Patent GB-190326565-A (GB)
Title: An Improved Machine for Cleaning and Polishing Boots and other Articles.
Inventor: FOWLER ROBERT CHARLES
Filed: 1903-12-04
Granted: 1904-12-03
Abstract: 26,565. Fowler, R. C., Cottingrham, F. T. Hill-, Clark, W. A., and Whitham, C. W. W. Dec. 4. Boots and shoes, cleaning and polishing. - Three revolving brushes are swivelled on a rotatable frame or "turret" which is carried round the boot set on a tilting plate, so that each brush in turn travels completely over the boot, the turret being rotated at the end of each circuit so as to bring the next brush into position. A band gives a final polish. Round the pillar 3 supporting the foot-plate, is a loose sleeve carrying a chain-wheel 16 and a bevel-wheel 6 whereby the sleeve is rotated from the shaft 8. On a loose outer sleeve is fixed a block in which slides a frame 12 carrying at one end the turret 13 and at the other a loose pulley 15. A chain passes round this pulley, the wheel 16, and a wheel 18, Fig. 2, fixed on the turret pivot. Thus the motion of the shaft 8 is transmitted through the wheels 6, 16, and the chain, to the turret pivot, a wheel 20 on which, gearing with pinions on the brush axles, rotates the brushes. The shaft 8 rotates the sliding frame 12 carrying the turret, through the pinions 32, 33, the worm 31, Fig. 1, the wheel 30 on the outer sleeve, and the block in which the frame slides; and the turret is made to follow the contour of the groove 36 by means of a pin 35 on the sliding frame. In order to polish the toe of the boot, the outer rotating sleeve is provided with a cam surface, so that, when the brush comes opposite to the toe, the foot-plate is tilted forwards, catching a projection 40 on the brush and bringing it down on the toe. Other means may be adopted. The brushes are stiffened by springs. To change the operating-brush at the end of each circuit, a toothed wheel 42, Fig. 3, on the turret, is held by a pawl 45, a pinion 43, and a wheel 44, and a fixed rack is provided in the path of the turret. As the turret passes this point, the rack strikes the pawl and releases and turns the wheel 44, so that the turret is turned through a certain angle, bringing the next brush into operative position, and, after passing the rack, is again locked. Blacking or paste is supplied to the blacking-brush before it comes into operation from a receptacle 48, Fig. 4, mounted on a screwthreaded sleeve surrounding a worm 50 with a crank 51. A projection 52 on the blacking-brush strikes the crank, rotating the worm, and so drawing the sleeve inwards and bringing the blacking- receptacle into contact with the brush ; when the brush has passed, a spring draws the sleeve and receptacle back. The polishing-band 54 is carried on rollers supported by arms 57, 58, pivoted on a shaft 59 which is driven from the main shaft 8 by helical wheels. A bevel wheel 69 on the shaft 59 operates the shaft 68, the worm 67, and the disc 65, through a bevel-wheel 70. A pulley 60 on the shaft 59 drives the pulley 62 co-axial with the friction-wheel 63 which turns one of the rollers on which the polishing-band is carried. The rod 64 is connected to the arms 57 and operated by a cam groove in the disc 66 so that it brings the band 54 down on the boot immediately after the polishing- brush has passed the toe, band and brush being simultaneously in operation until the end of the cycle. The endless band may be arranged to revolve continuously or not. The machine may be adapted for use as a penny-in-the-slot machine. According to the Provisional Specification, the cam groove which controls the motion of the brushes may be adjustable so as to adapt the machine to different sizes of boots. The machine may be worked by hand, by a spring motor, or by steam, gas, electric, or other power.