IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR TRIMMING AND POLISHING OR FINISHING THE SOLES AND HEELS OF BOOTS AND SHOES
Year: 1876

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Alexander Melville Clark at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st June 1876. A communication
from abroad by Leopold Graf, of Newark, in the County of Essex, and State
of New Jersey, United States of America.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR TRIMMING AND POLISHING OR
FINISHING THE SOLES AND HEELS OF BOOTS AND SHOES."
This Invention relates to certain improvements in machines for trimming and
polishing or finishing the heels and soles of boots and shoes; and the first part
consists in a novel manner of raising and lowering a boot or shoe clamp, and
limiting its inward and outward movement with respect to a burnishing tool
mounted upon a carriage, to which is imparted a rectilinear reciprocating motion,
said burnishing tool in its movement being free to rise and fall and act upon the
surface to be polished in the same manner in which a burnisher acts which is
operated by hand.
The Invention further consists in a certain combination or union of devices for
clamping a boot or shoe, and for presenting its heel or sole to the action of a
burnisher, and further, in a combination of parts too fully herein-after described to
require a further preliminary explanation.
The second part relates particularly to the means for adjusting and for imparting
motion to the trimming tool or cutter and to the burnisher, and to the means for
securing the shoe and for presenting the edge of the sole or the heel to the cutter
and to the burnisher.
The third part of the Invention relates to the contrivance of the clamp for
fastening the shoe in the jack or yoke by which the work is held up to the
polishing tool, also to mechanism whereby the heels to be polished, which are not
formed on true curves, are presented uniformly to the burnishing tool by turning
them in a centre, notwithstanding such irregularity, and also to means for regu-
lating the tension of the spring by which the work is lifted up to the polisher.
The fourth part consists of improvements in polishing machines for finishing the
edges of the heels and soles of boots and shoes, whereby two polishers, one for the
heel and the other for the sole, are operated by one and the same driving shaft in
such manner that both operations may be carried on at the same time.
The Invention also consists of a simpler and better contrivance of the gear by
which the polishers are operated; also of an arrangement for obtaining a better

page_text: action of the polishers, and a higher speed of them for a given speed of the driving
shaft than heretofore obtained; also of an improved contrivance for gauging the
polishers to edges of different thicknesses; and also of an improved shape of the
clamp frame for holding the shoe, all as hercin-after described.
According to the first part of this Invention the machine standard, which is
supported on a column, is provided with a dovetailed groove in which is fitted a
carriage supporting the burnisher. The carriage connects by a rod with a wrist
pin secured eccentrically in a disk mounted on the end of a shaft, to which a
revolving motion is imparted by belt or any other suitable means. The burnisher
is secured in a fork that is firmly attached to a rod which extends through the
burnisher carriage and is depressed by a spring, so that the burnisher can readily
accomodate itself to the surface to be polished, a lever serving to raise the burnisher
against the action of the spring. When the shaft is rotated a rapid rectilinear
reciprocating motion is imparted to the carriage, and the burnisher being free to
rise and fall acts on the surface to be polished in the same manner in which a
burnisher acts which is operated by hand. The burnisher is hented by a gas pipe
in the usual manner. During the time the heel is to be polished the boot or shoe
is secured in a clamp. This clamp consists chiefly of a rod, the lower end of which
is pivoted to a treadle while its upper end is bent to form a handle and also a
hanger. From the rod extends a flat curved arm through a loop which is secured
to the column, and serves to confine the motion of the clamp within certain limits.
The hanger forms the bearing for the hub of a pinion to which is firmly secured
a curved retaining bar. One end of this retaining bar carries a fork, which is made
to fit the heel part of the boot or shoe, while the opposite end of said retaining bar
is made flat and provided with a socket to catch over a pin which projects from
the treadle rod in line with the bearing for the hub of the pinion, so that the
retaining bar can oscillate round said pin and the hub of the pinion. In the lower
end of the hanger is secured a pin which forms the bearing for a toothed segment
that gears in the pinion, and is provided with a handle, so that by imparting to
this handle an oscillating motion the retaining bar is caused to oscillate in its
bearings. On the flat end of the retaining bar is fitted a slide which carries a
toe clamp, and which is retained by a spring pawl that engages with ratchet teeth
cut in the edge of said flat end. By pushing the toe clamp up toward the heel
fork, the boot or shoe placed between those parts can be readily fastened in the
retaining bar. On this retaining bar is also secured a bracket, which is brought
to bear against the flat side of the heel, and serves to steady the same against the
thrust of the burnishing tool. Through the centre of the pinion extends a rod
forced outward by the action of a spring, and by pressing this rod inward the
After the boot or
position of the boot or shoe in the clump is rendered secure.
shoe has been fastened in the jaws of the retaining bar the shaft of the machine is
revolved, and then the workman grasps with one hand the handle of the clamp, and
with the same hand he forces in this rod; with the other hand he grasps the handle
of the toothed segment, and one foot he places on the treadle, by means of which
the heel can be pressed up against the burnisher, one handle serving to bring
the heel in the desired position under the burnisher, while by the other the heel is
gradually turned around, so that its entire surface is successively exposed to the
action of the burnisher.
When the machine is to be used for burnishing the edges of the soles of boots and
shoes, the clamp employed for retaining the boot or shoe consists chiefly of a rod
which extends up from the treadle, and is held in position by the curved arın. To
the outside of the rod is pivoted a bracket, to which is secured a handle for
controlling the position of the clamp. This bracket swings on a pivot, and through
its upper end extends a shaft to one end of which is secured a slotted arm, so that
when said slotted arm is brought in a certain position the bracket can be turned
on its pivot, as far as the length of the slot in the arın will allow. During this
motion the slotted arm is guided by a pin projecting from the upper end of the
treadle rod. The object of this motion will be presently explained. In the bracket

page_text: is suspended a U shaped bar which is supported at its inner end by the shaft
which passes thro' the bracket and which is firmly fastened therein, so that it is
compelled to turn with it. The outer end of said U shaped bar has its bearings on
a rod, which carries on its inner end the toe clamp, and which is subjected to the
action of a coiled spring that has a tendency to force it outward. When pushed in
it is retained by a spring pawl which is fastened under a handle that extends from
the outer shank of the U shaped bar, said pawl being made to engage with ratchet
teeth cut into the rod. This handle serves to turn the U shaped har in its bearings,
provided the slotted arm is in its central position. On the central shank of the U
shaped bar is secured the heel support, and in the inner shank of said bar is
fastened a screw which bears against the under surface of the heel, and serves to
adjust the boot or shoe in the required position in relation to the burnisher. The
heel of the boot or shoe is placed into the heel support, and its toe part is secured
between the toe clamp and a plate that is secured to the bracket shaft, and in this
position the front edge of the sole is exposed to the action of the burnisher, the
entire clamp being pressed up by the action of the foot on the treadle, while by
turning the U shaped bar gradually around the entire front edge of the sole can be
successively exposed to the action of the burnisher. In burnishing the side edges
of the sole the slotted arm comes into play, since it becomes necessary during this
operation to move the sole in a straight line or nearly so under the burnisher with-
out turning it round. On the outer end of the burnisher is secured a gauge held in
position by a set screw, and which serves to confine the sole in the required
position in relation to the burnisher, and also to give the proper finish to the solo ;
by means of the set screw this burnisher gauge can be adjusted for soles of different
thicknesses. By this arrangement the motion imparted to the burnisher is made to
resemble that which the same receives when operated by hand, and the heels and
the soles of the boots or shoes can be polished with great rapidity.
According to the second part of the Invention a cone pulley loosely mounted on
the driving shaft may be coupled therewith by a clutch, so that by moving the
clutch in and out of gear with the cone pulley the machine can be readily started
and stopped, and on the end of this shaft is mounted a disc, having a diametrical
dovetailed groove, in which is secured a pin, connected by rods with a sliding
carriage, so that by moving the pin in the groove the throw of the carriage can be
regulated. From this carriage projects a bracket, in which is secured the tool that
acts on the sole or heel of a boot or shoe. When the machine is to be used for
trimming the edge of a sole or heel the pin and rod are removed, and over the disc
is secured a chuck carrying a pulley, which connects by a belt with a pulley mounted
in the inner end of a spindle that carries the trimming tool or cutter. Said
spindle has its bearing in a box, which is suspended between pivots, secured in the
bifurcated end of a hanger that is fastened in the bracket of the sliding carriage.
The outer end of the tool spindle is supported by a head, the edges of which are V
shaped, and fit into a corresponding groove of a gauge, which is finally secured in
position by a set screw. From this head extends a rod to a screw, which is tapped
in a hand wheel situated in a slot provided for its reception in an arm which pro-
jects from the carriage. By turning this hand whoel the head is raised or depressed,
and the cutter can be adjusted at the required inclination. The hanger is also
adjustable in the bracket, and thereby the operation of the cutter is still further
facilitated. The boot or shoe for the purpose of trimming the edge of its sole is
secured in a jack, which is supported by a vertical swivel rod, the lower pointed end
of which is stepped in a cavity made for this purpose in a treadle, which is provided
with a balance weight that has a tendency to force the rod upward, so that the
workman by stepping on the front part of said treadle can regulate the pressure
which brings the sole in contact with the cutter. The upper end of the rod turns in
an eye at the end of an arm, said eye being prevented from sliding up and down on
the rod by a pin which catches in a circular groove in the rod. The arm passes
through staples, which are secured to the machine standard, and its rear end is
pivoted to a lever that has a fulcrum in the end of a link, which is pivoted to ą

page_text: '
stud secured in the standard. The upper end of the lever is subjected to the action
of a spring, which has a tendency to force the rod, together with the jack, inward
towards the standard, whereby the tendency of the cutter to force the shoe outward
away from the standard is counteracted, and the workman is enabled to keep the
sole casily in the proper relation toward the cutter, and at the same time the arm
and its lever are free to accomodate themselves to any desired position of the shoc.
On the vertical rod is firmly secured an arm, and through the end of this arm passes
a pointed screw, which supports one end of a frame, the opposite end of which is
supported by a pivot catching in a socket in the upper end of said rod. From the
frame extends a rod to a slide, which is fitted on the swivel rod, and which connects
by a cord with a weight, the object of which is to counterbalance the weight of
said frame with its appendage during the operation of trimming or burnishing the
side edges of the sole. The frame forms the guide for a carriage, which is adjusted
in the required position by a hand screw, and in which is secured the shoe by means
of clamps. The toc clamp is hinged to an arm extending from the front piece of the
said carriage, and the toe part of the shoe is placed on a support secured to the rear
piece of the carriage, and then the too clamp is turned down and fastened by means
of its screw. The heel clamp is pivoted to a frame, which is secured to the carriage
by means of pivots, and which is provided with a heel support at a point opposite
to said clamps. The forked ond of this clamp is made to catch over the head of
the last in the shoe, then the heel of the shoe is placed on the heel support, and by
tightening the heel clamp the heel part of the shoe is firmly secured. The frame
is hinged in the carriage, so that the same can yield and accomodate itself to the
action of the toe clamp without producing any undue strain in the parts which
serve to retain the shoe.
During the operation of trimming the toe part of the sole the frame of the jack
is turned down, and it is swung in either direction a sufficient distance to bring the
cutter in contact with the entire front edge of the sole. The frame is then turned
up gradually to a horizontal position, in which the same is partially balanced by the
weight above mentioned, and by turning the hand screw the carriage is moved in its
frame so as to expose the side edge of the sole to the action of the cutter. If one.
side edge is finished the frame is swung round so as to expose the other side edge of
the cutter. During this entire operation the pressure which holds the edge of the
sole in contact with the cutter is regulated by a weight, and the pressure of the
foot on the treadle, and the entire operation is rendered comparatively easy for ble
workman. After the edge of the sole has been trimmed the hanger with the cutter
are removed and the burnisher is inserted into the bracket of the carriage. This
burnisher is secured in a hanger, and it is combined with a gauge, which is fitted
into the head of the hanger, so that it can be moved in the same by a tubular screw.
The burnisher fits into the cavity of the head and under the gauge, and it is screwed
in position by a nut, which screws on a bolt extending through the tubular screw.
In the burnisher is an oblong slot, so that it can be adjusted as the burnishing
surface wears off. By these means the gauge and the burnisher can be readily
adjusted to soles of various thicknesses.
During the operation of burnishing the sliding carriage receives a reciprocating
motion by means of the jack above described. When the heel of the shoe is to be
exposed to the action of a cutter or burnisher I secure the same in a jack, which is
somewhat different from the first-mentioned jack. Both jacks have in common the
upright rod, treadle, and weight arm, lever, and spring, and on the rod of the
jack now referred to is secured an arm similar to the arm of the first jack. Through
the end of this arm extends a rod which carries on its inner end the hecl clamp,
and which is provided with two sets of ratchet teeth, one set being intended to
engage with a lever pawl that is hinged to the arm and serves to press the rod
inward against the shoe. The other set of ratchet teeth engages with a stop pawl,
which prevents the rod from receding, said stop pawl being hinged to a frame, one
end of which turns on the rod, while its other end turns on a pivot secured in the
upright rod. On this frame is fitted the too clamp, which is composed of two

page_text: prongs extending from a head that slides on the frame, so that said prongs can be
made to catch over the toe part of the shoe. By this arrangement the heel of the
shoe can be exposed to the action of the cutter, and by turning the frame the cutter
can be made to act successively on the whole surface of said heel.
For the purpose of polishing the hoel the cutter is replaced by the burnisher,
which is hinged in the hanger, and which connects by a rod with a screw that is
tapped into the hand wheel, as already described. By turning this hand wheel
the burnisher can be set to any desired inclination, according to the shape of tho
heel to be burnished. When the burnisher is used the sliding carriage receives &
reciprocating motion; and if desired the burnisher may be heated by gas or
otherwise.
According to the third part of the Invention there is a yoke in which the shoe is
held by an adjustable clainp, and a serrated heel piece to be rubbed smooth by the
reciprocating polisher. This clamp is fitted on the end of the rod, which is capable
of sliding lengthwise in a tubular bearing in the outer arm of the yoke, and it has
a knob handle for pulling it back, and a ratchet for being pushed up to the shoe by
a pawl, which is pivoted to a sliding dog, which I propose to actuate by a cam
having a crank or handle for turning it, and being pivoted on a tube between the
yoke and a nut to hold it to its work. The advantage of this cam is that it can be
operated very quickly to fasten and release the work, as it only needs to be moved
a quarter turn or thereabout, which is important in the use of these machines, as
the work has to be changed very often. The yoke is connected to its holder by a
ball-and-socket or other universal joint, to allow the yoke to be shifted in a way as
may be required for heels of different form, as concave, convex, or straight sided,
and it also connects temporarily to a plate by means of a notched stud to turn an
eccentrically rotating face plate by the yoke. The holder to which the yoko is
pivoted is attached to the plate, which is bolted to a slotted plato, which is held on
a shaft by a nut, and has a guide pin running in the guide slot of the face plate,
which is eccentric to the shaft, for turning the surface of the irregular or eccentric
heel evenly and uniformly against the polisher. The shaft is fitted in a rocking
fraine, so as to slide endwise a little, and has a retracting spring to pull it back, so
that the heel may be adjusted forward and backward to the face of the polisher, as
may be required, by pulling the shaft against the spring, and allowing the spring to
pull it back. This working frame is connected to the foot treadle by a rod for
depressing the yoke to apply and remove the work without obstruction by the tool,
and a spring is employed to raise it and hold the work up to the tool. As the yoke
has to be depressed and raised very frequently, it is highly important that the
tension of the spring should be just right; consequently I attach the spring to the
axis of a ratchet wheel having a holding pawl, by which the tension can be increased
or diminished at will.
According to the fourth part of the Invention the driving shaft is mounted in
standards above the top of the frame, and has a short crank at each end working in
a sliding box fitted in a slotted polisher carrier, which swings on a pivot in the top
of the standard, and carries a polisher at its lower end. The polisher may be rigidly
attached to the carrier, but I prefer to fix it on a pivot in the lower end of the
carrier, and connect it by an arm and rod or bar with a stationary object, so that it
is made to rock on its pivot at the same time that it swings, thus increasing the
speed of the polishing surface, and also obtaining a better action on account of the
small centro of the face of the polisher which may be used in such arrangement, and
which gives better results than when made on a large circle to correspond with the
radius of the carrier. An adjustable gauge is combined with the polisher, and fixed
to slide along its face for gauging it to soles of different thicknesses, being fitted to
slide forward and backward on the polisher pivot, on which it also swings to cor-
respond with the swinging of the polisher. It has a forked projection embracing a
stud to cause it to turn on the pivot, and has a spring to push it back and a cam
block acting on the projection to push it forward, and the cam block is connected to
a hand lever for working it. A rest for the hands of the attendant is provided to

page_text: bear against when holding the toe of the sole of the polisher by hand to enable
him to hold the shoc steadier than he could without it.
For polishing the edges of the the sole, the boots or shoes will preferably be held
by hand, but for polishing the heels they will be held in a clamp, which is connected
by a ball-and-socket joint fixed in a vibrating frame, so as to be pressed back to
make the bottom of the heel press firmly against a lip of the polisher.
The frame vibrates to raise the heel up to the polisher and lower it away again,
and a holder or bar is provided which is pressed back by a weighted lever acting on
it through a toggle piece and bell crank. The weighted lever also raises the boot or
shoe up against the polisher, and holds it there while being polished, and a foot
lever brings it down again.
A sole plate is fitted on one of the bars of the clamp frame for the sole of the
shoe to have a fair bearing on when clamped in the frame.