Improvements in Boot and Shoe Nailing Machines.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Oct., 1890-Accepted, 15th Nov., 1850
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Boot and Shoe Nailing Machines.
1, WALTER SCOTT FITZGERALD, of Boston. County of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts,
United States of America, Mechanic, 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 :-
This invention relates to boot or shoe nailing machines, particularly that class
employed in sole-laying or sole-tacking for the purpose of holding the outer soles in
place temporarily and previous to their being permanently sewed or nailed to the boot
or shoe in process. Further, my invention relates to that class of machines in which
a continuous wire, fed by means of two toothed wheels from a reel located above the
machine, is corrugated, cut, pointed and made into nails, which are then driven into
the sole of the boot or shoe in process.
My invention, consists primarily, in improved mechanisın, by which the length of
nails can be instantly varied according to the position in which it is to be placed in
the shoe or the style of the shoe. Such mechanism, in brief consists of an oscillating
shield adapted to cover the feed-pawl, which intermittently moves away therefrom, the
increase or diminution in the feed being occasioned by the variation in the length of
time which the pawl is permitted to remain in engagement with the ratchet-wheel, it
being understood that when the pawl is free from the shield it becomes active.
The drawings herewith annexed represent in
Fig. 1, an end elevation of a machine embodying my invention.
Fig. 2, is a similar view, the covering-plates C2 C3 being removed.
Fig. 3, is a front elevation looking at the right side of the machine, as shown in
Figs. 1, and 2.
Fig. 4 is an elevation of the opposite side or looking at the left of the machine, as
illustrated in Figs. 1, and 2.
Fig. 5, is a perspective view of the machine as a completed organization of parts
under my invention.
Fig. 6, is side view in elevation, of the friction-block and oscillating lever-brake to
stop the main shaft.
Fig. 7 is a rear view of the swinging flanged segment and other co-operating parts
in connection with the feed mechanism for regulating the length of the nails to various
sizes.
Fig. 8, is a longitudinal section of the feed-shaft, its ratchet-wheels, pawl, and other
co-operating parts on line XX.
Fig. 9, is a vertical central section of the spring-adjusting mechanism for the
driving bar.
Fig. 10, is a detached vertical section of the wire-cutting plates on line y, in
Fig. 4.
Fig. 11, is a detail section of the parts uniting the sliding block with its operating
lever.
My invention relates to hoot or shoe sole laying or tacking machine, as before
premised.
In the drawings, A, is the head or casting to which the various parts are secured.
B, is a loose friction-pulley, which drives the machine when brought into contact
with the friction-block U, keyed upon the main driving-shaft A¹.
T, is a collar fastened to the main shaft by a set-screw and maintains the pulley in
a position close to the friction block. The pulley B, has an end wise movement on its
shaft by means of the bell-lever 0, furnished with an anti-friction roll. The latter
engages in a groove cut in the hub of the loose pulley, which is actuated by the rod P,
pivotally united at ht to the treadle f².
To prevent the main shaft from turning back when the friction-block U, is released
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page_text: from contact with the driving-pulley, I have arranged a stop-lever brake. (See Fig. 6.)
This lever consists of a swinging arm a³ the lower extremity or foot G2 of which wipes
upon the inside periphery of the rim on the side of the outer diameter of the friction-
block U. This arm is pivoted loosely to the arm A, at t at a point above the centre
of the driving-shaft. (See Figs. 3 and 4.) Therefore when the latter moves in its
proper direction the swinging arm is inoperative. On the other hand should reverse
motion occur, the contact of the foot G³, with the rim of the block U, carries the
stop a³, with it; but since the stop is hung above the centre of the driving-shaft the
foot will move eccentrically of the rim and the block is immediately stopped. This
device is noiseless and much more efficient than a pawl and ratchet.
C, is the driving bar to the lower extremity of which is removably secured the
driver 6¹.
D, is a stop, screw threaded upon the upper end of the bar to regulate the distance
the latter shall drop.
a² is a steel plate grooved at 62 and secured in the face of the head A. (See Fig. 2.)
This plate (see Fig. 10) extends quite down to the tube p, which carries the nail
transversely over to and above the receiver or throat V, vertically bored at s, through
which passage the nail is driven to enter the boot or shoe. Through the groove b²,
the endless wire from the reel is fed down into the tube p, removably secured in the
nail-carrier or sliding block H. (Shown in Figs. 3 and 10.)
E is a face view of the cam, Fig. 2, which elevates the driving-bar by the agency of
a pivoted finger, c², laterally of the bar.
F is a lever pivoted at d³ upon a post rising from the frame A and with one end
resting upon the top of the driving-bar C. Beneath the opposite end of said lever is
placed a spring G spirally about a rod d². The tension of this spring is adjusted by
this mechanism. (See Fig. 9.) The under side of the lever is transversely slotted or
forked to receive an interiorly-screw-threaded nut 15, with arms which enter the slots.
