An Improved Apparatus for Treeing, Stretching, or Holding Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Apr., 1888.
Complete Specification Left, 26th Jan., 1889
Complete Specification Accepted, 2nd Mar., 1889,
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Apparatus for Treeing, Stretching, or Holding Boots
and Shoes.
I, WILLIAM WEBSTER WATTS of 34 Great Charles Street Birmingham, Gentleman,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to an improved apparatus for treeing, stretching, or holding
boots and shoes in a convenient and effectual manner, whereby the operation of
cleaning, or polishing may be more readily, and speedily accomplished and the shape
of the boot, or shoes preserved.
The Invention consists of a base, or block which can be readily attached to a table,
or shelf by screws, or other suitable appliance and from one end of which springs a
curved arin at the top of which latter is formed a curved slot-In this curved slot a
lever handle works to which is fixed a projecting curved arm the free end of which
projects into the boot or shoe to be treed stretched or cleaned as the case may be
From the central portion of the base, or block rises an abutment, or spur provided
with a spike, spikes, or claws curving appropriately towards the heel end of the
apparatus.
Towards the toe end of the projecting arm that goes. inside the boot or shoe a
flat spring may be fixed having one end capable of sliding on the arm, the object
of which is to press against, or hold up the upper of the boot or shoe against the
pressure of the cleaning brush during the operation of rubbing.
The action of the apparatus is as follows
Having inserted the projecting curved arm; the boot or shoe is placed on the
base, or block so that the spike, spikes, or claws on the abutment, or spur rising
therefrom will impinge against the front surface of the heel-The handle lever is
then drawn forward which causes the projecting arm to travel towards the toe
end of the boot, or shoe, and in doing so carries forward also the boot, or shoe,
thereby pressing the front surface of the heel firmly against the spike, spikes, or
claws of the abutment or spur.
When the boot or shoe is pressed forward to the required extent the lever handle
is secured by a thumb screw, or other device and the boot or shoe is thus held
securely and firmly during the operation of cleaning or polishing; or for the purpose
of treeing, stretching, or shaping.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Apparatus for Treeing, Stretching, or Holding Boots
and Shoes.
I WILLIAM WEBSTER WATTS formerly of 34 Great Charles Street Birmingham and
now residing at Legge Lane Birmingham, 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 relates to an improved Apparatus for treeing, stretching, or holding
hoots and shoes in a convenient and effectual manner whereby the operation of
cleaning and polishing may be readily and more speedily accomplished and the shape
of the boot or shoe preserved.
The invention consists of a base plate which can be readily attached to a stool,
table, or shelf by screws or bolts and from one end of which rises a curved arm
provided at its top with a curved slot in which works a lever handle carrying a
projecting arm, or tongue which enters the boot or shoe to be cleaned, treed or,
stretched as the case may be.
From the base plate rises a platform provided with a spike, or spikes, or claws
pointing in the direction of the base of the vertical arm.
The nature, construction, and operation of my invention may be more readily
understood on reference to the accompanying Drawings; Fig. 1 represents the
apparatus per se. Fig. 2. the apparatus mounted on a suitable bench or stool and
showing a boot in position for cleaning polishing, treeing or stretching and Fig. 3 is
a detail view hereinafter referred to.
A is the base plate provided with a web for the purpose of being screwed down to
a table or shelf as may be found convenient.
The vertical arm 6 is provided with a curved slot c in which moves a stud or
pin c¹, projecting from the lever handle d, which latter works on the pivot e.
To the handle is pivoted the projecting arm, or tongue f, the free end of which
carries a saddle g, capable of accommodating itself to the inside of different sized
boots or shoes. is a paul gearing in the ratchet A', so that when the lever handle
is drawn forward to effect the necessary pressure of the tongue towards the toe of the
boot or shoe, the paul prevents its return until released.
Instead of the paul and ratchet as thus described the handle pin c¹ may be formed
so as to constitute a thumb screw and nut whereby the handle can be held in any
required position in the slot.
The platform i, on which the boot or shoe is placed is slightly concave in section so
as to present clearly defined longitudinal edges whereby additional grip is afforded
and lateral movement of the boot, or shoe prevented while being operated upon.
A small projection k, is provided for the purpose of ensuring the device being
fixed in the best position to a table, or stool so that the boot, or shoe is clear for the
action of the brushes.

page_text: In order to keep the projecting tongue f, slightly raised from the platform (when
not in use) a spring 1. is fixed to the vertical arm and bears against the tongue so that
the latter is always in a position of readiness to receive a boot, or shoe; or a spiral
spring m, may be used instead of that just described.
For the purpose of portability the vertical arm b, may be made detachable from the
base plate by means of a dove tailed joint as shown in Fig. 3.
The action of the invention is briefly as follows:-
Having inserted the tongue f in the boot or shoe the latter is placed on the
platform i, with the front of the heel against the point p, of the platform.
The handle d is then drawn forward which causes the tongue to travel towards
the toe of the boot, or shoe carrying same forward and causing the heel to press
tightly against the platform point.
When the pressure necessary to grip firmly the Boot or shoe is thus effected
the paul engages in the ratchet and prevents the return of the handle, and tongue.
The apparatus as thus constructed may be mounted on a suitable stool or bench
as shown in Fig. 2. or it may be attached to a table or shelf as found convenient.
Having thus described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed I would have it understood that I do
not confine myself to the precise details herein specified as the same may be varied
without departing from the principle of my invention; for instance the heel abutment
may be made to travel, in which case, the lever handle, and paul and ratchet
arrangement, may be dispensed with, and the tongue simply hung on a pivot-Again
the vertical arm may be made to oscillate on a pivot, at or near its base whereby it
may be moved backwards and forwards and other such alterations in detail may be
made in practice. I have however described what I consider the best practical method
of carrying out my invention and what I therefore desire to claim is.
1st. In the operation of cleaning polishing, treeing, stretching, or holding Boots
or shoes the apparatus consisting of a base plate A, vertical arm 6, and tongue fin
combination with the platform i. and heel abutment point or points p, whereby a
boot or shoe is held firmly by the administration of pressure inside towards the
toe end and contact or pressure at the heel end substantially in the manner described.
2nd. The use and application of apparatus for the purpose, or purposes herein
described, constructed and operating substantially in the manner specified and
illustrated.
3rd. In the operation of cleaning polishing treeing, stretching, or holding boots,
and shoes, the combination formed by the apparatus herein described and the stool
or bench as illustrated in Fig. 2 of accompanying Drawings.
TL
out 1
T
1000
J. K. FAHIE & SON,
9, Westland Row, Dublin,
Agents.