Improvements in Trees for Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Trees for Boots and Shoes.
I, FREDERICK BOWMAN, of 95, Rosoman Street, Clerkenwell, in the County of
London, Brassfounder, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My improvements consist in so arranging and forming the toe end of a metal
tree that instead of its being permanently attached to or forming part of the
front of the said tree as is the case in Brougham's Patent 19173 of 1894 (see
Figures 3, 4 and 5 of drawings) I mould or form the toe piece separately and
joint it to the front at or near the top of the instep in such a manner that
toes of varying size and shape may be readily attached thereto or detached there-
from by an unskilled person without interfering with the general action of
the tree.
Instead of using a bottom plate as shown by B in the drawing referred to the
fore part of which is by Brougham's specification jointed to the toe and to the
rear of which the link E is attached, in the centre of the underside of the toe
piece and at the lower part of the instep I joint one end of a short lever the
opposite end being jointed in a square block and opposite to this I joint one end
of a rod the opposite end being screwed so as to take into a threaded adjustable
link which in turn is jointed to the lower portion of the heel or back plate.
Where the ends of the lever and rod meet within the block they are rounded
and brought together thus forming a knuckle joint. The block above referred
to is extended downwardly and threaded to receive a screw terminating in a
knob or plate which rests upon the inside sole of the boot and may be adjusted
as to length by means of the screw arm to which it is attached. The upper
portions of the back and front are joined by means of an adjustable knuckle
joint.
The whole tree when not in use may be folded into small compass and in
order to use it it is in this state passed into the boot. On pushing down the
front of the tree, the toe piece is forced into the toe of the boot, the back plate
is then pushed down into its place and the lower knuckle joint may be pushed
downwards (springing out the two parts) by means of a loose stick or rod. The
upper knuckle joint is then depressed by hand or otherwise and the back and
front thus secured in position. The lower joint may be released by a hook or by
the rod if used.

page_text: I, FREDERICK BOWMAN, of 95, Rosoman Street, Clerkenwell, in the County of
London, Brassfounder, 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 boot trees for boots and shoes and consists of certain
new and improved features whereby a tree can be effectively applied to boots
having instep and toe of different sizes and shapes, and in which the mechanism
of the tree is simplified both in construction and action, and, by my improvements,
the, tree can be applied more readily than heretofore to the boot or removed
therefrom, and can be folded into a very narrow compass when not in use.
My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which
Figures 1 and 2 are side views showing my improved tree out of working
position and in working position respectively,
Figure 3 is a view from above of Figure 2, and
Figure 4 is a view of block H and stem N in direction of arrow, Figure 2.
The tree frame is composed of a front piece A, a back piece B and an instep
and toe piece C jointed to the bottom of the front piece. The pieces are crescent-
shaped (more or less) in cross section and are preferably moulded or other wise
shaped from metal or alloy or other suitable substance such as aluminium to
accurately fit against the inside of the boot when spread apart by the action of
toggle levers hereinafter referred to. The instep and toe portion is especially
carefully made or chosen, being moulded or shaped in accordance with the foot
of the wearer of the boot, and is of such a size as to include the whole or nearly
the whole of the instep. A hinge 1) unites the instep and toe piece C to the
bottom of the front piece A at the tips of the horns upon each side of the tree.
and is so made that its pin D can be removed when desired and the instep and
toe piece C detached. The top edge of the instep and toe piece C may be
rabbetted, as shown at E, Figure 1, so as to ensure true alignment with the front
piece when opened out, as in Figure 2.
At or about the centre of the underside of the instep and toe piece C, under
the instep, I provide a hinge or projection F to which is hinged one end of a
short rod G. the opposite end being jointed in a block H, and at the opposite
side of said block I joint one end of another rod J, which has screwed upon its
further end a threaded link K swivelled at its extremity to a small block L
jointed to the back of the heel or back plate at a point about level with the
hinge F. the pin 11 of the latter being made removable, as is the hinge pin D¹.
Any other form of device, adjustable or not, may be employed in place of the
link K, or the latter may be dispensed with and the rod J hinged direct to the
heel of the back piece B. It will be seen that the combination of the rods G
and J with the block H form a toggle hinge.
The block H carries a foot M screwed into the bottom of same by a threaded
stem N, and at the top of said block I may provide a rod O (screwed or otherwise
fixed) extending upwardly to above the level of the tree itself, projecting through
a socket P and furnished with a handle O¹. The two pieces A and B, which are
of equal height- when in working position, are united at the top by a toggle
hinge which may be constructed and arranged similarly to the lower toggle
hinge already described and having a stop plate Q fitted to the centre block R,
or other form of buttress device, for holding the toggle in working position.
The action of my improved tree is as follows. The tree is introduced within

page_text: the boot or shoe in its collapsed state, as in Figure 1, the dropping of the hinged
toe piece C greatly facilitating the operation. The block H is now pushed down
by means of the rod O or any other stick or the like pressed down upon it, with
the result that the instep and toe piece C becomes forced into the toe of the boot
or shoe, and when the block H has descended to the level of the hinge F the heel
or back piece becomes forced out or back, the foot M at the same time coming
to bear upon the waist of the boot or shoe and bringing the block H to rest.
The upper toggle hinge may now be brought into use, and the boot will then be
truly fitted by the tree.
In order to withdraw the tree, the block H may be raised by pulling up the
back (heel) piece B.
The foot M is adjustable as to height by means of the screw N.
When a boot of different size and shane of foot requires to be fitted, I remove
the instep and toe piece C by disconnecting the hinges D) and F and substituting
another one of suitable size or shape.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. A boot tree composed of a front piece A, a detachable toe piece Chinged
thereto by a hinge D), a back piece B, and a block H connected to said toe piece C
by a rod G and to the heel of said back piece B by a rod J, link K and block L,
the connection being arranged as a toggle lever system, and also a block R
situated between the upper ends of said front piece A and back piece B and
connected thereto by rods as hereinbefore mentioned forming likewise a toggle
lever connection. substantially as described.
2. The foot M and the screwed stem N attached thereto, whereby said foot
may be screwed up or down in the block H for the purpose and substantially as
specified.
STANLEY POPPLEWELL & Co.
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agents.