IM- PROVEMENTS IN MANUFACTURING OR PRODUCING SUBSTITUTES FOR LEATHER FOR BOOTS, SHOES, AND OTHER USES, AND IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING THE SAME.
Year: 1857

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Green, of Pembroke Cottages, Caledonian
Road, Islington, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN MANUFACTURING OR PRODUCING SUBSTITUTES FOR LEATHER
FOR BOOTS, SHOES, AND OTHER USES, AND IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR
EFFECTING THE SAME.".
.
Sealed the 31st July 1857, and dated the 6th February 1857.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Green at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
6th February 1857.
I, WILLIAM GREEN, of Pembroke Cottages, Caledonian Road, Islington,:.
in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MANUFACTURING OR PRODUCING SUBSTITUTES FOR
LEATHER FOR BOOTS, SHOES, AND OTHER USES, AND IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS,
FOR EFFECTING THE SAME," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in producing imitations of leather upon fabric &
other suitable materials after the same have been formed into the
"uppers" of boots & shoes, or parts thereof, or to any other desired shape
or configuration; as also in producing imitations of leather upon fabrics:
& other suitable materials by means of heated rollers, cylinders, or hollow
dies, on the surface of which a fac-simile in reverse of hard grained:
morocco or other grained. leather has been produced by the electrotype
process or other equivalent means, & in machinery or apparatus for:
effecting the same.
When sheets or continuous lengths of artificial feather are to be pro

page_text: duced according to this Invention, the materials which are to form the
groundwork or body thereof are coated with a membraneous, filamentous,
or suitable material; the grain or leather-like surface is then produced
thereon by means of heated electrotype rollers (as before described) work-
ing in an ordinary embossing machine.
When the substitutes for leather are to be employed for boots, shoes, or
other hollow or irregular-shaped articles, receptacles, or ornaments, I first
form the fabric, or other material intended to form the groundwork or
body thereof, to the desired shape or configuration by drawing or pressing
the same over lasts, blocks, or moulds, or by forcing them into dies.
After the desired form has been imparted to the materials, they receive'
one or more coatings of composition, or other suitable matter capable of
imparting an imitation of leather thereto, & when dry they are (when so
desired) again pressed or embossed to imitate the grain of leather, or
stitching, or other figure, according to the purpose for which they are.
intended to be used. In most cases I employ as the finishing materials
similar matters & compositions to those specified in my Patent, dated
21st July, 1856, but I do not confine myself thereto. In some cases I
employ thin sheets of metal, cardboard, or millboard, as the groundwork
of the substitues for leather to be made according to this Invention.
When using metal I have found is advisable to coat the same with paper
or other soft materials. This may be very readily & efficiently done while
the sheets of metal are warm, by means of a coating of glue or other
adhesive matter. Materials treated as herein-before described, or similar
articles, may be rendered permeable to air by being perforated with a
number of minute holes, & then lined with an embossed or other material
having a quantity of small nibs or protuberances upon their surface. In
some cases I attach to the embossing machine a carding engine or other
apparatus for applying or imparting a finishing surface to the material,
previous to receiving the grain or leather-like finish.. To this apparatus
apparatus for applying or imparting a finishing surface to the material,
materials employed, whereby the several operations are rendered.
synchronous. An imitation of the stitching or binding of the "
"
uppers
of boots & shoes & other articles is imparted to the substitutes for leather
by means of suitable pressing surfaces, arranged in an iron framework, &
actuated by cams or their mechanical equivalents, in such manner that
while one part is receding from, another part shall be pressing upon the
article.
.
When the substitutes for leather are to be employed for handles or
certain parts of furniture, or for other purposes requiring an ornament or
pattern upon two or more of its sides or around it, I employ for the
purpose a machine, in the centre of which is a large toothed wheel, & on

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Green in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
6th August 1857.
SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS
GREEN, of 24, Pembroke Cottages, Caledonian Road, Islington, in the
County of Middlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Sixth day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven,-in the twenty-first year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said William Green, Her special licence that I, the said William
Green, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I,
the said William Green, 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 IMPROVEMENTS IN MANUFACTURING OR PRODUCING SUBSTITUTES FOR LEATHER
FOR BOOTS. SHOES, AND OTHER USES. AND IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR
EFFECTING THE SAME," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
William Green, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writ-
ing 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 William Green, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the fol-
lowing statement, that is to say--
This Invention consists in producing imitations of leather upon fabrics
and other suitable materials after the said materials have been made up
or formed into boots and shoes, or into the "uppers" or parts of the
uppers" thereof, or to any other desired shape, form, or configuration;
as also in producing imitations of grained leather upon fabrics or other
materials by coating the same with certain membraneous, filamentous,
waterproofing, and other matters, and then graining the same by means of

page_text: heated rollers, cylinders, or hollow or irregular-shaped dies, on the surface
of which a fac-simile of hard-grained morocco or other grained leather
has been produced by the electrotype process or other equivalent means;
and, lastly, in machinery or apparatus for effecting the same.
When sheets or continuous lengths of artificial leather are to be pro-
duced according to this Invention, the materials which are to form the
groundwork or body thereof are first coated with a membraneous,
filamentous, waterproofing, or other suitable material. The adhesive
matters which. 1 prefer for the purpose are solutions of caoutchouc and
gutta percha, either separately or combined, and united with a suitable
colouring matter. If, however, the colouring matter is not sufficiently
strong when mixed with the caoutchouc or other adhesive matter, a dry
powdered colour is applied over the same after it is spread upon the
fabric or other material, and whilst in a moist and adhesive state. In
some cases, also, the desired colour is produced by dyeing or staining.
A coating of flour paste, with which is combined glair, glycerine, or glue,
separately or combined, or similar matters, is next applied, and the
material is then dried. When so desired, a polished surface is produced
thereon by means of a coating or coatings of varnish or other suitable
matter, or by calendering. When the material is to be employed as an
imitation of hard-grained morocco or other grained leather, it is embossed
with rollers, on the surface of which a fac-simile of the leather to be
imitated has been produced by the electrotype process or otherwise.
When, however, an imitation of hard-grained morocco has been thus pro-
duced, I further improve its surface by slightly rubbing or brushing the
material after the grain has, been produced thereon, whereby the upper
portions only of the grained surface will be brightened, the indented parts
remaining dull.
In order however that this part of my said Invention may be better
understood, I have represented in the accompanying Sheets of Drawings
the machinery by which the same is to be effected.
Fig. 1, Sheet A, is a side elevation of the machinery which I employ
for spreading or applying the first composition to the materials to be
operated upon; and Fig. 2 is a plan of the same. The letters apply to the
same parts on the respective Figures. A, A, is a cast-iron framework;
B, B, are troughs or scrapers provided with steam jackets, and kept hot,
when so desired, by means of steam or other heating media. C, C, are
straining bars; and D, D, are rollers, by preference slightly elastic, over
which the material E passes previous to receiving the composition. F, F,
are paste or colour troughs, which work upon pins at either end, so that
when elevated on one side the paste or colour runs over or out through a
series of lips on to the material. G is a small roller for keeping a strain