An exteriorly-screw-threaded sleeve R, engages the nut, while a check nut S retains
the sleeve in any position. The top of the spring bears against the lower end of the
sleeve, which is centrally bored and through which the spring-supporting rod d²,
freely passes.
By aid of the above mechanism the lever being pivoted nearer its tail-end, gives the
driving-bar multiple velocity in its descent, as compared with a direct-acting spring
operating on the upper end of the driving-bar C. This extra velocity added to the
driving-bar, not only insures better work, but makes the labour for the operator much
less onerous.
The mechanism for feeding the continuous wire from the reel is as follows: In
Fig. 1, ee represent two toothed wheels. The former is mounted upon a stud f',
and is incidentally actuated by the movement of the other and co-operating wheel at
the time the wire is advanced in feed movement there between. The stud f', is
adjustable by means of a screw f2, and thereby the position of this feed wheel is
regulated with respect to the wheel e² to accommodate wire of different sizes. The
feed wheel e, on the contrary, is mounted upon the wire-feeding shaft g', parallel with
the main shaft and revolubly secured in a portion of the frame A, here formed into a
boss or sleeve B'. (See Figs. 3 and 8.) Upon this boss are mounted the following
elements: First a slotted bracket J, in which two movable studs d d, are inserted, and
by their agency serve to fix the length of the nails to be made, as will hereinafter be
described, and secondly, a hub, from which depends a shield K. This hub is held in
any fixed position upon the boss B¹, by a friction-screw 92, and is operated by the
hand-lever g. In proximity to where this lever enters the hub I have inserted a
pointer h, which is used in connection with an index marked on the periphery of the
bracket J. The position of this pointer indicates the length of nail to be produced.
To cause the proper intermittent movement of the feed-shaft to advance the wire in
the production of a nail, I have securely fastened upon the shaft g' adjacent to the
shield K and its hub, a toothed or ratchet wheel W, while loosely upon the same
shaft is mounted a bell-crank lever i, furnished at its free end with a spring-actuated
pawl L.

page_text: A loose roll N upon a stud laterally of this pawl-lever wipes the actuating hent arm
or cam Y³ affixed to the main shaft. (See Fig. 5.)
By reference to Fig. 7 it will be seen that the pawl is adapted to swing within the
shield K; but while it is covered by said shield the pawl is inactive-that is, it is so
hung that its tail wipes against the shield, thereby holding the nose disengaged from
the teeth on the ratchet-wheel. Thus the pawl becomes active only when its rear end
has emerged from the end of the curved rim or flange which forms a part of the
swinging shield.
The variable lengths of nails are produced as follows: By reference to Fig. 2,
assume that the index-finger is against the upper stop d. This will throw the shield K
upward, (see Fig. 7,) and the rear end of the pawl will remain the longest interval
within the shield, being disengaged from the latter only at the very last of its advance
movement; hence the pawl will engage the ratchet only for a very limited forward
motion. The nail will consequently be the shortest with the shield in this position.
If the hand-lever 98 is now depressed until the index contacts with the other stop
pin d, the other and extreme length of nail will be produced. The shield will now
(see Fig. 7) be thrown toward the right in direction of arrow. As a result, the tail of
the pawl is freed almost immediately from the shield, moving out from the latter.
Engagement of the pawl and ratchet now occurs, and the latter receives the full feed
motion of the pawl occasioned by the agency of the cam Y³.
The nail is produced as follows, (see Figs. 3 and 10,) in which H is a block sliding
transversely through the lower portion of the head or frame A. Within the block is
fastened a hardened steel tube or receiver p, within which is fed the wire previously
corrugated or roughened by its passage between the teeth of the feed wheels e¹, e²,
and from which the nails are now cut. Within the front side of this block is secured
the male knife n, formed with a rib, which enters the female knife m, having a similar
groove cut longitudinally. The latter knife or cutter is fixed and extends up to the
wire, which is fed just in front of it. The nail is cut by means of the aforesaid sliding
block, which is actuated by a lever I. This latter is controlled in its movements by
an epicycloidal rimmed wheel Q, actuating the upper end of said lever, which is
furnished with a loose roll, travelling upon the inner surface of the rim, whereby
the block H. is caused to reciprocate. (See Fig. 4.)
To provide for the rocking movement of the lower end of the lever, I, which
actuates the sliding block, and to permit the latter to travel in right line movement,
a vertical slot is cut transversely of the block. (See Fig. 11.) Within this slot is
fitted a movable plate m', adapted to receive the end of a connecting-pin n', which
passes through and across the lower end of the lever 1. This pin is adjustable by
means of a set screw 2, which regulates the throw of the sliding block H accurately,
and thereby causes the lever to align the hole in the tube p, with the passages, in the
throat V, thus insuring positive delivery of the nail in a perfect condition within the
boot or shoe. Otherwise the nail would be liable to be crushed or bent when the driver
struck it.
