US2518261A - A shoe tree - Google Patents

Description

A g.s,1950 H. c. m 2,518 261 SHOE TREE Filed Dec. 7, 1948 Patented Aug. 8, 1950 A SHOE TREE fioward C. Vining, brocktong Mass assignor to Jay-Vee Shoe Tree Oernpany Brockton, Mass,

a corporation of Massachusetts Application December '1, 1948, serial No. 64,025

1 The present invention is a novel and improved shoe tree or display form, wherein a full support is imparted to the vamp or forepart of a shoe when fitted therein, and incorporates a special line of cut and novel position for the connecting link between the forepart and heel part of the tree or form. I l leret'ofore in devices of ;this typewherein a full support is desired for the forepart, with ad justments for length between forepart and heel part of such a form as, for example, shownin my prior and co-pending application Ser. No. 766228}; filed August 1947', which has matured into United States Patent 2,503,227, granted April 4, 1950, the shoe tree construction provided for a considerable opening in the line of cut between the front or cone portion of the forepart and heel part, which opening failed to provide a full support t6 the forepart.

Furthermore, the line of out and the flexing er the tree or form when being fitted into a; shoe was liable to catch the upper part of the vamp arid particularly the shoe lace, which thus ween 'm'ar the appearance of the shoe displayed on such a form. As these shoe trees and forms are veiy largely intended to maintain the shoe upper in smooth, efficient, and attractive contour and eliminate wrinkles, or the like, and thus present an attractive appearance as well as an efiicient support for the upper of the shoe, the former construction was unsatisfactory in many respects.

I have discovered that by forming a special line of cut on a predetermined bevel or angle between the forepart and heel part, together with the novel position of the connecting link or hinge element, that prior diificulties and objections to a shoe tree or display form of this general type were eliminated.

Furthermore, an important advantage of my present invention is that the heel part of the form when flexed or rocked on its pivot will quickly and instantly shorten the last in its lengthwise relationship to the shoe in which it is fitted and, thus, will permit the form to be applied to or withdrawn from a shoe without undue strain during this operation.

Heretofore most lasts as well as shoe forms and shoe trees of this general type have had a hinge element, or elements, positioned in proximity to the bottom of the last and in the general line of pressure from the toe to the heel. Such a construction, however, after the two last members had been adjusted for length required the forcing of the heel part into the counter of the shoe to which the last was being fitted, and tended 1 plain. (or. i2-"12s.e)

. 2 I to unduly strain the upper, stitching,v and style and model of the shoe; A similar undue straining was caused when the shoe'tree was, withdrawn.

In my present invention I have eliminated these prior difiiculties and by means of my novel location of the hinge element and its fastening in proximate position to the front or cone of'both forepart andheel part, I am enabled to secure a very quick longitudinal shortening of the form when being withdrawnfrom a shoe; as well as a quick lengthening when being applied, without unduly straining. the shoe: counter, wrinkling the vamp, distorting the style or model, or otherwise damaging the shoe to which the form is fitted.

Thus, important features of my present inven .tion consist in the angle of out between forepart and heel part, the position in which the connecting link and its fastenings are proximate to the front or cone of the. last rather than to the last bottom, and the maintenance of a full support to the forepart of the vamp, with the top edge of the vamp covering the space between the -forepart and heel part, thus giving full support and a better appearance to a shoe fitted on my improved tree or form, as well as eliminating catching of the shoe lace during the flexing or shortening operation, while still permitting relative longitudinal adjustment between the forepart and heel part.

The shoe tree'is turned in any standard turning lathe and, thereupon, divide the same into a cooperating forepart and heel part on a line of cut at an angle extending from the bottom upwardly so that the top opening will be within the area of a shoe vamp with which the display form is intended to be used. Thus this line of cut permits the shoe vamp to extend from the space normally required between the forepart and heel part for longitudinal adjustment, and enables the vamp to rest upon the front portion of the forepart, thus covering the space between the two parts and insuring protection against catching and damage to the shoe lace, as well as support to the top frame of the vamp of the shoe. This is an important feature, as will be further explained.

Referring to the drawings illustrating a pre ferred embodiment of my present invention:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a display form showing the dotted outline of a shoe to be fitted thereon; and

Fig. 2 is a view partly in cross-section showing the last in flexed position in the process of being inserted in or withdrawn from the shoe in which it is fitted.

As shown in the drawing, the last comprises a forepart l and heel part 2 divided on a straight line of cut as indicated at 3 on the forepart and 4 on the heel part. This line of cut is on an angle slantingly inclined from the last bottom upwardly to the front portion of the last parts in a position more nearly adjacent the forepart or toe portion of the last than has heretofore been customary, Thus the opening of the side walls 3 and 4 on this slanting line of cut will be at a point in the front of the last below the top of a shoe to be fitted thereon. A typical shoe outline is illustrated in dotted lines at In. In order to unite the forepart and heel part on a line of linkage which will insure the quick shortening of the last form when being fiexed and, hence, quick withdrawal of the heel part 8 from within the counter or heel portion of the shoe, as indicated atr8 in-the dotted outline, the connect iniglinkage element is fitted to the heel part and forepart at points adjacent the front line of the form, as shown. 'I also'prefer to-have this link element adjustable to allow a rangeof adjustment between the forepart and 'heel'part-to fit shoes of different lengths and sizes. For this purpose I provide a link or hingemember l2'havin one end fiattened, as shown at l3, to fit within a narrow soft k'e M, here illustrated as made in the forepart, andheld'in position by a' pin l5. Thecpposite endiportion of the link I! is threaded, as shown at 8;- and is threaded into a bored opening in the heel pa'rtin alignment with the pivot 55 of the forepart so that when the last form or'shoe tree is in extended position within the shoe, the linebf'curv'atur'e and contourfof the forepart and 'h''el-"partwill bein correct alignment to sup port the front of the shoe l9, thus giving a'smooth and attractive display feature on the shoe and. also eliminate anydanger' of the shoe lace being caught within the opening between the two parts. .iiA-handle'zl may be added, if desired, for con "veni'encein inserting'the' displayf'orm and re- 'moving' it from a shoe in which it may be fitted.

It will thus be appreciated that my present novel design and construction of a display form, shoe tree, follower, or similar last insures a full support to the forepart of a shoe, free of the danger of catching the shoe laces, permits a quick shortening of the last lengthwise when the heel part is raised on the pivot l5, thus preventing danger of straining the heelpart of the shoe during the removal from or fitting in of the display form, and also providing a novel line of out between the forep-art and heel part which facilitates this quick shortening action in cooperation with the position of the connecting link or hinge. r

I claim: v,

A shoe tree or display form of the kind described comprising 'a forepart and a heel part divided on a straight line plane, said plane extending from the bottom, forwardly and upwardly at a predetermined angle into the forepart below the top thereof, whereby the heel part constitutes a support for the top of the vamp, in combination with a single link element connect ing-saidtwo 'p'arts,s'aid link having a fiat portion extending intoand'pivoted into the forepart, and athreaded portion extending into the heel part substantially on a line parallel with the front vamp-supporting portion of both parts when the last is in extendedposition, said heel part cfthe'linkbeing threaded to provide longitudinal'a'djustmen't" between the forepart' and heel part I V HOWARD'CL VlNING.

REFERENCES CITED The following-references are of record in the file ofthispatent; V 1

' UNITED STATES PATENTS Date Number Name" V 11,753,908 'Sbimonelli .4 Apr. 8, 1930 2,053,241 Harriman Sept. 1, 1936 2,322,053 'Palardy June 15, 1943 1947

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