page_text: upon the cloth as it passes under the second and third scrapers; H is a
roller working in slots, and regulated by set screws for keeping a tension
on the endless band or chains 1, 1, on the edges of, which are small pin
points for keeping the cloth distended, and assisting to draw it through
the machine after being coated with composition; J is a steam rolle!
over which also the endless band or chains travel. Between the rollers -
Hand J are two sets of guides in which the endless band or bands travel,
and by means of which the pins are kept in their proper lines. Between
these rollers also is a long drying table composed of a series of pipes K, K,
and covered with sheet iron. The pipes are connected together in the
ordinary manner, and kept hot by means of steam, hot air, or hot water.
L, L are small rollers over which also the endless band or bands travel;
M, M, are two cone drums for communicating a gradually increasing
motion to the spindle N, on to which the cloth is. wound after having
passed through the machine; O is a small roller under which the cloth
passes after leaving the roller. Motion is communicated to the machine
by means of the driving drum P, which acting on the pinion Q works the
cog wheel R. On the main shaft S is a clutch T, and on the spindle of
the roller is a bevel wheel U, which, acting on the corresponding wheels
V, gives motion to the roller H and also to the shafting V, by which
the steam roller J is driven. The drying table is supported on iron
standards, as are also the bearings of the shafting V. The several work-
ing parts are regulated by set screws, and work in suitable bearings
in the usual manner.
I
The action of the machine is as follows:-The roll of cloth E, having
been drawn over the straining bars C, C, is passed between the rollers
D, D, and back again over the uppermost one. It then passes into the
trough B, and under, the straight edge of the bottom thereof. The com-
position is now placed on the cloth, and the said cloth is drawn over the
roller W and under the second scraper B', where any inequalities which
may have occurred at the first scraper are removed. It then passes over
the small roller G and under the colour trough F, then under the scraper
B and over the roller H, at which point it is connected with the endless
band I, and is thereby kept distended and drawn over the drying table
and over the steam roller J. Having returned beneath the table, it is
now drawn between the rollers W and We, and passing thence under the
roller is rewound on to the spindle X, at which point the first portion
of the operation is completed. Circular brushes Y, Y, are placed behind
the paste or colour trough. F to be employed when so desired for
equalizing the paste or colour placed thereon. Or, instead of circular
brushes flat brushes may be employed, and a rotatory horizontal motion
communicated thereto by means of bevel wheels, or by pulleys fitted on

page_text: the shaft V. The gradually increasing motion is communicated to the
cones M by means of the roller Z, which is pressed outwards as the roll
of cloth E' increases in diameter, which roller acting on the chains a
move the driving strap e as required. The uppermost roller D is weighted
as shewn in the Drawing, and beneath the first trough B is a roller b,
attached to which is a foot board c. The object of this roller is to regulate
the quantity of composition taken up upon the cloth as the end of the
piece passes through the machine. The central straining bar C' is attached
to spiral springs d for the purpose of keeping a more regular tension on
the cloth. If the cloth requires to be coated with varnish or other slow
drying matter, it is next placed in the machine represented in Figs.
1, 2, and 3, on sheet B, and Fig. 1, on Sheet C, from which machine it is
wound in a wet state on to the frames represented in Figs. 2, on. Sheets
B and C. These frames are fitted into carriages b so as to admit of being
easily removed when filled; or instead of carriages working on the ground
they may be removed by a truck working in a tramway above, or by other
convenient means. The machine will be best understood by a description
of its action, which is as follows:-The roll of cloth B, having been
passed over the straining bars C, is drawn between and over the rollers
D, D, and from thence it is passed under the scraper E, on the top of
which is a trough E', then over the roller F, and then under the pad G
and the scraper H. It is next drawn over the large roller I, the coated
part of the fabric being in contact therewith, and over the smaller roller J,
with the back in contact therewith. These rollers need not touch while
working, but merely draw the fabric through the machine by the pressure
of contact. It is now passed under the circular brush K and the rubbers
.L, a to-and-fro traverse motion being communicated thereto by means of
the crank M, which is driven by means of the bevel wheels N, N.. The
rubbers may be actuated by pinions and racks O, O, as shewn in the
Drawings, or by any other convenient means. After passing the rubbers,
the cloth passes over the roller P and under the composition roller Q, and
is then wound on to the frame represented in Fig. 2. As this frame is
being filled, it is necessary to place sticks or rods R, R, between each layer
.of cloth as it is taken up, in order to keep it apart. Motion may be com-
municated to the. frame by hand or by cone drums S, S, as shewn-in the
Drawings, or by any other mechanical means. The whole of the several
parts are arranged in a strong framework A, and provided with suitable
brasses and plummer blocks. The roller J. may be raised or lowered by
set screws T, T, to which are attached bevel wheels and a cross bar for
actuating both sides of the roller at once Motion is communicated to the
rollers I, J, and thence to the other parts of the machine from the pulley
U, which by turning the shaft V gives motion to the pinion W, and from

