Improvements in Boot Trees.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Apr., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 20th May, 1893-Accepted, 24th June, 1893
Improvements in Boot Trees.
I, THOMAS HOOPER, of 299, New North Road, in the County of Middlesex
Manager of a Boot Shop, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in boot trees and the object of it is to
dispense with the usual wedge and to keep the front and back linked together.
In carrying the invention into effect the front and back are linked together
preferably at both top and bottom by links or hinges of any suitable kind, capable
of providing for the motion up or down of either the front or the back of the tree
with reference to the other of them. The motion of the back with reference to
the front necessarily removes it from the latter by the length of the links or hinges
and it is this motion which replaces the action of the well known wedge.
The back is fitted with a suitable grip by which it can be pulled up, moved
towards the front and the tree pulled out of the boot.
Dated this 6th day April 1893.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Boot Trees.
I, THOMAS HOOPER, of 299, New North Road, in the County of Middlesex,
Manager of a Boot Shop, 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 boot trees and the object of it is to
dispense with the usual wedge and to keep the front and back linked together.
In carrying the invention into effect, the front and back are linked together,
preferably at both top and bottom, by links or hinges of any suitable kind, capable
of providing for the motion up or down of either the front or the back of the tree
with reference to the other of them. The motion of the back with reference to
the front necessarily removes it from the latter by the length of the links or hinges
and it is this motion which replaces the action of the well known wedge.
The back is fitted with a suitable grip by which it can be pulled up, moved
towards the front and the tree pulled out of the boot.
In order that my invention and the means by which it is to be carried into
practical effect may be thoroughly understood, I will now describe it and them in
detail, referring in so doing to the accompanying figures which are to be taken as
part of this Specification and read therewith.

page_text: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the tree for a Wellington boot.
Fig. 2 is a plan of the leg of the tree illustrated in Figure 1.
Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a shoe tree.
Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a boot tree.
a is the front of the tree and b is the back. Both parts are, as far as they
themselves are concerned, of the usual or any other suitable construction.
Instead of being detachable altogether from each other so that either can be
mislaid, or being made so as to be held together in working position only by a
wedge which can so easily be overlooked when packing up one's belongings before
starting on a journey, they are held together by a pair of links which provide for
(a.) Dispensing with the loose key or wedge.
(b.) Keeping the front and back of the tree together.
(c.) Extending the tree after it has been put into the boot or shoe.
(d.) Contracting the tree when it is to be pulled out of the boot or shoe.
My invention does not confine me to the precise details of the links which are
used in carrying my invention into effect, and provided that the discharge of the
four functions stated above be provided for, any type of link or pivot or double
hinge may be made use of.
c, d are the two links. They are pivotted by their ends to the front a and
back 6 respectively at the top and bottom thereof. They are both preferably of
the same length, such length being the amount the tree must be extended to restore
shape to the boot or shoe, as the case may be.
My improved tree is used as follows. The back portion is pulled up into the
position illustrated by the dotted lines of Figure 1 and the full lines of Figure 4
and the front portion a pushed into the boot or shoe in the usual way. The back
portion 6 is then pushed down as far as it will go, and as the links are rigid and of
a measured length, the upper must yield to the corresponding extension of the tree.
The latter is drawn out by pulling on the loop or ring e which is fast to the top of
the tree-back. The latter comes up into its former position, thereupon the tree
can be taken out of the boot or the latter taken off the tree.
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 I am aware
that it has been previously proposed to construct boot trees without a loose key or
wedge and having the front and back part of the tree so connected that the tree is
extended after it has been put into the boot and contracted when it is to be pulled
out of the boot and I wish it to be understood that I lay no general claim to such
construction as my invention is limited to such arrangements as I have herein
described in which the boot tree is provided with means for the motion up or
down of either the front or the back of the tree with reference to the other
substantially as described and what I claim is
1. The herein before described combination of tree front and tree back by means
of links, pivots or hinges, whereby the front and back are held fast together and
the insertion of the tree into the boot or shoe as the case may be and extension
of it therein are provided for and subject to the disclaiming note.
2. Providing for the extension and contraction of a boot tree without a wedge or
key, as set forth and subject to the disclaiming note.
Dated this 20th day of May 1202
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.