IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OR METHOD OF UNITING AND OTHERWISE MANUFACTURING ARTICLES OF LEATHER AND SUCH LIKE MATERIALS, AND IN THE APPARATUS AND MACHI- NERY CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1859

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Middleton, of Blackfriars Road, in the
County of Surrey, Cordwainer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MODE OR METHOD OF UNITING AND OTHERWISE MANUFACTURING ARTICLES
OF LEATHER AND SUCH LIKE MATERIALS, AND IN THE APPARATUS AND MACHI-
NERY CONNECTED THEREWITH."
Sealed the 24th February 1860, and dated the 31st August 1859.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Middleton at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 31st
August 1859.
I, SAMUEL MIDDLETON, of Blackfriars Road, in the County of Surrey, Cord-
wainer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MODE OR METHOD OF UNITING AND OTHERWISE MANUFACTURING ARTICLES OF
LEATHER AND SUCH LIKE MATERIALS, AND IN THE APPARATUS AND MACHINERY CON-
NECTED THEREWITH," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the employment of metal fastenings of a novel shape
or configuration, and the mode of applying them for the several purposes and
in the several positions for which they are intended to be employed. Instead
of employing short metal pegs tapering from a central shoulder to each end, and
with two surfaces jagged, and depending solely upon the jagging of the tapering
ends for holding the two surfaces, or pieces of leather or other materials
together in the manner described and set forth in a Patent granted to me, and
dated the 25th of February 1858. I employ for the purposes of the present
Invention metal pegs of a novel form, somewhat similar in shape to the eye

page_text: of a needle which has been pointed at one or both ends, and barbed upon one
or both of the flattened faces at the point or points of each of such peg; and
although I prefer for most purposes to employ a double-pointed metal peg
having a longitudinal eye or slot in the centre thereof, I prefer for other pur-
poses to form the pegs with one taper sharp end, whilst the other is flat or
cut square behind the eye or slot, around which sufficient strength is left for
the purpose of enabling the peg to be forced into its place in whatever posi-
tion or manner it may be employed for attaching, connecting, or securing two
or more pieces of material.
I prepare the pieces of materials to be attached together by softening them,
and in the case of employing leather, or in applying my Invention thereto, 1
immerse it in water until it has become thoroughly soaked, I then permit the
material to become partially or sufficiently dry and hard as to best fit it for
the purpose of receiving the pointed metal pegs which have to be forced into
it, and which condition will ensure a sufficient power of retention of the barbed
point and eye by the expansion of the material through the eye of the peg
which
becomes thoroughly closed thereby. A firm hold in the material is obtained by
the metal peg,
, but for the more thorough securing of large surfaces together, and
for the purpose of excluding moisture from between the faces of the several
pieces of material pinned or fastened together by the metallic pegs with eyes
or slots, and constructed according to this Invention, I coat or spread over
the faces of the materials to be brought in contact, a solution composed of
shell-lac mixed with gutta perchia or indian-rubber, or other similar gum in
such proportions that may best suit the nature of the materials, or the purpose
for which they are intended to be applied.
Where the single-pointed needle-eyed metal pegs are employed by being
driven from one side into two or more pieces or thicknesses of material, I
prefer to attach the pieces of the material together face to face, by tacking or
other mode of temporary fixing, and also coat the opposing surfaces with the
adhesive solution.
. I prefer to make the metal pegs, according to my present Invention, by
cutting off short lengths of brass or other metal wire, which at the same time
are stamped into shape, and having the eye formed in each, and the taper
and barbing produced by the same blow, or the different operations of forming
and cutting off from the wire may be effected at one and the same operation,
or instead of cutting them from wire they may be cut from sheets of metal,
either by means of vertical dies or stamps, or revolving cylinders or cutters
suitably formed, and instead of trusting to the. barb points in conjunction with
the eye or slot for the holding 'power of the pegs (where the form of the peg

page_text: permits, and the nature of the material renders it advisable), I punch or im-
press to varying depths holes of various shapes, or indentations over one or
more of the surfaces of the metal pegs.
In the manufacture of boots and shoes, and other such like articles by hand,
I apply these pegs, and insert them into the material by means of hollow
punches made to receive one end of each peg up to the shoulder or projection
thereof, by which the sharp or projecting pointed end, or other portion of the
metal peg.
would by the application of a hammer or other force be driven into
or through the material to the extent required, but in applying mechanical
means for the purpose of inserting one or many of the metal pegs at the same
time, a compound dic, perforated plate, or holder for containing a number of
the pegs may be so constructed that the metal pegs may be fed thereinto, and-
being held fast or retained in their respective places, the motion of an eccentric
cam, crank, or other equivalent means would impart the necessary amount of.
motion, and force for inserting the pegs into the material which has been
previously prepared for the purpose.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Samuel Middleton in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
29th February 1860.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, SAMUEL
MIDDLETON, of Blackfriars Road, in the County of Surrey, Cordwainer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirty-first day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, in the twenty-third year of Ifer
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Samuel Middleton, Her special licence that I, 'the said Samuel Mid-
dleton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said Samuel Middleton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should.
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the terni therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OR METHOD OF UNITING AND OTHERWISE MANUFACTURING
ARTICLES OF LEATHER AND SUCH LIKE MATERIALS, AND IN THE APPARATUS
AND MACHINERY CONNECTED THEREWITH," upou the condition (amongst others)

