Boot tree
The present invention relates to an improved boot tree, i.e., to an improved leg-shaped device for inserting in a boot to preserve its shape. 
     Generally, a boot tree consists of two parts which are opposed to each other, and it has been a common practice that, when a conventional boot tree is inserted in a boot, the space between the above-mentioned two parts is broadened by the restoring force of a spring arranged between these two parts. Thus, because of the necessity of incorporating a spring, such conventional boot trees are inevitably high in cost. 
     It is an object of the present invention to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantage. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a plastic boot tree comprising shin- and calf-shaped parts, each of which is molded with a bow spring. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a boot tree incorporating a pair of bow springs resilient enough to preserve the shape of a boot. 
    
    
     With these objects in view which will become apparent from the following detailed description, the present invention will be more clearly understood in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional side view thereof; 
     FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view thereof; and 
     FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway side view of a boot tree in accordance with the present invention inserted in a boot. 
    
    
     Referring now to FIG. 1, a boot tree in accordance with the present invention includes a shin-shaped part 1a and a calf-shaped part 1b, each of which is preferably made of semirigid plastics and has a length practically equal to the distance between the top and the foot of a boot. Each of the parts 1a and 1b is hollow and is open on one side. Brims 11a and 11b at the open side of the shin- and calf-shaped parts 1a and 1b respectively are of the same shape so that, when they are put together, the shin- and calf-shaped parts 1a and 1b form the shape of a leg. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, a bow spring 4a extends inwardly in the portion somewhat higher than the mid-portion between a bottom plate 2a and a top plate 8a of the shin-shaped part 1a. The upper and lower ends of the bow spring 4a are integral with the shin-shaped part 1a. A slit 12a, which is practically as narrow as the breadth of the bow spring 4a, is formed in the longitudinal ridgeline of the shin-shaped part 1a which corresponds to the subtense of the inward bow spring 4a. The mid-portion of the arc formed by the inward bow spring 4a projects appreciably beyond the plane formed by the brim 11a. 
     A bow spring 4b extends inwardly from the outside of the calf-shaped part 1b in the same manner and position as the bow spring 4a. A slit 12b is formed in the longitudinal ridgeline of the calf-shaped part 1b in the same manner as the slit 12a. 
     A connector 3a is integrally formed on the shin-shaped part 1a on the bottom plate 2a. The connector half 3a is adapted to form a hinge connection with a connector half 3b which is integrally formed on the calf-shaped part 1b on the bottom plate 2b. 
     A grip 7a extends outwardly from the top plate 8a in such a manner that one side thereof is on the same plane with the brim 11a. A grip 7b is similarly provided on top of the calf-shaped part 1b. Holes 9a and 9b provided in the grips 7a and 7b respectively make it easy to take out the boot tree from a boot. 
     In order to insert the boot tree into a boot 10, the connector half 3a is engaged with the connector half 3b so as to form a hinge connection, and the grip 7a is held between the thumb and fingers together with a grip 7b provided on the edge of the top plate 8b in the same manner as the grip 7a. Then a sharp pinch is given on the grips 7a and 7b so that the shin- and calf-shaped parts 1a and 1b may be brought together. The boot tree will now be easily inserted into the boot 10 with the lower end of the boot tree foremost. 
     A protuberance 5 and a hole 6 are provided in the mid-portions of the arcs formed by the inward bow springs 4b and 4a respectively in such a manner that the protuberance 5 fits into the hole 6 when the shin- and calf-shaped parts 1a and 1b are put together as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. 
     In the boot 10, the space between the shin- and calf-shaped parts 1a and 1b tends to be broadened by the repulsive power of the bow springs 4a and 4b. Consequently, the external surfaces of the shin- and calf-shaped parts 1a and 1b stick fast to the internal surface of the part of the boot 10. 
     The bow springs 4a and 4b are resilient enough to preserve the shape of a boot, because the upper and lower ends of these springs are integral with the shin- and calf-shaped parts 1a and 1b. The protuberance 5 fitting into the hole 6 prevents the bow springs 4a and 4b from being disengaged from each other while the boot tree is in a boot. 
     The structure of the shin-shaped part 1a and the calf-shaped part 1b integral with their bow springs 4a and 4b permits mass production of the boot tree in accordance with the present invention and thereby permits curtailment of the production cost. 
     The boot tree in accordance with the present invention can be kept in custody in a limited space by placing the calf-shaped part 1b upon the shin-shaped part 1a or vice versa in such a manner that the bow spring 4a is inserted in the slit 12b. 
     While I have disclosed an embodiment of the present invention, it is to be understood that this has been given by way of example only and not in a limiting sense, the scope of the present invention being determined by the objects and the claims.