IMPROVEMENTS IN 'TIPS' OR 'HALF TIPS FOR BOOTS AND SHOES, IN FITTING UP THE SAME, AND IN DEVICE OR APPARATUS THEREFOR
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Walter Alfred Barlow, of 6, St. Paul's Churchyard,
London, Patent Agent and Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
'TIPS' OR 'HALF TIPS FOR BOOTS AND SHOES, IN FITTING UP THE SAME, AND
IN DEVICE OR APPARATUS THEREFOR."
Sealed the 9th July 1878, and dated the 11th January 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Walter Alfred Barlow at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th January 1878.
WALTER ALFRED BARLOW, of 6, St. Paul's Churchyard, London, Patent Agent
and Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN TIPS OR HALF TIPS' FOR BOOTS AND
SHOES, IN FITTING UP THE SAME, AND IN DEVICE OR APPARATUS THEREFOR."
"
The object of this Invention is to provide a tip" or "half tip" for boot and
shoe heels that shall present a less surface of metal than has hitherto been practi-
cable, and that surface at the part most required to be protected, facilitate the
fastening or securing of the tip, and so as to reduce the clanking sound arising from
metal-shod heels and the weight of metal used.
Heretofore tips have been used consisting of a strip of bent metal (of substan-
tially horse-shoe form) extending around the heel, and fastened by nails or screws
passed therethrough.
Again, this class of tip has been varied by being used as a "half tip" and
similarly attached, that is, the strip of bent metal employed extends about one-half
or two-thirds around the heel only.
Another class of tip, chiefly used for ladies' high-heeled boots or shoes, has been
employed consisting of a plate of metal (brass generally) extending over the whole
of the bottom of the heel.
Again, tips or plates have been made extending entirely around the heel; that is,
as a rim, enclosing or extending around the top of facing leather, of circular or
other form corresponding to the shape of the heel, and with a facing leather cut to
fit the space within the outer and surrounding rim of metal,

page_text: Now in all these arrangements of tips there are the great objections,―
First. That the heads of the nails, rivets, or screws by which they are secured,
wear down, and the tips come loose and are lost.
And, Second. That there is a far greater quantity of metal exposed than is
required, and the same gives rise to that clanking sound which is the chief objection
to metal-shod heels.
In the tips which form the subject of this my Invention I make the metal plate
with an edge which I will call the "wearing edge," which extends and is presented,
when fitted, along the back edge of the leather of the heel, and extending more or
less to the right or left, or immediately at the back part of the heel at the point
which is liable to wear; the plate extending underneath the top or facing leather
and lying flat upon the under leather or "lift," and being perforated or cut away so
as to allow of the nails or rivets serving to secure the said facing leather to the
heel, passing freely through into the leathers or lifts making up the heel.
The "wearing edge" of these tips is made so as to fit along the shape or curve
of the back part of the heel, and the plates are of such dimensions as to be within
the circle of which the curve at the back of the heel is a segment, so that the
wearing edge of said tips may, in fitting, be placed to the right or left of the central
longitudinal line of the boot without the plate extending out from under the facing
leather, and thus a small number of sizes of tips will be readily applicable to
the fitting or repairing of boots or shoes for many different people, as will be
well understood, it being borne in mind how differently one person "treads" to
another.
In fitting the tip in making up the heel the only additional work to that
ordinarily practised is to cut away a piece or recess at or through the back edge of
the facing leather corresponding to the "wearing edge" of the tip. This forming
of the recess at the back edge of the facing leather may be done by cutting with
an ordinary knife after "marking out;" but it will be found more convenient to
employ a special tool having a curved or gouge-shaped edge with a "returned" edge,
or for perforating the facing leather and letting in the tip it will be formed
continuously, so that the part of the leather to fit the "wearing edge" of the tip
may be cut away in one or more cuts.
و.
For the wholesale trade the facing leathers of the heels are cut or stamped out
by knives or cutter dies; and these knives, for the purpose of this Invention, I
form with a recess at the curved or back part corresponding to the "wearing edge
of the tips; and I cut out the facing leathers with these knives in the ordinary
press; and I may further stamp or pierce the leathers with holes for nails or rivets,
either at this stage or subsequently.
To produce a new article of commerce, and further to facilitate the adoption of
this Invention, I take the facing leathers, stamped or cut out as a described, and also
the metal tips, and rivet the two parts together in juxtaposition, so as to form a
complete top or facing "lift" for the heel; and then, if deemed desirable, subject
the said facing lifts to the action of superheated steam or boiling liquid, and then
to presure in a hydraulic or other press to compact the same and harden the leather,
or soak them merely before pressing. In this form they may then be put into the
market, and any workman can apply the same in the ordinary process of making
or repairing boots or shoes.
ss
In the preparation of the tip," as last described, trays or boards will be
employed, the surface of which will be formed with shallow recesses to receive and
hold the "tips." The recess will be of less depth than the thickness of the tips, so
that whilst they are conveniently held together they may be readily subjected to
the requisite degree of pressure. The upper pressing block or head may be
engraved with any required device to stamp upon the leathers of the tips.
In conclusion, I would remark that without the plate extending under the top
leather between said top leather and the lift of the heel it is impossible to secure
an edge or partial rim of metal upon a heel without passing nails, screws, or rivets
through the edge; and again, it is impossible to secure a light edge of metal, such

page_text: as is herein contemplated, and such as to produce no appreciable clanking sound,
but yet sufficient to prevent the undue wear of the heel, by means of rivets passed
therethrough, as such rim would be unsupported; and would carry away by reason
of the wear, and within a very short time of the boots being used for walking
purposes.
Although I have described these "tips" or wearing edges as applied to the heels of
boots and shoes they may be applied with advantage to the edges and toes of boots
and shoes.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filled by
the said Walter Alfred Barlow in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 11th
July 1878.
WALTER ALFRED BARLOW, of 6, St. Paul's Churchyard, London, Patent Agent
and Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN TIPS' OR 'HALF TIPS' FOR BOOTS AND
SHOES, IN FITTING UP THE SAME, AND IN DEVICE OR APPARATUS THEREFOR."
The object of this Invention is to provide a "tip" or "half tip" for boot and
shoe heels that shall prevent a less surface of metal than has hitherto been practi-
cable, and that surface at the part most required to be protected from wearing, to
facilitate the fastening or securing of the tip, and so as to reduce the clanking sound
arising from metal-shod heels and the weight of metal used.
Heretofore "tips" have been used consisting of a strip of bent metal (of substan-
tially horse-shoe form) extending around the heel, and fastened by nails or screws
passed therethrough.
Again, this class of "tip" has been varied by being used as a "half tip" and
similarly attached, that is, the strip of bent metal employed extends about one-half
or two-thirds around the heel only, and is secured by nails or rivets passing through
the metal strip into the heel.
Another class of "tip," chiefly used for ladies' high-heeled boots or shoes, has
been employed consisting of a plate of metal (brass generally) extending over the
whole of the bottom of the heel.
Again, "tips" or plates have been made extending entirely around the heel; that
is, as a rim, enclosing or extending around the top of facing leather, and of circular
or other form corresponding to the shape of the heel, and with a facing leather cut
to fit the space within the outer and surrounding rim of metal.
Now in all these arrangements of "tips" there are the great objections,―
First. That the heads of the nails, rivets, or screws, by which they are secured,
wear down, and the tips come loose and are lost.
And, Second. That there is a far greater quantity of metal exposed than is
required for protection from wearing, and the same gives rise to that clanking sound
which is the chief objection to metal-shod heels.
In the "tips" which form the subject of this, my Invention I make the metal
plate with an edge which I will call the "wearing edge," which extends and is

page_text: 1
presented, when fitted, along the back edge of the leather of the heel, and extending
more or less to the right or left side of or immediately at the back part of the heel
at the point which is liable to wear; the plate extending underneath the top or
facing feather, and lying flat upon the under leather or "lift," and is perforated or
cut away so as to allow of the nails or rivets serving to secure the said facing
leather to the heel, passing freely through into the lower leathers or lift making
up the heel.
The wearing edge of these tips is made so as to fit along or in the shape or
curve of the back part of the heel, and the plates are of such dimensions as to be
within the circle of which the curve at the back of the heel is a segmental arc, so
that the wearing edge of said tips may in fitting be placed to the right or left of
the central longitudinal line of the boot or shoe without the plate extending out
from under the facing leather, and thus a small number of sizes of tips will be
readily applicable to and of great advantage in the fitting up or repairing of boots
or shoes for many different people, as will be well understood, it being borne in
mind how differently one person "treads" to another.
In fitting the tip in making up the heel the only additional work to that
ordinarily practised is to cut away a piece or recess at or through the back edge of
the facing leather corresponding to the wearing edge of the tip. This forming
of the recess at the back edge of the facing leather may be done by cutting with an
ordinary knife after "marking out" (that is, marking out on the facing leather the
dimensions of the wearing edge of tip to be fitted); but it will be found more
convenient to employ a special tool having a curved or gouge-shaped edge with a
"returned edge," or for perforating the facing leather and letting in the tip the tool
will be formed with a continuous cutting edge, so that the part of the leather to fit
the wearing edge of the tip may be cut away in one or more cuts.
For the wholesale trade the facing leathers of the heels are cut or stamped out
by "knives" or cutter dies; and these knives, for the purpose of this Invention, I
form with a recess at the curved or back part corresponding to the wearing edge
of the tips; and I cut out the facing leathers with these "knives" in the ordinary
press; and I may further stamp or pierce the leathers with holes for nails or rivots,
either at this stage or subsequently.
To produce a new article of commerce, and further to facilitate the adoption of
this my Invention, I take the facing leathers stamped or cut out as described, and also
the metal tips, and rivet the two parts together in juxtaposition, so as to form a
complete top or facing lift for the heel; and then, if deemed desirable, subject
the said facing lifts to the action of superheated steam or boiling liquid, and then
to pressure in a hydraulic press to compact the same and harden the leather; or I
soak them merely before pressing. Nail holes or perforations for rivets may at this
stage be pierced in the leathers by stamps fitted with pins, as will be well under-
stood. In this form they may then be put into the market, and any workman can
apply the same in the ordinary process of making up or repairing boots or shoes.
In the preparation of the "tip," as last described, trays or boards will be
employed, the surface of which will be formed with shallow recess to receive and
hold the tips and facing leathers. These recesses will be of less depth than the
thickness of the tips and leathers, so that whilst the combined articles are con-
veniently held together and in order they may be readily subjected to the requisite
degree of pressure. The upper pressing block or head may be engraved with any
required device, such as a trade mark, to stamp upon the leathers of the tips. The
pins for piercing nail holes in the leathers may also be secured in the said pressing
block or head of the press.
Although I have described these tips or wearing edges as applied to the
heels of boots and shoes they may be constructed so as to be applied with advantage
to the side edges and toes of boots and shoes, the plate extending in these cases
under the sole leather, and the wearing edge being fitted to a recess in the edge of
the sole at the part liable to wear.
The tips are manufactured in bronze or iron metal that is sufficiently hard, and

