IMPROVEMENTS IN. BOOTS AND SHOES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henri Joseph Petit, of Brussells, in the Kingdom of
Belgium, Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN. BOOTS AND
SHOES."
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henri Joseph Petit at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd March 1879.'
HENRI JOSEPH PETIT, of Brussells, in the Kingdom of Belgium, Manufacturer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BOOTS AND SHOES."
My Invention has for its object preventing the soles and heels of boots and shoes
from becoming rapidly worn out in consequence of the continual friction to which
they are exposed when the wearer is walking upon hard ground, and it consists in
imbedding pieces of wrought or cast iron; steel; glass, granite, or other hard
material in the form of small frustums of cones or other suitable shape in the soles
and heels of boots and shoes, in lieu of the soft iron nails usually employed, which
are only applicable in the case of coarse descriptions of boots and shoes, whilst the
pieces of hard material, according to my Invention, may be applied to boots and
shoes of all descriptions without in anyway detracting from their elegance.
In carrying out my Invention I insert small frustums of cones, for example, of
metal or other hard material, into corresponding holes previously punched out of
the outer sole or heel leather, and before the said sole or heel leather is secured in
position in such a manner that the base of the cone bears against the under surface
of the inner sole, whilst the small end is flush with the under surface of the outer
sole. The base of the cone may be provided with a flange or projection to pre-
vent the cone from dropping out, and to provide a larger bearing surface.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henri Joseph Petit in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 16th
September 1879.
HENRI JOSEPH PETIT, of Brussells, in the Kingdom of Belgium, Manufacturer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BOOTS AND SHOES."
My said Invention has for its object preventing the soles and heels of boots and
shoes from becoming rapidly worn out in consequence of the continual friction to
which they are exposed when the wearer is walking upon hard ground, and it
consists in imbedding pieces of wrought or cast iron, steel, glass, granite, or other
hard material in the form of small frustums of cones or of other suitable shape in
the soles and heels of boots and shoes in lieu of using the soft iron nails ordinarily
employed, which are only applicable in the case of coarse descriptions of boots and
shoes, whilst the pieces of hard material, according to my said Invention, may be
applied to boots and shoes of all descriptions without in any way detracting from
their elegance.
The accompanying Drawing illustrates a mode of carrying out my said Inven-
tion.
Figures 1 and 2 represent respectively an under plan and longitudinal vertical
section of a boot having applied thereto the improvements which form the subject
of my said Invention; Figures 3 and 4 are details of the strengthening pieces,
constructed according to two respective modifications.
In carrying out my said Invention I insert small frustums of cones a (for
example) of metal or other hard material into corresponding holes previously
punched out of the outer sole 6 or heel leather c, or both, before the said sole or
heel leather is secured in position in such a manner that the base of the cone bears
against the under surface of the inner sole d or of the leather of the heel c, whilst
the small end is flush with the under surface of the outer sole b or heel c. One of
these frustums of cones is shewn in detail in Figure 3, and they are represented
applied to the boot in Figures 1 and 2. The base of the cone may be formed with
a flange or projection a¹ (Figure 4) in order to prevent the cone from dropping out
and to provide a larger bearing surface.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said In-
vention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect,
I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original, and
therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part recited
Letters Patent is,―
The system or mode of imbedding hard bodies in the soles and heels of boots and
shoes, substantially as and for the purpose herein before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henri Joseph Petit, have to this my Specifi-
cation set my hand and seal, this Sixth day of September, One thousand
eight hundred and seventy nine.