Improvements in Abrading Coverings for Buffers, such as are used to Finish the Soles of Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Apr., 1890-Accepted, 17th May, 1890
CUMI DUINDI
Improvements in Abrading Coverings for Buffers, such as are used
to Finish the Soles of Boots and Shoes.
A communication from abroad by SIDNEY WILMOT WINSLOW, of Beverly,
Massachusetts, United States of America, Manufacturer.
I, JOHN EDWARD LLOYD BARNES of the firm of Sloan & Lloyd Barnes, Castle
Chambers, Castle Street, Liverpool in the County of Lancaster, Patent Agent, do
bereby 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:-
My invention relates to the abrading covers for buffer feet.
It is designed
principally for that class of buffers used in finishing the soles of boots and shoes.
These abrading covers wear rapidly and it is very desirable that they should be
cheaply made and that they should be capable of easy attachment to the foot of the
buffer and should be easily removable therefrom. At the same time it is also desirable
that they should be firmly held against turning upon the foot when the foot is rotated
in use; that the edge of the buffer should be clear of abrading material in order that
it may work up against the breast of the heel without injury to the surface; and that
the face of the abrading covering should be a continuous surface. These conditions
have been met, more or less fully, by various forms of devices combined with an
abrading disc not necessary herein to be enumerated.
The invention herein described is designed to accomplish all the objects and fulfill
all the conditions above referred to in a complete manner.
The invention consists principally in combining with an abrading disc, a central
button of wood, or some equivalent material of sufficient strength and rigidity for
the purpose, this button or disc being attached directly to the inner face of the
Further the
abrading disc or cover and serving at the same time to strengthen it.
invention consists in utilizing the reinforcing button as a means of connection with
the foot of the buffer.
The invention consists also of projections set at various points on the interior
surface of the abrading disc and between its margin and the margin of the button
above referred to, said projections being fixed to said face and adapted to enter
the foot of the buffer and to hold it against lateral displacement under the strain
caused by the turning of the foot when the abrading surface is brought into
contact with the sole of the boot or shoe.
The invention also consists in the special construction of the button and the con-
nections for holding it to the foot.
The invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a sectional view of the foot and covering.
Figure 2 is a sectional view of a modification.
In these drawings A represents the abrading disc; this as commonly made con-
sisting of a disc of sand paper or emery cloth, although other materials are known
as equivalents. These discs are thin but have some stiffness suited to the work
for which they are intended. They are cut out of sheets of material and this mode
of formation leaves the edge without abrading material. Ordinarily these discs are
made in concavo-convex form, the convex surface being the abrading surface. On
the inner face of this disc and centrally located is a button B. This I make
ordinarily of wood which forms a very cheap and efficient material for the purpose.
The button is made on its lower face to fit the disc A, of sand paper, but the
upper surface is also convex, formed with bevelled edges so that it is thicker in
the centre and thinner toward the margin. A central hole a is formed directly
through the button to receive the end of the stem C for holding the cover to the

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foot. The button is firmly glued to the inner face of the disc which is then 'in
condition for attachment to the foot of the buffer; the buffer foot is formed on
its lower face with a hollow adapted to receive the button and fit snugly both to
the button and to the abrading disc.
For cheapness of manufacture the hole in the centre of the button is made
round and fitted accurately to the lower end of the stem G; this lower end
projecting sufficiently far to pass into the button. In order to hold the cover
against turning when the foot is rotated, knife edges 1 are inserted longitudinally
in the end of the stem. Instead of this the hole may be made angular to
accomplish the same result. In whatever form, the stem should fit snugly in the
hole so as to cause the covering to adhere to the buffer foot by the frictional
contact of the parts. This is sufficient to hold the parts together and prevent the
.cover from dropping off in handling, and the giue holds the central part of the
abrading disc firmly to the button. For increased security against tendency of
the disc to turn on the button, especially if there be a wide margin left outside
of the margin of the button, I provide projections such for example as those shown
at d. These I prefer to make of wood and they may be turned out of any
suitable wood with flat bases and tapering or cone shaped pointed tops. The bases
are glued to the inner face of the covering at regular intervals circumferentially
on the margin not occupied by the button. The points easily penetrate the felt
of the foot and hold the margin against tendency to turn or tear in the rotation
of the buffer when applied to the sole of the boot or shoe.
While I have described these projections as made of wood preferably, they may
be made of other material. I have also described the button as being of one piece
of wood; it may also be made of pulp, fibre or any other suitable material by
stamping or pressing. In order to extend the margin of the button piece it may
be made in two parts as shown in figure 2 by making the button itself smaller
and reinforcing it underneath by a disc of veneer as E, the button itself being
"represented by B.
The projections may be more or less in number according to the strength of
the material and the size of the button and for example may be used on opposite
sides, or three or four set at equal distances.
I have shown the button as provided with a central hole to receive the stem of
the spindle. It is obvious that the stem may be on the button and the hole in
the spindle end with substantially the same effect.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
a
1. As an improved article of manufacture, an abrading covering having
reinforcing button fixed directly to the inner face thereof at its center, substantially
as described.
2. In combination with the yielding foot of a buffer, an abrading cover and a
reinforcing button fixed directly to the inner face of the cover at its center, the
said button forming a means of connection with the stem of the buffer foot,
substantially as described.
3. In combination with an abrading covering having a button fixed to its
central inner face, a felt foot and projections set at intervals and fixed directly
to the inner face of the covering adapted to enter the felt foot and hold the
covering against turning substantially as described.
Dated this 14th do of Anal 1800
SLOAN & LLOYD BARNES,
Castle Chambers, Castle Street, Liverpool, Agents for Applicant.