Improvements in Boot and Shoe Treeing Machines.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of 4pplication, 22nd May, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 19th Feb., 1891--Accepted, 16th May, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Boot and Shoe Treeing Machines.
I ALFRED BURKE FOWLER of Exeter in the County of Rockingham, State of
New Hampshire, United States of America, Machinist do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
The invention relates to improvements in boot and shoe treeing machines and
more especially in machines having a plurality of trees radially mounted on a
revolving head, and capable of being locked in position so as to bring each of
the trees in its turn in front of the operator.
My invention consists first in a novel construction of the mechanism for expanding
the tree within the boot and to keep it in its expanded condition until it has
completed one revolution with the head of the machine on which it is mounted and
then to contract the tree within the boot; second in mechanism for automatically
taking up any slack that may occur in the boot during the revolution of the tree
caused by the stretching of the leather, third in mechanism for adjusting the
amount of strain exerted on the boot; fourth in an improved device for automati-
cally locking the rotary head of the machine in position so as to bring and to hold
the desired one of the radiating trees in front of the operator.
My invention is carried out as follows.
The standard of the machine is preferably made in two parts, a lower part
adapted to be fastened to the floor, and an upper part adjustable up and down
within said lower part so as to bring the trees to the most convenient height for the
person who is to operate the machine. A suitable clamping device is provided to
clamp the two parts of the standard together after being adjusted. A pin on
one of the parts of the standard projects into a slot on the other part, preventing
the upper part from turning in the lower part, while adjusting the height of the
standard.
A plate provided with a circular flange is firmly secured to the upper part of the
standard said flange having a slot or cut away portion for a purpose to be described
hereafter.
A tree carrying head is pivoted to the above named plate, concentric with the
circular flange thereon, which head is provided with a ring resting on the top of
said flange and forming a support to keep the head steady while it is being rotated.
This ring is provided with a plurality of radiating tubes forming bearings for the
trunnions of the trees. The trees are held within these bearings by means of screws
passing through said bearings and entering annular grooves on the trunnions of the
tree, but said trees are allowed to turn within said bearings so as to present
the entire surface of the boot on the tree in convenient position for the operator to
tree or finish the boot.
The peculiar construction of the expansible trees used on this, my improved
machine forms no part of my present invention, but they are of that kind which are
expanded by a pulling strain exerted on a rod projecting from the trunnion of the
tree against the influence of a spring within the tree, said trees being returned to
their normal contracted condition by the influence of said spring when the pulling
strain is released from the rod.
To the end of said rod and forming an extension thereof is attached a spindle on which
a block or collar is loosely mounted said block fitting loosely within the bearing for
the tree on the rotary head which block is provided on its underside with a suitable
pin or roll adapted to rest against, and to travel on the inner surface of the circular
Hange on the standard of the machine, or against a follower to be described
hereafter.

page_text: A second collar or sleeve is adjustably mounted on the end of said spindle nearest
the centre of the machine and a spiral or other suitable spring surrounds said spindle
between the block and sleeve mounted thereon. The amount of pressure exerted
by this spring is adjusted by means of a hand wheel and hand check nut screwed on
the end of the spindle and resting against said sleeve. The block is prevented from
turning within the bearing by means of the pin or roll, attached thereto, passing
through, and being guided in a slot in the underside of the bearing. Each of the
radiating trees is provided with the attachments above named, and any number of
trees may be used.
A bracket is screwed to the underside of the flanged plate and forms a bearing for
the spindle of the follower above mentioned. This follower is guided within the
slot in the flanged plate and has its inner surface preferably made so as to coincide
with, and form a continuation of the inner surface of the circular flange when the
follower is forced inwards by its operating mechanism hereafter to be described.
The pins or rolls on the blocks above referred, travel on the inner surface
of the circular flange or on the follower when moving the trees from one position to
another.
A treadle is pivoted to the lower part of the standard of the machine and guided
in a suitable bracket thereon said treadle being adjustably connected to a bell crank
lever, pivoted to a bracket on the underside of the flanged plate on the standard by
means of a rod and a yoke. This peculiar connection between the treadle and bell
crank lever is to allow of adjustments to the variations in the heights at which the
standard may be adjusted. The opposite end of the bell crank lever to where the
treadle is attached, rests against a projection on the lower part of the follower above
mentioned, in such a manner that when the treadle is depressed and the bell crank
lever turns on its fulcrum it will force the follower inward until its face against
which the pin or roll rests will coincide and form a completion of the circular inner
face of the flange of the standard, and by so doing will cause the tree whose pin or
roll rests against the follower to be expanded by the block to which the pin
is attached exerting a yielding pressure against the sleeve on the expansion rod of
the tree through the medium of the spring interposed between said block and sleeve,
causing a pulling strain to be exerted on said expansion rod and expanding the
tree.
or roll
A suitable adjustable locking device is arranged upon said treadle to lock it in its
depressed position, while the operator turns the rotating head to carry the tree just
expanded, within the boot or shoe, to the next position and to bring another tree to
a position in front of him. A suitable spring is attached to the treadle and to the
standard of the machine which tends to hold the treadle in its upper position, and
the bell crank lever with its free end resting against the inner end of the guide
bracket for the follower on the underside of the flanged plate, the spring within the
tree and the spring between the block and sleeve on the expansion rod tending to
hold the follower in such a position that the projection on the underside rests against
the bell crank lever at all times.
A second treadle is pivoted to the lower part of the standard and is adjustably
attached to one end of a lever pivoted on the under part of the flanged plate in a
manner similar to the connection between the bell crank lever and its treadle above
referred to. A latch guided in a bearing on the flanged plate is attached to the
opposite end of the lever to where this second treadle is attached said latch entering
recesses on the underside of the ring of the rotating head, and locking said head in
its various positions, so as to hold each of the radiating trees in its turn, in front of
the operator.
A suitable spring attached to said treadle and to the standard tends to hold said
latch within the recess in the ring above referred to. When rotating the tree from
one position to another said latch rests against a projecting annular flange on the
underside of said ring which is cut back just before it reaches a recess in the ring so
as to insure the entrance of said latch into the recess. The operator unlocks the
rotary head by depressing this second treadle thereby withdrawing the latch from

page_text: the recess within which it rests but releases the pressure on the treadle as
soon as he commences to rotate the head to enable the latch to enter the next
recess in turn.
It is obvious that the pin or roll which travels on the inner surface of the flanged
plate might be attached directly to the expansion rod of the tree, but such a
construction would be defective inasmuch as it would exert a rigid strain on the
boot or shoe and would be liable to burst the same as boots or shoes of the same
number are not all made exactly the same size, and the leather from which they are
made is not always of the same elasticity.
In using my improved machine as above described an operator stands in a position
in front of the two treadles with a contracted tree in front of him. After placing a
boot on this.tree he depresses the treadle which expands the tree and locks it in its
depressed position; he then unlocks the rotary head by depressing the second
treadle, and withdrawing the latch from the recess in which it rests he then rotates
the head with its radiating trees in either direction until the next tree comes in a
position in front of him and the tree with the boot stretched thereon has been
carried to one position at either side of him, the latch then enters the next recess in
order, and locks the rotating head in this position; he then allows the tree in front
of him to contract by unlocking the treadle and allowing it to assume its normal
position; he next places a boot upon the tree and repeats the operation of stretching
it upon the tree and rotating it to the next position. If there is finished boot
upon the tree, when it reaches the position in front of the operator he removes it by
releasing the pressure on the treadle and allowing the tree to contract within the
boot as above described.
This operation is repeated by the operator at the same position until he has
stretched all his boots meanwhile an operator standing in a position in front of one
of the trees, rubs and finishes the boots as they come in front of him. If so desired
the boots may be subjected at one of the positions to a blast of warm air, by means
of a common blower for the purpose of drying the boot so as to cause it to hold its
proper form after it has been removed from the tree, also to prepare it for the
dressing which is to be applied to the boot before it leaves the tree and which
requires the boot to be dry before it is applied in order to retain the gloss given by
such dressing.
The treeing drying and finishing of the boot may be accomplished at one position
only or it may be done at different positions if so desired.
While the boot or shoe is undergoing the several operations described, any slack
that may occur between the tree and the boot or shoe, from the stretching of the
leather will be taken up by the spring which surrounds the expansion rod between
the sleeve and the block mounted on said rod; said spring will also prevent a strain.
sufficient to burst the boot, from being exerted on the same by said spring yielding.
The amount of the strain on the boot can be adjusted by means of the hand wheel
and hand check nut. It is obvious that I may use only one of my improved trees
with its yielding connection to the power applying device for expanding it, and
dispense with the rotary head and circular flange, and mount the tree in a fixed
bearing on a standard having a follower to operate the tree in a manner substantially
as above described.
