A New or Improved Apparatus for "Treeing,” Stretching, or Holding Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Aug., 1886.
Complete Left, 31st May, 1887.
Complete Accepted, 1st July, 1887.
A New or Improved Apparatus for "Treeing,” Stretching, or
Holding Boots and Shoes.
WILLIAM WEBSTER WATTS of Littleton House near Athlone, Ireland Gentleman
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
<<
This Invention has reference to a new or improved apparatus for treeing"
stretching or holding Boots or Shoes whereby the same may be held in such a
position as will tend to preserve their shape and restore them to a neat and agreeable
appearance when distorted or otherwise mishapen by the effects of wear, damp, or
ill usage.
My improved apparatus may also be used for holding Boots or shoes while being
It may
cleaned, polished, or dressed and also for hanging them up when not in use.
likewise be used with advantage for drying Boots and Shoes as it enables their inside
to be exposed to the action of the air without interfering with their being kept in
shape. Furthermore it may be used as a kind of rack for the purpose of banging, or
laying aside an unlimited number of boots or shoes.
My invention consists of a flat sole plate of wood or other suitable material provided
at one end with suitable claws or hooks and at the other end with a movable sliding
device whereby a boot or shoe placed on the sole plate can be grasped and retained
firmly in a perfectly stretched condition and "treed" into shape, or held in a secure
and convenient manner for the purpose of cleaning, polishing, or drying.
The grasping device referred to may consist of one or more points or spikes worked
by a thumb screw or it or they may be pushed or pulled by the hand, either plan.
operating in a suitable slot or bracket provided in the sole plate, so that by turning
the screw or pushing or pulling as the case may be the point or points, is or are
caused to penetrate or grasp the heel of the boot or shoe as the case may be and hold
the same firmly attached to the sole plate.
The end of the sole plate at which the moveable device is arranged is provided with
a suitable handle to facilitate any or either of the above operations.
Dated this 31st day of August 1886.
J. K. FAHIE & SON,
10, Leinster Street, Dublin,
Agents for Applicant,

page_text: A New or Improved Apparatus for "Treeing," Stretching, or
Holding Boots and Shoes.
I WILLIAM WEBSTER WATTS of Littleton House, near Athlone Ireland Gentleman,
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 has reference to a new, or improved, apparatus for "treeing"
stretching, or holding boots, or shoes, whereby the same may be held in such a
position as will tend to preserve their shape and restore them to a neat and agreeable
appearance, when distorted or otherwise misshapen by the effects of wear, damp, or
ill usage.
My Improved Apparatus may also be used for holding boots or shoes while being
cleaned, polished or dressed, and also for hanging them up when not in use.
It may
be likewise used with advantage for drying boots and shoes as it enables their inside
to be exposed to the action of the air (at the same time keeping them in shape)
Furthermore it may be used as a kind of rack, for the purpose of hanging or laying
aside an unlimited number of boots or shoes.
My Invention consists of a sole plate of wood, metal, or other suitable material (or
a combination of suitable materials) size, and section provided at one end with suitable
claws, or hooks, and at the other end with a sliding or travelling device whereby a
boot or shoe placed on the sole plate, can be grasped and held firmly in a stretched
condition and "treed" into shape or held in a secure and convenient manner for the
purpose of cleaning, polishing, or drying.
The grasping device referred to may consist of one or more points, or spikes worked
by a thumb screw, or it, or they, may be pushed or pulled by the hand, either plan
operating in a suitable slot or bracket provided in the sole plate, so that by turning
the screw or pushing, or pulling, as the case may be the point, or points, is, or are,
caused to press against, penetrate, or grasp the heel of the boot or shoe and hold the
same firmly attached to the sole plate.
The end of the sole plate at which the movable device is arranged is provided with
a suitable handle to facilitate any or either of these operations.
In order that my said Invention may be more readily understood and carried into
practice I will describe the accompanying Drawings which illustrate the arrangement
of apparatus I prefer to use for the purpose of my Invention :-Fig. 1 is an elevation
showing a boot attached; and Fig. 2 a plan of a portable apparatus; Figs. 3 and 4
show elevation, and plan of apparatus for attachment to a shelf or table; Fig. 5 a view
of same hereinafter more fully described; Figs. 6 and 7 show elevation, and plan of
modified form of Figs. 1 and 2.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in each of the several
views.

page_text: A, is the sole plate which in Figs. 1 and 2 is composed of wood, and in the other
figures of metal. At the toe end are shown the claws 1, 2, and 3 all hinged on one
spindle and falling into a recess, so as to be flush with the sole plate. Any number of
these claws may be used but it is considered that three of different sizes as represented
will suffice for all practical purposes. In the drawings, claw 2 is shown elevated, and
clutches, the toe of the boot while the heel on being pressed down on the sole plate, is
caught by the grasping device, shown in the drawing as a point or spike b, working
on the screw c, which latter is operated by the ring handle d, in Figs. 1, 2, 6 and 7
and by the crank handle e, in Figs. 3, 4 and 5.
In Figs. 6 and 7 a modified apparatus is illustrated consisting simply of a plate of
metal with the longitudinal edges turned down and provided at the toe end with an
angle piece f, forming two claws of different lengths either of which can be used at
pleasure.
Although the grasping device is shown as a point, or spike, in the drawings it is
obvious that other means of grasping the heel might be substituted such as a spur or
a roughed curved piece.
In some cases when dealing with thin soled boots, or shoes, or with Ladies' high
heeled boots, or shoes it may be desirable to use a travelling stop or claw g (Fig. 5)
which is worked by the screw h, and thumb nut i, whereby the stop, or claw, can be
brought to bear against the front of the heel and thus obviate the danger of the sole
being forced or bent upwards by the pressure of the grasping device.
Should it be found desirable, or convenient, the sole plate may be provided with a
transverse hinge or joint in, or near the centre so that it can be readily folded and
carried in a toilet or travelling case.
The end of the apparatus to the right in Figs. 1, 2, 6 and 7 serves as a convenient
handle to hold while cleaning or polishing the hoot or shoe and also for hanging on a
hook or rack for drying or other purposes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I would have it understood that I do
not confine myself to the exact details as herein described and illustrated as my object
can be accomplished by modifications in the details without departing from the
principle or sacrificing the advantages of my Invention, what I claim is
1st. In the operation of cleaning, polishing, stretching, or "treeing" boots and
shoes the combination formed by the sole plate; the claw, or claws, at the toe end;
and the grasping device at the heel end, in the manner substantially as described and
set forth.
2nd. The use and application of apparatus for holding boots and shoes for the
purpose of cleaning polishing "treeing" stretching, drying, or such like operations
constructed and operating in the manner substantially as herein specified and set
forth.
J. K. FAHIE & SON,
10, Leinster Street, Dublin,
Agents for Applicant.