Improvements in Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 17th July, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 20th Nov., 1891-Accepted, 16th July, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Boots and Shoes.
I RICHARD BRUZON, of 200 Green Lanes, Finsbury Park, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention for improvements in boots and shoes has for its object to provide
a composite boot or shoe in which the back part may be joined on to the front part
by means of a hinge, swivel or rotatory contrivance fixed upon the sole and admitting
of the said back part being swung backwards in the act of inserting the foot into
the front lodgment or vamp, and of being swung forward again to join the said
front part, thus bringing the whole length of the sole into its normal horizontal
position and enabling the divisory edges of the back and front parts to come
together for the purpose of interfastening. The parts of a boot or shoe so con-
structed will make the boot or shoe capable of adaptation to a variety of kinds of
fronts or front pieces or back pieces, and will be especially applicable for the
feet of persons afflicted with corns, gout or other forms of tender or swollen feet.
In a boot as ordinarily constructed the whole of the upper leather or top, com-
prising the vamp or front and the golosh or back part, is either in one piece or is
composed of two or more pieces sewn together so as to form a practically continuous
surface, except at the opening provided for the insertion of the foot, and for
securing the hoot to the foot when inserted. The upper leather or top so con-
structed is sewn or otherwise secured to the sole, which forms one continuous piece
from one end to the other of the boot, the heel piece being secured to the back
end of the sole, generally by sewing or rivets, or by both combined as the case
may be.
Now, in a boot or shoe constructed according to my invention, instead of
sewing the vamp to the back part of the upper leather, and instead of making
the sole in one piece throughout its whole length, I divide the upper leather and
make it detachable, preferably at the ordinary line of junction of the vamp and
the back, and I provide for the securing together of the two parts by means of
laces or buttons, or other fastenings. At the said line of division a piece of
leather or cloth, which may be an extension of the vamp or of the back upper
leather, is provided to pass underneath the vamp or back upper leather for a short
distance so as to form a packing or tongue and make a joint at the division mainly
to exclude damp and cold in the wear when the two parts of the boot or shoe are
joined.
One or more straps are provided, the end of each of which may be secured to
the sole immediately underneath the division line of the upper leathers, the free
end of the said strap or straps being fastened together or separately by means of
a lace or buckle or other suitable fastening device, and thus supplying a further
covering for the joint, and also acting as an additional support to the upper leather,
and as a protection of the lace or fastening from mud or dust.
The vamp is secured to the front or main sole which is somewhat extended and
thinned beyond the division line towards the heel part, mainly to cover the sole
joint and afford protection to the foot.
To secure the two parts of the sole together a joint is provided, preferably
underneath the hollow of the foot and intersection of the division line of the
uppers, and so formed that, after the vamp or front division is drawn on to the
foot and the back part is brought back into position, the two parts of the sole are
caused to engage with each other and, by means of a hinge, swivel or rotatory
contrivance covered with a suitable packing, to form a closed joint.

page_text: By detaching either end of the said hinge, or by taking out the centre pin
thereof or swivel or rotatory contrivance, a different front part or back part of
the composite boot can be attached and worn.with the part which is left attached.
Dated.this 17th day of July 1891.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Boots and Shoes.
1, RICHARD BRUZON of 200 Green Lanes, Finsbury Park, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what 1
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :—
In a boot or shoe as ordinarily constructed the whole of the upper leather or
top is either in one piece, or is composed of two or more pieces sewed together so
as to form a practically continuous surface except at the opening provided for 1
the insertion of the foot and for securing the boot to the foot when inserted. The
upper leather or top so constructed is sewed or rivetted to the sole which practically
forms one continuous piece from one end to the other of the boot.
This invention for improvements in boots and shoes has for its object to provide
a divided boot or shoe in which the back part may be joined on to the front part
by means of a hinge, fixed upon the sole and admitting of the said back part being
swung backwards for the purpose of inserting the foot into the front lodgment of
the vamp, and of the said back part being swung forward again, thus bringing the
whole length of the sole to its normal horizontal position, and enabling the divisory
edges of the back and front parts to come together for the purpose of inter- 2
fastening.
Either of the two parts of a boot or shoe so constructed is quickly detachable
from the other and is capable of quick attachment to a variety of corresponding.
front or back parts of similar size. In the case of elastic side spring boots or
shoes I construct such boots or shoes with undivided upper parts, the rotary action, 3
of the hinge on the divided sole permitting of the back part of the boot or shoe
being swung backwards and forwards as hereinbefore described. Boots or shoes
so constructed are especially adaptable for the feet of persons afflicted with corns,
or which are otherwise tender.
In the accompanying two sheets of illustrative drawings
--
Fig. 1 represents a side elevation of a laced boot constructed according to this.
invention and Fig. 2 is also a side elevation of the same showing the back part.
rotated around the hinge to permit of the insertion of the foot of the wearer..
Fig. 3 is an inverted plan and Fig. 4 a right plan of the sole showing the hinge
fixing.
Fig. 5 is n back elevation of the front part of the boot, the back part being.
removed, and
Fig. 6 and 7 are side elevations of boots with side buttons and laces respectively,
the soles being hinged similarly to those shown in Figs. 1 to 5.
In the arrangements shown in Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive the boot is made in two
parts, the front part a and the back part b being attached together by a hinged
joint c fixed to the sole d, preferably at the waist as shown.
In Figs. 1 and 2 bands or straps e are secured at their ends to the front part,
and through the openings or loops thus formed are passed the tongues f, which are
then laced in the ordinary manner. The insole is carried back through the whole 5
length of the inside of the boot and is curved and elevated at the point of division.
of the outer sole to form a firm bearing for the upper leathers, and to protect the
foot from cold and moisture.
The two halves of the hinge c are secured respectively to the two parts of the
3

page_text: sole d by rivets or screws or otherwise, and are made either quickly detachable or
non-detachable accordingly as the pin his removable or fixed. The laces are
secured to the vamp at which together with the bands e secure the vamp or front
part and the back part closely together. The bands e and gap m may however be
dispensed with, the lacing being continued unbroken up the lapels or tongues from
the bottom to the top.
To insert the foot, the laces being unfastened, the back 6 is rotated downwards
permitting of the easy insertion of the foot in the fore part a, the back part b
being then returned to its normal position and the two parts fastened together.
Fig. 8 is a side elevation of a shoe with elastic springs, the dotted lines indicating
the back part depressed for the insertion of the foot of the wearer.
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 :-
1st. A boot or shoe consisting of two separate parts joined together by a hinge
substantially as described.
2nd. The combination of the front a, insole 9, detachable back 6 and hinge c
secured to the two parts of the sole substantially as described and for the purpose
set forth.
3rd. A boot or shoe with hinge-jointed sole, elastic sides and undivided upper
part or top constructed substantially as described and shown.
Dated this 20th day of November 1891.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, Agents.