IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS
Year: 1859

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Stannet, of New Street, Covent Garden,
in the County of Middlesex, Boot and Shoe Maker, for the Invention
of IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND
Sealed the 20th. April 1860, and dated the 29th October 1859.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Stannet at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
29th October 1859.
I, CHARLES STANNET, of New Street, Covent Garden, in the County of
Middlesex, Boot and Shoe Maker, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
BOOTS AND SHOES, OR OTHER COVERINGS FOR THE FEET," to be as follows:-"
My Invention of improvements in apparatus for the manufacture of boots &
shoes, relates, first, to a machine whereby the holes are pierced in the sole for
the insertion of pegs, nails, or other fastenings, which machine is also applicable
for inserting the nails, pegs, or other fastenings, it may be at the same time, or at
a subsequent operation. For this purpose I mount, the boot or shoe and sole
on a last in the ordinary manner, and fix this last firmly on a table, which is
set on castors or other contrivance, so that it may be may be moved in any
[Price 8d.1

page_text: direction on a bed or lower table on which it stands. Instead of the movable
table being so mounted as to be controlled by hand, it may be fitted to move
in cam grooves, so that it may perform the motion required to bring the
several parts of the sole under the instruments. The bed or lower table is
capable of rising or falling, and is under the influence of & forced up by
springs or weights. For piercing the holes an awl is fixed in a stem or arm,
which receives a reciprocating motion by means of eccentrics or cranks, which
causes it to descend and pierce the hole, and then retire & leave time for a
change in the position of the sole under operation. This awl is constant in its
ascent and descent, & it is to meet the inequalities of level in the sole that the
spring bed is used, which constantly forces it up to a stop arranged for the
purpose, or the stop may be simply the spur or wheel which gives motion to
the sole under operation, to be herein-after described. A shaft which gives
motion to the eccentrics or crauks carries a wheel with, say, ten teeth, which
wheel takes into a pinion having ten teeth fixed on a small shaft carrying the
spur or wheel before mentioned, the ten-toothed wheel having a diameter at
the pitch line, say, five or six times greater than the pinion it drives, the teeth
have necessarily long spaces or blanks between them, and thus take into the
pinion only at intervals, and so that it remains at rest while the blank parts of
the periphery of the wheel are passing. By this arrangement, time is allowed
for the operation of the other actions of the machine, viz., the piercing of the
hole, and it may be also the insertion of a peg or nail. The piercing
awl works adjacent to the spur or wheel which actuates the sole under
operation, where there is also a fence or guide against which the edge of the
sole is held and guided. The spur may be simply a sharp toothed wheel
taking into the surface of the sole or other surface fixed thereto, or it may be
a pinion taking into rack teeth fixed on the sole. The boot or shoe and sole
being on the last, is in an inverted position, and constantly pressed up against
the spur for driving it round, by the elastic bed. The action of the machine
is this, the motion of the machine causes the awl to descend, pierce a hole,
and then rise, the ten-toothed wheel operates on the pinion soon after the awl
is clear, thus causing the spur to advance the sole the distance from one hole
to the next to be made (the carriage or movable table being controlled also
by hand at same time), the awl again descends, makes another hole, and so
on the holes are made all round the sole. In order that the last and sole may
be held up rigidly while the hole is being pierced, or the peg or nail inserted,
I arrange two fine racks rising from the upper surface of the bed, so that two
spring catches take into them at the moment of piercing or inserting a peg,
nail, or other fastening, which have the effect of fixing the bed for the time,

page_text: but which is again left free between each perforation to permit the table to
accommodate itself to the inequality in the level of the sole, and so that the
awl always enters the same distance. The ten-toothed wheel gives motion to
and withdraws these spring catches from the racks. Other methods of
temporily fixing the bed may be adopted. This machine is also applicable
for piercing holes in soles, heels, and other parts in the flat, and before applying
them to the boot or shoe, for which purpose a fixed table may be adopted,
which, however, should be adjustable by screws, or otherwise, or the awl
holder may be adjustable according to the thickness to be pierced. The spring
table or bed should move in guides, so that it retains at all times its horizontal
position. This same machine is also applicable for inserting the peg, nails, or
other fastenings in boots, shoes, and other coverings for the feet, which may
either be performed separately, or at the time of piercing. For this purpose I
propose to mount a tube containing the pegs, nails, or other fastenings with a
double oscillating stop, which delivers one peg or nail at a time, which runs
down a small shoot tube, so that the point arrives opposite a hole, a presser
then descends in the same manner as the awl, and entering the little shoot
forces the peg or nail into the hole as required. If this operation is to take
place at same time as the piercing, the peg tube is placed in the rear of the
awl, so that the peg or nail may be forced in at same time as the preceding
hole is being pierced, or it may be two or three holes in advance; in this case
duplicate & other parts must be added to the machine to produce the motions
required; but I prefer to perform these two operations separately from each
other. If greater or less distance is required between the holes pierced, a
larger spur wheel is applied, & where the pegging or nailing is performed in a
subsequent operation, it is necessary to use a toothed wheel and a rack placed
on the sole, so that the motion given may be precisely the same in the one
case as in the other.
The next part of my Invention relates to a machine for cutting leather,
which acts similarly to what is known as a fret saw. It consists of a narrow
thin steel blade kept in tension, and having a reciprocating motion imparted
to it by treadle and crank, or otherwise. I prefer to use a knife edge, but it
may be finely serrated if desired. I pass the leather to be cut through a guide
fixed on a table which holds the leather above and below, and keeps it flat
while it is being pushed up against the cutting edge, by this means straight
lines or any curves or shapes may be readily cut.
The next part of my Invention relates to a machine for cutting strips of
leather, which consists of a reciprocating knife and a stationary one, which cut
somewhat in the manner of shears; the leather is placed on a table, and

page_text: advanced over the stationary blade, and up against a fence which regulates
the breadth to be cut off. The upper knife having descended and cut off the
breadth required, on its ascent the leather again advances to the fence, and so
The leather is advanced by weights acting on a presser, which abuts on
the rear edge of the leather for that purpose.
The next part of my Invention relates to blocking the soles & other parts,
and consists in the application of a bag of shot or other granulated material,
either of sufficient weight in itself, or as I prefer it, with the further pressure
of a suitable press. The granulated material assumes the uneven surface
required to be given to the leather, and presses equally over the whole surface,
or nearly so.
The next part of my Invention relates to a hammer mechanically actuated
for hammering leather; this I mount and work somewhat like a tilt hammer,
it being so mounted, that by altering the fulcrum on which the hammer shaft
or helve moves, the blow can be regulated to fall with greater or lesser force
as required, for moulding or hammering leather. A suitable anvil or block is
adapted to the machine, as also driving parts, suitable for driving by hand,
theadle or other power.
The last part of my Invention relates to the application of moulds for the
purpose of compressing and forming the split and other lifts of soles and heels,
and other parts of boots and shoes previously to their being applied to the
boot or shoc, or other article; by such means the heels & soles or other parts
are rendered solid, & in form before their application to the boot or shoe.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Charles Stannet in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
28th April 1860.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME. I, CHARLES
STANNET, of New Street, Covent Garden, in the County of Middlesex, Boot
& Shoe Maker, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-ninth day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, in the twenty-third year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Charles Stannet, Her special licence that I, the said Charles
Stannet, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I,
the said Charles Stannet, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should

page_text: 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 APPARATUS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND SHOES,
AND OTHER COVERINGS FOR THE FEET," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said Charles Stannet, my executors or administrators, by an instru-
ment in writing 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 immedi-
ately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Charles Stannet, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the Sheet of Drawings hereunto annexed,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
My Invention of improvements in apparatus for the manufacture of boots
and shoes relates, first, to a machine whereby the holes are pierced in the sole
for the insertion of pegs, or nails, or other fastenings, which machine is also
applicable for inserting the nails or pegs, it may be at same time, or at a
subsequent operation. For this purpose I mount the boot or shoe and sole on
a last in the ordinary manner, and fix this last firmly on on table or carriage,
which is set on castors or other contrivances, so that it may be moved in any
direction on a bed or lower table on which it stands. Instead of the movable
table or carriage being so mounted as to be controlled by hand, it may be
fitted to move in cam grooves, so that it may perform the motion required to
bring the several parts of the sole under the instruments. The bed or lower
table is capable of rising or falling, and is under the influence of springs or
weights, which tend to raise it. For piercing the holes an awl is fixed in a
stem or arm, which receives a reciprocating motion by means of eccentrics.
cams, or cranks, which cause it to descend and pierce the hole and then retire,
and leave time for a change of position in the sole under operation. This awl
is constant in its ascent and descent, and it is to meet the inequalities of level
of the sole that the spring bed or table is used, which constantly forces the
sole up to a stop arranged for the purpose; or the stop may be simply the
spur or wheel which gives motion to the sole under operation, to be herein-
after explained. A shaft which gives motion to or from the eccentric's shafts
carries a large wheel with ten or other number of teeth, according to the

page_text: gearing of the shaft, which takes into a pinion, also having ten teeth, fixed
on a small shaft carrying the spur or wheel before mentioned. The ten-
toothed wheel having a diameter at the pitch line some five or six times
greater than the pinion it drives, the teeth have necessarily long spaces or
.blanks between them, and thus take into the pinion only at intervals, and so
that it remains at rest while the blank parts of the periphery of the wheel are
passing. By this arrangement time is allowed for the operation of the action
of the machine to pierce the hole, or it may be also the insertion of a peg, or
nail, or other fastening. The piercing awl works adjacent to the spur or
wheel which moves the shoe with its sole under operation, where there is also
a fence or guide, against which the edge of the sole is held and guided. The
spur may be simply a sharp-toothed wheel, taking into the surface of the sole
or other surface fixed thereto, or it may be a pinion taking into rack teeth
fixed on the sole. The boot or shoc, being on the last in an inverted position,
is constantly pressed up against the spur for driving it round by the elastic
bed or table, the motion of the machine causes the awl to descend, pierce a
hole, and then rise. The ten-toothed wheel operates on the pinion soon after
the awl is clear, thus causing the spur to advance the distance from one hole
to the next to be made (the carriage or movable table is controlled by hand
at same time). The awl again descends, makes another hole, and so on.
The holes are made all round the sole. In order that the last and sole be
held up rigidly while the hole is being pierced, or the peg or nail inserted, I
arrange two fine racks rising from the upper surface of the bed, so that two
spring catches take into them at the moment of piercing or inserting a peg,
or nail, or other fastening, which have the effect of fixing the bed or table for
a time, but which is again left free after each. perforation or insertion of a
peg, to permit the table to accommodate itself to the inequality in the level
of the sole, so that the awl always enters the sole to the same extent. The
ten-toothed wheel gives motion and withdraws these spring catches from the
racks; other methods of temporily fixing the bed may be adopted. This
machine is also applicable for piercing holes in soles, heels, and other parts in
the flat, and before applying them to the boot or shoe, for which purpose a
fixed table may be adopted, which, however, should be adjustable by screws
or otherwise, or the awl holder may be adjustable according to the thickness
to be pierced. The spring table or bed should move in guides, so that it
retains at all times a parallel position. The same machine is also applicable
for inserting the pegs, or nails, or other fastenings in boots, shoes, & other
coverings for the feet, which may either be performed separately, or at the
time of piercing. For this purpose I mount a tube containing the pegs, or

page_text: nails, or other fastenings, with a double oscillating stop, which delivers one peg
or nail at a time, which runs down a small shoot tube, so that the point arrives
opposite the hole made by the awl. A presser then descends in the same
manner as the awl, and entering the little shoot, forces the peg, or nail
into the hole, as required. If this operation is to take place at same time
as the piercing, the peg tube is placed in the rear of the awl, so that the peg,
nail, or other fastening may be forced in at same time as the subsequent hole
is being pierced; or it may be two or three holes in the rear, in this case
duplicate and other parts must be added to the machine to produce the
motions required, but I prefer, according to this arrangement of the machine,
to perform these two operations separately from each other. If greater or less
distance is required between the holes pierced, a larger spur or wheel is
applied, and where the pegging or nailing is performed as a subsequent
operation, it is necessary to use a tooth wheel and a rack placed & fixed on
the sole, so that the motion given may be precisely the same in one case as
in the other.
The next part of my Invention relates to a machine for cutting leather,
which acts similarly to what is known as a fret saw. It consists of a narrow
thin steel blade, kept in tension, and having a reciprocating motion imparted
to it by treaddle and crank or otherwise. I prefer to use a knife edge, but it
may be finely serrated, if desired. 1 pass the leather to be cut through a
guide fixed on a table, which holds the leather above and below, and keeps it
in position while it is being pushed up against the cutting edge; by this means
straight lines or any curves or shapes may be readily cut; leather may also be
readily split thereby.
The next part of my Invention relates to a machine for cutting strips of
leather, which consists of a reciprocating knife and a stationary one, which cut
somewhat in the manner of shears. The leather is placed on a table and
advanced over a stationary blade and up against a fence, which regulates the
breadth to be cut off. The upper knife having descended and cut off the
breadth required, on its ascent the leather again advances to the fence, and so
on. The leather is advanced by weights or springs acting on a presser, which
abuts on the rear edge of the leather for that purpose.
The next part of my Invention relates to blocking soles and other parts of
boots and shoes. It consists in the application of a bag of shot or other
granulated material, with which I press leather on suitable rigid forms or
moulds, to impart the shape required. This bag may either be of sufficient
weight in itself, or, as I prefer it, with the further pressure of a suitable press.
The granulated material assumes the uneven surface required to be given to

page_text: the leather, and presses equally over the whole mould or form of the last, or
nearly so, and thus blocking and forming the parts as required.
The next part of my Invention relates to a hammer mechanically actuated
for hammering leather. This I mount and work somewhat like a tilt hammer,
it being so mounted that by altering the fulcrum on which the hammer shaft
or helve moves, or by changing the point of attachment of the connecting rod
by which it may be actuated with the helve (the motion of which is constant),
the blow can be regulated to fall with greater or lesser force, as required, for
moulding or hammering leather. A suitable anvil or block is adapted to the
machine and driving parts, suitable for driving by hand, treaddle, or other
power, the whole of which will be readily understood without further descrip-
tion, somewhat similar hammers being used as for other hammering purposes.
The last part of my Invention relates to the particular application of moulds
herein-after described for the purpose of compressing and forming split and
other lifts of soles and heels and other parts of boots and shoes previously to
their being applied to the boots and shoes or other articles; by such means
the heels and soles are rendered solid, and may be made entire before their
application to the boot or shoe. For this purpose I make the moulds in
partial forms of the parts required to be moulded, and fix them to tongs
having great leverage, and compress the parts of the moulds together, which
partially forms the leather, which is to be further moulded and completed with
the bag of shot or granulated material herein-before described, or otherwise.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 represents a front view of a machine arranged according to my
Invention for piercing or pegging boots and shoes; and Fig. 2, a longitudinal
vertical section of the same. A, A, are the side frames mounted on a suitable
bed or bench B, and secured by the rods C, C; D is the main shaft, on which
is mounted a fly wheel E, driven by a winch handle or other power. On
shaft D is fixed a spur pinion F, gearing into a wheel G, mounted on shaft H;
this is fitted in bearings in the frame A and bracket I fixed thereto; on the
other end of this shaft is fixed the wheel L, having long vacancies between the
teeth, so as to act on the pinion M, which it drives at intervals only, although
receiving a continuous rotary motion itself. The wheel L, according to this
arrangement, has five teeth, which act as tappets on pinion M; the number
of teeth may may be varied, but must act once for each revolution of the
shaft D. The axis a of M is mounted in extensions b, b, of the bracket I, and
carries a spur c on the end, which spur gives motion to the shoe under
operation as will appear. P is a guard or guide, sliding on axis a, against

page_text: which the edge of the sole is pressed while under operation; in the face of
this are small rollers d, d; to reduce the friction a stem e projects from the
back of the guide, and is received and fixed in a socket by a binding screw f,
by which its position may be adjusted to regulate the distance of the spur c
from the edge of the sole, and the same acts in like manner in regard to the
perforations:
Eccentrics QQ. are fixed on the shaft D, on which are fitted the openings
in the sliding plates R. R; these plates move up and down simultaneously in
guides fixed to the standards A; A. To these plates R, R, is fixed the bar S;
which carries the piercer, g, it being fixed in a bracket attached thereto. T is
the bed.or table on which the carriage W rests which carries the boot or shoe
under operation. This table, it will be observed; is fixed in an inclined
position, the object of that being that the awl or piercer shall point slightly
away from instead of towards the edge of the sole. In order to prevent any,
tendency of the carriage to run down the incline, it is better to dispose the
machine so that the table shall be horizontal and the other parts inclined a
little thereto, which is simply effected by raising the bench of the machine on
the lower side of table-until the table is level. The table T is supported on
springs U, U, so that it may rise and fall on receiving a given, pressure.
These springs are disposed round the centre of pressure (the awl): so as to
receive it equally, the table being guided in its-up-and-down motion by rods h; h,
fixed to it, and received within sockets i, i, supported from and fixed to bed B.
Other means of guiding may be adopted, such as friction rollers running on
vertical guides at. each corner. Two bars V, one at either side of the frame A,
are attached to the table T, being bent and passing through slots in the
frames A; these bars slide in guides k at top, and have ratchet teeth cut in
them, which receive spring catch bars m; these, when engaged with the teeth;
fix the bars V, and consequently the table T, and form a rigid, support for it.
These spring lever, catches are acted on by cams 1; 1, (fixed on shaft D)
taking effect on levers-n, n, to throw out the catches m simultaneously & at
the proper time; one of these are separtely represented in a partial side view
of. one frame A, in Fig. 5. This apparatus disengages the rack bars V, and
keeps them so while the boot or shoe carriage is being moved by the spur c.
W is the carriage on which. I place the boot or shoe to be pierced; it is
also seen in side view and plan at Figs. 3 and 4; Fig. 3 is an elevation, and
Fig. 4 a plan. It consists of a base o, carrying two sockets in which rests p; p;
to receive the boot. or shoe are fixed by binding screws-at suitable elevation;
the lastron which the boot or shoe is placed being fixed too by a bolt or other
suitable means, to render the last a fixture,. This carriage is mounted on four

page_text: castors, which should be strong and nicely made, so as to turn readily and
allow the carriage to turn freely in any direction on the table T; the surface
of this table should be of iron, planed, and quite smooth. Instead of castors
steel balls may be substituted, or other sliding points of contact. The sole
and upper of a boot, shoe, or other article having been fixed on the last in the
ordinary way previous to pegging or nailing on the soles is fixed, as described,
and shown on carriage W. The table T is depressed, and the sole brought
under spur c; the table thus forces the sole up against the spur c, the points
of which enter the leather with some force. The edge of the sole being placed
against guide rollers d. motion may be given to the machine, and the work of
piercing commenced. At each revolution of shaft D the awl descends &
enters the sole, piercing it to the depth required between each descent of the
awl g a tooth of L takes into pinion M, and moves it a tenth of a revolution.
thus moving the axis a and spur c, & thereby giving to the boot and shoe and
its carriage W a certain amount of motion, which, being at the same time guided
by hand against guide rollers d, advances it to position for receiving the next
perforation, and so on, the several perforations are produced round the sole, the
boot or shoe being guided to present itself all round for that purpose. If two
rows of holes are required, two awls may be used at one time, and fixed in
same bracket. X is a weighed pall taking into the pinion M to hold it in
position while the wheel L is out of gear with it. A pendant lever Y, acted
on by a tooth of wheel L, throws catch pall X out of gear with pinion M while
another tooth of L imparts motion to that pinion.
If it is desired to drive the pegs with this machine I prefer to do so at a
subsequent operation, and use a blunt driver instead of the awl; to effect this
it is necessary to use a small pinion instead of the spur c, in the previous
operation, and fix a rack on the sole of the shoe with which it is to gear, and
to move the shoe; this will insure the sole in this second travverse to stop with
the holes exactly under the driver. The pegs are supplied by a conducting
tube or channel, one at a time, at each revolution of the shaft D; this tube
is represented in another arrangement of this apparatus represented in the
Drawings, and will be explained herein-after. The driver and peg-feeding
tube must be disposed in the rear of the awl a distance equal to the space
between the pegs, so that the last hole pierced comes under the peg tube, from
which the peg falls and enters the hole made, and is driven home by the
descent of the driver. As the axis a always has the same rate of speed I use
spurs c, or pinions of different diameters to move the sole under operation
a greater or lesser distance, and so regulate the space between the holes.
Fig. 6 represents a front view, and Fig. 7 a lateral vertical section, through

page_text: line 3, 4, Fig. 6, of a modified arrangement of this piercing and pegging machine.
In this arrangement the carriage W and spring table T are the same as before,
with the exception that the springs of the table are enclosed in the sockets i,
as seen in a section thereof in Fig. 7, and will not require a further
description.
I may here observe, that instead of springs to raise the table T, it may be
elevated by means of weights acting on cords attached to the table, and con-
ducted over pullies to produce the effect desired, or a combination of springs
with weights and pullies may be adopted. The driving spur c in this arrange-
ment is the same as before. In this machine all the movements are derived
directly from the fly wheel shaft D, the first mover driven by winch handle or
otherwise; this shaft at each revolution pierces a hole in the sole, and inserts
a peg therein. For this purpose a, b, are two upright rods fitted to slide up
and down, and to turn in bearings c', c¹, carried by the bars d', d', connecting
side frames A, A. These rods are cranked at the lower part, the one part
carrying the awl g, and the other the driver e¹. The spindle a and spur c
receive motion at each revolution of D, by means of a small cam f', which takes
effect on the free end of lever g, carrying the clawker h', & pulls the ratchet
wheel the distance of one or more of its teeth at each oscillation of lever g.
The extent of motion may be varied by altering the fulcrum of lever g", as
shown dotted, or by an alteration of the cam, and so advance the sole under
operation more or less. A further variation of movement may be obtained by
using spurs c of different diameters, as before explained. The rods a', b¹ are
each pressed upwards by springs ¹, that on b' being the only raising power,
the other rod a being lifted by a cam, as will be explained, the spring simply
keeping it up when lifted. There are three cams 5, 6, 7, on shaft D to
operate on rods a¹, b', 5 being that which depresses rod b¹ and peg driver e¹;
6 is the cam for depressing rod a', and by it the awl g, and so piercing the
hole and cam; 7 raises the rod a', and draws the awl out the sole cam 5
simply presses on the head of rod b', and cam 6 operates in like manner
on the top of rod a for the depression, while the cam 7 raises a¹ by bearing
on the upper part of the gab piece A¹ mounted on a'. The piece A' is fitted
to the top of rod a', so that the rod can turn therein, but which can at sanie
time bear properly thereon to transmit the downward pressure, and also pull
it upwards. For this purpose a neck is formed in rod a', and a cut ring placed
therein, which is fixed by through pins l', the piece A' is prevented turning by
its square guide rod m sliding through a suitable bracket n'.
The rods a, b, have each a groove p', p', cut in them, which grooves are
for the most part parallel with the rods, but at the lower part are inclined or

page_text: wind round slightly as seen, pins q', q', fixed in bearings c¹, enter into these
grooves, so that on the descent of either taking place they must rotate a certain
distance in the first part of the descent.
Fig. 8 shows a plan of the rods a¹, b¹, in the bearing c. It will be scen
that the awl g & driver e¹ each turn on their axes a', b¹, and descend on the
same spot, in fact descent through the short socket r', the awl first coming
down and piercing the hole, and the driver then following to drive the peg, all
of which is performed while the sole remains stationary. The socket is at
the lower end of the tube or duct C, which delivers the pegs or nails to be
driven. The pegs are introduced at the upper part of this tube, which is just
of a size to allow the pegs to slide down readily and to remain one on the end
of the other. To deliver the pegs one at a time, D' is a small escapement
apparatus shown separately at Fig. 9, the tail s¹ of which is acted on by two
tappets t, t, fixed in rod a'. (The horns u, u¹, are fitted to approach and
recede from each other, according to the length of the pegs). The horns of D¹
enter openings in the side of tube C', and as it oscillates by the descending
motion of rod a', it allows a peg to escape from above the upper horn u¹, but
which peg is caught by the lower horn u', and held until the rise of a', which
then causes it by lower tappet t' to release the peg, which runs down the tube
and is received in socket r¹, in readiness to be driven by e¹; a slight spring may
be added to insure the passage of the peg into sockets r. The upper horn u¹
again entering the tube at the moment of escape of the lower peg prevents the
descent of more than the one before passed by it; a repetition of the operation
then takes place, and so on. A spring may be adapted to the escapement,
which will cause it to complete the latter half of its revolution more sharply,
and so better insure the regular passage of the pegs. The rack bars V, to fix
the table of this machine, are shown separately at Fig. 10. In this case the
spring catch levers are of a different order, and the cams b are arranged to act
thereon, so as to fix the bars V instead of releasing them as before, as will
be readily understood by reference to the Drawings. The bars V are of
course released, while the boot or shoe under operation is being moved.
Instead of the aw! descending through socket ', this piece may be mounted on
a slide actuated by a cam and lever, so as to move away a little while the
awl descends, after the awl rises it will then advance to position, and be held
rigidly while the peg descends, and is forced through it by the driver into and
through the sole as desired. Instead of driving the sole round by means of a
spur c, the sharp points thereto may be dispensed with, and the motion com-
municated by the awl while it is inserted in the leather. For this purpose I
arrange the cranked parts of a¹, b¹, nearly in line with each other, and instead. of

page_text: the simple groove p¹ of a', I use a double groove, one for the ascent and another
for the descent, the rod a being caused to perform partial revolutions in its
highest and lowest positions by an independent cam action. For this purpose
the socket must be mounted on a slide, as last herein-before explained, and
recede and advance from and to the position where the awl rises, so that the
peg may be delivered in position over the hole, where also the driver is brought
and descends in manner much as before explained. Instead of the awl being
mounted on an axis, as at a¹, it may be mounted on a slide which moves to and
fro (to drive the sole round) in line with the line of pegs, the rise and fall
being produced by a lever or levers actuated by suitable cams in manner some-
what as arranged and described with reference to the machine last herein
described.
The next part of my Invention relates to the reciprocating knife for cutting,
shaping, and splitting leather in the manufacture of boots & shoes and other
coverings for the feet, which is represented in front elevation at Fig. 11, and
side elevation at Fig. 12. A2 is a cast-iron standard, which carries at the
upper part a reciprocating knife frame B, the guide rods thereof being fitted
to slide in the arms b2, b2, which guide it in a right line, the back of frame B
is also guided by grooves formed in projections con on the standard; the
frame B is of sufficient strength to keep the knife d in a proper state of
tension, which is imparted by turning the thumb nut e, as well understood in
fixing and tightening saws; shaft D2 carries a fly wheel and crank f², to which
motion is imparted by the treaddle g³, the connecting rod h from which takes
on the same crank pin as connecting rod F, this communicates the motion to
the knife frame B2, which thus establishes the reciprocating motion required;
E is a table fixed to standards A, by brackets, through which table the
knife d passes. On this table the leather to be cut is placed and held down
by passing it under a guard piece l, fixed down on the table E. The lines to
be cut being marked out on the leather it is pressed up against the edge of the
knife while in motion, and cut out of any forms required. If the cut is to be
inclined to the plane of the leather, I place an inclined surface on the table E,
as seen dotted.
In order to split leather parallel or inclined to its surface, I fix the apparatus
represented at Figs. 13 & 14 on the table E. and pass the leather between
the parallel rods m³, m³. These may be slid towards or from each other by
moving their brackets n², n, according to the thickness of the leather; the
rods may have rollers or surfaces on them as seen dotted to facilitate the
passage of the leather.
The upper and lower brackets n² are disposed at
various distances suitable to receive the breadth of leather to be split, and to

