The Spring-Wedge Bootjack: Press the Wedge and the Platform Clamps the Heel

"Letters A and B represent the platform or inclined plane in two sections about fourteen inches long and seven-eighths of an inch thick made of wood straight on the edges except about four inches at one end, which end is shaped out on a circle to receive the heel of a boot, the part B of the platform acting as a lever so as to clamp or clasp the heel of the boot when the spring wedge D is pressed down, hereafter described." "This wedge is to pass in between the two sections of the platforms A, and B, at o, o, there being a small notch cut off the corners of these two sections at o, o, to allow the wedge to enter. As this wedge is pressed down or in between these two sections it opens them and closes the other end around a boot at the heel."

**Sections.** Saw two strips of 22 mm pine (his seven-eighths of an inch) about 36 cm long (fourteen inches), straight-edged, and shape a semicircle in the facing edges of one end to take a heel. Cut small notches off the facing corners at the other end, as o o. **Hinge and spring.** Near the heel end, under where the cleat will go, join the sections with a 75 mm strip of flat bar as the hinge, let into both and screwed through holes elongated so the sections can move apart, as French's iron hinge through the cleat G. Put a spiral spring of steel wire between them near the heel end so it closes the jack ready for use. **Cleat.** Screw a hardwood cleat about 11 cm long under the heel end to raise it to a heel's height, and a thin cleat F under section A that supports the end of section B. **Spring wedge.** Carve a wooden wedge about 45 mm long and 30 mm deep (his 1 3/4 and 1 1/4 inches), screw it to the end of a strip of spring steel about 20 cm long, and screw the strip's other end to section A so the wedge stands over the notches. **Test.** Set the boot's heel in the opening, stand on the platform with the other foot so it presses the wedge, and draw the foot out of the boot.

**Franklin J. French** of Whitingham, Windham County, Vermont, received US 13,002, dated 5 June 1855. His iron hinge was about three inches long, five-eighths of an inch wide and three-sixteenths thick, with holes that let a screw be shifted to alter the size; the spiral spring E of iron wire was about two inches long after bending; the wedge D was about 1 1/8 inch thick; the steel spring C was about eight inches long, 1 1/8 wide and 1/16 thick. His claim is the spring wedge D in combination with the lever B and spring E. **Honest limits.** Pine, flat bar and bought spring steel stand in for his wood and iron. The notebook treats the wedge as frictionless; its push, angles and lengths are examples. Your drawn-off boot is the result.