IMPROVEMENTS IN AND IN THE MODE OR MEANS OF ATTACHING HEELS TO BOOTS AND SHOES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Griffith Brewer, of Chancery Lane, London,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND IN THE MODE OR MEANS OF
ATTACHING HEELS TO BOOTS AND SHOES." A communication from abroad by
Alphonse Girard, of Paris, France.
Sealed the 21st May 1878, and dated the 18th January 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Griffith Brewer at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th January 1878.
EDWARD GRIFFITH BREWER, of Chancery Lane, London.
AND IN THE MODE OR MEANS OF ATTACHING HEELS TO BOOTS AND SHOES." (A com-
munication from abroad by Alphonse Girard, of Paris, France.)
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
This Invention refers to the heels of boots and shoes, and to a new mode or means
of attaching same to boots and shoes, and especially to those known as Louis XV.
heels; and the Invention is substantially based upon the employment of a metal or
other visible heel plate for connecting the front of the heel with the cambering of
the sole of the boot or shoe, whereby many and great advantages are obtained.
First. There is an economy of from 50 to 60 per cent. in the workmanship.
Second. An important reduction in the length of the leather sole is obtained.
Third. The simple application of the plate to any sole immediately transforms it
into a boot or shoe, as the case may be, called Louis XV., most elegant, at same
time strong, in which the plate, the heel, and the fitting do not cost in France
more than about 2 francs 25 centimes (one shilling and ninepence halfpenny)
the pair.
Fourth. It overcomes the difficulty manufacturers have experienced in promptly
executing orders for Louis XV. heels; according to this Invention however, orders
can be very quickly executed, as the heels with plates made according to this
Invention can be fitted by workmen knowing nothing of the shoemaking work.
The Invention consists of a metallic plate applicable to Louis XV. and other boots
and shoes. One end fits the base of the heel, and the rest is bent so as to adapt
itself to the forward part of heel, and extending down the hollow of the boot or
[Price 6d l

page_text: shoe, where it is fastened by screws, brads, rivets, or other suitable fastenings, so as
to secure it firmly to the sole, which may be slit to receive the forward point of the
heel, made of wood, leather, or other suitable material.
The heel may also be fitted to the sole in the ordinary way.
The part of the plate on the base of the heel may be inserted, and thereby hid
in the material of which the heel is made, or-it may form the base of the heel
itself.
In some cases side pieces or wings are applied to the plates, applicable parti-
cularly to ordinary heels, to hide the space between the chamfered part of the plate
and the heel.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edward Griffith Brewer in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 18th
July 1878.
EDWARD GRIFFITH BREWER, of Chancery Lane, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
AND IN THE MODE OR MEANS OF ATTACHING HEELS TO BOOTS AND SHOES." (A com-
munication from abroad by Alphonse Girard, of Paris, France.)
This Invention refers to the heels of boots and shoes, and to a a mode or
means of attaching same to boots and shoes, and especially to those known as
Louis XV. heels; and the Invention is substantially based upon the employment
of a metal or other visible heel plate for connecting the front of the heel with the
cambering of the sole of the boot or shoe, whereby many and great advantages are
obtained.
First. There is an economy of from 50 to 60 per cent. in the workmanship.
Second. An important reduction in the length of the leather sole is obtained.
Third. The simple application of the plate to any sole immediately transforms it
into a boot or shoe, as the case may be, called Louis XV., most elegant, at same
time strong, in which the plate, the heel, and the fitting do not cost in France
more than about 2 francs 25 centimes the pair (one shilling and ninepence half-
penny).
Fourth. It overcomes the difficulty manufacturers have experienced in promptly
executing orders for Louis XV. heels; according to this Invention however, orders
can be very quickly executed, as the heels with plates made according to this Inven-
tion can be fitted by workmen knowing nothing of shoemaking work.
In order that the Invention may be completely understood I have given several
examples of the manner in which the Invention may be carried into effect.
As seen by the Drawing, and as before described, the Invention consists of a
metallic plate, shown detached at Figures 1, 2, and 3, and applicable to Louis XV.
and all other kinds of boots and shoes. This plate a, stamped from a metallic plate,
has the form shown at Figures 1 and 2; it is afterwards bent in such manner as to
give to it the form shown in side view at Figure 3; it is intended to be applied, as
shown in Figures 4 and 5, in such manner as to firmly fix the heel b to the sole cof

page_text: the boot or shoe. For this purpose it is bored with holes d to allow passage for the
screws or points, which are applied to the sole and heel so as to give to the whole
as great strength as possible.
As seen at Figure 4, the sole c of the boot or shoe is split, as shown at e, Figure 4,
in such manner as to receive the fore part of the heel b, which may be made of
wood, leather, or other substance, and of any suitable material.
The heel may also be applied to the boot or shoe f in the ordinary way by means
of points, and aided by rapid mechanical processes.
It should be understood that the part g of the plate a, being folded under the
end, may be at will visible or hidden in the thickness of the leather if preferred.
Figure 4 illustrates clearly the important economy in leather that is effected by
this system, as it is useless to prolong the sole under the heel, where it is not of
any use.
Figures 6, 7, 8, and 9 show a modification of this arrangement of plate intended
more particular for adaptation to ordinary heels with the view of giving them the
form called Louis XV. For this purpose the heel plate A is provided with two
wings B, intended to be folded over when the plate is bent, so as to hide from view
the space between the bent part of the plate and the heel of the boot or shoe.
It is to be understood that the folded part of the heel plate under the heel may
be visible or hidden, and the plate may be decorated as desired, or the part g of the
plate may be dispensed with entirely or partially.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,—
First. The kind of heel plate called Louis XV., in metal or other material, sub-
stantially as above described, and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings,
whereby the plate may be visible, and produce rapidly and economically the fitting
of Louis XV. heels, whatever may be the mode of manufacture.
Second. The application of the said plate, not only to Louis XV. boots and shoes
to adjust easily the heel thereto, but also to all kinds of boots and shoes which are
thus transformed into boots or shoes of this class, and consequently more elegant,
and that almost without cost, all substantially as herein-before described, and illus-
trated in the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Griffith Brewer, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
E. G. BREWER. (L.S.)