Improvements in or relating to Gaiters or Leggings.
Year: 1898

page_text: eprinted as amended in accordance with the decision of the Chief Examiner, dated
the 8th day of September 1899.
Date of Application, 29th Dec, 1898-Accepted, 1st Apr.,
1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (AMENDED).
-
Improvements in or relating to Gaiters or Leggings.
We, ROBERT FRANCIS GARTSIDE TIPPING, Lieutenant Colonel commanding 1st
Bengal Lancers, now stationed at Dilkusha, Oudh, India, and WILLIAM WALTER LEAN,
Lieutenant-Colonel, commanding the 5th Bengal Cavalry, now stationed at Cawnpore,
North Western Provinces, India, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and the manner in which the same is to be performed to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
It consists substantially of a gaiter of leather or other suitable material cut and
made somewhat in the form and manner of the top of a jack or riding-boot except
that it is not sewn or riveted into cylindrical form, but 18 to be closed at the back of
the leg when put on by means of certain springs and catches and a key (the spur rest
key) as hereinafter described and which said gaiter, with certain changes as to its
bottom edge which is prolonged and varied in shape according to the mode of spur
fasteners with which it is to be used as hereinafter detailed, is intended to be worn
and used in conjunction (1) with the Lean spur fasteners in conjunction with
projections as described in the Complete Specification No 27432 December 29th 1898
left with the application of the said William Walter Lean numbered and dated as last
aforesaid with the exception that the key which closes the lower part of the Tipping
Lean boot gaiter as hereinafter described will form the spur rest instead of the usual
form of spur-rest fixed as a projection on to ankle boots gaiters tubes or leggings (2)
with a spur with the ordinary spur straps or (3) with a spur fastened on by means
of a metal slot fixed at the end of each spur arm and a revolving metal key riveted
on each side of the boot-gaiter tube or legging which penetrates such alot and is then
turned round (Figs. 7 and 8 showing the shape and design of the slot and key and
Fig. 9 showing a spur fastened on by their means), the advantage of this kind of
fastening being that it dispenses with a spur strap under the instep while at the
same time it makes the falling off of the spur impossible.
In all cases there is an open front arch which permits of the instep being fully
seen and being accessible for the retying of laces and the like when worn and which,
being cut deep, prevents any twisting round even when no under fastening is employed
when walking.
The back portion of the lower edge of the bootgaiter is (approximately to a point
well clear of the front edge of the heel of the boot over which it is worn) out
obliquely on both sides of the leg, the direction being upwards from the rear to the
front in a line approximately half an inch below and parallel to the line of the bottom
edges of the spur-arms as situated when the spur is lying true and parallel to the
general line of the sole of the boot when the foot is flexed into the riding
position, that is with the toe pointing slightly upwards while the heel is depressed
forwards.

page_text: The central portion of the lower edge of the boot gaiter is cut exactly parallel to
its back edge as above described but at a lower level, and the distance away from it
18 thus determined. When slight downward tension is applied to the bootgaiter the
back bottom corner of this central lower edge should be just clear of the junction of
the front edge of the heel with the sole of the boot while the front bottom corner
should be the intersection of the line of the above mentioned obliquely cut lower edge
of the back portion of the boot gaiter (supposing the said line to be produced till such
intersection occurred) with the vertical side of the front arch of the boot gaiter. At
all intersections of lines the corners are slightly rounded off.
"
In case (1) above referred to the boot gaiter is entirely open at the bottom and 18
kept from rising on the leg by the employment of the "Lean spur fasteners In
conjunction with projections as stated above. If dummy spurs are required to be
worn the Lean spur fasteners can be replaced by a spur chain with pear-shaped
links or a simple strap with button holes punched at each end such chain or strap to
pass under the instep and he adjusted to projections on the boot gaiter or boot. In
cases (2) and (3) above referred to the boot gaiter is held down by a loop of plain
leather or other suitable material some 14 inches wide attached on both sides to the
bottom edges of the boot gaiter and with its back edge perpendicularly just clearing
the front edge of the heel. This loop is passed over the toe of the boot as the boot-
gaiter is put on and brought into position for closing at the back of the leg. If it be
desired to have a means of altering the tension on the bootgaîter this loop may be
replaced by a strap and buckle attached one on each side of the bootgaiter to fasten
under the instep. In those cases where no strap and buckle is employed but amply
the loop it will often be found preferable that the seat of the loop under the foot should
be brought a little further forward towards the toes by making the front edge of the
loop the perpendicular prolongation of the two sides of the front arch rather than that
the back edge should only just clear the heel so that an exact fit over the instep be
obtained.
