Improvements in Machinery for Curving and Condensing Leather Stock and Heel Stiffening for Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd July, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 4th Oct., 1890-Accepted, 14th Feb.. 1891
Improvements in Machinery for Curving and Condensing Leather
Stock and Heel Stiffening for Boots and Shoes.
A communication from abroad by AARON FRANCIS STOWE, of Worcester, in the
County of Worcester, State of Massachusetts, United States of America,
Machinist.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, & 6, Bank Street,
Manchester, both in the County of Lancaster, & 323, High Holborn, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
The prime object of this invention is to provide a simple and efficient mechanism
whereby boot and shoe counters can be condensed and curved in an expeditious and
thorough manner. Another object is to afford a machine for the purposes named
having condensing rollers arranged and operated in combination with presser feet
that act in conjunction with said condensers in a manner to effect the condensing
and curving operation.
Another object is to afford a machine for the purposes specified, having convex
and concave condensing rolls of different working diameters geared for synchronous
axial rotation, in combination with yielding presser feet having guides and inclined
working surfaces that act in conjunction therewith.
Another object is to provide, in combination with the rollers and the yielding
pressers, a presser-supporting head that can be adjusted; and means for adjusting
said head, together with the top-roll mechanism, for accommodating various
thicknesses of stock, and for other purposes.
Another object is to provide, in a machine for the purpose specified, facilities
for independently regulating or varying the size of the throat-space between the
two rolls, and the space between the bed-roll and presser-foot surfaces.
The improved machine comprises a pair of rollers for condensing and forming the
stock, and non-rotatable pressers that sustain the stock curved and against the
forming or bed-roller, while acted upon by the rolls; said rollers and pressers
together with devices for adjusting the same being arranged in connection with a
suitable frame, and means for imparting motion to the several rollers for operation
as will be explained.
The bed-roll is mounted in journal-boxes arranged to move up and down in
the guiding jaws of the frame, and sustained by a suitable yielding pressing
mechanism which lifts said journal-boxes and bed-roll upward with the requisite
degree of force.
The top-roll is mounted in journal-boxes that are adjustable in the jaws of the
frame, but are rigidly sustained against upward pressure, preferably by cams and a
cam-shaft combined with the cap of the frame; a hand-wheel being provided on the
shaft, so that adjustment of the boxes and parts connected therewith can be effected
by rotation thereof.
The working diameter of one roll is preferably greater than the working
diameter of the other roll; and the gears and pinions that impart motion to the
rolls from the operating-shaft are best proportioned to give synchronous axial
rotation to the respective rolls; while the working surfaces or peripheries of the
two rolls move at different speeds.
Presser-feet or guides, disposed at front and rear of the rolls, serve for holding
the stock against the forming surface and work in conjunction with the roll for

page_text: maintaining the stock curved while the fibre is being compacted and condensed by
the rolling action. A shank which projects upward from the presser-foot is sup-
ported in a suitable bar or supporting-head connected with the top journal-boxes.
The shank is confined from turning by a stud which engages a groove in the shank,
or by other suitable means.
A screw-bolt is threaded to the presser-shank, and a check-nut is fitted thereon
above the bar, whereby the presser-foot is supported. A spring serves for forcing
the presser towards the roll.
The foot-plate of the presser is made with a working surface that substantially
conforms to the surface of the forming-roll, spherical or cylindrical according to
requirements, and which approximately matches onto said roll when in working
position for pressing and holding the stock to the proper curvature while it is
formed and compacted by the action of the rolls.
The pressing surfaces are best slightly inclined relatively to the curvature of the
roll surface in the direction of the feed on both the front and rear presser-fect;
the space being gradually contracted towards the rear edge or heel of the respective
pressers.
The presser is preferably provided with side flanges or guides for directing the
stock or counter so that it will pass the working surfaces and be discharged in
proper manner. The width of the presser-foot may be more or less as required to
accommodate the stock to be operated upon.
The forward presser is best provided with a deflector or spring-plate for directing
the end of the stock into the curved space between the surface and roll.
The presser-foot can be adjusted for opening or closing the throat space between
the presser-foot and surface of the roll independent of the adjustment of the
top-roll. Thus, while the supporting head and top-roll are adjusted for varying
the thickness of stock, the presser-feet can be adjusted for regulating the pressure
in a different degree to meet any requirements of different kinds of stock or quality
of work.
The yielding pressure mechanism for sustaining the bearings of the under roll
consists preferably of two pairs of knuckle joint arms having an adjustable connec-
tion from one pair of arms to the other, with a coil or pressure-spring for expanding
said connection for straightening the knuckles and lifting the roll; and with an
adjusting screw and hand-wheel for regulating the tension of said spring to vary the
force exerted.
In the operation, the counters, preferably in dry condition, are fed into the
machine by introducing the end of the counter into the guide-way above the
deflector and between the flanges. The end of the counter is caught between
the first presser-foot and roll and carried into the bite between the convex and
concave rolls, whereby it is forced forward under the second presser-foot curved
and condensed by the rolls under pressure induced by the knuckle-joint arms and
spring, and then discharged at the rear side of the machine.
The action upon the stock due to the roll and presser-feet imparts a very
thorough and permanent set to the fibres, so that the counter is condensed in an
efficient manner.
For working compoundly curved or "clamshelled " counters, a concave and
convex roll are employed; but in case of simply curved counters or stock, then the
rolls can be straight or made as plain cylinders; the surface of the presser-feet to
have a cavetto form to match the form of the bed-roll. The presser-feet can
extend laterally to afford any desired width, and can be used with or without side
flanges.
Dated this 21st day of T. 1900
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: parts connected therewith can be effected by rotation thereof. The journal-boxes C¹
are supported by a bar e² placed across the jaws, and a spring ea within the box
casting, as shown in Fig. 6.
The roll B for compound curves, or "clamshell" forms, has a convex working
surface, while the roll C is concaved to match the same. (See Fig. 4.) The
working diameter of the convexed roll B is preferably greater than the working
diameter of the concaved roll C; and the gears and pinions that impart motion to
the rolls from the operating shaft H, are best proportioned to give synchronous
axial rotation to the respective rolls; hence, the working surfaces or peripheries of
the two rolls move at different speeds and exert a crowding action on the fibres of
the stock between them. This variation of speed can, if preferred, be attained by
rolls of the same diameter operated at different speeds by variation in the proportion
of the driving gearing.
DD indicate presser-feet or guides disposed at front and rear of the rolls, which
serve for pressing and holding the stock against the forming surface and work in
conjunction with the roll B for maintaining the stock curved while the fibre is being
compacted and condensed by the rolling action. These pressers D are best made
substantially as shown in Figs. 5, 7, and 8. The shank D which projects upward
from the presser-foot is supported in a suitable opening in a bar or supporting-
head that is connected with the top journal-boxes C, as indicated.
The shank
of the presser is confined from turning by a stud f, the end of which engages a
groove in the shank, or by other suitable means.
A screw-bolt is threaded to the end of the presser-shank, and a check-nut. Jis
fitted thereon above the bar F, whereby the presser-foot is supported. A spring Fl
within the opening above the shank serves for forcing the presser towards the
roll B.
The foot-plate of the presser D is made with a concaved seat or working
surface D' that substantially conforms to the surface of the forming roll B, spherical
or cylindrical according to requirements, and which approximately matches onto
said roll when in working position for pressing and holding the stock to the proper
curvature while it is formed and compacted by the action of the rolls.
The pressing surfaces D' are best slightly inclined relatively to the curvature of
the roll surface in the direction of the feed on both the front and rear presser-feet,
so that the stock can enter freely between the front part of the presser and the
roll surfaces, while the space, being gradually contracted, squeezing and smoothing
of the stock between the surfaces is effected as it passes towards and beneath the
rear edge or heel of the respective pressers.
The presser is preferably provided with side flanges or guides d for directing the
stock or counter into the bite of the rolls in suitable relation to the swell or convex
portion so that it will pass the working surfaces and be discharged in proper
manner. The width of the presser-foot D between the sides d d may be more or
less as required to accommodate the size of counters or pieces of stock to be
operated upon.
for
The forward presser is best provided with a deflector or spring-plate
directing the end of the stock into the curved space between the surface D' and
roll B. Said deflector-plate can be arranged as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, or in other
manner for effecting equivalent result.
The presser-attaching bolt I, is loose in the opening, but is threaded to the
shank of the presser-foot and to the nut J, consequently the presser-foot can, by
turning the bolt I, or mut J, be adjusted for opening or closing the throat space
between the presser-foot and surface of roll B, independent of the adjustment of
the roll C and head-bar F. Thus, while the supporting head and top roll are
adjusted for varying the thickness of stock, the presser-feet can be adjusted for
regulating its pressure in a different degree to meet any requirements of different
kinds of stock or quality of work.
The yielding pressure mechanism for sustaining the bearings of the under roll B
consists in the present instance, and preferably, of two pairs of knuckle-joint arms G,

page_text: their lower ends seated at G2, and having an adjustable connection K from one pair
of arms to the other, with a coil or pressure-spring L for expanding said connection
for straightening the knuckles and lifting the roll; and with an adjusting screw m
and hand-wheel M for regulating the tension of said spring to vary the force
exerted thereby on the arms G. Said parts are arranged substantially as illustrated
in Figs. 1 and 3.
In the operation, power being applied to the operating shaft H by belt or
pulley R, the rolls B and C are rotated. The counters, preferably in dry condition,
are fed into the machine one at a time, by introducing the end of the counter into
the guide-way above the deflector P and between the flanges dd. The end of the
counter is caught between the first presser-foot and roll B and carried into the bite
between the convex and concave rolls B and C, whereby it is forced forward under the
second presser-foot D; curved and condensed by the rolls B and C under pressure
induced by the knuckle-joint arms G and spring K; and then discharged at the
rear side of the machine. The action upon the stock due to the differential surface
speed of the roll peripheries, together with the squeezing, smoothing and holding
action of the concaved surface D' of the presser-fect D imparts a very thorough
and permanent set to the fibres both in lateral and longitudinal curvature, so that
the counter is delivered from the machine formed and condensed in an efficient
manner.