page_text: thence to the cog wheel X The fly wheela on the crank shaft is intended
to equalize the action thereof. When the substitutes for leather are to be
employed for boots, shoes, or other hollow, ornamental, or irregular-
shaped articles or receptacles, I first form the fabric or other material.
intended to form the groundwork or body thereof to the desired shape or
configuration by drawing or pressing the same over lasts, blocks, or
moulds, or by forcing them into moulds or dies After the desired form
has been imparted to the materials, they receive a coating or coatings
of waterproofing composition or other suitable matter capable of im-
parting an imitation of leather thereto. When dry they are, when so
desired, again pressed or embossed so as to imitate the grain of leather,
or stitching or binding, or other figure according to the purpose for which
they are intended to be used. In most cases I employ as the coating
or finishing materials similar matters to those specified in my Patent,
bearing date the Twenty-first day of July, Eighteen hundred and fifty-six,
but I do not confine myself thereto. In some cases I employ thin sheets
of iron or other metal, or cardboard, millboard, or other rigid materials
as the groundwork of the substitutes for leather to be made according to
this Invention. When using metal I have found it adviseable to coat it
on one or both sides with a woven or felted fabric, or with paper or other
soft material. This may be readily and efficiently done while the sheets
of metal are warm by means of a coating of glue or other adhesive matter.
Materials treated as herein-described, or similar articles may be rendered
permeable to air by being perforated with a number of minute holes, and.
then lined with an embossed or other fabric having nibs or protuberances
over its entire surface.
As, however, the methods of making artificial leather to hollow, orna-
mental, or irregular shapes, vary according to the size and character of
the article, I will now describe more particularly the means which I
employ for producing some of the several articles to be made according
to this Invention:-
In making boots and shoes, the fabric or material may be prepared for
receiving the leather-like surface by being done over with one or more
coatings of "scrapings," or of caoutchouc and gutta percha in solution, or
with one part of gutta percha, and two of pitch or asphaltum, or similar
adhesive matters. Lampblack, whitening, sulphur or sulphuret of lead,
and in some cases pitch or asphaltum, are combined with the solutions of
caoutchouc or gutta percha, the proportions varying according to the
flexibility, toughness, and strength required. For some purposes also
the caoutchouc is employed without the gutta percha, and for others the
gutta percha without the caoutchouc. The first coating may be applied
by the machinery herein-before described, while the fabric is in the piece,

