Improvements in Boot Sewing Machines.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Nov., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 26th Aug., 1891-Accepted, 10th Oct., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Boot Sewing Machines.
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:-
My improvements are intended to be used in those boot sewing machines which
have a "horn" to support the boot while it is being sewn and are particularly
applicable to the machine known as the "Blake Sole Sewing Machine."
Such sewing machines, as hitherto constructed, are not adapted to the sewing of
boots having long and stiff legs, such as cavalry boots, since owing to the con-
formation of the "horn," it is impossible to get such boots onto the "horn" much
less to manipulate them under the machine unless the back seam is left undone
until the sole is sewn on, and even then the boot is necessarily much distorted and
to some extent damaged.
To render the machine capable of being used for the sewing of boots with long
and stiff legs, the back seam being already "closed," without incurring damage or
distortion to the boot during the operation is the object of my invention which I
accomplish as follows. I make use of a horn of an upright form but leaning some-
what backward and with a forward bend sufficient to bring the centre of the horn
tip under the needle.
A horn of such a form will reach the toe and can be used to sew round the
forepart of a cavalry boot but will not be able to reach the whole length of the
waist from the joint to the breast of the heel. To sew this part of the boot I use
a horn of still more upright form and shorter top bend.
The form of these horns being so entirely different to that of the "horn" in
common use the interior gearing for giving motion to the "whirl or looper motion
has to be entirely changed.
<<
The vertical shaft "in the "horn shaft" is retained, but a gear which is almost
a spur gear is employed at the top of the "vertical shaft." The "horizontal shaft"
is dispensed with and a shaft carried up the horn with a suitable angular connection
at the bend and leading up to the pinion and whirl. The "thread spool" is carried
on an outstanding bracket and a specially adapted "take-up" is applied between
the "thread spool" and the bottom of the horn.
The foregoing alterations adapt the "horn" and its connections to sew long
legged boots but in order that the boot may be readily placed upon, or removed
from, the "horn," I connect the two bearings in which the "horn shaft" revolves
by means of a frame which is hinged or pivotted at its lower end to the main frame
of the machine in such a manner that the "horn" may be swung forward away
from under the machine head sufficiently to allow the boot to be placed on the
"horn" without interference from the machine head. To secure the horn shaft
bearings during the operation of sewing I provide locking bolts or other equivalent
devices readily actuated by the operator.
"3
If instead of thus moving the "horn" I prefer to move the machine head I then
mount this latter in slides or their equivalents so that it is capable of being moved
forwards over the "horn when the sewing operation is to be performed and
backwards away from the "horn" when the boot is being placed upon or taken off
from the "horn." Suitable locking arrangements are provided as before to secure
the head when in its forward position.
To suit the altered construction of the horn I modify the gas or other heating
apparatus so as to render them conformable to the altered conditions.
Dh 5th of Nawambon 1900.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Boot Sewing Machines.
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 :-
My improvements are intended to be used in those boot sewing machines which
have a $5 horn to support the boot while it is being sewn, and are particularly
applicable to the machine known as the "Blake Sole Sewing Machine."
Such sewing machines, as hitherto constructed, are not adapted to the sewing of
boots having long and stiff legs, such as cavalry boots, since owing to the con-
formation of the "horn" it is impossible to get such boots on to the "horn," much
less to manipulate them unless the back seam is left unclosed until the sole is
sewn on, and even then the boot is necessarily much distorted and to some extent
damaged.
The object of my invention is to render the machine capable of being used for
the sewing of boots with long and stiff legs, the back seam being already closed,
without incurring damage or distortion to the boot during the operation. This I
accomplish in the manner hereafter described, and illustrated by the accompanying
drawings.
I make use of a "horn" of an upright form, but leaning somewhat backward and
with a forward bend sufficient to bring the centre of the "horn tip" under the
needle. A "horn" of such a form will reach the toe and can be used to sew round
the forepart of a cavalry boot, but will not be able to reach the whole length of
the waist from the joint to the breast of the heel. To sew this part of the boot
"horn" of still more upright form and shorter top bend.
I use a
The form of these "horns" being entirely different to that of the "horn" in
common use the interior gearing for giving motion to the "whirl" has to be entirely
changed.
The vertical shaft, in the "horn shaft," is retained, but a gear which is almost
a spur gear is employed at the top of the vertical shaft; the horizontal shaft" is
dispensed with and a shaft carried up the "horn" with a suitable angular connection
at the bend and leading up to the "pinion" and "whirl." The thread spool is
carried in an outstanding bracket and a specially adapted "take up" is applied
between the thread spool and the bottom of the "horn."
The foregoing alterations adapt the "horn" and its connections to sew long
legged boots, but in order that the boot may be readily placed upon, or removed
from, the "horn" I connect the two bearings in which the "horn shaft" revolves
by means of a frame which is hinged or pivotted at its lower end to the main frame
of the machine in such a manner that the "horn may be swung forward away
from under the machine head sufficiently to allow the boot to be placed on the
"horn" without interference from the machine head.
"
To secure the horn shaft bearings during the operation of sewing I provide locking
bolts or other equivalent devices readily actuated by the operator.
If instead of thus moving the "horn" I prefer to move the machine head, I then
mount this latter in slides or their equivalents so that it is capable of being moved
forwards over the "horn" when the sewing operation is to be performed, and back-
wards away from the "horn" when the boot is being placed upon, or taken off
from the "horn." Suitable locking arrangements are provided as before to secure
the head when in its forward position.
To suit the altered construction of the "horn," I modify the gas or other heating
apparatus so as to render them conformable to the altered conditions.
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1. is a front elevation of a Blake Sole Sewing Machine frame, somewhat

page_text: modified, and part of the machine head with my improved
form adapted for sewing the forepart of the boot.
"horn
applied in the
Fig. 2. is a section of the same horizontally through the upper bearing of the
"horn shaft."
Fig. 3. is a side elevation of the same with the "horn" and "horn shaft" in
section.
Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the more upright form of "horn" for sewing in the
waist of the boot.
Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the same shewing the gas apparatus.
Figs. 6 and 7. are cross sections of the same.
Fig. 8. is an enlarged view partly in section of the "horn" for sewing the forepart
of the boot shewing the spool bracket and "take up."
Fig. 9. is a plan of the same with the "horn" in cross section.
Figs. 10. 11 and 12 are cross sections of the "horn."
Fig. 13. is a side view shewing the "horn" swung forward ready to receive the
boot.
Fig. 14. is a front elevation and Fig. 15 is a plan of the machine head as arranged
to slide backwards and forwards instead of moving the "horn."
The same parts are indicated by the same letters in all the drawings.
27
"
comes in
The "horn""" (see Fig. 1. 3. 8. 9 and 13) I make in the form suitable for
sewing round the forepart of the boot; the forward bend from "b" to the "tip" "c"
being sufficiently long to reach the toe "d" of the boot (see Fig. 3.) and the
shank " e "inclined backward, so as not to interfere with the boot at the parts "f"
and "g."
When in the process of sewing the back of the "horn
contact with the inside of the boot at "," which will happen when the sewing of
the forepart of the boot has been accomplished, it becomes necessary to transfer the
" "a¹" I
boot to a "horn" of another form, as shewn in Figs. 4 and 5. This "horn"",
make of a form suitable for sewing in the waist of the boot, the forward bend
from ""to the tip "c" is much shorter than in the form "a" and the
shank "e" is nearly upright.
The boot can be manipulated on this "horn" so as to complete the sewing from
the point where the other "horn" has left off, along the waist to the breast of the
heel or if need be right round the heel.
Each of the "horns" "a" and "a" is mounted upon a vertical hollow horn
shaft "j" which is free to revolve in the usual manner in the footstep "j" and the
bearing "" and in practice each "horn" is fitted up independently in a machine
to itself so that the boots can be readily transferred from the one form "a" of the
to the other form "a'."
"horn
"
"
The gearing for giving motion to the "whirl" "k" has to be differently constructed
to suit "horns" of a shape so different as are these from the "horn" of the ordinary
"Blake Sole Sewing Machine."
retain the vertical shaft "1" in the "horn shaft" "j," its lower end revolves
in the step "2" and it is driven in the ordinary manner by the bevel gear "k³." I
do away with the "horizontal shaft" in the "horn" and I substitute the following
arrangement in place of the ordinary mechanism.
The bearing plate "1" supports the upper end of the shaft "k" and carries also
in a cup a ball-ended pinion "12" which is revolved by a gear "13" on the
upper end of the shaft "."
66
66
*
The pinion "12" is mounted on the inclined shaft "14" which is carried up inside
the "horn" "a" and drives by means of the small bevel gears "15" "1" the
pinion which gears in the ordinary manner into the "whirl" "k." The
"horn tip" "18" and the " cap""" are modified to suit the altered forms of
the "horns" 66, a " and "a" but they carry and retain the "whirl" "k" and the
"pinion" " "in the usual manner. The "horns" "a" "a" can be adjusted on
the "horn shaft" "j" so as to set the hole "" in the ",
"cap "19" exactly
centrally under the needle "
by the screws "11"
m
32
"
and when set the "horns" can be cramped fast

page_text: 66
The ball "12" on the pinion "1" accomodates this adjustment. The shaft "14"
is coupled with a half lap in the socket "13" of the pinion "2" so as to be easily
removable, and a half lap expansion joint is made in the sliding coupling "11" at
the top of the shaft "so as to allow of expansion in the shaft "14" when it
becomes heated by the gas or other heating apparatus which is used to keep the
wax thread " n in a pliable condition. The bearing "1" carries the gear "15"
and the bearing "/18" (Fig. 8 only) the gear "16" which is made in one with the
socket "17"
"
The "pinion" "17" has a slot which fits upon a driving pin in the socket "1"
in the usual manner and the ordinary "stand" "18" and "collar" "11" prevent
end movement of the "pinion" "In the "horn" "a" (see Fig. 5) the
pinion being very short is made in one with the gear "."
65
"
The thread spool "n" is carried on the bracket "n" as shewn in Figs. 1. 8
and 9. the thread "n" being passed under the "take up truck
"3" up through
the "horn" "a" over the guide truck "n" and out through the "whirl" "k."
The take up lever "n" is carried upon the pivot "n" and the tension of the
take up spring "n" is adjustable by means of the screw "n" and hand nut "n"."
The thread tension is regulated in the ordinary manner by the spring "o" and
nut “ ol.”
" 66
"
"2
In order that the boot may be easily placed upon or removed from the "horn
I arrange the footstep "j" and the cap "ja" of the bearing "" which carry the
vertical horn shaft "j" upon a swinging frame "" which is hinged to the frame "p"
of the machine upon pins "." The "horn a "and its accessory parts may thus
be swung forward from under the head "m" of the machine so as to make room
for the boot to be put upon or taken off from the "horn ""a" without interference
from the machine head "m¹."
2" and
The locking bolts "q" "q1" secure the cap "3" and frame "4" while the
sewing operation is going on, they are operated by the handle " " 92"
levers "g
The lever "3" is pivotted on a pin "q" in the frame "p" and
the lever " on a pin "q."
3" 66
"
They are connected by the rod "77." The bolts " """slide in the ways "y"
are connected to the levers "q³" "g³ by the links "q" and take upon inclines "10"
formed upon the cap "j³."
"
The gas apparatus for supplying the burner with gas has a mercury vessel ""
which is so constructed as to allow of revolving the horn shaft "j" without
permitting the gas to escape. I place this vessel "" at the lower part of the
horn shaft" where the swinging movement is least. The vessel "*" and the
cover "I make specially deep to guard against spilling the mercury contained
in them, which otherwise would be liable to happen at the time when the "horn
is swung forward. The gas enters the vessel "" by the tube "," and leaves by
the tube "3" in the cover "" being conducted up through the "horn shaft" ";"
and burnt at the burner "" the flame impinging upon the pin "10" which
carries the "thread take up truck" "n³." If desired, the same or an additional
burner may be employed higher up in the horn so as to heat the upper portion
thereof.
The cover "s" is easily detachable from the horns "a" "a" and while protecting
the boot from the gas flame serves also to retain the heat of the flame within the
horn so as to keep the sewing thread ". warm and pliable.
n
"
If instead of moving the horn it is preferred to move the machine head to make
way for the boot I then arrange the head "m" to slide to and fro in guides """"
(Figs. 14 and 15) upon an under plate "2" and provide a locking handle "+" to
keep the head "m" stationary while the sewing is being done. The locking
handle "" is pivotted on a pin "t" and has a catch "5" held in a notch in the
head plate "mby the spring "." To allow of the head thus sliding to and fro
without breaking the driving connection between the mechanism of the head and
the horn I-introduce two "Hooke or universal joints and a long sliding coupling
in the ordinary "long shaft" which carries the "top and bottom bevel gears
"

page_text: and I provide a take up pulley with a spring or weighted lever to take up the slack
of the ordinary driving band of the machine.
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 boot sewing machine in which a horn is used to support the boot con-
structing the horn with an inclined shank and a bend at the upper part so as to allow
a stiff legged boot to be sewn thereon having the back seam closed.
2. In a machine in which a horn is used as described in Claim 1 the use of the
mechanism consisting of the inclined shaft and gears with their connections for the
purpose of giving motion to the whirl.
3. In a boot sewing machine in which a horn is used to support the boot, con-
structing the horn so that it may be moved forward from under the machine head
for the purpose of allowing a boot to be put in to the machine.
4. In a boot sewing machine in which a horn is used to support the boot, carrying
the horn in a frame hinged, pivotted or otherwise supported upon the machine
frame in such a manner that the horn may be swung or moved forward from under
the machine head for the purpose of placing thereon a stiff-legged boot.
5. In a boot sewing machine having the horn made to move from under the
head of the machine, the arrangement of locking devices for securing the horn in
its place.
6. In a boot sewing machine having the horn made to move from under the
head of the machine, carrying the gas tube, which supplies the heating burner, up
inside the body of the horn shaft at the part where the upper bearing is situated.
7. In a boot sewing machine having the horn made to move from under the
head of the machine, placing the mercury vessel of the gas apparatus at the foot of
the horn shaft.
8. In a boot sewing machine in which a horn is used to support the boot, con-
structing the machine head so that it may be moved away from over the horn for
the purpose of allowing a boot to be put into the machine.
9. In a machine in which the head is made to move away from over the horu,
the arrangement of the locking device for securing the machine head in its position
over the horn.
Dated this with f
At 1001