Improvements in Socks for Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1893

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Socks for Boots and Shoes.
I, THOMAS BARKER of 6 Patmos, Todmorden in the County of York,
Sewing Machine Agent do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to loose socks or soles which are worn inside boots and.
shoes as a means for protecting the feet against dampness, and its object is to
produce a sock in which the disadvantages of other makes of socks are obviated
and by which warmth for the foot and insulation from dampness are obtained, and
which yet will absorb the perspiration from the foot and allow the air to circulate
between the sock and insole of the boot or shoe.
In order that my invention may be readily ascertained and carried out, I have
hereunto appended a sheet of drawings on which
Fig. 1, shows a view of the underside of my improved sock in two modifications,
and Fig. 2, a longitudinal section of the same, to which reference will be made in
the following statement.
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My invention consists in certain improvements on the manufacture of socks
described in Specification No. 7830 of 1886, in which Specification a sock formed
of layers of horsehair or cork, "swansdown or other soft material and woven wire
is described. It is found in practice that the woven wire will not stand the
continual bending caused by the action of the foot in walking and breaks, and
other hitherto used perforated material is equally unsuitable from the same cause
or because it impedes the absorption or passage of the perspiration of the foot.
My improvements consist mainly in forming the underside of the sock of a layer
of strips of split cane, whalebone or similar flexible material not readily absorbing
moisture instead of wire netting, which strips may be interlaced as the strips a and b
shewn at the heel part of the sock on Fig. 1, or crossed transversely as strips c
and d shewn at the toe part, or crossed diagonally and leaving spaces between the
strips. The underside of this layer I preferably gild with metallic gilt or coat it
with enamel or other suitable preservative means for completely preventing the
absorption of damp or moisture from the sole of the boot or shoe. Upon this
bottom layer I preferably place an intermediate layer e of some springy, fibrous,
or porous material such as horsehair, straw or cork. Over this place another
layer of "swansdown," felt, knitted worsted or similar substance which will
readily absorb perspiration or moisture, or permit it to pass through, and being at
the same time comfortable to the sole of the foot. The three layers are then
suitably bound together by sewing them with threads g or by binding the edges h,
or otherwise. In some cases I may omit the intermediate layer.
A sock thus made may be thinned at the toe for about two inches or so of its
length by taking away the cross or diagonal strips of material or the intermediate
layer of horsehair or the like for this part, to suit persons who desire little padding
under their toes.
This manner of construction procures the following advantages: By the gilt or
enamelled bottom layer, the intermediate layer, and with it the upper or moisture
absorbing layer, is isolated from the insole of the boot or shoe, thereby preventing
the moisture from the wet sole from being sucked into the upper layer and coming
into contact with the foot, and permits the air to circulate freely under the sock or
between the intermediate layer and the insole of the boot or shoe, which has the
effect of keeping to some extent the insole dry and the foot warm, and of permitting
the evaporation of the moisture absorbed by the upper layer from the foot. The

page_text: cane or similar fibrous flexible wood is not liable to become broken with the
continual bending like wire, but is durable and preserves its flexibility.
The sock constructed as hereinbefore described may be placed loose into a boot
or shoe, or be attached to the insole or made up with the same.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
'claim is:
1. The manufacture and use of socks for hoots and shoes composed of a bottom
layer of interlaced or crossed strips of cane, whalebone or similar flexible material
not readily absorbing moisture, or coated so as to prevent absorption of moisture,
and a top layer of soft woven felted or knitted fabric with or without an inter-
mediate layer of elastic porous material, such as horsehair, straw, cork and the like
substantially as hereinbefore described.
2. In socks for boots and shoes the use and arrangement of a layer of openly
interlaced or crossed strips of cane substantially as and for the purpose herein-
before described.
ليمي
1
T
2000
R. J. URQUHART,
57, Barton Arcade, Manchester, and 5, Clayton Square, Liverpool,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent.