IMPROVEMENTS IN RUBBER OR ELASTIC • BOOTS, AND LASTS FOR MAKING THE SAME THEREON
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Martin Benson, of No. 9, Southampton Buildings,
London, for the Invention of “IMPROVEMENTS IN RUBBER OR ELASTIC
•
BOOTS, AND LASTS FOR MAKING THE SAME THEREON."-A communication
from abroad by Issac Frazer Williams, of the Town and County of
Bristol, in the State of Rhode Island, United States of America.
Scaled the 4th May 1875, and dated the 5th February 1875.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Martin Benson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and
Declaration, on the 5th February 1875, pursuant to the 9th
Section of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, MARTIN
BENSON, of No. 9, Southampton Buildings, London, send greeting.
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
RUBBER OR ELASTIC BOOTS, AND LASTS FOR MAKING THE SAME THEREON," and
have petitioned Her Majesty to grant unto my executors, admini-
strators, and assigns, Her Royal Letters Patent for the same, and have

page_text: made solemn Declaration that it is a communication to me from abroad
by Isaac Frazer Williams, of the Town and County of Bristol, in the
State of Rhode Island, United States of America.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Martin Benson, do hereby declare
that the following Complete Specification, under my hand and seal, 5
fully describes and ascertains the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, in and by the following
statement:-
My said improvements relate to that class of boots the foot and leg of
which are composed of compound fabrics made up of woven or braided 1
goods and vulcanized rubber.
The object of my Invention is to provide for a waterproof rubber boot
a well fitted high top or leg and a close fitting ankle, and my said
Invention consists in a leg extension composed of vulcanized rubber and
textile fabric constructed in overlapping sections, and combined with a 1
practically seamless footed portion, which is composed of vulcanized
rubber and textile fabric, and possesses a water excluding capacity, and
also a wide free opening for receiving the foot, and capable of being
closely drawn to the ankle after the foot is inserted.
My Invention further consists in a novel last of special value in the 2
construction of my novel boots. Said last has a foot section and a leg
section, with certain novel outlines at the sides, front, and rear, whereby
when my novel rubber boots are fitted thereto and vulcanized thereon
they will closely fitt the foot, ankle, and leg of the wearer.
Heretofore high topped rubber boots with legs of ordinary length have
only been made with an excessively large ankle, and this has been
heretofore unavoidable.
In the use of high legged rubber boots there exists an undue tendency
to perspiration of the legs and feet of the wearer, but my improved boot
affords good ventilation around the foot and leg and free circulation of a
air, and at the same time possesses a perfect water excluding capacity
from the sole to a point a trifle below or considerably above the ankle
joint, as may be desired, and if the ventilating capacities be slightly
abridged the water excluding capacity may readily be extended even to
the top of the highest boot leg.

page_text: Benson's Improvements in Elastic Boots, &c.
Refering to the accompanying Drawings, of which Fig. 1 represents.
one style of boot embodying my Invention; Fig. 2 represents the same
with the "bellows" or double flap opened, and the front and rear leg,
sections folded down to receive the foot of the wearer; Fig. 3 represents
the same partially opened; Fig. 4 represents the same in top view;
Fig. 5 represents the same in rear view.
Figs. 6, 7, and 8 represents respectively in side elevation, top and rear
view, another style of high top boot embodying my Invention.
Figs. 9, 10, and 11 represents in side elevation other styles.
Fig. 12 represents one of my improved lasts in side elevation; Fig. 13
the same in rear elevation; Fig. 14, the same in horizontal section at the
ankle; Fig. 15, the same in horizontal section near the upper end of the
leg section.
A waterproof rubber foot in combination with a leg extension com-
posed of vulcanized rubber and cloth and constructed with overlapping
sections constitutes the novelty in my Invention.
In all the Figures the leg extension constitutes that upper portion
which substantially terminates at or near the ankle. The leg in its
construction is susceptible of considerable variety in cut and arrangement
of the parts composing it, and I show several styles, all of which embody
my Invention.
In Figs. 1 to 5 the same boot is shown in different positions.
A denotes the "bellows" flap, one of which is on each side of the boot.
The bellows flap feature in itself constitutes no part of my present
Invention, as it is described in certain Letters Patent issued to me by
the Government of the United States of America, in September 1872.
For the purpose of this Specification it is only necessary for me to
describe it as composed of corresponding flaps which project from the
front and rear quarters, as shown, and which are united one to the other
at their outer edges by a vulcanized rubber seam, rendering the boot or
shoe water-tight and practically seamless to the top of the flaps. The
leg is composed of a front and a rear section, marked respectively B
and C. The flaps A in this instance are secured by a buckle and a strap
passing around the rear of the ankle. The leg sections may be secured
by an elastic strap and buttons, as shown, or by a simple strap of proper
elasticity secured permanently to one or both of the sections. When

