The Shoe Stretcher: A Screw That Pushes the Toe

"The object of my invention is to provide a cheap, simple, durable, and efficient boot and shoe stretcher, which shall be capable of adjustment sufficiently to allow it to be adapted to stretch all sizes of boots and shoes, from children's up to the largest sizes for men". "C represents an oblique screw-threaded hand adjusting-rod, having at its rear end a suitable cross-bar handle, D, by which the same is turned by hand to force the toe-piece E forward, so as to elongate the foot of the boot or shoe into which the stretcher has been previously placed." A toe cap-piece M, "being formed on an angle, or incline rearward on its upper surface when in position, if it be forced forward in the boot or shoe, the box is raised or stretched upward, as desired." The screw-rod is pivoted "by a toggle-piece, P ... This allows it to adjust itself to the changes required without binding".

Cut two strips of leather 20 mm wide and 200 mm long. Mark two lines 150 mm apart on each. Dampen one strip with water; leave the other dry. Clamp each strip between the jaws of a bench vise at one end and a C-clamp at the other, with the clamp held by a spring scale, and pull to the same force. Hold it for an hour, release, and measure the distance between the lines after it has rested. The damp strip keeps more of its stretch, which is why shoemakers stretch leather damp.

**Joseph Bryan** of Boston filed US 220,339 on 26 December 1877; it is dated 7 October 1879. **Honest limits.** The patent gives no pitch or forces. Pitch, torque, efficiency, shoe length and strains in the notebook are examples.