page_text: vary such distances the bolts of the upper brackets slide up and down in
slots, and are fixed therein as may be required. The leather to be cut or split
is passed through between bars m², and forced up against the edge of the
reciprocating knife, and if in the position shown in Fig. 13, the leather will
be split parallel. To split leather diagonally the part F2 bolted to bracket G²
(which bracket is fixed to the table E) is turned to the position shown dotted
and fixed by its bolts p in that position, or it may be fixed at any other angle
required.
i
The remaining part of my Invention illustrated in the Drawings relates to
a reciprocating knife machine for cutting strips of leather represented in
elevation at Fig. 15, and in lateral vertical section at Fig. 16. is the upper
cutting knife moving up and down in guides and actuated by cranks
connected with it by rods . The cranks are fixed on shaft 2, which is
driven by wheel and pinion w³, 2, the latter being fixed on driving fly wheel
shaft 2. To the table R the lower knife is fixed, and on the one end is
a fence or guide S, against which the edge of the sheet or range of leather
to be cut is pressed up by the driver T, which is actuated simply by cords fixed
at either end, and passing over pullies U2, having weights V attached. The
leather being pushed up against the fence as the knife descends, it severs
the strip between the knife R, and the fence S, which falls through and is
delivered by inclined shoot W. It will be observed that the knife begins
to cut in the middle of its length, and finishes at the ends, but this may be
vice versa.
Having described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I would have it understood that I do not confine myself to the
precise details herein-before described, as long as the peculiar feature or
features of either part of my Invention be retained, and that what I do claim
as my Invention to be protected by the herein-before in part recited Letters
Patent, is,
First, the general arrangements of machinery or apparatus herein-before
described applied to the manufacture of boots and shoes, & other coverings for
the feet.
Secondly, the resilient or spring bed or table herein-before described
disengaged & fixed at intervals accordingly as the piercing & pegging or
movement of the article under operation takes place as herein-before described.
I also claim the carriage for the support of the article under operation mounted
on castors or other contrivances to admit of motion on the table in. any direction
as may be required.
Thirdly. the arrangement of the escapement represented at Fig. 9 for

page_text: delivering the pegs one by one as required for insertion in the article under
operation.
Fourthly, the application of the reciprocating knife represented in the
machine, Figs. 11 & 12 to the cutting and splitting of leather in the manu-
facture of boots and shoes, and other coverings for the feet, as herein-before
described.
Fifthly, the reciprocating knife machine represented in Figs. 15 & 16 applied
to the cutting of strips of thick leather, as herein-before described.
Sixthly, I claim blocking or forming the soles & other parts of boots, shoes,
and other coverings for the feet by means of a bag filled with shot, sand, or
other granulated substance, either of sufficient weight in itself, or with the
addition of pressure, as herein-before described.
Seventhly, I claim the application of a hammer arranged & actuated as
herein-before described. to the hammering of leather in the manufacture
aforesaid.
Eighthly, the moulds mounted on suitable tongs or levers for the purpose
of partially moulding parts of boots, shoes, & other coverings for the feet as
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Stannet, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of April in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty.
Witness,
WILLIAM CLARK, Patent Agent,
53, Chancery Lane, London.
CHARLES STANNET. (L.S.)