Improved Methods of Rendering the Soles of Boots and Shoes Waterproof.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Jan., 1893
Complete: Specification Left, 10th Oct., 1893-Accepted, 11th Nov., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Methods of Rendering the Soles of Boots and Shoes
Waterproof.
I WILLIAM HODGSON BARNES of 2 Allerton Road, Lordship Park, Stöke
Newington, N. in the County of London, Photographer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to methods of employing one or other of the kindred
materials variously known as celluloid, zylonite, parkesene etc., which are cóm-
pounds of pyroxyline and other substances, in rendering the soles of boots and shoes
waterproof.
According to my invention I introduce in the formation of the sole of the boot or
shoe, a sheet, layer or coating of celluloid, zylonite, parkesene or like material.
This sheet, layer, or coating may be placed in between the insole and the outer
sole, it may be attached or fixed in any manner most convenient, to either surface
of the insole, or to the inner surface of the sole proper, or outer sole, or in such
manner as may be most suitable.
The effect of introducing this material in the manner described in the formation
of the sole of the boot or shoe, is to produce a sole perfectly impervious to wet, as
the damp cannot penetrate beyond the sheet, layer or coating of celluloid, zylonite,
parkesene etc.
This material may be used very thin, so that it adds-practically nothing to the
bulk or weight of the boot or shoe and at the same time makes the sole perfectly
waterproof.
c T
W. H. BARNES.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Methods of Rendering the Soles of Boots and Shoes
Waterproof.
I WILLIAM HODGSON BARNES of 2 Allerton Road, Lordship Park, Stoke
Newington, N. in the County of London Photographer, 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 :-
My invention relates to methods of employing one or other of the kindred
materials variously known as celluloid, xylonite parkesene etc., in rendering the
soles of boots and shoes waterproof.
etc.
By celluloid I desire to be understood the material commonly known as celluloid,
or one of the varieties of the same, some of which are known as xylonite, parkesine
This material and its various varieties being all compounds of pyroxyline.
According to my invention I introduce in the formation of the sole of the boot
or shoe, a sheet layer or coating of celluloid as previously defined.
This sheet,
layer or coating may be placed in between the insole and the outer sole, it may
be attached or fixed in any manner most convenient to either surface of the insole,
or to the inner surface of the sole proper or, outer sole, or in such manner as may
be most suitable.
In order to render it quite easy to perform my invention, and to illustrate and
explain it I append particulars of the methods of working which I generally prefer,
but these are not intended to indicate the only methods of performing my invention,
nor do I confine myself to working exactly and exclusively in the way described.

page_text: For machine sewn boots I find the following to be a convenient method. A thin
sheet of celluloid is attached to the leather which is to form the insole, by means
of shoe maker's paste or other suitable adhesive medium, and when this is
thoroughly dry it is used to form the insole. The celluloid side may be placed so
as to come to the inside of the boot or shoe, but I prefer to place it so that it comes
next the sole or clump; the method of working when this is done, is to fasten the
insole to the last, celluloid side up, and the upper is, then attached to it in the usual
way, I then prefer to brush over the brad heads, with a solution of celluloid so as
to perfectly seal up all interstices round the brad heads, and the boot or shoe is
then finished in the usual way.
In the case of hand-sewn boots or shoes, I generally prefer to introduce a thin
sheet of celluloid between the insole and the outer sole, this is placed in position
after the insole and welt have been sewn on to the upper, and it is sewn to the welt
together with the sole. It is not necessary to previously fasten the celluloid to the
sole by paste or other adhesive, but this may be done if preferred.
Instead of using a sheet of celluloid as above described I may use leather prepared
or coated with celluloid.
I find that by reason of the imperviousness to moisture of even an exceedingly
thin sheet layer or coating of the celluloid, its lightness, pliability, durability and
non-liability to crack, the soles of boots and shoes can by its means be rendered
most lastingly and efficiently water and damp proof, and that this can be done
easily and cheaply and without any perceptible increase in the bulk or weight of
the boots or shoes.
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;
A.
!
The use of a sheet layer or coating of the material known as celluloid or one of
the varieties of the same, some of which are known as xylonite, parkesine etc. (this
material and its various varieties being all compounds of pyroxyline); for the
purpose of rendering the soles of boots and shoes waterproof, in the manner and
according to the directions substantially as hereinbefore described and set forth.
Dated this Tenth day of October 1893.
W. H. BARNES.