Improvements in Apparatus for the Manufacture of Clog Soles and Patten Boards.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Aug., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 21st May, 1891-Accepted, 1st Aug., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for the Manufacture of Clog Soles and
Patten Boards.
I JOHN INMAN of Fishpool Bury in the County of Lancaster Builder, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:--
In the manufacture of wooden clog soles and patten boards the timber is first cross
cut with a circular saw into lengths for one sole or board and then cut longitudinally
with parallel sides to the width required, and in thickness to save material, and to
facilitate subsequent operations it is preferable to cut them taper or wedge shape
as there is less material required for the heel end than for the toe.
The blocks thus roughed out are stacked to dry and season and are then made
ready for the operation of the apparatus which forms the subject of my invention,
but if in drying the blocks they should have become warped or twisted it is
necessary to square that side intended for the bottom or underside of the sole and
the edges, and to make the sides parallel in width so that they may be the more
securely and truly held by the different clamps whilst undergoing subsequent
operations.
This squaring may be performed by an ordinary planing machine or by one
specially arranged for that purpose.
The blocks thus squared on three sides are now marked by a suitable stamp
or template on the edges so as to give the required form of the inside and outside
of the sole, and cut out to the lines indicated by a band or other sweep cutting saw.
They are now ready for the operation of my improved machine, which works
the bottom or under side of the sole, shoulders the heel, rounds the shank or waist,
and also works the inside, or that side which is worn next to the foot, and at the
same time hollows the sole crosswise to fit the foot.
For this purpose my improved apparatus is provided at one side with a slide
which works in and out of a groove transversely.
When this protrudes from the machine the operative places one of the blocks
(roughed out by the saw as above described) onto the slide, by which it is then
drawn into the machine beneath the open jaws of a clamp. The slide then rises
and places the block between the jaws of the clamp which are immediately closed
by a screw, and the slide then retires and is again projected out of the side of the
machine to fetch another block.
Meanwhile the clamp with the first block in it is moved along horizontally in a
slide actuated by a propelling screw, which brings the sole into contact with a
revolving cutter of a suitable form furnished with side cutters and mounted on
a transverse shaft which works the bottom or underside of the sole, and then brings
the block in contact with another cutter of suitable form and provided with side
cutters to shoulder the heel and sink and round the shank or waist, and as the block
approaches the latter cutter the shaft on which the cutter is secured is moved down-
ward' and upward by means of a shaper or template so as to give the proper
roundness or curve to the waist.
The clamp still holding the sole advances a few inches further and the motion
of the clamp screw is then reversed so as to release the sole and leave it upon a
table or stand prepared for that purpose, the upper side being formed to fit the
bottom of the sole.
The motion of the propelling screw is then reversed and the clamps are thereby
taken back again to fetch the next block which has by this time been drawn into
the apparatus by the transverse slide previously described.
The screw which opens and closes the clamp is secured to the end of a hollow

page_text: shaft which works inside the propelling screw above mentioned ; and into this hollow
shaft, there is fitted a solid shaft which has two longitudinal grooves cut in it from
end to end, to receive two studs which are fixed inside the said hollow shaft, so that
the solid shaft can slide backwards and forwards inside the hollow screw without
having any effect upon it, but when the solid central shaft is turned round the studs
cause the hollow screw to be turned round with it.
Above the table or stand is a revolving shaft mounted in vertical slides and
carrying a cutter suitably formed to work the upper side of the sole, and as soon
as the latter has been left upon the table or stand it is clamped thereto and the
revolving cutter is brought down by means of a screw or a crank or otherwise, the
cutters continuing to descend and work the inside of the sole and at the same time
hollowing the sole crosswise to fit the foot.
As soon as this is effected the cutter shaft begins to rise again and in doing so
releases the sole which is left on the stand until the arrival of the next sole which
pushes it off sideways onto a delivery shoot.
