Improvements in Tack Driving Machines for use in the Manufacture of Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application. 21st Apr.. 1892-Accepted. 16th July. 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tack Driving Machines for use in the Manufacture
of Boots and Shoes.
I, ERASTUS WOODWARD, of Somerville, County of Middlesex, and State of
Massachusetts, United States of America, Gentleman, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The object of my invention is to combine in a tack driving machine for driving
tacks in boots and shoes, of the class in which most of the moving parts of the
machine are in continuous motion, although the tack feeding parts are not in motion
except when the boot or shoe is presented by a power moved jack to the nose piece
of the machine and then but a single tack is driven, a mechanism by which the
upward movement of the jack is effected by power transmitted from the driving
pulley, and a mechanism by which the feed motion is started independently of
the nose piece. The invention being particularly adapted for lasting boots and
shoes.
This object I attain by the mechanism shown in the accompanying drawings, in
which―
Fig. 1 shows in side elevation the upper and lower parts of a tack driving
machine, only such details being shown as are required for an understanding of my
device.
Fig. 2 is a view in perspective showing connected operative parts from the main
shaft to the feed controlling cam and the feed starting mechanism.
Fig. 3 is a view in perspective showing mechanism (connected to the jack lifting
device) for causing the feed mechanism to start.
Fig. 4 is a detail showing pawl device for starting the feed.
Fig. 5 is a section taken on line of Fig. 1.
Fig. 6 represents a section on line 6 6 Fig. 1.
Fig. 7 represents a perspective view, showing the mechanism that communicates
motion to the feed slides or gates.
Fig. 8 represents a front elevation of parts of two race ways and the tack feeding
slides or gates therein.
Fig. 9 represents a section on line 9 9 Fig. 8, looking downwardly.
In the drawings-
A represents the standard of the machine, and B the upper fixed part which
serves as a base or framework for holding the tack feeding and driving mechanism
and their adjuncts.
The main shaft of the machine is indicated by C. This main shaft has connected
to it fast and loose pulleys C³ for receiving the driving belt, as shown in Figure 1.
C is a pulley on the main shaft which acting through the belt H, pulley H¹ and
clutch device H³, actuates the jack lifting shaft H2 (the action of lifting the jack
taking place only at such times as may be determined by the operator, as will be
hereafter explained).
The driving mechanism consists of a driver C7 and reciprocating bar Co, cross
head C and a crank disk C³ and crank pin, all operating in the usual manner.
The tacks or nails to be fed are placed in the receptacles D2 D2. The tack feed
wheels D¹ are mounted on the transverse shaft D³, which is driven by a worm D
meshing with a worm gear on the shaft D*.
From the receptacles D2 D3, extend the two tack race ways D1 and E2, the same
being formed to guide tacks to the feed ways in which the tack feeding slides or
gates E F move as hereinafter described. One of said race ways is formed to
guide tacks of a given size and the other to guide tacks of a different size.

page_text: It will be observed that my machine has but one feed nozzle N and one driver,
yet there are two feed race ways, one intended for one kind of tack and the other
for another kind of tack or nail. These tacks or nails may vary in length and in
style or shape so long as they are adapted to pass through the nozzle and to be
acted upon by the driver.
As one tack only can be driven at a time the device for admitting the tack to
the nozzle must determine from which race way the tack shall be taken. The
mechanism which determines this, I will call the tack feed controlling mechanism
and will now describe it; referring more particularly to Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9.
way,
F and E represent two slides or gates which are adapted to close respectively
the race ways D E. These slides F and E also serve (after having been with-
drawn to admit of a tack passing out of the race way into the slide way to the
right or left of the drive way) to force the tack from the slide way in the drive
that is, into a position in which it will be acted upon by the driver (see
Figs. 8 and 9) and forced through the nozzle or nose piece and driver into the
article being operated upon. Their operating mechanism being so arranged that
but one of the slides can be withdrawn at a time. The slide F (see Figure 6) is
attached to a hanger F, extending from the sliding quill F; and the slide E is
attached to a hanger E extending from the sliding quill Es. These two sliding
quills E are both mounted on the same fixed rod or pin F³, Figure 6, one
adapted to slide to the right and the other to the left, as may be required to open
the race way D or the race way E. The two fixed slides are held normally in
position, that is closed, by the spring which connects the arms F* E*, extending
downward from the quills F and E³.
