Improved Machinery for Finishing Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Mar., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Dec., 1896-Accepted, 23rd Mar., 1897
[Communicated from abroad by JOHN KEATS and SOCRATES KEATS, both of
30 Rue de Bondy, Paris, in the Republic of France, Engineers.]
Improved Machinery for Finishing Boots and Shoes.
We, KEATS BROTHERS LIMITED, of Albion Works, Stafford in the County of
Stafford, Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide a machine for finishing boots and shoes,
that will require little more than a boy or man power to drive it, and leave the
attendant free to manipulate the work with facility.
The tools used in the several operations of paring, rasping, and trimming, buffing
and burnishing, the sole and heel, are various, but all these are required to fit the
machine for its multifarious duties.
Moreover, a sharpening device is required to be fitted to the machine, for maintaining
the cutters in an efficient working state.
As the material to be operated upon is of a comparatively soft and yielding nature,
it is essential, for efficient working, that the tools should be driven at a high velocity.
The importance, therefore, of economising power will be evident.
In constructing what may be termed a universal finisher, according to this
invention, a rectangular frame is provided for the reception of a main driving shaft,
a spindle for carrying the tools, and an intermediate or secondary shaft; these are
mounted in ball bearings, which are capable of adjustment, to provide for wear and
tear.
Keyed to opposite ends of the main shaft, are discs carrying crank pins, which
connect, through rods, with a treadle by means of which the machine is driven.
These connecting rods are fitted at their heads with ball bearings.
A large pulley on the crank shaft serves to communicate, through a driving band
and small pulley, rapid rotary motion to the secondary shaft.
A large band pulley on this shaft transmits motion, through a band and small
pulley, to the spindle which is to receive, in turn, the rasps, sandpaper, paring tools,
and burnishers, employed in the finishing of boots and shoes.
As the driving power is multiplied in its transmission to the spindle, the tools will
receive a rapid rotary motion, which is further enhanced in respect of the paring
tools, in a manner to be presently explained.
For rendering the motion smooth, the secondary shaft is fitted with two or more
small fly wheels, and to the treadle I apply springs, which will be drawn to tension
on the depression of the treadle, and, as it is released from pressure, will contract and
raise the treadle, thereby equably maintaining the driving power.
Bolted to the top of the frame are standards which carry a spindle on which are
mounted the emery discs for sharpening the paring cutters. This spindle is driven
by a band from the tool spindle at an increased rate, the band pulleys being suitably
proportioned to effect that object.
The main driving shaft, the secondary shaft, and the tool spindle, are reduced in
diameter at their ends, to form rounded shoulders for antifriction balls to bear against,
and the ends of these shafts fit into flanged sleeves suitably shaped at their inner ends
to hear against the antifriction balls.
.

page_text: These sleeves are held adjustably in bearings in the main frame, and they are
capable of being set so as to avoid end-play of the shafts, and, in some cases, elastic
pressure is used to hold them up to their work.
Referring now to the tools which are to be used in connection with the machine
thus far described, there is provided for trimming the front of the heel, a hollow
conical cutter formed from a block of steel, the cutting elges of which are formed by
a milling tool passed from end to end of the cone, and forming longitudinal slots in
the periphery of the cutter.
The base of the cone is dish-shaped, with a central hole to receive the end of the
cutter spindle, which is threaded, and projects through the base of the cutter.
shaped shield or guard is applied to the base of the cutter, and held thereto firmly by
a nut which takes onto the thread of the spindle.
Rasps of a novel construction are employed for trimming new parts of repaired
heels, where the presence of grit that would injure paring tools is commonly
experienced, and also for the filing off of nails in new boots.
One form of rasp is that of a convex cone, the base taking the form of segment-
shaped disc pieces with a rasping surface.
These segment pieces are attached to the cone by countersunk screws.
By adopting this construction of rasp, provision is afforded for cutting the rasp
teeth by mechanical means, and for renewing any segment that may be worn, without
replacing the remainder.
For holding at tension the sand-paper band used for buffing, an expanding wheel
is employed, the periphery of which is composed of segments guided by radial slots
formed in a disc carried by a boss on the cutter spindle.
These segments are forced outwards by means of an internal cone, which is drawn
towards the slotted disc, as the diameter is required to be increased.
