US202498A - Improvement in stocking driers and stretchers - Google Patents

Description

P. W. WHITOOMB. Stocking Drier and Stretcher.

No. 202,498. 4 Patented April 16, I878.

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFIGE.

PERRY W. WHITOOMB, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

, IMPROVEMENT IN STOCKING DRIERS AND STRETCHERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 202,498, dated April 16, 187B application filed July 13,1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PERRY W. WHIT-. 00MB, of the city of Washington, District of Columbia, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Stocking Driers and Stretchers; and I do hereby declare the following to be an exact description thereof, referencebcing had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the cylindrical wicker-frame and its central supports, forming a skeleton-leg, over which a stocking is intended to be drawn, washed, stretched, dried, or darned. Fig. 2 is the upper support or disk, with apertures through which the wicker, rattan, or any other suitable material is passed, and which supports the frame, while the apertures allow the air or artificial heat to pass through so as to hasten the drying of the stocking. Fig. 3 is a second support, slightly oval in shape, to stretch the stocking to the shape of the calf of the leg. It has also apertures, through which the air may pass. Fig. 4 is a third or heel support, oval in shape, rounder in front, so as to suit the shape of the heel of the stocking. It has also drying-apertures. Fig. 5 is the support for the shape of the toe of a stocking, slightly oval in shape, and has also airapertures.

The nature of my invention consists in a frame of wicker or lattice work, cylindrical in form, made of one or more pieces of a shape similar to a leg, which may be perforated, if desired, as shown in the drawing at letters N O P Q R S, having central supports or disks with apertures for aiding and hastening the drying of a stocking when washed.

The object of my invention is to furnish a means by which stockings may be reduced from a double fold to a single surface, thereby hastening the drying of the same; also to stretch it, as well as to furnish a convenient darning-last.

In the drawing, A is the toe; B, the heel. O is the top, and D the bottom; E, the right side, and F the left; G, the front of the leg, and H the back of the leg. J, K, L, and M are the several supports, which may be made divisible by tongue and groove, or other suitable means, to strengthen the wicker frame or change its size for drying purposes.

The length of the wicker rods can be varied by means of sockets, into which two pieces of the wicker rods or arms are made to slide or enter so as to be adjusted to any required length, while the apertures in the disks or round supports permit the air or artificial heat to pass through and dry the stocking.

To construct my invention, I bend the first piece of material or rattan near the middle to form the toe at A, continue it to form the foot similar in shape to that of a stocking, then extend both arms H and G of the pieceto form the front G and back H of the leg. For the next important part of the frame I bend another piece at right angles with the first, continue it along the sides E and F of the foot to near the front of the partially-formed skeleton of the leg, and then connect the parts.

The mode of using the drier is to place it heel up, with the leg partially under one arm, and the heel of a stocking also up; then, with one or both hands, slip the open part or top of the stocking over the toe up the foot till the heel comes to the toe, assist the heel over the toe of the drier, pass the stocking upward till the heel arrives at the heel of the drier, then smooth up the leg, and the operation is completed.

I am aware that a stocking-stretcher of wire has been made, and that one of wood has been used, and such I do not claim, broadly; but

What I do claim as my invention is- A stocking drier and stretcher consisting of a frame of wicker or lattice work, of wicker, rattan, wood, or any other suitable material, cylindrically formed similar to the shape of a stocking, constructed of one or more pieces, perforated as desired, composed of the pieces A B O D E F G H, in combination with their supports J, K, L, and M, substantially as herein described and specified, so as to admit air throughout the whole stocking to be dried, as set forth.

1?. W. WHITCOMB. Witnesses:

I. FRANKLIN REIGART, CHAS. P. WEBSTER.

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