Improvements in Boots and Shoes

9497. MacFariand, W. J. April 16. Connecting uppers to insoles and soles; uppers; stiffeners.-A boot or shoe is constructed with a high - arched shank of great flexibility adapted to support the arch of the wearer's foot. The upper is cut to the shape shown in Fig. 6, and the two edges 13 are secured together after distorting the inside corner 11 to the position shown in dotted lines at 12. The inside of the upper opposite the shank has sewn to it, or is formed with, an extension 17 in which there are incisions 18. The upper is positioned on a crooked last 14, Fig. 5, having the inside of its shank hollowed out more than is usual, and is lasted over an insole 21, which, when tacked to the last, is distorted from the shape to which it is cut, shown in dotted lines, Fig. 7, to the shape shown in full lines. This distortion causes the inside of the shank portion of the insole to be sprung, and the fulness is worked down into the hollow of the shank of the last, to facilitate which, the outer face of the insole is chamfered off at the shank to a thin inner edge. The insole is furnished with a rih 22, Fig. 7. which extends from the heel seat on the outside edge to a point in advance of the shank on the inside edge. The extension 17 of the upper is spread out and lasted over the insole, as shown in Fig. 3, and a welt 27 is then positioned from the front of the extension 17 round the shoe to the heel seat, and is secured by stitches which also secure the inner edge 20 of the extension 17. After trimming and hammering, a filling- strip 29, Fig. 5, of thin canvas is secured to the outer face of the forepart of the insole, and an outer sole 30 is then applied. This outer sole is distorted similarly to the insole 21, and is chamfered off at the inside of the shank to facilitate buckling. The shoe is fitted with a counter-stiffener, which extends from the heel breast on the inside of the shoe to a point considerably beyond the heel breast on the outside of the shoe.