US615002A

US615002A - Combined boot or shoe tree and top-stretcher

Info

Publication number: US615002A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1898-11-29
Anticipated expiration: 1915-11-29

Description

No. 615,002. Patented Nov. 29, |898. A. D. TYLER, JR.

COMBINED BDOT 0R SHOE TREE AND TOP STRETCHER.

(Application med mr. 2e, 189s.;

No. 6I5,002. Patented Nov. 29, |898. A. D. TYLER, 1H. COMBINED BOOT 0R SHOE TREE AND TDP STRETCHER.

(Application filed Mar. 26, 1898.-)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

ma Noam PETERS cu. mman-mo., wAsnwnToN. D. a.

NITE-D STATES met.

PATENT ABEL D. TYLER, JR., OF BROCKTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

SPECIFICATION forming* part of Letters Patent N0. 615,002, dated. November 29, 18,98. ApplicatiouledMarch 26,1898. Serial No. 675,343. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ABEL D. TYLER, J r., of Brockton, in the county of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in a Combined Boot'or Shoe Tree and Top-Stretcher, of which the following is a specification.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a side elevation, and Fig. 2 a top plan view, of one form of my invention. Fig. 3 is a sectional view in line 3 3 of Fig. l. Fig. tshowsaslight modification of the means for engaging the upper front corners of a lace-shoe top. Fig. 5 shows my invention adapted for use on button-boots. Figs. 6, 7, and 8 show modifications, Fig. 7 being a sectional view on line 7 7 of Fig. 6.

The object of my invention is to mechanically stretch a shoe-top upwardly and forwardly on the tree. Heretofore this work has been done by hand, the operator seizing an upper fore corner of the top and pulling it tight on the tree while ironing or treeing the top. Having finished one side or ankle portion of the top, the operator then seizes the other upper fore corner of the top and pulls the top upwardly and forwardly of the tree. This handwork is objectionable both on account of the inconvenience of holding the top corners by one Ahand while applying the iron with the other hand, and on account of the unequal stretch sometimes imparted to the top which is set in shape by the ironing or treeing, and on account of the ineffectual removal of the wrinkles, which frequently reappear, sometimes before leaving the factory and sometimes later.

j In the drawings illustrating the principle of my invention and the best mode now known to nie of applying that principle, Aisa boottree of known construction and is one of the multitudinous forms of such apparatus.

B is my new top-stretcher, such a device being wholly new with me both of itself and in combination with the tree. In this present construction stretcher B is made up of a Y- shaped piece the arms b b of which straddle leg ct of the tree and are pivoted thereto, the free ends of the arms Z) b extending toeward of leg a. Shank b of this Y-shaped piece is chambered lengthwise and provided with an endwise -movable tooth b2, which projects slightly between the arms b b and is adapted to engage the opposed serrations a on the rear of leg a. The shank b3 of tooth is surrounded by a coiled spring b4, which holds tooth b3 normally in engagement with a serration a to lock the stretcher in fixed relation to the tree. Spring t4 is mounted between projection 225 of shank b3 and the outer end b of the chambered shank b. The outer end of the tooth-shank b2 projects from the chambered shank, and a pull thereon unlocks the tooth from the serrations, so that the free ends of the arms o t may be swung toward or away from the ankle and instep portions of the tree. The free ends of the arms b b are each provided with an extension b?, preferably in the form of a coiled spring, and the free end of each extension o7 is provided with a suitable device b8 for connection with the upper front corner of a lace-shoe. In Figs. l and 2 this device is a ring adapted to engage the lacing-hook on the lace-shoe x; but where lacing-eyelets are used instead of lacing-studs the device bs may take the form of a hook adapted to hook into the eyelet.

If desired, a suitable clamp-such, for eX- aniple, as an ordinary necktie or garter claspmay be substituted for the ring or hook form of device bs,- but where such a clamp or clasp is used it is best to face its jaws with rubber or the like to prevent abrasion of the tops. Any other desired form of device o8 may be used. When a lace-shoe is on the tree, the devices 58 are connected to the upper front corners of the tops x2. The shank of the stretcher is then pressed toward the heel of the tree, and the tops .r2 thereby stretched forwardly and upwardly over the ankle and side portions of the tree and smoothly over the tree above its heel portion. The mode of stretching of the leather smooths out the leather uniformly on both sides at the same time and pulls out the heavier'l wrinkles commonly occurring at the junction of the tops with the rearwardly-extending wings x3 of the vamp at and near 034. Thus stretched the top is ready to be rubbed with the hot iron or other device. The workman now has both hands free and labors to better advantage than heretofore and the top is stretched more uniformly and thoroughly than heretofore, and the stretching and ironing are more efficacious than heretofore in preventing the return of the wrinkles and preserving the tops in correct shape.

The stretcher B may be combined in various ways with the different forms of boot-trees for many years in common use, and I do not intend to limit my invention to any particular embodiment.

In Fig. 5, Where the shoe is a button-shoe and one portion of the top laps over the instep, the device bs is a clasp made up of the rubberfaced jaws l and 2, jaw 2 being in the form of a lever.

It is sometimes desirable to pull the tops upwardly at more than one point, and while more than one extension 67 may be carried by -the pivoted Y-shaped lever Z) I may sometimes employ the reciprocating frame Q, as shown in the modications of Figs. G, 7, and S. llerein frame Q has a central enlargement encircling the leg of the boottree with diametrically-opposed chambered wings q q, each containing a spring-controlling tooth, which engages opposed serrations q on the leg of the boot-tree. Leg a is provided with guideways Q2 q2, one on each side of the leg, and in these guideways the inwardly-projecting pins of frame Q slide when the frame is adjusted by manipulating the spring controlled teeth. Any desired number of clamp-carriers Q' may be attached to frame Q, the clamps (of any desired form) being connected with the shoe; tops. By sliding frame Q upwardly the tops are stretched at one or more desired points.

1. The combination of a boot or shoe tree with a stretcher which is provided with means to engage a shoe-top, said means being movable forwardly and upwardly away from the ankle portion of the tree.

2. The combination with a boot or shoe provided with a serrated surface of a stretcher pivoted on the leg portion of the tree and provided with spring extensions and thereto connected top engaging devices, and with a spring-controlled tooth which engages said serrations.

3. rlhe combination of a boot or shoe tree with an adjustable frame mounted on the tree, above the foot portion of the tree, and movable in relation to said foot portion; and a device, carried by said frame, for connecting the frame with a hoot or shoe upper.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this speciiication, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, on this 9th day of Marcil, A. D. 1898.

ABEL D. TYLER, JR.

vitnessesz EDWARD S. BEACH, E. A. ALLEN.