A modified form of the connecting mechanism between the pin or roll which
travels against the circular flange, and the expansion rod of the tree is made
as follows.
The rod is extended and forms a spindle upon which the sleeve is mounted and
on which the hand wheel and hand check nut are screwed, said sleeve being
provided with a reduced extension around which the spring is arranged between
said sleeve and the block which carries the pin or roll.
Another modified form of my invention consists in mounting two trees upon
a head pivoted to the standard of the machine, which standard is provided with a
portion of a plate having a sufficient portion of circular flange, as above described
to allow of oscillating said trees to and from a position in front of the operator,

page_text: the plate being provided with stops to limit the movement of the pivoted head at
either side of its central position.
.
The standard may if so desired be provided with a suitable shelf or table
to hold the tool for treeing the boot or to hold any other articles as may be
desired.
Dated this 22nd day of May 1890.
HERBERT & Co.,
Agents to Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Boot and Shoe Treeing Machines.
I ALFRED BURKE FOWLER of Exeter in the County of Rockingham, State of
New Hampshire, United States of America Machinist 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 improvements in boot and shoe treeing machines, and
especially in machines in which a plurality of trees are radially mounted on a
revolving or oscillating frame or head capable of being locked in position so as to
bring each of the trees in its turn in front of the operator.
My invention consists first in a novel construction of the mechanism for expanding
the tree within the boot or shoe and to keep it in its expanded condition during
the operation of treeing and finishing the boot or shoe and then to contract the
tree within the same, also in mechanism for automatically taking up the slack that
may occur in the boot or shoe while it is mounted upon the tree caused by the
stretching of the leather, also to adjust the amount of strain exerted on the boot
or shoe; also in an improved device for automatically locking the rotary head of
the machine in position so as to bring the desired one of the radiating trees in
front of the operator, and also in a yielding device interposed within the
connecting mechanism between the operating treadle and the tree expanding
mechanism.
My invention is carried out as follows, reference being had to the accompanying
drawings whereon
Fig. 1 represents a plan view of my improved treeing machine when arranged
with a rotary frame carrying six radiating trees.
Fig. 2 represents a partial central vertical section of the same showing one of
the trees in side elevation and the other partly in section and partly in side
elevation.
. Fig. 3 represents a front elevation of the lower portion of the standard of the
machine.
Fig. 4 represents a horizontal section of the machine on the line A B shewn in
Fig. 2 and looking downward upon the base of the standard.
Fig. 5 represents a section on the same line looking upward.
Fig. 6 represents a detailed view of the locking mechanism used to lock the
rotary frame in any of its positions to bring the desired tree in front of the
operator.
Fig. 7 represents a detailed section of said locking mechanism.
Fig. 8 represents a plan view of the treeing machine when arranged with an
oscillating frame carrying two trees adapted to be oscillated to and from a central
position in front of the operator.
Fig. 9 represents a detailed sectional view of a modified form of the tree
expanding mechanism, and
Figs. 10. 11 and 12 represent modified forms of the yielding mechanism inter-
posed within the connecting mechanism between the operating treadle and the tree
expanding mechanism.
Similar letters refer to similar parts on the different parts of the drawings.

page_text: Referring to Figs. 1 2 3 4 5 6 and 7 of the drawings the standard of the
machine is preferably made in two parts, a lower part a adapted to be fastened to
the floor and an upper part a¹ adjustable up and down within the part a in order
to bring the trees to the most convenient height for the person who is to operate
the machine. When in the proper relative position the two parts of the standard
are clamped and held together by means of the bolts a² a shown in Fig. 2 or by
any other well known means.
a³ represents a pin secured to the part a¹ and having its end projecting into the
slot a' in the upper part of the lower part of the standard. The pin a prevents
the upper part of the standard from turning in the lower part while they are being
adjusted to the proper height. To the upper part a' of the standard is firmly
secured the bearing plate a which is provided with a circular flange a as
shown, a portion of said flange being cut away for a purpose as will hereafter be
described.
b represents the tree carrying frame or head which is pivoted by means of the
bolt or stud to the bearing plate a³.
which rests on top of the flange a
while it is being rotated.
The head or frame is formed with a ring
forming a support to keep the head steady
The
ring is provided with any suitable number of radiating tubes or bearings ³ ³ ³
for the trunnions c¹ c¹ c¹ on the trees c c c.
represent screws screwed
through the bearings 3363 and having their inner ends projecting into annular
grooves on the trunnions of the trees for the purpose of holding the trees within
the bearings and still to allow them to be turned in said bearings to present
the entire surface of the boot d which may be on the tree in convenient position
for the person treeing the boot to rub the same or to finish the boot in any desired
inanner.
The trees used on this my improved machine are of that kind which are
expanded by mechanism within the tree not shown on the drawings and which
are operated by pulling on the rod 2 which projects from the trunnion c¹ of the
tree against the influence of the spring e within the tree said trees being returned
to their normal contracted condition by the influence of said spring when the
pulling strain is released from the rod. To the end of the rod I attach the
spindle in any suitable manner, said spindle forming an extension of the rod.
e represents a block or collar fitting within the bearing and loosely mounted on
the spindle cand e represents a suitable pin or roll on the lower part of the
block e adapted to rest against and to travel on the inner surface of the flange u
or against the follower g to be described hereafter. represents a collar or sleeve
adjustably mounted on the inner end of said spindle, and e² represents a spiral or
other suitable spring surrounding the spindle between the block e and sleeve f.
The amount of pressure exerted by the spring e is adjusted by means of the
handwheel and hand check nut screwed on the inner end of the spindle c*.
The block e is prevented from turning in the bearing by means of the pin or
rolle passing through and guided in the slot in the underside of the bearing 3.
Each of the radiating trees are provided with the attachments herein described
and I have shown six of such trees, but the number may be varied at will if so
desired.
9 represents a bracket secured to the outside of the flange a and forming a
bearing for the spindle g of the follower g as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The
follower is guided in the bearing g' and cut away portion of the flange aⓇ and
has its inner face preferably made in the form of an arc of a circle of equal radius
with the inner face of the flange a so as to form a continuous circle when the
follower is forced inward as hereafter to be described for the pins or rolls e¹¹ e¹
to travel on when the trees are rotated from one position to the next in
succession.
represent a treadle pivoted to the lower part of the standard of the machine
on the shaft hand guided in a suitable bearing secured to said standard. The
treadle is connected to a bell crank lever i pivoted to a bracket secured to

page_text: the underside of the plate a' by means of the rod yoke 3 bolt and eliptic
spring said rod being adjustably secured to the yoke by means of the nuts 1*1*
28
screwed on the screw threaded lower end of the rod above and below the yoke.
The peculiar construction of the rod and its connection to the yoke is to allow
said rod to be adjusted to the varied heights of adjustment of the standard of the
machine.
The opposite end of the bell crank lever i to where the rod is attached rests
against a projection on the lower part of the follower y in such a manner that
when the treadle is depressed and the bell crank lever turned on its fulcrum it
will force the follower inward until its face against which the pin or roll e¹ rests
will coincide with and form a completion of the circular inner face of the flange a
and by so doing it will cause the tree whose pin or roll rests against the follower,
to be expanded by the block e exerting a pressure against the spring e' which in
turn presses against the sleeve f with a yielding pressure, and causes a pulling
strain to be exerted on the rod and expands the tree.
³ represents a hooked catch or block adjustably secured to the guide h³, and h
represents a similar hooked catch or projection on the side of the treadle adapted
to be placed under the block 3 when the treadle is depressed so as to lock the
treadle in its lower position while the operator turns the rotating head to carry the
tree just expanded within the boot or shoe, to the next position, and to bring another
of the radiating trees to a position in front of him or to the position marked X in
Fig. 1. The eliptic spring mentioned above serves to prevent any loss of strain
on the boot or shoe mounted upon the expanded tree caused by the locking of the
treadle under the hooked catch as said spring is sufficiently strong to resist the
required pressure on the treadle to expand the tree within the boot or shoe
mounted thereon but will yield sufficiently to allow the hooked projection on the
treadle to be placed beneath the hooked catch on the guide h after the tree has
been expanded within the boot or shoe, thus preventing any loss of strain on the
boot or shoe mounted on the tree by locking the treadle beneath the hooked catch.
The block is adjusted to the proper position on the guide ³ in order to
accomplish this result. represents a suitable spring attached to the treadle h
and to the standard of the machine which tends to hold the treadle in its upper
position and the bell crank lever with its free end resting against the inner end of
the bracket g² as shown in Fig. 2. The springs cand e tend to hold the
follower in such a position that the projection on its underside rests against the
bell crank lever at all times, k represents a treadle pivoted to the lower part of
the standard of the machine on the shaft and adjustably attached at one end to
the inner end of the lever shown in Figs. 6 and 7 by means of the rod l', yoke 1
and nuts in a similar manner to the way the treadle is attached to the bell
crank lever described heretofore, with this exception that the bolt and eliptic
spring are dispensed with and the yoke attached direct to the treadle k. To the
outer end of the lever is pivoted the sliding latch m which is guided in a bearing
secured to the plate a or its flange a as shown. The latch m is provided in its
upper end with a tooth which fits into one of the series of notches or recesses 6° 6°
on the underside of the ring 62 and holds the rotating head or frame b firmly in
position while the operator is working on the boots or shoes which are on the
trees.
q
A suitable spring k¹ attached to the upper part of the treadle k and the standard
of the machine tends to hold the treadle in its upper position, and the latch
within one of the notches or recesses 66.
The ring is provided with a projecting flange between each successive notch
or recess on which the upper part of the tooth of the latch m presses, while the
head 6 with its trees cc are being rotated and the pressure is removed from the
treadle k. The flange 67 is inclined upwards or cut back as shown at 68 in Fig. 6
so as to obviate the liability of the tooth, on the latch m, passing by one of the
recesses when the rotary head is rotated in the direction as shown by arrow in said
Fig. 6 to carry the trees from one position to the next in succession.

page_text: It is obvious that the pin or roll e' might be attached directly to the rod c¹ which
operates the tree, but such a construction would be defective inasmuch as it would
exert a rigid strain on the boot or shoe, and would be liable to burst the same, as
boots or shoes of one number are not all made exactly the same size, and the leather
from which they are made is not all of the same elasticity.
In Fig. 8 I have shown a modified form of my invention which I prefer to
use when it is desired to make a less expensive and more compact machine than
those made in the form shown in Figs. 1 2 3 4 and 5 and it is carried out as
follows.
n represents a treeing bench similar to those now in common use on the top of
which is mounted the bearing plate o made similar in form to a portion of the
bearing plate a³ as described in connection with the other figures of the drawing
and having an upward projecting circular flange o¹ on its edge, made concentric
with the fulcrum p' on which the frame or head p is mounted which head is made
similar to a portion of the rotary head & mentioned above and is provided with a
portion of a ring 3 resting upon the top of said flange to support and steady the
head, said ring being provided with two radiating tubular bearings p³ p³ for the
trunnions of two radiating trees 7 q held within said bearings by means of the
screws The head p is adapted to oscillate on its fulcrum p' so as to bring
either of the two radiating trees to a central position in front of the operator as
occupied by the tree shown on the drawing and the amount of the oscillation of
the head is limited by a projection on the head coming in contact with either of
the fixed stops o³ ³ on the bearing plate o according to whether the tree be moved
to the right or left from the central position. The flange o¹ is cut away at the
centre and there provided with a follower which is connected to the treadler by
mechanism similar to that connecting the follower g to the treadle described in
connection with the other figures of the drawing and the trees 17 are supplied
with expanding mechanism similar to that described hereinbefore in connection
with the other form of my improved treeing machines but the follower, its con-
necting mechanism, to the treadle and the expanding mechanism have not been
shown on the drawing as such have been fully shown and described in connection
with the other machine. s represents a hand lever for operating a suitable locking
device to hold the oscillating frame p in its proper position with either of the
radiating trees in a central position in front of the operator but it has not been
deemed necessary to illustrate the exact mechanism for locking said frame as any
well known means may be used and such may be varied within the scope of
mechanical skill. t represents a pipe leading from any source of warm air supply
and represent branch pipes leading from said supply pipe to positions one at
the right and the other at the left of the central position occupied by the operator
who trees the boot or shoe, the ends of said branch pipes being in such positions as
to deliver the blast of warm air conveyed thereby upon the boot or shoe to dry
the same when the tree upon which it is mounted is moved to its extreme position
to either side of said central position as above set forth. To prevent waste of the
warm air blast through the opening in the branch pipe from which a treed boot or
shoe has been removed 1 provide the branch pipes and with the respective
valves or dampers 3 and 4 which are opened and closed by the movements of the
oscillating frame and the trees mounted thereon, through suitable connecting
mechanism between said frame and valves, and I have shown such connecting
mechanism as consisting of the respective levers to to and links t' to.
