Improvements in Apparatus for Finishing the Soles and Heels of Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Sept., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 8th June, 1897-Accepted, 10th July, 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Finishing the Soles and Heels of
Boots and Shoes.
I, THOMAS HOBSON of 45, Welford Road, Leicester, Boot and Shoe Manufacturer
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:--
This invention has for its object to provide a device or apparatus for use in
finishing the soles and heels of boots and shoes as hereinafter described.
After the well known burnishing or blacking process, the operator takes a dull
knife or blade and scrapes or removes the black coating from the marginal edge of
the sole and heel so as to expose the rivets.
This operation has heretofore been performed by hand but the present invention
consists of á revolving tool by which the operation of removing the black from the
parts named and also of polishing the heads of the rivets can be more expeditiously,
economically and effectively performed.
The tool provided for this purpose may be fitted on a revolving shaft or spindle
and have a suitable number of teeth, projections or serrations against or under
which the marginal edge of the boot sole or heel may be held or moved along for
the purpose named.
The said tool may be furnished or used in combination with a guard against
which the edge of the sole or heel may be pressed while it is passed underneath
the tool.
The teeth, serrations or projections on the acting face of the tool may be cut or
formed in different ways.
Ja of Santamalion 1806
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Apparatus for Finishing the Soles and Heels of
Boots and Shoes.
I, THOMAS HOBSON of 45, Welford Road, Leicester, Boot and Shoe Manufacturer,
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 has for its object to provide a device or apparatus for use in
finishing the soles and heels of boots and shoes as hereinafter described.
At present, after the well known burnishing or blacking process is completed,

page_text: the operator takes a dull knife or blade and scrapes or removes the black surface
coating from the marginal edge of, the sole and heel so as to expose the rivets.
This operation has heretofore been performed by hand but the present invention
consists of a revolving tool by which the operation of removing the black or
coating from the parts named and also of polishing the heads of the rivets can be
more expeditiously, economically and effectively performed.
The tool provided for this purpose may be fitted on a revolving shaft or spindle
and have a suitable number of teeth, projections or serrations against or under
which the marginal edge of the boot sole or heel may be held or moved along
for the purpose.
The said tool may be furnished or used in combination with a guard against
which the edge of the sole or heel may be pressed while it is passed underneath
the tool.
The teeth, serrations or projections on the acting face of the tool may be cut
or formed in different ways.
The invention will be fully understood from the following further description
in reference to the accompanying drawing in which,
Figure 1 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of so much of a
machine having my invention applied thereto as is necessary to illustrate the
invention.
Figure 2 is a plan of the tool per se.
A represents the tool which as shown most clearly in Figure 2 is furnished on
its face with a complement of radial teeth or projecting surfaces A¹.
It is provided with a central bore A2 so as to admit of being placed on the
end of a revolving spindle B.
The boss A³ of the tool is pushed close against a shoulder B¹ on the spindle
and the tool is fixed in operative position on the spindle by a set pin C passing
through both A and B as shown in Figure 1.
The tool in its face has a circular concentric cavity A Figure 2 in which an
independently rotatable guard D is located, the latter being passed over the end
of the spindle so as to fit loosely thereon and is kept from falling away by a
conical washer E underneath it maintained in position by a countersunk headed
screw F passing into the end of the spindle as shown in Figure 1.
The guard as shown is preferably of two different diameters, the larger fitting
within the tool cavity A.
The vertical spindle may pass through bearings G1 G2 in the head G of any
suitable machine or framing and between the bearings may be a pulley H for
driving it.
The operation is as follows:-
The edge of the sole or heel of a boot or shoe is pressed by the operator against
the periphery of the independently rotatable guard D with the tread surface of
the sole uppermost and in contact with the serrated face of the rapidly revolving
tool A, the frictional contact with which removes the black surface or coating
from the marginal edge of the sole or heel and exposes the rivets therein and at
the same time polishes the heads of the rivets and improves their appearance.
The operator may move the boot sole to and fro under the tool and the in-
dependently rotatable guard will facilitate this action and prevent the scorching
of the edge of the sole which would otherwise take place if the guard were fast
on the spindle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. Removing the finished or coated surface from the marginal edges of the
soles or heels of boots and shoes by applying the same to the toothed or serrated
face of a rapidly revolving tool substantially as described.

page_text: 2. In a machine for the purpose specified the combination with a revolving
spindle of a tool such as A A¹ substantially as described.
3. In a machine for the purpose specified the combination with a revolving
spindle of a tool such as A A fast thereon and an independently rotatable guard
such as D substantially as described.
4. The complete apparatus constructed, arranged and operating substantially as
and for the purpose described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 4th day of June 1897.
Vitness:-
E. N. LEWIS,
Berridge Street Chambers,
Leicester.
THOMAS HOBSON.
Boult & Wade,
Agents for the Applicant