page_text: and other coatings after they are formed to the desired shape. When
thus prepared they are in some cases grained or embossed to imitate
leather, and when so desired the embossing surfaces are so formed as to
produce different kinds of leather upon different portions of the same
upper," as for example, a morocco top or back, and calf or enamelled
leather for the front. An imitation of binding or stitching may be pro-
duced together with the grain or separately, as found most convenient.
In order to prevent the embossing surfaces from sticking to the materials,
the said materials may be coated with paste or other matter capable of
resisting or neutralizing the action of heat. The "uppers" thus prepared
are then put together and sewed or stitched when necessary. They are
then made up in the ordinary manner into boots or shoes, or other.
coverings for the feet, and a finishing surface of the desired colour, to
iimitate enamelled or other kinds of leather, is next produced thereon by
means of a coating or coatings of varnish, boiled oil, japan, or other
suitable matter, and the articles are then dried in a
otherwise. By thus applying the japan or other finishing matter after
the boots and shoes are made up to the desired shape, the friction & the
wear and tear consequent upon lasting, turning, and making up will be
avoided, and a better shape will be obtained than would be the case if
the artificial leather was finished on its surface before being made up.
Although, however, I prefer partially coating the fabrics previous to
making them up into boots and shoes, I do not confine myself to that
plan; but when admissable, the plain uncoated fabrics may be made into
boots and shoes in connexion with leather soles or otherwise, and then
coated with the several compositions or other matters, and grained in
hollow dies.
stove room," or
I wish it to be understood, however, that although boots and shoes thus
made may be rendered perfectly waterproof, 1 lay no claim to the making
of india-rubber boots and shoes or goloshes, or to the application of
varnish or marks to imitate stitching thereon, as that is now commonly
practised; but the object of this part of my Invention is to imitate leather,
and to resemble boots and shoes made thereof.
21
1 would here remark, also, that I am aware that iron, millboard, and
various other articles herein-described, have been employed heretofore,
as the body or groundwork of leather articles, but in such cases the said
articles have afterwards been covered with leather, or, with artificial
leather; whereas I produce the leather-like effects thereon by the applica-
tion of certain compositions thereto, and by embossing.
"
When the boots and shoes are to be ventilating, this is effected by per-
forating the uppers" and lining them with embossed or other suitable
fabrics as before described.

page_text: When making travelling cases, portmanteau, dressing or jewellery cases,
pipe or cigar cases, powder flasks, bottles, or other hollow receptacles,
I prefer using as the body or groundwork thereof sheet iron or other.
metal, as before-described. The metal, either before or after being
coated with paper or other soft material, is cut, pressed, and embossed
to the desired shape or configuration by the ordinary machinery employed
for similar purposes, and if not previously coated with paper, is now.
coated therewith. It is then coated with a solution of india-rubber or
any of the other matters herein-before described, after which an imitation
of the grain of leather or of stiching or other marks or ornaments is
produced thereon by means of suitable dies produced by the electrotype
process, or otherwise. When greater toughness and body is required
than can be obtained by the use of sheet iron, I employ instead thereof
millboard, or a series of layers of paper, or of paper and a woven or felted
fabric combined. The body of the article, having been prepared by either
of the above means, is then coated with a composition of paste and glair,
or equivalent matters, or with varnish or paint. In some cases the grain
and other marks or ornaments are produced at the first stamping opera-
tion, and in others it forms the finishing process.
When making book covers, pocket book cases, and similar articles,
according to this Invention, I sometimes employ millboard, cardboard, or
other soft materials, and sometimes sheet iron. When millboard is
employed, the leather-like surface may be applied, if so desired, direct to
the surface of the millboard, a fabric being employed for the back only,
or in the case of pocket book covers for the joints only. In making book
covers in this manner, two boards of half the substance required for the
finished case may be employed on each side thereof, that which is on the
top or outer portion of the cover being softer than the other. The canvas
or other material which is to form the back, having been doubled over at
each end to the length of the intended cover, is cut into strips a little
wider than the back of the book. The boards being then glued or pasted,
a portion of each strip is inserted between each pair of boards, so that
each case or cover is composed of four boards, and a strip of cloth for the
back. When a sufficient quantity are thus placed together they are
pressed, and when dry are coloured and coated with paste and glair, or
paste and glue, or other suitable matters. A grain, to imitate morocco
or other leather, is produced upon the covers by means of electrotype
plates, or otherwise, either before or after the application of the finishing.
composition; but it is preferable to do so afterwards. Instead of a grain;
however, an imitation of embossed roan, suitable for bibles and prayer
books, etc. may be produced. Whichever style of embossing may have
been employed the covers are now in a fit state to be "finished"or

