Improvements in Boot Stretchers.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Mar., 1898-Accepted, 9th Apr., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Boot Stretchers.
I, JAMES HEWITT, of 17, Upper Tichborne Street, Leicester, 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:-
This invention relates to certain novel and useful improvements in boot stretchers
and has for its object the production of a simple, effective and economical appliance
for stretching boots and shoes with a special and improved provision for raising
and enlarging the toe portion thereof.
With these ends in view the invention consists in the combination of elements
and details of construction hereinafter fully described and specifically designated
in the claims.
In order that the invention may be fully understood the following further
description is given relating to the accompanying drawing in which, Figure 1, is
a side elevation of a stretcher constructed in accordance with this invention and
shown in its operative position inside a boot.
Figure 2, is a plan on a larger scale of the expanding portion of the stretcher
with part of the hollow stock broken away to show the internal construction.
Figure 3, is a detail view of the heel-piece, follower nut and threaded rod and,
Figure 4, is a perspective view of the detachable toe-piece per se with a
longitudinal section of the same above it on a larger scale. Like letters of reference
indicate similar parts throughout the figures.
A, is a detachable toe-piece the shank or rearward extension A¹ of which fits
in the forward end of the hollow stock B. On each side of the hollow stock near
the end is a vertical axis or pivot B¹ on which is movably mounted a roller Ba
against which bears a curved arm C one end of which is pivottally connected to a
block D on the end of a screwed rod E, and the opposite end is similarly connected
to a shaped arm or claw F, by a pivot F¹.
The screwed rod at its opposite end is furnished with a handle G by which the
arms or claws F are expanded. The arms F are shown in Figure 2 in their
withdrawn or closed position in full lines, and in their expanded position in
dotted lines.
By turning the handle G the rod E is rotated within the follower H (to be
described) and also within the stock B, and the curved arms C are pressed forwards
towards the end of the stock and out through openings in the side of the latter
in contact with the rollers B, whereupon the arms C expand or move outwardly
the arms or claws F connected thereto. The latter when located within a boot or
shoe press against the sides of the upper and thereby stretch or expand the
latter as will be well understood.
The screwed rod E has also mounted upon it a follower nut H threaded interiorly
and provided with a handle H¹ by which the said nut can be turned and travelled
upon the screwed rod E.

page_text: J is a brace or heel-piece swivelly attached to the forward end of the follower
nut H thus permitting the said nut to turn within the said heel piece.
The bearing surface of the said heel-piece is constructed with a serrated or
roughened surface J¹ for the purpose of preventing any danger of slipping upwards
against the inner surface of the shoe.
Reverting to the toe-piece it will be observed that the forward end A2 which is
pushed into the toe of the boot or sloe to be stretched is formed with a slightly
receding front or wall proceeding upwards to where it terminates in a prominence
or rise A³ on the upper surface thereof, which prominence is adapted to support
and maintain the shape of a puff toed boot and also to prevent reducing and further
flattening an otherwise flat toed boot or shoe, while the stretching operation
produces increased depth of toe space.
From the prominence, the upper surface of the toe-piece takes a gradually
curved sweep A+ until it terminates in a shoulder A5 which abuts against the
forward end of the hollow stock B as shown in Figures 2 and 4.
From a point in a vertical line taken to the right of the prominence the sides of
the toe-piece take an inward curved sweep at A6 Figures 2 and 4 forming the
shank A of reduced width which is thereby adapted to pass between the curved
ends of the side arms or claws F. and the curve of which is so arranged that the
said arms can be expanded as represented by the dotted lines in Figure 2 while
the toe-piece is in position on the stretcher and forms no hindrance thereto.
The mode of using the stretcher is as follows:-
The toe-piece A having been inserted in the forward end of the hollow stock B
the follower nut H is run down toward the forward end of the threaded rod E to
allow the heel-piece J to enter easily into the rear portion of the boot or shoe desired
to be stretched.
Then by turning the handle H¹ of the follower nut the toe-piece is pushed into
the toe of the shoe thus raising and stretching it at the same time.
If it be also desired to widen the toe the main handle G must be turned so as
to expand or open the claws or arms F which are free to so move on account of
the toe-piece being constructed as herein before described and shown in the
drawing.
The forward end and upper surface of the toe-piece may be varied in shape for
different shapes of toes, but the construction of the shank must be substantially as
illustrated and specified to enable the side arms or claws to be opened or expanded
while the toe-piece is fitted in position on the stretcher.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is:-
1
1. In a boot or shoe stretcher the use or employment of a detachable toe-piece
constructed substantially as described and illustrated in Figure 4 of the
accompanying drawing.
2. In a boot or shoe stretcher the combination with the side arms or claws F and
their operating rod E of a toe-piece constructed in such a manner as to allow the
said arms or claws to be opened or expanded when the toe-piece is fitted on the end
of the stretcher substantially. as described.
3. In a boot or shoe stretcher the combination with a toe-piece of the character
specified detachably fitted in the end of a hollow stock B of a heel-piece swivelly
attached to a follower nut running on a screwed rod and means for operating the
said nut substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
4. In a boot or shoe stretcher the combination with a toe-piece of the character
specified of a follower nut travelling upon the threaded rod which operates the
stretching devices and having swivelly attached thereto a heel-piece and means for
operating the said rod and follower nut independently of each other substantially
as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
5. The complete stretcher for boots and shoes consisting of the 'parts 'constructed,

page_text: arranged and operating substantially in the manner described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawing.
14 way
JAMES HEWITT.
Witness:-
E., N. LEWIS,
Berridge Street Chambers,
Leicester.
Boult & Wade,
Agents for the Applicant.