US1029219A - Sole-edge protector for boots and shoes. - Google Patents

Description

T. G. PLANT.

SOLE EDGE PROTECTOR FOR BOOTS AND SHOES.

APPLICATION FILED FBB.19, 1909.

Patented June 11, 1912.

dtl's.

Zflz'lnesses COLUMBIA PLANDURAPH CO0WASHINGTOIN| D. c.

THOMAS G. PLANT, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED SHOE MACHINERY COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

SOLE-EDGE PROTECTOR FOR BOOTS AND SHOES.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THoMAs G. PLANT, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Sole-Edge Protectors for Boots and Shoes, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawing, is a specification, like reference characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention aims to provide a novel and improved device for protecting the edges of the soles of boots and shoes from damage after they have been once finished and during the subsequent, and more particularly cleaning, operations.

My invention is particularly adapted, though not exclusively, to an embodiment in the form of a shank edge protector, and because of this especial adaptability I will for convenience disclose my invention in connection with such a device, but without limiting my invention thereto.

In the drawings :Figure l is a view looking upon the bottom of a boot or shoe, showing a shank edge protector illustrating my invention in position thereon; Fig. 2, is a side view of Fig. 1, showing the protector in posit-ion; and Fig. 3, a cross sectional detail on the dotted line 33, Fig. 1, showing the manner in which the protector may engage the shank edges.

Referring to Fig. 3 of the drawing, a portion of the upper of a boot or shoe is indicated at u and the shank portion of the shoe at s, the edges of the latter projecting as indicated somewhat beyond the upper though as a rule not to the extent to which the sole edge projects around the forepart. In the process of making a boot or shoe, and in spite of the greatest care, the upper may become more or less soiled, particularly with wax, which must be removed before the shoe is boxed for shipment, and this cleaning is usually the last operation to which the shoe is subjected, in order that when once finished and cleaned no further liability will be had for soiling the upper. It is important that the sole edges when once finished or set shall remain undisturbed, but it has been found that the materials used in 'cleaning the upper, particularly in connection with the rubbing which is required, frequently cause a marring of the edge finish Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 19, 1909.

Patented June 11,1912.

Serial No. 478,953.

and a roughing up of the fibers thereof, greatly to the damage of the shoe. The protectoi' herein illustrated as embodying my invention comprises opposed shields l adapted to protect or cover the shank edges, and provided respectively with lips 2 to engage the upper corners of said edges to retain the shields in position and also to protect the projecting margin or extension faces of the shank edges. These shields it will be observed are disconnected or discontinuous and in a measure parallel, notwithstanding they are curved horizontally and vertically to conform approximately to the lines of the shank at the edges thereof.

The shields 1 are connected across the bottom of the shank by suitable connecting means, herein shown in the form of a sheet metal, generally U-shaped, or spring connec tion 3, preferably, though not necessarily, integral with the shields and which may be given any shape in cross sect-ion that will best promote the separation and closing together of the shields to facilitate their application to and removal from the edges of the shank. In the present instance the said connection comprises the U-shaped portion 4, the wings of which are connected with the shields by the curved portions 5, presenting finger engaging lips 6, this formation presenting the highest degree of resiliency with a given amount of material, although obviously the U-shaped portion might be formed directly to engage the shields without the further curves 5 referred to.

The device may be made of celluloid, sheet brass or equivalent or suitable yielding material, which will permit the edges to be swung or turned out-ward as about a hinge substantially alined therewith and above the shank to permit the shields to be positioned to embrace the shank edges, after which they will spring together to embrace said edges as indicated in Fig. 8. While the device is normally given an approximate curvature to conform to the spring or arch shape or arch of shank within the range of the device.

After the shank edges have been finished the protector described may be positioned as shown in the drawing, where it will be retained by its own resiliency to protect the shank edges from damage during subsequent operations upon the shoe, and more particularly in the treeing and cleaning thereof.

Claim.

1. A protecting device for boots and shoes comprising discontinuous sole edge shields and means permanently connecting said shields, said means including a part constructed to enable the shields to be moved toward or away from the edge of the shoe sole as about a longitudinally extended hinge located materially above the sole bottom.

2. A protecting device for boots and shoes comprising discontinuous shields shaped for engagement with the edge of a shoe sole and an arched connecting member integral with said shields and having means to enable the shields to be spread apart for application to or removal from the sole edge and acting normally to spring said shields toward each other for engagement with said edge.

3. A sole edge protector for boots and shoes, comprising opposed edge shields, holding lips thereon and a connecting member for said shields provided with a tube-like crown section along which said connecting member may be flexed.

4. A sole edge protector for boots and shoes comprising shields shaped to fit over the edge and projecting margin of a shoe sole, said shields having transverse flexing slots formed therethrough, and a sole-bridging member connecting said shields.

5. A protecting device for boots and shoes comprising two shields 1 shaped to protect opposite edge portion of a shoe sole, lips 2 extending from said shields to protect the projecting margin of the sole, said shields and lips being curved horizontally and vertically to conform substantially to the shapes of said edge portions and having transversely extending slots 7 formed therethrough, and a' connecting member continuous with said shields comprising portions extending toward each other and an arched member 4 connecting said portions, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THOMAS e. PLANT.

vVitnesses ROBERT H. KAMMLER, J. F. McCLosKnY.

Copies of this patent inay be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

Images