IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND SHOES AND IN MACHINERY THEREFOR
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine,
Lake & Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND
SHOES AND IN MACHINERY THEREFOR."-A communication from abroad
by William Joseph Bernard Mills, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
and De Witt Clinton Taylor, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, both in the
United States of America.
ealed the 3rd April 1872, and dated the 16th February 1872.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and
Declaration, on the 16th February 1872, pursuant to the 9th
Section of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, send greeting.

page_text: Figure 18 is a modification of the mode of opening and closing the
sections P¹, P. Figure 19 is a longitudinal section at the line e, e,
of Figure 18. Figure 20 is a cross section at the line f,f, of Figure 18.
Figure 21 is a plan view of the lower section of a last having a loose
bottom operated by a vertical screw for opening it to receive the sole,
and clasping the same securely for sewing it to the upper. Figure 22 is
a longitudinal section of the same at the line g, g, of Figure 21.
Figure 23 is a longitudinal section of the lower part P¹ of a last
having a stationary band T.
Figure 24 is a plan view of the lower section P' having a circum-
ferential rebate, into which the turned edge t is pressed for holding the
sole, and a wooden block U in its interior confined therein by means of
screws f, f, which pass through the cross ties g, g, the sole G being
confined to the block by one or more tacks. Figure 25 is a reverse plan
of the same. Figure 26 is a longitudinal section at the line h, h, of
Figure 24. Figure 27 is a cross section at the line i, i, of Figure 24.
Figure 28 is a plan view of the lower section P¹ of the last, having a
band T¹ which is opened to receive the sole G and closed to confine it
upon the last by means of the vertical screw R. Figure 29 is a
longitudinal section at the line j, j, of Figure 28.
Figure 30 is a side elevation of the standard A, A, and rest plate Z,
having the lower section P¹ of the last with a sole G in the position
they assume for the sewing of the sole to the upper; Figure 31 is a
plan view of the rest plate Z. Figures 32 and 33 are plan and edge
views of the rest plate Z', such as is used when the sections P¹ have a
circumferential resting inclined edge n, n.
The machine for bevelling and channelling the edges of the soles,
which will now be described, is represented in Figures 1 to 6 inclusive,
Sheet No. 1.
A is the standing frame of the machine; B is the table which receives
the sole to be fed to the cutters; C is a bevel feed wheel on the shaft D,
whose journal boxes a, a¹, are connected with the housens b, b¹, of the
frame A. The table B is supported by the bracket E, whose lower and
inner end is connected with the front journal box a, as seen in Figure 1.
The journal boxes are supported by the springs F and F, F', in the
chambers c, c', of the housens b, b'. The periphery of the feed wheel C

page_text: is of such an angle and so arranged in relation to the table as to be in
line with the same to receive the sole G and move it around for the
action of the cutters. The said wheel is provided with an annular feed
shoulder dat right angles to its periphery, which receives the edge of the
sole, and as the wheel revolves assists in feeding the sole forward to the
cutters. On the front end of the shaft D' is a revolving cutter head having
the circular milled cutter H for forming the bevel of the sole, and the
circular cutter H¹ for forming the channel, as shown in Figure 1.
Between the cutters H and H' is a bevel shoulder e, which is parallel
to the table B and presses upon the upper side of the sole, and thus
regulates the depth of the channel. The shafts D, D', are provided with
pulleys I, I, over which bands pass for revolving the feed wheel and
cutters. J is a yoke hung on the shaft D, and K a lever connected
with the same and with cheeks f,f, of the bottom plate of the frame A
by means of the pins 9, 9. The lever works in the slot c¹¹ of the
housen b¹ between the springs F¹, F³, which are seated in the
chamber c.
When the operation of bevelling and channelling a sole is completed
the lever is pressed downward to lower the shaft D', whereby the table B
and feed wheel C are depressed for removing the sole G, and putting
another in its place for a like operation. In order to provide for
elevating the table B, or for varying its angle, it has a joint connection
with the bracket E by means of the set screw bolt L, the cheeks h, h,
of the table, and vertical slot I of the bracket E. The table B is
shown in detail in Figure 4, and the yoke J in Figures 5 and 6.
Description of the device for moulding the soles preparatory to con-
fining them on the last for the sewing, as illustrated in Figures 7 to 11
inclusive :-
M is a form, upon which the soles are laid successively to be pressed
into the proper shape for lasting, and N is a guard, which surrounds the
flange of the form, leaving a circumferential space k around the
shoulder of the form shewn. The lugs m, m, m, m, which project
outwards from the flange j are held by means of the cross slots n in the
under side of the guard N. The guard has lugs o, 0, 0, 0, through
which screws pass for holding it firmly on the bed plate of a press, and
confining the form M to the same. The face of the form is concave,
and the face of the platen M' of convex shape, as seen in Figure 9.

