Improvements in Machines for Moulding or Levelling the Soles of Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Apr., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Jan., 1897-Accepted, 20th Mar., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Moulding or Levelling the Soles of
Boots and Shoes.
I, WILLIAM HENRY DORMAN, of The Hawthorns, Newport Road, Stafford,
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object the improvement of machines used for moulding
or for lovelling the soles of boots and shoes and consists in so constructing the
machines that hydraulic pressure may be made use of for the purpose.
The pressure may be derived from any convenient source as from town water
supply or hydraulic pumps may be provided.
An accumulator or an air vessel may be employed to store the water and prevent
loss of time in filling the cylinders which contain the pressure rams and the usual
safety valves and pressure gauges may be fitted to prevent accident to the
machinery.
For a single sole moulding machine in which soles are to be moulded into shape
a top and bottom mould are employed between which the soles are placed. The
top mould is carried on a platen and the bottom one on a table in connection with
a ram which enters a water pressure cylinder to which water at a suitable pressure
is admitted through a valve and after the pressure has been maintained for
a aufficient time the water is released through an outlet valve, and if desired is
returned to the pumps. The water cylinder is carried on a bed which is connected
by tension rods to the platen and the whole is supported on suitable legs or
frames.
A similar machine may be made but having two or more presses so that the
pressure may be kept on for a longer time by working each press in its turn.
Another method of constructing the machine is to carry several hydraulic
presses in a frame which is capable of being intermittently revolved. Each press
as it comes opposite to the operator is opened by releasing a water valve so that
the work may be taken out and fresh work inserted after which the water pressure
is allowed to again close the press which then turus away while the next press
comes into position opposite the operator. Such a machine may be operated by
haud, the presses being put in operation by opening or closing suitable inlet and
outlet water valves or the machine may be power-driven and more or less automatic
in its actions.
If the machine is intended to mould or press soles on to boots or to level channels
after the soles are attached to the boots a last and jack are used in the place of the
bottom mould previously mentioned and this jack may be so constructed that it
moves forward towards the operator with the boot when the press opens.
A power machine may be conveniently constructed in the following manner :-
A belt pulley or the like through a suitable clutch put in operation by a treadle or
handle gives motion to a worm and wheel or equivalent gearing which either
directly or through suitable gearing turns an intermittently revolving frame,
automatically arrested at the proper times by stopping gear acting on the clutcb.
The frame carries round with it bydraulic presses, as many as desired, each

page_text: furnished with an inlet and outlet water valve. The valves are connected by
a lever automatically operated by a cam carried on a fixed part of the machine
frame or tappets or a hand lever may be employed to open and close the
valves. The valves are so coustructed that both are never open at the same
time. The outlet opens after the inlet has closed and the outlet closes again before
the inlet opens so that waste of water is prevented.
The release of the water and descent of the ram cause the jauk, when such is
used, to swing outwards through the operation of a bell crank, or other suitable
equivalent, and present the boot ready to the hand of the operator. A spring may
be used in connection with the bell crank to accomodate variations in the substance
of the work being operated upon.
Dated this 09-33
Improvements in Machines for Moulding or Levelling the Soles
of Boots and Shoes.
I, WILLIAM HENRY DORMAN, of The Green Hall, Stafford, formerly of
The Hawthorns, Newport Road, Stafford, aforesaid, Engineer, 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 has for its object the improvement of machines used for moulding
or for levelling the soles of boots and shoes and cousists in 80 constructing the
machines that bydraulic pressure may be made use of for the purposo.
The moulding of a boot sole consists in pressing it, when in a mellow condition
and before it is attached to the boot, between a pair of moulds which operation
imparts to the solo the desired shapo and so relieves the shoemaker of the labour
of hammering the sole out upon the last.
The levelling operation is performed after the sole is attached to the boot and
consists in laying down the channels which have been previously formed in the
sole for the reception of the stitches and also in rendering even the general surface
of the sole.
The pressure may be derived from any convenient source as from town water
supply or hydraulic pumps may be provided.
An accumulator or an air vessel may be employed to store the water and
prevent loss of time in filling the cylinders which contain the pressure rams and
the usual safety valves and pressure gauges may be fitted to preveut accident to
the machinery.
For a single sole moulding machine in which soles are to be moulded into shape
top and bottom moulds are employed between which the soles are placed. The
top mould is carried on a platen and the bottom one on a table in connection with
a ram which enters a water pressure cylinder to which water at a suitable pressure
is admitted through a valve and after the pressure has been maintained for a
sufficient time the water is released through an outlet valve, and, if desired is
returned to the pumps. The water cylinder is carried on a bed which is connected
by tension rods to the platen and the whole is supported on suitable legs or
frames.
