Improved Method of and Machinery for Finishing the Soles or Heels of Boots or Shoes.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Feb., 1892-Accepted, 19th Mar., 1892
Improved Method of and Machinery for Finishing the Soles or Heels
of Boots or Shoes.
I JONATHAN BOOTHMAN of Hazelhurst, near Rochdale, Boot and Shoe Manu-
facturer, 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 :-
My said invention relates to a method of and machinery for finishing the soles
and heels of boots and shoes.
In many kinds of boots and shoes it is customary to black or stain portions of the
soles and heels and then to impart a high polish thereto. The final polishing or
burnishing has been hitherto accomplished by burnishing with a heated metal
burnishing tool which is moved under pressure backwards and forwards by hand or
mechanical agency on the surface to be burnished.
According to my improved method of imparting the final polish a rapidly rotating
disc or wheel either entirely composed of felt or covered at the edge with a thick
layer of felt is used. The part to be polished is held against the periphery of the
rotating disc when the resulting friction gives rise to a considerable amount of heat
which materially aids in producing the desired polish.
To prepare the leather for the final polishing process or burnish I prefer to impart
a preliminary polish thereto by means of a rapidly rotating disc of soapstone the
periphery of which is deeply notched and rubbed with wax.
For carrying into effect my said invention I prefer to use the machine shown in
the accompanying drawing in which a is the stand or framework of the machine,
6 is the driving spindle provided with fast and loose pullies 6 6¹ of such a diameter
as that the spindle 6 may rotate at about 1500 to 2000 revolutions per minute.
Suitable bearings for the spindle are provided. Mounted on the spindle 6 is the
felt disc e preferably composed of closely felted fine wool and secured against a
collar c' on the spindle by the screwed clamping disc c³. A guard plate c³ runs
loosely on the collar. This guard plate is slightly larger in diameter than the felt
disc and is intended to take into the groove between the edge of the sole and the
top of the boot in order to protect the upper leather from the action of the felt disc
when the edge of the sole is being burnished. Mounted on the spindle is a disc of
soapstoned the edges of which are notched preferably in a zigzag manner. This
disc may also be provided with a loose guard plate as in the case of the burnishing
In some cases I also mount an emery wheel e on the same spindle. This
emery wheel is a well known device and usually consists of a disc of wood having a
facing of emery cloth or paper secured to the periphery. Its purpose as is well
understood is to grind down the leather after it has been trimmed and to prepare it
for receiving the black stain.
disc c.
The method of using the machine is as follows. The part of the sole or heel to
be treated is first trimmed in the ordinary way and is then prepared for staining by
the action of the emery wheel e. After having been stained or blacked in the usual
manner it is pressed against the edge of the soapstone disc d on which wax is rubbed
and by this means a certain degree of polish is imparted to the leather.
The final polishing or burnishing is effected by holding the part to be operated on
firmly against the edge of the rotating burnishing disc c.
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,-

page_text: the employment of a rapidly rotating disc of felt substantially as hereinbefore
described.
2. The use combination and arrangement of a rotating soapstone disc and a
rotating felt disc substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described and
set forth.
3. The combination in a machine for finishing the soles or heels of boots or shoes
of a rotating felt disc, a rotating soapstone disc, and a rotating emery covered disc
substantially as hereinbefore described and shown.
Dated Eleventh day of February 1892.
EDWARD TURNER WHITELOW,
70, Deansgate, Manchester, Agent for the Applicant.