IMPROVEMENTS IN THE HEELS AND SOLES OF BOOTS AND SHOES
Year: 1843

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
VERITY, of Leicester Street, Regent Street, in the County of Middlesex,
Boot and Shoe Maker, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Third day of July, in the seventh year of Her reign, did, for
Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said James
Verity, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I,
the said James Verity, my exors, adñiors, and assigus, or such others as I,
the said James Verity, my exors, adñiors, or assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times during the term of
years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Inven-
tion of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE HEELS AND SOLES OF BOOTS AND SHOES;" in which
said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I, the said James Verity, shall
cause a particular description of the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's
High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the
same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
James Verity, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention, and
the manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully described and
ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had

page_text: My Invention relates,-
First, to the so constructing revolving heels of boots that they may have a
spur box and moveable spurs applied thereto; and the improvement in con-
structing spur boxes is applicable when making heels of other boots and shoes
when the heels do not revolve.
Secondly, my Invention relates to modes of applying spikes or roughings
to boots and shoes.
Thirdly, my Invention relates to a mode of constructing or making the soles
of boots and shoes when cork is used.
And, fourthly, my Invention relates to combining cork and wood with india
rubber to be introduced in the construction of soles of boots and shoes. And
in order that my Invention may be fully understood and readily carried into
effect, I will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 represents part of a side view of a boot. Figure 2 shows a plan
thereof, having a revolving heel applied thereto, and in such manner as to
allow of a spur box and moveable spur being applied thereto. Figure 3
shows a side section of the heel. Figure 4 shows a transverse section of
the heel. Figure 5 shews a plan, a side section, and a back end view of
the spur box. Figure 6 shows a plan and side view of the spurs when
the spur boxes are to be applied when making heels of boots and shoes
where the heels do not revolve. Figure 7 shows a plan and section of the
revolving heel separately. Figure 8 shows upper & under plans, and a
section of the metal case, within which the revolving heel is retained; and
Figure 9 shows a plan and side section of the plate to which the spring
of the spur box is affixed, no more than the spring being required when the
plate g is used, there being, however, studs to prevent lateral motion to the
stem of the spur. a, a, is the revolving heel, which has a metal plate b affixed
thereto, having a hole through the centre tapped with a female screw.
c, is a
stud by which the heel is prevented turning when in use. d, is a screw which
enters the female screw in the centre of the revolving heel; this screw passing
through is upheld by the spring e, which is affixed to the projecting internal
ring of the case f, each end of the spring having a slotted hole to allow of
play; hence the heel will be constantly held upward by the spring, and the
stud c entering one of the holes c', in the ring of the case f, prevents the heel
turning when in use, but, by drawing the heel outwards, the stud will be

page_text: drawn out of the hole c', and then the heel may be turned a quarter round,
the stud will then enter another hole c', and the spring will, when permitted,
again draw up the heel. The plate g is affixed to the heel of a boot by
means of screws at h, h, and the case f is affixed to the heel by means of
screws i, i, which, passing through the projecting ring of the case f, pass into
the plate g, and are screwed thereto. j, is the spur, which is of an ordinary
construction. k, is the spur box, the nature of which is clearly shewn in the
Drawing, being a spring, which serves the double purpose of closing the
hole into the spur box when the spur is out, and when the spur is in the box
the projection enters the recess in the stem of the spur, which enters the
box and retains the spur securely, the spring closing the entrance into
the spur box by being turned down at its outer end, as shown at k².
I would remark, in respect to this part of my Invention, that I do not con-
fine myself to the precise details shown; and other arrangements of spur boxes
may be used so long as a revolving heel to a boot is so arranged as to allow
of a spur box and spur being used therewith.
I will now describe the second part of my Invention, which relates to modes
of applying spikes or roughings to the soles and heels of boots and shoes.
Figure 10 shows the sole and heel of a boot or shoe.
Figure 11 shows a plan and edge view of a metal plate, having a series of
steel points or sharp studs affixed thereto by rivetting. This plate is fixed by
screws to the sole of a boot or shoe.
Figure 12 shows a plan and edge view of a metal plate, with similar points
or sharp studs suitable for the heel of a boot or shoe, Figure 10 showing these
parts fixed in their places.
Figure 13 shows a sole and heel of a boot or shoe having a series of plates
having similar points or sharp studs affixed thereto by screws, there being
spaces between the plate to allow of greater freedom of bending the sole.
Figure 14 shows the separate plates in plans and edge views. In some
cases, in place of affixing the points or sharp studs to their plates of metal, I
form the plate and projecting points or roughings by forging steel, as is shewn
at Figure 15, which shows a plan, side section, and front edge view of a plate
for the toe of a boot or shoe; this is formed by hammering steel when heated
into a mould of the proper form.
I will now describe the third part of my Invention, which relates to a mode
of constructing those descriptions of soles of boots and shoes called "cork
soles." In making these descriptions of soles it has heretofore been usual to
sew what is called a "rand" to the "upper" and to the insole, and then the
sheet of cork is placed on the insole; a second insole or middle sole is then