page_text: folded down, as shown in Fig. 2, a large opening is presented, whereby
the wearer may insert a shoe-clad foot without difficulty. When closed
and buckled about the leg of the wearer a snug close fit is attainable,
thereby presenting an appearance of neatness quite equalling that here-
tofore attained with boots in similar styles composed of cloth and leather;
at the same time as high as the ankle line the boot is a seamless
structure, and as perfect a guard against the entrance of water as rubber
boots of ordinary construction. The folding of the so-called "bellows "
flap affords a free ventilation not practically attainable with ordinary
rubber boots, while at the side or sides of the leg the overlapping sections
afford equal or greater facilites for preventing undue prespiration of the
parts covered thereby.
In Fig. 5 the rear view of the boot shown in Fig. 1 illustrates to what
degree a shoe with a double flap may be drawn upon a thin ankle, and
it will be obvious that the leg of such a boot will, while admitting of 1
comparatively free circulation of air, readily be made to conform to the
contour of the leg of the wearer.
In Figs. 6, 7, and 8 I show a boot of a different style. The front and
rear leg sections are connected from the dotted line by an upward
extension of the double flap, whereby the wearer may wade in water
nearly to the top of the boot leg without wetting the foot. In this style,
as no strain or wear is liable thereto, the interior folding portion of the
leg flaps may be made of the lightest possible fabric, properly waterproofed
in order that the bulk of the overlapping portions may be reduced to a
minimum.
Fig. 9 represents a boot with the double or so-called "bellows" flap
overlapped toward the instep and secured by a strap, as shown. In this
style the leg flaps may be provided with the bellows" feature extended
wholly to the top, or they may be like those shown in Fig. 1 above
the dotted line, in which case they may be secured by elastic straps,
by buttons, or by any other of the well known and suitable modes of
fastening.
a
In Fig. 10 I show a boot having the double or "bellows" flap, which
extends from a point on the instep to the top of the leg. With this
general style however the overlapping leg section may be made single,
as in Fig. 1, and secured as suggested in connection with previous
Figures.

page_text: In Fig. 11 I illustrate another style of boot. The leg is constructed
in sections substantially as those previously described, and may be made
with the double or "bellows" flap extending upward from the counter,
or with the simple overlapping feature already described. Such boots
may be made on lasts which are composed of foot and leg sections
detachable or connected, and after vulcanization the two leg sections of
the boot are folded to front and rear, which admits of the ready with-
drawal of the foot last.
All of the styles of boots shown illustrate a novelty in the art and
trade, which consists of a practically seamless waterproof foot, with a
leg equally seamless or otherwise, as described, which can be made to
snugly fit the wearer at ankle and calf, protect against moisture, and yet
be practically free from the liability of unduly inducing perspiration.
In using the term "seamless" I am to be understood as refering to the
fact that although my boots will generally be composed of several
sections it is to be understood that at the points where the sections are
joined rubber compound is applied, and absolute unity effected by sub-
sequent vulcanization, and that a practically homogeneous continuity
therefore exists between the rubber in the sections and that applied
between them, which renders the boot practically seamless; at least,
there exists no greater possibility for water to enter between the sections
so joined than at any central portion of any one of the sections. The
leg sections, whether provided with the "bellows" flap or the simple
overlapping feature may be cut with a view to presenting an outline
conforming in the finished boot more or less strictly with the outlines of
an artist's ideal, and by that means secure a symmetrical effect never
before attained to my knowledge in rubber goods of this general class.
It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to any of the par-
ticular styles herein shown, as I am aware of the great variety in which
it is obviously practicable to embody my Invention, the novelty of which
consists in the combination of a vulcanized rubber and cloth foot,
which is a practically seamless structure, with a leg composed of vul-
canized rubber and cloth, and constructed in sections which overlap,
whereby it is made possible to produce what as never before been
known, so far as my knowledge extends, namely, a boot composed of
textile fabric and vulcanized rubber, which possesses the desirable water
excluding characteristics of the ordinary rubber boot, obviates the
tendency to undue perspiration of the parts enclosed, and admits of a

