Improvements in Non-slipping and Damp-proof Coverings or Part Coverings for Soles and Heels of Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Oct., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 11th Aug., 1892-Accepted, 10th Sept., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Non-slipping and Damp-proof Coverings or Part
Coverings for Soles and Heels of Boots and Shoes.
I FREDERICK JOHN PALMER, of Florenville, Dawlish, in the County of
Devonshire, Architect, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention consists of means principally intended to prevent persons using
same from slipping and for keeping the feet perfectly dry in damp weather, for
softening the tread for tender feet, also for repairing boots & shoes, or for lessening
the wear of same. Small pieces or pads of india-rubber or other suitable material
being attached to the sole or heel of boot or shoe, by means of metal clips, secured
or fastened to the pad. Or the pads may be fastened on to boot or shoe, in a
manner hereinunder described. The surface of pad coming next the ground being
corrugated, ribbed, stamped embossed or plain to prevent slipping. The surface
of pad coming next the sole or heel of boot or shoe is arranged for attachment to
same by suction or pneumatically. The metal clips being made to turn up, and
grasp or grip the sides or top of the sole, or welt or heel of boot and shoe.
The invention to be described as follows.
1st. The "pads," forming pieces for fixing on soles or heels of boots or shoes.
These pads to be composed of india-rubber, or other suitable materials, strengthened
if necessary with cloth, canvas, or proper & suitable substance, stuck over, or
embedded into same, to prevent too much stretching. The pads being if necessary
further strengthened with sand, leather, wood, metal, hemp-thread or other substance
or substances, woven, mixed or embedded in same for hardening and increasing the
durability of the wear of same. The surface of these pads coming underneath or
next the ground to be corrugated, or ribbed or stamped, or embossed, or otherwise
marked or plain as the case may he to prevent any slipping. The upper portion or
surface adjoining the sole or heel of boot or shoe, is to be slightly sunk with a
raised rim running round the edge of same, or to be made concave or otherwise
formed for attachment to boot or shoe by means of suction or pneumatically. The
pads if required also having pieces of metal, (with projecting pins or spikes,) attached
to same or embedded in the india-rubber or material substituting it, these pins or
spikes projecting from the upper surface, would stick into the sole or heel of boot
or shoe and so help to secure pads to same.
2. Attached to the pads and forming part of the device are pieces of metal,
hereinafter to be called the "clips." These "clips" are bent or otherwise shaped
for fitting over and grasping or gripping the sides and top or welt of sole or heel of
boot or shoe, one or more clip or clips coming on each side of sole and heel, and
also others being placed in convenient positions for attachment to the toe, or back
& front parts of heel if necessary. These clips are bent or formed into a kind of
S shape, the turns being made sideways, thus forming two hooks, one each end-one
bent end of clip answering as a flange or hook, or if cut as several flanges or hooks,
this flange or hook or these flanges or hooks, passing through the side or top or
bottom of the pad can be clamped, bent or otherwise secured, on the bottom, top or
side opposite the one through which (it or) they are inserted. Instead of turning
the metal clip, into a hook or flange or hooks or flanges at this end for attachment
to pad, the former may have holes through same whereby it could be sewn on with
hemp-thread or string, twine, wire or rivetted or otherwise seoured. In this case
if necessary the clip may have teeth, or be made rough for sticking into or further
securing to pad. The clip may also be made extra secure to same by sticking-solution
or composition. In like manner they may be united by sticking-solution or composition

page_text: only or by the clip being inserted and attached to pad, when the latter is warm,
soft or liquid, or the clip may also be inserted and fixed by heating same, and can
be made in any shape suitable for uniting with and securing to pad or for attach-
ment to boot or shoe. The end of clip not fixed to pad is bent or shaped to form
a hook or clasp for fitting over the edge or top of sole or heel of boot or shoe.
