Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Feb., 1896-Accepted, 9th May, 1896

page_text: tabes C projecting through the cover and provided with a valve D. An inflating
pump may he screwed to the bes by means of which the bladder is inflated nur
the pressure retained by screwing down the valve D.
In places where it is unnecessary to exert pressure against the boot, and to
prevent contortional bulging, as for instance at the side of the foot or aukle, we
form a lateral hole or hiatus E extending through the bladder. By this means
there will be no contortional bulging or pressure exerted on the boot at that part
where the hiatus is. The sole of the bladder may be protected against injury by
means of a plate of metal or other hard material fastened internally to the
cover. This sole plate is made with slots in it, for the purpose of passing the
tapes, cords or stays through, hereafter set forth (or it may be made in skeleton
form) aml with a hinge G to secure flexibility so that the tree can be more easily
inserted into the boot. It must be understood that the non-elastic cover is the
primary instrument for giving the proper shape to the tree or last when inflated.
The bladder without the cover would have a tendency to get out of shape and
assume a circular or even a spherical form, but the cover not only imparts to the
tree or last the proper shape but also retains it in shape. The bladder A may be
innde in numerous forms. In the arrangement depicted in Figures 1 to 10
inclusive, it is formed in a peculiar manner, with any suitable number of double
webs or partitions a a passing through the bladder from top to bottom or side to
side, thus forming a series of tubes, cells or chambers a' all communicating with
each other, with passages between, through which tapes, cords, stays or the like are
passed. These tapes, conds or stays H are passed through the passages aforesaid
between the cells a¹ of the bladder A and sewn or otherwise secured at either end
to the cover. By means of these tapes, cords or stays, the various parts of the
cover after being put over the bladder can be shaped exactly as required, by
regulating or limiting the expansion of the bladder, so as to give the necessary
flatness, curvature or otherwise to the tree. By this arrangement the stays pass
through the bladder hut are yet external to the air space and we are able to shape
the tree accurately and exert pressure against the boot where it is required, or
exert little or no pressure against the boot. at those parts where pressure is
undesirable.
In Figure 11 a completed tree is shown for riding boots, there being in this case
a hiatus E similar to that already described. 13 is the bladder, Figures 12, 13, 14
and 15, the leg portion of which is formed of a central tube A' formed in one with
the foul, and two or more side portions A formed separate therefrom, and the
whole enclosed in a cover with stays H. The object of making the leg portion in
this way is to secure the necessary shape for the leg portion which could not be
obtained if the leg portion was made all in one single tihe, and also to obtain the
desired shape for the leg and exert the required pressure at the parts inure
especially required. The leg portion however may be in one single tube, if made
with the webs or partitions aforesaid so as to form the cells or chambers, on the
same principle as described with reference to the preceding figures, and the foot
portion may of course be made on the same principle.
In Figures 18, 19, 20 and 21, the idea is carried farther, the tubes A' A' of the
leg portion being made separate ns before, but communicating direct with the
foot, instead of the side portions A being made separate. In addition we provide
series of tubes A, all inflated from the valve C, these tubes being each
enclosed in non-elastic covers H. These covers may be either cylindrical as
shown in Figure 20, or of square section as indicated in Figure 21 and the whol
enclosed in an outer non-clastic cover or envelope B. The object of making the
leg portion in this way is to secure the exact shape required for the leg portion
the non-elastic covers being made of the required size smaller or larger at end
and sides as required so that the exact shape may be secured. In Figure 21
when the tubes are inflated they expand so as to assume the exact shape of the
square non-elastic covers, and so provide a smooth and even surface all round the
leg instead of a ribbed surface as depicted in Figure 20.

page_text: In another form of tubular bladder, as depicted in Figures 16 and 17. the back
or heel portion B' is made tubular with a division between the tube for the passage
of a tape, cord or stay. The sole is formed by a tube B', which, starting from the
top extends to the tou and back to the heel portion B', a tube B being also provided
which forms a filling and imparts the necessary pressure or hardness between the
heel and toe. The pressure at the instep is imparted by the tube B' and also
by the tubes BB, shown more clearly in the plan view Figure 17, all portions of
the bladder being filled with air through a tube C at top. When enclosed in a
casing and inflated, this bladder will swell so as to fill up the hollow space in the
middle entirely. The peculiar construction of this bladder enables stays for
shaping the cover to be passed between the tubes.
In making up the tree, we take a bladder A, such for example as the one
depicted in Figures 7, 8, 9 and 10. This bladder is enclosed within the cover or
envelope B, the latter being then sewn up so as to completely cover or envelop the
bladder, and if the bladder has a lateral hole or hiatus E in it extending through
the bladder, the cover is slit at that part and the pieces on opposite sides laced or
stitched together as shown. The correct shape can now be further accurately
obtained, by sewing cords or twine through the passages or slits between the
webs or partitions a a of the cells al in the bladder A, sewing or otherwise
fastening them securely at either end to the cover (or to the sole plate in the
case of those which extend to the sole) and drawing them to the requisite tightness
or looseness, and by this means we are able to regulate the expansion of the
bladder and obtain the desired shape of the tree with great nicety and accuracy
after the cover has been secured over the bladder. If tapes or stays H be used,
slits may be made in cover adjacent to the passages between the webs or partitions a,
and the stays H, then passed right through from side to side or from top to
bottom as the case may be and secured in place by sewing or otherwise. The
arrangement absolutely insures that the tree shall retain the correct shape. The
tree now assumes the appearance depicted in Figures 4, 5 and 6 with its cover B
but we prefer to enclose the tree in a second or outer cover of canvas which will
considerably strengthen the tree and prevent the stays or lacings being interfered
with. The completed tree with its outer cover is shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. It
will be understood that there numerous ways in which the tapes, cords or stays H
can be fastened to the cover B, the plans described being the most convenient ways
known to us at present. For the purpose of producing corn or buninn relievers,
the canvas cover or covers are made full at those points where the corns or bunions
are, and then when the bladder is inflated, it blows out at those parts where
the canvas is slack. The same construction may be adopted in the case of
malformations of the foot. The cover may be built up if desired of a series of
strips or tapes stitched or otherwise fastened together in such a manner as to
obtain the greatest strength in the direction required.
We have described our invention more especially in connection with boots and
shoe trees, but it must he understood that the invention is equally well adapted for
the other purposes set forth in the title, for which purposes further description
will be unnecessary. Moreover we have described the above ways in which the
bladders may be formed but we do not confine ourselves to these exact arrange-
ments, us it is obvious for example that the cellular bladder depicted in Figures 1
to 10 inclusive may have any suitable number of cells whether communicating
with each other or not with passages between for the passage of the stays. If the
cells do not communicate with each other, they will each have separate valves to
inflate to the required pressure and shape.
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. The method of making boot and shoe trees, lasts, boot and glove stretchers or
the like, in which compressed air or other fluid is used for inflating or distending