It will be observed that the stock is held in a curved position against the roll-surface
while it is being condensed by the action of the rolls C and B, while the final step
in the process is a smoothing action by the concaved presser-foot that irons the
leather down upon the roll surface; consequently the fibres are impacted in such
form thoroughly, and the counter permanently maintains its shape. This is a very
important feature of the invention.
The feet D, in addition to their function as pressers and guides, also serve as
guards to keep the fingers of the attendant from the bite of the rollers; hence the
machine can be safely operated by a child or unskilled person.
For working compoundly curved or "clamshelled "counters, a concave and convex
roll are employed; but in case of simply curved counters or. stock, then the rolls
can be straight or made as plain cylinders; the surface D' of the presser-feet to
have a cavetto form to match the form of the bed-roll. For simply curved work
the presser-feet can extend laterally along the straight cylindrical part of the rolls
to afford any desired width, and can be used with or without the side flanges d;
but for compoundly curved work the spherically concaved presser surface D³, and
the side guides d are best employed.
One important advantage incident to this mechanism is that the stock can be
successfully worked dry, or without requiring the leather to be moistened previous
to passing it through the machine; hence the counters when curved are not liable
to twist out of shape by drying.
I believe that pairs of rolls comprising a convex with a concave roll have
heretofore been employed in machines for rolling leather, and no claim is made for
such rolls irrespective of their combination with other devices in mechanism for
operating as described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A machine for the purpose specified, comprising a yielding bed-roller, a non-
yielding top-roller, two presser-fect having faces that conform to the bed-roll-
surface, or stand at a slight inclination thereto, one disposed at the front and one at
the rear of said roller, an adjustable support for said presser-feet, and means for
raising and depressing said support, and means for rotating said rollers, said
mechanism being combined and organised for operation substantially as described.
2. In a machine for the purpose specified, the combination of a bed-roll, a top-
roll, a non-rotatable presser having a concaved pressing-surface adjacent to the

page_text: surface of said bed-roll, the shank of the presser movably retained in its supporter,
a spring for forcing said presser-foot towards the roll surface, with a yielding action,
and an adjusting screw that limits the action of the presser in its approach towards
the roll-surface, substantially as set forth.
3. In a machine for the purpose specified, the combination of the bed-roll
mounted in yielding supporting bearings, the top-roll mounted in rigidly supported
bearings that are adjustable towards and from said bed-roll, means for adjusting
said bearings, the presser-foot disposed for acting in conjunction with the face of
said bell-roll, the presser-foot-supporting-head adjustable with the top-roll-journal-
boxes, and the presser-springs F and adjusting-bolts I in connection with the
presser-foot-shanks for regulating the position of said presser-foot in relation to the
bed-roll surface, substantially as set forth.
4. In a machine for the purpose. specified, the convex bed-roll, the concave top-
roll, the yielding presser-feet disposed adjacent to the bite of the rolls, the upwardly
and downwardly adjustable presser-foot-supporting-head connected to the journal-
boxes that carry the top-roll, and the adjusting-screws and pressure-springs for
independently regulating said presser-feet in relation to the roll, in combination
with the box-supporting spring, top-shaft E, and cams e for adjusting the position
of said top-roll-journal-boxes and presser-supporting-head, relatively to the bed-
roll, as set forth.
5. The combination, with the top-roll, its journal-boxes adjustable in the frame
and rigidly sustained against pressure from the bed-roll, the presser-foot supported
in connection therewith, and the bed-roll having journal-boxes that are independently
movable in the frame, of the knuckle-joint-arms supporting the bed-roll-journal-
boxes, and the expansible connection and pressure-spring arranged between the
knuckles of said arms, and exerting pressure thereon, all substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
6. In a machine for the purpose specified, in combination with the convex roll,
the concave roll and the presser-foot; the depending guide-flanges arranged on
said presser-foot at the sides of its working face, for supporting the stock laterally
and directing it into the rolls, substantially as set forth.
7. In a machine for the purpose specified, the deflector-plate P for directing the
stock into the throat space between the roll and presser-foot, in combination with
the bed-roller, the top-roller, and the yielding presser-foot provided with guide-
flanges at its sides, substantially as set forth.
8. In a machine for the purpose specified, a pair of rolls comprising a convex
forming roll of larger working diameter, and a concave roll of smaller working
diameter, an operating-shaft from which both said rolls are driven by gears, said
gears being arranged to impart synchronous axial rotation to the respective rolls,
in combination with a pair of concaved non-rotatable presser-feet disposed
respectively at front and rear of the rolls, and presenting slightly inclined working
surfaces that press the material operated upon against the surface of the forming-
roll, and means for regulating the adjustment and the pressure of said presser-fect,
and said rolls, substantially as set forth.
Dated the 3rd day of October 1890
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.