The quills F and E' that actuate the feed slides F and E have inwardly
extending studs (indicated by dotted lines at fand e¹ Figure 6) which are
respectively embraced by the forked ends of the oscillating arms F' E'. These
oscillating arms F' E' are pivoted respectively on the rocker shaft F" and the
pin E, and are free to swing upon them, and are provided with shoulder starts
FE, by which they may be operated. The device for operating the arms F' E'
consists of a lever F, which is hung in an oscillating housing F". The housing F
being mounted on the rocker shaft F, said rocker shaft F being actuated by the
arm (extending from the boss F affixed to the rocker shaft F) and the cam F2.
The rocker shaft F, and through it the housing F" and lever F16 is controlled as
to its movement in one direction by the spring f³, the swell parts of the rotating
cam F giving the contrary motions.
The lever F, besides having an oscillating motion in a vertical plane (caused
by the movement of the rocker shaft F) is so pivoted on a vertical pin in the
housing F", that it may be turned by hand to the right and left as desired. If
the outer end of said lever is turned to the right it will be under the pin F10 on
the arm F, and when raised by the cam F2 will lift the shoulder pin F and,
acting through the arm F7, will withdraw the tack feed slide F from the race
way D, and thus admit of a tack being fed into the path of the driver. If, on
the contrary, the lever Fse is turned to the left, then its inner end will act upon the
shoulder pin E of the arm E' from above and through it and the connected parts
already described, cause the slide E to be drawn from the mouth of the race way E
and thus allow a tack to pass into the path of the driver.
The swinging movements of the lever F in a vertical plane are made by the
machine itself, but only at such times as the operator may have placed the
article to be tacked in the proper position for being tacked as will be explained
hereafter.
I will now explain the mechanism by which the operator may cause the cam to
be moved by the constantly running parts of the machine and to move sufficiently
to allow one tack only to be fed and then to stop.
Referring to Fig. 2. the rotating cam F is mounted on a shaft in the
bearings B B Be, the cam Leing put on the shaft so as to revolve with it; ou
this same shaft two ratchet wheels F and F are also mounted and made fast to

page_text: it. It will be noticed that the ratchet wheels F and F have each four divisions
corresponding with the four divisions of the rotating cam F. Two, to and fro
working pawls F and F" are mounted on a rocker piece F, which receives a
rocking motion on its axis fe, from the pitman F, the pitman receiving its motion
from an eccentric F3 on the main shaft C. The motion of the pawls F and F
is such in relation to the teeth Fes of the ratchet, that when the said ratchet is in
the position shown, the pawls may move to and fro on the interval surfaces without
coming in working contact with either of the teeth F26, but if the cam is made to
turn a part revolution. in the direction indicated by the arrow Fig. 2, then the
pawl F will take effect on one of the teeth and cause a sufficient rotation of the
cam to operate a feed slide in the usual manner, and allow a tack to be fed,
then the pawl F will take effect on the ratchet F and thus cause the cam F❝
to make a further rotation and allow the feed slide to assume its normal position,
in which position the feed way is closed so that no tack can be fed until the feeding
mechanism is again put in action by the operator. To effect this motion a second
ratchet wheel F" (in all respects like the ratchet wheel F, and made fast to the
same shaft) is used. This ratchet wheel F is made to turn by the operator who
places the article to be tacked onto the jack and under the nose piece N, then by
causing the jack to rise up (as will be hereafter explained) it will (through a
mechanism to be explained) act on the ratchet wheel F and give it the required
amount of rotation to turn the ratchet wheel F sufficiently to allow the pawl F"
to operate upon it and give the required motion to the cam F to operate the feed
slide as above referred to. The motion thus given to the ratchet F23 and cam F
leaves the ratchet F in such position that the pawl F can act upon it and
further turn it and the cam F22 so as to allow the feed slide to feed the tack to the
driver. The action of the pawl 1 on the ratchet F3 leaves the said ratchet in
its normal position, that is, in such a position that neither of the pawls F", F28,
can act upon it again, until the operator has again caused the feeding mechanism
to operate.
I will now describe my device by the aid of which the operator is enabled to
connect the moving parts of the machine with the jack lifting device and thus
cause the jack to be raised up, which action will force the work up against the nose
piece (ready to receive the tack) the upward movement of the jack acting through
the rod R (as will be explained) will cause a tack feeding slide to withdraw and
thus allow one tack to be fed, and one only. H2, Fig. 1 is a shaft properly mounted
in the base of the standard of the machine, this shaft has upon it a loose friction
clutch pulley H₁ and a clutch device H³, said device being operated by the foot
lever H, H, pivoted at H and acting through the bell crank lever H H.
