The Boot-Jack: Jaws That Close When You Stand on It

"This invention relates to a new and improved boot-jack of that class which are provided with movable or pivoted jaws; and it consists in a novel and improved manner of applying the jaws to the foot-piece and arranging certain parts therewith, whereby the jaws may by the pressure of one foot on the foot-piece be made to grasp the heel of the boot on the other foot, so that said foot may be readily withdrawn therefrom." "The device is used by placing the heel of the boot from which the foot is to be withdrawn between the outer curved parts of the jaws F F, and placing the other foot on the foot-piece A, and pressing upon the latter in a downward and forward direction, so as to force down the frame D and the foot or toe end of the foot piece A, and in consequence of the pendants H of the jaws bearing against the oblique or inclined bars d d of the frame E, the two jaws F F will be pressed toward each other and made to grasp firmly the heel of the boot, so that the foot can be readily drawn from it. On taking the foot from the foot-piece the spring G will distend the jaws F F".

Cut a pine board about 35 cm long as the foot-piece and screw a short block under its middle so the toe end rises. From plywood cut two curved jaws that meet around a heel; pivot each on a screw under the toe end. Glue two strips in a V under the front, so pressing the board down pushes the jaws' tails along the strips and closes the jaws. Stretch elastic bands between the jaws to spread them. Try it with a boot: heel in the jaws, other foot on the board. Then hang a bag of known weight from a boot held in the jaws while someone stands on it, adding weight until it slips.

**Henry N. DeGraw** of Newburg, New York, assignor to himself and Henry Wright, received US 59,712, dated 13 November 1866 (no filing date is printed on patents of that period). He notes "quite a large number having been recently manufactured and sold." **Honest limits.** The patent gives no angles or forces. Body mass, the share pressed forward, bar angles, friction and the pull a boot needs are examples.