Improvements in or relating to Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Apr., 1894-Accepted, 9th June, 1894
Improvements in or relating to Boots and Shoes.
A communication from KONRAD VON MEYENBURG, of Schipf Herliberg, near
Zurich, in the Republic of Switzerland, now resident in Dresden, Saxony, in
the Empire of Germany, Student.
1, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323, High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Agent, 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 relates to a spring insertion or sock for boots and shoes which is
illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings in side elevation and
plan.
The insertion consists of a thin plate or sheet A of good spring steel or other
elastic metal, such as hard sheet brass. It forms a blade or plate-spring extending
over the entire length of the sole, and, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 is bent and
shaped to correspond. From the plan Figure 2 and inverted plan Figure 5 it will
be seen that it approximates to the conformation of the foot.
A shoe provided with this new insertion is shown, in longitudinal section, in
Figure 3, in cross section in Figure 4, and in Figure 5 as seen from beneath, the
leather sole being removed.
In these figures, B is the leather sole, C the inner sole, D the upper leather, and
E the heel. The plate-spring A is laid between the sole B and the inner sole C,
in such manner as to occupy the space between the welts d of the upper see Figures 4
and 5. As regards the fastening of the inserted spring-plate, it is to be remarked
that it can suitably be done by setting it in pitch laid over the entire surface
covered by it. Further the plate can be fastened by means of the holes a punched
out with corresponding projecting prongs or teeth; the pitch fills up the holes and
the teeth catch in the inner sole. The back end of A, which is inserted above the
front part of the heel may be pegged fast (see Figures 3 and 5). The dotted line
in Figure 3 indicates the elastic effort of the spring-plate A on the lifting of the
foot.
A modification in the form of the plate A by means of a graduation in its breadth.
in various places would effect any desired graduation in its elasticity. Moreover,
the same end may be attained by a suitable proportionate graduation of the thickness
or tempering, or by punching holes in any desired places. In case the spring A be
made of steel, it can be protected from rust by interposed waterproof layers or a
casing of suitable material.
The objects of the insertion described are manifold. The insertion extending
over the whole length of the sole, each step is made under conditions of elasticity
which impart springiness and vigour and reduce fatigue. The hollow of the foot,
and the instep, is supported, which prevents the formation of a flat foot; this
defect is even corrected by prolonged wearing of foot-gear fitted with this invention.
On the other hand, the well-known insertions, such as socks of felt or rubber etc.,
which are used by flat-footed persons have no such effect whatever except in
conjunction with the spring-plate described. Further, the shoe etc. preserves its
pristine form; it cannot he trodden down, the toe cannot turn up, nor can the sole
turn inwards. Hence follows the greater durability of the sole, because the wearing
surface is larger as the contact between the sole and the ground is more complete.
When the shoe, etc., is not in wear, the insertion approximates in effect to a last,
i.e. it strives to maintain and restore the original form of the shoe, etc.

page_text: It is also to be observed that with the well-known short springs which are word
in the region of the hollow of the foot, the above-mentioned stretching of the sole
and holding down of the toe cannot be attained; moreover, those short springs
have this disadvantage, that their ends, through continued scraping, rapidly
destroy the sole. As compared with these antiquated devices, the entirely new
feature of this invention consists in the insertion extending over the entire length
of the sole.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is ;-
Spring insertions for the soles of boots and shoes consisting of a plate such as A
of steel or other elastic metal embedded between the leather sole and the innersole
extending over the entire length of the sole and bent to correspond in form.
Dated this 11th day of Anril 1894
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.