The pulley His driven by the belt H, (see Fig. 1) and communicates its motion
to the shaft H through the clutch device H³. On the front end of the shaft H³,
I have a bevelled gear H which engages with a segment gear H on the lever R R',
which is pivoted at H7 and adapted to operate the lever H, said lever H being
also pivoted at H', said lever H serving to lift the jack foot piece H³ to which it
is attached by the pivotal pin H. To cause the jack foot piece H³, and the jack
to be raised up, the operator places his foot on the lever H, H18, and depressing it
throws the clutch H into frictional connection with the running pulley H', this
causes the shaft Hand the bevelled gear H to make a part rotation, which in turn
depresses the segment H³ which acting through the lever R, R', raises the lever Hº.
I will now describe my device for causing the ratchet wheel F to make a part
rotation and thus start the feed.
The segment gear H is connected with and forms a part of the lever R R (see
Figs. 1 and 3) so that any movement of the segment gear causes a corresponding
movement of the lever RR', and consequently the boss R2 and stud R³. The jack
lifting lever He is attached to the rocker shaft K and as the lever R R' moves
about the same fulcrum center H7, as the rocker shaft K does, it is evident that all
of the parts would move together, if connected rigidly, but to admit of a small

page_text: :
•
amount of independent motion of the lever R R', I have the following described
device.
The member R of the lever R R' passes under a wing of the lever H (as shown
in Figs. 3 and 5) but does not usually come in actual contact with it, there being a
space between the upper side of R' and the underside of the lover H (as shown,
at m, Figs. and 5). The two levers R R and H are held in their normal relation
with each other by the spring K2, which is made fast to the rocker shaft K (of
which the lever He is a part), by a screw K³, the rear end of the spring resting on
a projection K, also a part of the rocker shaft K, the forward end K of the
spring K² resting on the end of the lever R. From the above it is evident that as
the segment gear H is forced downward the front end of the lever R R will rise
up and working through the spring K K and the rocker shaft K, will cause the
lever He to rise and lift the jack, but when the jack has brought the shoe up to the
nose piece of the tacking machine, that is, in a position to receive the tack, then
the jack can go no farther and the lever He will he stopped from further upward
movement; now a continued movement of the segment H will force the lever R R',
upward, the spring K K² and the open space m admitting of this movement, that
is, there is a relative motion between the rocker shaft K and the lever R R¹. This
relative movement of the two levers results in this-
The lever R R swings on a center at Ks formed on the arm K of the rocker
shaft K and has an arm R7, having a stud R8, the stud R being concentric with the
center of the rocker shaft K when the levers H and R R are in their normal
position, but when the levers have had their relative movements as above, then
the lever R, Ro, acting through the arm R7 will cause the stud R to move in the
direction of the arrow a; this movement of the stud will throw the end of the
lever R, R (pivoted at R") downward, which will draw the rod R down, which
in turn will, acting through the pin R, bell crank lever R, pin R and pawl R,
cause the ratchet F to make a part rotation and thus start the feed device as
already set forth.
This arrangement causes successive operation of the jack and tack feeding
'mechanism-the latter remaining inoperative until the jack has presented the work
to the fixed nose piece, and then operating to supply a tack as described.
It will be observed that the operating feed slide or gate is normally in
position to. prevent the feeding of tacks to the driver, and is caused to operate
to feed one tack and then stop by an independent nechanism controlled by the
operator, said mechanism being started or set in operation by an act of the
operator and stopped automatically after the slide has fed one tack.
It will
An
also be observed that the feed slide operating mechanism is independent of the
driving mechanism and of the nose piece N through which the tacks are driven.
In Letters Patent of the United States No. 426,160, granted to me April 22nd,
1890, I have shown a normally inoperative tack feed device, a movable nose
piece, and intermediate mechanism whereby the feed device is caused by the
pressure of a sole against the nose piece to feed one tack and then stop. My
present invention differs from that shown in said Patent in that the feed slide
operating mechanism is independent of the nose piece, so that the nose piece is
not required to perform the duty of operating the tack feed device.
important advantage results from the employment of an independent tack feeding
incchanism, viz. the nose piece, having no tack feeding duty to perform, can be
set or adjusted at different heights for the purpose of varying the depth to
which the tacks are driven, it being desirable to drive the tacks less deeply in
some kinds of work than in others. If the nose piece were used to operate the
tack feed, such adjustment would be impossible. Means for adjusting the nose
piece for the purpose just indicated are shown in another application for Letters
Patent of the United States filed by me. Another advantage is that when the
machine is used without the jack, the latter being removed and the work!
presented to the driving mechanism by hand, the operator is relieved by the

page_text: independent tack feeding mechanism from the necessity of operating the tack
feed by the pressure of the work against the nose piece; hence the labour of
presenting the work to the driving mechanism is materially lessened, the tack
feed being operated by the power of the machine, which power is made available
by the pressure of the operator's foot on the clutch operating device. The
machine used as last indicated is useful for laying or tacking on soles, au
operation in which a jack is not required.
