Improvements in Machines for Burnishing Heels of Boots.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Oct., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 20th July, 1892-Accepted, 27th Aug., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Burnishing Heels of Boots.
I, WILLIAM HENRY DORMAN, of The Hawthorns, Newport Road, Stafford, in
the County of Stafford, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
.
One part of my invention consists in constructing a heel burnishing machine in
such a manner that the pressure of the burnishing iron upon the heel of the boot
is produced either entirely or partially by centrifugal force generated by the
movement of the machine.
Upon the spindle carrying the burnishing lever, or other convenient moving part
of the machine, I mount a weighted lever or levers, and connect them to the
burnishing lever in such a manner that the revolving movement of the spindle
shall generate centrifugal force in the weights and so press the burnishing iron on
to the boot heel.
The weighted levers may be arranged somewhat in the form of a steam engine
governor, and have the horizontal centre of the burnishing lever spindle, or other
convenient centre, for its axis, and be connected to the burnishing lever.
Or the burnishing lever may be mounted on a cross pivot in, or carried by, the
spindle and have weighted levers on opposite sides of the spindle, lying either
parallel to or at an angle with the spindle, in opposite directions from the cross
pivot.
The burnishing lever may be made in one with the weighted levers or pivotted
independently and connected to the weighted levers so as to be acted upon by their
movement.
The weighted levers may be so arranged that when the burnishing iron is nearer
the seat of the heel the weights shall be nearer the centre of the burnishing lever
spindle and act with less force upon the burnishing iron and when the burnishing
iron is nearer the small part of the heel the weights shall be further from the
spindle and act with greater force upon the burnishing iron.
Another part of my invention consists in making a connection between the
"jack" or boot holder and the burnishing lever so that the to and fro movement
of the "jack" shall operate upon a spring so as to alternately diminish and
increase its tension and so increase and diminish the pressure of the burnishing iron
upon the boot-heel.
The burnishing lever is mounted on a cross pivot carried by the burnishing lever
spindle, and the burnishing iron is pressed upon the boot heel by a spring.
In the centre of the burnishing lever spindle I insert a sliding rod which acts at
one end upon one arm of a bell crank carried by the spindle and having its other
arm connected by a spring to the burnishing lever. The other end of the sliding
rod projects far enough to be acted upon by the "jack."
If desired the sliding rod instead of acting upon a bell crank may be arranged to
act upon a cam and slide it to and fro upon the burnishing lever spindle. The cam
acting upon an adjustable inclined piece connected to the burnishing lever spring so
as to alternately increase and diminish the pressure of such spring upon the
burnishing lever. A second adjustable inclined piece, or an equivalent, may be
employed to give the cam an up and down movement.
The burnishing lever pivot may be so situated that the centrifugal force generated
by the movement of the lever shall be equal on each side of it.
Another part of my invention has reference to the position of the pivot which
carries the burnishing lever. Ordinarily this pivot is placed upon the same side of
the burnishing lever spindle as is the burnishing iron.

page_text: I place the burnishing lever pivot either at the centre of the burnishing lever
spindle or upon the opposite side of it to that on which the burnishing iron is
situated and I may carry the lever along for some distance on the same side of the
spindle as is the pivot before crossing over to the burnishing iron, and apply either
a weight or a spring to press the burnishing iron on to the boot heel.
Another part of my invention consists in applying an arrangement for ensuring
that the machine shall when stopped, either by the operator or by an automatic
stop motion, always come to rest with the burnishing iron in one particular
position.
For this purpose I prefer to drive the machine by a friction clutch which may
be held in gear by spring pressure. Upon the shaft carrying the heart cam, or
other convenient slow moving shaft, I mount a circular disc or equivalent having a
notch or depression at one part. A lever lies against this disc and is connected to
a second lever which it maintains in a position just out of reach of a projection on
the crank disc or other convenient part of the burnishing movement. The second
lever is connected to the clutch lever and may also be connected to a starting
treadle.
The circular disc is revolved by the machine until its notch comes opposite the
lever which, under the influence of a spring or weight, falls into the notch and
moves the second lever into the path of the before mentioned projection which
strikes upon
it and withdraws the clutch.
An independent stopping handle or treadle may be provided.
W. H. DORMAN.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Burnishing Heels of Boots.
I, WILLIAM HENRY DORMAN of The Hawthorns, Newport Road, Stafford, in
the County of Stafford, 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 :-
One part of my invention consists in constructing a heel burnishing machine in
such a manner that the pressure of the burnishing iron upon the heel of the boot is
produced, either entirely or partially, by centrifugal force generated by the move-
ment of the machine.
