AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR STRETCHING BOOTS AND SHOES
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 12th August 1873.-A communication from abroad by David
Harris, of St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America, Boot and
Shoe Maker.
I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co.,
Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR STRETCHING
BOOTS AND SHOES," a communication, to be as follows:—
The object of this Invention is the provision of a simple, ready, and
efficient machine, whereby the stretching of boots, shoes, and the like,
is accomplished combinedly for all the parts of the boot or shoe, proper
or independently, at any desired part of same.
The said Invention relates,-
First. To providing the body of the stretcher with a pivoted sole or
bottom plate, connected and operated adjustably by hand screw.

page_text: consisting of a moveable hump, tongue shaped lever, and screw
connections, operated adjustably to stretch any part from instep
to toe.
Thirdly. To the peculiar construction and operative connection of a
counter or heel plate, by means whereof the process of lengthening or
stretching longitudinally is accomplished.
Fourthly. To the arrangement and combination of all the parts of the
apparatus, and their operative connections with the body of the stretcher,
by means whereof the combined operation of stretching the instep and
toe part and lengthening the boot or shoe can be accomplished at one 1
and the same time.
And, lastly. The construction and arrangement of parts for the
imitation of corns, bunions, and the like, and for stretching specific points
or parts of boots and shoes.
The last or body of the stretcher is cast of malleable iron, hollow, 1
according to the pattern, so as to receive the operating parts. The
bottom plate has countersunk edges to conform and fit to and in the
inwardly recessed sides of the bottom of the body, and thus form when
closed in same.a neat closing fit.
A follower is arranged to slide vertically within the said body, being 2
guided in its action by its side grooves. To vertically adjust and operate
the follower, the same is connected to the hand screw. The hand screw
is guided and passes through the top of the body, and at its lower end
the connection to the follower is such that to the same is imparted the
forward and return movement of the said screw.
The construction, arrangement, and operation of devices to stretch the
"toe part," are as follows:-
2
The moveable hollow hump is cast or formed with projecting ends, and
its bottom face has guide ledges. One projection of the said hump
engages a recess in the toe part of the body. Sufficient bearing and play 3
are thus afforded the hump to allow and accomodate the motion to be
imparted chiefly to the rear part thereof. The other end or projection
of the said hump is first acted upon, and this projection serves also to
estop the full completed action of the hump.
To lengthen or stretch boots and shoes lengthwise, a heel plate is 3
provided. The said heel plate is constructed to conform outwardly to

page_text: the counter, and at the top is made to form a bearing through which a
hand screw operates.
Pivoted to the follower is a connecting lever, the other end thereof
being pivoted to the bearings of the bottom plate. To the said lever two
side links are connected, so as to be pivoted. By the action of the hand
screw the counter or heel plate is forced away from the body in the
operation of stretching, and drawn to the said body in the release move-
ment. Thus the boot can be stretched lengthwise and without operating
the other or remaining devices. Or the same may be said of the
respective movements of either of the parts or devices that stretch the
instep, or from instep to toe.
By the combined operation of all the adjusting devices it is plain that
the entire boot or shoe can be enlarged and stretched at the same time in
length across the toes and around the instep; also it will be seen that
the independent operation of effecting the stretching at any given part
of the boot or shoe may similarly be effected by working the proper hand
screw.
The body of the stretcher is provided with holes to receive inserted