US857837A - Shoe-fitting appliance. - Google Patents

Description

UNITED STATES PATENT orrron.

CHRISTIAN W. SOHELL, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO WILLIAM C. TAYLOR, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

SHOE-FITTING APPLIANCE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 25, 1907.

Application filed March 16, 1906. Serial No. 306,851.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHRISTIAN W. SoHELL, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Cleveland, in the county of Ouyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shoe-Fitting Appliances, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in shoe-fitting appliances, and has for its object the construction of a device of this character, embracing features of convenience and utility, not present in any prior device, with which I am acquainted.

The invention preferably is embodied in a fitting and measuring appliance, wherein the wearers foot is adapted to be placed and measured the proper size being indicated by means of a traveling pointer, conveniently positioned for the salesman to inspect. This device, moreover, preferably is attached to and forms a part of a fitting-stool, whereon the salesman may sit to assist the customer in putting on and removing the shoe, and at the same time positioning the salesman close to the scale and indicator, whereby he may more conveniently gather by a glance, the required size.

The embodiment of my invention may vary somewhat from the models herein depicted, but I may say that the measuring device is adapted to be manufactured separately in the form of a bracket for mounting upon ordinary stools or benches, or the same may be combined, as indicated, with a low fittingstool or chair, which will bring the salesman into the most convenient position, both to assist the customer and measure the size of his foot.

The device may well befashionedfrom wood or metal; the latter being preferable as a rule, for the principal parts of my appliance, in order to obtain additional strength and durability and largely eliminate the eifects of wear.

With the foregoing preliminary suggestions, I may now discuss some embodiments of my invention, in connection with the accompanying sheet of drawings, illustrating several models or devices constructed in accordance with my improvements, wherein:

Figure I. is a perspective view of a fittingstool and measuring-appliance, shaped principally from Wood and containing my said improvements. Fig. II. is a plan view of said fitting-appliance, drawn upon an enlarged scale. Fig. III. is a similar View of one of said appliances, adapted to be secured or fastened to an appropriate bracket or upon a bench the device being formed of metal. Fig. IV. is a side view thereof and, Fig. V. is another perspective view, showing an additional type of fitting-stool and equipped with a metal measuring-appliance.

Throughout each of the several figures, I have chosen to designate similar parts by the same character of reference, in order to avoid possible confusion.

Certain undesirable features, which obtain in all prior devices of this general character, with which I am acquainted, have been sought to be eliminated in the constructions herein set forth. Thus, with the ordinary foot-measure or rule, the foot and rule must be supported by one hand of the user, while the adjustable portion must be actuated by the other hand, which is employed at the same time in endeavoring partially to support the device and the measured foot, and in consequence, measurements taken in this Way are not at all uniform or accurate.

With more elaborate foot-measuring instruments, of the type equipped with fixed scales, the device, as before, must be held to support the measured foot, while the readings from the scales are only approximate, since such readings must be taken by comparison with a stationary scale and are uncertain or rendered inaccurate by the stocking upon the measured foot. My thought, accordingly, has been to produce a device, wherein the foot of the user may be supported easily in a natural position, with which appliance, is associated a positive measuringscale or gage, indicating directly the exact size of the measured foot. l/Vith said appliance, there also is preferably associated a stool, correctly positioned for the use of the salesman, whereby he may be most conveniently seated before the customer to assist in placing the foot properly within the support, adjust the measuring-appliance, note the reading upon the scale and thereafter fit the desired shoe to the measured foot. These requirements have been met in the embodiments of my invention, which I shall now describe.

Referring first to Fig. I., it is seen that a low stool a, having a convenient saddleshaped seat I), is provided at its narrow forward end with a fifth leg 0, carrying the measuring-appliance. This comprises an angular foot-form or support d, rearwardly provided with an upwardly extending heelpiece 6, adapted to engage the heel of the measured foot. This foot-form or support d is shaped from two superposed pieces of wood, which are interiorly-channeled or grooved to receive the measuring-stick f, and the upper one is recessed to accommodate the stop or upright g, normally folded back upon said stick, flush with the foot-form, where it is entirely out of the way. At the rear of this measuring-stick, which is slidably mounted in its channel, is provided the interiorly-positioned, angular arm 7L, carrying the pointer or indicator i, which is free to travel over the scale 7c, adapted suitably to designate the shoesizes.

