Improvements in Boot and Shoe Trees.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 15th May, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 15th Feb., 1892-Accepted, 19th Mar., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Boot and Shoe Trees.
1, JAMES BOWLER of 33, Raphael Street, Knightsbridge, in the County of
Middlesex, Boot Tree Maker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in boot and shoe trees, and it has for its
object to provide a tree in which there are no loose parts liable to become mislaid
and which can be more quickly and easily inserted in, and removed from, a boot or
shoe than the ordinary sectional tree, the toe and heel portions of which require to
be separately fitted in place and then forced apart by a key or wedge inserted
between them.
2
My invention consists in making the tree in two parts, viz. a toe and heel portion
hinge-jointed together in such manner and made of such form at the underside as
to be capable of folding towards each other for the purpose of inserting and
removing the tree and acting somewhat in the manner of a toggle when pressed.
upon at the hinge joint to cause the two parts of the tree to be forced in opposite
directions.
In the case of a boot tree, the two portions of the trec extend up above the
hinge joint and act as lever arms in forcing apart the toe and heel portions.
In either case, a catch is provided for locking the two parts of the tree together
when inserted.
J. BOWLER.
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Boot and Shoe Trees.
1, JAMES BOWLER of 33, Raphael Street, Knightsbridge, in the County of
Middlesex, Boot Tree Maker, 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 :-
My invention relates to improvements in trees for boots and shoes, and it has
for its object to provide a tree having no loose parts liable to be mislaid, and
which can be more quickly and easily inserted in and removed from a boot or
shoe than the ordinary sectional tree of which the toe and heel portions require to
be separately fitted in place and then forced apart by a wedge driven between
them. Besides the above mentioned advantages, this improved tree is more
compact and portable, simpler and lighter, than the ordinary sectional tree.
My invention consists in making the tree of two parts only (viz.—a toe part and a
heel part) and hinge-jointing them together in such manner that they will be
capable of folding towards each other and of acting somewhat in the manner of a
toggle, to cause the two parts of the tree to be forced in opposite directions
towards the toe and heel of the boot.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this
Specification, in which Figure is a side view of a shoe tree, and Figure 2 a
similar view of a boot tree, the dotted lines shewing the position assumed by the
heel portion when inserting or withdrawing the tree. The same letters of
reference denote like parts in both figures.

page_text: A is the toe portion and B the heel portion. They are of the usual shape
externally except that they abut at the upper part from a to C where they are
hinge-jointed together and that below the hinge C there is a gap or space in the
under side of the part A so as to permit of the part B folding somewhat beneath
it, as shewn in dotted lines. When in this position the tree may be readily
introduced into the shoe and then by pressing on the two parts above the hinge
they become forced apart with a toggle-like action which drives the part A towards
the toe and the part B towards the heel of the shoe. In this position they are
rigidly locked by a catch-lever D pivoted at d on part B engaging with a stud
on part A or by other suitable locking device.
In the case of a boot tree, as shewn in Figure 2, the two portions A B of the
tree extend up to a greater distance above the hinge-joint, as shewn, and these
upwardly-extending portions act as lever arms in forcing the parts A B into the
full-line position.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is―
A boot or shoe tree constructed of two parts hinge-jointed together and
adapted to be folded in the manner shewn and described for the purpose of being
inserted and of being forced apart with a toggle or lever-like action, substantially
as specified.
THO
Roamiov. IRUDI
JOTA THIS LITM
J. BOWLER.
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.