+
The bootgaiter is closed by means of 2 tempered metal (steel for choice) springs
arranged by means of sewing and rivets (the latter not being absolutely necessary
but being desirable as they cause the two edges of the bootgaiter to fit more closely
together) to lie along the two approximately vertical edges of the bootgarter with the
leather forming a sheath to such springs and hiding the flat portion of them from
view and these two edges meet at a pomt situated approximately inch (in the
direction of the inner side of the wearers leg) inside of what would be the course of a
straight line drawn up the back of the leg from the centre of the back of the heel at
right angles to the earth whereby the junction is kept out of view and yet not
sufficiently forward to interfere with a free grip of the leg in riding while at the
same time it 18 made extremely difficult for any extraneous body to force itself
between the two edges of the boot gaiter especially as the outerside is the overlapping
one and points inwards. But although there are the above mentioned advantages in
making the two edges of the boutgaster to meet at the place above described, the sail
edges in ay be made to meet at any desired point in the circumference of the leg subject
only to the limitation that the spur rest key must not be brought so far forward towards
the front of the leg as not to serve the purpose of a spur rest.
Both springs have a slight bend in the form of a bow given them in opposite
directions so that when their two central surfaces are touching each other and the
extremities open they look in profile like an elongated X. They also are tempered as
far as possible to the same degree. This causes the two springs to lie in a straight
line when the extremities are locked, ensures the two edges of the bootgaiter keeping
continuously close together, and facilitates the release of the upper spring from the
lower one when the spur rest key, bereinafter described, has been turned round by
hand preparatory to opening the boot gaiter.
If it be so desired a slight bulge can be given to the back of the bootgaiter at any
point but as it complicates the manufacture it is not to be recommended.
In all cases where no rivets are employed or if there is any danger of the spring
being torn or working out of its leather sheath it is advisable to have two small holes
i

page_text: at the opposite ends of each spring to permit of its being stitched on to its enveloping
leather sheath.
The upper extremities of these two springs are locked in one of three ways (1) by
the Junction of a metal stud (preferably fixed to the upper spring) with a pear
shaped slot in the opposing spŕmg. This slot must be so arranged that, when closing
the bobtgaiter, not till the stud has slid to the very extremity of the narrow end- of
this slot shall the two upper edges of the boot gaiter become level or the spur rest
key (for closing the lower extremities of the springs as hereinafter described) be
exactly opposite its own slot hole; the object being to prevent any pressure being
brought on the spur rest key and any movement of the two springs taking place after
they are once locked (2) by the insertion of one spring (with its upper end narrowed
the requisite length, beyond two shoulders and the point slightly bent to facilitate
the insertion) into a correspondingly shaped socket, riveted on the other and opposing
spring (3) by means of a slot and revolving locking key similar in shape and position
(inasmuch as the key is attached to the under spring and the narrow end of its
opposing slot in the upper spring points upwards) to that described hereafter as the
spur rest key but made of smaller size so that the key is not so prominent.
The speed in closing is much the same in (1) and (2). No. (3) 18 distinctly
slower and has only' simplicity to recommend it. No. (1) is rather neater than (2).
No. (2) has this advantage over Nos. (1) and (3) that, should by any possibility
any extraneous body gain entrance between the two edges of the bootgaiter and
excessive tension -be the result, the springs would not break but the upper ends
would simply be wrenched apart and the wearer would be freed, while at the
same time the spur-rest by remaining closed would prevent the bootgaiter from
falling off.