The levers and are pivotally mounted upon a bracket attached to the
bearing plate o or to any other stationary part of the machine which bracket also
forms a support for the branch pipes, said levers being attached at one end to their
respective valves and at the other end to the oscillating frame by means of the
respective connecting slotted links t' 8. The links are attached to the oscillating
frame by means of the respective screw bolts t° and to loosely movable within the
slots in said links so as to allow the valves to remain closed until the boot or shoe
has been moved nearly to the end of its movement and in such a position as to

page_text: receive the blast of warm air caused to be discharged through the branch pipe by
the opening of said valve.
I do not wish to limit myself to the precise connecting mechanism between the
valves st, and the oscillating frame p nor to the precise construction of the
oscillating frame and its connected mechanism as the same might be varied
within the scope of mechanical skill without departing from the spirit of my
invention.
The operation of my treeing machine as represented in Fig. 8 is as follows.
Starting with an operator standing in front of the central portion of the machine
with the contracted tree in front of him as shown in Fig. 8 he places a boot or
shoe upon said tree, expands the tree by depressing the treadler and locks the
treadle in its depressed condition, then he rubs and finishes the boot or shoe and,
after unlocking the oscillating frame p by depressing the hand levers he moves
the tree to his right until it reaches a position under the mouth of the branch
pipe t and the oscillating frame is locked which movement causes the expanded
tree to move to the central position in front of the operator from which the
tree has just been moved and also causes the valve to be opened, allowing a
blast of warm air to be delivered upon the boot or shoe mounted on the tree g to
dry the same. The operator then unlocks treadle which allows the expanded
tree g to contract, and then trees and finishes a boot or shoe upon this tree; he then
unlocks the oscillating frame by means of the hard levers and moves the tree q¹ to
his left until it reaches a position under the mouth of the branch pipe t¹ and the
tree carrying frame is locked.
This movement of the tree ' causes the tree g to return to the central position
and the valve 3 to open and allow a blast of warm air to be delivered from branch
pipe upon the boot or shoe mounted on tree 7. The operator proceeds by
allowing the tree y to contract and repeats the operation above described.
Thus it will be seen that in a machine constructed as shown in Fig. 8, the
frame and trees q and q' mounted thereon oscillate to and from a central position
in front of the operator which allows the machine to be placed against the side of a
room and also takes less floor room than a machine constructed as shown in Figs. 1,
2 3 4 5 and 6.
I do not wish to confine myself to the use of a bench n as shown in Fig. 8 on
which to mount the working mechanism of the machine as any suitable standard
may be used instead thereof.
In Fig. 9 of the drawings I have shown a modification of the connecting
mechanism between the pin or roll e¹ and the rod of the tree, and in such
modification the rod is extended to form a spindle on which the sleeve fis
mounted, and on which the hand wheel f¹ and hand check nut f2 are screwed. The
sleeve has a reduced extension f³ as shown, around which the spring e³ is
placed.
The other parts of the mechanism are the same as shown on the other figures on
the drawing.
In Figs. 10, 11 and 12 of the drawings I have shown some of the various ways in
which the yielding mechanism interposed between the follower 9 and its operating
treadle may be constructed and the operation of said devices will be obvious to
any mechanic without any further description.
I do not wish to confine myself to the exact construction of my invention shown
on the different parts of the drawing nor to the precise combination of parts as the
same may be varied at will within the scope of mechanical skill without departing
from the spirit of my invention.
After
In using my improved machine with a rotary head or frame constructed as shown
in Fig. 1 an operator stands in the position at X in said figure and has a tree c in
front of him said tree being in a contracted condition as shown in Fig. 2.
placing a boot or shoe on this tree he depresses the treadle with his foot and
locks it in its depressed position as described hereinbefore and by so doing he
expands the tree within the boot or shoe. He then depresses the treadle k to

page_text: withdraw the latch m from the recess in which it rests to unlock the rotary head b
from the standard of the machine and rotates the head with its radiating trees in
the direction shown by arrows in Fig. 1 until the next tree with a finished boot or
shoe on it comes in front of him, and the latch m has sprung into the next notch b
in succession, he having meantime removed the pressure from the treadle k.
He then removes the boot or shoe from this tree by unlocking the treadle /h and
allowing the tree to contract within the boot or shoe and replaces such treed or
finished boot or shoe by another boot or shoe to be treed and finished, and he then
repeats the operation heretofore described.
It will be seen that the tree is kept in an expanded condition during a complete
rotation of the head of the machine and is only contracted when the operator
unlocks the treadle h.
