Improvements in Racks for Holding Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Nov., 1890-Accepted, 13th Dec., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Racks for Holding Boots and Shoes.
I WILLIAM HUMPHREY WHEATLEY of 40 Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a com-
munication to me from abroad by Samuel L. Saunders of Lynn, County of Essex
and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, United States of America) 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 a device for holding boots and shoes while in the factory
and undergoing the process of manufacture.
It is the object of this invention to provide means for supporting boots and shoes
in such a manner as to preserve their shape and prevent their being jammed and
crushed or otherwise injured by coming in contact with or being piled upon each
other; and other less important objects which as well as the nature and operation of
the invention will be fully described and specifically pointed out in the claims herein-
after written.
Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a plan view of a shoe rack embodying my
invention and Fig. 2 is a perspective view thereof.
The rack is provided with a skeleton framework composed of the base A, vertical
standards B, cross hars D, and stay rods e, all combined and firmly bound together as
represented in the drawings. The supporting bars Hare divided by a vertical parti-
tion and support the pins f which project outwardly from the bars H, in pairs.
Each pair of pins converge as they extend outward so that they are about one-half
an inch or more nearer together at their outer ends than at their base. The pins are
supported in a slightly elevated plane, to which end the supporting bars H are given a
corresponding inclination and the cross bars D are recessed or cut out so as to conform
to the angle made by the union of the two bars H so that the bars may find a solid
and substantial bed in the cross bars, all as shown in the drawings. The shoes are
supported bottom upwards on the pins with their tops extended down between and
below the pins as shown.
A pair of pins is required to support a single shoe. The outer ends of the pins
extend back so as to bear against the heel-seat of the shoe as shown. I attach great
importance to the arrangement of the pins in pairs with their lines converging, as this
arrangement causes the pins to reach around the shoe, thereby conforming to and
supporting the natural form of the shoe, and also this formation prevents the shoe from
being dislodged and sliding backward when the rack is moved about the factory.
The vertical partitions a serve to divide the rows of shoes from each other and on
he pairs H respectively is a padded elevation which supports the toe portion of the
hoe. It is preferably covered with some textile fabric as cloth or chamois skin, to
revent chafing the shoe.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
on and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare what I claim is :-
1. A rack for holding boots and shoes, consisting of an open frame work made up
fa suitable base and end supports, a series of horizontal supporting bars and pins
xtending from said bars in pairs convergingly with a space between the pins of each
air for receiving the upper of the shoe, each shoe being held separately, substantially
described.
2. A rack for holding boots and shoes composed of a suitable base as A, the vertical
andards B, the bars H, and cross bars D,, recessed to receive the bars H, and a

page_text: series of pins extending from the bars H in pairs convergingly, substantially as
described.
Dated this 11th day of November
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.