Improvements in Trees or Stretchers for Boot and Shoes or the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 7th July, 1897
Complete Specification Left, 7th May, 1898-Accepted, 11th June, 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Trees or Stretchers for Boot and Shoes or the like.
I, HAMILTON HALL, of the Junior United Service Club, Charles Street, London,
S.W., in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:
-
This invention has for its object a new and improved device of simple construc-
tion, applicable for use as a tree, stretcher, or drier; for holding and preserving
the shape of boots and shoes, or the like; and also for straightening the soles,
and removing creases and wrinkles from the leather.
This tree or stretcher is designed to fold into a small compass.
All parts being connected together, it is light, portable, and easy of application
or removal.
Reference to the accompanying drawings, will enable the construction and
application of my said invention to be more clearly understood.
Figure I, represents a side elevation of the apparatus when closed, or folded, in
position to be inserted into the boot or shoe.
Figure II side elevation, showing its application, and position when treeing
a boot.
The various parts can be made of wood, metal, or other suitable substance.
The fore part, or toe piece marked A, can be made either solid or hollow.
To this part is fixed the ratchet bar B. A small stud, projection, or other suitable
device, may be attached or bent on to the point C. Thus preventing the bar B,
disengaging itself from the lever D, as shown in Fig. I.
The lever D can be constructed in various ways without altering its mechanical
action. In preference I adopt the form which allows of the ratchet bar B, the
adjustable piece F, and the connecting link K, to move in a longitudinal slot in
the lever D, and thus cause these said parts to be kept in place, and receive support
on both sides from the lever.
To the lower extremity of the lever D, a suitably shaped heel piece I (preferably
made of rubber) is fixed. In some cases I find it advantageous to employ a longer
heel piece, in order to support the back of the boot or shoe. The upper end of
this, may be connected to the ratchet bar B, at the point C, and can be made of any
suitable substance.
A narrow longitudinal slot E, through the sides of the lever D), admits of the
movable part F being. adjusted to the required height by means of the bolt and
nut G, or other suitable device.
The said part F, acts as a support for the ratchet bar B, and a tooth, blade, or
the like, being formed on its upper edge to engage with the teeth of the ratchet, a
complete and automatic locking device is thus obtained.
The connecting bar or link K, is hinged to the lower end of the ratchet bar B,
or to the fore part A at the point L. Its other extremity being pivotted to the
lever D at the point H.
For certain forms of boots and shoes, I find it advantageous to pivot the bar B,

page_text: to the lever D, and to form the ratchet on the bar K. The result being practically
the same.
Many variations in the details of the construction of the apparatus can be
effected, without altering the principle. Such for instance, as allowing the ratchet
bar B, or link K, or both, to work outside the lever D, or on each side of it. The
adjustable piece F being altered to suit.
.
In like manner many forms of locking devices, or catches, may be substituted
to answer the same purpose as the tooth and ratchet.
To use the apparatus, it is only necessary to insert it into the boot in its closed
form, as shown in Fig. I. Then pressing the handle of the lever D in a forward
direction, that is, towards the toe of the boot, the apparatus will open as shown
in Fig. II.
By this action, the fore part, of the apparatus is driven with any desired degree
of pressure into the front part of the boot, and there retained in place, by the
tooth on the adjustable piece F, becoming engaged with one or other of the teeth
on the ratchet.
The removal is accomplished by slightly raising the bar B, and drawing the
handle of the lever back to its closed form.
Improvements in Trees or Stretchers for Boots and Shoes or the like.
I, HAMILTON HALL, of the Junior United Service Club, Charles Street, London,
S.W., in the County of Middlesex, 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 for its object a new and improved device, of simple construc-
tion, applicable for use as a tree, stretcher, or drier, for holding and preserving.
the shape of boots and shoes and the like; and also for straightening the soles,
and..removing creases and wrinkles from the leather.
This tree or stretcher is designed to fold into a small compass.
All parts being connected together, it is light, portable, and easy of application
or removal.
Reference to the drawings left with the Provisional Specification will enable
the construction and application of my said invention to be more clearly under-
stood.
Fig. I represents a side elevation of the apparatus when closed, or folded, in
position to be inserted into the boot or shoe.
a boot.
Figure II, side elevation, showing its application, and position when treeing
The various parts can be made of wood, metal, or other suitable substance.
The fore part, or toe piece marked A, can be made either solid or hollow.
To this part is fixed the ratchet bar B. A small stud, projection, or other suitable
device may be attached, or bent on to the point C. Thus preventing the bar 1,
disengaging itself from the lever D, as shown in Figure I..
The lever D, can be constructed in various ways without altering its mechanical
action. In preference I adopt the form which allows of the ratchet bar B, the
adjustable piece F, and the connecting link K, to, move in a longitudinal slot in
the lever D, and thus cause these parts to be kept in place. and receive support
on both sides from the lever.
To the lower extremity of the lever D, a suitably shaped heel piece I, is fixed.

