Improvements relating to Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1899

page_text: Improvements relating to Boots and Shoes.
I, JOHN MILLS, of Princes End, Tipton, in the County of Stafford, Accountant,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention has for its object the provision in the manufacture of boots and
shoes of simple and effective means for their ventilation when in use, and
thereby to produce a more comfortable and healthy foot covering than the
ordinary boots and shoes as at present worn.
My invention comprises the construction of a boot or shoe in such a manner
as to permit air to circulate or pass between the inner and outer portions of
the boot and also to provide for the escape of the perspiration from the foot
between the said parts of the boot.
Between the inner and outer portions of the sole, and also of the boot upper,
I insert a specially formed intermediate strip or strips of leather, indiarubber,
cloth, or other suitable material, having projections from one or both of its
surfaces so formed and arranged as to provide a ventilating space or spaces
between the ordinary inner and outer portions. The inner portion of the boot
sole or upper is perforated, as also is the intermediate strip hereinbefore described,
to permit of the escape of the heat and perspiration from the interior of the boot
to the air spaces or passages. The air passing through the passage or passages
arranged in the sole of the boot finds its way into the like passages arranged in the
boot upper the latter passages communicate with the atmosphere at the top
extremity of the upper.
or
When my improved boots or shoes are in service the movement of the feet
of the wearer during walking produces a circulation of air through the spaces or
passages herein before described, for each time that the foot is pressed on
against any portion of the boot the intermediate strip is compressed thus partially
closing the passages whilst on the release of the pressure the passages auto-
matically open to their normal extent by the elasticity of the material.
In some cases I make the intermediate strip or strips in one piece with the
inner portion or portions of the boot, arranging the spaces or passages between
them in any convenient manner.
I sometimes dispense with the intermediate strip or strips such as hereinbefore
described and provide for the ventilating and air spaces or passages by means
of metallic or other suitable netting or gauze or other perforated material of
uniform thickness, disposed between the inner and outer parts of the boot, and
I make other modifications in the application of my invention to boots and shoes
as made to meet varying requirements.
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, and
5, Cross Street, Manchester, Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements relating to boots and suves.
I, JOHN MILLS, of Tibbington Cottage, Tibbington, Tipton, in the County of
Stafford, Accountant (formerly of Princes End, Tipton), 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 has for its object the provision in the manufacture of boots
and shoes of simple and effective means for the thorough ventilation of their
interiors, and thereby to produce a more comfortable and healthy foot covering
than the ordinary boots and shoes as at present worn.
In order that my invention may be the more readily understood, I append here-
unto two sheets of explanatory drawings to be hereinafter referred to.
Figure 1 is an elevation of one side of a portion of the upper and Figure 2 a
similar view, but of the opposite side of another portion of the upper of one of
muy improved ventilated boots.
Figure 3 is a plan showing one side and Figure 4 a similar view showing
the opposite side of the inner portion of the heel end of the sole of my boot.
Figure 5 is a sectional elevation on the line ab (Figure 3).
In carrying my invention into effect I line the interior of the boot or shoe,
both sole and upper, with leather or other material having a chequered surface
on one side, (formed by grooving or channeling the material in opposite directions
thus forming raised portions as A with depressions between them. The smooth
or plain side of the strips. (such as shown at Figures 2 and 4) is arranged to come
next the foot, but as the entire surface of both the sole and the upper strips are
perforated as illustrated, a free communication is provided between the interior
of the boot and the grooves or channels on the chequered side or the side away
from the foot. The said grooves or channels run in opposite directions and
intersect each other as illustrated.
The form of the chequering is varied, the grooves or channels between the
projecting portions being made to run in direct lines along and across the strips
as illustrated, or arranged diagonally or otherwise, but in every case the grooves
running in one direction intersect the grooves running in the other direction.
In this manner I provide for the free circulation of air through the interior of
the boot and also for the ready escape of heat therefrom. The top ends of the
grooves or channels in the boot upper are open to atmosphere, and the grooves
in the chequered sole strips communicate with the grooves in the chequered
upper strips.
Instead of employing the perforated and chequered strips as the inner lining
of the boot sole and upper as hereinbefore described, I sometimes arrange such
strips between the outer portions of the boot and an inner lining of perforated
material having a plain surface on each side. I may also employ strips having a
chequered surface and intersecting grooves on both sides.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is: :―
1. In the manufacture of ventilated boots and shoes, the use in the uppers and
the sole parts of leather or other perforated strips having intersecting grooves
or channels formed on their surface or surfaces, substantially as and for the
purposes described.
2. Improved ventilated boots or shoes having a plain verforated surface on

page_text: the interior of both upper and sole parts and a chequered and cross grooved
surface between the interior and exterior of such parts, substantially as and
for the purposes described and as illustrated.
Dated this 7th day of December 1899.
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
25, Cross Street, Manchester, and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.