page_text: are either cast or stamped out from blanks formed from rolled bars, upon which
bars raised parts corresponding with the wearing edges of the tips are formed by
recesses in the "rolls."
In the accompanying Drawings,-
Fig. 1 is a plan of tip, and diagram indicating in dotted lines the plan of heel
and circle, of which the curve at the back of heel is a segmental arc, and also inner
circle, beyond which the tip plate will not extend in adjusting the tip rim or
wearing edge of tip to the right or left of the heel.
"
Fig. 1 is a side view of the "tip" represented in Fig. 1.
Fig. 2, a plan of facing leather of heel with portion cut away to receive the
wearing edge" of the tip.
Fig. 3, plan of heel fitted with tip complete.
Fig. 4, like view with wearing edge of tip adjusted and fitted to the left of the
central longitudinal line of boot or shoe.
Fig. 5, plan of tip as fitted upon a heel previously to fitting or attaching facing
leather.
Fig. 6, plan of tip of different dimensions; and Fig. 7, perspective view of a tip
made according to this Invention.
Fig. 8, plan of tip designed for "French heels;" and Fig. 9, sectional elevation
of same.
Figs. 10 and 10a, plan and side view respectively of rolled bar with raised parts
or lumps thereon for purpose of forming blanks for stamping out the tips by
ordinary stamps or dies.
Fig. 11, perspective elevation of chisel tool for use in cutting recess in facing
leather for reception of the wearing edge of tip by hand process.
Figs. 12 and 12s are plan and sectional elevation at line x, x, of Fig. 12 respec-
tively of stamping "knives" formed with a recessed edge corresponding to the
position that wearing edge of tip is to occupy on the heel, said knives being for the
purpose of cutting out the facing leathers.
Fig. 13 represents a portion of tray with recesses therein for receiving and
pressing the facing leather and tips together.
Liko letters refer to similar parts throughout the Drawings.
a is the wearing edge of tip; b, the perforated or pierced plate thereof; c is the
lower lift or heel upon which the tip is laid, and is secured by a pin or rivet d for
purpose of facilitating the fixing in position of the tip whilst adjusting the facing
leather e.
In Fig. 8 the wearing edge of tip is formed, as shown, to fit the form of the back
of heels, and to allow of the patterns "drawing" from the mould in casting.
In Figs. 10 and 10ª fare lumps from which the wearing edge of the tips will be
formed in stamping.
In Figs. 11 and 12 and 12 g are the cutting edges of the knives or cutters.
In Fig. 13 h are recesses in the press plates or trays for subjecting the leathers
and tips to pressure when same are prepared together, as described. The tips in
this case will have one or more rivet holes provided in the plates b for reception of
rivets to secure the tips and leathers together.
In conclusion I would remark that without the plate extending under the top
leather between said top leather and the "lift" of the heel it is impossible to secure
an edge or partial rim of metal upon a heel without passing nails, screws, or rivets
through the edge; and again, it is impossible to secure a light edge of metal, such
as is herein contemplated, for the "wearing edge," and such as to produce no
appreciable clanking sound, but yet sufficient to prevent the undue wear of the
heel, by means of ordinary "through"
" rivets or screws, as such rim would be
unsupported, and would "carry away" by reason of the wear, and within a very
short time of the boots being used for walking purposes.
Having now described the particulars of my said Invention in such wise that it
may be readily carried into practical effect, I would remark that I lay no claim to
the pressing or preparation of leather apart from this Invention; nor do I claim

page_text: «
the cutting knives, except as and for the purpose herein specified; but I claim the
Improvements in Tips' or 'Half Tips' for Boots and Shoes, in Fitting up the
same, and in Device or Apparatus therefor."
In witness whereof, I, the said Walter Alfred Barlow, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eleventh day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
WALTER A. BARLOW. (L.B.)