The independent feed slide operating mechanism comprises a normally inopera-
tive motor, which is driven by the power of the machine, is started by the
operator, and is provided with means for automatically stopping its operation
after it has caused the slide or gate to feed one tack. Said motor, in the
organization of the machine here shown, is composed of the eccentric F con-
tinuously revolved by the main shaft of the machine, the rocker piece F³i with
its pawl Freceiving a continuous oscillating movement from the eccentric
through the pitman F, the shaft having the ratchet wheel F and cam F
and the devices that transmit motion from said cam to the slide or gate E or F,
when the shaft is turned to enable the oscillating pawl F" to engage a tooth
of the ratchet F" and thus move said cam.
0
The means controlled by the operator whereby said motor is started when
and only when the operator desired to supply a tack to the drive way comprises
the lever H" and suitable connections between it and the motor whereby a
movement of said lever is caused to start the motor.
The connections between the lever H and the motor may be such as will
enable the force exerted by the operator's foot on the lever to start the motor,.
but I prefer the connections here shown, involving the employment of the power
of the machine to start the motor, said connections comprising the continuously
running loose pulley H', the shaft H, the movable clutch device H³ connected
with said shaft and adapted to engage the pulley and cause the rotation of the
shaft, said clutch device being operated by the lever H" and the device con-
necting the shaft H with the cam shaft of the motor, whereby the rotation of
the shaft H is caused to partly rotate the cam shaft and enable the pawl_F"
of the motor to move the cam F to its feed slide moving position. The
pawl Foscillating with the pawl F2 and arranged to move the cam F to
position to permit the feed slide to resume its normal position and to move the
ratchet to position which prevents the pawl F" from further rotating said
ratchet, constitutes a means whereby the motor is automatically stopped after
performing its duty.
The combination of these elements, eiz.; first, a feed slide or gate, normally
in position to prevent tacks from reaching the drive way, secondly, a power
operated motor adapted to give said slide a tack feeding movement and organized
to stop automatically, and, thirdly, devices controlled by the operator whereby
the motor may be started, is new, and constitutes tack feeding mechanism that
is independent of the driving mechanism, feeds a single tack in response to each
act of the operator in starting the motor, and enables the nose piece to secure
other results such as the regulation of the depth to which the tacks are driven,
as above stated.
In view of the novel character of said combination, and of the useful results
coming from it, I do not limit myself to the mechanical construction and arrange-
ment here shown of the elements composing the combination, and the construction
of any or all of said elements may be varied within the limits of mechanical
skill and judgment without departing from the spirit of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is-
1. In a tack driving machine having a movable jack and tack feeding mechanism.

page_text: the combination of a jack moving mechanism, a tack feed starting device mounted
to move within certain limits, a yielding device substantially as described holding
the jack moving mechanism and tack feed starting device in unison when the jack
is free, and a driving device acting upon said tack feed starting device to move said
two parts together when the movement of the jack is not resisted and to move the
tack feed starting device independently to start the feed when the movement of the
jack is resisted.
2. In a tack driving machine, the combination of a continuously operating driving
mechanism, including a reciprocating driver and a continuously running shaft which
gives motion to the driver, a fixed nose piece through which the tacks are driven, a
tack feed race way arranged to guide tacks to the driving mechanism, a slide or
gate normally in position to prevent the passage of tacks to the driving mechanism,
slide or gate operating mechanism organized to stop automatically after moving
the slide or gate to feed one tack, and means independent of the nose piece for
starting the slide or gate, said means including a foot lever H" located at the base
of the machine and a connecting rod R" adapted to transmit motion from the base
of the machine and make the slide or gate operating mechanism operative, whereby
the operator is enabled by a movement of his foot to cause the feeding of a tack to
the continuously reciprocating driver, as set forth.
3. In a tack driving machine, the combination of a continuously operating driving
mechanism, including a reciprocating driver and a continuously running shaft
which gives motion to the driver, a fixed nose piece through which the tacks are
driven, a tack feed raceway arranged to guide tacks to the driving mechanism, a
slide or gate normally in position to prevent the passage of tacks to the driving
mechanism, a motor adapted to give the slide or gate a tack feeding movement,
normally inoperative connections between the motor and the said continuously
running shaft, said connections being adapted when made operative to give the slide
or gate the movement required to feed one tack, and means for making said con-
nections operative, said means including a foot lever H" located at the base of the
machine and a connecting rod R engaged with the motor and adapted to make
said connections operative, whereby the operator is enabled by a movement of his
foot to cause the feeding of a tack to the continuously reciprocating driver, as set
forth.
