Improvements in Sole-sewing Machines.
Year: 1897

page_text: Improvements in Sole-sewing Machines.
I, JAMES WIGHT SNELL, of No. 43, Tilton Terrace, Lynn, County of Essex, State of
Massachusetts, U.S.A., Machinist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention is an improvement in sole-sewing machines, and it consists in
means whereby there is established in a sole-sewing machine during the sewing
operation a continuous and uninterrupted flow of water or other moistening liquid
to the sole which is being sewed in line with the seam and slightly in advance
of the action of the stitching devices, and whereby also this continuous flow is
started by the same motion of the operator which is used in starting the machine
and is stopped by the motion used in stopping the machine.
"
The invention is applicable to all types of sole-sewing machines, and I have
represented it in Figures 1 and 2 as contained in a sole-sewing machine known
as the "McKay" or horn" machine,. in Figs. 3 and 4 as contained in a welt
sewing machine, and in Figs. 5 and 6 as contained in a machine for sewing the
fairstitch," so called.
Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of enough of a horn-machine to represent the com-
bination of my improvement with the mechanism of the machine. Fig. 2 is an
enlarged detail view of portions of the work-holding and stitch-forming devices.
Fig. 3 is a view principally in front elevation, of portions of the frame and stitch-
ing mechanism of a welt-sewing machine, showing, the connection of my invention
therewith. Fig. 4 is a detail view, enlarged, of portions of the stitch-forming
devices and shoe-rest. Fig. 5 is a view, principally in front elevation, of enough
of the frame of a fair-stitch sewing machine and its stitch-forming devices to
show the connection of my invention therewith. Fig. 6 is a detail view, enlarged,
of a portion of the stitch-forming devices.
It is unnecessary to describe the construction and operation of the various stitch-
forming devices of these machines, as they are well known and understood;
neither is it necessary to describe the difference in the types of rests which are
employed in these machines. In each of them there is a rest which supports
the boot or shoe while the sole is being stitched to the edge of the upper and insole,
as in a horn-machine, or during the stitching of a welt to an insole, as in a welt-
sewing machine, or to the stitching of an outsole to a welt, as in a fair-stitch
machine. In the horn-machine the rest is inside of the shoe and is known as the
horn." In the welt-machine the rest is upon the outside of the shoe, and the
shoe is held against it by the operator during the stitching operation. In the fair-
stitch machine the rest is upon the outer side of the shoe, and it receives the out-
sole of the welt, according as the shoe is held.
The seam in sole-sewing is usually laid in a channel-in the outsole as in the
case of a horn-sewing machine and fair-stitch machine and in the insole as in
the case of a welt-machine. The various instrumentalities which co-operate in
forming the stitch, feeding the shoe, and holding the shoe are grouped together

page_text: as it is desired that the stitching operation shall continue. This movement of
the pulley into engagement with the clutch also moves downward the arm c²
and opens the valve C, permitting the water or liquid to flow freely through it
and the pipe a³, and the valve is held open by the treadle C as long as the pulley
is held in contact with the clutch. When the treadle C¹ is released, the spring clo,
which has been made operative by the downward movement of the treadle, serves
to move the outer end of the treadle Cupwardly and to move the pulley c
from contact with the clutch and to at the same time more upward
the arm and the rod e, closing the valve C and holding it closed.
In Figs. 3 and 4 the discharge-nozzle is not formed by the presser-foot, but it
is represented as supported thereby and as attached thereto. It is made in the
form of a pipe d, the lower portion of which is bent to the curvature of the presser-
foot and the outlet of which is near the lower end of the presser-foot and upon
the side removed from the needle. This pipe is fastened to the presser-foot or to
the presser foot's holder by a clamp, and at its upper end it is connected
with the flexible supply-pipe a³.
In Fig. 2, E represents the horn-rest.
In Figs. 3 and 4, F represents the side rest, and in Figs. 5 and 6, G represents
the sole or welt rest.
The presser-foot may be of any suitable form. I have represented one having
a notch across its working end to form a spur or point which shall serve to prevent
the slipping of the sole when tipped at an angle to the presser-foot.
The advantages of the invention arise from the continuous uninterrupted flow
of water or other moistening fluid assured during the stitching operation, to the
opening of the flow upon the starting of the machine and by the starting movement,
and to the maintainance of the flow, by the same means which continues the opera-
tion of the machine and to the closing of the flow by the same instrumentality
and at the same time and at the same movement that the machine is stopped. This
not only places the control of the supply of the water or fluid absolutely in the
operator, but it also provides a construction which is very cheap and very durable, as
the valve is operated only at the beginning of the flow and at the end of the flow.
The rod c may be adjustable as to length, if desired, and it is represented in the
figure as made in two parts, which are united by a uniting-block, in which the
ends of the parts are adjustable.
The valve is stationary and attached to the stationary frame of the machine;
and is therefore somewhat remote from the nozzle. This requires that the valve
be connected to the nozzle by a relatively long section of flexible pipe, which is
carried about the working parts of the machine to the nozzle.
I would say that by the term "presser-foot" I mean any instrumentality in
close proximity to the needle the end of which extends into the channel of the
the sole during the stitching operation.
Dated this 28th dor of Dasember 1907
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in sole-sewing Machines.
I, JAMES WIGHT SNELL, of 43, Tilton Terrace, Lynn, County of Essex, State of
Massachusetts, United States of America, Machinist, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention consists in means whereby there is established in a sole-sewing

page_text: simultaneously with the starting of the machine and by the same motion and that
it be held open by the treadle, which maintains the machine in operation, and
that during such interval that there shall be supplied to the sole through the
presser-foot or nozzle a continuous uninterrupted supply of water or fluid, which
is in no wise affected or changed by any action of the valve. It also insures the
closing of the valve by the motion which stops the operation of the machine
and the holding closed of the valve by such device while the machine is inoperative,
thus immediately stopping and holding stopped the further flow of the water or
other liquid. At all other times the valve is at rest, and consequently it is sub-
jected to very little wear and can always be maintained tight and operative.
Referring to the drawings, A represents the presser-foot in each figure. In
Figs. 2, 5 and 6 it is represented as having the passage a extending lengthwise
it in whole or in part. In Fig. 2 it is represented as extending practically its
entire length and as having its outlet at a slightly above its working end. In
Fig. 6 the outlet is shown as extending through the bottom of the foot. In Fig. 2
the presser-foot holder a² has a short pipe section a³, which extends into the hole at
in the side thereof and which opens into the upper end of the cavity receiving.
the shank of the presser-foot, and the passage a in the presser-foot is thus connected
with the end of the flexible pipe a. This flexible pipe extends to the supply
can or reservoir B and is broken at any desired point to make connection with the
valve C. The section of the flexible pipe between the valve C and the presser-foot
is of sufficient length to permit the movements of the presser-foot. The valve C
is fastened to any stationary part of the frame and is itself stationary and is of
any desired type. It has connected with its stem an arm or lever c, the movement
of which opens or closes the valve. This arm extends horizontally from the stem
when the valve is closed, and its outer end is connected with the main starting
and stopping treadle C¹ of the machine by the connecting rod c¹, which may
extend to the treadle C directly or may make connection with the treadle by the
short arm, fastened to the shaft c³, to which the operating treadle is also fastened;
and which shaft is turned in one direction or the other as the operating, treadle
is moved downward or upward. The operating treadle is connected by the arm
with the pulley on the power-shaft cf. This pulley turns freely on said shaft co
and is connected by a belt c7 with the belt-wheel c8 on the main shaft of the
stitching mechanism. The power-shaft c6 also has a member c of a clutch, which
is fastened to the shaft and turns with it, and the starting-treadle C¹ is adapted
to move the pulley into contact with the face of the clutch co to start the stitching
mechanism and to hold the pulley in such engagement with the clutch so long
as it is desired that the stitching operation shall continue. This movement of
the pulley into engagement with the clutch also moves downward the arm
and opens the valve C, permitting the water or liquid to flow freely through it
and the pipe a³, and the valve is held open by the treadle C₁ as long as
the pulley is held in contact with the clutch e. When the treadle C¹ is released;
the spring clo, which has been made operative by the downward movement of
the treadle, serves to move the outer end of the treadle C upwardly and to move
the pulley from contact with the clutch and to at the same time move upward
the arm and the rod e¹, closing the valve C and holding it closed.
In Figs. 3 and the discharge-nozzle is not formed by the presser-foot, but it
is represented as supported thereby and as attached thereto. It is made in the
form of a pipe d, the lower portion of which is bent to the curvature of the presser-
foot and the outlet of which is near the lower end of the presser-foot and upon
the side removed from the needle. This pipe is fastened to the presser-foot or to
the presser-foot's holder by a clamp, and at its upper end it is connected
with the flexible supply-pipe a³.
In Fig. 2. E represents the horn-rest.
In Figs. 3 and 4 F represents the side rest, and in Figs. 5 and 6, G represents
the sole or welt rest.
The presser-foot may be of any suitable form. I have represented one having

page_text: valve with the nozzle, the treadle C¹, the power-shaft c6, the clutch-pulley 5 upon
said shaft free to turn thereon and connected with said treadle, the pulley c
upon the main shaft of the sewing machine, the belt, c', the clutch-member c fixed
to the power-shaft c6, the spring co and a connection between the valve C and the
said treadle C¹.
7. A sole-sewing machine having a sole-moistening device, a valve and means
for actuating the valve, whereby it is opened upon the starting of the machine,
held continuously open during its operation and is automatically closed upon the
stopping of the machine.
8. The combination of the valve C attached to a stationary part of the frame,
a nozzle having a discharge-outlet and a flexible pipe of some length extending
about the working parts of the machine from the stationary valve to the nozzle,
a pipe connecting the said valve with a source of supply and means for actuating
the valve in its stationary position.
Dated this 28th day of Sentember 1898
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.