US1893220A - Stocking stretcher - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 3, 1933. .1. T. BLOSSOM STOCKING STRETCHER Filed Nov. 24,- 1950 Patented Jan. 3, 1933 JOHN T. BLOSSOM, or SHAKER HEIGHTS, OHIO STOCKING sranrcana Applieationfiled November '24, ratio. ise i i magmas.

This invention relates to stocking stretcher-s and more'particularly to devices of this character adapted to be used as drying frames for preventing shrinking of hosiery of all kinds, the disclosed embodimentbeing adapt ed for use particularly with Wool golf stockin 's.

Tt is an object of the inventionto provide means for gripping the open end of the stockimum possibility of tearing the material.

Further objects are to simplify and improve the construction and operation 'of devices of this character, to construct them so as to render them adaptable by adjustment for stockings of difierent sizes, to render them economical to manufacture, convenient to use, and otherwise well adapted for the purposes intended. 1

Other objects and features'of novelty will be apparent as the following description proceeds, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in'which Figure 1 is an elevation of a stocking stretcher according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 7

Fig. 2 is a detail view of the upper portion of the structure shown in Fig. 1, certain parts being shown in section.

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the structure shown in Fig. 2, and

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the clamping ring shown in section in Fig. 2.

Referring more particularly to the draw- 'ing, the stocking stretcher comprises a frame indicated generally at 10. This frame is generally fiat, with rounded edges in the general outline of a stocking, one end of the frame constituting a foot portion 11. Slidably mounted on the other end of the frame 10 is a clamping head indicated generally at 12.

The frame 10, including the foot portion 11, may be a continuous round or tubular element, but in the form shown, a toe portion 13 is provided as a separate element which is adjustable with respect to the main portion of the frame. This element is preferably a solid round rod bent into a U-shape.

In the embodiment of the frame 10 shown in Fig. 1, the front portion thereof comprises rear side ofthe'franie 10 comprises a tubular 50 mg in order to stretch the same, with a mina. tubular element 14, which is substantially. straight for the greater part thereof,'being curved forward at the lower end and terminating in a straight arch portion 15. The r element 16,] the upper part of which is straight,and'the lower portion of which is curved inwardly forming an ankle portion 1 7, a nd further deformed to provide a heel portion 18 and a sole portion 19. The ele- 69 ments 14 and 16 may be seamless drawn tubes, but this is not essential as they may be of any desired construction, such as flat strips of sheet metal rolled into tabular form. The elements 14 and 16 are preferably secured together by astrut member 20 at an intermediateportion and a web 21adjacent the heel portion 18. The sole and arch portions 15 and 119 are also preferably connected by a strut 22. The stay members 20, 21 and 22 are preferably ,w'elded at each end, but may be otherwise secured in position as desired.

As shown inFig. 1 the legs of the U-shaped toe member 13 are slidably' received in the tubular sole and arch portions 15 and 19, so V as to adjust the frame to different foot sizes. 7 The parts are held in adjusted position by a clamping device 25;

The clamping head 12 which is slidably mounted on the frame 10 adjacent the upper end thereof, is constructed to slidably receive the tubular members 14 and 16. The head 12 isprovided with sloping side walls 26, which converge away from the foot portion 11. A clamping ring 30 shown in detail in Fig 4;, is adapted to be fitted down over the sloping sides 26 and. engage the same with a Wedge action. The member 12 is preferably Ihollowon its lower side and provided on its upper side with a handle 32.

The hollow construction affords a recess 33 which houses a clamp, indicated generally at 34,being of a constructionidentical with the clamp 25 fortheadjustable toe portion 13.

The clamps '25 and 34'comprise essentially a leaf spring 35, securedat its mid .portion to a transverse wall 36 of the member 12, as by a rivet 37. Both endsof the spring 35 are freeand inclined away fromt'he wall 36,;each end being'providedwith a finger piece 38 eX- clamping action.

and which also serve to retain the clamping' ring 30, whlch 1s otherwlse loosely and freely mountedwith respect to the upper ends of thetubular members 14- and 16. In operation, the toe member 13 is adjusted to the desired foot size and retained in ad justedposition by the clamp 25. The open end 'of the stocking is then drawn'up over the foot portion 11 onto the frame 10, the upper end then being drawn over the clamping head 12. The clamping ring 30 is then forced down over the upper end .42 of the stocking as shown in Fig. 2, and the coac tion of the clamping ring 30 with the slopin sides 26 will exert a firm friction ri onthe upper'end of the stocking and thus secure it to the sliding head 12. It will be readily apparent that by merely grasping the handle 32 and exerting an upward force thereon, the

stoclring may be stretched to the tension desired, the clamp 34: serving to retaln the head in a position to hold this tension. To release the stocking, the ring 30 may be drawn up-' ward, thus unclamping the upper end of the stocking so that the same may be withdrawn from the frame. The finger pieces 38 of the clamp 34lare then drawntogether to release the clamp. so that the head 12 may be lowered to a position ready to receive another stock-1 1n w I p I T Vhile one embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described in such detail as to enable anyone skilled in the art to practice the invention, nevertheless it is to be understood that the scope of the'inven-v tion is not to be limited to any of the details disclosed, other: than as necessitated by the development of the prior art but1instead,"it1 will be appreciated that the invention embraces such embodiments of the broad idea as fall within the scope of the appended claims, it being obvious that various changes may be resorted to with respect to the disclosed embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention. I

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

. 1. A stocking stretcher comprising a frame having a foot portion at one end thereof,a, head slidably mounted on said frame adjacent the other end thereof, said head having 7 tapered sides, and a clamping ring adapted to be wedged over said tapered sides.

2. A stocking stretcher comprising a frame having a foot portion at one end thereof, a head slidable on said frame adjacent the other end thereof, a handle on said head, and resilient means within said head adapted to engage said frame for holding said head in adjusted positions.

3. A stocking stretcher comprising a pair of tubes, a strut rigidly connecting said tubes and holding the same in substantially parallel spaced relation, a U-shaped member having the legs thereof telescopically mounted in the ends of said tubes, and resilient means for adjustably clamping said legs in said tubes.

4t. In a stocking stretcher having a pair of parallel cylindrical members and a relatively slidablebridge piecetherebetween, means for holding said members and bridge piece in relatively adjustedpositions, comprising a leaf spring secured intermediate its ends to said bridge piece, with the ends of said spring engaging said cylindrical members, and finger pieces secured to both end portions of said spring and adapted to be moved toward each other to thereby release the engagement of the ends. p

A stocking stretcher having in combination a frame having a foot portion at one end thereof, a head slidably mounted on said frame, said head having tapered sides, 'a clamping ring adapted to be wedged over the tapered sides of the head, and resilient means within said head adapted to engage said frame for holding said head in adjusted positions. i

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature.

' JOHN T. BLOSSOM.

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