A similar machine may be made but having two or more presses so that the
pressure may be kept on for a louger time by working each press in its turn.
Another inethod of constructing the machino is to carry several hydraulic
presses in a frame which is capable of being intermittently revolved. Each press

page_text: as it comes opposite to the operator is opened by releasing a water valve so that
the work may be taken out and fresh work inserted, after which the water pressure
is allowed to again close the press which then turas away, while the next press
comes into position opposite the operator. Such a machine may be operated by
band, the presses being put in operation by opening or closing suitable inlet and
outlet water valves or the machine may be power driven and more or less automatis
in its actions.
If the machine is intended to level channels after the soles are attached to the
boots a last and jack are used in the place of the bottom mould previously
mentioned and this jack may be so constructed that it moves forward towards the
operator with the boot when the press opens.
A power machine may be conveniently constructed in the following manner :-
A belt pulley or the liko through a suitable clutch put in operation by a trondle or
handle gives motion to a worm aud wheel or equivalent gearing which either
directly or through suitable gearing turns an intermittently revolving frame
automatically arrested at the proper times by stopping gear acting on the clutch.
The frame carries round with it hydraulic presses, as many as desired, each
furnished with an inlet and outlet water valve. The valves are connected by a
lever automatically operated by a cam carried on a fixed part of the machine frame
or tappets or a hand lever may be employed to open and close the valves. The
valvos are so constructed that both aro uever open at the same time. The outlet
opens after the inlet has closed and the outlet closes again before the inlet opens
so that waste of water is prevented.
The release of the water and descent of the ram cause the jack when such is
used to swing outwards through the operation of a bell crank or other suitable
equivalent aud present the boot ready to the hand of the operator. A spring may
be used in connection with the bell crank to accomodate variations in the substance
of the work being operated upon.
My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which :-
Fig. 1. is a front elevation partly in section of a machine for moulding the soles
of boots aud shoes.
Fig. 2. is an end elevation of the same.
Fig. 3. is a front elevation of a power machine for levelling soles.
Fig. 4. is a side elevation of the same with the lower part in section.
Fig. 5. is a plan of the same with the upper portion of the machine removed.
Fig. 6. shews an arrangement of pump, air vessel and two machines.
Fig. 7. is an enlarged vertical section of a portion of one form of valvo.
Fig. 8. is a view partly in section of another form of valve.
Fig. 9. is an elevation and Fig. 10. is a plan shewing an automatic stopping
arrangement.
The sole moulding machine as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 consists of a bed a
supported on a pair of leg frames a' a' and having a platen a conuected to the bed
by tension rods a'. The bed a supports one or more water cylinders b. 61 (in the
drawings two are shewa) which contain rams c. c' and are constructed in the usual
manner of hydraulic presses. The rams c. c' are furnished with tables of o
preferably made heavy and carrying moulds d. d' the counterparts of which or
upper moulds d d are carried by the platen a³.
Water at a suitable pressure is admitted to the cylinder. b by the pipe e. through
the double valve ' and pipe e so as to raise the ram c and mould d upon which the
boot sole has been previously laid and this upward movement of the ram presses
and moulds the sole between the mould d. and its counter part . When the
pressure has remained ou a sufficient time the water is shut off from the supply
pipe e and that in the cylinder b is allowed to escape through the pipe e³ into the
vessel and away by the pipe e. In machines provided with two or more prossos
each press may be released in rotation for the purpose of taking out the moulded
soles and inserting fresh ones, the other presses meanwhile being maintained under
pressure.

page_text: The double valve e' (see also Fig. 7) is constructed as follows:-
The water enters by the pipe e aud fills the chamber from which it is pre-
rented from escaping upwards by the leather e. As drawn in Fig. 7 the valve
is open so that the water passes down into the chamber e and thence by the pipe e
to one of the presses & or b. When the valve stem eo is drawn upwards which
may be done by a handle ell and scrow e" (Figs. 1 and 2) the face e" comes against
the sent and shuts off the supply of water from the pipe e. At the same time
the face e (carried by the same stem elo) is lifted off the scat e and the water
from the press returns by the pipe e into the chamber and escapes by the now
open valve e" and pipe e
is
In order to prevent waste of water occurring during the time the valve
closing (na it is evident the valve ennnot be completely closed until the valve e
is fully open) the stem is provided with two plags e and e" the distance between-
the ends and e" of which is somewhat in excess of the distance between the
seats and Thus it arises that in every position of the stem ono or the
other or both of these plugs es ande is (according to the accuracy of its fitting)
always plugging one or the other or both of the respective bores of the seats e
and and thus there is never a free passage for water from the inlet pipe e to the
outlet pipo or in other words the inlet is always closed before the outlet is opened
and vice versa.
The stem is made large at relatively to the valvo sent " so that the
pressure of the water in the chamber & always tends to hold the valve e shut and
the size of the seat 16 may be so proportioned that the valve e' after being closed
tends to remain so closed by the pressure of the water.
In Figs. 3. 4 and 5 a levelling machine is shewn which besides being fitted up
to work by hydraulic pressure is further operated by power.
The circnlar base supports a cylindrical frame f which is free to rotate
thereon being carried by a ring of balls . The frame carries a number of
presses (in the drawing six are shewn) cousisting of cylinders g to g and rams
to . Tho bell cranks i. are jointed to the rams h. on pins and carry at
their upper ends jacks upon pins on which jacks are the boots
Rods to support a circular top frame which carries moulds of a shapo
and size to suit the boots being operated upon. The bell cranks i. are free to
swing on the pins being guided and restrained by frames j to j in which they
move.
When the rams h to hare raised by the water pressure the bell cranks i. and
jacks assume an upright position as shewn at laud when the rams fall owing
to the discharge of the water the bell crauks i. and jacks i assume an inclined
position as shewn at I. This is brought about by means of spring *** and link
rods the latter being jointed at their upper ends to the frames toj by
pins and blocks in which they are free to slide, and jointed at their
lower ends to the bell cranks i. by pins i and the springs rest upon
shoulders of the rods and take against the blocks . When the
ram & rises from its lowest position the spring i prevents the pin from rising
while tho pin being lifted by the rising ram causes the jack to swing into an
upright position under the mould and the bell crank i is prevented from passing
the vertical by coming against a stop on the frames to j. The further rising
of the ram A. carries the bell crank jack and boot o vertically upward into the
position I so pressing the boot sole between the mould and the last which is
inside the boot. This latter vertical movement is permitted by the yielding of the
spring which allows the rod to slide up through the blook. When the
ram A descends again the jaak i ete. arò maintained in their vertical position by
the pressure of the spring " until the nuts on the rod je tako upon the
block this prevents further descent of the pin " while the ram still falling
causes the jack etc. to move forward into the position I where it is arrested by
the stop of the frames j to j
The water under pressure is admitted to the machine by a pipo k and enters a

page_text: gland box suitably packed to prevent the escape of the water oxcept by the
pipe. The pipe is free to revolve in the box and has radial pipes to k³
(see Fig. 5.) branching from it one to each press thus conducting the water to the
valves (one only drawn) which are connected to the cylinders g to g' and may
be supported upon the cylindrical frame with which they revolve.
The valve & is further, though rather differently, illustrated in Fig. 8, in which
10 is the water inlet, & the passage to the press, and the outlet. The valve A
controls the water supply and the valve controls the discharge. Both valves
are held closed by the water pressure assisted by the springs which take
against the fixed bar and press down upon the collars 18 of the valve
stems. To open the valves the lever is provided which is mounted on the
pivot and formed to engage the collars 18 It is operated by a cam and
link. The cam is fixed upon the circular stationary base fof the machine
and engages a roller on the link . The higher portion of the cam holds
the inlet valve open while allowing the outlet valve & to remain closed and the
lower portion of the cam holds the outlet valve k open while allowing the inlet
valve to remain closed. When the lever " is in an intermediate position, as
drawn, it does not engage either of the collars or so that both valves are then
closed and which ever way the lever is moved by the action of the cam
neither valve can be opened before the other one has been allowed to seat itself,
thus waste of water is prevented. It will be observed that the valve 4º shewn in
Figs. 3, 4 and 5 is constructed with the valves opening downwards and with the
inlet valve to the right whereas in Fig. 8 the valves open upwards and the inlet
valve is to the left. The tank f is provided to catch the water and the pipe f
conducts the same away.
The machine is rotated upon its circular base fso as to bring each cylinder g
to in succession opposite to the operator, in the following manner :-
The pulley is mounted loosely upon the shaft l' which it drives by means of a
clutch thrown in and out of gear at will, by the operator, by means of a treadle P
and wedge. The treadle when not pressed upon by the operator maintaining the
wedgo out of gear by means of the spring. The shaft carries a worm
engaging a wheel on another shaft carried in the base fand having a pinion
engaging a gear 10 upon the frame f'.