page_text: close snug fit at and above the ankle and about the calf of the leg,
closely approximating to that heretofore attained in boots constructed
composed of leather or cloth. To winter travellers my boots are
invaluable, as the feet and lower portions of the legs are thereby warmly
clad, with but little if any more tendency to perspiration than with the
ordinary boots composed of leather.
My improvements in lasts for making my close fitting rubber or elastic
boots consists in certain novel outlines or configurations of the front
vertical leg line above the instep, also of the rear vertical line extending
from the heel past the ankle to the top of the leg, and also of the
vertical side lines extending from the foot past the ankle to the top of
the leg.
As shown in the Drawings the last is composed of a leg and a foot
section, the dividing lines being adjacent to the ankle. Instead of this
horizontal dividing line between the two sections the line may be an
irregular one, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 12. It is not essential
in their use that the last be made in two pieces, although preferable that
they be so made, and secured together by a central screw rod, as they
are stronger and less liable to crack and split during the vulcanizing
process.
In the manufacture of boots composed of cloth and rubber, as hereto-
fore practised, an arbitrary form for the boot has been always derived
from the last on which such goods were vulcanized. The outlines
attainable heretofore in these goods have been only those which could be
employed or embodied in the last without interfering with its withdrawal
from the finished boot. In other words the lasts have heretofore been
constructed on the general principles of pattern making in the art of
casting metals, and only operative when the subject of "draught" had
been fully considered and amply provided for. In most cases, by reason
of the textile fabrics employed in connection with the gum, the boots
are non-elastic, especially at the ankle, by reason of the overlapping of
the fabrics adjacent to that point in effecting unity of foot with the leg.
For this reason a close fitting ankle has been heretofore practically un-
attainable, because the foot last could not be withdrawn through a small
opening. The production of a new line of goods, of which I believe
myself to be the Inventor, the characteristics of which are a practically
seamless water-tight foot and a leg composed of textile fabric and gum,

page_text: constructed with overlapping leg sections, has demonstrated the practi-
cability of constructing boots closely fitting at the ankle and leg by
means of my novel lasts.
Refering to the Drawings, in Fig. 12, two of the novel features of
my lasts are shown. First, in the front leg line, as at b. In leather
boot trees and in leg lasts as heretofore employed in the manufacture of
rubber goods, the front leg line is so drawn from the instep upward that
when the heel is applied to the boot the front leg line of the boot will
incline forward more or less. In some instances the front leg line has been
vertical, or in a right line to the horizontal tread line "a" of the last.
In my novel last this front leg line 6 is inclined backward from a vertical
line, preferably approximating more or less closely to 81 degrees from
the tread line a. This front leg line if based upon the outline of the
average human leg, would be inclined slightly forward, and in making
"overboots" it would seem to be requisite to incline it still further
forward, in order that provision might thereby be made for the leg of
the inner gaiter or boot usually worn by ladies, for instance. In
practice, however, with the overlapping leg sections, it is found that if
the front leg section of the rubber boot be drawn unduly to the rear
for a fit to the front leg line, that a wrinkle is induced extending from
the instep toward the heel; but on the other hand, if the leg of the
wearer carries the front leg section of the boot forward no such wrinkle
occurs. Therein lies the value of the receding front leg line b.
The second novel feature, shown in Fig. 12, consists in the rear leg
line c.
In leather boot trees and leg lasts as heretofore employed in the
manufacture of rubber goods the rear leg line has either been nearly at
right angles to the tread line, inclining outward gradually to the top, or
it has been nearly vertical to the ankle and then curved slightly to the
rear, thence upward in a nearly straight line to the top of the leg.
Theretofore a boot vulcanized on such a last, as has heretofore been used,
has a rear leg line which does not and cannot conform to any substantial
degree, to the rear outline of the human leg, ankle, and heel. It is to
attain this object that this second novel feature of my last is intended.
This rear line c is a novel outline in a boot last, in that it curves inward
from the large part of the heel to the ankle, thence curves outward to a
point above the ankle, and thence continues to the top of the leg in a
line approximately corresponding to the rear calf line of a symetrical
human leg, but at the same time it is preferable that the upper portion

