Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 26th July, 1887
Specification Accepted, 4th May, 1888
I ALFRED BUCKLEY WARHURST of Urmston in the County of Lancaster, Commercial
Traveller 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 is designed chiefly for boots or shoes worn when engaged in the
playing of athletic games or exercise, such as those known as tennis shoes, cricket
shoes and the like though it may be applied to boots shoes and other coverings for the
feet worn on other occasions. The object is to make the boots or shoes easier to the
feet and more comfortable to wear.
It consists essentially of making a part of that portion of the boot or shoe which
covers the top of the foot and toes of an elastic material so that while the covering fits
closely to the foot it expands or contracts with its movements allowing free play to
the muscles and joints.
It will readily be understood by reference to the annexed drawings which show,
Fig. 1. a side elevation and Fig. 2. plan of shoe made in accordance with the invention
and Fig. 3. a detailed view of the parts showing their shape before being stitched
together.
The shoe is made with an upper or covering A for the foot of leather, canvas, or of
other ordinary or suitable material. Attached to or incorporated with the other
material forming the upper are the elastic pieces B. preferably made of elastic
webbing which cover the joints of the great and little toes. Should either of the
joints be enlarged or overgrown with a corn or bunion the elastic material accommo-
dates itself to the contour of the foot without creating undue pressure even under
continued or violent exercise. The expanding and contracting of the elastic webbing
under the movements of the foot creats a suction inducing a current of air to enter
and leave the shoe through the meshes of the webbing. The foot is thereby ventilated
and kept more cool and comfortable than in a shoe with ordinary non-elastic upper of
canvas or leather.
Elastic webbing is preferred in order to ensure ventilation though other elastic
material might be employed. The elastic pieces B may be cut to any required size or
shape to fit the contour of the foot on which the shoe is to be worn and one two or
more pieces-preferably two-may be applied to each shoe.

page_text: It will be evident that a single piece of the elastic material may be placed
longitudinally down the centre of the top of the boot or shoe so as to remove the
lateral pressure of the upper on either side or a single piece may be placed transversely
across the top of the foot or in lieu of the toe cap as circumstances may require but
I prefer the arrangement shown in the drawings. The pieces B are stitched or
otherwise secured to the upper which as already stated may be made of any suitable
material and the boot shoe or foot covering worn for any purpose.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it to be understood that I am
well aware that elastic or spring pieces have been placed in the sides of boots and
shoes to allow them to open to receive the foot and enclose round the ankle and I
make no claim for such a use of elastic material in connection with boots or shoes but
I declare that what I claim is.
1. A boot shoe or other foot covering having a part of that portion of the upper which
covers the top of the foot & toes formed of an elastic material preferably webbing in
one two or more pieces substantially as and for the purposes described.
2. In a boot shoe or other covering for the foot the combination with the upper of
one, two or more pieces of elastic material preferably webbing so placed as to give
relief to and allow freo play of the fore part of the foot and toes substantially as shown
and described.
Dated this 25th day of July 1887