When the first boot has been placed upon the tree and rotated to the position Z
in Fig. 1 as before described, another operator performs the operation of treeing
the same in the usual manner of treeing boots and shoes, while the first operator is
taking off one boot and replacing it with another as above described.
The boot is caused to pass from one position to the next until it has reached the
position marked Y in Fig. 1 where it may be subjected to a blast of warm air
similar to that described in connection with Fig. 8 by means of a common blower,
which, however is not shown on the drawings to dry the boot so as to cause it to
hold its proper form better after it has been removed from the machine, and also to
prepare it for the dressing which is to be applied to the boot before it is taken
from the tree, and which requires the boot to be dry before it is applied in order to
retain the gloss on the boot or shoe given by such dressing.
After the boot has been dried as described, it is caused to pass to the next
position where it is treated with a coat of dressing to finish it. The treeing drying
and finishing of the boot may be accomplished at one position only, or it may be
done at more than one as may be desired.
While the boot or shce is undergoing the several operations described, any slack
that may occur between the tree and the boot or shoe from the stretching of the
same will be taken up by the spring e pressing against the sleeve and said spring
will also prevent a strain sufficient to burst the boot, from being exerted on the
same by said spring yielding, and the amount of the strain on the boot can be
adjusted by means of the hand wheel f¹ and hand check nut f³.
It is obvious that I may use only one of my improved trees with its yielding
connection to the power applying device for expanding it and dispense with the
rotary head and circular flange, and mount the tree in a fixed bearing on a
standard having a follower to operate the tree in a manner substantially as shown
on the drawings.
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. In a boot and shoe treeing machine, having a suitable standard and bearing
for a tree, the combination with an expansible tree mounted thereon of a follower
for operating said tree, and suitable mechanism for operating said follower sub-
stantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2. In a boot or shoe treeing machine an expansible tree mounted on a pivoted
frame on the machine, a circular flange adapted to hold said tree in an expanded
condition, a slot or cut away portion in said flange, a follower adapted to expand
and contract said tree and mechanism to operate said follower, all combined for the
purpose set forth and described.
3. In a boot or shoe tree adapted to be expanded and contracted by means of a
rod and mechanism within the tree the combination with said rod and mechanism
and means for applying power for operating said mechanism of a yielding connection,
substantially as described interposed between said rod and power applying device
whereby any slack in the boot or shoe being treed is automatically taken up, and
B

page_text: any undue strain on said boot and shoe avoided, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
4. In a boot or shoe tree adapted to be expanded by means of a rod and
mechanism within the tree, the combination with said rod and said internal
mechanism of a sleeve or collar adjustable on said rod or extension thereto, a sleeve
loosely sliding on said rod or extension and an elastic device interposed between the
said sleeves for the purpose set forth and described.
5. In a boot or shoe treeing machine a tree mounted on a standard and adapted
to be expanded and contracted by the manipulation of a rod and mechanism within
the tree, a follower mounted on the standard and adapted to manipulate the rod to
expand the tree, a yielding mechanism between the rod and follower, a treadle and
connecting mechanism between the follower and treadle substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
6. In a boot or shoe treeing machine the combination with a tree, expanded and
contracted by the manipulation of a rod and mechanism within the tree, said tree
being mounted on a suitable standard, of a follower, yielding mechanism substantially
as described between the follower and said rod, a treadle and mechanism sub-
stantially as described between the treadle and follower as and for the purpose set
forth and described.
7. In a boot or shoe treeing machine, a fixed standard, a circular flange attached
to or made in one piece with said standard and having a cut away portion as
described, a follower adapted to be moved to and from the centre of said flange
within said cut away portion by suitable mechanism substantially as described,
combined with a rotary head pivotally attached to said standard, a plurality of
radiating trees carried by said head, and a pin or roll attached to the rod of each
of said trees and operated by the said follower to expand and contract the trees, and
to travel on the inner surface of the flange on the standard of the machine as and
for the purpose set forth.
8. In a boot or shoe treeing machine, a standard, a circular flange attached to or
made in one piece with said standard and having a cut away portion as described, a
follower adapted to be moved to and from the centre of said flange within the cut
away portion by mechanism substantially as described, combined with a rotary head
pivotally attached to said standard, a plurality of trees carried by said head each
provided with a rod for operating its tree, a sleeve adjustably mounted on said rod
or extension, thereto, a block or sleeve loosely mounted on said rod or extension, a
pin or roll on said block to be operated by said follower and to travel on the inner
surface of said flange for the purpose of expanding and contracting the tree, or to
hold it in its expanded condition while the head is being rotated, and a spring on
said rod or extension thereto, between said sleeve and block, to cause a yielding
pressure to be exerted on said rod for the purpose set forth and described.