page_text: that I, the said Samuel Middleton, by an instrument in writing under my hand
and seal; should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause
the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Samuel Middleton, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the fol-
lowing statement and accompanying Sheet of Drawings:-
This Invention relates to the employment of metal fastenings of a novel
shape or configuration, and the mode of applying them for the several purposes
and in the several positions for which they are intended to be employed.
Instead of employing short metal pegs tapering from a central shoulder to
each end, and with two surfaces jagged, and depending solely upon the jagging
of the tapering ends for holding the two surfaces or pieces of leather or other
materials together in the manner described and set forth in a Patent granted
to me, and dated the Twenty-fifth of February One thousand eight hundred
and fifty-eight. I employ for the purposes of the present Invention, metal
pegs of a novel form, somewhat similar in shape to the eye of a needle which
lias been pointed at one or both ends, and barbed upon one or both of the
flattened faces at the point or points of each of such peg; and although I
prefer for most purposes to employ a double-pointed metal peg having a
longitudinal eye or slot in the centre thereof, I prefer for other purposes to
form the pegs with one taper sharp end, whilst the other is flat or cut square
behind the eye or slot, around which sufficient strength is left for the purpose
of enabling the peg to be forced into its place in whatever position or manner
it may be employed for attaching, connecting, or securing two or more pieces
of material.
I prepare the pieces of materials to be attached together by softening them,
and in the case of employing leather or in applying my Invention thereto, I
immerse it in water until it has become thoroughly soaked, I then permit the
material to become partially or sufficiently dry and hard, as, to best fit it for
the purpose of receiving the pointed metal pegs which have to be forced into
it, and which condition will ensure a sufficient power of retention of the barbed
point and eye by the expansion of the material through the eye of the peg
which becomes thoroughly closed, thereby a firm hold in the material is
obtained by the metal peg; but for the more thorough securing of large
surfaces together, and for the purpose of excluding moisture from between the
faces of the several pieces of material pinned or fastened together by the

page_text: metallic pegs, with eyes or slots constructed according to this Invention, I
coat or spread over the faces of the materials to be brought in contact a
solution composed of shell-lac mixed with gutta percha or indian-rubber, or
other similar gum, in such proportions that may best suit the nature of tho
materials, or the purpose for which they are intended to be applied.
Where the single pointed needle-eyed metal pegs are employed, by being
driven from one side into two or more pieces or thicknesses of material, I
prefer to attach the pieces of the material together face to face, by tacking or
other mode of temporary fixing, and also coat the opposing surfaces with the
adhesive solution.
I prefer to make the metal pegs, according to my present Invention, by
cutting off short lengths of brass or other metal wire, which at the same time
are stamped into shape, and having the eye formed in each, and the taper and
barbing produced by the same blow, or the different operations of forming and
cutting off from the wire may be effected at one and the same operation; or,
instead of cutting them from wire they may be cut from sheets of metal, either
by means of vertical dies or stamps, or revolving cylinders or cutters suitably
formed; and instead of trusting to the barb points in conjunction with the eye
or slot for the holding power of the pegs (where the form of the peg permits
and the nature of the material renders its advisable), I punch or impress to
varying depths, holes of various shapes or indentations over one or more of the
surfaces of the metal pegs.
In the manufacture of boots and shoes and other such like articles by hand,
I apply these pegs and insert. them into the, material by means of hollow
punches made to receive one end of each peg up to the shoulder or projection
thereof, by which the sharp or projectedg pointed end or other portion of the
metal peg would, by the application of a hammer or other force, be driven
into or through the material to the extent required; but in applying mechanical
means for the purpose of inserting one or many of the metal pegs at the same
time, a compound die, perforated plate or holder for containing a number of
the pegs, may be so constructed that the metal pegs may be fed thereinto,
and being held fast or retained in their respective places, the motion of an
eccentric, cam, crank, or other equivalent means would impart the necessary
amount of motion and force for inserting the pegs into the material, which has
been previously prepared for the purpose.
In the accompanying Drawing, Figures 1 to 11 exhibit, to considerably
enlarged dimensions, views of various modifications of metal pegs formed or
constructed according to the Invention; above each elevation is a section or a
plan view corresponding therewith.

page_text: Figures 1, 2, and 3, exbibit pegs pointed at one end only, having eyes or
openings pierced through them; the forms of the pegs at the flat end or head
is exhibited above each peg. Figures 4 to 8 inclusive, exhibit different
varieties of pegs pointed at both ends, sections of which are shewn above cach
description of peg. Figures 9, 10, and 11, exhibit headed metal pegs or hob-
nails of bayonet and other varied forms- according to this Invention; sections
of each being exhibited above each of the Figures. Figure 12 shows two
pieces of material fixed or fastened together with pegs pierced with eyes, and
having square or semicircular slots cut in the edges therein (but not barbed).
Figure 13 shews three thicknesses of material secured together with another
variety of pegs. Figure 14 shews two pieces of material secured together by
means of a headed hobnail description of metal peg formed according to this
Invention.
Instead of merely jagging or barbing the edges of the metal pegs, I rely
upon the openings, holes, or slots made through such pegs for the holding
power; and although I have herein-before referred to metal pegs of bayonet
shape having barbs, I do not make any claim for the barbing, jagging, or
indenting of the edges of metal pegs, but I confine myself to the use of metal
pegs bayonet-shaped, whether such be plain or pierced with holes; and I
claim the piercing or making of slots or openings through metal pegs for the
purposó of fastening two or more thicknesses of material together, whether
such pegs be of bayonet or other section, also whether any or either of the
above-mentioned and herein-before described metal pegs be single or double
pointed, or being single pointed, have heads thereon.
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Middleton, have hereunto set
my hand and scal, this Twenty-ninth day of February, One thousand
eight hundred and sixty.
Witness,
F. H. ROBERTS,
19, Salisbury St., W. C.
SAMUEL MIDDLETON. (L.S.)