page_text: the same, namely; forming the bladder or vessel containing the air or other fluid
of tubular or coflular form with passages or spaces between; enclosing the bladder
in an outer cover or envelope of canvas or other non-elastic material, this latter
being sewn or laced up so as to completely enclose the hindder; passing tapes,
stays, cols or twine through the passages or spaces aforesaid; and finally in
fastening these tapes, stays, conls or the like securely to the cover at either end,
previously drawing them to the required tightness or looseness, whereby the proper
shape, curvature or flatness with great nicety and accuracy is obtained substantially
as described.
2. The manufacture of rubber or elastic bladders for boot and glove trees, Insts,
boot and gloove stretchers or the like with double webs or partitions a forming
cells or chambers at with passages between substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
3. In a tree, last or stretcher for bouts, gloves or the like in which compressed
air or other fluid is used for inflating or distending the same, the arrangements
whereby the stays for limiting the expansion of the internal vessel or bladder and
securing the proper shape are passed through the bladder from side to side or top
to buttom thereof, namely,
(a) forming in the bladder webs or partitions such as aa in such a manner as
to form cells or compartments with passages between, said passages enabling
the stays to he passed through the interior of the ladder but external to
the compressed fluid therein substantially as described; or
(b) forming the bladder of a series of tubes with spaces between in such a
manner as to allow of the passage of the stays through the bladder between
the tubes substantially as described.
4. A tree, last or stretcher of the kind set forth for riding bouts, cavalry boots
or the like, in which the leg portion is formed of a central tube formed in one
with the bladder composing the font and of two or more side portions formed
separate from the centre portion in combination with one or more suitably shaped
non-elastic covers with or without stays so arranged that the proper shape and
curvature can be obtained substantially as set forth.
5. A tree, Inst or stretcher of the kind set forth for riding boots, cavalry hoots,
or the like, in which the leg portion is formed of central tubes A' and A' enclosed
within a non-elastic cover with or without stays in combination with a series of
rubber tubes surrounding the tuhes A' and A each of which is enclosed within
Don-elastic covers of the required size and shape, whereby the proper shape and
curvature of the leg portion can be obtained substantially as described.
6. The manufacture of elastic bladders with a series of tubes with spaces
between for the passage of tapes, cords or stays substantially as nul for the
purpose set forth.
7. A tree, Inst or stretcher for boots, gloves or the like, consisting of an elastic
bladder or vessel capable of being inflated and collapsed, having one or more
lateral holes or hinti extending therethrough in combination with a non-elastic
cover enclosing and containing the bladder or vessel aforesaid, the said holes or
hiati in the bladder being so arranged as to prevent pressure of the enclosed
bladder against a part or parts of the cover corresponding to the part or parts of
the boot or other article not required to be acted upon, while leaving the
remainder of the cuver exposed to the pressure of the compressed fluid whereby
the apparatus when inflated in a hoot, shoe or other article will act mainly or
entirely upon such parts only of such bont or other article where pressure is
required substantially as described.
8. In combination for the purpose of forming a boot tree, stretcher or last with
corn, bunion or other like malformation relievers, an elastic bladder or vessel
capable of being inflated and collapsed and a non-elastic cover enclosing and
containing the bladder or vessel aforesaid, the said cover being made full nu
certain given points, where the corns, bunions, etcetera, are located, whereby when

page_text: the bladder is inflated it stretches or expands at those parts where the canvas is
slack substantially as described.
9. The use in combination with apparatus for stretching or restoring boots,
shoes or the like to their proper shape of a sole plate such as F formed with slots
therein and arranged substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
10. The several arrangements and combinations of parts forming our improved
apparatus for stretching or restoring boots, shoes, gloves or the like to their
proper shape, or for use as a last on which such articles are formed during
manufacture substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 inclusive,
Figures 7 to 10 inclusive, Figures 11 to 15 inclusive, Figures 16 and 17, and
Figures 18 to 21 inclusive of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 25th day of February 1896.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, and London, Patent Agents.