Improvements in Boot Stretchers.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Dec., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 6th Sept., 1892-Accepted, 8th Oct.. 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Boot Stretchers.
I, WATKIN LOUIS FAIRE of 68 Aldermanbury, London, Merchant, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to devices or apparatus used for the purpose of
stretching boots and shoes and technically known as boot stretchers.
The object of the invention is to construct a boot stretcher the maximum
stretching capacity of which shall be obtained with the application of considerably
less power or energy than is possible with boot stretchers of ordinary construction.
According to this invention the last or block which is inserted within the to-be-
stretched boot differs from those at present employed, by being formed into two
separate parts, unconnected except by two or more springs between their adjacent
faces or located within the divisional interstice and by which they are maintained
closed and against each other when in their normal positions.
The screwed spindle by which the last block is opened or expanded when in
the boot is mounted in a bearing in the upper end of a suitable pedestal and is
provided at its end with a crank handle or equivalent by which the power is
applied and the device operated for stretching purposes.
Dated this 8th day of December 1891.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Boot Stretchers.
I, WATKIN LOUIS FAIRE of 68 Aldermanbury, London, Merchant, 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 & by the following
statement :-
This invention has reference to devices or apparatus used for the purpose of
stretching boots and shoes and technically known as "boot stretchers."
The object of the invention is to construct a boot stretcher, the maximum
stretching capacity of which, shall be obtained with the application of considerably
less power or energy than is possible with boot stretchers of ordinary construction.
According to this invention the last or block, which is to be inserted within the
to-be-stretched boot, differs from those at present employed by being formed in
two separate parts, unconnected except by two or more springs between their
adjacent faces or located within the divisional interstice, and by which they are
maintained closed and against each other when in their normal positions.
The screwed spindle by which the last block is opened or expanded when in the
boot, is mounted in a bearing in the upper end of a suitable pedestal, and is
provided at its end with a crank handle or equivalent by which the power is applied
and the device operated for stretching purposes.
In order that the invention may be understood, reference is made to the accom-
panying drawings, in which :-
Figure 1 is a side elevation and Figure 2 a plan of my improved boot
stretcher.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal section and Figure 4 is a view of the screwed rod

page_text: and one half of the stretching block, the other half being removed for clearness
sake.
A. A are the blocks forming the last which is inserted within the to-be-stretched
boot.
These blocks are provided on their exterior with a series of openings A¹ for the
reception of the usual metal bunion pieces, and the blocks are maintained in
position against each other.so as to form the complete last, preferably by means of
springs B, Figs. 3 and 4, located within cavities or recesses B¹ in the inner faces of
the blocks A, and firmly secured in position by means of their extreme ends passing
through the body of the blocks to the exterior & being bent or turned at a right
angle thereto, as in Fig. 3, the end being afterwards covered over by cement or
other material to hide it from view.
In order to enable the last to be expanded each of the blocks A is provided on
its inner face with a groove A², having a metal lining C, secured by screws C¹ and
in which a metal cam piece D is located.
The piece D is movably fitted on to the end of the screwed rod E and is
maintained in position thereon by a pin D¹ Fig. 3 which passes through the piece D
and enters a groove E¹ in the circumference of the rod E.
The screwed rod E has also a follower nut F having a lug F' on each side
situated within a recess in each of the blocks A so that the latter will travel up
and down the screwed rod with the nut as hereinafter described.
The said rod E passes through the back of the blocks and between the same at
their upper parts, Figs. 1 and 4, and through a bearing G¹ in the apex of the pillar
or pedestal G.
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The screwed rod is maintained in position in the bearing G' by a collar El which
is located within and flush with one end of the latter, as in Fig. 3, and 'by a crank
handle H at the opposite end.
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The said rod; which is fixed in the oblique position shown, is of square section
at its elevated end to receive the crank handle H by which the stretcher is
operated, and the said handle is secured in position by means of a screw H¹ the
threaded shank of which passes into the end of the rod E, which is internally
threaded to receive it.
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The bearing G¹ for the screwed rod may be formed in any suitable pedestal,
pillar or equivalent, and the latter may be fixed by screws G³ to a circular base
such as J or to a bench, counter, or other firm & rigid foundation.
The operation of the device is as follows:-
The to-be-stretched boot having been placed over the last A the operator or
attendant takes it in one hand, while the crank handle is turned" by the other
hand.
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As the screwed rod E is rotated in its bearing G¹ the follower nut F travels
towards the upper end of the thread, bringing the last and boot with it, while the
cam-piece D getting towards the lower and narrower part of the groove, forces the
blocks apart, so that the space or interval between them becomes increased 'and
the last expanded within the boot or shoe. From this it will be readily seen, that
the operation is much more easily effected and much less energy is required in the'
turning of the handle to force the blocks apart a given distance, than in stretchers
of ordinary construction, where the screwed rod is not mounted in a' bearing and in
which the power is applied through the medium of a small cross-bar on the end' of
the screwed rod.
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I do not limit myself to the employment of the spiral springs B to keep the
blocks against each other, although this appears to be a most convenient form but
I may if desired adopt the usual method of connecting them i.e. by means of a
hinge at the heel portion-and instead of the crank handle on the end of the
screwed rod I might substitute a hand wheel or equivalent device for rotating the
screwed rod, but this would not be so suitable for the purpose as the crank handle
described.
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page_text: 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. A boot stretcher in which the screwed rod E is mounted in a fixed bearing
and operated by a crank handle or equivalent means.
2. In a boot stretcher the combination of an expanding last or blocks A, follower
nut F, cam piece D, screwed rod E, mounted in a bearing such as G¹ and operated
by a crank handle such as H, substantially as described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
3. The improved construction of boot stretcher substantially as described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 6th day of September 1892.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.