ELASTIC PNEUMATIC HEEL FOR BOOTS AND SHOES
Year: 1884

page_text: ALEXANDER HARRIS VALDA 3 Adie Road the Grove Hammersmith W in tho
County of Middlesex Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
ELASTIC PNEUMATIC HEEL FOR BOOTS AND SHOES to be as follows:-
The objects of this invention are to cause a supply of air and give ense to the
feet by counteracting the concussion caused whilst walking with shoed or covered
feet. I construct the heels of boots and shoes of a metallic frame formed of one
circunscriptive and one, two or more circumscribed parts so arranged as to
collapse like the body of a telescope. The circumscriptive part I form with a flat
perforated top to receive screws by which the complete heel is fastened to the boot
or shoe.
Under the said top I fit a metallic plate in which are two air chambers in the
bottom of one is an inlet valve and in the other an outlet valve between the plate
and the perforated top is a washer of leather or any suitable material and through
both the washer and plate are perforations corresponding with those in the top of
the frame. In the washer are two gaps the same width as the air chambers
directly over and leading to corresponding gaps formed in the frame, to the gap
leading to the inlet valve. I fasten a spiral wire lined tube or any suitable tube
which is carried up near the extremity of the back part of the boot or shoc & left
open at the top for the admittance of air which is drawn in by the expanding
action of the heel and to the gap leading to the outlet valve I fasten a similar tube
which is carried round the side of the boot or shoe through which air is forced
into branch tubes the ends of which are inserted in any desired parts of the boot
or shoe for the discharge of air which is forced through by the collapsing action of
the heel. In the frame is fitted an eccentric spiral spring, the frame being covered
by a waterproof elastic jacket or case of any suitable material and between the
jacket and circumscriptive part of the frame I use packing in order to keep the
contrivance watertight and to give the saine good appearance which is fastened at
the bottom by a peculiar shaped tip in order to give good hold for the screws by
which the complete heel is fastened to the boot or shoe. I fasten a metallic plate
forined with suitable bosses to receive the said screws.
Dated this 10th day of January 1884.

page_text: I, ALEXANDER HARRIS VALDA of 3. Adio Road, The Grove, Hammersmith
Middlesex, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my invention for ELASTIO
PNEUMATIC HEEL FOR BOOTS AND SHOES and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
The objects of this Invention are to cause a supply of air and give case to tho
fect by counteracting the concussion caused whilst walking with shoed or covered
feot; I construct the heels of boots and shoes of a metallic frame formed of one
circumscriptive and one two or more circumscribed parts so arranged as to collapse
-like the body of a telescope, the circumscriptive part I form with a flat perforated
top to receive screws-by which the complete heel is fastened to the boot or shoe,
under this said top I fit a metallic plate in which are two air chambers, in the
bottom of one is an inlet valve and in the other an outlet valve, between the plate
and perforated top of the frame I use a leather or any suitable washer, through
both the washer and plate are perforations corresponding with those in the top of
the frame, in the washer are two gaps the same width as the air chambers directly
over and leading to corresponding gaps formed in the frame, to the gap leading to
the inlet valve I fasten a spiral wire lined or any suitable tube which is carried up
near the extremity of the back part of the boot or shoe left open at the top for the
admission of air which is drawn in by the expanding action of the heel, and to the
ga leading to the outlet valve I fasten a similar tube which is carried round
the side of the boot or shoe, through which air is forced into branched tubes, the
ends of which are inserted in any desired parts of the boot or shoe for the discharge
of air which is forced out by the collapsing action of the heel, in the frame is fitted
an eccentric spiral spring, the strength of which Igage in proportion-to-the weight
of the wearer making due allowance of strength for the counteracting action of the
jacket and frame, that is to say that when the wearer is standing on one leg free
the heel shall nicely collapse. In order to make the contrivance thoroughly water
tight, the frame is covered with a jacket or case of india-rubber or any suitable
elastic material, which is made just to fit the frame when collapsed, also having
the material thick enough to be moderately strong when stretched the full depth of
the expanded frame, this said jacket or case is formed with a flat top and a
marginal bottom the edge being finished with a roll. I also form the angular
edges thicker in order to increase the wear. I fasten the jacket or caso and frame
to the boot or shoc at one time and with the same screws. I fasten the bottom of
the jacket the same time as the tip and with the same screws. Between the jacket
and circumspective part of the frame, I use packing to give the heel a good shape.
I use a peculiar shaped tip which is formed to press all over the marginal botton
of the jacket. In order to protect the heads of the screws by which the tip is
fastened to the frame, concavo convexities are formed to receive them. I form tho
Hull part of the frame with a marginated bottom, the margin finishing flush with
the exterior siles of the circumscriptive part of the frame. I also form concavities
round this said bottom to receive the convexities formed on the tip. In order to
stop up the gap left in the centre of the bottom of the heel I use a metallic or any
suitable lining which may be marginated concaved. This lining is put in its placo
before the jacket or tip is fastened to the frame. If concaved the convexity may
be filled up with composition, or any suitable material. The frame may be
provented from expanding beyond the desired limit by means of studs and slots or
grooves which are arranged so that the studs on one member of the frame work in
corresponding slits or grooves formed in the member next to it. I do not restrict
myself to the use of the pneumatic action combined with the elastic action. Where
tho pneumatic action is not required the valves are left out, also the discharge

