GB358597A - Improvements in and relating to footwear - Google Patents

Abstract

358,597. Foot-arch supports. ROBINSON, A. P., 9, Holyrood Road, Northampton. July 15, 1930, No. 21416. [Class 81 (ii).] Bracing, fastening, or tensioning means for footwear comprise fastening means such as a lace or a strap, engaging a loop or loops formed by bring- ing together two or more parts of the footwear to which tension is to be applied, and which have independent functions, or engaging one or more devices inserted in such loops, the loops being free to adjust themselves on the fastening means or on the inserted devices. The shoe upper, or a part attached thereto, may be folded to form a girdle 9, Fig. 5, the free edges of which are narrowed, and, as shown, secured to the shoe by the welt stitching 7. The girdle 9 may, however, be within the shoe and be extended under the foot and the ends adjustably secured together as by lacing. This part may be located to form a metatarsal band, and an elastic gusset may be inserted therein to maintain tension upon any desired part. Shaped pads may be interposed between parts of the foot and a shoe part which is to apply pressure thereto. The folded edge is slit at 4 to form loops 5 to receive lacing for bracing or supporting the instep or arch, or wire or strips of whalebone or other rigid material, notched to give flexibility may be arranged in the head of the fold and the lacing may be passed around such wire or through holes or eyelets in the strips. The inserted wire may be in short lengths and bent to form eyes which project through the slits 4 or separate eyes or loops may be attached to the wire. Metal tabs may be mounted on the wire to prevent curling of the folded parts of the upper under tension. A lace with a metal cross-tag or a strap may be used to engage the loops 5 and this may be so attached as to distribute tension applied thereto into a number of parts. The folded part of the upper may be masked by a flap furnished with eyelets through which the fastening lace may be passed to give a normal appearance to the shoe. An ankle strap 30 may be combined with the girdle 9 so as to be tensioned by the lacing.