AN IMPROVED BOOT AND KNIFE CLEANING MACHINE
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Tobiah Pepper, of No. 17, Newington Green, in
the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of." AN IMPROVED BOOT AND
KNIFE CLEANING MACHINE."
Sealed the 13th October 1864, and dated the 22nd April 1864.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Tobiah Pepper at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
22nd April 1864.
I, TOBIAH PEPPER, of No. 17, Newington Green, in the County of Middlesex,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED BOOT AND
KNIFE CLEANING MACHINE," to be as follows, viz. :-
The object of this improved machine is to clean boots and shoes, knives
and forks, and such like articles in a more efficient and rapid manner and in
much greater numbers at one operation than can be accomplished at present
by any other machine or apparatus.
The leading principle of my Invention is this, that the articles to be cleaned.
are held firmly by suitable spring holders radiating from a common axis, and
in their revolutions these spring holders press such articles through sets of
improved cleaning apparatus.
This improved machine consists of a fixed circular case or drum of any.
convenient diameter and length; through which passes a rotating axis. Upon
this axis are fixed through its whole internal length or otherwise any:
convenient number of radial bosses to receive and retain the necessary
radiating spring holders.

page_text: The several sets of improved cleaning apparatus used in my machine
consist of a series of brushes and other cleaning and polishing substances and
surfaces of such peculiar construction and arrangement as will best secure
the greatest efficiency. They are principally attached to the inner side of
the periphery of the drum, and of which their bases form moveable parts or
ares which can be readily fixed for use, removed; adjusted; and replaced at
pleasure.
1
For the purpose of cleaning boots and shoes these sets of improved cleaning
apparatus consist of any required number of pairs of elastic or spring brushes
and other suitable substances for the purpose of cleaning, blacking, and
polishing, nearly semicircular in form, of sufficient size to span a boot, and of
any convenient length in the line of motion. They are open at the top of the
circle or arc, but meet or overlap in the centre thereof, so as to permit the
boots to pass freely through the segmental chamber, while the spring or
elasticity of the arcs presses the brushes and other required substances which
Jine the inner surfaces of the ares firmly against all parts of the boots as they
pass briskly through the chamber, and thus secure the same amount of
brilliant polish as can be given by hand brushing. The blacking is supplied
to the necessary brushes from a reservoir connected therewith and conveyed
through suitable channels to all parts of the brushes.
For knives the improved cleaning apparatus consists principally of any
required number of pairs of long spring brushes and other suitable substances
and surfaces adapted for cleaning, sharpening, and polishing purposes, which
extend from the periphery of the drum of the machine about eight inches or
more towards the common axis, but at right angles thereto and parallel to the
plane of motion. These brushes and other surfaces are placed with their
faces in contact with each other, and may extend to any convenient distance
round the periphery or circle of motion, so that as the radiating spring holders
rotate upon the axis they press the knives between the several sets of cleaning,
sharpening, and polishing surfaces, which through their elastic pressure upon
the articles secure the desired sharpening and polishing effects. A rotary
motion is given to this machine by any convenient mode or power.
The simplicity and facility of this machine are such that the number of
articles which it can easily be made capable of bringing under the cleaning
process at the same time may be increased to meet any requirement, even
to the extent of some two or three hundred articles at once if necessary, while.
a lad is quite sufficient to work it.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, fil
by the said Tobiah Pepper in the Great Seal Patent Office on t
22nd October, 1864.
:
:
TO. ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, TOB
PEPPER, of No. 17, Newington Green, in the County of Middlesex, send
-greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters.
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-second day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-seventh year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said Tobiah Pepper, Her special licence that I, the said
Tobiah Pepper, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said Tobiah Pepper, 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 term 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
"AN IMPROVED BOOT AND KNIFE CLEANING MACHINE," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Tobiah Pepper, my executors or administrators,
by an instrument. in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
seals, 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 Tobiah Pepper, 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 following
statement:
The object of this improved machine is to clean boots and shoes, knives
and forks, and such like articles in a more efficient and rapid manner and in
much greater numbers at one operation than can be accomplished at present
by any other machine or apparatus...
:
The leading principle in my Invention is this, that the articles to be
cleaned are held firmly by suitable spring holders radiating from a common
axis by means of radial. bosses, and in their.: revolutions these spring holders,
press such articles through sets of. improved cleaning apparatus..
This improved machine consists of a fixed, circular case or drum of any.

page_text: convenient diameter and length, through which passes a rotating axis, and
mounted upon any convenient stand.
This machine, with its internal fittings, apparatus, and use, will be clearly
wn by the Drawings annexed hereto accompanied by the following
ription. Upon the axis of this machine are fixed through its whole
Anal length or otherwise any convenient number of radial bosses to receive
and retain the necessary radiating spring holders.
Fig. 1 shows this axis with two of the radial bosses. A, A, is the cylin-
drical axis running through the extreme length of the drum of any required
diameter, and made of either wood or metal. This axis terminates at each
"end in a spindle a, a, the spindle acting at each end in bearings fixed either
to the supporting frame, as in Fig. 24, or to the sides of the fixed drum. A
fly wheel, treadle and crank, or drum and band may be fixed to the spindle if
required. B, B, are two bosses radiating from the axis, to which they are
firmly fixed by strong screws. Any convenient number from one to sixteen
of these bosses may be fixed upon the axis through its whole internal length,
allowing sufficient lateral room for them to rotate freely with the axis within
the drum. These bosses if made of metal may be about of an inch thick
and about 7 inches deep. They are mortised to the depth of about 4 inches
in any desired number of places, as at b; b, b. These mortices are for the
purpose of enabling the bosses to receive and retain the spring holders firmly
while at work.
Fig. 2 shows one of these radiating spring holders C, C, adapted for boot
cleaning, and Fig. 3 another set of spring holders D, D, adapted for knife
and fork cleaning. It will be at once seen that the upper part of both these
holders are alike, and they both correspond to the mortices in the bosses. In
Figs. 2 and 3 the tenons b, b, b, exactly fit into the mortices of Fig. 1, marked
also b, b, b, by which the spring holders are fixed into the bosses and held
firm therein by thumbscrews passing through the bosses, as at 6', ', thus
securing the holders from derangement and oscillation while at work. The
lower part of the spring holder, Fig. 2, terminates in 4 spring legs c, c, c,
about 12 or 13 inches long, for the purpose of holding 4 boots or shoes abreast,
with a tapering tongue running about half way down the leg, as at c', c', c¹.
At the bottom of the tongue there is a metal frame or socket c², into which a
foot piece fixes with a plate and screw. The lower part of each of these legs
is carved to suit the heel of the boot, to which also a heel piece may be
attached. In Fig. 3 there are a number of openings or beds in the lower
part about 4 or 5 inches long, fitted with springs and lined with some soft
material, as at d, d, d, into which the handles of knives or forks are to be

page_text: inserted for cleaning, as at d¹, d', and a lid or covering hinged upon the
face of the holder at d², d, being fitted with an elastic lining, is fastened
down entirely over the handles and forms an additional spring guard to
the handles, preventing any oscillation or displacement during the cleaning
process as well as protecting them from dust and friction. It will be
found preferable to make these spring holders of metal, their size varying
according to the size of the machine, and they can be made to hold a less
greater number of articles than what is shown in the Drawings. In
ers for knives there is a spring stop placed on each edge, as at d³, d³,
and a corresponding fixed one to each of these on the frame of the machine
for the purpose of preventing a backward motion while knives are being
cleaned, as they must always be cleaned with a direct or forward motion, and
these spring stops would prevent any one giving the axis a backward motion.
When forks are being cleaned these stops are to be held back by a screw
lever, so as to allow the rotation to be both direct and backward.
Fig. 4 is the foot piece before mentioned. E is the expanding part, which
enters the boot and is made of thin sheet metal, thinner at the sides than at
the instep, somewhat in the shape of the fore part of the foot. The sides being
partially elastic will compress or expand to the size of the boot; the bracket
plate e fixes into the socket of the tongue of the spring holder, as before
alluded to.
"
Fig. 5 is the metal heel piece referred to, which is attached to the bottom
of the leg in the spring holder by two pins fixed inside the heel piece,
which pass through the leg and thus secure its position while in use. The sides
F, F, are sufficiently elastic to adapt themselves to the width of the boot.
Fig. 6 shows the foot and heel pieces attached to the spring holder at f
quite ready for receiving a boot to be cleaned.
:
Fig. 7 shows the use and value of the metal tongue, for without this tongue
it would require a different foot piece for each of the various sized boots to be.
cleaned, and there would also be a difficulty in placing a boot upon the holder
and the same in removing it. But the tongue acting as a spring allows the
foot piece to contract into a shorter.space by yielding to the required pressure,
as at G, and the toe of the foot piece, whose natural position would be at g, is
thereby brought to g', and the broad part of the sides of the foot piece
encloses a part of the heel piece, as at g².
Fig. 8 exhibits a boot placed upon the holder ready for cleaning. The
boot being rather a small one compresses the foot piece to its own shape and
size by means of the tongue, which is thrust back some little distance from its
position, as at G. The foot piece being made to fit the largest sized boots

page_text: will suit any smaller size by contraction, and the strength of the spring in the
tongue is such as to keep the foot piece thrust out to the fullest extent the
boot will allow. Additional strength may be given if desired to the expansion
of the foot piece by a spiral spring or other elastic power fixed within the
foot piece and projecting against the inner back of the heel piece.
Fig. 9 is a waterproof stocking H, which can be fixed upon the upper part
of the legh to be drawn over such boot tops as do not require to be blackened,
an having an elastic band h' at the bottom will effectually protect the
from the action of the brushes, while the lower part of the boot is left ne
cleaning, as at h³.
The several sets of improved cleaning apparatus used in my machine consist
of a series of brushes and other cleaning and polishing surfaces, of such
peculiar construction and arrangement as will best secure the greatest
efficiency. They are principally attached to the inner side of the periphery
of the drum, and of which their bases form moveable parts or arcs, which
can be readily fixed for use, removed, adjusted, and replaced at pleasure.
For the purpose of cleaning boots and shoes these sets of improved
cleaning apparatus consist of any required number of pairs of elastic or spring
brushes, and other suitable substances, for the purpose of cleaning, blacking,
and polishing, nearly semicircular in form, of sufficient size to span a boot,
and of any convenient length in the line of motion. They are open at the
top of the are, but meet or overlap in the centre thereof, so as to permit the
boot to pass freely through the segmental chamber, while the spring or
elasticity of the arcs presses the brushes and other required substances which
line the inner surface of the arcs firmly against all parts of the boots as they
pass briskly through the chamber, and secure the same amount of brilliant
polish as can be given by hand. The blacking is supplied to the necessary
brushes from a reservoir connected therewith, and conveyed through suitable
channels to all parts of the brushes.
Fig. 10 exhibits a pair of these brushes in their natural or undisturbed
state, forming nearly a semicircle, and attached to the frame of the periphery
I, I, as their base. At J, J, is shewn the lower side of one of these brushes,
which is straight, without any breaks or joints, about 1 inches deep. Upon
the top of this are hinged by india-rubber or other elastic material several
short brushes J', J', about 1 inch deep, and all hinged together in the same
way, and upon the top of these a series of tapering brushes, as at J2, J³, are
also hinged. They are about 3 inches wide at the base, and about 1 inch at
the extreme ends, which are about 3 inches from the base. They may be
either straight or slightly curved, and of a cylindrical shape. Their foundations

page_text: may be of metal. They are placed about 1½ inches apart, in order to allow
their fellow. brushes of the same shape from the other side to overlap amongst
them, as these also overlap on the further side. These top brushes have a
joint at their half length, and may be divided down the centre, and held
together loosely by strips of vulcanized india-rubber, so as to allow them a
little play. All these lateral joints are grooved on the outer side, and along
this groove is firmly inserted a piece of vulcanized india-rubber or narrow
tubing, which acts as a spring, and by enclosing this tubing within a band of
the same material a counter spring is produced; preventing the brushes from
falling below a certain curve, or the band may run at right angles to the
tubing. The required strength of spring and clasticity is regulated by the
diameter and thickness of the tube and band. At K we see the method of a
boot entering the segmental chamber of the brushes, which by their mutual
overlapping position and spring embrace the boot fully at the top as well as at
the sides, and as the boot presses briskly forward amongst the brushes they
are gradually raised by the figure of the boot until they reach the heel, when
they at once descend to their original position, and at the same time give any
amount of friction to the surface of the boot, by which it is cleaned and
brought into a beautiful polish.
Fig. 11 gives an enlarged view of one of the brushes with the spring
tubing and band in position. L, L, is the bottom brush, fastened down to the
frame of the periphery of the drum at its lower edge by double hinges of
india-rubber or other approved elastic fastening, one on each side, by which
it will yield to the pressure of a much larger sized boot. 1, 1, 1, is the india-
rubber tubing filling in the grooved joints of the differeut brushes, which acts
as a powerful spring to press the brushes down, and ', 1', ', is the band of
india-rubber in its twofold position, which prevents the brushes from being
pressed too much over and sinking beyond the required curve. The necessary
spring and elasticity may also be given by metal springs instead of or conjointly
with india-rubber..
One mode of making the blacking brushes is shown by Figure 12. These
brushes require to be rather smaller than the others, and closer together;'
their general form is much the same. The overlapping parts M; M; are not
divided with lateral or transverse joints, as in the others; but their great-
peculiarity is, that they are hollow, for the purpose of holding and transmitting
the blacking. The foundation or under surface into which the hair is inserted
is made of copper or other suitable metal or material, which is freely per-
forated between the tufts of hair. Over this is laid a thick coating of sponge
or other absorbent material throughout. every part of the brushes, and a

page_text: . covering of waterproof cloth or other suitable material encloses the sponge,
and is well fastened down to the edges of the foundation, so as to prove water-
tight. The sponge thus becomes a bed or stuffing within the covering, into
which the blacking flows down from its reservoir, and as the sponge becomes
full of blacking, it gives it out to the brushes through the perforations
amongst the hair tufts, by which it is readily communicated to the boots as
they pass under and between the brushes. Instead of the small tubing in-the
joints, as shewn in the other brushes, the pressure and elasticity are maintained
by two india-rubber tubes of unequal diameter running the whole length of
the brushes. The upper tube m, m, is fixed at about 2 inches high to the
side of the upright plate which separates each pair of brushes, its diameter is
about 2 inches; it exerts an excellent pressure upon the brushes in every
position. Under this is another tube m¹, m', about of an inch in diameter,
fixed in the same way at about an inch from the base of the brush. This
small tube acts upon the upper part of the base brush. Should any additional
pressure be desired it can be easily secured by fixing small metal springs
either inside or outside of the brushes. The blacking brushes are fixed to the
inner side of the periphery of the drum like the other brushes; but a channel
of perforated metal is made in the periphery immediately over the long
bedding of sponge, and communicating therewith, so that the blacking as it
Hows down these channels from the reservoir is at once absorbed by the
sponge in contact therewith, and is immediately communicated through the
perforations to all parts of the brushes.
Fig. 13 shows the arrangement of the blacking brushes in reference to the
position of the reservoir and channels. N, N, is a moveable portion of the
periphery of the drum of the machine, and forms the base of the blacking
brushes, as other portions of the periphery do of the other brushes. The 4
spaces n, n, represent the parts occupied by each pair of brushes. The
frame n¹, n², represents the position of the blacking reservoir across the middle
of the brushes from side to side of the machine, and at right angles to the.
line of motion. The 5 orifices n², n², are the metal pipes, into which fit
corresponding tubes at the bottom of the reservoir, and communicate with the
channels n³, n³, running each side of the reservoir, the bottoms of which are
perforated for conveying the blacking to the brushes.
Fig. 14 represents the blacking reservoir. O, O, is the body of the 3
reservoir, made of tin or other metal. The upper part is circular, with a
flat battom, to fix steadily on the frame n', n. It is about 2 or 3 inches
wide, and the length is equal to the width of the machine; o is the lid;
o, o, point out the position of the supply pipes at the bottom of the reservoir,

page_text: and which fit into the tubes or orifices n³, n²; and o2 is the key which com
municates with the taps in the supply pipes o', o', and by which the supply of
blacking to all the channels is regulated. The position of the blacking
brushes being at the top of the machine, the reservoir will be situated exactly
at the top of the curve, consequently the blacking will have a gradual descent
down the channels on each side. This frame, containing the set of blacking
brushes, is made to fasten into the machine, so as to be easily removed and
refixed at pleasure; this is also the case with all the brushes, whether for
boots or knives; by this means they can be readily examined, cleaned, and
repaired without difficulty.
:
Fig. 15 gives a transvorso sectional view of the internal part of the
machine, showing the axis A and one of the bosses B, with a spring holder C
for boots fitted into its place, the tenons b, b, being slipped into and fastened
in their mortices b, b. An end view of the brushes is seen at K, K, with the
legs between them, without the foot pieces, and boots, J, J, is the periphery
of the drum.
.
In Fig. 16 we have a sectional elevation of a part of the machine paralle!
to the line of motion, and showing the position of the boot-cleaning apparatus.
J, J, is the periphery of the machine; A, the axis; B, B, an edge view of the
bosses, with their line of motion; C, C, radiating spring holders, on one of
which is seen a boot ready to be carried through the various brushes for
cleaning; K shows the position of the dirt or cleaning brushes, they occupy
about 60° of the circle. L marks the position of the blacking brushes, being
situated at the top of, the machine, they occupy about 30° or 40°; while M
shows the position of the polishing brushes, occupying about 60° of the
periphery. The three sets of brushes should be placed in the machine as they
are required. Let the set K for cleaning be placed in first, and when the
machine has had a few turns both forward and backward with the boots on
the spring holders, they will be cleaned from their dirt and ready for blacking.
This set should then be removed, and the other two sets L and M should then
be fastened into their proper places, with sufficient blacking in the reservoir,
the taps opened, and after a few turns of the machine lift out the blacking
brushes and finish off the boots with a few more revolutions, and they will be
sufficiently polished for removal. In cleaning boots the machine should be
turned several times in alternate directions, which will greatly add to the
cleaning and polishing effects. This sized machine taking 4 boots on each
spring holder, and with 16 radial bosses, would clean 64 boots at one.
operation.
For knives the improved cleaning apparatus consists of any required

page_text: number of pairs of long spring brushes, and other suitable substances and
surfaces adapted for cleaning, sharpening, and polishing knives and forks,
which extend from the periphery of the drum about 8 inches or more towards
the common axis, but at right angles thereto, and parallel to the plane of
motion. These brushes and other surfaces (to all of which for the sake of
simplicity I give the general term brushes, whether they be composed wholly
or partially of hair, bristles, leather, felt, cloth, india-rubber, or other suitable
material for cleaning, sharpening, and polishing knives and such like articles)
are placed with their faces in contact with each other, and may extend to any
convenient distance round the periphery or circle of motion, so that as the
radiating spring holders rotate upon the axis they press the knives and forks
between the several sets of cleaning, sharpening, and polishing brushes, which
through their elastic pressure upon the articles secure the desired effects..
Fig. 17 shows a portion of the face of one of the cleaning brushes for
knives and forks. The hair or other suitable material used is placed in
diagonal lines and parallel to those on the opposite brushes, so that the knives
in passing between these surfaces and those on the face of the corresponding
brush receive a perfect and even pressure throughout. The cleaning powder
is supplied through perforated channels in the base. Additional elastic
strength may be given to the brushes by fixing a small vulcanized india-
rubber tube behind them, as at E, E. The hair. or other material used is
inserted into the back of the brush e, e, which I prefer to be made of copper.
Fig. 18 is an end view of a portion of a set of these brushes showing how
their surfaces meet, and between which the knives are carried with their
backs forward in the line F, f, which prevents any injury to their edges, as
well as assists to sharpen them. In the space between the backs of each pair
of brushes, as at ff, I fill in a stuffing of india-rubber or other elastic
material. These brushes are adapted for cleaning forks by giving
more space between the surfaces; and fixing long bristles or hair at the base
of the brushes, so as to act between the prongs.
:
a little
Fig. 19 is an enlarged portion of the face of one of the sharpening brushes,
which is composed of a series of long strips of leather, felt, india-rubber, gutta
percha, or other elastic substance G, G, coated with cloth or other suitable
material if necessary, and inserted into the back of the brush H, I, and
running in a diagonal direction. Under these are fixed to the same founda-
tion india-rubber or gutta percha tubes I, I, which act in the twofold service
of elastic pressure and support. The face of the opposite brush having also
similar strips and tubes running parallel therewith, their surfaces not only
meet, but by reciprocal pressure form a mutual curve, as seen in Fig. 20,

page_text: which is an end view of 4 pairs of these brushes. G, G, are the elastic strips
meeting together and forming an excellent double curve, through which the
knives pass in the line G, g, the elasticity being strengthened by the
tubes I, I. Upon these surfaces emery powder or other sharpening
ingredient is well embedded, so that as the knives are pressed between these
surfaces they become sharpened, and having a uniform action and pressure
exerted upon them throughout, they are not subject to those inequalities of
pressure arising from alternate surfaces in opposite positions, which are calcu-
lated to bend the knives and blunt the edges.
Instead of the strips and tubes as herein shown, they may be entirely dis-
pensed with, and the same effect produced by employing a larger tube with a
small one drawn in it, or stuffed with similar material, and coated and pre-
pared in a similar way, , and which by being fastened to the back by a strong
metal band or wire passing through the bore would give the advantage of
frequently changing the position of the sharpening surfaces as presented to
the knives by only a slight revolution of the tube. A slip of thin sheet metal
may be fixed along the fronts of the strips or tubes about of an inch high,
and terminating in a thin edge. This will protect the apparatus from being
injured by bent and crooked kuives, and also prove an excellent guide, as at
J, J, J. This arrangement is also adapted for the polishing brushes, with a
slight modification as to a softer coating material and finer ingredients for
polishing.
::
In Fig. 21, K, K, is the frame or base of a set of cleaning brushes, suited
for 12. knives abreast at a time, being the number each spring holder carries
through the brushes at one time. It forms a. chamber to hold the cleaning
or other powder, about 1 or 2 inches deep, and of the dimensions of the frame,
with a suitable lid; k, k, are openings into the faces of the brushes where there
surfaces meet, and between which the knives are carried: These openings are
angular at the bottom next the brushes and open directly into the brushes, so
that these being kept full of the required powder; give it out to the brushes,"
which draw it in by their mutual action each time the knives pass through
them. They could also be supplied with the powder in a similar way to that
of the blacking brushes, by a reservoir communicating "by pipes to the chan-
nels; but the former way is the more simple.
Fig. 22 shows a front elevation of one of the radii of the machine, illus-
trating the application of the radial bosses and spring holders to the purpose of
cleaning knives and forks.
