Improvements in and relating to Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Mar., 1894-Accepted, 14th Apr., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
.Improvements in and relating to Boots and Shoes.
I THOMAS WILLIAM OFFIN Junior of Turret House, Hockley, Essex,
Gentleman, 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 improved sock or inner sole for boots and shoes, and
is intended to provide an arrangement which will effectually prevent damp from
reaching the foot of the wearer. The sole is formed from a strip of metal or
cellulose material cut or stamped out in the shape of the sole of the boot. The
metal employed must be soft and pliable, such as lead or zinc which will not be
liable to be affected by the perspiration from the foot, and which will yield freely
to any pressure without fear of cracking. The celluloid is made thin, and on heat
being applied by the foot or otherwise it will become plastic and take on the
required shape, adapting itself to the foot. On top of this is fixed by cementing,
stitching or otherwise a correspondingly shaped strip of felt, leather or other
material commonly used for socks or upper soles.
The edges of the damp proof sole are extended beyond the edges of the
covering, and are turned up so that the sole takes on a cupped form or they may
be made thinner in order that when inserted in the boot they will turn upwards a
short distance, to prevent any moisture that may penetrate at the welt from rising
above them.
To prevent the sole crumpling or getting shifted according to one arrangement
the upper sole is formed with a wing piece at each side near the front. These
pieces are stitched to the upper of the boot or otherwise affixed in a secure
manner, the pieces extending a little above the edges of the metal or celluloid
sole.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood reference is had to
the accompanying drawings, in which
Fig. 1 is a side elevation partly in section of a shoe fitted with my improved
"pper sole,
Fig. 2 is a plan of the sole, and Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the same.
Referring to Fig. 1, A is the sole of the shoe with the upper a fitted to it in the
usual manner.
Inside the shoe is placed the improved sole formed of the thin
metal or celluloid strip or plate B of the shape shown in Fig. 2, and the covering C
of felt leather or like material securely fastened thereto.
The edges of the base are turned up as shown for a short distance, covering
the junction between the upper and the sole. The covering C is shown in Fig. 1
with the small wing piece c towards the front projecting up a short distance beyond
the edge allowing them to be stitched to the upper without interfering with the
lower part.
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.) A sock or upper sole for boots and shoes consisting of a base formed from a
thin strip of damp proof material such as metal or celluloid suitably shaped and
with turned up edges and a covering of soft material fixed to the base substantially
as described and for the purposes specified.

page_text: (2.) An upper sole for boots and shoes consisting of a thin strip of metal or
celluloid material cupped or formed with turned up edges and a covering of soft
material such as leather formed with wing pieces projecting above the metal sole,
for attachment to the upper substantially as and for the purposes specified.
Dated this 6th day of March 1894.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant.