Improvements in Machines for Moulding, Counters of Boots. and Shoes.
Year: 1886

page_text: Improvements in Machines for Moulding, Counters of Boots.
and Shoes.
SAMUEL HORATIO HODGES Mill Manager of Street in the County of Somerset-
shire 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 :-
In the manufacture of boots and shoes it is of great importance that the
stiffening or counter should be of strong and stiff material so that the upper
around the back of the foot may be kept well up in its place. It is therefore
customary to put in a good hard piece of leather or leatherboard. The workman
in lasting this to the shape of the foot must exercise considerable skill and strength
in blocking the same to the last in order 1st that the foot may not be injured
while the boot is being worn, and 2nd that a neat and workmanlike appearance
may be given to the heel.
The object of this invention is to construct a mould into which the counter may
be pressed by a male die or plunger corresponding in shape to the said mould.
This mould to be constructed in such a manner as to ensure pressure at both sides
and back of said mould. Moulds are already in use which receive and impart
pressure from end to end but to a large extent the sides are left much as before the
moulding process took place.
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1. Is a plan of my mould, plunger, or die and carriage for same arranged in
position ready for use.
Fig. 2. Is a longitudinal section of the same and
Fig. 3. Is a cross section when pressure is applied and the mould is pressed home
upon the plunger or die.
To obtain the result desired I cast a mould c formed internally so as to produce
the counter the shape required I then cut it through at line producing two
sides and back c I then connect back c to frame c³ by means of screws c' at
such a distance as to allow sides c² to slide between c³ and c. I provide the sides c¹
with grooves to receive parts c³ of said frame also with holes c² to receive spiral
springs. Before the mould is cut at line c³ it is made and planed to such a size and
shape as that it shall taper from front to back.

page_text: Carriage a is provided with cheeks a³ made and planed to such a size and shape
as to receive this tapered mould and to press sides c¹ against the counter when
placed upon die b.
The counter or stiffener to be moulded is taken by the operator and placed upon
the die or heel b and the carriage is taken side ways to the pressure which is
applied at c carrying the mould forward upon b and between the cheeks a¹. As
it is pressed home from end to end the cheeks a¹ drive the sides o' in upon the
counter upon the die b thus ensuring that sides of the counter are equally well
pressed with the back.
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 a machine for shaping or moulding counters of boots and shoes a mould
which shall consist of back and moving sides substantially as and for the purpose
described.
2. In a machine for shaping or moulding the counters of boots and shoes a
carriage provided with cheeks substantially as and for the purpose described.
3. In a machine for moulding the counters of boots and shoes the combination of
a mould having movable sides with a carriage provided with cheeks for producing
pressure on the same substantially as and for the purpose described.
Dated this 6th day of February 1886.