A New or Improved Stretcher for Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Mar., 1893-Accepted, 22nd Apr., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Stretcher for Boots and Shoes.
I, ROBERT TREWEM BEAR, of Sconnor House St. Germans Cornwall
Steward 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 relates to a stretcher for boots and shoes, for expanding the
upper at the toe, to ease the toes of the wearer, and is especially intended for use
by those having swollen toes, corns, or the like.
The device consists of two plates preferably of metal, one of which forms a base
and is placed on the sole of the boot, inside, being shaped to fit the toe, the other,
which is fitted adjustably on it, is curved or bent into the shape of the upper at
that part. The latter plate is furnished with a stout pin, on the top of which the
plate is fixed, the lower part of the pin being formed with a screw thread. On the
lower plate is fixed a socket supporting a loose nut, having a toothed flange or
plate at the top. The pin above mentioned screws into the loose nut so that if
the latter is turned it raises or lowers the pin, adjusting the upper plate to the
desired height. In order to adjust the nut a lever is employed, turning loosely on
the pin, and extending to the open end of the boot, with a crank arm projecting
through the top, allowing it to be operated from the outside. The lever is
furnished with a pin on its lower side, at such a distance from its pivot that it can
engage with the teeth of the flange of the nut, turning the latter when the lever
is turned. The lever can be raised slightly, disengaging the pin and allowing it
to engage with another tooth. The nut can thus be turned as far as desired in
one direction, forcing the upper plate upwards and expanding the toe of the boot
until it is sufficiently easy in wear. Instead of employing a nut, the socket may
be threaded and the pin screw into it, the toothed plate being situated on the pin,
the latter turning in this direction. The flange of the nut or pin may be formed
with the teeth on its face and the lever be caused to engage with them in the
manner above described, or the flange may have a number of holes equidistant
from the centre, into which the pin on the lever takes. In each case the action of
the lever and other parts is the same. The upper plate is preferably provided
with a number of holes at suitable points in which can be placed small plugs,
projecting slightly above, to ease the foot at any point where a corn may have
grown. In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is
had to the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a vertical section
of a shoe, having one form of my improved stretcher placed in position, and
Fig. 2 a plan of the device with the upper plate removed, Fig. 3 a plan of the
upper plate and Fig. 4 is a section of a modification.
A is the shoe, in the toe a of which the device is placed, the plate B resting on the
sole. Fixed on the upper side of B is the socket C, carrying the loose nut D, which
can turn in the socket. Through this nut passes the end of the screwed pin E, on
the top of which the upper plate F is fitted, which is curved to follow the upper of
the toe, so that by turning the nut D in the socket the plate F can be raised,
expanding the toe a. The nut D may screw into the socket C instead of screwing
on the pin, so that it is raised or lowered, carrying the pin with it. The nut D is
furnished with the flange G, having a number of teeth g, by means of which it is
turned. To operate the device the lever H is employed, cranked at its outer end
and furnished with a handle h, the lever turning loosely on the pin E so that it
can be raised slightly as well as turned. The pin on the lever H is situated so
that it can engage with the teeth of the flange, turning the nut with the lever.
The upper plate F, as shown in Fig. 3, is formed with a number of holes f, in

page_text: which the plugs f¹ can be placed, to act as corn easers, relieving the toe at the
required points.
Fig. 4 shows a slightly modified construction, in which the nut is dispensed with,
the pin E screwing into the fixed socket C which is threaded for that purpose.
The toothed flange G for operating the device is formed on the pin E, which can
turn loosely in the bearing in the top plate, the latter being preferably counter-
sunk, and the pin loosely rivetted, to prevent the plate coming off. This device
can be readily applied by any person, being easily put in proper position, the user
employing his judgment in regulating the pressure.
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.) A device for the purpose of stretching the uppers and toes of boots and
shoes, consisting of a base plate carrying an upper curved plate, fitting, the upper
of the boot, and adjusted by means of a loosely fitted lever, operated from the
open end of the boot or shoe, raising or lowering the pin on which the upper plate
is mounted by means of a toothed flange, screw and socket, substantially as and for
the purposes specified.
(2.) A stretching device for boots and shoes, consisting of two plates, one
resting on the sole, the other bearing against the upper, the latter being supported
in an adjustable manner on the former by means of a socket carrying a loose nut
with a toothed flange, which can be turned by means of a loosely pivotted lever,
capable of engaging with and being disengaged from the flange, a pin fitted to the
upper plate being raised or lowered by the nut, substantially as described and for
the purposes specified.
(3.) A stretching device for boots and shoes, consisting of plates B and F,
socket C on plate B, loose nut D, screwed pin E on plate F screwing into the
nut D, toothed flange G on nut D, and loose lever H with pin h¹ engaging with
the flange G, substantially as described and illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the
accompanying drawings and for the purposes specified.
(4.) A stretching device for boots and shoes, consisting of two plates, one
resting on the sole and the other bearing against the upper, the latter being
carried on a screwed pin, working in a fixed socket on the lower plate, and
furnished with a toothed flange, turned by means of a loosely pivotted lever,
capable of engaging with and being disengaged from the flange, substantially as
described with reference to Fig. 4 of the drawings.
(5.) The improved stretching device for boots and shoes, comprising two plates,
one resting on the sole, and the other bearing against the upper, the latter being
furnished with holes and plugs for easing the boot at any required point, the
whole constructed and operating substantially in the manner described and
shown.
Dated this 7th day of March 1893.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.