The metal being turned and reaching sufficiently high up the side of sole to
enable its being again bent or turned over the top or upper surface of same, thus
forming a hook grasping round the edge of sole. The end and sides, or end, or
side only, having notched teeth, or otherwise made file-like or rough to enable its
sticking into or firmly gripping the sole or heel of boot or shoe and preventing its
slipping off same. Instead of the notched metal clip being made to turn entirely
over to clasp the top or welt of sole as just described it might only be bent to come
a little way up side of sole, and then again be bent inwards, the last joint or turned-
piece having a row of teeth for sticking into the side of sole or heel of boot while
the inside or portion of clip coming next to boot or shoe may be made rough, file-
like or corrugated to ensure firmly gripping same. The portion of clip projecting
from the pad can also have holes arranged for receiving screws, brads, nails, pins
etc. etc. if required. The clips instead of being made in solid, or bent metal plates,
could also be manufactured in wires or wire. Likewise the pads may also be com-
posed of laced, netted plaited, or cross or un-crossed-wire or wires and if necessary
the sole & heel pads may be connected, or a strap used passing over the instep for
securing same. The pads might also have holes or metal-pieces containing holes
embedded or attached to them, whereby they may be secured to sole or heel of
boot or shoe by means of screws, brads, nails rivetts or other fixing inserted through
same. Or the pads may be secured by sticking solution or composition only the
idea being that the pads may easily be fastened on any boot or shoe, the clips
holding on same, being slipped on at the toe or waist of boot or shoe in the case of
the sole pads, or over the narrowest portion of the heel for the heel ones, and as
they are pushed into position, the sole and heel gradually widening, will act as
lovers, spreading the clips further apart, which the pads owing to their slightly
elastic nature will allow, when the latter acting as a spring will help to keep
thern firmly clasping and gripping the sole or beel of boot or shoe as the case
may be.
The above invention is especially adapted for slippery and damp weather, for
tennis or other sports or purposes, by preventing slipping, softening the tread, for
preserving or mending the sole or heel of boot or shoe and for keeping the feet
perfectly dry.
Dated this Tenth day of October, One thousand eight hundred and ninety-
1001
FREDERICK JOHN PALMER,
"Florenville," Dawlish.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Non-slipping and Damp-proof Coverings or Part
Coverings for Soles and Heels of Boots and Shoes.
I FREDERICK JOHN PALMER of Florenville Dawlish in the County of Devon, 4
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 objects to prevent persons from slipping, to keep the
feet perfectly dry in damp weather, to soften the tread for tender feet, to provide
means for readily repairing boots and shoes and to lessen the wear.
"
In carrying out this invention pieces or pads of india rubber or other suitable
material strengthened if necessary with cloth canvas, or wood cemented to or
embedded into it to prevent too much stretching or for hardening and increasing

page_text: the durability, are attached to the soles or heels of boots or shoes by means of
metal clips secured or fastened to the pads.
These clips are somewhat S shaped and pass from side to side and turn up from
top to bottom or from bottom to top of the pad and are then clenched, or they are
sewn, cemented or otherwise secured to the pad. The free ends of the clips form
hooks or clasps which are fitted or bent over the edges or tops of the soles or heels
of the boots or shoes, or which are bent into the sides of the soles or heels. The
insides of the clips coming in contact with the boots or shoes are roughened to
ensure a firm grip. The clips are further secured by pins or screws passing
through holes in the projecting parts and are made solid or bent out of plates or
wires. The sole and heel pads are either in separate pieces or in one piece or are
connected by a strap passing under the instep.
The pads are slipped on at the toe, heel or waist of the boots or shoes and are
forced into position and the clips firmly grip the boots or shoes, the elasticity of
the pads acting as a spring and helping to keep them firmly gripping the soles or
heels of the boots or shoes, or the clips are drawn over the edges of the sole.
In another arrangement the pads are secured by screws, nails, or rivets, passing.
through holes in the pads or through holes in metal plates embedded in the pads.
In another arrangement the upper surfaces of the pads are slightly sunk with
raised rims running round the edges or are concave so that they can be attached to
the boots or shoes by means of suction, or pneumatically. The pads are provided
with projecting pins or spikes attached to or embedded in the pads, which are
forced into the soles or heels of the boots or shoes and so help to secure the pads.
The accompanying two sheets of illustrative drawings show various modes of
carrying this invention into practical effect.
Fig. 1 shows in perspective the clips a fixed on the rubber pad 6, the rubber
above the clips being supposed removed.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the pads b with the clips a attached.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the clip. The clips a with the canvas
strengthening pieces c inserted through loops in the clips are inserted in the
pad 6 whilst it is being moulded. Holes are formed in the clips through which
the rubber or substitute passes forming a solid block which prevents the clips
tearing away from the pad and keeps the rubber or substitute over and under the
clip firmly fixed round same. Holes d are formed in the clips a just outside the
pad b. In applying the pad to the sole of a boot one side is fitted to the boot so
that the clip a passes over the edge of the sole, and the clips on the other side of
the pad are then pulled over the other edge of the sole by means of a boot hook
inserted in the holes d, or the pads are placed on a narrow part of the sole of the
boot and pulled by means of a boot hook to a wider part. The elasticity of the
pads ensures that a firm grip is obtained. Fig. 2 also shows the pad 6 provided
on its upper surface with a plate e of projecting spikes which are forced into the
sole and help to secure it. In this case the pad must be fitted to the sole by first
fitting one side to the sole and then drawing the clips on the other side over the
edge by a boot hook.
