Year: 1886

page_text: I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of the firm of A. M. and Wm. Clark, of
53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Fellow of the Institute of
Patent Agents, do hereby declare the nature of this Invention (a communication
to me from abroad by Marshall Sylvanus Driggs of 279 Washington Avenue,
Brooklyn, in the County of Kings, and State of New York, United States of
America, Manufacturer) and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :—
This Invention relates to boot and shoe stretchers constructed in such a manner
that they can be readily used for stretching boots and shoes in width, height, and
length, and which are simple in construction and effective in operation.
The Invention consists in the construction and combination of various parts of
the boot and shoe stretcher, as will be hereinafter fully described.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this
specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in
all the figures.
Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of one of the improved boot and shoe
stretchers.
Figure 2 is a sectional plan view of the same taken through the line x. x.
Figure.1.
'
Figure 3 is a bottom view of the same.
Figure 4. is a sectional end elevation of the same taken through the line y. y.
Figure 2
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the compound nut.
Figure 6 is a view illustrating the arrangement for stretching a boot or shoe
length wise.
The last is made in the form of a hollow metallic shell, and in three parts, A, B, C,
The side parts A, B, are hinged to each other at their rear ends, so that their
forward ends can be forced apart to spread or stretch the forward parts of boots*
and shoes in width.

page_text: The bottom part C, is hinged at its forward end to a recessed projection D,
formed upon the inner side of one of the side parts, as A, so that the rear ends of
the side parts A, B, can be raised from the rear end of the bottom part to stretch
boots and shoes in height.
Upon the inner surfaces of the side parts A. B. at a little distance from their
forward ends are formed lugs E, to which are hinged the forward ends of two
bars F. The rear ends of the bars F, are hinged to the opposite corners of the
forward end of the block G, in the rear end of which is formed a socket to receive
the forward end of the long hand screw H. Around the forward end of the
screw H. is formed an annular groove I. to receive the forward end of the screw J,
which passes in through a screw hole in the side of the socket block G, as shown
in Figure 1 and 2, so that the said "hand screw H, can be swiveled to the said
socket block.
In the rear end of the last A. B. C. is placed a compound nut K. which is made
with two screw holes one nearly horizontal, and the other nearly vertical, to
receive the hand screw' HI. The compound nut K. is kept in place by projections L.
formed upon the inner surfaces of the rear ends of the parts A. B. of the last, and
so arranged, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 that the said compound nut will be fully
supported, whether the hand screw H, be inserted and operated in the horizontal
hole, or in the vertical hole, of the said nut K.
Upon the rear part of the hand screw H. is placed the heel-brace M, which has a
long screw hole in its upper end to receivo and fit upon the thread of the said
screw.
The face of the heel-brace M. is bulged or rounded to fit the counter of a boot or
shoe, and prevent the said heel-brace from slipping out of place while the stretcher
is being used.
Upon the inner surfaces of the tops of the side parts A. B, are formed flanges, or
lugs N, which when the last is closed, overlap each other and are perorated to
receive a pin O, to lock the said side parts A. B, together, when tho instep of a
boot or shoe is to be stretched. The pin O, may be a simple pin, or it may have a
button P. having a convexed upper surface, formed upon its upper end. Qis
a rounded oblong toe piece, having a socket upon its rear side to receive the
forward end of the long hand screw H, to which it may be secured, if desired, by
a screw R. passing in through a screw hole in the side of the said socket, and
entering the groove I. of the said hand screw.
In using the stretcher for widening a boot or shoe the screw H, is passed through
the horizontal screw hole of the compound nut K, and its forward end is inserted
in the socket of the block G. The last is then inserted in the boot or shoe to be
stretched, and the heel-brace M. is adjusted to rest against the inner side of the
counter of the boot or shoe. The hand screw H. is then turned forward, which
forces the socket block G. forward and causes the hinged bars F, to push the forward
ends of the side parts A. B. apart, and thus stretches the boot or shoe.
In using the stretcher for increasing the height of the instep of a boot or shoe,
the last is closed and the side parts A. B. are locked together by inserting the pin O,
in the perforations of the lugs N. The hand screw H. is then inserted in the
vertical screw hole in the compound nut K. and the last is inserted in the boot or
shoe to be stretched, the button P. being used or not as may be required. The
hand screw E, is then turned forward, and when its forward end comes in contact
with the bottom part C, the rear ends of the side parts A. B. will be raised,
stretching the instep of the boot or shoe.
In using the stretcher for increasing the length of a boot or shoe, the toe piece Q.
is placed upon the end of the hand screw H, the said toe-piece and screw are
inserted in the boot or shoe, and the heel-braco M. is adjusted to rest against the
counter of the said boot or shoe, The hand screw H. is then turned forward,
which forces the toe-piece Q. into the toe of the boot or shoe, and stretches the
said boot or shoe lengthwise.
I
S

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. In a boot and shoe stretcher, the combination with the side parts A. B, of a
divided last, hinged at their rear ends, of a socket block G, bars F. hinged to the
said socket block, and to the said side parts, a hand screw H, swiveled to the said
socket block, a nut K, having a horizontal screw hole receiving the said hand
screw, and connected with the rear ends of the said side parts, and the adjustable
heel-brace M. substantially as herein shown and described, whereby the forward
ends of the said side parts can be forced apart to widen the boot or shoe, as
set forth.
2. In a boot and shoe stretcher, the combination with the side parts A. B.
having perforated lugs N, hinged at their rear ends, and provided with projections L,
and the bottom part C, hinged at its forward end, of the pin O, locking the said side
parts in place, the hand screw H, the nut K, engaging with the said projections,
and having a vertical screw hole receiving tho said hand screw, and the adjustable
heel-brace M, substantially as herein shown and described, whereby the rear ends
of the said side parts can be raised to stretch the instep of a boot or shoe, as
set forth.
3. In a boot and shoe stretcher, the combination with the hand screw H, and
the heel-brace M, placed upon the said hand screw, of the toe-piece Q, having a
socket to receive the forward end of the said hand scrow, substantially as herein
shown and described, whereby the said toe piece can be forced forward to stretch
the boot or shoe lengthwise, as set forth.
4. In a boot and shoe stretcher, the compound nut K. formed substantially as
herein shown and described, with a horizontal screw-hole, and a vertical screw
hole, to adapt the said nut to receive its screw when arranged horizontally, and
also to receive its screw when arranged vertically, as set forth.