The lower extremity of the two springs is closed by a revolving key (the spur-reat
key) of metal or other suitable material of special design which key is attached to
the under-spring and passes through a pear-shaped slot in the upper spring which
becomes opposed to it after the upper ends of the two springs have been fully locked.
This key is then turned round half a circle so that its thin end points downwards and
forms the rest for the spur. In practice it will be found that this key will never open
of itself, but to allay any anxiety 'on this score a thin metal plate, with two very
slight protuberances horizontally situated one near each side of it, can be riveted on
to that portion of leather over which the arm of this key revolves; or if it be
thought that the friction will wear out the leather this portion of the spring can be
left uncovered so that the key (whose shank will be correspondingly shortened by
increasing the depth of its arm) only slides over metal, the leather of the bootgaiter
being correspondingly cut off.
In this last case it will be necessary that the length of the spur rest key be shorter
than the width of the spur arms so that the upper edge of the spur may protrude
over the leather and to affix a small projection on the upper spring to permit of its
being riveted on the unsupported leather of the bootgaiter at its bottom edge to
prevent the latter turning up. The spur itself also keeps the bootgaiter from
opening if the spur rest key gets turned by any chance. To prevent rust it is
recommended that the two springs be painted with non-corrosive paint or be oxydized
in some way. It is also advisable that some distinctive mark (say a small circular
piece of soft leather with letter "L" beneath it) should be affixed inside the left
bootgaiter in the centre about one inch from the top so that it can be felt in the dark
and looked for in the light to accelerate recognition as to whether the gaiter is for
the right or left leg.

page_text: Figure 4. (Scale full size.)
is employed at the top.
Figure 5. (Scale
full size.)
Figure 6. (Scale fall size.
Upper spring in full face when the socket fastening
Under spring in full face do. do. do. do.
Figures 4 and 5 in profile, partially looked i.c. when
the slot in Figure 4 is exactly opposite the spur-rest key in Figure 3 and only needs
pressing down till the spur-rest key penetrates it and protrudes prior to being turned
round half a circle.
17 15
11- 1
+ 34
Figure 7. (Scale full size.) Metal slot fixed to each end of spur arm.
Figure 8 (Scale full size.) Revolving metal key riveted to bootgaiter on each side
in prolongation of the spur arm which penetrates the slot in Figure 7 and is then
turned round.
Figure 9. (Scale rd full size.) Bootgaiter with ankle boot (in form of butcher
boot) in profile being outside view of right leg showing loop under instep and spur
locked by the slot and key shown in Figures 7 and 8.
Figure 10. (Scale full size.) Inside view in profile of boot gaiter (right leg)
showing the shape when worn in conjunction with the Lean spur fasteners after
tension has been applied to the strap.
Figure 11. (Scale full size). Plan of inside view of boot gaiter (right leg) in
form of butcher boot with strap and buckle which go under the instep opened out
prior to packing the bootgaiter.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our sand inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
olaim 18.-
(1) An improved form of gaiter or legging fastening at the back of the leg by
means of the springs fastenings or catches and spur rest key above described and the
form and application to all forms of gaiters leggings or appers "of such springs
fastenings or catches and spur rest key.
"
(2) The use thereof in conjunction (1) with the Lean spur fasteners and projections
with the substitution of the spur rest key for the ordinary spur rest or for any other
kind of spur rest as stated above or in conjunction with duminy spurs worn with a
«pur chain or ordinary strap as herembefore described (2) with the ordinary spur
straps and spur or (3) with a spur fastened by means of a metal slot fixed at the end
of each spur arm and a revolving metal key riveted on each side of the tube or gaiter
or legging which key penetrates such slot and is then turned round as above described
and shewn in Figures 7, 8 and 9.
Dated this 22nd day of November 1898.
Witnessed:
EDWARD PALEY, Colonel,
R. GARTSIDE TIPPING, Lt.-Colonel,
1st Bengal Lancers.
Northwood, Simla, 22nd Nov. 1898.
Signed by William Walter Lean before me
this 25th day of November, 1898,
W S. BAILEY, J.P.,
Cantot. Magistrate,
Cawnpore.
W. W. LEAN, Lt.-Col,
Comdg. 5th Ben Cavly.