Improvements in Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application. 11th June, 1896-Accepted, 18th July, 1896
Improvements in Boots and Shoes.
I, PAUL VIGANO, of 1 Via Guicciardini, Milan, in the Kingdom of Italy, Contractor,
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 a hygienic hoot or shoe, keeping the foot dry at its normal
temperature in virtue of the fact that it prevents dampness and variations of tempera-
ture from reaching the foot, while still absorbing the perspiration.
In the accompanying drawing which illustrates-by way of example-my invention
as carried out in a boot :--
Figure 1 is a view in elevation.
Figure 2 is a view in vertical section, and
Figure 3 is a view in transverse section on the line x-x of Figure 1.
The outside sole is made in the usual way, and to this outside sole is secured an
interior one, which is waterproof and air-tight in its lower surface, its upper surface
being of a nature to absorb the perspiration of the foot.
It is composed of a waterproof material, which may be a tissue rendered waterproof
in the usual way, leather-cloth, oil-cloth, wax taffety, gutta-percha or the like, on
which are laid several very thin layers of a suitable absorbing material, such as
artificial cellulose or veneering wood.
This absorbent material is covered with a cotton, wool, hemp, linen, or other tissue.
The edge of the vamp or upper leather is fixed in the usual manner to the lower
surface of the interior sole; the outside sole is also fastened in the usual way.
Between the inner and outer soles, an intermediate sole is arranged, of the same
composition and character as the inner sole.
The vamp or uppers made of waterproof material, should be lined with the usual
tissue to keep the foot cool. Between this tissue and the vamp, or uppers, there is
arranged sideways and under the instep, a piece of leather, U-shaped, with several
openings for the absorbtion of the perspiration of the extremities of the foot. To keep
the latter warm during winter, there may be introduced, between the vamp and its
lining, one or several sheets of paper, or cellulose, or a thin layer of down.
It will be easily understood from the above description that the outside atmospheric
influences, damp and cold, cannot reach the foot. The damp is stopped on the one
hand by the waterproof vamp or uppers and on the other hand by the lower waterproof
surface of the inner sole. The dampness which might penetrate between the inner
and outer soles is absorbed by the cellulose sheets or the veneer-wood of the inter-
mediate sole made to fill the space, and its contact with the upper surface of the outer
sole is prevented by the waterproof tissue which forms the lower surface of the inter-
mediate sole, so that the leather of the said outer sole, is also prevented from rotting.
Cold is kept out by the lining of the vamp or uppers, by the intermediate layer of
paper, cellulose, or down, as well as by the sheets of cellulose, or veneer-wood, of the
inner sole. The foot is kept at a normal temperature because the perspiration is
absorbed by the said sheets of cellulose, or wood, and by the openings in the U-shaped
leather.
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. An improved boot or shoe intended to keep the foot dry and at its normal

page_text: temperature, distinguished by an inner sole and a vamp, or upper leather, the outside
part of which is waterproof and the inner part absorbent, as set forth.
2. In a boot or shoe, the arrangement of an inner sole, formed of waterproof tissue
on the lower surface and of an absorbent substance on the upper surface, such
absorbent substance being layers of artificial cellulose, or veneer-wood, the said sole
being joined in the usual way to the vamp by its lower surface, for the purpose of
preventing the introduction of damp from outside and of absorbing the perspiration
of the sole of the foot.
3. In a boot, or shoe as specified in Claim 1, the arrangement of a waterproof
vamp, or upper leather, lined with leather or a suitable tissue, to prevent the intro-
duction of damp from the outside.
4. In a boot or shoe as specified in Claim 1 the insertion between the vamp or
upper-leather and its lining, of a layer of paper, cellulose, down, or other substance to
preserve the foot from cold and to absorb the perspiration.
5. In a boot or shoe as specified in Claim 1, the insertion between the vamp, or
upper-leather, and its lining under the instep and laterally, of a piece of leather,
U-shaped, and pierced with numerous holes to absorb the perspiration of the forward
part of the foot.
6. In a boot or shoe as specified in Claim 1, the addition of an intermediate sole
between the inner and outer soles, of the same material and style as the said inner
sole and intended to absorb the damp, being adapted to fit in hetween the two soles
above mentioned and intended to prevent any rotting of the upper surface of the
outer sole, as herein before described and illustrated by the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 11th day of June 1896.
ROBERT E. PHILLIPS, Assoc. M. Inst. C.E., M.I. Mech. E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Associate Agent.