Fig. 4 is a similar view to Fig. 1 showing canvas embedded in the rubber pad 6
to prevent excessive stretching. The clips a are also shown secured by wires or
cords g instead of the canvas c.
Fig. 5 is a separate view of the clip a shown in Fig. 4.
Fig. 6 is a cross section of a boot with attached pad & showing how the clips a
grip the sole of the boot. The edge of the clip on one side of the sole is shown
turned down into the sole to give greater security.
Fig. 7 is a plan of a boot fitted with a pad showing the portions of the clips a
that are visible when walking.
Fig. 8 is an inverted plan of a boot fitted with sole and heel pads 6 according to
this invention showing a clip a further secured by a screw h.
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a boot showing the manner in which the clips a
grip the boot,

page_text: Fig. 10 is an inverted plan of a boot showing the sole and heel pads 6 completely
covering the sole and heel respectively, the instep only being left uncovered. The
sole and heel pads in this modification are shown connected by a strap r under the
waist of the shoe which further secures the pads in position.
Fig. 11 is an inverted plan showing the whole under surface of the boot covered
by a single pad b.
Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a boot fitted with pads b¹ which are further
secured by straps i secured to two opposite clips a.
Fig. 13 shows in perspective the construction of the clips a for retaining the
straps i.
Fig. 14 shows a piece of canvas c cemented to or passed through the clip a to
increase the hold of the rubber on it.
Figs. 15 and 16 are two sections taken through the clip (Fig. 14) showing a
method of passing the canvas c through the clip a so that it is firmly held by
the clip when it is embedded in the rubber.
Fig. 17 shows the clip a provided with projections / for more securely retaining
the clip in the rubber pad and also with cords or wires g.
Figs. 18 and 19 show the clip a secured to the pad by an eyelet m.
Figs. 20 and 21 show a corrugated or roughened clip a to increase the grip on
the sole, and also a further method of passing the canvas e through the clip a
differing slightly from that shown in Figs. 15 and 16.
Fig. 22 shows a clip a having the alternate tongues n gripping the sole inclined
downwards as shown in Figs. 23 or 24 to increase the grip on the sole.
Figs. 25 and 26 show the clips a secured in the rubber pad 6 by means of wires
or string o running through the rubber which also stiffen the pad. Fig. 25 also
shows the clip a further secured to the sole by a screw h.
Figs. 27, 29, and 29 show the clips a constructed of bent wire and secured in the
rubber pads by means of canvas strips c Figs. 28 and 29 or by means of strips
and cords y Fig. 27 or the wire clips are embedded or passed through the pads.
Fig. 28 also shows an elastic wire clip a to allow for different thicknesses of the
sole.
g
Figs. 30, 31, and 32 show pads b formed out of bent wire and provided with wire
clips a Figs. 30 and 31 or bent plate clips a Fig. 32.
Figs. 33 and 34 show the rubber pads with the bearing surface concave to
assist in securing the pad by suction.
Figs. 35, 36, 37 and 38 show rubber blocks p inserted in leather pads and the
clips a secured to the blocks p so as to ensure sufficient elasticity. Fig. 36 also
shows the jaw of the clip a forced into the leather of the sole and Fig. 37 the clip
secured by a screw h.
Fig. 39 shows the clip a further secured in the block p by the cord or loop g.
Fig. 40 shows two clips a made in one piece and secured by a single piece
of canvas c. The surfaces of the clips are shown roughened to further secure
them.
Figs. 41 and 42 show clips bent in S shape and passing through the pad from
the side and then turning towards the top or bottom and with the ends clenched
over.
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. Securing pads to boots and shoes by means of metal clips suitably secured to
the pads and adapted to grip the soles or heels of the boots or shoes substantially
as described.
2. Securing pads to boots substantially as described with reference to the
drawings.
3. Arranging and constructing wire pads for boots and shoes substantially as
described with reference to the drawings.

page_text: 4. The arrangement for elastically connecting metal clips to leather pads sub-
stantially as described with reference to the drawings.
Dated this 11th day of August 1892.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.