The whole operation of the apparatus therefore is continuous and self acting
excepting so far as that the operative has to feed the machine with the roughed
out blocks by placing one of the same in the transverse slide each time that it is
protruded from the side of the machine.
In working what are known as "rights" and "lefts" the soles must be presented
in a slightly diagonal position to the cutters, and for this purpose the slides and
clamps are so contrived as to carry the sole in a diagonal position whilst being
operated upon.
The form of the sole widthwise is next marked or stamped on the inside of the
sole which is then cut out by a band or sweep cutting saw.
The next operation is to bevil the edges of the sole which I effect by a taper
file or cutter fixed to an upright spindle or shaft, which latter is attached to the
side or top of a table or other convenient place, and at the bottom or underside of
the file or cutter there is fixed a rest of a suitable form and at right angles to the
spindle or shaft. The sole is placed on the rest and pressed by the operative
against the revolving file or cutter and at the same time moved forward by hand.
A washer is fixed on the spindle below the file or cutter so as to form a fence or
stopper to the sole whilst being bevilled.
The next operation consists in rounding and bevilling the heel; this is done by
placing the sole on a rest of a suitable form and inclination to give the proper
bevil to the heel.
This rest is affixed to a table or frame which is fitted with a slide working
upwards and downwards and at the lower end of the slide are fixed two vertical
knives at a suitable distance apart.
The cutting edges of these knives are opposite to each other. The sole is placed
on the rest and held firmly by the operative with one hand and the slide is then
drawn down by a lever or otherwise and as the slide (together with the knives) is
moving downwards, the rest with the sole on it, is moved round and one half of the
heel is worked by one of the knives; it is then moved against the other knife and
the other half of the heel is operated upon, but in the reverse direction and this
completes the rounding and bevilling of the heel.
The next and last operation is to groove the upper edge of the sole for the
attachment of the upper leather.
This is done by the same or a similar machine as that used for bevilling, the
difference being in the form of the cutters, for which purpose I employ a saw with
a V-shaped edge with a washer fixed under or over so as to form a stop or fence.
The position of the rest is also altered from a right angle to the sloping position,
required for the purpose of grooving.
Dated this 20th day of August 1890.
GEO. DAVIES & SON,
4, St. Ann's Square, Manchester, Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: .
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for the Manufacture of Clog Soles and
Patten Boards.
I, JOHN INMAN of Fishpool, Bury in the County of Lancaster, Builder, 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:-
In the manufacture of wooden clog soles and patten boards the timber is first
cross cut with a circular or other saw into lengths for one sole or board, and then
cut longitudinally with parallel sides to the width required; and in thickness to
save material, and to facilitate subsequent operations, it is preferable to cut them
taper or wedge-shaped, as there is less material required for the heel end than for
the toc.
The blocks thus roughed out are stacked to dry and season, and are then made
ready for the operation of the apparatus which forms the subject of my invention
but if in drying the blocks they should have become warped or twisted it is
necessary to square that side intended for the bottom or underside of the sole and
the edges and to make the sides parallel in width so that they may be the more
securely and truly held by the different clamps whilst undergoing subsequent
operations. This squaring may be performed by an ordinary planing machine or
by one specially arranged for that purpose.
The blocks thus squared on three sides (bottom and two edges) are now marked
out by a suitable stamp or template on the edges so as to give the required form of
the inside and outside of the sole, and cut out roughly to the lines indicated by a
band or other sweep cutting saw.
They are now ready for the operation of my improved machine which works the
bottom or underside of the sole, shoulders the heel, rounds the shank or waist and
also works the inside, or that side which is worn next to the foot and at the same
time hollows the sole cross-wise to fit the foot.
The construction and operation of this machine and of my other improved
machines for bevilling the edges of the sole, rounding and bevilling the heel and
grooving or rabeting the upper edge of the sole will be readily understood on
reference to the four sheets of drawings hereunto annexed, and the following
explanation thereof.
Sheet 1 of the drawings illustrates the principal shaping machine, Fig. 1 being
a longitudinal section thereof, Fig. 2 an elevation of the delivery end, and Fig. 3 a
plan view of the same. Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 on this sheet are detached views of
parts of the same hereinafter more particularly referred to. Fig. 15 on Sheet 4
shews the reversing gear.
a is the main framing of the machine and
a cam shaft c at the delivery end of the
worm wheel.e. The main shaft also drives a
gear g.
the main driving shaft which actuates
machine by means of a worm d and
propelling screw f by means of bevil
The machine is provided with a slide which works alternately in and out of a
groove or slide i transversely, the motion in one direction being given by a cord or
chain k, one end of which is fast to the slide h, and the other to a pulley 1. Attached
to the side of this pulley is a larger pulley to which is attached another cord or
chain k¹ the other end of which is fixed by a staple to a cross bar m which is worked
by the propelling screw so that the forward motion of the latter will give
transverse movement to the slide. The return motion of this slide (when the
screw is reversed) is produced by a weighted cord ² fixed to a pin under the
slide .
When the slide protrudes from the front of the machine (as shewn by dotted
lines on Fig. 3) the operative places one of the blocks (roughed out by the saw as

page_text: above described) on the slide with the front of the heel resting against a transverse
ledge or projection, studs or projections being also provided to fix the position of
the sole sideways and the slide is then drawn into the machine by the action of
the cord or chain k, beneath the open jaws of a clamp. The slide is then caused
to rise by means of a pin o on one of the cams or on the worm wheel e (see Fig. 1),
depressing one end of a lever o' the other end of which raises a rod o' connected to
the cross-slide i and brings the slide into the position shown in Fig. 1, placing the
block between the jaws of the clamp n, which are immediately closed as herein-
after described.
The slide carrier then falls down by the escaping of the pin o from the end of
the lever o and the slide is then projected out of the side of the machine to fetch
another block.
Meanwhile the clamp n with the first block in it is moved along horizontally in
the groove p, actuated by the propelling screw, which brings the sole into contact
with a revolving cutter of a suitable form to work the bottom or underside of the
sole and provided with a side cutter q¹ for shouldering the heel.
As the clamp n proceeds it next brings the block into contact with a second
revolving cutter r also formed with a side cutter for shouldering the heel at the
round part of the waist. This cutter r is intended to round the shank or waist, and
it is caused to rise and fall for this purpose, as the sole passes over, in the following
manner. The axle bearings of the cutter are mounted in vertical slides and are
connected by rods 2 to elbow levers ³, one end of which rocks on the same fixed
centre which carries the lever o before mentioned, and the other carries a bowl
working in a groove in one of the inner cams c on the cam shaft c, the crank
or riser c² of such cam acting on the bowl so as to bring the cutter down and
up again at the proper moment to give the required roundness or curve to the
waist.
n
The clamp n still holding the sole i* then advances a few inches further and the
motion of the propelling screw is then reversed; the motion of the clamp screw n¹
is also reversed so as to leave the sole upon a table or stands prepared for that
purpose, the upper side being formed to fit the bottom of the sole. The clamps
are then taken back again to fetch the next block, which has by this time been
drawn into the apparatus by the transverse slide 1. There are two collars n* upon
the hollow shaft against which the propelling screw works and thus a short
dwell is allowed to the clamps n at each reversal of the motion of the screw f so
as to give time for the gripping and releasing of the sole. Above the table or
stands is a revolving shaft mounted in vertical slides »¹ and carrying a cutter s³
suitably formed to work the upper side of the sole ix and as soon as the latter has
been left by the clamp n upon the table or stands it is clamped thereto by a clamp
or holder which is held against its side by means of a weighted lever part of
which only is shown at Fig. 1 (see also detached view Fig. 5). The cutter is
now brought down by the outer cams 3 (one of which is seen in detached side view
at Fig. 6).
The groove in this cam acts upon one arm of the weighted bell crank levers &
(Fig. 6) the other arm of which is connected by a rod s to one of the axle bearings
of the revolving cutter which when brought down works the inside of the sole i*
and at the same time hollows it cross-wise to fit the foot.
As soon as this is effected the cutter shaft begins to rise again (owing to the
reversal of the revolution of the cam shaft c as hereinafter explained) and the cord
or chain attached to one arm of the bell crank lever (see Fig. 1) being thereby
wound on to the pulley c' lowers the clamp or holder » and releases the sole i* which
is left on the stands until the arrival of the next sole which pushes it off into the
delivery shoots (Fig. 1).
In order to finish the point of the toe accurately when right and left soles are
being made the table s is pivotted at one end (see Fig. 3) and has at the proper
time a sideways movement given to it by means of a screw t working in a nut t
bolted to the lower part of the tables (see also detached plan view, Fig. 7).
!

page_text: وو
On the spindle of this screw are two bevil pinions t², both in gear with a bevil
wheel 3 but only one of which at a time is made fast by a set screw, according to
whether "rights" or "lefts
are being made so as to move the table to the right
or left accordingly. The bevil wheel t³ is actuated at the proper moment by nogs
or projections (see detached view Fig. 7) on a chain wheel to coming against some
similar projections on a face plate to keyed on the spindle of the bevil wheel t³.
Thus the cutter works over and across the point of the toe which is therefore
accurately finished instead of being cut more at one side than at the other which
would otherwise be the case, when making rights or "lefts," the above
arrangement being preferable to that mentioned in my Provisional Specification,
of causing the sliding clamp to present the sole in a slightly diagonal position to
the cutters. When making "straights" this mechanism is not required.
66
"
The screw n which opens and closes the clamp n (see detached view Fig. 4), is
secured to the end of a hollow shatt n³ which works inside the propelling screw f,
and into this hollow shaft, at the other end, is fitted a solid shaft n', which has a
longitudinal groove cut in it from end to end to receive a pin or key which is
fixed inside the hollow shaft n³ so that the solid shaft n can slide backward and
forwards inside the hollow shaft n³ without having any effect upon it, but when the
solid central shaft n is turned round the pin or key n³ causes the hollow shaft to
turn round with it.
On the end of the solid shaft n' is a grooved pulley nⓇ (see also detached end view
Fig. 8) over which passes a chain or cord n one end of which is fixed to the framing,
and the other attached to a large pulley n keyed on a cross shaft n³ and driven by
a worm and wheel no actuated by a spur pinion gearing into a spur wheel n¹ which
is loose on the main driving shaft b.
Fixed on one end of the propelling screw f is a bracket f¹ carrying two
triggers (see also detached sectional view Fig. 9) acting on two levers f³, which
are connected together by a rod f and a spring f'. The lower arm of one of
these levers acts upon a sliding collar fe connected by a spring f' to a sliding
boss which works on a feather or groove in the shaft b. The other end of this
boss carries one half of a clutch box the other half of which is fixed or cast to
the side of the spur wheel n" above mentioned.
Directly the machine is put into motion the propelling screw factuated by the
bevil gear 9 and revolving nut g¹ begins to move end wise in the direction of the
arrow (being prevented from revolving by the fixed key fx working in the groove
in the top of the screw f (see plan view Figure 3). The trigger f² carried by the
screw then comes against the upper end of the lever f³, the lower end of which
lever acts upon the sliding boss and clutch f8 and the said boss and clutch com-
mence to revolve with the shaft 6 and by means of the spur gear n¹¹ and worm
gear no, turn the shaft n and pulley n (in the direction of the arrow on the latter)
and thus a length of chain is given off the pulley n8, which chain is immediately
taken up by the suspended weight n¹ turning the small pulley ne over which the
said chain passes, thus causing the clamp screw n' (Fig. 4) to draw the movable
part n of the clamp towards the fixed part m and thus take hold of the block i*.
