Improvements in Removable and Interchangeable Heels for Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Jan., 1897-Accepted 6th Mar.. 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Removable and Interchangeable Heels for Boots
and Shoes.
I ARTHUR FRIEDRICH of 10 Sachen-Allée, Dresden, in the Empire of
Germany, Manufacturer, 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 and accompanying drawings:-
My said invention relates to removable and interchangeable heels for boots
and shoes. For this class of heel it is essential that the attachment should be
secure and without the slightest tendency to looseness, while at the same time
the joint between the heel and the sole should be so tight that no gaps or orifices
are left to collect dirt or admit damp. Lastly there should be no difficulty in
removing and replacing the heels, the attachment of which should be of so simple
a nature that the maker, salesman or user should be able to make the require 1
change with ease and celerity.
All of these requirements have been provided for in the arrangement which
forms the subject matter of the present invention. Briefly stated I make use of
interlocking parts or plates one fastened to the sole of the shoe or boot and the
other to the heel. These plates are formed with S shaped margins which engage
with each other when slipped together, the heel being held in position by a snap
spring which prevents it from coming off.
The invention will however be best understood by a reference to the annexed
sheet of illustrative drawings and to the following detailed description thereof.
Fig. 1 is a side view of the rear end of a boot sole carrying the interlocking
sole plate.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the underside of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of a boot heel containing the interlocking heel
plate intended to engage with the sole plate.
Fig. 4 is a plan view of the upper side of Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is a cross section of Fig. 4 at the line a.
Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the heel fixed in position on the rear
end of the boot.
The
The upper or sole plate a and also the heel plate b are both formed round their
margins with S shaped interlocking grooves and made to fit one within the
other and to interlock so that when slipped together they adhere by engaging
with each other. To bring about this mutual engagement the heel plate bis
slipped from behind upon the sole plate a and interlocks with the same.
sole plate a corresponds to the outline of the rear of the boot of shoe A and is
secured by screws or nails to the sole. As plainly appears by Figs. 1 and 6 the
sole plate a is formed at its margin with an undercut S shaped groove extending
all round the plate except at the front. At the front of the sole plate a is a
channel or depression g. The plate a is or may be sunk into the material of the
boot or shoe and an inclined margin d is left round the plate. The heel plate b
is similarly sunk in the material of the heel leaving an inclined margin c opposite
and similar to the margin d. The heel plate 6 is secured to the heel by any
suitable means, for instance the material of the heel might be pressed through
countersunk holes o in the plate b; this would be specially suitable in the case of
heels of gutta percha. The heel plate 6 is furnished with a tee-headed spring j
occupying a recess or depression in the plate b.

page_text: When it is desired to place the heel on the boot or shoe, the heel is slipped on
from behind, the male portion m of the S shaped margin of the heel plate b
engaging with the female portion of the S groove of the sole plate and inter-
locking therewith. The spring f of the heel plate at the same time snaps into
the depression in the sole plate, the shoulders f¹ f¹ on the tee head abutting
against the end of the sole plate and preventing the return of the heel. The
inclined surfaces d and c come closely together and prevent all access of dirt or
moisture. To take off the heel it is only necessary to depress the spring till
the shoulders f1f1 clear the end of the sole plate whereupon the heel may be
slipped off. Instead of a depression g in the sole plate I might provide projections
or stops to engage with the spring f.
A heel fixed in the manner hereinbefore described remains firmly attache: and'
does not become loose with any amount of wear.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the saine is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is.
1. As means for rendering the heels of boots or shoes easily removable and
interchangeable, the interlocking sole and heel plates a and b secured respectively
upon the sole and heel and having S shaped interlocking margins in combina-
tion with a spring for other equivalent means for securing and retaining the heel
upon the boot or shoe substantially as described and shown.
2. The general arrangement, construction and combination of parts for rendering
the heels of boots and shoes easily attachable and detachable, substantially as
hereinbefore described and as shown.