IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERÝ OB APPARATUS FOR CLEANING BLACKING AND POLISHING BOOTS AND SHOES, WHICH IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES.
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Hargrave of Burley, Leeds, in the County of
York, Gentleman, for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERÝ OB
APPARATUS FOR CLEANING BLACKING AND POLISHING BOOTS AND SHOES,
WHICH IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Hargrave at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd April 1883.
JAMES HARGRAVE, of Burley, Leeds, in the County of York, Gentleman
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CLEANING, BLACKING AND
POLISHING BOOTS AND SHOES, WHICH IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES,
My invention has for object the removal of dirt from boots and shoes, applying
blacking thereto and polishing the same in a more expeditious and effectual
manner than obtains either by hand or machinery such as hitherto usually
employed.
A machine according to my invention comprises two rotating spindles mounted
horizontally, one above the other and having fixed on them a pair of suitably
shaped brushes of which two pairs are provided, one pair being used for removing
the dirt and the other pair for polishing. These brushes are so constructed as to
admit of ready removal from the spindles of one pair of brushes and substitution
of another pair when a change of operation is required
In lieu of thus changing the brushes the machine may be arranged as a double
machine, that is, be provided with four spindles driven from a common source and
constituting two pairs, one to carry brushes for the removal of dirt, the other to
carry brushes for polishing.
Both brushes of a pair act on a boot or shoe simultaneously and are arranged to
approach and recede from each other, or one spindle in the first described arrange-
ment of machine, and the corresponding spindles in the double machine may
occupy fixed positions and the other spindle or spindles be caused to approach and
recede therefrom to suit the varying configuration of the boot or shoe under
operation.

page_text: In another modification I use three rotating spindles placed vertically the central
one being in a fixed position whilst the others are arranged on each side thereof in
such a manner as to be able to approach or recede therefrom for the purpose above
described with respect to the horizontal spindle machines.
In this arrangement two boots or shoes may be cleaned or polished simulta-
neously by being passed between the opposite sides of the central brush and the
outside brushes respectively, the brushes being changeable as in the first described
machine to suit the required operation, or instead of three spindles and brushes as
last described, a pair or two pairs may be used; when one pair is used the brushes
require to be changed as in the first described machine with horizontal spindles,
but when two pairs of spindles are used they are provided with brushes suitable
for each operation. In each of the above described arrangements, suitable rests,
guide or guides and guard or guards are provided as required to assist in the
manipulation of the boots or shoes and to render the operations as cleanly as
possible. The boots or shoes are subjected to the action of the brushes by hand,
and in order to the better holding of the same I use a lining of some soft material
such as felt or India-rubber, placed within the boot or shoe, so that the boot or
shoe may be more secure on the hand of the operator, thus giving him better
command over the required movements for pressing it against the brushes, or if
preferred a suitably formed last may be inserted into the boot or shoe for the
above named purpose.
-
For putting on the blacking I provide an apparatus with a pair of horizontally
mounted rotating brushes, one above the other, the upper one being capable of
approaching and receding from the lower one. Beneath the lower brush which is
in a fixed position, I provide a suitable trough or fountain for containing.blacking
either in a liquid state or otherwise, which is transferred to the periphery of the
last named brush either by raising the trough or fountain or by means of a suitable
distributor in the fountain actuated by hand or otherwise, thence to the upper
brush which for this purpose is brought into contact with the lower one, after
which the boot or shoe under operation (after having had the dirt removed) is
passed between and around said brushes and receives the blacking therefrom.
Machinery or apparatus according to my invention as above set forth, besides
being employed for cleaning, blacking and polishing boots and shoes may obviously
be used also for cleaning harness, and (by a substitution of suitable brushes) for
cleaning fish intended to be used either in a cured or uncured state.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Hargrave in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 19th October
1883.
JAMES HARGRAVE, of Burley, Leeds, in the County of York, Gentleman,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CLEANING, BLACKING AND
POLISHING BOOTS AND SHOES, WHICH IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES,"
My invention has for object the removal of dirt from boots and shoes, applying
blacking thereto and polishing the same in a more expeditious and effectual manner
than obtains either by hand or machinery such as hitherto usually employed.
A machine according to my invention comprises, two rotating spindles mounted
borizontally, and having fixed on them a pair of suitably shaped brushes, of which
two pairs are provided, one patir being used for removing the dirt, and the other
pair for polishing, In constructing these brushes I provide each with a metallic
ferrule or bushing having a female screw-thread for taking on to either of the
spindles of the machine, such provision admits of ready removal from the machine
of one pair of brushes and substitution of another pair when a change of operation
is required. In lieu of thus changing the brushes, the machine may be arranged as
a double machine, that is, be provided with four spindles driven from a common
source and constituting two pairs, one to carry brushes for the removal of the dirt,
the other to carry brushes for polishing. Both brushes of a pair act on a boot or
shoe simultaneously and are arranged to approach and recede from each other, or
one spindle in, the first described arrangement of machine and the corresponding
spindles in the double machine may occupy fixed positions, and the other spindle
or spindles be caused to approach and recede therefrom to suit the varying
configuration of the boot or shoe under operation.
In another modification I use three rotating spindles, placed vertically, the
central one occupying a fixed position in the machine, whilst the others are
arranged at opposite sides thereof, in such a manner as to be able to approach or
recede therefrom for the purpose above described with respect to the horizontal
spindle machines. In this arrangement two boots or shoes may be cleaned or
polished simultaneously by being passed one between the central brush and one of
the outside brushes, and the other between the central brush and the other outside
brush. The brushes are changeable as in the first described machine to suit the
required operation. Instead of three spindles and brushes as last described, a pair
or two pairs may be used, when one pair is used the brushes require to be changed
as with the first horizontal spindles, but when two pairs of spindles are used they
are provided with brushes suitable for each operation.
In each of the above described arrangements suitable rests, guide or guides and
guard or guards are provided as required to assist in the manipulation of the boots
or shoes and to render the operations as cleanly as possible. The boots or shoes
are subjected to the action of the brushes by hand and in order to the better
holding of the same I use a lining of some soft material, such as felt or india rubber
placed within the boot or shoe so that the boot or shoe may be more secure on the
hand of the operator, thus giving him better command over the required movements
for pressing it against the brushes, or if preferred, a suitably formed "last"
inserted into the boot or shoe for the above named purpose.
may be
For putting on the blacking, I provide an apparatus with a pair of horizontally
mounted rotating brushes, one above the other, the upper one being capable of
approaching and receding from the lower one. Beneath the lower one, which
occupies a fixed position in the machine, I provide a suitable trough or fountain for
containing blacking, (either in a liquid state or otherwise) which is transferred to

page_text: the periphery of the said brush, either by raising the trough or fountain, or by
means of a suitable distributor provided in the trough or fountain and actuated by
hand or otherwise, from the lower brush the blacking is transferred to the upper
brush, which for this purpose is brought into contact with the lower one, after
which the boot or shoe under operation (having had the dirt removed from it) is
passed between and around the said brushes and receives the blacking therefrom.
Machinery or apparatus according to my invention as above set forth, besides
being employed for cleaning, blacking, and polishing boots and shoes, may obviously
be used also for cleaning harness, whether the same be of a textile fabric or leather
with metallic mountings, or a combination thereof, or metallic articles plated or
otherwise and (by a substitution of suitable brushes) for cleaning fish intended to
be used either in a cured or uncured state.
In the accompanying_drawings the same letters are used to denote like parts
wherever they occur. Fig 1, Sheet, 1, is a front elevation, and Fig. 2, a side
elevation of a machine or apparatus according to my invention, having horizontal
rotating spindles and brushes, a, is an upright or standard, with a projecting arm
for carrying the lower rotating spindle b,-on a stud c, at the upper part of the
upright or standard a, is mounted freely the movable arm d, carrying the upper
rotating spindle e, The spindles b, and e, are threaded at the parts b 1, and € 1, to
admit of readily mounting and changing the brushes f, g, which for this purpose
are provided with internally screwed ferrules or bushings h. h, attached to them as
previously referred to.-On the stud c, is also freely mounted so as to rotate
thereon, the handwheel i, carrying driving pulley j, from which by means of
driving bands k, the spindles b, and e, together with the brushes f, g, are caused to
rotate. When the machine is required to be driven by power the pulley j, may
have an additional groove or other provision for the reception of a driving band
from any motor. The standard a, and arm d, are provided with stops 1, for pre-
venting the brushes f, g, from approaching each other too closely.-The dotted
lines m, indicate various positions of a boot or shoe under operation, n, is a rest
attached to the standard a, for use when a boot or shoe is being operated upon
around the "beel." o, is a rest attached to the movable arm d, when a boot or
shoe is being operated upon around the "toe." p, is a guide for use when the sides
of a boot or shoe are being acted upon, other positions require no explanation.
q, is a guard for preventing dust from being thrown into the face of the operator.
Figs, 3, and 4, sheet 2, shew in plan and elevation the arrangement of a three
spindle machine, and Figs. 5, and 6, are like views illustrating the arrangement of
a four spindle machine, the axes of the spindles in these arrangements are vertical,
the spindle b, of the three spindle machine, and the two spindles b, b, of the four
spindle machine respectively occupy a fixed position, while the outer spindles e. e,
in each case are the movable ones, being caused to approach the fixed spindles b. b,
by the action of spiral or other springs r, r, r,-8. 8. 8, are the driving shafts for
imparting motion to the respective brushes f, g, by means of driving bands k.
The driving shafts 8, may receive motion either from any motor or by hand or
foot. Figs 7, and 8, shew a lining of felt or india-rubber for placing upon the band
of the operator prior to its insertion into the boot or shoe, so as to form a filling for,
and give a better command of such boot or shoe whilst under operation.
Having now described the nature of the said invention and the manner of
carrying the same into practical effect, I would have it understood that what I
consider to be novel and original and therefore claim in machinery or apparatus
for cleaning, blacking, and polishing boots and shoes, which is also applicable to
other purposes is
1. Providing the machine with two or more revolving brushes one or some of
which is or are capable of, during the operation of the machine, approaching
and receding from another or others occupying a fixed position or positions in
the machine but capable of rotary movement, substantially as hereinabove
described with reference respectively to Figs 1. and 2, Figs. 3; and 4; and
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page_text: 2-In machines of the kind referred to in claim 1, providing for the movement
towards and from each other of the revolving brushes constituting a pair, and
used as and for the purpose hereinabove described.
3. In machines of the kind referred to in claim 1. causing both or all the
brushes composing each set to rotate in a common direction so that a boot or
shoe whilst under operation shall be acted upon in opposite directions thus
facilitating its manipulation substantially as described.
4 In machines of the kind above referred to the method of putting on the
blacking or polishing material by means of two rotating brushes arranged and
operating as hereinabove described.
5. The respective constructions of machines hereinabove described with reference
to and illustrated in Figs, 1, and 2, in Figs 3, and 4, and in Figs 5, and 6, of
the drawings for the purposes set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Hargrave, have hereunto set my hand
and seal this eighteenth day of October in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty three.
Witness to the signature of the said
James Hargrave-
THO E CRAVEN. Fel. Inst. P. A.
24 Victoria Chambers
South Parade.
Leeds
JAMES HARGRAVE. (L.S.)