page_text: tubes and corresponding gaps in the frame and washer.
The suction tube I leave
in its place with the corresponding gaps in the frame and washer for a free passage
of air in order to stop the vacuum which would stop the action of the heel, it will
be readily seen that the same result may be obtained in several ways, therefore
I wish it particularly understood that I do not restrict myself to the ono way that
I have just described to obtain the desired result. The frame can be of two
members only, or when a spiral band spring is used, there need only be sufficient
of the top and bottom projecting over the sides to keep the spring in its place.
The spring can be loosely riveited to the top and bottom, or the eccentric wire
spring and jacket can be formed in one, the top and marginal bottom being rivetted
on afterwards, all of which are modifications of the same invention.
In order that my Invention may be the more readily seen and understood, I
have hereunto annexed a sheet of drawings in partial illustration of my invention,
like letters marked thereon have reference to similar parts.
Figure 1 is a plan of an elastic heel fitted with the pneumatic contrivance. A is
the elastic jacket; B is the packing; C is the circunscriptive member of the frame;
D and E are the circumscribed members; F is the spring room; G is the valve plate;
RR are the rivets which fasten the valve flaps His the outlet valve; I is tho
inlet valve. Figure 2 is a section through K K in figure 1 when the heel is
collapsed is the heel part of the sole of the boot or shoe; QQ are the screws by
which the heel is fastened to the boot or shoe; W W W is the washer, a a is the
clastic jacket; B B is the packing; cc is the circumscriptive part of the frame
dd and c c are the circumscribed parts of the frame; the parts marked F shows
the spring is the out let valve, 1 is the in let valve; N N is the concaved
lining; O is the composition; V V is the tip; Figure 3 is a section through P P in
figure 1 when the heel is expanded II are the screws by which the tip and jacket
are fastened to the frame; Figure 4 is the bottom part of the frame showing the
bosses marked B; Figure 5 is the washer with perforations and gaps; Figure 6 is
the spring; Figure 7 is the metallic frame G G are the gaps which lead to the
inlet and out let valves; the slits are marked 2, and the bosses B; Figure 8 is a
section of a heel with an eccentric spiral band spring when the heel is collapsed
BB is the packing AA is the band spring cc is showing part of the bosses;
Figure 9 is another section of the same heel ee is the bottom part of the frame;
I wish it understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details or relative
dimensions herein before set forth and described; especially with regard to the
spring and jacket as any suitable gaged spring or any suitable jacket will answer.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the saine is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is,―
I. A spring heel for boots and shoes with or without valves and tubes for
ventilating purposes substantially as described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
II. In spring heels with or without ventilating apparatus the spring illustrated
in tigs 2, 3 & 6, and the tip V.
III. In spring heels the use of an elastic protecting jacket a, substantially as
described.
IV. In spring heels with ventilating apparatus the combination of the washer W,
the lining N, valves H, I, inlet and outlet tubes substantially as described.
Dated this 3rd day of November 1884.
ALEXANDER HARRIS VALDA,