Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Aug., 1887:
Complete Left, 2nd Mar., 1888
Complete Accepted, 6th Apr., 1888
I, ELDRED WILSON STEAD, of 11 Manor Road, Stoke Newington, London, Timber
Merchant do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
:―
The habit of drying damp boots by exposing them before a stove or fire is
damaging to the leather and does not ensure the extraction of moisture from the
interior.
According to my invention I apply heat from within so as to expel moisture by
outward radiation and in a manner which cannot do any harm to the soles and
uppers of boots.
My invention consists in a Stoneware Last made hollow so that it can be filled
with hot water in the same way as a bottle. This Last is made in a variety of sizes
and of a shape corresponding to the inside of ordinary boots and shoes.
At the top
it extends a few inches higher than ordinary walking boots, for convenience of
inserting and withdrawing from the boot, and for holding in the hand while the
boot is being cleaned. The cavity at the top is conical shaped leading to the central
inlet hole, which latter is stoppered with a cork, or in any convenient way.
My hollow Last may be made of glass or any other suitable material which
practically carries out the above design.
It will be understood that the mode of use in drying damp boots is to fill the
Last with hot water, and after stoppering, it is placed inside the boot until the
latter is dried.
Dated this 8th day of August 1887.
ELDRED WILSON STEAD.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Last or Apparatus for Drying Damp Boots.
I, ELDRED WILSON STEAD of 11 Manor Road Stoke Newington in the County
of Middlesex Timber Merchant 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 :-
The habit of "Drying Damp Boots" now existing, by exposing them before a fire,
is damaging to the leather & does not ensure the extraction of moisture from the
interior. According to my invention I apply heat from within so as to expel the
moisture by outward radiation and in a manner which cannot do any harm to
the soles & uppers of the boots. My invention consists in a stoneware last, made
hollow, so that it can be filled with hot water in the same way as a bottle. The last is
made in a variety of sizes of a shape corresponding to the inside of ordinary boots &
shoes. At the top it extends a few inches higher than the ordinary walking boot for
convenience of inserting & withdrawing from the boot and for holding in the hand
while the boot is being cleaned. The cavity at the top is conical shaped leading to
the central inlet hole which latter is stoppered with a cork or any other convenient
way. My hollow last may be made of glass or any other suitable material which
practically carries out the above invention. It will be understood that the mode of
use in drying damp boots, is to fill the last with hot water & after stoppering, it is
placed inside the boot until the latter is dried.
Having now particularly described & ascertained the nature of my said
Invention & in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1. My claim consists of a hollow boot last made of any suitable material that can be
filled with hot water in the same way as a bottle.
2. I claim to make the last of glass or any other suitable material.
3. I claim to apply heat from within so as to expel the moisture by outward
radiation.
4. I claim to make the last in a variety of sizes.
.. T
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