTICLES TO WHICH SUCH FASTENINGS ARE APPLICABLE
"
This invention relates to improvements in substituting and applying an elastic
lining to the front of a boot or shoe in place of the tongue at present used for
closing the opening under the laced up portion of a boot or shoe the said opening
being closed by improved fastenings as hereinafter described. The elastic lining
also serves to give elasticity to the opening of a boot or shoe thereby dispensing
with the elastic sides or gussets as generally used
This improved elastic lining may be applied simply to the front portion of a
boot or shoe under the laced up portion thereof (closed by my improved lacing
eyelets or otherwise) the lining being attached at the edges to the inner surface
of the boot or shoe. Or the elastic lining may pass around to the back part of
the boot or shoe so as to impart elasticity to the whole of the upper part
thereof
The elastic fabric which I employ in carrying out my invention may be such as
is generally used for giving elasticity to the sides of boots and shoes the elasticity
being imparted to such fabrics by india rubber threads or otherwise but I do not
limit myself to the particular character of the elastic fabric employed.
The edges of the front or side openings (combined with the elastic lining) are

page_text: closed over the elastic lining by means of my improved eyelet, clips or fastenings
which may be employed for holding the laces (at any desired tightness) of boots
shoes gloves stays corsets and other articles and this part of my improvements
consists in appplying to and combining with a metal eyelet a clip which is so
formed that its end corresponds in form to some extent. with that of the metal
eyelet to which it is applied. The end of the metal clip by fitting into the hollow
of the eyelet serves to hold the lace when drawn in under it and part of my
improvements consists in applying a series of such eyelets or clips to each side of
the opening of a boot shoe glove stay corset or other similar article whereby the
lace is held securely under each of such eyelets or clips. Or the end only of a
lace may be secured by a clip of this, improved construction.

page_text: I
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Israel Drakeford in the Patent Office on the 5th January 1884.
"
ISRAEL DRAKEFORD of Northampton in the County of Northampton
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND SHOES AND IN FASTENINGS
FOR HOLDING THE LACES OF BOOTS SHOES GLOVES STAYS CORSETS AND OTHER'
ARTICLES TO WHICH SUCH FASTENINGS ARE APPLICABLE"
This invention relates first to improvements in substituting and applying an
elastic lining to the front of a boot or shoe in place of the tongue at present used
for closing the opening under the laced up portion of a boot or shoe the said
opening being closed by improved fastenings as hereinafter described.
The elastic lining also serves to give elasticity to the opening of a boot or shoe
thereby dispensing with the elastic sides or gussets as generating used.
This improved elastic lining may be applied simply to the front portion of a
boot or shoe under the laced up portion thereof (closed by my improved lacing.or
otherwise) the lining being attached at the edges to the inner surface of the boot
or shoe. Or the elastic lining may pass around to the back part of the boot or
shoe so as to impart elasticity to the whole of the upper part thereof.
The elastic fabric which I employ in carrying out my invention may be such
as is generally used for giving elasticity to the sides of boots and shoes the
elasticity being imparted to such fabrics by india rubber threads or otherwise
but I do not limit myself to the particular character of the elastic fabric
employed.
The edges of the front or side openings (combined with the elastic lining) are
closed over the elastic lining or front by means of my improved eyelet clips
fastenings or holders which may be employed for holding the laces of boots, shoes,
gloves, stays, corsets and other articles and this part of my improvements: consists
in applying to and combining with a metal eyelet or clip which is so formed that
its end corresponds in form to some extent with that of the metal eyelet to which
it is applied. The end of the metal clip or holder by fitting into the hollow of
the eyelet serves to hold the lace when drawn in under it and part of my improve-
ments consists in applying a series of such eyelets holders or clips to each side of
the opening of a boot, shoe, glove, stay, corset or other article whereby the lace
(or it may be a cord) is held securely under each of such eyelets or clips. Or the
end only of a lace may be secured by a clip of this improved construction.
And in order that my invention may be more clearly understood and readily
carried into practice I will proceed to describe the drawings hereto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 shews the perspective view of a lace up boot unlaced so as to exhibit
the front inner elastic lining or front a which is sewn to the inner surface of the
boot. The elastic lining or front a serves the purpose of the ordinary tongue but
is always kept in position by being attached to the boot or shoe.
It also imparts
elasticity to the opening thus dispensing with the ordinary elastic sides or
gussets.
bb shown separately on a larger scale by Figure 2 represent my improved lace
holders or fastenings fixed to the edges of the front or side openings of a boot or
shoe (as the case may be) in like manner to the ordinary eyelets or eyelet hooks
used for this purpose,
The lace or cord holders 6 6 are made by forming an ordinary eyelet with a cover

page_text: The central part of this cap or cover is made convex on the under side so as to
correspond with the concave orifice of the eyelet.
A convenient method of forming the cap or cover of the eyelet is to depress
the upper surface of the cover by means of a suitably formed punch the eyelet
-being placed and held on the end of a metal plate with a hole or depression in it
as shewn by Figure 3 whilst this operation is performed.
The eyelet lace holder and its covering piece may be made from a flat piece of
metal stamped out in the form shown by Figure 4 with a round hole at one end
in which an ordinary eyelet is inserted and fixed the other end is then turned up
over the eyelet as shown by Figure 4* and the concave depression made in by a
punch in the manner previously described.
The operations for forming lace holders as previously described may be effected
by a simple machine arranged with a suitable die and lever punch actuated either
by hand or by a treadle.
Figure 5 shows part of the front opening of a boot or shoe laced up by passing
this lace around the holders b b which are placed in pairs opposite each other thie
lace being passed around each alternate holder from top to bottom and back again
so as to produce cross lacing the lace being firmly held by each holder b when
passed around it.
Figure 6 shows the lacing applied to the side opening of a boot or shoe and
Figure 7 to a corset or other like purpose-the holders, b in this case being
arranged alternately with a holder on one side opposite a space between two
holders on the other side of the opening for single lacing only as shown.
In like manner my improved lace holders or fastenings b may be applied for.
holding the laces of gloves, stays, corsets, leggings, gaiters, garters, neckties,
surgical and other bandages and other like purposes. They may also be applied
for holding umbrellas and parasols when closed. Also for reefing sails and as
holders for lanyards cords and cables.
Having thus described the nature of my invention and the manner of performing
or carrying the same into practice I would remark that I make no claim to any of
the parts separately which are well known and in common use, But what I
claim is:
..First. The improved arrangement and application of an inner elastic lining
such as a iu the manufacture of boots or shoes (to serve as a substitute for the
ordinary loose. tongue) substantially in the manner and for the purpose hereinbefore
described and represented in the drawings hereto annexed.
Second, I claim the arrangement and application of the elastic lining or
front a in combination with my improved lace holders or fastenings b arranged to
act. substantially in the manner and for the purpose hereinbefore described and
represented in the drawings hereto annexed.
Thirdly. I claim the improved construction of the holders or fastenings b and
the application thereof to. boots, shoes, gloves, and various other articles and
purposes substantially as herein described and represented in the Drawings
annexed.
:
In witness whereof I the said Israel Drakeford have hereunto set my hand
and seal this Third day of January in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and eighty four.