Improvements in and relating to Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Oct., 1892-Accepted, 19th Nov., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Boots and Shoes.
We, THOMAS FISHER, Boot Manufacturer and JOHN WILLIAM JULIAN
SMITH, both of 172 High Street, Plumstead Kent 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 relates to an attachment for boots and shoes, especially applicable
to the boots used in playing football, and consists in an improved means for
preventing slipping when on the field.
According to our invention, the soles, at the required number of points, are
pierced with holes of suitable diameter, and a metal tube with small metal plate
at top, is inserted, and fixed so that the end of the tube projects slightly through
the bottom of the sole. The upper end of the tube is closed by the plate, and a
small spring or backing of resilient material, is inserted, bearing upon a plug of
leather, which projects through the end of the tube for a suitable distance. A
convenient method of fixing this plug consists in employing a screw with metal
plate, against which the spring bears. On this, one, two or more pieces of leather
are screwed, according to the thickness required. In order that no metal may be
allowed to be visible, a leather ring is fixed around the projecting part of the tube
thereby completely covering it. The arrangement is such that when running or
walking on soft ground, these projections will press into the ground, and prevent
slipping, the springs being of sufficient strength not to give way perceptibly, when
the ground is soft, but when on hard ground, they will give considerably. In the
projections commonly used, when on frozen ground or other hard substance, the
sole immediately above is pressed upwards, causing considerable discomfort and
frequently injury to the foot. With the present arrangement, this disadvantage is
obviated as the spring or resilient material in giving will distribute a considerable
portion of the pressure otherwise borne completely by the projections, and will
relieve the blow caused by the foot striking the ground in walking or running.
The resiliency of these projecting parts will also add to the ease of running,
giving a spring to the step.
Any number of these studs or projections may be provided, which is found
suitable.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is had to
the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section on the line a-y, Fig. 2, and Fig. 2 an underside
view of the sole of a boot or shoe, with our improved attachment, and Fig. 3 is a
section of the attachment or stud, in the position it will assume when used on hard
ground.
A. is the sole of the boot or shoe, pierced at a number of points with circular
holes, four, as shown in Fig. 2, the heel B being provided with two, each hole being
fitted with the improved stud.
The tube C is inserted, and fixed by means of the plate D, which covers its
inner end. Within this tube the spring E is situated, being shown in the drawings
as an ordinary spiral spring, bearing against the plate D, and attached at one end,
to prevent it falling out. F. is the leather plug, formed, as shown, of two discs
of leather, fastened to each other and to the plate G, by the screw G¹. The
spring E is attached to the back of the plate G in order to prevent it escaping,
and bears upon it when the plug is pressed back, as shown in Fig. 3, giving in a
resilient manner.
Around the slightly projecting end of the metal tube is placed the ring H,
which serves to conceal the metal, and protect it. The tube projects beyond the

page_text: bottom of the boot, in order to give more room for the spring and bearing for the
plug.
The toe is provided in football boots with the ordinary toe piece A¹.
Fig. 2. shows the arrangement of the studs preferred, two being placed on the
heel, one at each side, two at the toe, and two at about the centre, where the chief
pressure of the body comes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
(1) An attachment for boots and shoes, consisting of a number of leather studs
or plugs, sliding in tubes, let into the sole and heel, and provided with a spring or
backing of elastic material, so that they can give in a resilient manner, substantially
as described and for the purposes specified.
(2) An attachment for boots and shoes, consisting of a tube C, closed at its inner
end by the plate D, and let into the sole or heel, containing the spring E, and the
leather plug F, which projects slightly beyond the end of the tube, substantially
as and for the purposes specified.
:
(3) The improved attachment for boots and shoes, constructed and operating
substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings and for the
purposes specified.
Dated this 14th day of October 1892.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicants.