IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND SHOES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Tom Thompson and Abraham Wilson, both of Leeds, in
the County of York, Engineers, and Joseph Wright, also of Leeds, in the said
County, Boot and Shoe Manufacturer, for the Invention of " IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND
SHOES."
Sealed the 18th May 1880, and dated the 25th November 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Tom Thompson, Abraham
Wilson, and Joseph Wright at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on
the 25th November 1879.
TOM THOMPSON and ABRAHAM WILSON, both of Leeds, in the County of York,
Engineers, and JOSEPH WRIGHT, also of Leeds, in the said County, Boot and Shoe
Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR USE IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND SHOES."
Our Invention relates to machinery or apparatus for lasting boots and shoes, and
driving or pressing therein sprigs, tacks, or tingles. For pressing the tops or uppers
of boots and shoes over the lasts we use slides or moveable parts to which are
attached cramps are holders; the said slides or moveable parts are actuated by one
or more worms, wheels, cams, springs, or other gear in conjunction with a fixed
block or die, the opening in which corresponds with the figure of and surrounds
the last upon which the insole and the top or upper are placed.
The last with the insole and top or upper on being placed in position within the
said block or die is carried by suitable supports.
The slides, cramps, or holders are worked so as to grip the top or upper of the
boot or shoe at the sides, toe, and heel, and to turn and hold the same over the insole.
In connection with the above moveable slides are receptions for the sprigs, tacks,
or tingles, and the tacking is effected by punches so arranged and operated as to
drive or press all the sprigs, tacks, or tingles in the required positions in the
partially formed boot or shoe at one operation.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Tom Thompson, Abraham Wilson, and Joseph Wright in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 25th May 1880.
TOM THOMPSON and ABRAHAM WILSON, both of Leeds, in the County of York,
Engineers, and JOSEPH WRIGHT, also of Leeds, in the said County, Boot and Shoe
Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR USE IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND SHOES."
Our Invention relates to machinery or apparatus for lasting boots and shoes,
and driving or pressing therein sprigs, tacks, or tingles, and is designed to
enable these operations to be performed with greater facility than has heretofore
been usual.
For pressing the tops or uppers of boots and shoes over the lasts we use slides
or moveable parts having cramps or holders attached thereto or formed therewith,
and so actuated as to either approach or recede from one another, and a fixed block
or die, the opening in which corresponds with the figure of and surrounds the last
upon which the insole and the top or upper are placed. The last, with the insole
and top or upper are placed within the said fixed block or die and there held
by adjustable supports which allow of adjustment to the proper position for the
required operation.
The slides or moveable parts, cramps, or holders are so worked as to grip or
press the top or upper of the boot or shoe and to turn and hold the same over
the insole. In the moveable slides are holes to receive the sprigs, tacks, or tingles,
and the tacking is effected by punches so arranged and operated as to drive or
press all the sprigs, tacks, or tingles in the required positions in the partially
formed boot or shoe at one operation.
Figure 1 of the Drawings is a plan of a machine or apparatus embodying our
Invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation partly in section.
Figure 3 is a front elevation also partly in section; Figure 4, a plan of the
slides or moveable parts formed with cramps or holders, and which in this view
are shown in a closed position; Figures 5 show the punches in plan and elevation;
Figures 6 show, in sectional elevation at E, and in underside plan at E 1, one of the
slides or moveable parts so shaped as to form the cramp or holder at I by serrations
or grooves running along the front or leading on edge of said slides, which serrations
or grooves may be parallel to or at an angle with the said leading on edge of said
slides. K is the last; K 2, the insole; K 3, the top or upper turned over; K 4 are
the holes for the insertion of the sprigs, tacks, or tingles; and K 5 is a sprig, tack,
or tingle in position for being operated upon by the punches shewn in Figures 5.
A is the framework for carrying the table and working parts of the machine; B is
a recessed table in which a camplate C is so mounted as to be capable of rotating
motion; D is a cover enclosing the same; E, F, G, H, are the slides or moveable
parts so arranged as to form the cramps or holders at I; F 1, F 2, G 1, G 2, are
supplementary cramps or holders for ensuring the better turning over of the top or
upper at the heel and toe; J is the fixed block or die surrounding the last K, and
which, by being turned over, answers for both right and left lasts; L, L, L, L, are
curvilinear or cam-like slots in the circular camplate C; K1 is a plate for holding
the insole in position; M, M, M, M, are parallel guide slots in the table B and cover
D; N, N, N, N, are studs attached to the slides or moveable parts E, F, G, H, and
which pass through the said slots M, as also through the curvilinear or cam-like
slots L, whereby these studs N are operated as hereinafter explained; O is
a cross lever or handle turning a worm or endless screw P in gear with suitable
teeth on so as to impart motion in a rotary sense to the camplate C. When
a partial rotation is imparted to this camplate the curvilinear or cam-like slots
acting on the studs N cause the slides or moveable parts E, F, G, H, to simul-

page_text: taneously move towards the fixed block or die J and last K, or to recede there-
from according as the cam-plate C is moved round one way or the reverse; Q,
Q1, are the supports for the last K, and are adjustable by means of the nuts Q2,
Q3. The principal support Q has a vertical movement by means of the hand
lever R for raising the last and the parts of the boot or shoe into a convenient
position for removal after the operation of lasting has been completed. The forked
end of the lever R takes hold of two studs R 1 and R2, which are fixed into a
cylindrical sliding piece within the guiding socket R 3. Slots R4 are provided in
this socket to admit of the passage of the studs R 1 and R 2. S, S, S, S, are perfo-
rations in the slides or moveable parts E, F, G, H, for the reception of the sprigs,
tacks, or tingles, and serves also as guides for the punches shewn in Figures 5. The
sprigs, tacks, or tingles having been inserted in the holes the punches are next
placed therein and by means of the hammer T moving on a fulcrum U the punches
are struck, thus driving home the sprigs, tacks, or tingles. The hammer is actuated
by the hand lever V.
"
Having described the nature of our Invention, and explained in what manner
the same is to be or may be carried into practical effect we desire to have it under-
stood that we do not confine ourselves to the exact details and configuration of parts
we have explained and shown, as the same may obviously be varied or modified
without in any way departing from the essential features of our Invention; we
would also remark that other means than those shewn may be employed for
simultaneously operating the slides or moveable parts E, F, G, H; what we
consider to be novel and original and claim as secured to us under the herein before
in part recited Letters Patent is,―
1st. The use, in conjunction with a fixed block or die, of slides or moveable
parts, having portions thereof or attachments thereto so formed as to grip or press
and turn over and hold the tops or uppers of boots or shoes whilst and until the
same are fixed by sprigs, tacks, or tingles, substantially as described.
2d. The method, substantially as described and shewn, of actuating the slides or
moveable parts for the purpose specified.
3d. The method, substantially as described, of holding, guiding, and driving the
sprigs, tacks, or tingles by the use of guiding holes as above specified and explained,
in conjunction with punches and a hammer or pressing device.
4th. The arrangement, substantially as described, for adjusting and supporting
the last, insole, and upper during the operation of turning over and fixing and
raising the partly made boot or shoe for removal after the lasting operation.
5th. The improved lasting machinery constructed, arranged, and operating
substantially as shewn in and described with reference to the accompanying
Drawings.
In witness whereof, we, the said Tom Thompson, Abrabam Wilson, and Joseph
Wright, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Twentieth day of May,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty