Improvements in Boot and Shoe Makers' Size Sticks.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 5th June, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 5th Mar., 1892-Accepted, 28th May, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Boot and Shoe Makers' Size Sticks.
I, WILLIAM YORK, of Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton in the County of
Stafford, Boot Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
--
Boot and shoe makers' size sticks, as usually constructed, are formed mainly of
wood, of a necessarily somewhat clumsy section to give the required strength, and
the fixed back end gauge or heel-piece is narrow across which makes it inconvenient
in use as liable to slip from behind the heel when the hand is drawn forward along
the stick to press the toe into proper position behind the moving gauge; and the
back end gauge, moreover, is liable to become loose upon the bar rendering the size
stick further inconvenient in use and causing inaccuracies in measurement.
Now, the object of this invention is to obviate these inconveniences, and generally
to improve the construction of the size sticks, and to render them suitable for use
also as straight edges; and an important feature of the invention consists in means
by which the back end gauge is adapted to prevent the hand touching the heel of
the person whose foot is being measured.
According to this invention, the bar and end or fixed gauge are formed in sheet
steel or other sheet metal, preferably in one piece, the blanks for forming them
being cut or pressed out of a steel or other metal sheet. The end or fixed gauge
may be simply of the width of the bar (which is itself a broad flat strip) being
turned up at right angles thereto, or it may be wider than the bar, and is in either
case considerably wider than the gauges usually employed. "It is preferred, however,
to form this gauge by raising or dishing an end of the blank, formed specially wide
and of suitable shape therefor, so as to form it with a deep upward flange around
its outer edge which forms a curved guard or shield which cannot slip sideways
from the heel, and allows of being held therearound without the heel being touched
by the hand of the operator. The moving gauge is also formed in sheet steel or
other sheet metal by first cutting or pressing out a blank which is roughly of a
T-shape, then turning up the stalk of the T to form the portion of the gauge which
stands up from the bar and turning under the arms of the T to pass around the
edges of the bar and across or partially across the back thereof and thus secure
the gauge on the bar and allow it to be slid therealong. The arms of the T may
meet at the back and their edges be brazed together, if desired, to give greater
strength and solidity.
A size stick made as above described is very strong, durable and serviceable, and
the bar may be used as a straight edge. The bar of course marked to indicate
measurements.
Dated this 4th day of June 1901
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Boot and Shoe Makers' Size Sticks.
I, WILLIAM YORK, of Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton in the County of
Stafford, Boot Manufacturer, 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 and by the following statement:-
Boot and shoe makers' size sticks, as usually constructed, are formed mainly of
D'..011

page_text: wood, of a necessarily somewhat clumsy section to give the required strength, and
the heel-piece or fixed gauge is narrow across which makes it inconvenient in use
as liable to slip from behind the heel when the hand is drawn forward along the
stick to press the toe into proper position behind the moving gauge and the heel
piece, moreover, is liable to become loose upon the bar rendering the size stick
further inconvenient in use and causing inaccuracies in measurement.
Now, the object of this invention is to obviate these inconveniences, and generally
to improve the construction of the size sticks, and to render them suitable for use
also as straight edges; and an important feature of the invention consists in means
by which the heel piece or fixed gauge is adapted to prevent the hand touching the
.heel of the person whose foot is being measured, and which securely prevent the
heel piece from slipping sideways from the heel.
According to this invention, the bar and heel piece or fixed gauge are formed in
sheet (or thin) steel or other metal. The heel piece or fixed gauge may be simply
of the width of the bar or it may be wider than the bar, and in either case is,
preferably, wider than the heel pieces or fixed gauges usually employed. It is
preferred, however, to form the heel piece of a curved shape as seen on plan so
that it will pass not only across the back of the heel but will curve round on each
side thereof; and this formation of the heel piece constitutes an important feature
of the invention, as it enables the hinder end of the stick to be grasped and applied
to the heel without being touched by the hand of the operator, and also serves to
prevent the heel piece slipping sideways from behind the heel. The heel piece may
be formed in one piece with the bar, but if, as is preferred, it is to be wider
than the bar it is, preferably, first made separately therefrom and then fixed,
by riveting or otherwise, to the bar. The moving gauge is also formed in
sheet (or thin) steel or other metal by first cutting or pressing out a blank
which is roughly of a T-shape, then turning up the stalk of the T to form
"the portion of the gauge which stands up from the bar and turning under the armis
of the T to pass around the edges of the bar and across or partially across the
back thereof and thus secure the gauge on the bar and allow it to be slid therealong.
The arms of the T may meet at the back and their edges be brazed together, if
desired, to give greater strength and solidity.
This invention is illustrated by the drawings herewith in the form in which I
prefer to use it.
Figure 1 is a plan of the size stick; Figure 2 is a longitudinal section thereof;
and Figure 3 is a transverse section taken on line ae of Figure 1, that is through
the bar and moving gauge.
The bar A is formed as a plain broad flat steel straight edge, marked as shewn
for the purpose of a size stick, preferably with English measure along one side or
edge and French measure along the other. The figures which indicate the
. measurements are omitted to avoid confusion, and as being unnecessary for the
purpose of the illustration. The opposite side of the bar may be marked in inches.
The heel piece or fixed gauge B is formed to a curved shape on plan as shewn, for
the purpose above stated, and is fixed to the end of the bar A. by means of a lug
or ear a formed with and projecting forwards from the middle of the bottom of the
heel piece, which is riveted to the bar by rivets b. This lug or car is of the width
of the bar, and is indicated therefore in the plan by a broken line only, which
marks its forward end. For convenience in use the outer or forward ends of the
heel piece are curved outwards, as shewn by Figure 1. The moving gauge C is
formed in one piece of sheet metal, and consists, as shewn, of a vertical part c
which is pressed up against the toe in taking the measure of the foot, and of a
part which passes across the top of the bar and has its ends e turned down and
under so as to pass around the edges of the bar, this part d with its ends e being of
course just an easy sliding fit on the bar. The ends e may meet one another and be
brazed together, if desired, but I do not find this to be necessary. A stud f is
fixed to the outer end of the bar to prevent the moving gauge slipping off.
In the case of the curved heel piece, I do not limit myself to its use simply when

page_text: formed of sheet metal, or simply in combination with a metal bar, as its employment
in any suitable material and in combination with any suitable bar is an advantage
over the employment of a heel piece of the usual formation.
A size stick made as above described is very strong, durable and serviceable, and
the bar may be used as a straight edge.
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. sheet (or thin) metal size stick, for boot and shoe makers' use, constructed
substantially as described.
2. A heel piece or fixed gauge of a boot and shoe makers' size stick, formed of a
curved shape on plan, substantially as described for the purpose set forth.
3. A sheet (or thin) metal moving gauge, for a boot and shoe makers' size stick,
constructed substantially as described.
Dated this 4th don of Mamah 1000
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.