Cutters of the ordinary construction will also be provided for paring the sole,
but of much larger diameter than heretofore, to increase the linear speed of their
cutting edges.
For burnishing the edges of the sole, a novel construction of tool is provided.
This consists of a double flanged wheel, cut to a polygonal form, and rebated so as
to embrace the edges of the sole it is intended to operate upon.
By making this burnisher polygonal, the efficiency of its action, when heated, is
greatly increased, without an excess of pressure of the work against the burnisher
being required to secure the result desired.
Suitable means are. provided for presenting the work to the tools, and supporting it
whilst the action is proceeding.
Dated this 23rd day of March 180
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicants.
A communication from abroad by JOHN KEATS and SOCRATES KEATS, both of
30 Rue de Bondy, Paris, in the Republic of France.
We, KEATS BROTHERS LIMITED, of Albion Works, Stafford in the County of
Stafford, Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
nanner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
The object of this invention is to provide a machine for finishing boots and shoes,

page_text: that will require little more than a boy or man power to drive it, and leave the
attendant free to manipulate the work with facility."
The tools used in the several operations of paring, rasping, and trimming, buffing
and burnishing, the sole and heel, are various, but all these are required to fit the
machine for its multifarious duties.
Moreover, a sharpening device is required to be fitted to the machine, for maintaining
the cutters in an efficient working state.
As the material to be operated upon is of a comparatively soft & yielding nature,
it is essential, for efficient working, that the tools should be driven at a high velocity.
The importance, therefore, of economising power will be evident.
In the drawings hereunto annexed:-
Figs. 1 and 2 are respectively a front and end elevation of what may be termed a
universal finisher constructed according to this invention.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional elevation of journal or adjustable bearing for the tool
sharpening shaft or spindle.
Fig. 4 a plan of tool sharpening device.
Figs. 5 and 6 are respectively a front elevation and a section of a rasp or cutter
constructed according to this invention.
Figs. 7, 8. and 9 are respectively part sectional elevations of ball hearings provided
with adjustable flanged sleeves for preventing end play of the shaft.
Fig. 10 an elevation of cutter with a dish shaped base and method of mounting upon
the tool spindle.
Figs. 11 and 12 are respectively a part sectional elevation and end elevation of ball
bearing for secondary shaft.
Figs. 13 and 14 are respectively a part sectional elevation and end elevation of
connecting rod end.
Figs. 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21 are respectively side elevations, sectional
elevations, and end elevations of cutters constructed according to this invention.
Figs. 22, and 23 are respectively a sectional elevation and a plan of expanding
wheel for sand paper.band.
Figs. 24 and 25 are respectively a front and end elevation of burnishing tool.
Like parts in all the views are marked with similar letters of reference.
A rectangular or other frame A is provided for the reception of a main driving
shaft A. On this shaft is mounted a large pulley B which serves to communicate
rapid rotary motion to an intermediate or secondary shaft D, by means of a driving
hand B and a small pulley C. Keyed to opposite ends of the main shaft A are
discs E E', with crank pins E2 E3 which are connected by rods F F and short
shafts or rods G G to the treadle H, by means of which the machine is driven.
The connecting rods F F are fitted at their heads with ball bearings F2 F³.
On the intermediate or secondary shaft D is mounted a pulley K which transmits
motion through a driving band or belt I and small pulley L to the spindle M
which is to receive in turn the paring cutter P, sand paper wheel Q, and burnishers R,
all of which will be hereafter more particularly described, and are employed in the
finishing of boots and shoes.
As the driving power is multiplied in its transmission to the spindle, the tools
will receive a rapid rotary motion, which is further enhanced in respect of the paring
tools, in a manner to be presently explained.
For rendering the motion smooth, the secondary shaft D is fitted with one. two,
or more (three are shown in the drawings) small fly wheels, N, N1, N2, and to the
treadle H is applied the springs J.J', which will be drawn to tension on the depression
of the treadle H, and, as it is released from pressure, will contract and raise the treadle H,
thereby equably maintaining the driving power.
