An Improvement in the Method of Filing the Bottoms and Heels of Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application. 10th Feb., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 7th Nov., 1891-Accepted, 2nd Jan., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improvement in the Method of Filing the Bottoms and Heels of
Boots and Shoes.
THOMAS SMALLEY Shoe Manufacturer 36 Corn Market Dublin and CHARLES
DICKENS 14 Washington Street Dublin Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
An ordinary file is fixed longitudinally to the end of a bar which slides back-
wards and forwards in a race horizontally.
The opposite end of the said bar is linked to one end of a connecting rod, the
other end of the said rod being connected to a revolving crank shaft, which shaft is
driven by power, thereby imparting to the said bar a reciprocating rectilinear
motion which resembles the movement of a file being used by a man with his two
hands. The said bar is fitted with clamps, at adjustable distances from the end, so
that any length or shape file can be used, the length of stroke can be regulated to
suit the length of file required to be used by the adjustment of the crank pin on the
said revolving shaft. The framework of the machine carrying the said race can be
adjusted to guide the said bar in a vertical, horizontal, or oblique direction.
operate the machine the boots are held by the operator in his two hands, or fixed
on a universal jack, and then pressed up against the file on the said bar when it is
in motion.
Dated this 9th day of February 1891.
To
THOMAS SMALLEY.
CHARLES DICKENS.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improvement in the Method of Filing the Bottoms and Heels of
Boots and Shoes.
THOMAS SMALLEY, 36 Corn Market, Dublin, Shoe Manufacturer and CHARLES
DICKENS 14 Washington Street Dublin Engineer, 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 :-
The object of our invention is to provide an arrangement whereby an ordinary
or specially made file can be used by the application of mechanical motions to
imitate the movement of a file being used by hand for the purpose of filing the
bottoms, heels and waists of boots, shoes and the like.
We append drawing of our said filing arrangement, which we now proceed to
describe.
A, is a table or framework. B, are standards which are fixed at suitable distances
from each other, upon the said table A, for the purpose of forming a race C to
carry the file-bar D. E is a fulcrum or pin which is fixed in the centre of the
table A, the said fulcrum or pin carrying a lever F, which vibrates through the top
of table A. The centre of the file-bar D is provided with a roller G, which works
between the fork H of the said lever F. The opposite end of lever F is linked to
a crank pin I, the said pin being adjustable in the spur-wheel J.
The spur wheel J, revolves on a stud K which is fixed at the bottom of the
hanger L the said hanger being fixed under table A. The spur wheel J, is geared
into and driven by a pinion M, which is fixed on the driving shaft N, the said shaft
being provided with bearings O, fitted to the legs of table A. The said shaft

page_text: carries a fly wheel P, and driving pulley Q, for motive power. Upon the file-
bar D, are fixed the files R, one at each end, we provide a square hole S in each
end of the bar D for the purpose of inserting the tag of the files R. The said
bar D is also provided with adjustable clips T, which grip the files R firmly to the
bar D, by the provision of the bolts and nuts U.
Any length file can be used as the file-bar D, is provided with slots V to receive
the clip bolts U, for the purpose of shortening or lengthening the distance between
the end of the bar D, and the said clips T whereby various lengths of files can
be used.
The said clips T are also arranged to carry, flat, half round, square or round files.
By setting the driving shaft N in motion the pinion M drives the spur wheel J,
which is connected to the lever F by the link W, and gives to the bar D a
reciprocating rectilinear motion. By this arrangement the files R, are made to
move as though they were used by hand.
To operate the machine the boots are pressed up against the files with the hands.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:-
1. An improvement in the method of using a file or files imitating hand labour
by a reciprocating rectilinear motion, for the purpose of filing the bottoms and heels
of boots, shoes and the like.
Dated this 6th day of November 1891.
THOMAS SMALLEY.
CHARLES DICKENS.