Patent GB-190715162-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Boot Treeing Machines.
Inventor: HOOPER WILLIAM HENRY
Filed: 1907-07-01
Granted: 1908-07-01
Abstract: 15,162. Hooper, W. H. July 2,1906, [date applied for under Patents Act, 1901]. Treeing.-Relates to a boot and shoe treeing machine having one or more expansible boot trees, and consists in providing means for permitting the expanded tree to be moved, without substantial change in its alinement, into a lower position while bringing another into an elevated position. The invention also includes the provision of a tree foot with a separable fore part and sole, which preferably are separated by the expansion of the tree. The boot trees are carried by a rotary frame 3, Fig. 1, which may be revolved to bring each tree in turn into its uppermost position, when the frame is secured by a spring-pressed catch 17. Handwheels 14 facilitate rotation of the trees, but longitudinal movement is prevented by the usual pin-and-groove arrangement. In Fig. 4 is shown the mechanism for expanding the trees. An horizontal plunger 22, operated in a rearward direction by a treadle, against the action of a spring 37, carries with it a curved cam-plate 40 adapted to engage a disk 42 secured to the end of an expander bar 43. To maintain this expander bar in its retracted position, a tooth 46 on a spring-pressed locking-dog 41 is adapted to engage ratchet teeth 47 on the expander bar. Release is effected when the boot tree is swung into its upper position by contact of the locking-dog with the cam-plate 40. To prevent sudden collapse of the expanded tree and consequent distortion or rumpling of the surface of the shoe, the front end 51 of the plunger 22 is made air-tight so as to give a cushioning effect during its return. The tree comprises an outwardly swinging back 55, a longitudinally slidable fore part 56 having a foot 57 removably secured thereto, a sole-plate 105 adapted to move outwardly, and a stationary two-part arm 58, Fig. 12, extending forward from the barrel 10 and constituting a guide and support for the movable parts of the tree. The fore part and back are secured to slide plates 63, 64, the former of which is provided with a lug 65 constituting a guide for the expander bar. The fore part is normally held in its outer position by a spring 69. The lower slide member 64 is provided with a pair of longitudinal slots 70, Fig. 11, in each of which slide devices 71, 72, 73 adjustable by means of a differential screw 74, Fig. 4. The projections 72 form additional guides for the expander bar 43, and between these projections and the lug 65 are situated compressed springs 50, 49, the latter of which bears against a pin 76 on the expander bar, which is thereby retracted after release from the catch 41. A stop 77 on the lower slide member engages at a predetermined time with the lug 65. The back of the tree is swung back about a yielding pivot 79 by the withdrawal of the lower slide 64, which, at the proper time, slides a plug 87 in an inclined thimble 88, thus expanding the heel. The foot 57 of the tree slides on to a curved member 93 secured to the upper slide member 63, and is held in position by a spring-pressed catch 96, Figs. 4 and 9. By pressing a button 104, the catch is released. The extreme forward end of the expander bar yieldingly engages the curved end 110 of a lever 109 pivoted on a pin 109<x>, and is removably attached at the other end of the sole-plate 105, and in operation pushes out this plate to thicken the toe of the foot. In practice, the operation of the machine is as follows; With the parts in the position shown in Fig. 4, the boot is placed on the foot 57 and the treadle depressed to draw back the expander bar 43. This, operating through the springs 49, 50, draws back the slides 63, 64 and closes the gap between the tree fore part and the barrel 10, against the resistance of the spring 69. Further movement compresses the spring 50 and operates the plug 87 to expand the heel, and finally the lever 109 is drawn back and the sole-plate 105 pressed out. On release of the expander bar, these operations take place in the reverse order.