Bolted to the top of the frame are standards S which carry a spindle b on which are
mounted the emery discs c f for sharpening the paring cutters P. The thin emery
disc c being employed for passing into the grooves of the cutter P as shown at Fig. 4,
and which for this purpose is mounted upon the fittings as shown at Fig. 1, whilst the
emery disc f may be used if so desired for grinding the face or periphery of the tool.

page_text: I'ms spindle is driven by a band T passing over pulley a' from the pulley a on the
tool spindle M at an increased rate, the band pulleys a a' being suitably proportioned
. to effect that object.
The main driving shaft A, the secondary shaft D, and the tool spindle M are
reduced in diameter at their ends, to form a rounded shoulder . as shown at Figs. 7, 8,
9 and 11 for anti-friction balls rr to bear against, and the ends of these said shafts fit
into flanged sleeves q q' suitably shaped at their inner ends to bear against the anti-
. friction talls as shown.
The ends of each of the flanged sleeves g 9' are made to pass into the projecting
bosses P pl of the framework A, and to be secured therein by any suitable means such
as for instance by the set screw p².
These sleeves are held adjustably in bearings in the main frame, and they are
capable of being set so as to avoid any end play of the shafts.
In some cases when an elastic pressure is required to hold the flanged sleeves up
to their work, the flange on the sleeve is enlarged, and a second and fixed flange på is
provided, as shown at Fig. 9, on the projecting boss p'. In the flange of the sleeve q
are provided the adjusting screw q3 and the tension regulating screws q* q to each of
which is attached one end of a helical spring q, the opposite end of which is attached
to the flange p³. On the end of the adjusting screw q being withdrawn from the
flange p³, the flanged sleeve q' will, by the contraction of springs q be drawn towards
the balls thereby taking up any end play, and holding them up to their work.
The shaft D, which is also provided with ball bearings arranged to work in the
sliding blocks U, made somewhat in pedestal form, carried on the brackets A² which
form part of the framework A'. The sliding blocks U may be adjusted, as shown at
Fig. 11 to their work by the screw U! and lock nut U
On a
The spindle b may be carried in ball bearings and a flanged sleeve, as shown at
Fig. 3, and which may be of a similar description to that shown at Figs. 7 and 8 and
described for the shaft M, and are therefore marked with similar letters of reference.
At Figs. 1.and 2 suitable means are shown for sharpening the paring tools.
pin or stud 1, carried in a slot on an arm of standard S, and resting upon an arm 2, is
mounted the cutter P in such a manner that it can be presented to the cutting action
of an emery disc e mounted upon spindle to which a rotary motion is imparted as
herein before described. The emery disc f is mounted on the spindle b at the opposite
end to disc c. In practice the fittings are only used for the dise e but if so desired
they may also be applied in any convenient manner to disc f.
The means for performing the burnishing operation are (excepting the burnishing
tool) of ordinary construction, and the burnishing tool R is mounted on the opposite
end of the spindle M to that at which cutter P and sand paper wheel Q are placed.
The spindles of this part of the apparatus may be also mounted in ball bearings and
flanged sleeves of a similar construction and arranged as herein before described.
Although the machine is described and illustrated as being operated by a treadle,
yet, when preferred, it may also be arranged to be driven from any other source
of power.
Referring now to the tools which are to be used in connection with the machine
thus far described, there is provided for trimming the front of the heel,
a hollow
conical cutter P formed from or out of a block of steel, by any suitable means,
so as to form a cross section somewhat similar to that shown at Figs. 6 and 19.
The boss or hub P¹ may be arranged as at Fig. 6 or Fig. 19. The cutting edges
of the cutter are formed or cut by a milling tool passed from end to end of the
cone, for forming longitudinal slots in the periphery of the cutter, as shown at
Figs. 15 to 18, 20 and 21.
The base of the cone P may also be dish-shaped as shown at Fig. 10 with a
central hole P² to receive the end of the cutter spindle M which is threaded, and
projects through the base of the cutter. A dish-shaped shield P3 or guard is applied
to the base of the cutter, and held thereto firmly by a nut P4 which is screwed onto
the thread of the spindle as shown.
Rasps of a novel construction are employed for trimming new parts of repaired

page_text: heels, where the presence of grit that would injure paring tools is commonly
experienced, and also for the filing off of nails in new boots.
One form of rasp is that shown at Figs. 5 and 6 and consists of a convex cone O
having rasp or file like teeth or serrations formed on its periphery. The base or disc
is formed of any desired number of segment-shaped pieces O provided with a rasping
surface or teeth.
These segment shaped pieces O are attached to the cone by counter-sunk
screws 0.
By adapting this construction of rasp, provision is afforded for cutting the rasp
teeth by mechanical means, and for renewing any segment that may be worn, without
replacing the remainder. At Fig. 6 the various positions in which a heel may be
presented to the action of the rasp are shown in dotted lines, thus at 3 the outer
contour of the heel may be presented to the periphery of the rasp O, and at 4 and 5,
the surface of the top lift and breast of a heel may respectively be submitted to the
action of the segment shaped pieces 0¹.
For holding at tension the sand paper band Q used for buffing, an expanding
wheel shown at Figs. 22 and 23 is employed, the periphery of which is composed of
segments as shown which are guided by pins Q-fixed to the wheel Q-working in
radial slots Q formed in a disc Q³ mounted on and carried by a boss on the cutter
spindle M.
These segments are forced outwards by means of an internal cone Q* (screwed
on the boss of the disc Q³, and which works against an incline Q formed on each
segment) whenever the cone Q is drawn towards the slotted disc Q³, thereby
increasing the diameter of the wheel Q.
Cutters of the ordinary construction may also be provided for paring the sole, but
of much larger diameter than heretofore, to increase the linear speed of their
cutting edges.
For burnishing the edges of the sole, a novel construction of tool is provided.
This consists of a double flanged wheel R, cut to a polygonal form as say at R¹
Fig. 25, and rotated so as to embrace the edges of the sole it is intended to operate
upon.
By making this burnisher polygonal, the efficiency of its action, when heated, is
greatly increased, without an excess of pressure of the work against the burnisher
being required to secure the result desired.
Suitable means are provided for presenting the work to the tools and supporting
it whilst the action is proceeding as already described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. A machine substantially such as herein described and illustrated for finishing
boots and shoes whereby the combined operations of paring, rasping, trimming,
buffing, and burnishing the sole and heel of boots and shoes as well as sharpening
the cutters, may be simultaneously performed, on same machine which is driven
by a treadle or by power and provided with the shafts and spindles mounted in
ball bearings all arranged and combined as set forth.
2. In a machine for finishing boots and shoes such as herein described the
combination of the shafts and spindles mounted in ball bearings and retained in
position with adjustable flanged sleeves, with or without the addition of tension
springs substantially as set forth and illustrated with reference to Figs. 3, 7 to 9, 11
and 12 of the accompanying drawings.
3. In a machine for finishing boots and shoes, a hollow conical cutter having
longitudinal slots cut or formed in its periphery to form cutters, and a dish-shaped
core provided in its base, a dish-shaped shield applied to the said base, and the means
for attaching the conical cutter and its shield to the spindle arranged and combined
substantially as herein set forth and illustrated with reference to Fig. 10 of the
accompanying drawings.

page_text: 4. In a machine for finishing boots and shoes a hollow conical cutter having
longitudinal slots or rasp like teeth or serrations cut or formed on its periphery
and armed with, or without, a number of segment shaped pieces fixed to its base for
abrading purposes, all arranged and constructed substantially as herein set forth and
illustrated at Figs. 6 and 15 to 21 of the accompanying drawings.
5. In a machine for finishing boots and shoes, a sand papering wheel having its
centre built up in segments such as Q, armed with pins Q working in a slotted dise
such as Q3, upon which the segments are mounted, said segments being caused to
expand for tightening the sand paper by an internal cone such as Q, being screwed
upon the hub of the said disc, and made to act upon inclines, such as Q5, forming part
of said segments, all arranged and combined substantially as herein described and
illustrated at Figs. 22 and 23 of the acompanying drawings.
6. In a machine for finishing boots and shoes, a burnishing tool having its periphery
arranged in polygonal form, rebated and flanged to embrace the edges of the sole,
substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to Figs. 24 and 25 of
the accompanying drawings.
Dated this Twenty-second day of December 1896.
KEATS BROTHERS LIMITED,
Per F. J. RAMM, Secretary.