As soon as the trigger f2 has travelled clear of the lever f³ the clutch f³ is
drawn out of gear by the spring fo and the revolving of no ceases. The length of
chain given off from the pulley n³ is more than what is required for the clamping
of the sole, which allows the weight n¹² to act upon the small pulley n and keep
the clamp tightly screwed up during the movement of the shaft 6 in this
direction.
On the reversal of the direction of motion of the said shaft b one of the
triggers 2 (which only acts on the inward or return motion of the screw f)
again puts the clutches 8 and n into gear, and as the shaft b is now running
in the reverse direction, the weight 12 is raised and the screw n¹ turned back or
unscrewed which opens the clamp and the sole falls out. The unscrewing of the
clamp ceases when the left hand lever f³ has been acted upon by its trigger,

page_text: It must be clearly understood that at both ends of its traverse the machine begins
to revolve and the propelling screw to move endwise for a short distance before the
latter begins to act upon and move the hollow shaft and clamp along with it, and it
is precisely at this time that the gearing n³, n° and n" comes into action to screw
up or unscrew the clamp as the case may be.
On referring to Figure 4, it will be seen that (as before stated) on the hollow
shaft are two collars n*, one near to each end, and the distance between these
collars is greater than the length of the propelling screw f, so that when the latter
commences to move in either direction it can move a certain distance by itself before
its end comes against one or other of the collars n* so as to draw the hollow shaft n³
along with it.
The main driving shaft is provided with two loose pulleys 6' and 62 and an
intermediate fast pulley 63. Round these pulleys are passed two straps (one open
and the other crossed) and as the one or the other is moved on to the fast pulley b³
the shaft will be driven in the forward or backward direction. This may be done
by any ordinary well known reversing gear, but at Figure 15, on Sheet 4, of
the drawings, I have shewn what I consider a convenient arrangement for this
purpose.
a!
A sliding rod with adjustable collars and is attached to the main clamp m
and is carried to and fro therewith. is a double armed lever pivotted at 4° and
having a fork or jaw at the top through which the rod slides. 6' are two spiral
springs loose on the rod, 6 is the strap fork bar provided with two strap forks and
two stop pins, to limit its motion. The end of the strap fork bar furthest from the
lever is provided with a loop or eye through which the weighted tumbling lever b
passes.
As the propelling screw f (with the clamp) moves to the left in the direction of
the arrow, the collar z comes into contact with the forked end of the lever 65 and
pushes it and the tumbling lever into the vertical position causing the forks to
move the two straps on to the outer pulleys and 62 (both loose on the shaft).
The right hand spiral spring 67 having been compressed now expands pushing the
tumbling lever over the centre, when the said lever falls over into the dotted
position carrying the bar 68 into its other extreme position, whereby the crossed belt
has been brought further on to the loose pulley 62 and the open belt brought from
the other loose pulley 6' on to the central or fast pulley 63 and on the return move-
ment of the propelling screw, the reverse action takes place, the left hand collar
then coming into action.
The whole of the operation of the apparatus therefore is continuous and self
acting excepting so far as that the operative has to supply the machine with the
roughed-out blocks by placing one of the same upon the transverse slide h each time
that it is protruded from the side of the machine.
So far as this machine is concerned the form of the block i* in plan view is
rectangular.
The next operation is to mark out or stamp on the inside thereof the form or
outline of the sole as shown by the dotted lines at Fig. 3, and then cut the same
out by a band or sweep-cutting saw.
The next operation is to bevil the edge of the sole which I effect by means of
the apparatus shown on Sheet 2, of the drawings, in side elevation at Fig. 10 and
front view at Fig. 11. It consists of a taper file or cutter a fixed on an upright
revolving spindle or shaft 6 which latter is mounted in suitable bearings c attached
to the side or top of a table or bench d or other convenient place, and at the bottom
or underside of the file or cutter a at right angles to the spindle is fixed a rest e of a
suitable form.