If automatic stopping gear is provided it may be arranged as follows:-
Upon the revolving frame f' see Figs. 9 and 10 are arranged as many lugs in as
there are presses in the machine. These engage each in turn with a hook m'
which is jointed to a lover m² pivotted on a stud m³ to the base f and engaging
collars mm on a shaft m which shaft carries the driving pulley m'. A hollow
shaft m is carried in bearings m' m10 and itself acts as a bearing for the shaft m®.
On the hollow shaft me are a worm m" and a clutch cone m. A spring ma is
arranged to thrust upon the lever m' and tends to hold the pulloy m' in engagement
so as to drive the worm ml and rotate the frame f¹. A treadle m is provided
which by means of levers m n on a shaft m strikes the hook m² out of engage-
ment with any of the lugs m so as to allow the aforesaid spring m to act.
When
the treadle m is depressed by the operator the lever m strikes the hook m' out
of engagement with the lug m and the spring m" now being released acts upon the
lever mand through the shaft me draws the pulley m' into engagement with the
cone m¹ so as to drive the worm ml and rotate the frame f'. The movement of
the lever m to the right of the operator (see Fig. 10) draws the hook m' off the
lever m when under the influence of a spring me (provided for the purpose) the
hook n moves inward a little so as to staud in the path of the next approaching
lug which strikes upon it and by pushing the pulley m' to the left through the
lever m and shaft m' stops the machine.
Fig. 6. shews an arrangement of machinery. The pumps n force the water
through the pipe n' into the air vessel n' from which it flows by the pipes n and n'
to the machines n n returning again to the pump n by the pipes n' and no.
The machine illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is operated as follows:-A sole or

page_text: sules are placed upon one of the moulds say d and by means of the handle ell the
operator puts on the water pressure so as to close the press. He then places
other soles upon the other mould d¹ and does likewise. He then lets off the
water pressure from the first press by a reverse movement of the handle el
takes out the moulded soles and puts in others and so on working each press
alternately.
The machine illustrated in Figs. 3. 4 and 5. is operated as follows:-The
operator stands at O and places a boot upon the jack which is inclined towards
him in the position I. He then puts his foot upon the treadle which (a belt
having been previously applied to the pulley ) starts the machine. The roll ***
(Figs. 3 and 8) carried round by the frame ascends the incline of the
cam and after allowing the valve to shut opens the valve k which causes
the ram to ascend and after bringing the jack into an upright position presses
the boot sole against the mould in a position similar to that shewn at Ï³.
The next press cylinder g' then comes into position opposite the operator the
roll descending the cam first closes the valve and then opens the valve k".
The operator removes his foot from the treadle and the machine ceases to revolve.
The water escaping from the valve allows the ram h' to descend with its jack
which first descends vertically as at 1' until clear of its mould and then when the
nuts take upon the block or the jack inclines as at I towards the operator
who pluces a boot upon it and proceeds as before. This continues until the
machine is full of boots under pressure after which the operator as each jack
is inclined towards him first removes the pressed boot and then places another on
the jack.
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:-
1. The use of hydraulic pressure in machines used for moulding soles.
2. The use of hydraulic pressure in machines used for laying channels and
evening the surface of soles.
3. The machine herein described and illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.
4. The machine horein described and illustrated in Figures 3. 4. and 5.
5. In a machine for moulding soles or for laying the channels of boots and
shoes, arranging several hydraulic presses around a frame in such a manner that
they may be revolved so as to bring each press in succession opposite to the operator
as described.
6. In a machine for laying the channels of boots and shoes causing the jack to
first descend vertically until clear of the mould and then to incline towards the
operator and in rising to first return to a vertical position and then ascend in such
position.
7. In a machine for moulding soles or for laying the channels of boots and
shoes the automatic stopping arrangement herein described and illustrated in
Figures 9 and 10.
8. The combination of inlet and outlet valves with cams for the purpose of
automatically operating hydraulic presses which are carried in a revolving
frame.
9. The double valve herein described and illustrated in Figures 1. 2 and 7.
10. The combination of an air vessel with hydraulic pumps and presses for the
purpose of moulding or levelling the soles of boots and shoes.
11. The combination of an accumulator with hydraulic pumps aud presses for the
purpose of moulding or levelling the soles of boots and shoes.
Dated this 22nd day of January 1897.
W. H. DORMAN.