Improved Heels for Boots, Shoes and the like.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Apr., 1899-Accepted, 2nd June, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Heels for Boots, Shoes and the like.
I, CHARLES MCCLUSKY BERRY, residing at the Commercial Hotel, Pacific Street
and Montgomery Avenue, in the City and County of San Francisco, State of
California, U.S.A., Gentleman, 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:
-
My invention relates to an improved elastic heel for boots, shoes and other like
foot-wear. It consists essentially in the construction of a heel made of rubber
or other suitable elastic material with a series of ribs and intermediate dividing
depressions which diverge from a point essentially in the axis of curvature of the
rear semi-circular portion of the heel toward the front of the heel, and forming
lines upon which a separation of one or more of the ribs may be effected for the
purpose of changing the transverse diameter and the shape of the heel to fit sizes
smaller than the original largest size.
It also comprises a series of similar transverse ribs and depressions across the
front of the heel to indicate similar lines of transverse cleavage to correspondingly
reduce the length of the heel, and details of construction which will be more
fully explained by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-
The figure is a perspective view of a heel shewing my improved construction,
with a wedge comprising one of the ribs removed.
The object of my invention is to provide an elastic heel for boots, shoes, and
other foot-wear, which heel can be made in one or two sizes, and by means of
designated lines of cleavage, portions of the material may be removed so that the
heel can be closed up to bring the sides together where the portion has been
removed, and thus compress the heel, altering its curvature and shape to fit any
size within its range, smaller than the original larger size.
The front portion of the heel has similar lines of cleavage so that a propor-
tionate amount may be removed therefrom, leaving a symmetrical heel with
means by which it may be firmly attached to the boot or shoe.
A is the heel which consists of a segmental block of rubber of any desired
thickness, having the rear portion curved approximately into a semi-circular
form and essentially straight sides extending from the ends of the semi-circular
portion to the front where these ends meet the straight transverse front portion A¹
of the heel.
The central portion of the heel is formed into ribs B, the inner ends of which
converge to a point C which is approximately the centre of the rear semi-circular
portion of the heel.
These ribs may be of any desired number, and they diverge from their common
centre C to the front A¹ of the heel as shewn.
Between these ribs are deep grooves or channels D which form lines of cleavage,
upon which lines the ribs may be cut out so that any one or more of them may be
removed at will.
The whole number of ribs thus form a divergent or fan-shaped structure which

page_text: is slightly depressed inwardly from the bottom surface of the heel so as to have
somewhat less depth than the exterior surroundings portions.
Around the periphery of the heel, and at suitable or desired points, are made
countersunk holes E which serve to receive nails or other fastenings by which
the heel may be secured upon the corresponding portion of the boot or shoe, the
heads of the nails being concealed by the countersunk openings and prevented
from contact with the surface upon which the wearer walks.
The periphery of the heel is slightly converged from the upper surface toward
the lower so as to correspond in shape with the lines of the remainder of the
heel to which it is secured.
Across the front portion of the heel a series of ribs F are formed with inter-
mediate depressed grooves similar to those shown between the ribs B, and these
grooves form lines of cleavage across which the heel may be cut to give it the
proper length proportioned to the diameter.
These elastic heels may be made of two or more sizes one size being sufficient
for the largest boot or shoe made and the other an intermediate size between
the largest and smallest, the largest being taken if it is necessary to reduce it
to fit a boot or shoe two or three sizes smaller.
As many of the ribs B may be removed by cutting through the material on the
lines D of cleavage as will allow the front portion of the heel to be closed together
until its transverse diameter is equal to that of the heel to which it is to be
affixed, and this compression taking place about the centre of curvature of the
rear of the heel, will thus alter its shape so that the whole form of this elastic tread
will conform to the heel upon which it is to be placed.
As the length of the full sized heel is also proportionately greater than that
of the smaller sizes, one or more of the transverse sections F may be also cut off
from the front in straight lines, thus bringing the heel to the proper shape and
size to fit the required position, the opening formed by the removal of the wedge-
shaped sections B being thus closed together the elastic tread is nailed or other-
wise firmly secured to the heel and is in readiness for use.
The same operation and reduction may take place in the next smaller size and
thus only two standard sizes of heels need to be manufactured as all intermediate
sizes can be produced by simple removal of a sufficient number of the ribs B
and F.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1st. An elastic heel for boots and shoes having a series of ribs divergent from
a common centre toward the front of the heel with intermediate channels of
cleavage between the ribs.
2nd. An elastic heel for boots and shoes having divergent ribs with inter-
mediate channels of cleavage formed upon the bottom of the heel and similarly
separated transverse ribs extending across the front portion of the heel.
Dated this 27th day of April 1899.