Apparatus for Stretching Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Apr., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 6th Jan., 1896-Accepted, 7th Mar., 1896
I, JAMES TIERNEY, of 7 Park Place, Stockwell Street, in the County of the
City of Glasgow, North Britain, Shoemaker, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
:—
This invention relates to an apparatus for stretching boots and shoes, and is more
especially applicable for stretching them lengthways.
In carrying my invention into practice I have a last made in two sections.
Connected loosely to the heel section of the last there is a screw bolt, and fitting
into the foot portion of the last there is a metal block having a hole provided with
threads through the centre of it. One end of the screw bolt fits into this block,
and when the apparatus is placed in the boot or shoe the screw is turned by means
of a spanner or other convenient arrangement provided for the purpose, and this
causes the foot portion of the last to press forward towards the toe of the boot or
shoe, thus stretching the leather.
I prefer to have the leather moist when stretching, so that it will retain the
stretch when dry.
By my apparatus I am able to stretch a boot from a size to a size and half in
length.
The apparatus can be so constructed as to be able to stretch almost any size of
boot or shoe.
Dated this 4th day of April 1895.
BOTTOMLEY & LIDDLE,
154 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Agents.
Apparatus for Stretching Boots and Shoes.
I, JAMES TIERNEY, of 7 Park Place, Stockwell Street, in the County of the
City of Glasgow, North Britain, Shoemaker, 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 :-
My invention relates to an apparatus for stretching boots and shoes, and is more
especially applicable for stretching them lengthways.
In order that my invention may be properly understood and readily carried into
effect I have hereunto appended two explanatory sheets of drawings in the
several figures of which corresponding parts are marked with the same letters of
reference.
Figure 1 is a plan showing my apparatus.
Figure 2 is a side elevation partly in section of the same.
Figure 3 is a plan partly in section showing a modification of iny invention.
Figure 4 is a side elevation.
In carrying my invention into practice I have a last made in two sections A
and A. Connected loosely to the heel section A of the last there is a screw bolt B,
rn

page_text: and screwed or otherwise fixed into the foot portion A¹ of the last there is a metal
block C, having a hole D provided with threads E through the centre of it, as seen
more particularly in Figure 3. The other end of the screw bolt B fits into the
block C, and when the apparatus is placed in the boot or shoe the screw B is turned
by means of the spanner F, and this causes the foot portion A¹ of the last to press
forward against the toe of the boot or shoe, thus causing it to stretch.
In place of operating the screw B by means of the spanner F as described, I may
In this case I cast
do so by means of bevel gearing, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.
or otherwise gear to the screw bolt B a bevel wheel G which gears into another
bevel wheel G¹ cast or otherwise geared to a rod H passing up through the heel
portion A of the last. This rod H is provided with a suitable handle I. As the
rod H is turned by means of the handle I the bevel wheel G which is cast or
otherwise fixed to it, also turns, and this in turn operates the other bevel wheel G,
which being cast or otherwise fixed to the screw bolt B operates the same, and so,
pressing the foot portion A¹ of the last against the toe of the boot or shoe, causes
the leather to stretch, and so lengthens the boot or shoe..
In the case of the boots or shoes requiring to be stretched breadthways, or at the
instep, I provide side and instep pieces J made of leather or other pliant material,
and so shaped as to fit the curvature of the foot, and they are provided with pins
or bolts K (Figures 2 and 3) which fit into holes L in the sides or instep of the foot
portion A¹ of the last so as to retain them in position when being used. The
holes Liu-the sides of the foot portion A' of the last are so distanced apart that
the side pieces J can be adjusted to suit either side of the foot and any thickness
required by means of additional pieces which are slipped on to the bolts. K and
pressed hard up against the side or instep pieces .J.
I prefer to have the leather moist when stretching, so that it will retain the
stretch when dry.
By my apparatus I am able to stretch a boot from a size to a size and a half in
length.
The apparatus can be so constructed as to be able to stretch almost any size of
boot or shoe.
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. The apparatus for stretching boots and shoes constructed and operated in the
manner substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated on the accompanying
sheets of drawings.
2. The apparatus for stretching boots and shoes in combination with the
adjustable side and instep pieces for stretching breadthways or at the instep to
any required size, constructed substantially in the manner hereinbefore described
and illustrated on the accompanying sheets of drawings.
Dated this 4th day of January 1896.
BOTTOMLEY & LIDDLE,
154 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Agents.