The Spring-Clamp Bootjack: The Heel Closes the Clamps on the Toe

"A is the jack as ordinarily constructed. B, B, are the clamps, C, C, are the screws, by which they are secured to the jack. D is a spring secured in or to the heel end of the clamps to keep the clamps open in readiness for use. F are pins or stops placed at suitable distance apart for the heel portion of the clamps to rest against and the heel of the boot being firmly compressed therein, and the toe of the boot is held down by the toe portion of the clamps G."

**Jack.** Saw a board 45 × 15 cm from hardwood board and screw a block under it 15 cm from one end so that end stands up off the floor. **Clamps.** Cut two 40 cm lengths of 20 × 3 mm mild steel flat bar. Heat and bend each in the vice into half of a boot-shaped loop: a short heel end, a curve round the side of the foot, and a toe end that turns in over the toe. Drill each for a pivot screw about a third of the way from its heel end. **Fit.** Screw the clamps onto the raised end of the board with washers, loose enough to swing, so their heel ends meet at the back and their toe ends are open. Drive two nails as the stops the heel ends rest against. Fit a small compression spring between the heel ends so they stand open. **Test.** Wearing a rubber boot, slide the heel back into the clamps and check that the toe ends close over the toe. Time taking the boot off, and compare with a plain boot jack.

**Orson S. Sikes** of Suffield, Hartford County, Connecticut, received US 20,307, dated 18 May 1858. He claimed the arrangement of the clamps, spring and pins, and pointed to the ease of taking a boot off "in a natural manner". **Honest limits.** Bent flat bar, wood screws and a compression spring stand in for his clamps, screws and spring. The notebook treats each clamp as a straight lever; its force and lengths are examples. Your times are the result.