From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that the salesman, after seating himself upon the stool, may unlace and remove the shoe from the foot to be measured and will place the foot upon the foot-form in engagement with the supporting heel-piece in a perfectly natural position. The upright g is then raised from its folded position to that indicated in Fig. IV, and is pressed down into engagement with the foot to be measured, whereupon the correct size will at once be indicated by glancing at the position of the pointer upon the scale. The upright is then folded and returned to its recess and the appliance may then be employed asa support in fitting a new shoe of the correct size upon the measured foot. It may be said that in practice, widths are rarely meas ured in fitting shoes, and in consequence, the time, both of the salesman and the customer, is saved in employing my improved device, since making the desired measurement of length requires but a moment to accomplish.

In Fig. III. and IV. are shown two views of a measuring-appliance, made of metal and equipped with a supporting-bracket Z, which device is adapted to be secured upon a suitable part of existing benches or stools. The construction is slightly more compact, than where the parts are made from wood, but the features are practically identical, with a gain in durability and wear.

Fig. V. illustrates another form of shoe fitting appliance, comprising a stool m, formed of live twisted-wire legs, carrying the stool-top and metal foot-form (Z. In this type, the scale It and traveling pointer or indicator i are positioned at the upper portion of the foot-form or support, where they may more readily be viewed by the salesman, and are not likely to be hidden by a ladys skirts.

Inasmuch as in all of the appliances shown, the 111easuring-stick and indicator are free to move without interference from the foot or clothing of the customer, while the salesman is most effectively positioned for assisting the customer and using the said measuring-appliance, it will be appreciated that my improvements attain. many distinct advantages over any device hitherto employed for this purpose.

Accordingly, I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, the following 1. In an appliance of the class described, the combination with a support for the measured foot, of an abutment thereon, a scale of sizes and its co-acting indicator, in association with a movable measuringstick, a folding stop adapted to be brought into engagement with the measured foot the support being suitably recessed normally to receive said folding-stop and a connection between said measuring-stick and the scale and indicator, whereby the correct size of the measured foot is at once designated upon the scale, substan tially as setforth.

2. In an appliance of the class described, the combination with a stool or support for the user, of an angularly-positioned support for the measured foot attached thereto, a movable measuring-stick or part, a stop thereon, and a rigid abutment, between which the measured foot is adapted to be supported, a scale of sizes conveniently positioned to be read by the user, and a traveling indicator-part associated therewith, and with the measuringstick adapted directly to designate the size or length of the measured foot, substantially as set forth.

3. In a foot-measuring appliance, the combination with a stool or support for the user, of an angularly positioned foot-rest and measuring appliance mounted at one side thereof, comprising a foot-rest, an abutment thereon for engaging the heel of the measured foot, a movable measuring-part provided with a stop for forwardly engaging the measured foot but adapted to be folded out of the way, a scale of sizes and a pointer connected with said measuring-part and adapted to travel over said scale, whereby the correct size is accurately indicated, substantially as set forth.

4. In a f00t-measuring appliance, the combination with an angularly-mounted footform or support, of a measuring-stick movably mounted beneath the supporting-face thereof, a stop or upright carried thereon and normally folding into a recess provided in said foot-form, a scale and an indicator or pointer connected with said measuring-part and adapted to be moved thereby over said scale at the side of said foot-form toindicate the size of the measured foot, substantially as set forth.

5. In a shoe-fitting appliance of the class described, the combination with a stool or support for the user, of an angularly-positioned foot-form mounted thereon, a measuring-stick movably. mounted beneath the supporting-face of said foot-form and provided with a stop or upright for engaging the measured foot; said stop normally folding out of the Way, a conveniently positioned scale and an indicator connected with said measuring-part and caused to travel over said scale to indicate the correct size of a measured foot, substantially as set forth.

6. In a shoe-fitting appliance, the combination with a supporting-stool for the user; the same being equipped with an extension, a foot-form or support carried between said stool and extension, an abutment for engaging the heel of themeasured foot, a movable measuring-stick disposed beneath the supporting-face of the foot-form, a stop or upright, hinged thereon; the foot-form being provided with a recess normally accommodating said stop, a scale of sizes conveniently positioned to be viewed by the user from the stool and a traveling pointer or indicator carried by the measuring-stick and caused to travel over said scale for indicating the size of a measured foot, substantially as set forth.

Signed at Cleveland, this 14th day of March, A. D. 1906, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHRISTIAN W. SOHELL.

Vitnesses EDwARD H. VVALsH, R0131". M. MORGAN.

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