US2138789A - Combined shoetree and shoehorn - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 29, 1938. c, E. HARRIMAN 2,138,789

COMBINED SHOETREE AND SHOEHORN Filed Oct. 6, 1936 wfitornag Patented Nov. 29, 1938 PATENT OFFICE COMBINED SHOETREE AND SHOEHORN Charles E. Harriman, West Bridgewater, Mass, assignor to Jones & Vining, Inc., Brockton, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application October 6, 1936, Serial No. 104,199

1 Claim.

My present invention is a novel and improved shoe tree, which comprises as an element a shoe horn constituting a part of the shoe tree apparatus but usable independently therewith.

Also I have improved a ventilated shoe tree construction which, although preferably utilized with my combined shoe tree and horn structure cooperating therewith to permit the shoe tree to be housed therein and hence more compact, when desired, is also a distinctly novel feature.

Heretofore it has been customary to make shoe trees for holding and stretching shoes when not in use orwhen on display, or the like, by numerous devices which will fit readily and easily within the shoes and then be extended to hold the parts under tension to prevent curling, stretching, or the like.

In my present invention I have provided novel, efiicient, and simple means for acting as a shoe tree, fitting within the shoe, and then readily expanding, together with a simple construction for adjustment of length to fit different sized footwear, as well also as constituting one element of the shoe tree with capacity for use as a shoe horn; thus providing in a single article both a shoe tree and a shoe horn, each complete and each cooperating with the entire structure, together with the length adjustment feature as well also as with the improved ventilating feature which facilitates compactness in the atricle when not in use and for traveling, packaging, and shipment.

In carrying out my invention I provide a wooden forepart suitable to fit shoes with which they are to be used, said forepart being preferably formed with a longitudinal slot in which the metallic part of the apparatus can be partly folded or housed and which will also facilitate the ventilating of the forepart, preferably intersecting the longitudinal groove with transverse grooves to provide circulation throughout the entire bottom portion of the forepart. Threaded into the forepart is a bolt or member with facility for adjustment of the heel portions, to fit difierent sizes, which comprises a toggle member and a Fig. 2 illustrates the same applied to a shoe shown in side view;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view thru the fore part illustrating the article in folded position, and

Fig. 4 is a view illustrating the use of the same 5 as a shoe horn.

As shown in the drawing, I prefer to utilize a usual wooden forepart i of suitable contour to fit Within standard makes of shoes, within the usual limits for different sizes and styles, forming the same with a longitudinal saw-cut or groove 2 lengthwise of the forepart I which is intersected by a plurality of cross-sawcuts 3--3 to thus provide an open circulation from the bottom of the shoe when the shoe tree is in use.

In the forepart i I provide a threaded recess 5 into which is fitted the correspondingly threaded portion 9 of a bolt l0, whereby the threaded portion 9 may be turned in the recess 5 to lengthen and shorten the working portion of the shoe tree, as desired. To the head of the bolt I0 is secured a toggle member I 2 by a pivot pin or rivet l3, and to the opposite end of the toggle I2 is the other member I5 of a toggle also secured to 12 by a bolt or rivet l4. One end of the toggle member l5 has pivotally secured thereto a heel-engaging plate It mounted to rock on the end of the toggle l5 in any suitable manner, as herein shown. being secured by a pivot ll thru a pair of rearwardly extending ears !8--I8 so that the plate I6 will automatically seat itself in contact with the heel portion of a shoe outlined at in which the shoe tree is fitted.

The opposite end of the toggle arm I5 is provided with a plate 2| which constitutes the hand or finger-engaging means for operating the toggle as well also as constituting the shoehorn element of my improved shoe tree.

In operation, the shoe tree is fitted within the shoe of the part I within the forepart of the shoe and the plate I6 near or adjacent the toggle is straightened by forcing backwardly on the hand-hold 2|, placing the heel plate It and forepart under tension. Lifting the plate 2| releases the same and permits withdrawal of the shoe tree. Rotation of the threaded portion 9 of the bolt it! will lengthen or shorten the shoe tree to fit shoes of varying sizes.

When it is desired to use same as a shoe horn the toggle members are bent backwardly, as shown in Fig. 4, with the forepart l and the toggle levers as a handle; whereupon the plate 2| being curved to facilitate shoe horn action is fitted within the heel of the shoe and serves as a shoe horn.

As shown in Fig. 3, the parts are collapsed and may be enclosed into a very compact space by the housing of the toggle levers within the horizontal slot 2 while said slot acts as a ventilating means for the insole of the shoe, permitting air circulation thru the cross-recesses 3-3, while also maintaining the shoe upper in proper tension and contour.

While I have shown a'wooden forepart, it will be course be appreciated that metal, open work, or other material may be utilized, and of varying contour, and the toggles, or equivalents, may be otherwise arranged.

I believe that my invention of a combined shoe tree and shoe horn in which each part cooperates with the other is a distinct novelty in this art, and I wish to claim the same herein broadly. I also believe that my particular ventilating feature is a novelty, and I wish to claim the same herein.

I claim:

A shoe tree having a wooden forepart formed with a central longitudinal groove and a plurality of ventilating cross-grooves in the bottom portion, a heel plate and a toggle to expand and contract the tree, one toggle member being adjustably secured to the forepart and foldable into said longitudinal groove, and the opposite toggle member being pivotally attached to the heel memher, said heel toggle member having one end formed as a shoe horn.

CHARLES E. I-IARRIMAN.

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