Improvements in Machines for Levelling the Soles of Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Apr., 1895-Accepted, 13th July, 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Levelling the Soles of Boots
and Shoes.
We, EDWARD CHARLES JUDD; of 49 Stanton Street, Manager of The Swain
Fuller Manufacturing Company, 54 South Street, and HARRY EDGAR CILLEY of
11 Vinson Street, Treasurer of The American Scale Manufacturing Company,
118 South Street, all of Boston, Suffolk County, State of Massachusetts, United
States of America, 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 that type of sole-levelling machines wherein a
reciprocating or vibrating roller-leveler acts upon the sole of a boot or shoe carried
by a longitudinally and laterally-movable jack.
.
The chief object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved
sole-levelling machine having twin jacks adapted to be rotated horizontally and to
move laterally and longitudinally, and so constructed that while a boot or shoe on
one jack is being acted, upon by a vibrating roller-leveler, the attendant or
operator can mount and prepare on the other jack another boot or shoe to be
leveled, thereby increasing the efficiency of sole-leveling machines and producing
a machine which is susceptible of rapidly leveling the soles of boots and slioes
without loss of time.
The invention also has for its object to provide new and improved adjustable
leveling-rolls adapted to act upon shoe soles which vary in contour or shape, and
also to conform to the angle at which the sole is presented and to equalize the
pressure over the entire sole.
These objects are accomplished in the manner and by the means hereinafter
described and claimed, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in
wbich-
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a sole-levéling machine embodying my invention.
Figure 2 is a top plan view of the same.
Figure 3 is a detail side elévation, showing a modified construction of the
rotary-support, or turn-table for carrying the laterally-swinging yokes which
support the twin-jacks.
Figure 4 is a detail front elevation of one pair of the leveling-rolls and their
carrier.
Figure 5 is a top plan view of the same, partly in horizontal section.
Figure 6 a front elevation, showing a modification of the devices for supporting
and adjusting the leveling rolls.
Figure 7 is a diagram indicating the manner of vibrating the rolls which act on
the ball or fore part of the sole...
Figure 8 is a broken detail view, to show the segmental slot in the arm or plate
of each jack-carrying yoke for enabling the yoke to rock laterally.
Figure 9 is a diagram indicating the manner of vibrating the rolls which act on
the shank of the sole.
6; and
Figurare; 106 is a sectional plan view of the modified construction exhibited by
Figure 11 is a modification of the turn-table and rocking jack carrier or yoke.
In order to enable those skilled in the art to make and use our invention, we will
now describe the same in detail, referring to the drawings, wherein the numeral 1
indicates a main frame which may be of any suitable construction, and is provided
nitt.

page_text: with bearings in which a power-shaft 2 is journaled and adapted to be rotated'
through the medium of pulleys or otherwise. The main frame is also provided:
with bearings, in which is mounted a transverse rock-shaft, as at 3, provided at its:
ends, respectively, with longitudinally slotted crank-arms 5 and 6, carrying nuts 7,
which are rendered adjustable through the medium of screws 8 actuated by suitable
handles 8. The nuts are pivotally connected, respectively, with links 9 and 10,
the link 9 being pivotally connected with a crank-arm 12, mounted on a shaft 12",
having a crank 12%, which carries a bell-crank 24, hereinafter referred to. The
link 10 is pivotally connected with a crank-arm 13, secured to or forming a part of
a transverse-shaft 17, on which is mounted a worm-wheel 18, engaging a worm 19
on a vertical shaft 20, adapted to be rotated by any suitable means, preferably by
bevel gear connections with the power-shaft, all in such manner that when the
shaft 20 is rotated it imparts motion to the worm-wheel and shaft 17, thereby
operating the link 10 to swing the arm 6 back and forth.
An eccentric 21, on the power-shaft 2, engages and operates the pitmau 16,
and a similar eccentric 22 on the power-shaft engages and operates a pitman 23.
The pitmen 16 and 23 connect at their upper ends with bell-crank levers 24
and 24°.