The sole is placed on the rest e and its edge pressed by the operative against the
revolving file or cutter a and at the same time it is moved forward by hand. A
washer is placed on the spindle below the file or cutter so as to form a "fence'
or stopper to the sole whilst being bevilled.
"

page_text: The next operation consists in rounding and bevilling the heel by the apparatus
which is illustrated at Fig. 13, Sheet 3, of the drawings, and consists of a rest a
of suitable form and inclination to give the proper bevil to the heel. This rest is
hinged to a table b which is fixed to the frame c and this latter is fitted with a
vertical slide & capable of being raised and lowered by a hand lever e.
To this slide is fixed a vertical knife fcapable of being revolved, or if preferred
it may be fitted with two knives fixed at suitable distance apart, in which case
the cutting edges of the knives will be opposite to each other.
The sole g is placed on the rest a and held firmly by the operative with one hand
and the slide d and knife f is forced down by means of the lever e with the other
hand, and as the knife is moving downwards the rest a with the sole g upon it, is
moved round and one half of the heel is thus worked. In order to cause the angle of
the rest a to vary as the knife f is brought down so as to cut the heel at a more
acute angle at the back than at the side, the outer end of the rest a furthest from
the hinge is supported by a curved lever h, the other end of which is provided with
a slot in which works a pin i fixed in the vertical slide d. One half of the heel
being thus bevilled the knife f is then turned nearly half round so as to present
its cutting edge in the opposite direction (as shown by the plan view Fig. 14) and
the operation is repeated so as to bevil the other half of the heel in a corresponding
manner. For the purpose of allowing the heel to recede out of the way of the
knife whilst the latter is being turned round, a part of the rest a* which supports
the sole is made so as to slide to and fro longitudinally and it is provided with a
bowl k underneath which when the knife is being reversed is acted upon by a
cam mounted upon the slide d and so formed as to push the heel out of the way
of the knife as the latter is being reversed; the spring k¹ pushes the heel back
again when the reversal of the knife is completed, and the cam has left the
bowl k.
When two knives are employed in this machine this arrangement is unnecessary
as in that case the heel is presented first to one knife and then to the other.
The next and last operation is to form a groove or rebate all round the upper
part of the outer edge of the sole for the attachment thereto of the upper leather.
This is done by the same machine as that used for bevilling the edges of the sole
the only differences (see Fig. 12, Sheet 2,) being in the form of the cutters for
which purpose I employ a saw ax with a V shaped edge with a washer f*
fixed above so as to form a top or "fence," and the form of the rest ex is also
altered so as to allow of the sole being held at the angle required for this
operation.
This operation completes the finishing of the sole ready for nailing on the upper
leather in the usual manner, but although I have shown and described the apparatus
represented at Figs. 10, 11 and 12 on Sheet 2 of the drawings as employed for
performing some of the necessary operations I do not wish to make any claim to
this apparatus as forming part of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:
First The general construction and arrangement of apparatus for forming or
shaping the upper and lower surfaces of the clog sole or patten board substantially
as illustrated by Sheet 1 of the annexed drawings and hereinbefore particularly
described.
:
Secondly I claim the general construction and arrangement of apparatus for
bevilling and rounding the heels of clog soles or patten boards substantially as
represented on Sheet 3 of the said drawings and herein before particularly
described.
:
Thirdly I claim the combination of the propelling screw and the hollow and
solid shafts and their adjuncts for opening and closing the clamp and moving it to

page_text: and fro substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the annexed
drawings.
:
Fourthly I claim the combination with the clamp moving backwards and for-
wards of a slide moving out and in transversely to receive the sole and present it
to the said clamp substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the
annexed drawings.
Dated this 20th day of May 1891.
GEO. DAVIES & SON,
4, St. Ann's Square, Manchester, Agents for the Applicant.