Improvements relating to Boot and Shoe Uppers
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Sept., 1899-Accepted, 4th Nov., 1899
Improvements relating to Boot and Shoe Uppers,
I, ALBERT HÜNERWADEL, of Veltheim, Kanton Aargau, Switzerland, Manufac-
turer, 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:-
The hitherto known types of boots and shoes having open upper parts or legs
for closing and fastening by means of laces, buttons, buckles or the like, are
generally so arranged that the said closing devices lie along the instep and ankle
joint, stiffening the boot or shoe in the very places where there is most move-
ment in walking and interfering considerably with the comfort of the wearer.
The putting on of such boots or shoes is very troublesome because the open
upper part or leg cannot be sufficiently turned back to admit of inserting the
foot with comfort.
.
The object of the present invention is a boot or shoe having a bipartite upper
part or leg so contrived as to obviate the aforesaid disadvantages, the two por-
tions of the leg being separated at the sides in such manner that the front por-
tions may be folded over the rear portion and be secured in position on both
sides by means of convenient devices.
In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 illustrates a boot constructed in accord-
ance with this invention, the left hand part of the front portion of the leg being
turned back. A is the said front portion and B the rear portion of the leg,
both being connected with the lower part CC in the usual manner.
The portions A and B are adapted to be connected with each other on both
sides by means of clasps a, and are held closely together by elastic bands 61, 62,
which may partially be hidden and protected by the inner lining.
Instead of clasps a other convenient and efficacious devices such as buttons,
buckles, and the like may be employed, and in the case of higher legs more than
one closing device may be provided on both sides.
The parts A may also be ornamental in suitable manner, for instance with
false button lappets, false lacing or the like.
Fig. 2 of the drawing shows a modification of the hereinafter described closing
device, a short piece of elastic webbing being inserted between part A and the
clasp eyelet for the purpose of facilitating the free action of the ankle in walking,
and of ensuring close fitting of the upper parts or leg.
In boots and shoes constructed as described the instep is free of all pressure
and in walking the foot can move unimpededly. Putting-on the boots or shoes
is furthermore greatly facilitated as the front and rear portion of the leg por-
tion can be turned back and in that condition the shoe or boot can be put on
as easily as a slipper.
The lower partie. the shoe proper made in the known manner and in any con-
venient style gives an elegant appearance to the whole, close fitting of the
upper parts being ensured by the described elastic insertions, so that the boots

page_text: or shoes made according to this invention will completely and under all ordinary
conditions replace the hitherto known less comfortable boots and shoes.
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. Boots or shoes with bipartite upper parts or legs, in which the lower part of
the shoe made in the usual manner is securely connected with the upper portions,
divided at the sides and adapted to be closed at both sides by convenient closing
devices, both parts of the leg portion being adapted to be turned back in order
to facilitate the putting on of the boot or shoe, substantially as described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
2. In boots and shoes as claimed under 1, elastic bands 12 provided at or
near the junction of the lower part C and upper part A of the boot or shoe and
partially hidden or covered by the lining for the purpose of elastically drawing
together the said parts, substantially as described and illustrated in the accom-
panying drawings.
Dated this 20th day of September 1899