IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR ATTACHING HEELS TO BOOTS AND SHOES and in what the sa
Year: 1885

page_text: I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co, Patent
Agents, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare
the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR ATTACHING
HEELS TO BOOTS AND SHOES and in what manner the saine is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
"
This invention relates to a machine for attaching or operating upon two or more
heels simultaneously, and its essential features are a reciprocating head carrying the
drivers, or awls, and drivers; and a top-lift spanker; a templet or pressure plate,
which preferably is adapted to be revolved; and a table or bed supporting a
number of jacks or work-supports.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a vertical central section of the improved machine.
Figure 2 is a plan view thereof.
Figure 3 is a vertical section of a portion of the bed and revolving table for
supporting the jacks hereinafter described, illustrating particularly a locking device
for locking the table to the bed.
Figure 4 is a view in vertical section of the pressure plate, the templet plate and
a sliding top-lift plate hereinafter described, showing the heel blank in position,
and the heel holder.
Figure 5 is a plan view of the top-lift plate inverted.
Figure 6 is a vertical section illustrating the machine as adapted to prick the
heel blanks or provide them with holes, and provided with nailing and spanking
devices.
Figure 7 is a plan view thereof.
Figure 8 is a view partly in front elevation and partly in cross vertical section,
showing the awls, drivers and spanker in position upon the revolving head, the
pressure ring, the templet, or pressure plate in section and movable templet blocks,
and representing especially the position which these parts bear to the work during
the operation of the machine.
Figure 9 is an enlarged view, in vertical central section, of a portion of the
movable templet block, showing the shape of the top-lift holding plate which
I prefer to use with this form of block.
Figure 10 is an enlarged view, in section, showing the position of the work in
relation to the movable templet block and the templet plate before the heel blank
is clamped to the boot or shoe.

page_text: Figure 11 is a section showing the movable templet plate as clamped upon the
boot or shoe, and the awls in the heel blank at the end of their downward
movement.
Figure 12, is a section showing the position of the drivers at the completion of
the driving of the nails, and representing the method of unlatching the templet
block so that it may be moved vertically upward, upon the upward movement of
the drivers..
A is a strong hollow column rising from the bed a. B is a head arranged to be
reciprocated upon the column, and supporting two or more driver holder blocks, B¹.
In the drawing I have represented it as arranged for supporting six driver holder
blocks. These blocks are each attached to the head by a spindle b and dowel
pin ', which enter holes in the head, the spindle being locked by the locking
screw b², or in any other desirable manner. The head is reciprocated by means of
a shaft C, crank c, connecting rod B2, and link c', or in any other desirable manner.
The templet or pressure plate D is vertically movable upon the column A, and it
supports the removable templet blocks d, one for each group of drivers. It is
moved downward upon the downward movement of the head, and upward upon
its upward movement. Its downward movement preferably is accomplished by
means of the presser foot or ring Ẹ, which is suspended from the head B by the
rods e, and is held away or down therefrom by the springs e¹ which surround the
rods, so that upon the downward movement of the head the pressure plate or
upon. the
foot comes in contact with the templet-plate and holds it downward.
work with a gradually increasing pressure while the drivers are more rapidly
reciprocated.
The templet or pressure plate is lifted upon the upward movement of the head B
by the lugs d¹, which extend through the holes or slots d² in the column under-
neath the templet or pressure sleeve d³, and upon the upward movement of the
head come in contact therewith, and lift the pressure plate.
The jacks F preferably are arranged to be moved horizontally in and out of
position upon the table or bed G in suitable ways or guides, and preferably the
table is adapted to be moved by revolving upon the column A. It is supported
by the bed, which is stationary. The templet plate, preferably, is connected
with the table by the sleeve d³ and the table sleeve g', the sleeve d³ closing within
the sleeve g, and the sleeves are connected by pins or projections g³ extending
from one sleeve into slots g³ in the other. By this connection the table and
templet are connected or coupled together to be revolved simultaneously.
The machine as thus organized is especially adapted for nailing loaded heels, that
is, heels which have been pricked in a pricking machine, and the holes thus formed
filled with nails by hand, or in any other desirable way.
For holding the loaded blanks to each templet or pressure block I arrange below
each templet or pressure block a heel-bolder H, which is formed to press against
the sides of the heel with sufficient force to hold it against the pressure plate, the
nails in the heel-blank entering the holes in the pressure or templet block, and
thereby centring the heel (see Figure 4). The heel-holders shown have eccentric
jaws or surfaces h, which are formed upon the rolls h', each of which is pivotted
ath eccentrically to the yielding rod h³, supported by a bracket h, bolted to the
templet or pressure plate D. The spring he throws the jaws forward or towards
each other, and the extent of its movement is limited by the slot h6, and pin h².
The rolls are preferably so made and hung that they will by gravity turn the
jaws automatically to a position to always receive the heel blank; but if desired a
light spring he may be used additionally for so turning the surface.
It will be understood that before the heel is inserted the cam surfaces must be
down, so that upon the insertion of the heel, and its upward movement, they are
caused to exert a clamping action thereon.
If the heels are to be blind nailed, dovetail or other recesses M are formed in the
under-surface of the templet or pressure plate, one below each templet or pressure
block; and arranged to slide therein are the plates m to the under surfaces of

page_text: which are attached spring arms m¹ for holding the top-lifts by their edge. These
plates are moved into and out of operative position by means of the revolving
ring me, which is supported by the edge of the templet or pressure plate and has
the cam or excentric grooves m³ which receive the pins m' projecting upward from
the top lift holding plates, so that upon the revolution of the ring the plates are
simultaneously moved outward or inward. Each plate m also forms a part of this
templet the part m having holes which correspond with the holes in the templet.
It is desirable that each of the jacks shall be accurately located; to accomplish
this I use a cam ring N, which is similar to the cam ring m³. It has excentric
slots n which receive the pins n¹ attached to the arms n³ projecting outward from
the base of the jack. Upon the movement of this cam-ring N the jacks are
simultaneously moved into or out of operative position, according as the ring is
moved and this position of one jack shows the position of all the others.
Consequently the operator in locating or moving the jacks into operative position
need have but one jack before him as by it he can govern the position of the other
jacks. The cam-ring also serves the purpose of locking the jacks in any other
desired position.
For locking the table G and the pressure plate in any given position I use
a spring bolt o having a tapering point carried by the table G. This bolt is moved
upward by the handle o' and downward by the spring o³, and automatically enters
the bolt hole o³ when the templet blocks are in line with the drivers, there being
a bolt hole in the bed for every jack.
This form of construction is employed when it is desired to attach the loaded
heels and to spank on top-lifts.
When it is desired to prick the heel, feed the nails and drive them, and apply the
top-lift as simultaneous operations, I use the construction shewn in Figures 6 to 12
inclusive, which is substantially like that above described with a few exceptions.
The reciprocating head B instead of supporting several gangs of drivers, carries one
gang or group of drivers, and in addition thereto a gang or group of awls B³ and
a spanker block B*. The templet blocks d have a vertical movement in the templet
or pressure plate, and are forced downward to clamp the heel upon the heel support
and then hold it automatically locked in that position until released. They can be
forced downward by a separate block B carried by a lever B° as shewn in Figure 6,
or by the awl block a¹ and they are held locked in place by latches a² or in
any desirable way. The nails are fed to the templet in which the drivers are
reciprocated by a suitable nail-carrier block.
Each yielding templet block is provided with a sliding plate which is similar to
the one above described, and which slides in a dovetail recess formed therein. One
portion of this plate forms a part of the templet, and another portion carries the
arms or clamps for holding the top-lift by its edge.
In order that the top lift plate may be properly located after the nails have been
driven, it is necessary to release or unlatch the templet plate so that it may be
moved upward from the attached heel sufficiently to allow the top-lift holder plate
to be moved, and this unlatching is accomplished automatically by the driver
holder block a³ (see Figure 12) upon the reciprocation of the drivers, the block
being wide enough to come in contact with the latches upon its upward movement
and force them outward to unlatch the templet block, and of course upon the
upward movement of the driver block the templet block is caused immediately
to follow it by the lifting pressure of the springs a*.
The machine may be operated by one man, or by a man and a boy, when
operated by a man only, he takes his position at a convenient point, places the
boot or shoe upon a heel support, moves it and also places the heel-blank and
top-lift if the heels are to be blind-nailed, into position; he then revolves the
table and brings the next jack and templet before him, and proceeds as before until
all the jacks have been supplied with boots or shoes and the heels located. Of
course if desired the shoes may be placed first upon their respective supports, the
top lifts in theirs, and the heels in theirs, with or without moving the table and

page_text: jack-supporting table. The machine is then set in operation' and makes one revolu-
tion. This revolution brings the templet or pressure plates down upon the heels
and submits them to as much pressure as may be desired, while the various gangs
of drivers are moved simultaneously down and drive the nails. Upon the upward
movement of the head the templet or pressure plate is lifted from the heels, and if
the work is to be blind nailed the operator by simply moving the ring n² brings
the top-lift holder plates into position, and with one more reciprocation of the
machine, the top-lifts are spanked on, the ends of the drivers coming in contact
with the upper surface of the spanker plate.
If a boy is employed it will be his duty to assist the operator in any required
direction.
When the heels are to be pricked the operation of the machine varies somewhat
from that above described, in that the heel blanks are clamped by the pressure or
templet plates upon the heel supports, and move therewith to the awls, whereby
and then
the holes are formed; then to the drivers, whereby the nails are driven;
to the top lift attaching and spanking devices, whereby the top lift is attached
and spanked. These three operations, viz, pricking the heels, driving the nails and
attaching the top lift, proceed simultaneously upon three heels.
When movable templet blocks are used I prefer to provide them with dovetails
for holding the sliding top, lift plates, as represented in Figures 8 and. 9, rather
than to form the said dovetails in the templet or pressure plate D. And I also
prefer to use for locking the templet plate in position a spring bolt or latch P, as
represented in Figure 9, which is adapted to close into the hole p in the top-lift
plate when it is desired to bring the part which forms a portion of the templet in
place and into the hole p¹ when it is desired to properly locate a top-lift holder in
place (see Figure 9).
I may use any equivalent devices to those specified for accomplishing the objects
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. In a heel-nailing machine, the combination of two or more jacks, two or
more templet or pressure blocks, and two or more gangs or groups of nailing
devices adapted to be simultaneously reciprocated, whereby two or more heels are
simultaneously operated upon, sub-tantially as, and for the purposes, described.
Second. In a heel nailing machine, two or more jacks or work supports, in
combination with two or more heel attaching devices adapted to be simultaneously
operated and to cooperate with the jacks or work supports, all substantially as, and
for the purposes, described.
Third. In a heel attaching machine, the combination of two or more nail drivers,
a vertically movable templet or pressure plate carrying a templet block for each
driving device, and two or more jacks or work supports, substantially as, and for
the purposes, described.
Fourth. The combination of two or more nail-driving devices, the templet or
pressure plate and work supports adapted to be moved horizontally in relation to
the nail driving devices, all substantially as, and for the purposes, described.
Fifth. The combination in a multiple heel attaching machine, of multiple
attaching devices with two or more jacks or heel supports, and means for moving
them simultaneously into operative positions, all substantially as, and for the
purposes, described.
Sixth. The combination of two or more work supports, with the ring G having
the excentric slots connected with the work supports as described, all substantially
as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Seventh. The combination of the vertically movable pressure plate, the vertically
movable pressure ring or foot, and the reciprocating head, all substantially as, and
for the purposes described.

page_text: Eighth. In a heel attaching machine, the combination with the work support, of
the templet or pressure plate adapted to move vertically towards the work support
with a gradual pressure, and the driving head moved with a greater force and
speed than the pressure plate, all substantially as, and for the purposes, described.
Ninth. In a heel nailing machine, the templet or pressure plate supporting two
or more templet blocks and having a revolving movement and also a vertical
movement, or either, substantially as described.
Tenth. The combination of a templet or pressure plate having a series of templet
blocks, and a top lift holder for each block, all substantially as, and for the purposes
described.
Eleventh. The combination of the templet or pressure plate, having two or more
blocks, a top-lift holder for each block, and means for moving the top-lift holders
simultaneously in and out of position, substantially as, and for the purposes
described.
Twelfth. The combination of the templet or pressure plate, and heel holding
devices for holding the heel blanks upon the under surface of said plate, all
substantially as, and for the purposes, described.
Thirteenth. The combination of the column, the head fitted to move vertically
upon the column, the templet or pressure plate vertically movable upon the column,
and reciprocating connecting rod, having a loose connection with the templet or
pressure plate, all substantially as, and for the purposes, described.
Fourteenth. The combination of a series of jacks or work supports, two or more
of which are adapted to be brought simultaneously into operative position with the
awls, drivers or top lift attaching or spanking devices, or all of said devices, adapted
to be simultaneously operated, all substantially as, and for the purposes, described.
Fifteenth. The combination of a series of jacks or work supports adapted to be
brought simultaneously into operative position, and the templet or pressure plate
having a series of templet blocks for clamping the heel blanks upon the boots or
shoes, and holding them clamped while being transferred, all substantially as, and
for the purposes, described.
Sixteenth. A templet or pressure plate having a yielding templet block and a
locking device for locking the templet upon the heel blank, all substantially as, and
for the purposes, described.
Seventeenth. The combination in a heel attaching machine, of the reciprocating
head B, supporting the awls, drivers, and pressure block, or any two of them,
adapted to be operated simultaneously, all substantially as, and for the purposes,
described.
Eighteenth. The combination of the jack or heel support, the templet block
adapted to be locked upon the heel, a reciprocating driver block, and a device for
automatically unlatching the templet block upon the reciprocation of the driver
block, all substantially as, and for the purposes, described.
Nineteenth. In a heel nailing machine, a transferring or carrying device for
moving a boot or shoe with the heel clamped thereon from the awls to a position
to be operated upon by the drivers, all substantially as, and for the purposes,
described.
Twentieth. A heel nailing machine arranged and organized to attach, or operate
upon two or more heels in the process of attachment simultaneously, all substantially
as, and for the purposes described.