In the improved machine there are two pairs of sole-leveling rolls 25 and 26,
One pair being adapted to act upon the shank of the sole, and the other pair upon
the ball or fore part of the sole. The two pairs of rolls are similar in construction,
and are mounted and operated in a similar manner. The pair of leveling rolls
which acts upon the ball or fore part of the sole are carried by a support 27,
pivotally mounted at its center on a carrier or head 28, adapted to be reciprocated
or vibrated through the medium of a yoke 29. The pair of leveling-rolls which
acts upon the shank of the sole are arranged on a support 30, pivoted at its center
to a carrier or head 31.
The construction and operation of the sole-levelling rolls will be better
understood by reference to Figs. 4 and 5, which are detail views of the carrier or
head 28, support 27, and the rolls 25 and 26, which act upon the ball or fore part
of the sole. The support 27 is centrally pivoted, as at 32, to a pendent part 33 of
the carrier or head 28, and therefore the support 32 is adapted to rock or oscillate
laterally. The support 27 can however be rigidly locked in a fixed position,
relative to the earrier or head 28, through the medium of a pin, as at 34, passing
into engagement with the carrier or head 28, through an upwardly projecting
arm 35, forming part of the support 27.
The shafts 36 and 37 of the rolls 25 and 26 are independent of each other, and
are mounted in independent bearings 38 and 39, provided with bolts 40 and 41
having at their inner ends heads 42 and 43 adapted to traverse dove-tailed,
segmental grooves 44 and 45, formed in the ends of the support 27. The cuter
ends of the bolts 40 and 41, are provided with hand-wheels or nuts 46 and 47, so
that by loosening either hand-wheel or nut, the bearing to which the bolt of such
hand-wheel is connected can be adjusted vertically and subsequently rigidly
clamped in a fixed position by tightening up the hand-wheel or nut. By this means
the bearings of the axles or shafts of the two rolls can be independently adjusted
to any desired angle of inclination, for the purpose of adapting the rolls to shoe
soles which differ in contour or shape. It is possible to operate the hand-wheels 46
and 47, while the machine is in operation for the purpose of adjusting the axles or
shafts of the rolls to the desired angle of inclination.
The two rolls act simultaneously upon opposite sides of the shoe-sole, for the
purpose of leveling the same and, as before stated, one pair of rolls acts upon
the shank of the sole while the other pair acts upon the ball or fore part of
the sole.
Inasmuch as the manner of supporting and adjusting the two pairs of rolls is the
same in both instances, it is believed that the description of Figs. 4 and 5 is
sufficient to give a clear understanding of the manuer of carrying and adjusting
both pairs of rolls.

page_text: If the pin 34 be withdrawn from engagement with the carrier or head 28, the
support 27 is free to oscillate or rock for the purpose of conforming to the angle at
which the shoe-sole is presented by the jacks hereinafter described, and also for the
purpose of equalizing pressure over the entire sole. If the pin 34 be engaged with
the, arm 35, and carrier or head 28, the support 27 and the bearings 38 and 39 will
be rigidly held in a fixed position relatively to the carrier-head 28.
The
In the modification, Figs. 6 and 10, the carrier or head 28 is provided with a
plate 48 approximately circular in form and having a lug 49, and an arch-shaped
groove or channel, in which an arc-shaped plate is adapted to work.
arc-shaped plate 50 is provided with an arm 51, and a pin 52 is adapted to engage
the arm 51 with the lug 49, for the purpose of holding the arc-shaped plate 50 in a
fixed position. If, however, the pin 52 is, withdrawn from engagement with the
lug 49, the arc-shaped plate 50 can slide in the arc of a circle within the groove of
the plate 48. The bearings 53 and 54, Figs. 6 and 10, which carry the axles or
shafts of the levelling-rolls 55 and 56, work in the ends of the arc-shaped plate 50,
through the medium of bolts 40 and 41°, and hand-wheels 46 and 47", similar to
the bolts 40 and 41 and hand-wheels 46 and 47. After the axles or shafts of the
rolls 55. and 56 are adjusted to the desired angle of inclination, the bearings
carrying said axles or shafts can be rigidly clamped to the arc-shaped plate 50, and,
if the pin 52 be out of engagement with the lug 49, both bearings 53 and 54 will
move in unison with the arc-shaped plate 50 whenever the latter moves circularly in.
the groove of the plate 48. If the pin 52 be engaged with the lug 49, the
arc-shaped plate 50 will be held in a fixed position, and consequently the
bearings 53 and 54 will also be held in a fixed position relatively to the plate 48
and carrier or head 28.
The rock-shaft 3 carries a rocking-arm or frame 55ª, on the outer end of which.
is mounted, a turn-table 56", preferably in the form of a comparatively narrow:
elongated bar. This bar is centrally pivoted, as at 57, to the rocking-arm or
frame 55*, and on the ends of the bar are centrally pivoted twin yokes 58, within which
are pivotally suspended the laterally oscillating or rocking twin jack-supporting
yokes 59. The twin yokes 59 are each provided with a jack 60, 61, of any ordinary
type, adapted to carry and support the lasts on which the boots or shoes are to be
placed. The bar or turn-table 56 is adapted to be locked in a stationary position
through the medium of a locking-bolt 62, adapted to be operated by a suitable
lever 63, and each yoke 58 is also adapted to be rigidly locked to the bar or turn-
table through the medium of a bolt 64, adapted to be operated by a lever 65.
The yokes 58 are each provided with a double armed pivoted lever, as at 66, one
end 66 of which engages the jack-supporting yoke 59, while the other end 66° is
provided with a bolt 67 having a hand-wheel 68. The bolt 67 is movable back and
forth in a segmental slot 80, formed in an arm or plate 69, which constitutes a rigid
part of the yoke 58, so that when the hand-wheel is tightened, the yoke 59 is
rigidly locked to the yoke 58, and therefore the yoke 59 cannot oscillate or swing
laterally. If, however, the hand-wheel 68 is loosened, the yoke 59 is free to
oscillate or swing in a lateral direction. While the sole-leveling-rolls are acting
upon the sole of a boot or shoe, the yoke 58, which carries the yoke 59 of the jack
which supports such boot or shoe, is locked to the bar or turn-table 56*, and the
latter is locked to the arm or frame 55. When the reciprocating link 10 rocks the
shaft 3, the frame 55 and arms 5 and 6 are also rocked, and consequently
the jacks are uniformly and slowly oscillated or rocked longitudinally, or in the
In the construction
direction of the length of the boot or shoe being operated on.
illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the bar 56" stands in an oblique direction while the
leveling-rolls are acting upon the sole, of a boot or shoe.
In the modifications, Figs. 3, and 11, the bar or turn-table 70. is so. shaped as to
constitute, two yokes within which the jack-supporting-yokes 71 are pivotally
suspended, so that they normally stand' in the same longitudinal plane. The bar
or turn-table, 70 is centrally pivoted to the arm or frame-72 which corresponds with
the arm or frame 55 and the bar or turn-table 70 can be locked to the 'arm or
" "..!

page_text: frame 72 through the medium of a locking-bolt 73, actuated by a lever 74,
constructed the same as the bolt and lever 62 and 63. In the modification, Fig. 3,
the laterally oscillating or rocking jack-supporting yokes 71 may be provided with
the devices described with reference to Fig. 1, or with any other suitable
devices, for the purpose of locking either or both of them to the bar or turn-
table 70.
In the modification Figure 11, the bar or turn table 70 is provided with a single
pivotally mounted yoke 71, carrying two jacks or shoe-supports, which yoke may
have devices such as described with reference to Figure 1, for locking it to the bar
or turn table.
The upwardly projecting arm of the bell-crank lever 24 is pivotally connected by
an adjustable rod 75, with a yoke 76, on the front end portion of which the carrier.
or head 31 is mounted. The upwardly-projecting arm of the bell-crank-lever 24*
connects by a yoke 29 with levers 78, pivoted intermediate their extremities, as
at 79, to a vertically swinging frame composed of arms 79", pivoted to rods or
shafts 79b mounted in part of the frame 1. The lower ends of the levers 78, are
connected with the head 28, in such manner that when the yoke 29 is reciprocated
the levers 78 are vibrated, and consequently the rolls 25 and 26, which act upon
the ball or fore part of the shoe-sole are vibrated. The reciprocating motion of the
yoke 76, caused by the swinging of the bell-crank-lever 24, imparts a reciprocating
or vibrating motion to the rolls 25 and 26 which act upon the shank of the shoe-
sole. The yoke 76 reciprocates in, and is guided by a vertically swinging frame
composed of arms 76" mounted on the rods or shafts 79b. The arms 79 and 76*
are connected by links or rods 76° and 76b with a treadle mechanism, as is usual
in this class of machines, so that all the rolls 25 and 26, can be pressed down upon
the shoe-sole.
