Improvements in Overshoes.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Dec., 1899-Accepted, 20th Jan., 1900
Improvements in Overshoes.
I, WILLIAM THOMAS MILLER, of 516, Walnut Street, McKeesport, in the County
of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, United States of America, 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 is a new and useful construction of overshoe, the object being
to provide a simple and efficient means in connection with the overshoe proper,
whereby dirt and water are excluded from the top of the shoe, a tight joint
being provided, and another object of the invention is to so construct the packing
that it will be impossible for the overshoe to pull off or be taken off except in a
specified manner.
With these objects in view the invention consists essentially in providing an
inflatable tube upon the interior edge of the orifice of the overshoe.
The invention consists also in constructing the said inflatable tube in such a
manner as to prevent the slipping of the shoe, and the invention consists also
in providing means within the shoe for automatically inflating the tube as the
shoe is inserted into the overshoe.
The invention consists in certain details of construction, and novelties of com-
bination, all of which will be fully described hereinafter and pointed out in
the claims.
In the drawings forming part of this specification :-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an overshoe constructed in accordance with
my invention.
Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same.
Figure 3 is a transverse section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, and
Figure 4 is a transverse section showing a slightly modified form of con-
struction.
In carrying out my invention, the overshoe A may be of any desired shape
or construction, and upon the inner edge of the opening is arranged an inflatable
rubber tube B, said tube being preferably wedge-shaped in cross section, the
broad end being uppermost so that any movement of the overshoe from the shoe
proper will be prevented after the tube has once been inflated, as it will be readily
understood that the tube acts as a wedge and not only prevents the entrance of
dirt and water, but also prevents the overshoe slipping off. In order to permit
the shoe to be inserted into the overshoe and the tube inflated afterwards, I
employ a bulb C, which is preferably arranged in the heel portion of the overshoe
and connected with the inflatable tube at the rear end by means of a pipe D,
said bulb being provided with the ordinary inlet valve at the forward end,
and the pipe D may be provided with any suitable construction of check-valve
to prevent the air escaping from the tube B after it has once been inflated.
By means of the bulb C connected to the inflatable tube B, as before described,
it will be seen that as the shoe is inserted into the overshoe, the heel will bear
upon the bulb C and force the air therefrom, and the capacity of said bulb is

page_text: such that the entire tube B will be fully inflated and the overshoe securely
fastened upon the shoe. An outlet valve E of any suitable construction is pre-
ferably arranged in the inflatable tube B at the forward end thereof, and whenever
it is desired to withdraw the overshoe the said valve E is operated to release
the air from the tube B and the shoe can then be easily removed.
At the rear
end of the tube B is arranged an inlet valve F by means of which the tube can
be inflated from the outside by means of a bulb or pump in case the bulb C
should become inoperative, and in this connection it will be understood that any
form of bulb or pump may be used in connection with the inlet valve F.
In Figure 3 the inflatable tube B is shown separable from the overshoe proper,
it being vulcanized or cemented thereto in any suitable manner, while in Figure 4,
said tube is made integral with the shoe, the edge of the opening being drawn or
turned and cemented down, as indicated, to provide the tube.
It will thus be seen that I provide an exceedingly simple and efficient means for
rendering the overshoe tight against dirt and water, and at the same time securely
fastened to the shoe to prevent slipping from the shoe proper.
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. An overshoe having an inflatable tube surrounding the upper edge of the
opening, substantially as shown and described.
2. An overshoe having an inflatable tube in the upper edge of its opening,
and means contained within the overshoe for inflating the said tube, substantially
as shown and described.
3. An overshoe having an inflatable tube surrounding the inner edge of the
opening, and the bulb arranged within the heel portion of the overshoe, and
connected with the inflatable tube, for the purpose of inflating the same, sub-
stantially as shown and described.
4. An overshoe having an inflatable tube surrounding the inner edge of the
opening, said tube being essentially wedge-shaped in cross section, whereby the
overshoe is held against slipping on the shoe proper, substantially as shown and
described.
5. An overshoe having an inflatable tube surrounding the inner edge of the
opening, an inflating bulb arranged within the heel portion of the overshoe and
connected with the tube, and the outlet valve arranged at the forward end of
the tube for the purpose of releasing the air from the tube when it is desired
to remove the overshoe, substantially as shown and described.
Dated this 12th day of December 1899.
BOULT, WADE & KILBURN,
Agents for the Applicant.