A Skeleton Boot Tree, and a Method for Manufacturing the same.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Nov., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 6th Aug., 1890-Accepted, 13th Sept., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Skeleton Boot Tree, and a Method for Manufacturing the same.
I LEWIS OWEN MICHAEL Commercial Traveller of 88 Bordesley Green Birmingham
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
In order to exhibit boots and shoes in shop windows it is customary to stuff them
full of paper so that they appear full as if a foot was in them. This is considerable
trouble, and to obviate it various attempts have been made to make trees to slip in and
6ll them out. Some of these are made to fill part of the boot, just the joints and
instep, others are made to fill the boots full but are too expensive for general use.
Now my invention is a skeleton trec stamped out of sheet brass or other metal or
material, and so shaped as to fill the front of the boot up to the top, and the back if
desired, but in practice I find the front sufficient.
I first construct a model of the shape to fit the inside of the boot or shoe. From
this I have dies made suitable for use under a powerful press or stamp. The metal or
other material being placed between the dies is pressed or stamped into the required
shape.
To keep the skeleton tree firm in position in the boot I use a support from the
inside of the heel part of the boot to the top of the skeleton tree, and a small steel
spring under the too part of the skeleton tree and attached thereto.
These skeleton trees being pressed or stamped can be made very cheaply, are very
simple in use, and are very light.
Dated this 2nd day
1000
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Skeleton Boot Tree, and a Method for Manufacturing the same.
1 LEWIS OWEN MICHAEL, of 88 Bordesley Green, Birmingham, Commercial
Traveller, 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 an improved boot tree or block, for exhibiting boots and
shoes for sale or other purposes, and to the method of their manufacture.
In order to exhibit boots and shoes in shops windows, it is customary to stuff them
with paper, so that they appear full, as if a foot was in them. This is very troublesome,
and to obviate it, various attempts have been made to make trees to slip in, and so to
fill them out. Some of these are made to fill part of the boot, just the point and
instep; others are made to fill the boot full, but are too expensive for generaliuse.
Now my invention is a skeleton tree, stamped out of sheet brass or other metal or
material, and so shaped as to fill the front of the boot up to the top. Also, a similar
part may be applied to the back of the boot, if desired. but in practice I find the front
part sufficient.
I first construct a model, of a shape to fit the inside of the boot or sboc. From
this I have top and bottom dies made, suitable for use under a powerful press or
stamp. I then cut out blanks of metal, (or other material) of a suitable size and
shape. These blanks are then placed between the dies, and pressed or stamped into
the required shape.
To keep the skeleton tree firm in position in the boot, I use a support or spring,
from the inside of the heel part of the boot, to the top of the skeleton tree, and a steel
or other metal spring, under the toe part of the skeleton tree, and attached thereto.
In order to explain more fully this my invention, and how it is to be performed, I
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have appended hereunto an illustrative sheet of drawings, upon which are figures and
letters of reference, similar letters referring throughout the several views to the same
thing or part, and in which :-
Fig. 1, is a side sectional elevation of a boot, having the skeleton boot tree &c.
inserted therein, showing its function.
.
Fig. 2 is a detached side elevation of the skeleton boot tree.
Fig. 3 is a rear view of Fig. 2.
Figs. 4, 5 & 6 are respectively, sectional views of Fig. 2 upon lines A-B, C-D, &
E-F.
a, is the skeleton boot tree, suitably shaped for the front of the boot. As before
intimated, a similar skeleton tree may also be made for the back part of the boot, if
desired. is the toe spring, which is secured at c, d, to the said tree a, and which,
when in position, rests upon the inside of the sole of the boot, and thereby supports
the tree against the front upper of the boot. The sectional form of this tree is made
to suit the shape of the boot, and therefore varies at different parts of its length, as
seen for instance, in Figs. 4, 5 & 6.
The form and application of the heel spring e, may be varied if desired, but the
arrangement as shown, I find to answer very well.
Those skeleton trees being pressed or stamped after the manner described and
shown, can be made very cheaply, are very simple and handy in use, and are very light.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. Making boot trees, of the skeleton form, substantially as hercin described and
shown, and for the purposes specified.
2nd. Making skeleton boot trees, by the stamping or pressing process or method,
substantially as herein described and illustrated.
3rd. The combination and arrangement of the skeleton boot tree a, toe spring b, and
heel spring or support e, substantially as described and shown, and for the purposes
specified.
Dated this 5th day of August 1890.
CHARLES T. POWELL,
Applicant's Agent.