Improvements in Adjustable Racks or Holders for Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Sept., 1899-Accepted, 14th Oct., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Adjustable Racks or Holders for Boots and Shoes.
I, WILLIAM SATTERTHWAITE HALLOWELL, of Germantown Junction, Phila
delphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America, Manufacturer, 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 reference to a novel construction of racks or holders for
boots and shoes and consists of an inexpensive device of this character, which
can be readily applied to a door or similar support; which is longitudinally
adjustable to vary its capacity; and in which the supporting parts are relatively
adjustable to accommodate boots or shoes of different sizes.
The invention further consists in the features of construction and combination
of parts hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.
Of the accompanying drawing:
Figure 1 is a front elevation of a boot or shoe rack or holder constructed in
accordance with this invention.
Figure 2 is an end elevation thereof.
Figures 3 and 4 are sectional views taken respectively on lines x- and y-y
of Figure 2.
Figure 5 is a longitudinal section of an end portion of one of the supporting
rods.
Figure 6 is a fragmentary view in elevation and in section illustrating a
modification.
Referring to the drawing: the holder consists essentially of rear supports
situated one above the other and an adjustable front support that is situated
between and in front of said rear supports. The rear supports are arranged go
that the upper one thereof engages the heel of the boot or shoe, while the sole
thereof rests against the lower rear support. The adjustable front support
engages the upper portion of the boot or shoe at about the instep, to hold the
same in any desired position against the rear supports, and can be either auto-
matically adjustable to accommodate itself to boots or shoes of varying sizes, and
to hold the same under pressure, or it may be adjustable so as to be set previously
and in conformity with the size of the boot or shoe to be held. The rear supports
can be provided in various ways but consists preferably of two transverse rods A
and B carried by end brackets C. the latter to be secured to the door, wall or the
like to which the rack is applied. The upper rod A is near the upper end of the
bracket and a little distance in front of the lower rod B near the lower end thereof.
The adjustable front support consists of a rod D parallel with the rods A and B,
but situated between them. As before stated, this front support D may be
adjustable automatically as best shown in Figure 2, or it may be adjustable by
means of a set screw as shown in Figure 6, hereinafter referred to. In the
particular construction shown in Figures 1 to 4 the end brackets C are provided
with upwardly and rearwardly inclined guides or slots E, and at the upper ends of
the slots are barrels F open at their lower ends, and in which are situated the
springs G. The ends of the front support or rod I pass through the guides E

page_text: and are secured to the lower ends of the springs G, the upper ends of the latter
being secured at the upper ends of the barrels F. Since the springs G act by
contraction, they serve to draw the rod D toward the upper ends of the guides or
slots E.
The said rods A, B and D are also longitudinally adjustable to vary the length
and capacity of the holder, such adjustability being attained by making the rods
telescopic as shown in Figure 5, the rods proper being tubular and receiving
the spindles H as shown. The ends of the rods as well as the spindles are provided
with heads J and collars K, the latter abutting against the outer faces of the
brackets C as shown.
'
The holder is placed in position by securing the brackets C against a door or
the like, it being noted that no other preparation is necessary to adapt the rack
for use.
The boots or shoes to be supported are inserted, toes downward, in the
rear of the front support D, which moves downwardly and accommodates itself
to the size of the shoe as shown in dotted lines in Figure 2. The front side of
the heel rests upon the upper support A and the sole of the boot or shoe against
the lower support B. The tension of the springs G not only allow the front
support to accommodate itself to the size of the boot or shoe, but also maintains
the pressure upon the boot or shoe to hold it in position. It is obvious that boots
and shoes can be as readily removed as inserted; that the device will accommodate
slippers and shoes regardless of the uppers; that the shoes are held so that a free
circulation of air around the same is possible to keep them dry, and that the rack
is light and not unattractive in appearance.
As shown in Figure 6, the springs may be dispensed with, and the rod L
secured in place by the thumb nut M upon the threaded end N thereof, it being
also obvious that said threaded ends can pass through slots or guides in brackets
or through a plurality of openings made for this purpose.
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
1st. In a rack or holder for boots and shoes, stationary rear supports situated
one above the other, a yielding front support situated between and in front of
the same, and end brackets common to said supports.
2nd. In a rack or holder for boots and shoes, two stationary rear supports
situated one above the other, a front support movable vertically and laterally
between and in front of said rear supports, resilient means for moving said front
support upwardly and rearwardly, and end brackets common to said supports.
3rd. In a rack or holder for boots and shoes, the upper and lower rear supports,
an adjustable front support situated between and in front of the same, said rear
and front supports being longitudinally adjustable, and end brackets common to
said supports.
4th. In a rack or holder, for boots and shoes, the end brackets, upper and lower
rods mounted at the rear thereof, inclined guides at the front of said brackets, a
rod mounted to slide in said guides, and springs for moving said rod toward the
upper rear ends of said guides.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.