page_text: of the outline be carried somewhat to the front of the average rear
vertical calf line, instead of excessively to the rear of said average calf
line, for the same reasons as those set forth in connection with the front
leg line, that is, if the rear leg section is of necessity drawn forward to
fit the vertical rear line of the leg; a fold or wrinkle occurs at or near
the ankle, but if on the other hand, the rear section be carried to the
rear to attain the fit no such wrinkle occurs.
In Fig. 13 the third novel feature is shown, and it consists in the
vertical concave side lines at d. Heretofore in boot trees and in such
leg lasts as have for a long time been employed in the manufacture of 1
rubber goods, the vertical side lines from the widest part of the foot
below the ankle have been practically straight in a vertical line to the
ankle, thence to the top of the leg by a straight but upwardly inclined
line, or in some cases by an outward curve upward from the ankle for a
short distance, thence to the top of the leg line in a vertical straight line, 1
in order that, as before stated, a practical "draught " of the leg last may
be effected. Therefore by the use of such trees or lasts a boot with a
close fitting ankle could not be produced. By reason of these concave
side lines a boot with a close fitting ankle is attainable.
The last here shown has substantially correct proportions for a No. 2 2
rubber last, and from these proportions a last maker can readily
determine the requisite proportions for lasts of other sizes. The lateral
sectional outline at the ankle and at the top of the leg are also shown,
which when taken in connection with the side and rear views of the last
afford sufficient data from which lasts may be readily made. It is of 2
course impossible for me to prescribe any particular angles or curves to
be followed in the construction of my last, but in the Drawings I have
shown proportions of width of the leg at various points from front to
rear, and thickness of same from side to side, which have been proven
practically to meet esential requirements. It will be of no benefit to $
change the lines by carrying them farther to the rear, as in the front leg
line, or farther to the front in the rear leg line, or farther inward in the
concave side lines. On the other hand, while no benefit will accrue by.
advancing somewhat to the front leg line, or carrying the rear leg line
farther to the rear, nor lessening the depth of the concavity of the said a
lines, yet they might be varied in the ways stated and effect approxi-
mately valuable results. Believing it to be new in a last having a foot
and a leg to have the front leg line recede from a line which is a right

page_text: line to the tread line, and that it is also new in such a last to have a
concave rear line between the heel and leg, and also new for such a last
to have vertical concave side lines, I claim broadly those features if
embodied in such a last to an extent which will give to the last the
practical value herein described.
Having thus described my Invention, what I claim as new is,—
1st. A. boot composed of textile fabric and vulcanized rubber pro-
vided with a practically seamless foot composed of vulcanized rubber
and textile fabric, and a leg. also composed of vulcanized rubber and
textile fabric constructed with overlapping sections, substantially as
described.
'
2nd. In a last having a foot and a leg, the receding front leg line,
substantially as described.
3rd. In a last having a foot and a leg the concave outline at the rear
of the leg, ankle, and heel, substantially as described.
4th. In a last having a foot and a leg the concave side lines with
the greatest depth adjacent to the ankle, substantially as described.
5th. A last having a leg and foot with an outline at the front of the
leg which recedes to the rear from the instep upward, a concave outline
at the rear of the leg adjacent to the ankle, and concave side lines, sub-
stantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Martin Benson, have hereunto set
.