It will be observed that the turn-table can be moved in a horizontal plane, and is
so constructed, and is provided with such devices, that a pair of shoe-jacks can be
mounted thereupon to rock or swing laterally as well as longitudinally; and that
the construction is such that a shoe can be placed on one of the jacks and the
turn-table rotated horizontally to a given point, which places the shoe under the
sole-leveling mechanism, while the other jack will be placed in such position that
it is free from all obstructions, and the attendant, or operator, can place thereupon
and prepare another shoe in readiness to be presented to the sole-leveling inechanism
when the turn-table is rotated.
By our invention the sole-leveling rolls are engaged almost constantly in
performing the work of leveling the soles of the boots or shoes, and the attendant
or operator can readily keep the jack supplied without any considerable labour.
The combination and arrangement of parts renders the machine susceptible of
leveling the soles of boots and shoes far more readily than sole-leveling machines
having a single jack.
While we have illustrated two jacks arranged in yokes supported by a rotatable
bar or turn-table, we do not confine ourselves to two jacks, as a greater number can
be employed.
In the example illustrated in the drawing the rotatable bar or turn-table is
designed to be turned by hand, or manually, but we do not limit ourselves to this
means of turning the bar or turn-table..
We are aware that prior to our invention a sole-leveling machine has been
provided with three jacks, capable of being successively placed under a sole-leveling
roll by rotation in a vertical plane. In our invention the jacks rotate in a horizontal
plane, and consequently they are in the best possible position for the attendant or
operator to carefully place the shoes upon the jacks and prepare them for the
action of the leveling mechanism.
In acting on a sole having a flat ball or fore part and a curved shank, the carrier
or head which supports the rolls acting on the ball or fore part can be locked
against lateral rocking, movements by a pin similar to the pin 34, Fig. 4, conversely
in acting on a sole having a flat shank and curved ball or fore part, the carrier or

page_text: head which supports the rolls for acting on the shank can be locked against lateral
rocking movements by a pin similar to pin 34.
In operating on a narrow shoe, it is sometimes desirable and advisable to lock the
jack against lateral swinging motions, and this can readily be effected through the
medium of the hand-wheel 68, bolt 67, and segmentally slotted arm or plate 69.
Sometimes a last is drilled at an angle, and it is desirable to set the jack at an angle
to fulfil the conditions required, and this can be readily effected through the
medium of the hand-wheel 68, bolt 67, and segmentally slotted arm or plate 69..
Sometimes one pair of rolls take possession of a shoe-sole, and unless held in one
position against laterally rocking motions, the shoe will be thrown out of position
and unsatisfactory leveling will be the result. This can be avoided by permitting
the carriers or heads, which carry the leveling rolls, to rock laterally by removing
the pins 34, and locking the jack in the required position, or by locking one pair
of rolls only. If the rolls or jack were rigid, as regards laterally swinging
movements, there would be no yielding of the rolls or jack, and in operating on very
fine work, the shoe would not be leveled uniformly.
With the attachments herein described and shown each shoe may be treated
according to the conditions required, or as circumstances may demand.
In our invention one pair of rolls can be locked against lateral, oscillating
movements, while the other pair can be permitted to oscillate or rock laterally, and
consequently the non-laterally swinging rolls take possession of the shoe-sole, and
the other pair of freely oscillating rolls acts in conjunction with the swinging-jack
to level certain kinds of shoes.
In operating on some kinds of shoes it is desirable to lock the yoke or yokes 59
against lateral oscillation, while the two pairs of leveling-rolls are free to oscillate
or rock laterally, so that they will pass over the shoe-sole and operate on the same
in a perfect manner.
It will be obvious that the yoke or yokes 59 can be locked against laterally
swinging motions, while the two pairs of leveling-rolls can be permitted to oscillate
or rock laterally; also the two rolls acting on the ball or fore part of the sole can
be locked against lateral oscillation, while the yokes 59 and the rolls which act on
the shanks of the soles are free to oscillate laterally, or the shank-rolls may be
locked against lateral oscillation, and the yokes 59 and the ball or fore part rolls
swing laterally; also that the yokes 59, and the two pairs of rolls can be locked
against lateral oscillation; and finally that the yokes 59 and the two pairs of rolls
can be permitted to freely oscillate or rock laterally. By this mode of operation
we are enabled to obtain all the adjustments necessary to meet every condition
required, and render the rolls susceptible of leveling soles of various styles, patterns,
or shapes.
