Improvements in Socks for Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Dec., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 8th Sept., 1893--Accepted, 14th Oct., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Socks for Boots and Shoes.
I, ERNEST SMITH of 8 Fitzroy Street Northampton Foreman Clicker do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved sock to be placed in boots or shoes, and
has for its object to provide one which will render walking less fatiguing.
In walking, the heel, on which considerable weight lies, is almost without any
spring, causing at times considerable jarring to the body if the foot slips, while the
front part of the foot is naturally springy. In order to compensate this defect, I
provide a removable sock, which may be placed in any boot or shoe having a
spring at the heel formed from a pad of indiarubber, a metal spring, pneumatic
cushion or like device. I prefer to form the sock with a strip of indiarubber,
which thins off gradually towards the front, extending if desired, to the toe, the
sole being composed of very thin material. The ordinary felt or cloth is placed on
top of this and attached by cement or otherwise, and cloth or canvas at the
underside.
Dated this 9th day of December 1892.
GEO. H. RAYNER,.
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Socks for Boots and Shoes.
I ERNEST SMITH of 8, Fitzroy Street, in the Borough of Northampton,
Foreman Clicker, 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 an improved sock to be placed in boots or shoes, and
it has for its object to provide one which will render walking less fatiguing.
In walking, the heel, on which considerable weight is put, is almost without any
spring, causing at times considerable jarring to the body if the foot slips, while the
front part is in itself naturally springy.
In order to compensate for this inequality I provide a removable sock which
may be placed in any boot or shoe, having a springy part at the heel, formed
preferably by a pad of india-rubber or other suitable inaterial, or a pneumatic
cushion or like device.
The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings
in which
Fig. 1, is a vertical cross section, and Fig. 2, a plan of a sock constructed according
to my invention.
Fig. 3, is a vertical cross section showing alternative arrangement.
Likė letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
In carrying out this invention, the central portion of the foundation, a, may be
cut away at the heel and the opening filled by an elastic pad b, formed preferably
of india-rubber, the pad may be provided with a flange, b', by means of which it is
secured to the foundation a, of the sock by preferably cementing the flange to the
underside of the foundation as shown. The covering material, c, of felt cloth or
other suitable material is carried over the pad and may be secured to the edges of
the foundation a, at the heel by cementing or stitching.

page_text: In Fig. 3, the elastic pad is shown with an interior air space, 62, which is filled
with air and may be hermetically closed or constructed so as to be capable of
reinflation, pads or cushions of this description may be constructed of india-rubber
or a combination of rubber and canvas, or other woven fabric.
In some cases the elastic pad or cushion may be placed between the foundation
and the covering material, or an elastic pad or cushion. suitably shaped may be
substituted in place of the ordinary foundation at the heel, and the inner edge of
the pad secured to the foundation of the fore part of the sock..
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) A sock for a boot or shoe with an elastic pad or cushion at the heel
substantially as herein described.
(2) The combination with a sock for a boot or shoe of an elastic heel pad or
cushion, such as b, substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
or cushion
(3) The combination with a sock for a boot or shoe of a pneumatic pad
such as b, ¹, substantially as described and illustrated in Fig. 3, of the
accompanying drawings.
(4) The complete sock for a boot or shoe constructed substantially as herein
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 7th day of September 1909.
ERNEST SMITH.
W. P. Thompson & Boult,
Agents for the Applicant.