The operation of the several elements hereinbefore described is as follows, presuming
that a nail has just been formed and driven through the throat V: The block H is to
be retracted now to carry the steel receiver or tube p vertically beneath the end of the
wire. Revolution of the main shaft, as indicated by the arrows, now operates the
cam E to lift the driving-bar against the pressure of the spring G to repeat a blow
when desired. At the same time the lever I, by means of its epicycloidal cam-wheel Q,
now causes the sliding block H and male knife or cutter to retreat until the steel
tube P is aligned beneath the end of the wire. Such movements being completed, the
curved arm Y³, now wipes the roll N and advances the pawl. The latter beneath the
shield K is held inactive until said cam has swung it sufficiently to free the rear end
from said shield. The pawl now actively advances the ratchet-wheel W, and this
produces a semi-rotary movement of the feed-shaft g', which compels the wire to be.
fed the proper distance requisite for a nail of a given length. The wire enters the
passage in the sleeve p, secured to the movable block H. After the wire has been
advanced the proper distance, continued forward rotation of the main shaft separates

page_text: the arm Y³, from the roll on the pawl, when the latter is quickly returned to its
normal idle position by the spring v. Furthermore, such rotation causes movement of
the epicycloidal wheel Q, to rock the lever I, when the block H, advances. The male
cutter n is thereby brought into contact with the wire, and by aid of the fixed female
cutter said wire is severed and the nail formed. The block continues to advance and
carries the nail within the tube p, until it is aligned above the passage in the throat V.
The can E, has assumed such position that the driver is now suddenly released, when
the stored-up energy of the spring G, produces a sharp violent blow and the nail is
forced into the material of the boot or shoe in process. Said article is held against the
throat V in the place where the nail is to be inserted. In connection with this
apparatus an anvil is to be employed, not shown.
By means of the hand-lever g8, and rocking movement of the same with the
shield K about the pawl the length of the nail can be varied at every stroke, and thus
the machine can be readily adapted for various kinds of work.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is :-
:
First In a boot and shoe nailing machine, the combination with a feed-shaft, a
tooth-wheel and its actuating pawl, of a rocking shield adapted to cover the pawl and
regulate the period of activity of said pawl, for purposes substantially as specified.
Second: In a boot and shoe nailing machine, a frame having a boss, the feed shaft
mounted upon said boss, a toothed-wheel fast upon the latter, and the actuating-pawl,
combined with a rocking shield frictionally positioned exteriorly of the boss, and a
slotted bracket having adjustable stop pins to control the extremes in movement of the
shield, substantially as herein set forth.
:
Third The combination in a boot and shoe nailing machine having a continuous
feed wire, suitable feed mechanism a sliding block with a nail receiver p, and cutter n,
thereupon, of the plate m', movable transversely in the sliding block, the connecting
pin n', and operating lever I, substantially as and for purposes stated.
Fourth The combination with the sliding block H, the nail receiver p, into which
the end of a continuous wire is fed by proper mechanism, the cutter n thereupon, the
actuating lever I, with its connecting pin n¹ and movable plate m¹, of the fixed cutter m,
and the throat V, co-operating with the nail-receiver and driver 6¹ substantially as
described.
Fifth The combination with the frame A, and other co-operating parts of a boot
and shoe nailing machine, of a grooved steel plate a², adapted to admit of passage of
continuous feed wire, and the cap-plate (³, all operating substantially, as set
forth.
Sixth In a boot and shoe nailing machine, the combination with the various
instrumentalities for the formation of a nail, a driving-bar, and driver 6', of mechanism
for actuating the latter, composed of a horizontally disposed lever F secured at one
end to said driving-bar, the adjustable spring G at the opposite end, and the actuating
cam for intermittently raising and releasing said driving-bar, substantially as
specified.
Seventh: In combination with the driving-bar C, its lever F, and actuating cam E,
with arm c², of the actuating driving spring G, and its adjusting mechanisui, composed
of the nut 15, screw-threaded sleeve R moving end wise therethrough, and a check-
nut, substantially as set forth and stated.
Eighth In a boot and shoe nailing machine, the combination with the main shaft
the various operating parts by which a nail is formed, and driven, as berein specified,
and the friction block U, of a stop a³, loosely hung upon the machine frame, and
terminating in a foot G2, said foot adapted to swing eccentrically of the rim of the
block, substantially as therein stated.
Ninth The combination with a continuous wire from which nails are to be formed,
suitable feeding mechanism, and the main shaft which operates the same, of two
cams E Q, affixed upon said shaft and actuating respectively the driving-bar Cand

page_text: the lever I, with its sliding block H, one cam operating to permit the driving-bar to
drop, when the other cam has stopped the block carrying the nail now to be driven,
substantially as stated.
Tenth: In a boot and shoe nailing machine, the combination with a main shaft, a
wire feed shaft, and the toothed feed wheels having an endless wire passing there-
between of the cam Y³, upon the main shaft, the toothed wheel W, upon the feed
shaft the bell-lever i, which engages said cam, the spring-actuated pawl L, carried on
said bell-lever, and a rocking shield by which the feed is controlled to vary the length
of nails in process, substantially as specified.
Dated this Fifth day of September 1890.