:
A, A, is the axis; B, B, one of the radial bosses; D, D, one of the spring
holders adapted for knives and forks, and fitted by its tenons b, b, into the

page_text: mortices b, b, of the boss. K, K, a set of cleaning brushes, in which some
knives are seen in their places and passing through the brushes between their
surfaces. J, J, is the periphery of the drum and to which the brushes are
attached. The knives are placed in the spring holder
their handles edge-
ways d, d, and the forks with their handles flatways. The handles being
entirely within the spring they are protected and secured by the lid d', d, and
the bilt or shoulder of the knife being outside with the blade among the
brushes. The edge of the knife must always be placed downwards, as the line
of motion is from back to edge; this prevents the edges being blunted and
bent, while it has also a sharpening effect upon the edges. The backward motion
is prevented by the spring stops d, d²; but for forks the motion is both
forward and backward alternately, that is, several times each way.
Fig. 23, a sectional elevation of a part of the machine at right angles to the
axis, and parallel to the line of motion, similar to Fig. 16. This shows edge-
ways the radial bosses with their line of motion B, B, the radiating spring
holders D, D, with knives in their revolutions amongst the faces of the brushes.
The knife-cleaning apparatus in this occupies similar and corresponding
positions to the boot-cleaning apparatus in Fig 16. K, K, show the position
of the cleaning brushes occupying about 60° of the circle or periphery; L, L,
represent the sharpening brushes which occupy about 30° or 40°; and M, M,
mark the position of the polishing brushes, with the manner of the knives
passing over their faces. This sized machine will allow for 16 radial bosses to
be fixed upon the axis, and each boss carries a spring holder with at least a
dozen knives in it; 16 dozen knives can therefore be cleaned, sharpened,
and polished at one operation by this machine.
, Fig. 24 is an end view of the machine, mounted on a plain stand and
turned by handle. J, J, is the fixed drum of the machine; K is an arc of the
periphery which forms the frame and base of the sets of cleaning brushes,
whether for boots or knives, and is made to fasten into the drum and to lift
out at pleasure. L is also a moveable part of the arc which forms the frame
and base of the set of blacking brushes and also the set of sharpening brushes.
The polishing brushes both for boots and knives, represented by the dotted M,
occupy an opposite arc to K, and of the same size. N is one of the doors into
the drum.
Fig. 25 is a front elevation of the macnine; N, N, are two doors by which
the spring holders can be fixed into the bosses, boots and knives placed on
and removed from the spring holders, and all articles under the cleaning pro-
cess may be brought to these doors for examination by a slight turn of the
handle, without the inconvenience of taking them out of the machine for

page_text: inspection. The drum of the machine being fixed to the standards of the
supporting frame, allows every part of its internal machinery and apparatus to
undergo a frequent and easy examination. When the articles are placed
successively in the spring holders at either door, a turn of the handle carries
them through the cleaning brushes at K, and then through the blacking or
sharpening brushes at L, and thence through the polishing brushes at M, by
leaving the space in the lower part of the drum free from brushes, it not only
gives the convenience of room, but allows the articles to partially dry and cool
before re-entering the brushes, which is of great advantage. The machine may
be mounted on any convenient stand, and a rotary motion given to the axis
either by handle, with or without a fly wheel, or treadle and crank, or other.
approved mode or power.
Having thus fully described and shown the nature and object of my Inven-.
tion, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, I wish it to be
distinctly understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details
herein given and set forth, so long as the peculiar character of my Invention
be retained; and that what I claim as my Invention, to be secured by the
herein-before in part recited Royal Letters Patent, is, the making of "Im-
proved Boot and Knife Cleaning Machines" with radial bosses and spring-
holders, by the revolutions of which the articles to be cleaned are carried
through sets of improved cleaning apparatus attached wholly or partially to the
periphery of the machine, upon the principles and in the manner described
and exhibited in the foregoing Specification and Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Tobiah Pepper, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of October, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.
TOBIAH PEPPER. (L.S.)