9. In a boot or shoe treeing machine, a standard, a rotary tree carrying head
pivotally attached to said standard, a flange on said head, notches or recesses in
said flange, as described combined with a latch on said standard adapted to rest
against the said flange while the head is being rotated and to enter one of the
recesses or notches in said flange, to lock said head in its different positions, and
connecting mechanism substantially as describel, from said latch to a treadle
on the standard of the machine, all combined as and for the purpose set forth and
described.
10. The herein described treeing machine for boots and shoes consisting of the
standard a a¹ having the plate a³ secured to its upper end, said plate being provided
with the flange a which is cut away at one place as described, the follower y guided
within the cutaway portion of the flange a and in a bracket 2 and capable of move-
ment to and from the centre of the plate a, the treadle h, bell crank lever i, rod 12
yoke bolt spring and spring for operating said follower. The rotary
head 6, the radiating trees c c c carried by said head and capable of turning within
bearings on the head b, the sleeve adjustably mounted on the rod c² or an
extension thereto, the hand wheel f¹ and check nut for adjusting the sleeve f

page_text: the block e, loosely mounted on the rod c² or extension c* thereto the spring e' sur-
rounding the rod c³ or extension e, the pin or roll e¹ on the block e which is moved
to and from the centre of the plate a with and by the follower g in order to expand
and contract the tree c and which travels on the inner surface of the flange a to
keep the tree c in an expanded condition during a complete rotation of the head b
with its trees cc the flange and recesses on the head b, or a ring ² attached
thereto, the treadle k spring k¹ lever rod yoke and the latch m adapted to lock
the head 6 in its different positions all combined to operate as and for the purpose
set forth.
11. The combination with a boot and shoe treeing bench of two tree legs pivotally
mounted on the bench and so arranged as to oscillate to and from a central position
on the bench for the purpose set forth.
12. The combination with a boot and shoe treeing bench, and two tree legs
pivotally mounted thereon, adapted to oscillate to and from a central position
substantially as described of mechanism for expanding and contracting said tree
legs when in their central position for the purpose set forth and described.
13. In combination a boot and shoe treeing bench, two tree legs pivotally
mounted on said bench and arranged to oscillate to and from a central position on
the bench and stops to limit the movement of said tree legs, all as and for the
purpose set forth.
14. In a boot or shoe treeing bench, an expansible tree mounted thereon, a
follower for expanding said tree, a treadle to operate said follower, a hooked catch
to lock said treadle when the tree is expanded, combined with a yielding device
interposed between the follower and treadle to prevent any loss of strain on
the boot or shoe mounted on the tree caused by locking the treadle as set forth and
described.
15. In a boot or shoe treeing bench two expansible trees mounted upon a
pivoted frame on the bench and adapted to oscillate to and from a central position
on said bench, a bearing plate attached to the bench and having a flange for sup-
porting said tree carrying frame, a cut away portion in said flange, a follower
adapted to be moved in said cut away portion to expand and contract the trees and
mechanism substantially as described for operating said follower as set forth and
described.
16. In a boot or shoe treeing machine a support or standard, a plurality of trees
pivotally mounted thereon, combined with an air blast supply pipe so arranged as
to deliver a blast of air upon each tree as it is moved under the mouth of said
supply pipe for the purpose set forth and described.
17. In a boot or shoe treeing bench, two trees mounted upon the bench and
adapted to oscillate to and from a central position and positions at the right
and left of said central position respectively, combined with air blast pipes
leading from an air blast supply to deliver a blast of air upon the trees when in
the positions at the right and left of the central position for the purpose set
forth.
.
18. In a boot or shoe treeing bench, two trees mounted upon the bench and
adapted to oscillate to and from a central position and positions at the right and
left of said central position respectively, combined with an air blast supply pipe,
branch pipes leading from the supply pipe to suitable positions at the right and
left of the central position, a cut off in each of said branch pipes and means for
automatically opening said cut-offs when the trees are moved to their respective
branch pipes and for closing the same when the trees are moved from their respec-
tive branch pipes substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
10th 1 of Wahm 1901
HERBERT & Co.,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C., Agents to Applicant.