4. In a tack driving machine, the combination of a continuously operating driving
mechanism, including a reciprocating driver and a continuously running shaft
which gives motion to the driver, a fixed nose piece through which the tacks are
driven, a tack feed race way arranged to guide tacks to the driving mechanism, a
slide or gate normally in position to prevent the passage of tacks to the driving
mechanism, slide or gate operating mechanism organized to stop automatically after
moving the slide or gate to feed one tack, a pulley, contiguous to the base of the
machine, a connection between said pulley and the said continuously running shaft,
whereby the pulley is continuously operated, a clutch normally separated from said
pulley, a clutch operating lever arranged to be moved by the foot of the operator,
whereby the clutch may be engaged with the pulley, a shaft engaged with and
rotated by the clutch, a vertically movable work supporting jack, and mechanism
operated by the rotation of the clutch operated shaft, whereby the jack and the
tack feeding side or gate are set in operation successively by a single movement of
the clutch operating lever, said mechanism including a connecting rod R, adapted
to transmit motion from the clutch operated shaft and make the slide or gate
Loperating mechanism operative, as set forth.
5. In a tack driving machine, the combination of a continuously operative driving
mechanism, a normally inoperative tack feeding mechanism, a continuously running
pulley, a clutch, adapted to be engaged with the pulley, a clutch operating device
controlled by the operator, a starting device for making the said tack feeding
mechanism operative, and connections between the pulley and starting device
whereby the latter is operated during the engagement of the clutch with the pulley,
"

page_text: said connections comprising a shaft engaged with and rotated by the clutch and a
connecting rod adapted to communicate motion from said shaft to the starting
device, as set forth.
6. In a tack driving machine, the combination of a continuously operative driving
mechanism, a normally inoperative tack feeding mechanism, a continuously running
pulley, a clutch, adapted to be engaged with said pulley, a clutch operating device,
controlled by the operator, a vertically movable work supporting juck, a starting
device for making the said tack feeding mechanism operative, and mechanism
operated by the engagement of the clutch with the pulley, whereby the said jack
and starting device are successively operated, said mechanism: including a clutch
operated shaft, a connecting rod R and devices substantially as described con-
necting the clutch operated shaft with the jack and connecting rod, as set forth.
7. In a tack driving machine, the combination of a continuously operative driving
mechanism, a normally inoperative tack feeding mechanism, a continuously running
pulley, a clutch adapted to be engaged with said pulley, a clutch operating lever
arranged to be moved by the operator to connect the clutch with the pulley, a shaft
operated by the clutch, and provided with a bevel gear, a lever mounted to oscillate
on a fixed fulcrum, and provided with a gear segment meshing with said gear, a
jack operating lever mounted to oscillate on the same fulcrum with the gear carrying
lever, a jack connected with the jack operating lever and adapted to be raised
thereby, a yielding connection between the gear carrying lever and the jack
operating lever, whereby the gear carrying lever is enabled to move independently
after the upward movement of the jack has been arrested, and connections between
the gear carrying lever and the tack feeding mechanism, whereby the latter is made
operative during the said independent movement of the gear carrying lever, and
after the arrest of the upward movement of the jack, as set forth.
8. In a tack driving machine, the combination of a continuously operative driving
mechanism, a normally inoperative tack feeding mechanism, a continuously running
pulley, a clutch adapted to be engaged with said pulley, a clutch operating device
controlled by the operator, a vertically movable work supporting jack, a shaft H,
journalled in fixed bearings at the base of the machine, and provided with a gear H',
a continuously running pulley H, normally loose on said shaft, a clutch H³, adapted
to connect said pulley and shaft; a lever R R¹, mounted on a fixed fulcrun, and
having a gear segment H³ meshing with the gear H, a jack operating lever H,
mounted on said fulcrum and engaged at its outer end with a work supporting jack,
a yielding connection, such as a spring K, between the inner end of the lever H
and the lever R R', whereby the latter is enabled to move independent after the
arrest of the upward movement of the jack, a connecting rod R", constituting a
starting device adapted to make the feed mechanism operative, a system of levers,
connecting the lever R R with the rod R, whereby said rod is moved during the
said independent movement of the lever R R¹, and a clutch operating foot lever
adapted to cause the engagement of the clutch H³ with the pulley H', whereby the
operator is enabled by a movement of the foot lever to cause the jack and the feed
mechanism to operate successively, as set forth.
Doted this 6th day of Anuil 1900
ERASTUS WOODWARD.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.