Improvements in or applicable to Foot-ball, Cricket, Tennis, and other Athletic Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Aug., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Apr., 1890-Accepted, 24th May, 1350
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or applicable to Foot-ball, Cricket, Tennis, and
other Athletic Boots and Shoes.
1, GEORGE WORRALL of 139 Morton Street, Longsight, Manchester, Boot and Shoe
Maker do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be as follows :-
:―
The object of this invention is to produce a hoot for foot-ball, cricket, tennis or
other analogous athletic purposes with improved india rubber grips securely held in
position and which are less liable to slip than the grips hitherto used.
In performing my invention I employ an india rubber base of the form of and
which extends to the edge of the outer sole and which is hereinafter called the inter-
mediate sole. From the face of this intermediate sole project blocks or pieces of india
rubber forming the improved toe pieces and side pieces hereinafter called the improved
grips.
I secure this intermediate sole in position between the outer and inner sole of the
boot or shoe having previously formed holes in the outer sole corresponding in shape
to the projecting india rubber grips to allow the same to pass through and so project
beyond the surface of the outer sole.
In this manner I effectually secure the intermediate sole in position as a clump sole
say by stitching, rivetting or screwing.
In accordance with another arrangement of my invention I form the intermediate
sole smaller so as to permit the same to be surrounded by a runner of leather to form
the welt and which runner thus constitutes a receiver to receive and keep the inter-
mediate sole in position and which is finally secured by the outer sole perforated and
affixed as previously described.
Instead of the improved grips forming one piece with and all rising from one
intermediate sole 1 sometimes construct the same as separate attachable pieces and
which in this case are surrounded by a flange of india rubber faced on the outside
with leather to enable the same to be secured on the ordinary sole of a boot by
rivetting or screwing. These attachable india rubber grips are for some purposes
capable of being affixed by means of metallic frames having spikes on their inner face
or may be pegged screwed or otherwise secured in position.
Although only described with reference to the soles it will be apparant that the
improved grips are equally applicable to the heels of new or existing boots.
Dated this 6th day of August 1889.
JOHN G. WILSON,
Patent Office, 55, Market Street, Manchester, Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or applicable to Foot-ball, Cricket, Tennis, and
other Athletic Boots and Shoes.
I GEORGE WORRALL of 139 Morton Street Longsight Manchester Boot and Shoe
Maker 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:
The object of this invention is to produce a boot for Foot Ball Cricket Tennis or
other analogous athletic purposes with improved india rubber grips securely held in
position and which are less liable to slip than the grips hitherto used.
In performing my invention 1 employ an india rubber base of the form of a boot
sole and which extends to the edge of the outer sole and which is hereinafter called
the intermediate sole; from the face of this intermediate sole project blocks for

page_text: forming the improved toepieces and sidepieces, of india rubber, hereinafter called the
improved grips.
secure this intermediate sole in position between the outer and inner sole of the
boot or shoe having previously formed holes in the outer sole corresponding in shape
to the projecting india rubber grips to allow the same to pass through and so project
beyond the surface of the outer sole to any height required and the face of the grips
may be plain or grooved as the player may desire.
In this manner 1 effectually secure the intermediate sole in position as a middle
clump sole say by stitching rivetting or screwing.
In accordance with another arrangement of my invention I form the intermediate
sole smaller so as to permit the same to be surrounded by a runner of leather to form
the welt and which runner constitutes a receiver to receive and keep the intermediate
sole in position which is finally secured by the outer sole perforated and affixed as
previously described.
Again after the upper is lasted I skive round the edge of the lasted upper and cover
with a solution of raw gutta porcha and benzoline; when dry I again cover round the
edge of the lasted upper with a layer of gutta percha in its soft or boiled condition
and having covered the under face of the india rubber middle sole to which the grips
are attached with solution I then while the gutta percha is soft press the india rubber
middle sole into its place. I then form the outer sole of gutta percha-leaving the
rubber grips projecting or level with the leather bottom as previously described.
Instead of the improved grips forming one piece with and all rising from one
intermediate sole I sometimes construct the same as seperate attachable pieces which
in this case are surrounded by flanges of india rubber faced on the outside with leather
to enable the same to be secured on the ordinary sole of a boot by rivetting or
screwing these attachable india rubber grips are for some purposes capable of being
affixed by means of metalic frames having spikes on their inner face, or may be
pegged screwed or otherwise secured in position.
Although only described with reference to the soles it will be apparent that the
improved grips are equally applicable to the heels of new or existing boots.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
First. That india rubber being impervious to water is less liable to slip on wet or
greasy land than leather which the present grips are made from.
Second. That india rubber being springy is easier and more comfortable to the
tread of the foot and less likely to injure a player in case of accident.
Third. That the idea is new useful and novel and a great improvement on anything
existing at the present timefor the purpose for which it is intended namely a safe sure
and perfect Foot Ball Cricket Tennis or Athletic Boot grip.
Dated this 19th day of April 1890.
AXA3
GEORGE WORRALL,
139, Morton Street, Longsight, Manchester.