Upon the spindle carrying the burnishing lever, or other convenient moving part
of the machine, I mount a weighted lever or levers and connect them to the
burnishing lever in such a manner that the revolving movement of the spindle shall
generate centrifugal force in the weights and so press the burnishing iron on to the
boot heel.
The weighted levers may be arranged somewhat in the form of a steam engine
governor, and have the horizontal centre of the burnishing lever spindle, or other
convenient centre, for its axis and be connected to the burnishing lever.
Or the burnishing lever may be mounted on a cross pivot in or carried by the
spindle and have weighted levers on opposite sides of the spindle lying either
parallel to or at an angle with the spindle in opposite directions from the cross
pivot.
The burnishing lever may be made in one with the weighted levers or pivotted
independently and connected to the weighted lever: so as to be acted upon by their
movement.
The weighted levers may be so arranged that when the burnishing iron is nearer
the seat of the heel the weights shall be nearer the centre of the burnishing lever
spindle and act with less force upon the burnishing iron and when the burnishing
iron is nearer the small part of the heel the weights shall be further from the
spindle and act with greater force upon the burnishing iron.

page_text: "
Another part of my invention consists in making a connection between the "jack
or boot holder and the burnishing lever so that the to and fro movement of the
"jack" shall operate upon a spring so as to influence the amount of the pressure
exercised by the burnishing iron upon the boot heel.
The burnishing lever is mounted on a cross pivot carried by the burnishing lever
spindle and the burnishing iron is pressed upon the boot heel by a spring. In the
centre of the burnishing lever spindle I insert a sliding rod which acts at one end
upon one arm of a bell crank carried by the spindle and having its other arm
connected by a spring to the burnishing lever. The other end of the sliding rod
projects far enough to be acted upon by the "jack."
If desired the sliding rod instead of acting upon a bell crank may be arranged to
act upon a cam and slide it to and fro upon the burnishing lever spindle.
The cam acting upon an adjustable inclined piece connected to the burnishing
lever spring so as to alternately increase and diminish the pressure of such spring
upon the burnishing lever. A second adjustable inclined piece or an equivalent
may be employed to give the cam an up and down movement.
The burnishing lever pivot may be so situated that the centrifugal force generated
by the movement of the lever shall be equal on each side of it. In this case the
burnishing lever is balanced and the centrifugal force generated by its movement
does not affect the amount of pressure exercised by the burnishing iron upon the
boot heel which can then be independently applied and regulated by a spring.
Another part of my invention has reference to the position of the pivot which
carries the burnishing lever. Ordinarily this pivot is placed upon the same side of
the burnishing lever spindle as is the burnishing iron. I place the burnishing lever
pivot either at the centre of the burnishing lever spindle or upon the opposite side
of it to that on which the burnishing iron is situated and
may carry the lever
along for some distance on the same side of the spindle as is the pivot before
crossing over to the burnishing iron and apply either a weight or a spring to press
the burnishing iron on to the boot heel.
Another part of my invention consists in applying an arrangement for ensuring
that the machine shall when stopped, either by the operator or by an automatic
stop motion, always come to rest with the burnishing iron in one particular
position.
For this purpose I prefer to drive the machine by a friction clutch which may be
held in gear by spring pressure. Upon the shaft carrying the heart cam, or other
convenient slow moving shaft, I mount a circular disc or equivalent having a
notch or depression at one part. A lever lies against this disc and is connected to
a second lever which it maintains in a position just out of reach of a projection on
the crank disc, or other convenient part of the burnishing movement. The second
lever is connected to the clutch lever and may also be connected to a starting
treadle.
The circular disc is revolved by the machine until its notch comes opposite the
lever which under the influence of a spring or weight falls into the notch and moves
the second lever into the path of the before mentioned projection which strikes upon
it and withdraws the clutch.
An independent stopping handle or treadle may be provided.
My invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawings in which
Figs. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 8. 9. and 12. shew various methods in which the pressure of
the burnishing iron upon the heel of the boot is produced either entirely or partially
by centrifugal force generated by the movement of the machine.
Figs. 6 and 7 shew the connection between the "jack" and the burnishing
lever.
Figs. 10 and 11 shew the stopping arrangement.
Fig. 13 shews a detail of the same.
"
I carry the burnishing lever "a" (see Figs. 1 and 2) on a cross pivot "/" in the
spindle c which is caused to reciprocate in the bearings "d. d," through a partial
revolution, by means of a pinion e engaging with the ordinary oscillating
"

page_text: segment so that the burnishing lever " a "and the burnishing iron "" which it
carries move alternately from side to side in the usual well known manner from the
position "f1" to the position "f" and vice versa (as shewn in Fig. 1.) the boot
heel "g" being suitably supported and operated in the usual manner in regard to
the burnishing iron "f"
"
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a
The rear end "" of the burnishing lever" "I make heavy and connect it by
a link "" and pins "j. j." to a double ended lever "k" which is pivotted upon the
spindle с on a cross pivot "" and is also made heavy at the ends. The centri-
fugal force generated by the lever "k" and the end "h" of the burnishing
lever "a" as they are moved around by the spindle "c" causes them to fly outwards
from the centre of the spindle "c "and so press inwards, towards the centre and
upon the surface of the boot heel "g," the burnishing iron "f.”
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"
In Fig. 3. the arrangement is somewhat in the form of a steam engine governor.
The burnishing lever "a" being made in one with one of the weights "" and
with the other weight """ connected by links "" and pins "" to a piece "m
free to slide upon the spindle "cl." The piece "is fast upon the spindle "e"
and is furnished with pivots "b" which carry the burnishing lever "a" and the
weight ""respectively.
"
n
In Fig. 4. the burnishing lever "a" is made in one with the double ended
lever "," the whole being carried on a cross pivot "" in the spindle c².
In Fig. 5 the burnishing lever "a³ is in one with the weight "3" and is
pivotted on the pin "" while the weight "," in one with the arm "o," is
pivotted on the pin "1" and joined by the link "" and pins "" to the
weight "" The two pins "6" and "12" are carried in the piece "n" which is
fast upon the spindle c³."
In the front view Fig. 8 and side view Fig. 9 an arrangement is shewn in which
the pressure of the burnishing iron upon the boot heel is produced partially by the
centrifugal force generated by the movement of the burnishing lever and its
connections and partially by a spring in connection with the same.
The burnishing lever "a" is made with two sides "a" and "a" held together
with conveniently arranged cross stays "a" and is carried on the cross pivot "64"
which is fast in the spindle "." The spindle "" is reciprocated through a
partial revolution in the bearings "d" by means of the pinion "e"," as before
described, so as to operate the burnishing iron "f" around the boot heel "g."
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'
This
The rear end "h" of the lever "a" is made heavy and is connected by a
link "," having pivots "," with a double ended lever "*" which is mounted
on a cross pivot ""fast in the spindle "." The lever "*" is made like the
burnishing lever "a" with two sides connected together with conveniently arranged
cross stays "k³." The piece "p" is fast upon the spindle "c" and carries an
arm "p" which passes up between the sides of the burnishing lever "a" and is
furnished with an adjusting screw "p" and nut "p" To the adjusting
-screw "p" is attached by one end a spring "p1" the other end of which is
attached to the upper end "p" of the link "
link "" is constructed in the following manner.
previously referred to.
Its lower end is fast to or
made in one with the pivot "" and it passes through a hole, in which it is
free to slide, in the pivot "3" Between the two pivots "ja" and "*"
spring p" is interposed so that the connection between the burnishing
lever "
a" and the double ended lever "" is of an elastic nature. The object
of the spring "p" is to minimise the effect of suddenness of action of the iron "f"
upon the boot heel ", g as while the tendency of the lever "" is to move about
the centre of the spindle "e" in a circular path the iron "" is required to follow
the contour of the boot heel which curve is not truly circular.
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27
"
The relative weights of the end "" of the lever "a" and of the double ended
lever""may be of any suitable proportions, and if desired may be so propor-
tioned that the combined centrifugal force generated by the movement of the
lever "2" and the end "" of the burnishing lever may be balanced by the
centrifugal force generated by the movement of the portion "a** of the burnishing
"1

page_text: lever in which case the whole of the pressure of the iron "f" upon the heel "g"
would be applied by means of the spring "p*."
"
The "jack" "9" (a portion of which is shewn) is in the operation of the
machine moved inwards and outwards to and from the machine head "q" so as to
traverse the boot heel "g" under the iron " "f" and enable the latter to operate
between the top piece and the seat of the heel. This movement of the heel " "g"
causes the iron "f" to be further removed from the centre line "q" when the
iron "" is at or near the seat of the heel "g" than when the iron "f" is at the
smaller part and in order that the pressure of the spring "p" may not be unduly
increased by the outward movement of the iron "f" this movement causes the
end "p" of the link "" to move inwards, towards the spindle "c"," so that the
pressure exerted by the spring "p" upon the iron "f" remains as nearly as
possible constant whatever may be the position of the iron "f" upon the boot
heel " "g." The adjustable stop "q" is for the purpose of arresting the inward
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movement of the iron "f" when the boot heel is removed from under the iron.
Figs. 6 and 7 shew arrangements in which the to and fro movement of the "jack"
is caused to operate upon the burnishing lever spring so as either to prevent any
undue increase or diminution of its pressure or tension, or if desired may be
proportioned to alternately diminish and increase such tension.
The burnishing lever "a" Fig. 6 (which may be provided with a heavy end "*")
is carried on the pivot ""mounted on the piece "" on the spindle "" which
as before is carried in the bearings "d. d." and operated as usual.
7966
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22
Jointed to the jack '9" is a link "" which by means of a ball or universal
joint "" is attached to a rod ""which is arranged to slide in the spindle ""
and is at its other end jointed to one arm "" of a bell crank. The bell crank is
mounted on a pivot "4" carried in the piece "n" on the spindle "*" and the
other arm
$6 of the bell crank is connected by the spring": to the burnishing
lever "a" so that the to and fro movement of the "jack " operates the bell
crank and alternately raising and lowering the spring "" in conformity with the
raising and lowering of the iron "f" upon the boot heel "7" keeps the tension of
the spring "" uniform and the pressure of the iron "f" equal upon all parts of
the boot heel.
rod "
"
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In Fig. 7. the connection is made from the "jack 4," by means of a jointed
to a cam "" which is thus caused to slide by the movement of the
"jack q" to and fro upon the spindle "." This cam "" is of the same
outline as the outline of a top piece or heel seat. The same pivot "," which
carries the burnishing lever "a" carries also a lever "8" and the two
levers "a" are connected by the intervention of a volute spring 66 83. " The
lever "2" carries an adjustable piece "" which can be cramped in any desired
position upon the lever "" by means of the screw "" and has an inclined edge","
or an edge of a profile suitable for the heel under operation, bearing upon the
cam "" Thus the movement of the cam "1" to and fro upon the spindle "8"
acts upon the lever "through the incline piece "" so as to raise and lower the
same in conformity with the rising and falling of the iron "f" upon the boot
heel "" so as to maintain uniform the pressure of the spring "8" upon the
burnishing lever "a."
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If the inclination or shape of the edge "," be such that the movement of the
cam "does not cause the lever "" to move in exact conformity with the
lever "a"the tension of the spring "g" will alternately increase and diminish as
will also the pressure of the iron "f" upon the boot heel "g." A very similar
result may be arrived at by varying the proportional lengths of the arms "3"
and ""of the bell crank shewn in Fig. 6.
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"
If it is desired to give a greater rise and fall to the lever "a" to suit heels
baving a great deal of pitch or inclination at the back the cam gl" may be made
to rise and fall by connecting it through a jointed rod """ to a bell crank "8"
which is pivotted on a pin "" in the column or frame of the machine and operated

page_text: by a second jointed rod "10" connected to the "jack q." The rod ",10" may be
adjustable in a slot """ in the bell crank "8" for the purpose of regulating the
amount of rise and fall desired to be given to the cam "."
Fig. 12 shews an arrangement in which the pivot "" carrying the burnishing
lever "a" is upon the opposite side of the spindle "c" to that on which the
burnishing iron "f" is situated and the burnishing lever "a" is carried along
sufficiently far to receive an adjustable weight "/" before crossing over to carry
the burnishing iron "f."
Figs. 10. 11 and 13 illustrate that part of my invention by which the burnishing
iron is always brought to rest in one and the same position relatively to the boot
heel when the machine is stopped.
The driving shaft "t" is carried in bearings "1" in the machine frame and I
furnish it with a belt pulley "u" running loose upon the shaft "t." Engaging with
the belt pulley "u "I arrange a friction clutch "u" held in engagement by means
of a spring "u" and serving to give motion to the driving shaft "t." The ordinary
crank disc "" which operates (through the usual connecting rod and segment
connections) the burnishing lever is mounted on one end of the driving shaft "t"
and the other end of the shaft carries the pulley "+" which through the belt "5"
pulley ""worm "7" worm wheel "8" shaft "" and heart cam "10" give
motion in the usual manner to the "jack" which carries the boot.
"
Upon the shaft "" I mount a disc "" having a notch or depression
"1" and
I arrange a lever "" mounted on a shaft "3" so that its upper end, preferably
furnished with a roll "," may engage with the disc "v." The shaft "3" is
carried in bearings "" and a spring "y" holds the lever "" in contact with
the disc "." On the shaft "" is a bell crank "7" its vertical arm forked and
engaging the lever "8" so as to be capable of sliding the same to and fro upon
feathers in the shaft "" and its horizontal arm jointed to a rod "10" which may
be operated by a treadle.
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The crank disc "" is furnished with a lug """ which, when the lever ""
is moved inwards, towards the driving shaft "t," by movement of the lever ""
shaft "3" and bell crank "," comes in contact with the end "" of the
lever "" and when the lever "28" is brought outwards, away from the driving
shaft "t" by an opposite movement of the lever "3" shaft "" and bell crank "v","
passes clear of the end "212" of the lever "." Upon the shaft "," which is
carried in suitable bearings "3" in the frame, is mounted a lever or levers "yl"
which engage the friction clutch "" and operate to draw the same out of engage-
ment with the pulley "whenever the lug 66 11 39 comes in contact with the
end" of the lever " y "
u
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24
'
The above described arrangement operates in the following manner.
If the
pulley "u "be constantly rotated by means of a belt and if by means of a convenient
treadle the bell crank "" be operated so as to hold the lever "" out of contact
with the lug "" the spring "u" will press the clutch "u" into engagement with
the pulley " and the crank disc "3" will operate the burnishing lever. Mean-
while the belt """ pulleys " " worm "7" and wheel "8" will revolve the
disc "" causing the notch "1" to pass from under the roll "" and the
surface "8" of the disc will come in contact so as to hold, through the lever ","
shaft "3" and bell crank "," the lever "8" out of the path of the lug "," and
the machine will continue to run. When however the disc "v" has completed
revolution and the notch """ comes again under the roll "" the spring "" (the
treadle being released) will cause the lever "2" to fly into the notch "" and the
lever into the path of the lug "l" which striking upon it instantly withdraws
the clutch "u" from engagement with the pulley """ and the spring "" at the
same time is brought into action as a buffer to arrest the further revolution of the
crank disc "." So that the operator may be able to stop the machine at any
desired moment irrespective of the position of the notch "" in regard to the
lever "" separate means are provided by which this may be accomplished. A
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a

page_text: joint "," allowing of horizontal movement, is made in the lever "" and a
handle "" is provided so that the end "2" of the lever ""may be moved into
the path of the lug ""."
Although in the drawings Figs. 6 and 7 the connection between the moving
"jack" and the burnishing arrangement is shewn as made to the cramping jaw "q
which bears against the top-piece of the heel this connection may if desired be made.
to the main body of the "jack" or part which carries the boot.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. In a machine for burnishing the heels of boots and shoes: balancing the
burnishing lever and connections in such a manner that the tendency of the burnishing
iron to fly off the heel when in motion owing to the action of the centrifugal force
is more or less completely neutralized. Substantially as described.
2. So constructing a machine for burnishing the heels of boots and shoes that the
centrifugal force generated by the movement of the burnishing lever and its con-
nections shall act to press the burnishing iron upon the heel. Substantially as
described.
3. So constructing a machine for burnishing the heels of boots and shoes that.
the pressure required for burnishing the heel is obtained partially by the action of
the centrifugal force generated by the movement of the burnishing lever and its
connections and partly by a spring. Substantially as described.
.
4. In a machine for burnishing the heels of boots and shoes: placing the pivot
which carries the burnishing lever either at the centre of the oscillating
burnisher lever spindle or upon the opposite side of such spindle to that side on.
which the burnishing iron is situated. Substantially as described.
5. Constructing a machine for burnishing the heels of boots and shoes with a
connection between the moving "jack" or boot holder and the burnishing arrange-
ment so arranged that the to and fro movement of the "jack" shall act upon a
spring so as to influence the amount of pressure exerted by it upon the burnishing
iron. Substantially as described.
6. Constructing a heel burnishing machine with a cam and a connection between
the moving "jack" or boot holder and such cam so arranged that the movement of
the "jack" shall operate the cam so as to affect the amount of pressure exercised
by the burnishing iron upon the boot heel. Substantially as described. .
7. In a heel burnishing machine constructed with a cam giving to such cam a
rising and falling movement by means of a connection made between it and the
"jack" or boot holder for the purpose of influencing the amount of pressure
exercised by the burnishing iron upon the boot heel. Substantially as described.
8. Constructing a heel burnishing machine with an arrangement by which when-.
ever the machine is stopped, either by the operator or by an automatic stop motion,
the burnishing iron shall always come to rest in one and the same position in relation.
to the boot heel. Substantially as described.