Boot Cleaning Machine.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Jan., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Oct., 1895-Accepted, 2nd Jan.,
1896
Boot Cleaning Machine.
I, HENRY SOUTHEY of Wellington House, Chapel Road, Worthing, in the
County of Sussex; Tailor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
a. i
This invention relates to an improved boot cleaning machine having for object to
effect economy of time and labour in the cleaning of boots by a mechanical
appliance adapted more particularly for use in large establishments and institutions.
It consists of a horizontal table upon which are mounted in parallel rows one or
more pairs of longitudinal slides arranged to operate with reciprocating motion in
suitable guides formed in standards fixed upon the table. Upon the inner sides or
faces of each pair of reciprocating slides are carried brushes of special construction
arranged in sets for the several purposes of cleaning mud and dust from the boots,
applying blacking, and polishing or finishing, all which operations are effected
simultaneously upon separate boots, and consecutively upon the boots placed in the
machine in successive positions by the operator.
Immediately above the brushes and between each set I arrange lasts' movably
fitted by means of set screws upon a central longitudinal guide for the purpose
of holding the boots in the required position between the brushes. Preferably
I'arrange the lasts to hold the boots at an inclination with the heel parts at a lower
position than the toes. In order to impart elasticity of pressure to the brushes
they are attached to the reciprocating slides by hinged springs, and to ensure the
thorough cleaning and polishing of the boots, the brushes are formed to correspond
with the shape of the latter, the opposite brushes in each set being of similar form.
Means are also provided for adjusting the distance between the reciprocating slides,
and consequently that between the opposite brushes, to the size of the boots. For
this purpose a transverse shaft provided at the end with a crank-handle is mounted
in bearings below the table at about its centre, and carries a double worm arranged
to gear with toothed wheels keyed upon two longitudinal spindles. At the ends of
these spindles which correspond with the ends of the reciprocating' slides, a rack
and pinion gearing, or equivalent, is arranged to operate the slides inwards or
outwards as required.e. nearer to each other or further apart-according as the
transverse shaft is turned in one direction or the other.
Each set of brushes is specially adapted to the particular work of cleaning,
blacking or polishing respectively required, and in addition to the lateral or
inwardly turned brushes, separate heel brushes are provided suitably formed for
cleaning the back part of the boot.
I may form the backing of the brushes in one or several parts, of red fibre wood,
metal or other suitable material, and the various parts of the machine may be made
of metal, or partly of metal, and partly wood.
For driving purposes I may employ a treadle, a hand-wheel or a gas engine
"communicating motion by means of a band and pulley to a transverse shaft mounted
in 'bearings underneath the table. This transverse shaft carries three crauks
arranged to operate the reciprocating slides by means of suitable connecting rods
and a cross-bar.
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page_text: BATCHING
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I, HENRY SOUTHEY of Wellington House Chapel Road, Worthing, in the
County of Sussex, Tailor 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 :-
This invention relates to an improved boot cleaning machine having for object
.to. effect economy of time and labour in the cleaning of, boots by a mechanical
appliance adapted more particularly for use with special advantage in large
establishments and institutions.
In carrying out my invention I adopt the arrangement and construction shewn,.
upon the accompanying drawings illustrating my improved boot cleaning machine as
arranged for operating upon two rows of boots simultaneously.
. Figure 1, represents a side elevation of one of my improved machines;
Figure 2, being an end elevation.of same,
Figure 3, a plan of same as seen from above,
Figure 4, a plan shewing the arrangement, of mechanism for operating and
adjusting the various parts.
Figure 5, is an elevation on an enlarged scale of a last as used in my improved
boot cleaning machine.
Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.
As will be seen on Figures 1, 2 and 3 which illustrate the general construction
of a machine capable of cleaning right and left boots simultaneously, it consists of
a horizontal frame or table A supported upon suitable legs B. At each end of
this table is a bridge piece C connected together at the top by means of longitudinal
guide bars D and upon the upper surface of the table are arranged two or more
pairs of reciprocating slide bars E in parallel positions adapted to travel in guides
or rollers F supported by or formed upon suitable vertical bars or supports G
arranged beneath the bridge pieces C at each end of the table.
The lower end of each of these vertical bars or supports G is rigidly attached
to a rail or cross bar H capable of moving in a transverse direction across the
table, the upper end of each being free to travel within a slot I formed in the
upper portion of the bridge piece.
The underside of each cross bar H is furnished with teeth with which a pinion K
engages for the purpose of operating same. Upon the inner faces of the slide
bars E are fixed brushes L of suitable construction arranged in sets at convenient
intervals for performing successively the operations of removing mud and dust,
applying blacking, and polishing, which operations are effected simultaneously
upon separate boots and consecutively upon the boots placed by the operator in the
necessary positions in the machine.
Within the longitudinal guide bars D and directly over the centre of the..
brushes Lisecure adjustably by means of screws or spring studs d lasts N for
the purpose of holding the boots in the requisite position between the individual
sets of brushes. Preferably the lasts M are arranged at such an inclination that
the heels of the boots are held in a lower position than the toes as shewn
on Figure 1, in order that the work of the brushes may be more effectually
performed.
To give the brushes an elastic or yielding pressure in action they are secured
upon the slides E by means of pivotted or hinged plates N furnished with springs
to ensure the thorough cleaning and polishing of all parts of the boots, the brushes

page_text: may be made to. correspond, approximately in form therewith the opposite brashes-
of each set being similar. Adjusting mechanism is provided for setting the slides E
carrying the brushes L at the requisite distance apart to accommodate particular
sizes of boots. For this purpose a transverse shaft O provided at its extremity
with a hand wheel or crank P is arranged to turn in suitable bearings secured
below the table A at or about its centre as shewn on Figures 1 and 4. This shaft
carries suitable worms Q arranged to engage with worm wheels R secured upon
two longitudinal-shafts S S the-extremities of which correspond with the bridge
pieces where they are furnished with toothed pinions K gearing into the racks.
upon the cross bars H carrying the vertical bars or supports G and by means of
which the slides E can be caused to travel towards or away from each other-
according as the hand wheel P is turned to the right or left.
T
Each set of brushes is constructed specially for its particular function of
cleaning blacking or polishing respectively, and in addition to the lateral or
inwardly turned brushes, a separate brush is provided with each set for cleaning.
the heels or back parts of the boots.
Preferably I arrange three sets of brushes on each pair of slides, as shewn on
the drawings one for each operation, and I may form the backing of the brushes-
in one or several parts either of red fibre, wood, metal or other suitable material..
The separate parts of the machine may either be constructed entirely of metal or
partly of wood and partly of metal as desired.
For driving purposes I may employ a treadle, a hand wheel, or other motive
power communicating motion by means of a band and pulley or spur gearing T to
a transverse shaft U mounted in bearings underneath the table A. This transverse
shaft U carries three cranks arranged to operate the reciprocating slides E by
means of suitable connecting rods V and a cross bar W. In operation two boots.
one right and one left having been placed upon their respective lasts at the feed
end of the machine, the lasts M are secured in the longitudinal guide bars D by
means of the screws or spring catches d in such a position as to be held immediately.
between the first set of brushes for removing dust and mud, the toes being
presented forward and at an upward inclination. The machine is then started and
kept at work for a sufficient time to effect the first operation. Blacking having
been supplied by the attendant to the second set of brushes, the lasts carrying the
boots are moved forward to the second position on the guide bars D between the
sets of blacking brushes, another pair of boots fitted on lasts being placed in
the first position, and the machine is again put in motion. Ou the completion of
the second operation the two pairs of boots and lasts are advanced to the third
and second positions respectively, a third pair of lasts and boots being in turn
introduced at the first position, and the machine is once more set in action. At
the end of the third operation the pair of boots first introduced is taken off the
machine at the delivery end and the lasts are ready to receive the next pair of
boots to be operated upon.
If desired I may arrange for the right and left boots to be cleaned by the same
set of brushes in which case the machine consists of a single pair of slides in lieu
of as above described, the heel brushes being made right and left handed so as to
operate on either side.
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. A boot cleaning machine comprising two or more reciprocating slides E
adjustably arranged upon a table A in parallel rows, and carrying spring-hinged
or pivotted brushes L as described and for the purposes specified.
2. In a boot cleaning machine having reciprocating slides E carrying spring-...
hinged or pivotted brushes L, the longitudinal central guide bar D supporting
movable boot lasts M as described and for the purposes specified.

page_text: 3. A boot cleaning machine constructed, combined and arranged substantially as
described and illustrated upon the accompanying sheet of drawings.
Dated this Second day of October, 1895.