page_text: "blocked" as desired: In some instances it may be, adviseable to cover
the millboard entirely with cloth, as is now done, instead of using cloth
for the back only; but instead of using a finished material, as bookbinders'
cloth or leather as the covering, I employ unbleached or unembossed cloth,
and produce the finish. or leather-like surface after the same are made up.
When sheet iron is employed instead of millboard, the metal is cut into
pieces a little larger than the intended cover. Having cut off two of
the corners of each plate, three of the edges are bent over so as to 'give
greater rigidity and the appearance of greater substance; they are then
lined with coarse paper and made up into cases or covers of the desired
width, as before-described. It is adviseable that the plates be kept
slightly heated during the operation. Although I prefer the use of paste
and glair, or similar matters, as the finishing coating for book cover's,
pocket book cases, and similar articles, it will in many cases be found
.necessary to coat them first with caoutchouc and gutta pércha, and gutta
percha or other waterproofing matters; as herein-before described. The
colour is sometimes applied with the finishing paste, and sometimes as
a dye.
When making architectural or other ornaments, handles, mouldings,
and similar articles, the operation varies according to their size and
character. When rigidity is required without much elaborate or deep
sunk ornamentation, sheet metal may be employed and treated in a
similar manner to that described with reference to cases, and hollow or
irregular-shaped receptacles. For most of these purposes, however, I
prefer the employment of paper, paper pulp, millboard, or other fibrous
or filamentous material in combination with fabrics or other materials, or
not, as desired. When employing these latter articles the mode of
working is much the same at that employed in the early stages of the
papier maché manufacture. Instead, however, of japanning the articles
I coat them with one or more of the adhesive or other matters herein-
before described; and either before or after applying, the said matters a
grain to resemble leather may be applied thereon by means of electrotype
or other suitable rollers, dies, or moulds, on the surface of which a fac-
simile of the article to be imitated has been produced.
When making artificial leather tubing, the body thereof is made of a
woven or a felted fabric, or other strong and tough, fibrous, filamentous,
or other material. When woven materials are employed, and they have
not previously been made into a tube, I first coat one or both sides thereof
with a flexible and adhesive matter, as caoutchouc, or caoutchouc and
gutta percha, or gutta percha and pitch or asphaltum. It is then cut into
strips, and wound around a suitable core either spirally or longitudinally.
When a sufficient substance has been attained the leather-like-surface is

page_text: produced thereon by means of a coating or coatings of adhesive water-
proofing matter, as before described, and afterwards (when so desired)
with varnish. An imitation of the grain of leather and of stitching may
be applied, if necessary; either before or after the application of the
finishing varnish or composition.
When making gloves according to this Invention, I employ by prefer-
ence as the groundwork suitably prepared alpaca, common silk, or fine
woven linen or calico. These having been made to the desired shape are
coated with caoutchouc, with which is combined suitable colouring
matters and a little sulphur or sulphuret of lead, and in some cases also
a small quantity of gutta percha. Woven, knitted, or other kinds of gloves
may also receive a leather-like surface thereon by means of suitable
coatings of waterproofing or other matters, as before described.
.
Other articles, not herein-before particularly mentioned, but which are
at present made of leather, may also be made by the before-described
processes or other similar means, as for example, certain parts of harness,
whips, certain parts of military accoutrements, buckets, straps, etc.
When a series of layers of fabrics is employed to form the body or
ground-work of the artificial leather I sometimes sew or stitch them to-
gether by means of the sewing machine or otherwise; and when great
strength and flexibility is required, as in the case of belts, bands, tubing,
etc. both sewing and cementing may be employed.
In certain cases also some of the articles herein-before described may
be made of wood, and receive a leather-like grain by means of suitable
dies or rollers (by preference) highly heated. They may be covered with
paper or not, as desired, and coated with one or more of the several
matters before described.
When a filamentous or fibrous material is to be attached to fabrics, I
sometimes connect a carding engine, or similar mechanical appliances tó
those employed in carding engines, to an embossing machine. Other
machanical appliances may also be attached to the embossing machine for
the purpose of distributing colour or ther matter over the fabric, or for im
parting a polished or finishing surface to the same before or after receiving
the grain. When the finish is imparted after the grain has been produced
as in the case of hard-grained morocco, brushes or soft rubbers will be
found most suitable; but the required gloss upon the surface of the nibs of
the grain may in some cases be produced by applying a coating of glair or
other suitable matter to the said nibs. In either case, however, care must
be taken that the polish be not imparted to the indented portions of the
grain, as that would destroy the desired effect. By these means the
several operations of uniting two, or more materials, of imparting the
grain, and of giving the finish to the surface will be rendered synchronous:

page_text: An imitation of the stiching or binding of boots, shoes and other
articles, and also certain descriptions of form and ornamentation may be
imparted to the substitutes for leather by means of suitable pressing
surfaces arranged in a strong framework, and actuated by cams or levers,
or their mechanical equivalents in such manner that while one part is
receding from, another shall be pressing upon the article. I have, how-
ever, represented in Figs. 2, 3, and 4 of Sheet C a machine, by means of
which certain kinds of hollow, irregular-shaped, and ornamental articles
may be pressed or embossed on two or more sides simultaneously.
A, A, is a cast-iron framework; B is a large toothed wheel on which are
three cams. These cams press upon the roller C and on the lever D, for
giving an upward motion to the die-holder E, the height of which may be
regulated by the nut F beneath it. G, G, G³, are three other die-
holders, and in them are dovetailed grooves, into which the dies slide.
The holder G is acted upon by the set screws H, H, and may thereby be
placed at any desired distance from the opposite one. I is a forked
lever for working the clutch J, and K is the pinion by which the toothed
wheel B is driven. The material having been placed between the dies
receives one or more impressions therefrom; it is then removed, and
another inserted in its stead, and so on in constant succession without
stopping the machine.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the means
by which the same may be carried into operation, I would have it under-
stood that what I claim in respect thereof is,
First, the production of imitations of leather upon suitably prepared
fabrics, or other materials, after the said materials have been made up
into boots and shoes, and other coverings for the feet.
Secondly, I claim producing upon suitably prepared fabrics or other
materials an imitation of "binding" or "closing" or other marks, and of
different kinds of leather, and of leather and another material so as to
make the same resemble and be suitable for "
shoes or other coverings for the feet.
uppers for boots and
Thirdly, I claim producing imitations of leather upon sheet iron or other
metal, upon millboard, papier maché, wood, and similar materials, either
before or after the said materials have been fashioned to any given shape
or configuration..
Fourthly, I claim producing imitations of leather upon woven or felted
fabrics, or other materials, after the said materials have been made up or
fashioned into hollow, irregular-shaped, ornamental, or any other desired
form or configuration.
Fifthly, I claim rendering articles, made according to this Invention,
or similar materials, permeable to air by perforating them over their

page_text: entire surface, or nearly so, with minute holes, and lining them with an
embossed or other material having a number of small nibs or protuber-
ances upon its surface.
Sixthly, I claim the use of heated rollers, cylinders, or hollow and
irregular shaped dies, on the surface of which a fac-simile of grained
leather and of sewing and stitching has been produced by the electrotype
process or equivalent means.
Seventhly, I claim the use of sulphur or other vulcanizing agents in
combination with caoutchouc, gutta percha, oil, or other viscous matters
when the said matters are employed for coating or saturating fibrous
materials or felted fabrics to be made into substitutes for leather, or
when used for coating woven fabrics or other materials after the said
materials have been formed to a given shape or configuration.
Eighthly, I claim the use of machinery or apparatus, as herein-before
described, or any mere modifications thereof, for coating or ornamenting
fabrics or other materials.
Ninthly, I claim the several methods herein-before described, or any
mere modifications thereof, for producing imitations of or substitutes for
leather.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Green, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixth day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.
WILLIAM GREEN. (L.S.)