page_text: placed on the cork, and the "rand" is turned over, and a welt is sewed to
the rand and to the second insole or middle sole; the outsole is then sewed to
the welt, the rand giving a peculiar appearance to the sole when finished.
Now, according to this improvement, in place of applying a rand when cork
is used to be turned over, I sew a border a, Figures 16 and 17, of solid
leather in the manner of a welt (but generally of thicker leather) to the
insole and "upper" c, by which there will be a vacant space d under the
tread of the foot, into which I place the thickness of cork, or I introduce india
rubber combined with cork, or with wood dust, as hereafter explained as the
fourth part of my Invention. The border or thick welt a need only proceed
as far back as the "waist" of the boot or shoe, and the hinder part have
a welt of thinner leather, or the border a may pass all round, being cut thinner
behind the waist;" the cork being placed in the space d, the middle sole is
stitched to the welt or border a, and then the outsole e is stitched to the middle
sole, the middle sole acting as a welt for the outsole, or the outsole may be
affixed to the middle sole by brads or pegs.
I would remark, that although I prefer to use a middle sole, yet I do not
confine myself thereto, as it may be dispensed with, and the outsole stitched
to the border or thick welt a, in which case, in order still to retain the appear-
ance of the rand of the old make, I cause a narrow piece of leather to be
placed between the border a and the outsole, so that when the outsole has been
stitched on and finished the narrow piece of leather may be drawn out, when
the border a is to be rubbed and made to appear as if it were an ordinary rand,
and such is also the case when using a middle sole.
I will now describe the fourth part of my Invention, which relates to the
employment of india rubber combined with small particles of cork, or of wood,
when making soles of boots and shoes, by which I am enabled to obtain light-
ness and waterproof matters for that purpose. In carrying out this part of my
Invention I take ground cork or sawdust of wood or cork, or wood reduced
into fine particles by any convenient means, and I combine such cork or wood
with india-rubber cement (india rubber dissolved is well understood), only
mixing such quantities of cork or sawdust of wood to such an extent as
still to allow of the compounds being spread thinly on a surface of woven
cloth or other suitable material, as is shewn at d in Figure 18, which repre-
sents a plan and edge view of a piece of cloth so prepared, the red dotted lines
representing the size of the cloth, and the composition d is formed to the
proper size by means of a frame of metal or other material, the proper thick-
ness of the composition being obtained by successively spreading layer upon
layer of the composition, allowing each layer time to dry, and on each layer of

page_text: composition, when dry, I apply a coating of india-rubber cement, allowing it
to dry before applying another coat of composition, the surfaces of the cloth
being first coated with the solution of india rubber. The composition dis
then to be used in like manner to what sheets of cork have heretofore been
used on making soles of boots and shoes.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the best means I
am acquainted with for performing the same, I would have it understood that
I do not confine myself to the precise details, provided the peculiar character
of either part of my Invention be returned. But what I claim is,-
First, the constructing revolving heels of boots in such manner as to allow
of a spur box and moveable spur to be used therewith; and I also claim the
peculiar construction of spring ¹ to spur box, whether used in constructing
heels which revolve or which do not revolve.
Secondly, I claim the mode of applying spikes or roughings to boots and
shoes, as herein described.
Thirdly, I claim the making of soles of boots and shoes, when cork is cm-
ployed, by combining therewith a welt or border a in place of a rand, and
causing the welt to be finished and have the appearance of a rand.
And, fourthly, I claim the combining cork or wood with india rubber when
making soles of boots or shoes, as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Verity, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Third day of January, in the year of our Lord
Enrolled the Third day of January, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and forty-four.