IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MAKING LASTS FOR BOOTS AND SHOES, BUTTS OR STOCKS FOR FIRE-ARMS, AND OTHER IRREGULAR FORMS
Year: 1847

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
IGNACIO DE BARROS, of Lisbon, in. the Kingdom of Portugal, Gen-
tleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by
Her Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing
date at Westminster, the Thirtieth day of September in the eleventh
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said Ignacio de Barros, Her especial licence, full
power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Ignacio de Barros,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, and such others as I, the
said Ignacio de Barros, my executors, administrators, or assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times during the term of years therein mentioned, should and lawfully
might make, use, excrcise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the
Town of Berwick upon Tweed, and in all Her Majesty's Colonies and
Plantations abroad, and in the Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney,
Sark, and Man, an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR
MAKING LASTS FOR BOOTS AND SHOES, BUTTS OR STOCKS FOR FIRE-ARMS,
AND OTHER IRREGULAR FORMS," being a communication from a foreigner
residing abroad; in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso

page_text: obliging me, the said Ignacio de Barros, by an instrument in writing,
under my hand and seal, particularly to describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, and to cause the same to be inrolled in Her Majesty's High
Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by
the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large
appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the
said Ignacio de Barros, do hereby declare that the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, is
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following descrip-
tion thereof, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):
The machines for manufacturing various articles in wood, such as
lasts for boots and shoes, and butts or stocks for fire-arms, for which
I have obtained Her Majesty's Letters Patent as aforesaid, are arranged
and constructed upon two different principles, in one of which circular
saws (to which very rapid rotary motion is communicated) are employed,
and in the other plan a straight saw is employed to which reciprocating
motion is given. One or two patterns, made of cast iron, of the exact
shape and size of the articles required to be fashioned, are placed in
each machine, and are acted upon by tracers or guides which, by being in
contact with their surface, and being made to follow all the irregularities
thereof, by that means cause the screws to cut the wood into the exact
shape presented by the models or patterns. In order to understand the
arrangement of these machines, and the effect which they are capable
of producing,, it will be necessary to refer to the accompanying Draw-
ings, which represent different views of each apparatus, together with
the articles which they are, intended to produce. I will first describe
.the circular saw machine as applied to the manufacture of shoe lasts,
and afterwards as applied to the manufacture of gun stocks. I will
afterwards describe the reciprocating saw machine which answers
exactly the same purpose, and may be made to produce precisely the
same articles. Figures 1, and 2, Sheet I., represent a side elevation
and plan or top view of the first machine, as arranged for forming lasts

page_text: for boots or shoes; Fig. 3, Sheet II., represents a side elevation of the
machine, shewing the principal movement; and Fig. 4, is a longitu-.
dinal vertical section thereof, taken in a. line parallel to the side of the
machine. I have supposed this apparatus to be adapted to the manu-..
facture of three pairs of lasts simultaneously, but it is evident that it
might, if thought desirable, be so constructed as to produce a greater.
number. For this purpose it would only be necessary to give it addi-
tional width, and to increase the number of saws and other workingo
parts. It will be evident that the machine might also be made to pro-
duce a less quantity than that shewn in the Drawing. By referring to,:
these Figures it will be seen that the two metal patterns A, A, serve
as guides, one of which corresponds to the left foot, and the other to
the right, so as to manufacture at the same time pairs of lasts. These
lasts are furnished at each end with projections or prolongations a, a,:
(see Figures 1, and 2, Sheet I.).one of which is adjusted to, the chuck
B, and the other to the chuck C. In order that. the machine may.be.
made capable of performing articles of various dimensions,, it is requi-.
site that one of the chucks should be made adjustable; so as, to admit
of its being moved nearer to or further from the other as circumstances:
may require. For this purpose the shafts that carry the chucks C, are
respectively provided with adjusting screws b, b, b, which may be turned;
by means of the hand wheels c, c, c c. On the surface of each of the
two models or metal patterns A, A, the two.metal tracers or guides D,)
Figures 1, 2, and 3, press, these tracers or guides D, being set, in the
wrought iron levers E, which turn freely upon the axes d.'. These levers
E, extend beyond the axes d, for the purpose of carrying counterbalance
weights F, which serve to counterbalance a portion of the mechanism at
the opposite ends, but still allow the guides; D,Ito press on the patterns
A, and consequently regulate the work of the saws... "The position of the
tracers or guides D, inay also be adjusted with accuracy.to the patterns
by means of the small hand wheels e, on the ends of the adjusting screws.
Between the two levers E, E, which carry the tracers or.guides D, are
placed axles G, of the circular saws H, H, which are thus níade to follow
the rising and falling motion communicated to the tracers by the metal,
patterns. In order that the saws may operate uponi.the unshaped blocks.
of wood I, with which they are constantly in contact; a rapid rotary:

page_text: motion must be communicated to them. For this purpose the opposite
ends of the shafts G, are respectively provided with pullies J, J, Figures
2, and 6, which are all driven by one band f. This driving band which
receives its motion from the large drum K, Fig. 4, passes successively
over and under the pullies J, J, and is always kept in tension whatever
may be the position of the pullies by means of the tension roller L, the
axis of which is moveable and is mounted loosely in the slotted bearings
g. The circular saws H, which are fashioned in the same manner as
ordinary woods saws, but with rather. fine teeth are respectively secured
against the shoulders of the shafts G, G, by a collar or washer and nut.
It will be seen that the saws are arranged in a line with the two guides
or traces D, D. The shafts G, G, turn freely in bearings in the cross
pieces-M, which latter are attached to the levers E, E, and thereby
form a frame which is guided in its upward and downward movement
by the grooved or slotted guides N, which are cast in one piece with
strong cross piece o. The frame which carries the saws is capable of
moving backward or forward in the direction of the length of the
lasts. For this purpose the pivots d, of the levers E, E, are mounted
in moveable bearings P, which are capable of sliding in grooves on the
horizontal surfaces Q, provided for that purpose. Two wrought iron
crank rods R, are connected at one end by the bolts i, to the outside of
each of the moveable bearings P,. of the axles d, and at the opposite
end to the revolving circular plates or discs S, S. But as the extent of
motion must vary according to the length of the articles to be fashioned,
it is desirable that the crank pins J, J, which unite the connecting rods
R, to the circular plates or discs S, should be capable of being moved
nearer to or further from their centre K, which is effected by making
slots in the discs S, for the purpose of securing the crank pins at any
suitable points. The motion of the discs S, should be very slow com-
pared to that of the saws, and this is effected by means of a toothed
wheel, which is fixed upon the shaft K, of the discs S, S. This wheel
7, which is shewn by dots in Fig. 1, takes into an endless screw m, the
shaft of which passes through the framing T, and carries at its other
end a pinion o', to which motion is communicated by the wheel v,'
mounted upon the axis of the first metal pattern or model, and this
latter is put in motion, as will be seen hereafter, by means of inter-

page_text: mediate gearing in communication with the wheel p, and the pinion q,
mounted on the end of the shaft r, which is in fact the driving shaft of
the whole machine, as it carries not only the drum K, but also the
driving pulley U, and the loose pulley U. By this means the rotary
motion communicated to the saws is in proportion to the shifting
movement required. It will of course be understood that the saws
act upon and cut the wood as long as the guides or tracers are not in
contact with the patterns, but as soon as contact takes place the saws.
are prevented from cutting any further into the block; in order there-
fore that there may be no loss of time, or cessation in their work it is:
necessary continually to change their position with respect to the.
blocks of wood, and in order that they may operate in all directions
it is indispensably necessary to vary the position of the blocks and of
the patterns. I therefore cause these latter to rotate simultaneously
with the blocks, and at the same time communicate to the frame which
carries the saws a reciprocating rectilinear movement, and also an
up and down movement.
The rotatory motion is obtained (as seen in.
Figures 1, and 2,) by mounting on the axle of the wheel o, a pinion s,
which takes into the intermediate wheel t, above, on the shaft of which
is a pinion u, acting on the wheel v, which wheel takes into similar
wheels v', v, v', mounted on the shafts C, C', which cause the first.
pattern and block to rotate continuously. This rotary movement is.
communicated successively to each of the other blocks, and to the
second pattern by means of the series or train of wheels a, and a', and.
pinions y, and y', which are so arranged as to change the direction of
motion of the three last blocks and of the last pattern in relation to
the first. It will therefore be seen by this arrangement, that on
putting the machine in motion by means of the driving pulley U,
rotary motion is communicated to the circular saws H, (as above
mentioned) by means of the long drum K, which is provided with an
endless band f, which acts upon all the small pulleys J, J. During this
time the rotation of the drum shaft is transmitted by the train of
gearing above mentioned to both the patterns and all the blocks of
wood. This movement is very slow compared to that of the circular
saws, and as the framing which carries these latter receives a rectilinear
alternating motion in proportion to 'the speed of rotation, it is absolutely

page_text: necessary for the band f, f, which works the pullies J, to move with a
speed proportionated to the motion of the saw frame, and for this purpose
the drum K, and tension roller L, have a length corresponding to the
course of the frame. It will be easily understood that during these
various movements the saws are operating upon the blocks of wood.
They cut off the material in very small quantities at a time, and continue
to act until the guides or tracers come into contact with, the cast iron
patterns. In this way all the surplus material is removed, and articles
precisely similar to the patterns are produced. It is evident that if
instead of lasts other articles, such as wooden shoes or clogs, were
required to be produced, it would only be necessary to place suitable
models in the machine instead of those for lasts. It will, of course, be
understood that it is only the exterior form which will be produced, and
not the inside, which must be done by other means, as the only object
of this machine is to produce articles of an irregular exterior form.
Besides manufacturing lasts for boots and shoes and articles of an
analogous form, this machine may, as above mentioned, be applied to
the production of pistol and gun .stocks, and other analogous articles.
In this latter case, as the length of the wood and of the patterns is
considerable, the different parts of the machines: must be suitably
arranged. Figures 1, and 2, Sheet. III., will; give some idea of the
arrangement of a machine for this purpose. Fig. 1, is, a longitudinal
vertical section of the machine; Fig: 2, is a partial plan or bird's eye,
view shewing a portion of the framing carrying the saws, and one of
the tracers or guides pressing on the model. It will be seen on
inspecting these Figures that the construction of this machine is exactly
tlie same in principle as that of the preceding one. It comprises a
certain number of circular saws to which a rapid rotary motion and also
a gradual shifting or receding is communicated. It may be here
remarked that if, as is represented in the Drawing, the stock is only to-
be shaped as far as the breach, the extent of movement of the saw frame
need not be greater than that indicated by the Drawing, and in that,
case it will be understood that the dimensions of the various moveable.
parts need not exceed those shewn in the Drawing. If, however, it
be required to fashion the whole of the butt, including the part carrying:
the barrel, it will of course be necessary to increase the extent of
.
.

page_text: movement of the saw frame, and consequently the dimensions of the
various parts must be increased. There is no doubt greater difficulty
attending the production of gun stocks than such articles as boot and.
shoe lasts by reason of the great difference which exists in the former
between the breadth and thickness. But it may be observed on this
head that by the application of counterbalance weights at the ends or.
sides of the saw frames, the pressure or work of the saws may be
modified at pleasure by shifting the weights nearer to or further from
the fulcra of the levers E; by this means the saws may be made to act
to a greater or less amount as may be required according to the part of.
the block to be operated upon. Thus, with a little experience in the.
working of the machine, so as to be able to regulate the pressure of the.
saws on the wood, precise counterparts of the metallic patterns may be
produced. The other arrangement of machinery proposed to be employed:
for manufacturing or shaping lasts or other analogous articles of wood,
very much resembles that above described, with this difference, how-
ever, that instead of employing rotary circular saws, straight saws.
having a rectilinear reciprocating motion are used. This arrangement
necessarily involves modification in the construction of the various parts
composing the apparatus, and in order to render this: more easily under-.
stood this arrangement. of machinery is represented in 'Sheets IV. and V.
of the accompanying Drawings. Fig. 1, Sheet IV., is a 'front eleva-.
tion of the machine in working order; and Fig..2, a plan or bird's eye
view of the same constructed for the reception of two metallic patterns
and capable of producing. four pairs of lasts; Fig. 3, Sheet V., is a.
longitudinal section taken in a direction' parallel with the saw; and.
Fig. 4, is a transverse section taken at right angles to Fig. 3. It will
be seen by these. Figures that, (as in the former. machine) the two cast
iron patterns A; A, are adjusted' at one end to the chucks B; which are
fixed loosely on the ends of the adjusting screws a, and at the other
end to the moveable plates or chucks C, provided with shafts D,
furnished respectively with toothed wheels Q, from which. 'they receive
a rotary motion very slow' in: comparison to tlic working of the saw. :
The blocks, of wood to be fashioned are also placed between the
chucks B, and C, and have rotary motion communicated to them
through the train of wheels: Q', as in the former) instance... 'It is to be.

page_text: observed that one half of these blocks revolve to the right in the same
direction as one of the patterns, and the other to the left following the
other pattern, thus producing four for the left foot and four for the
right. The shafts a, a', of the chucks B, B', are screwed, and pass
through female screws in the cross piece E, for the purpose of adjusting
theni at any distance from the opposite chucks C, C', according to the
length of the articles to be produced, which is done by turning the
small hand wheels f, and screwing them up tight by means of the hand
wheels e. The reciprocating saw for cutting the wood is held between
two iron bars or plates J, (Fig. 4,) fastened by lugs K, to the strong
cast iron beam or cross piece H, which is capable of rising and falling' to
a certain extent by its own weight. In order to keep the cross beam H,
constantly in a horizontal position, either when ascending or descend-
ing, its ends are adjusted in vertical guides X. Steel tracers L, L, fixed
on the lower ends of the vertical rods I, at the extremities of the
cross piece are placed immediately over the two cast iron patterns A,
and by coming in contact therewith prevent the saw from acting upon
the pieces of wood. This arrangement is analogous to that of the
preceding machine. In order to prevent the saw frame from descending
beyond a certain limit determined by the smallest part of the models
or that nearest the centre, the cross piece H, is connected by two
vertical rods G, G, (see Fig. 3,) to a smaller cross head E', which has
a female screw at its centre to receive the screw F', which bears upon
the centre of the iron beam D', which unites the two side pieces of the
framing. The reciprocating motion of the saw is produced by the crank
rod Y; jointed to the fly wheel Z, mounted on the main shaft X, which
carries the driving pulley W, and the additional pulley W₁, which
latter communicates a rotary and rectilinear motion to the blocks and
patterns by means of a driving band acting on a pulley M, the shaft of
which carries a toothed pinion p, taking into the wheel P, which
together with the endless screw q, is mounted on the shaft N, of one of
the chucks C', which by means of the train of wheels Q', communicates
motion to the blocks and patterns. The endless screw q, takes into a
small wheel or pinion not seen in the Drawing, but mounted on the
longitudinal shaft S, which by means of two bevil wheels T, at each
end turns the two screwed shafts. U, .mounted in bearings at each

page_text: side of the framing, the shafts U, passing through female screws n,
attached to the sliding frame R, (which carries all the chucks) and
thereby communicating a rectilinear reciprocating movement thereto,
the extent of which is regulated by the length of the articles to be
produced. The moveable frame R, slides in or on grooved or V guides
i, which preserve the parallelism of the motion. The shaft N, is made
of any suitable length according to the extent of motion required, the
wheel P, and endless screw q, remaining always in the same position.
It will be seen by this arrangement that the patterns and blocks to be
fashioned have constantly two movements communicated to them, one
rotary and continuous, and the other rectilinear and reciprocating, whilst
the saw has only a reciprocating movement, and has always a tendency
to descend until the tracers come in contact with the patterns. The
result is, however, precisely the same as in the first described
machine.
In witness wherof, I, the said Ignacio de Barros, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of March, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.
Inrolled the Thirtieth day of March, One thousand eight hundred
and forty-eight.