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. The combination in a sole-leveling machine, of sole-leveling rolls, laterally-
oscillating or rocking twin-jacks movable in a horizontal plane to place either jack
beneath the sole-leveling rolls, and locking devices for locking the jacks against
lateral oscillation or rocking motion whenever desired, substantially as described.
2. The combination in a sole-leveling machine, of sole-leveling rolls, a horizontally
movable turn-table provided with laterally oscillating or rocking twin-jacks, and
locking devices for locking the jacks against lateral oscillation or rocking motions
whenever desired, substantially as described.
3. The combination in a sole-leveling machine, of sole-leveling mechanism, a
turn-table provided with rotatable twin-jack holders or yokes which carry laterally
oscillating or rocking jacks, and devices for locking said holders to the turn-table,
substantially as described.
4. The combination in a sole-leveling machine, of sole-leveling rolls, a turn-table
provided with jack-supports adapted to rotate horizontally on the turn-table, and

page_text: means for oscillating or rocking the turn-table longitudinally, substantially as
described.
5. The combination in a sole-leveling machine, of sole-leveling rolls, an oscillating
or rocking support; a turn-table pivotally mounted on said support, and laterally
oscillating or rocking jack-carrier's provided with jacks and supported by the
turn-table, substantially as described.
6. The combination in a sole-leveling machine; of sole-leveling rolls, a turn-table
movable in aii approximately borizontal plane, twin-yokes carried by the turn-
table, laterally oscillating or rocking jack-carriers provided with jacks and mounted
in said twin-yokes, and means for moving the turn-table longitudinally; substantially
as described.
7. The combination in a sole-leveling machine, of vibrating leveling-rolls, a turn-
table movable in an approximately horizontal plane, pivotally mounted yokes
carried by the turn-table, laterally oscillating or rocking jack-supporting yokes
suspended in the pivotally mounted yokes, devices for locking the said jack-
supporting yokes against laterally oscillating or rocking movements whenever
desired, and devices for locking the pivotally mounted yokes to the turn-table,
substantially as described.
8. The combination in a sole-leveling machine, of vibrating sole-leveling rolls, a
rocking arm or frame, a turn-table mounted on said arm or frame and provided
with laterally oscillating or rocking jack-supporting yokes provided with jacks,
devices for locking the said yokes against laterally oscillating or rocking movements
whenever desired, and mechanism for rocking the said. arm or frame, substantially
as described.
9. The combination in a sole-leveling machine, of vibrating leveling rolls; and a
plurality of laterally and longitudinally movable jacks susceptible of moving in an
approximately horizontal plane for bringing one jack into position under the
vibrating leveling-rolls to be acted upon by the latter while the attendant or
operator is placing and preparing another shoe on another jack, substantially as
described.
10: The combination in a sole-leveling machine, of a support, a carrier or head
pivotally mounted on said support and provided with sole-leveling rolls, means for
locking the carrier or head to said support; whereby the rolls can be permitted to
oscillate or rock laterally, or be held locked against such lateral oscillation,
substantially as described:
11. The combination in a sole-leveling machine, of a support; a carrier or head
pivoted on said support and provided with sole-leveling rolls, the axes of which are
adjustable to different angles of inclination, and locking devices for locking the
carrier or head to said support, whereby the leveling rolls can be permitted to
oscillate or rock laterally, or be held rigid against such lateral oscillation, sub-
stantially as described.
12. The combination in a sole-leveling machine, of a suitable support, a carrier
or head pivoted to said support and having segmental ways, bearings mounted in
said ways, leveling rolls mounted on independent axles or shafts in said bearings,
devices for adjusting the bearings in the ways to change the angle of inclination
of the roll-shafts, and means for locking the carrier or head to said support;
substantially as described.,
13. A machine for levelling the soles of boots and shoes constructed, arranged
and operating substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the
drawings.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co...
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.