page_text: This heel piece is preferably, made of rubber, thus acting as a spring to modify
any undue pressure on the boot, and at the same time to keep the toe piece firmly
in its place. In some cases I find it advantageous to employ a longer heel piece,
in order to support the back of the boot or shoe. The upper end of this, may be
connected to the ratchet bar B, at the point C, and can be made of any suitable
substance.
A narrow longitudinal slot E, through the 'sides of the lever D, admits of the
movable part F, being adjusted to the required height by means' of the bolt and
nut G, or other suitable device.
The said adjustable part F, acts as a support for the ratchet bar B, and a tooth,
blade, or the like being formed on its upper edge, to engage with the teeth of the
ratchet, a complete and automatic locking device is thus obtained.
The connecting bar or link K, is linked to the lower end of the ratchet bar B,
or to the fore part A, at the point L, its other extremity being pivoted to the
lever D, at the point H. The holes shown in the drawing on the lever end of the
link K, form the means of adjusting the boot tree to suit the length of the boot.
For certain forms of boots & shoes, I find it advantageous to pivot the bar B,
to the lever D, and to form the ratchet on the bar K. The result being practically
the same.
Many variations in the details of the construction of the apparatus, can be
effected, without altering the principle. Such for instance, as allowing the ratchet
bar B, or link K, or both, to work outside the lever D), or on each side of it.
adjustable piece F, being altered to suit.
The
In like manner many forms of locking devices, or catches may be substituted
to answer the same purpose as the tooth and ratchet.
To use the apparatus, it is only necessary to insert it into the boot in its closed
form, as shown in Fig. I. Then pressing the handle of the lever D in a forward
direction, that is, towards the toe of the boot, the apparatus will open, as shown
in Fig. II.
By this action, the fore part or toe piece A, is driven with any desired degree
of pressure into the front part of the boot, and there retained in position, by the
tooth on the adjustable piece F, becoming engaged with one or other of the teeth
on the ratchet. At the same time the rubber heel piece I will be firmly pressed
against the back, or heel part of the boot. The tooth on the adjustable part F,
supports the ratchet bar at whatever angle is suitable. Thus the single action
of pressing the lever forward, is fourfold in its effect.
It will be observed that the thrust of the link K is directed downwards towards
the toe, and consequently the action of the lever does not raise or lower the height
of the instep to cause undue pressure or leverage on this part of the boot.
The instep at all times retains the same height and angle to which it is adjusted.
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 what I
claim is:
1-In a boot tree, or stretcher, a rubber heel piece I, for the purpose sub-
stantially as described.
2-In boot trees, or stretchers, the combination and arrangement of parts for
regulating the height of the instep, consisting of the lever D, ratchet bar B, and
sliding or adjustable part F, substantially as hereinbefore described and illus-
trated in the accompanying drawings.
3-In the operation of treeing, stretching, or holding boots or shoes, the arrange-
ment and combination of parts to form the locking or holding device consisting
of the complete lever D, part F, ratchet B link K, and toe piece A, substantially
as herein before described, with reference to Fig. I and II of the annexed drawings.
4 In a boot tree, stretcher, or drier, the form, combination, and arrangement
of parts, designed to close or fold in a small compass to facilitate its application

page_text: and removal, substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
5-In a boot tree or stretcher the combination and arrangement of the various
parts, all substantially as herein specified and set forth.
6 The manufacture and use of boot trees and stretchers, substantially as herein-
before described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this Sixth day of May 1898.
HAMILTON HALL.
Applicant.