page_text: O is a follower, which is confined to a cross head of a suitable press
by means of the vertical sockets p, p, passing over corresponding pins
and the middle pin p¹ being inserted in a corresponding hole, or by any
other suitable means. The platen is confined to the under side of the
follower, as seen in Figure 9. The follower is provided with a flange q
whose outer face fits the interior edge of the guard N. Between the
inner edge of the flange and the shoulder 7 of the form is a space k, into
which the edge of the sole is pressed to form the circumferential turned
edge t for confining the sole to the last.
The sole G is laid in the guard N with its grain side resting on the
form M, while the follower O is in an elevated position. In the descent
of the follower the bevelled edge q¹ of the flange 9 presses upon the sole
at its circumference and forces it into the space k, forming the turned
edge t at right angles with the sole. This edge is used as herein-after
described in confining the sole to the last for sewing it to the upper.
The sole G by the action of the platen upon the form M is made
concave on its fleshy side so as to take the middle portion of the sole
out of the way of the awl and needle. By means of the concave form
of the sole throughout its whole length the excess of the length of the
sole over that of the last is also taken up, and this form also facilitates
the turning of the sole in its removal from the last.
After the sole has been molded into the form above described it is
confined on the lower section of a last to be sewed to the upper in one
of the ways illustrated in the Drawings from Figures 12 to 29 inclusive,
Sheet No. 2.
In Figures 12, 13, and 14, P represents an inner shell of the lower
section and P¹, P', the two halves of the outer shell, which is bisected
longitudinally to admit of its opening for placing the turned edge t
between the bevelled circumferential shoulder of the shell P, and a
similar shoulder o¹ of the bisected shell P1, P1, between which shoulders
the edge is clasped so as to confine the sole preparatory to sewing it to
the upper.
'
Q is a longitudinal slide having at its ends inclines w. The front.
end of the slide moves in a corresponding hole in the front end of the
shell P, and its rear end is connected with the screw R. There are pairs
of rods S, S, connected at the ends right and left with the sections P', P',
as seen more clearly in Figure 12. The rods pass through the inner

page_text: shell P so as to keep the two shells in proper vertical position with each
other. The said rods are provided with pairs of pins x, x, which project
from their upper sides and come against the inclines to, as seen clearly
in Figure 12.
By a direct turning of the screw R the inclines w moving against the
pins x, x, push the rods S in contrary directions and open the sections
P¹, P¹, so as to enlarge the space y between the circumferential shoulders
v, v', of the inner and outer shells to admit of the pressed edge t of the
sole G being placed therein. Then a reverse movement is given to the
screw R whereby the sections P1, P1, are drawn together, and the said
turned edge t is clasped by the circumferential shoulder ¹ against the
like shoulder v, as seen in Figure 14.
A modification of clasping the turned edge is shown in Figures 15
and 16, in which the flanges S¹ take the place of the rod S, the flanges of
each piece being arranged one above the other, as seen in Figure 16.
R¹ is a vertical screw which passes through the slot z of the upper
flange, and a female screw opening in the lower flange. This screw is
slackened to admit of the opening of the sections P¹, P, for the
reception of the turned edge t. They are spread apart by hand or by
means of springs connected in any suitable manner with the outer and
inner shells. When the sole is placed in position with the turned edge t
in the space y the sections P¹, P¹, are pressed inwards to clasp the
turned edge t securely between the circumferential shoulders v and v'.
In Figure 17, instead of the pairs of flanges S' pairs of flanges S³ are
used. The rods pass through the inner shell and their ends are riveted
to the sections P, P¹, of the outer shell. One of the rods of each pair
has on its inner end a socket a, a, provided with a set screw R³ for
confining the inner end of the opposite rod S* when the turned edge t is
clasped between the two circumferential shoulders and v'.
In Figures 18, 19, and 20 the circumferential shoulder is on the
bottom P, which may be either in a single piece or bisected, as repre-
sented, to admit of its being drawn inwards for enlarging the space y
between the circumferential clasping shoulders. When bisected it is
opened and closed by means of the rod S³ having right and left hand
screw threads, which work in the lugs b, b, that project from the upper
side of the bottom P.

page_text: The sections P', P¹, of the outer shell are opened and closed by means
of the rods S*, which have right and left hand screw threads on their
ends that turn in the said sections. The rods S* and S' pass through
the lugs b, b¹, of the bottom P for keeping the latter and the sections
P¹, P¹, in their vertical position with each other. The rods have
stationary nuts c, c, for the connection of a wrench to operate them.
If desired the two outer rods may connect with only one of the
sections by means of a screw thread and with the other section with a
countersunk head. The middle rod may connect in like manner with
the sections P of the bottom, in which case there must be a hole in the
contiguous outer section to the head of the rod for using a screw-
driver.
In Figures 21 and 22 the bottom P is made in a single piece and has
a vertical opening and closing by means of the screw R³, which works
in the cross tie d, d, of the outer shell P¹, which shell is made in a
single piece, as represented in Figure 21. The bottom, when the last is
in a reversed position, is lowered by the turning of the screw R³ to
admit of the turned edgo t of the sole G being placed in the circum-
ferential space y. Then a reverse movement is given to the screw by
which the bottom P and outer shell P₁ are brought into the position
they assume in Figure 22, and the turned edge t of the sole is clasped
between the circumferential shoulders and v².
In Figure 23 the section P' has a stationary bottom P to receive the
sole G, and a stationary band T into which the edge of the sole is
pressed to confine the sole while being sewed to the upper.
Figures 24, 25, 26, and 27 represent an outer shell P¹ having a
circumferential rebate e, e, over which the turned edge t is pressed to
hold the sole in position, as seen in Figure 26.
U is a block of wood which fills the interior of the shell P¹, and is
confined therein by means of screws f,f, which pass through cross ties
g, g. The said block is concave on its under side to receive the sole G,
and is confined thereto by means of one or more tacks.
In Figures 28 and 29 the upper part P³ of the last is shown. It is
made of shell form. Its front end has angles h, h, which fit against the
reverse angles h, h', to hold the front end in position. The rear end is
held by means of the pin i, i. The lower section P¹ has a rebate j, j,

page_text: around it for the reception of the band T for clasping the turned edge t
of the sole. The band has yokes k, k, near its ends which pass over the
ends of the longitudinal bar W, and uprights 1, 2, that connect with said
bar by means of the pin Y. R' is a screw for the adjustment of the
band. It is slackened to cause the lower surface of the piece P when
turned bottom upwards to drop below the edge of the band to receive
the sole G. By a reverse movement of the screw the said piece is
forced outwards with the sole, and the edge t of the latter is clasped
between the edge o¹ of the band and the edge of the piece P, whereby
the sole is held securely for being sewed to the upper.
When the sole G is confined upon the lower part of the last, as
represented in Figures 12, 13, and 14, or either of the modifications
following, it is held by hand upon the rest plate Z of the standard A, A,
of a sewing machine.
For the purpose of maintaining the last in the exact position to bring
the channel of the sole in line with the awl and needle the outer
section has a curved edge m, m, as shown clearly in Figures 13, 14, 16,
17, and 22, or an inclined edge n, n, as seen in Figures 19, 23, 25, 26,
27, and 29. The rest plate Z has a counter curve m, m', to receive the
curved edge m, m, of the sections P'. The rest plate Z' is used when the
sections have an inclined edge.
By separating the last into a lower part P¹ and an upper part P²
nearly its whole length a provision is made for an casy stripping or
turning the shoe from the last after the upper part has been removed.
The upper part P' may if desired be left off altogether.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondents I claim,-
First. The inclined table B placed on such an angle as so to present
the sole that a vertical cut shall form in the sole at the proper angle,
substantially as described.
Second. The bevel feed wheel C so arranged with the table that its
upper side will be on a line with the table B to receive the sole G and
feed it to the cutters H and H', substantially in the manner and for the
purpose set forth.
Third. The annular feed shoulder d of the feed wheel C, which by
pressing against the edge of the sole assists the feed wheel in the feeding
operation, substantially as described.

page_text: Fourth. The milled cutter H in combination with the revolving shaft
D' for bevelling the edge of the sole G, as above specified.
Fifth. The revolving cutter H in combination with the shaft D' and
cutter H', substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Sixth. The inclined shoulder e of the cutter head in combination
with the cutter H¹ for regulating the depth of the channel, sub-
stantially as described..
Seventh. The construction of the cutters H and H', and inclined
shoulder e all in a single piece, substantially as described.
Eighth. The joint connection of the table B with the bracket E to
provide for the adjustment of the table, as specified.
Ninth. The combination of the yoke J and lever K with the shaft D
and frame A, as and for the purpose set forth.
Tenth. The hollow guard N combined and arranged with the form M
for holding the sole in position during the molding of the same, sub-
stantially in the manner above described.
Eleventh. The follower O, constructed substantially as described, in
combination with the form M, there being a space k between the
shoulder of the form and the inner surface of the flange 9 of the
follower for the molding of the turned edge t, as above set forth.
Twelfth. The combination and arrangement of the parts M, M¹, N, O,
constructed substantially as described for molding a sole in the form
represented.
Thirteenth. The construction of the last with lower parts P and P¹
with or without the upper part P³, substantially in the manner and for
the purpose above described.
Fourteenth. The circumferential shoulders and o' clasping the
turned edge t of the sole G while the latter is being sewed to the upper,
substantially as described.
Fifteenth. The means above set forth for opening and closing the
circumferential shoulders and o¹ of the pieces P and P¹, substantially
in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

page_text: Sixteenth. The rest plate h having a curve m, m', in combination with
the curved edge m, m, of the last for holding the latter in the proper
position to bring the channel of the sole G in line with the awl and
needle, substantially as described.
Seventeenth. The combination of the rest plate Z' with the bevelled
edges m, m, of the sections P', substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
Eighteenth. A shoe sole having its grain side of convex form and an
annular projection t from said side at its periphery at right angles or
nearly so for the connection of the sole with the last, substantially as
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of February, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
two
Witness,
WILLIAM JOHN Lowe.
W. ROBT. LAKE. (L.S.)