An Improved Apparatus for Punching Lace Holes in Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Feb., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 10th Nov., 1893-Accepted, 16th Dec., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Apparatus for Punching Lace Holes in Boots and
Shoes.
I, THOMAS HENRY BULL, of No. 8 Saint Paul Street, Saint Pauls, Bristol,
in the County of Somerset, Boot and Shoe Manufacturer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to apparatus for punching the lace holes in the uppers of
boots and shoes and has for its object to enable all the laceholes of a boot or shoe
to be punched simultaneously instead of one at a time.
Now according to this invention I provide a plate of metal or other suitable
material shaped to fit the uppers of boots and shoes having as many holes therein
as there are lace holes to be punched.
These holes are provided with screw threads so that the ordinary punches may
be secured therein.
The plate with the punches attached is then placed in a punching machine or
press with a piece of metal, wood, or suitable composition underneath and all lace
holes in boot and shoe uppers punched out by it at one operation.
The plates may be of any size and shape and carry any number of punches to
suit the requirements of the work in hand.
Dated this 10th day of February 1893.
FREDK. WALKER,
11, Furnival Street, Holborn, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Apparatus for Punching Lace Holes in Boots and
Shoes.
I, THOMAS HENRY BULL, of No. 8 Saint Paul Street, Saint Pauls, Bristol,
in the County of Somerset, Boot and Shoe Manufacturer, 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 apparatus for punching the lace holes in the uppers of
boots and shoes and has for its object to enable all the laceholes of a boot or shoe
to be punched simultaneously instead of one at a time.
Now according to this invention I provide a plate of metal or other suitable
material shaped to fit the uppers of boots and shoes having as many holes therein
as there are lace holes to be punched.
These holes are provided with screw threads so that the ordinary punches may
be secured therein."
The plate with the punches attached is then placed in a punching machine or
press with a piece of metal wood or other suitable composition underneath and all
lace holes in boot and shoe uppers punched out by it at one operation.
The plates may be of any size and shape and carry any number of punches to
suit the requirements of the work in hand.
D

page_text: And in order that my said invention may be fully understood I will proceed to
explain the same with reference to the accompanying sheet of drawings in which :-
Figure 1 represents an apparatus for punching lace holes in boots and shoes
constructed according to this invention.
Figure 2 is a detail hereinafter referred to.
The same letters denote the same parts in both figures.
a is a plate of metal or other suitable material (hard wood or vulcanite for
example) having a number of holes therein in which are inserted as many
punches as there are holes to be punched in the upper.
The lower ends of the said punches have external screws thereon which engage
with internal screws formed in the said holes. When the punches are in position
the line joining their centres is approximately parallel to the edges of the upper to
be punched.
Above the plate a is a second plate c pierced with as many holes as there are
holes in the plate a the holes in the upper plate however being only large enough
to slide over the punches. The centres of the holes, in the plate c must exactly
correspond with the centres of the holes in the plate a or they will not move easily
on the punches.
The plate c may be of any shape but I prefer to make the inner edge thereof to
correspond with the inner edges of the upper and I provide the same with one or
more spikes projecting upward to hold the upper while being punched.
The said plate is supported on springs d'd which are preferably spiral springs
coiled round three or more of the punches the plate serving a double purpose
namely to serve as a support and guide for the upper while being punched and also
to remove the same from the punches when the operation is completed. f is a
platen covered on the underside with lead hard wood or other suitable material
which will not injure the cutting edges of the punches this platen is forced down-
wards by the screw g which is rotated by the handles h. i is a gland securing the
head of the screw g to the platen which gland has secured thereto guide rods jj
passing through holes in the guides to prevent the platen from turning with the
screw. is a standard secured to the base m to which is attached the plate a and
also carrying the nut in which the screw g rotates and the guides k. The platen f
may be actuated by a cam and lever if desired.
When it is desired to punch the lace holes in a boot or shoe upper the said upper
is folded together as shewn in dotted lines Figure 1 and placed on the plate c with
its edges coinciding with the edges of the said plate and pressed down on to the
spikes attached to the said plate the upper surface of which is flush with the
cutting edges of the punches (see Figure 2). The platen is then screwed down on
to the upper and forces the leather over the punches both rows of lace holes being
punched simultaneously.
On raising the platen the plate c rises and releases the punched upper from the
punches.
If desired each row of lace holes may be punched separately.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. In an apparatus for punching lace holes in boots and shoes the plate a having
a series of punches b attached thereto the said punches being so arranged as to
punch all the lace holes in a boot or shoe upper at one operation substantially as
hereinbefore specified.
2. In an apparatus for punching lace holes in boots and shoes the plate a having
punches secured thereto arranged in such a manner as to enable all the lace holes
in a boot or shoe upper to be punched at one operation in combination with a
platen actuated by a screw or cam substantially as hereinbefore specified and for
the purpose stated.

page_text: operated substantially as described and for the purposes stated.
paratus constructed as above described the plate c constructed and
4. The improved apparatus for punching lace holes in boots and shoes constructed
as hereinbefore described and operating in the manner specified.
Dated this 10th day of November 1893.
FREDK. WALKER,
11, Furnival Street, Holborn, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.