A NEW AND USEFUL MACHINE FOR MOULDING, ROUNDING, CHANNELING, AND STAMPING THE SOLES OF BOOTS: AND SHOES
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to .Albert Jeffers, of Lynn, in the County of Essex,
and State of Massachusetts, United States of America, for the
Invention of "A NEW AND USEFUL MACHINE FOR MOULDING, ROUNDING,
CHANNELING, AND STAMPING THE SOLES OF BOOTS: AND SHOES."
Sealed the 12th July 1870, and dated the 19th February 1870.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Albert Jeffers at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and
Declaration, on the 19th February 1870, pursuant to the 9th Section
of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALBERT
JEFFERS, of Lynn, in the County of Essex, and State of Massachusetts,
United States of America, send greeting.
* WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention of "A NEW AND USEPUL
MACHINE FOR MOULDING, ROUNDING, CHANNELING, AND STAMPING THE SOLES OF
BOOTS AND SHOES," and have petitioned Her Majesty to grant unto me, my

page_text: executors, administrators, and assigns, Her Royal Letters Patent for the
same, and have made solemn Declaration that I am the first and true
Inventor of said Invention.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Albert Jeffers, do hereby declare
that the following Complete Specification, under my hand and seal,
fully describes and ascertains the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, in and by the following
statement, due reference being had to the Drawings accompanying such
statement, which serve to illustrate the Invention, and in which Figure 1
is a front elevation; Figure 2 a side elevation; Figure 3 a vertical, central,
and longitudinal section; Figure 4 a vertical and transverse section; and
Figure 5 a plan of a machine embodying the features of my said Inven-
tion. Details of the machine as they suggest themselves will be duly
referred to hereafter.
The object of my present Invention, as before prefaced, and as this
context will explain, is to organize into a self-contained whole devices
or mechanism for effecting the operations of moulding, channelling,
rounding, and stamping, as the operations are technically termed, the
soles of boots and shoes; the first-mentioned operation consisting in
conforming or shaping the general area of the sole to fit the tread of a
last; the operation second named, in cutting or ploughing a groove or
channel for reception of the stitching which secures the sole of a boot to
its upper; the third mentioned operation consisting in cutting with the
aid of a travelling knife the contour of the sole in order to adapt it
to the outline of the last to which it is to be applied; the fourth and
last operation consisting in affixing or impressing upon or within the
wearing face of the sole the number of the shoe which carries it, or any
other character, figure, or design which taste or circumstances may
render desirable or necessary.
For the purpose of clear elucidation and explanation of the machine,
and to enable persons skilled in the craft to which it appertains to make
and use such machine, the following description of its construction and
operation may be divided into three parts, the first being that for
moulding the sole, the second that of rounding and channelling such
sole, and the third that of stamping the same.
In the various Figures of the Drawings before mentioned as accom-
panying this Specification and illustrating my Invention like figures
wherever they occur. indicate like parts.

page_text: Beginning with the moulding portion of the machine, the reader, by
referring to these Drawings, will see that the frame of the machine is
shown at A as of suitable size and form to receive the operative parts to
be herein after described, its general form in front elevation being similar
to that of the well-known McKay sewing machine now in extensive use
for sewing together the sole and upper of a boot or shoe, and to which
my present Invention is a very valuable adjunct. The frame A in its
general construction is composed of four legs or standards a, a, a, a,
united at top by an annular rail b, upon which is fixed a broad flat
table or platform c, either circular or otherwise. The driving shaft of
the machine is represented at d as properly supported and revolving in
boxes e, e, upheld by cross bars which bridge the lower portion of the
two opposite end standards a, a, before mentioned, such driving shaft
being disposed parallel to and in longitudinal alignment with the main
or primary working features of the machinery, and provided at one
extremity with fast and loose pulleys g, h, after the manner of many
classes of machinery, the former of such pulleys being the driving pulley
of mechanism. The opposite (and in the present instance right handed)
extremity of the driving shaft d is furnished with a crank or crank
wheel f, for effecting vertical, alternations of the mould block to and fro
of the forming last, as herein-after explained. To each side of the outer
margin of the platform c is affixed an upright post i, while spanning the
tops of these posts and firmly uniting them is a slotted cross head or
open truss j. Embracing and sliding upon this cross head j, which thus
performs the office of ways, is a rectangular tubular carriage or head k,
the relative position of this carriage with respect to the cross head being
adjusted by means of a male screw 1, which passes through a spur m
fixed upon its rear side, the head or shank of the screw being in turn
pivoted in a suitable manner to a second spur n fixed to the outer end of
the cross head; the purpose of thus applying the tubular carriage k
adjustably to the cross head is to permit of changes of the position of
the mould block which is carried by the carriage, and which will be
herein-after explained, the object in thus varying the position of the
mould and stamping block being to bring it into coincidence with the
shaping last with which it operates. The said moulding and stamping
block or press is shown at o in the accompanying Drawings as swivelled
to the lower end of an upright rod or spindle p, which is susceptible of
vertical reciprocations within a channel or bore q² formed within the
sliding carriage k before mentioned, and preferably in point of con-

page_text: struction at the left of the same, the vertical movements of this rod p
being effected by means of a pinion q mounted upon and revolving with
a short horizontal shaft supported in suitable bearings 8, 8, erected
upon the upper part of the cross head j, the said pinion q meshing into
the teeth of a rack t fixed to or making part of the rod p, as exhibited in
Figure 3 of the accompanying Drawings. The front extremity of the
shaft r should be provided with a hand wheel or other means of rotating
it, and it should also be provided with a suitable holdfast, pawl, or spring
catch to maintain it at its highest altitude. The under or moulding and
stamping or embossing surface of the press block o is in general con-
formation a duplicate of the upper surface of the shaping last or bed,
such two surfaces corresponding in form to the tread of the last upon
which the boot using the sole is to be made. The purpose in view in
swivelling the mould block to its rod is to allow of tilting movements in
any direction, in order to ensure its perfect adjustment to the upper face
of the forming last. As hercin-before premised the under or moulding
and embossing surface of the mould block o may be provided with a die
for impressing upon the sole its individual number, or that of the boot or
shoe to which it belongs; or characters or figures of any nature may by
like means be fixed upon the sole, whether the trade-mark or address of
a manufacturer or any ornamental design. The existence of the central
slot or orifice of the cross head j is for the purpose of permitting
traversions of the adjustable carriage and its adjuncts thereupon. Upon
the cross head j and near one end thereof I erect a furcated post or
upright guide, within which is disposed loosely at about its centre a
long horizontal oscillating lever or bar v, the forward or inner extremity
of such lever being fulcrumed to a standard werected upon the upper
part of the carriage k, and near the central part thereof, and in close
relationship with the upper end of the rod p of the mould block, the
union of the lever and post being a sliding or yielding one, in order to
permit of sliding movements of the said lever upon its fulcrum and over
and upon the rod p, or from off and to one side of such rod, for the
purpose herein-after explained. The traversion or sliding movement of
the lever vis effected by means of a hanging lever or arm x, which is
pivoted to it by means of a pitman or link y, one end of which is
swivelled or connected to the lever at about its centre, and the opposite
end to the said arm x, and near to the upper part of the same, the upper
extremity of the arm itself being fulcrumed to the top of the furcated
post or guideu. Seizing the handle of the arm x with his right hand

page_text: bolted to the said table, an overhanging lip reaching inward from the
rail and lapping upon a rib k¹ which circumscribes the lower edge of
the said tablet, as defined in Figure 5 of the accompanying Drawings,
An
The instrumentalities for effecting revolution of the pinion shaft f¹
are organized as follows:-To such shaft and near its lower part is,
affixed a tubular hub 7, upon the lower end of which is produced a
series of saw teeth m³, m³, which constitute a semi-clutch n¹ to operate
in conjunction with a second and twin-shaped semi-clutch o₁ disposed
below_it_and_mounted_upon_the_shaft_or_spindle_before_mentioned.
These clutches are similar in construction and operation to those
ordinarily in use, and with which all mechanics are familiar.
annular groove p³ is cut in the periphery of the hub into which the
fork q' of a compound shipping lever 71 extends, the office of the latter
mentioned lever, which is fulcrumed to the under side of the machine
table, being to effect the locking or disengagement of the two semi-
clutches. The spindle g¹ is driven by a bevelled gear s¹ fixed to the
driving shaft d of the machine, such bevelled gear meshing into a
second bevelled gear fixed to the said spindle g', as represented in the
Drawings. Revolution of the driving shaft effects by means of the
gears and sympathetic revolutions of the spindle, and by means of
the semi-clutches n¹, a', corresponding rotations of the tubular shaft f¹
and its pinion, when by the depression of the shipping lever ¹ the two.
clutches are thrown into engagement. During the time these clutches
are separated the driving shaft d and spindle g' are revolving without
action upon the working parts of the machine, except to produce
titillations of the outer end of the lever v. in the accompanying
Drawings represents an upright bolt, the lower end of which is pivoted
to the shipping lever, and whose upper end extends into a passage or
hole made in the machine table, the disposition of the bolt and hole
being such that the former coincides with the rib c of the travelling
tablet d'under which it lies. This rib is constructed with an orifice
or notch in one side, into which the bolt u¹ enters, when such
notch by the revolution of the tablet is brought into coincidence with
it, which takes place after the completion of one entire revolution or
movement of the tablet, it being thus estopped from further movement
by means of the bolt until the latter is withdrawn from the notch by
the depression of the shipping lever. This depression of the shipping
lever effects a two-fold purpose, that of engaging the two clutches n

page_text: and o, and simultaneously therewith lowering the bolt w¹, and by
relcasing the hold upon the tablet allow the latter to be revolved by
the revolution of the tubular shaft f¹ which is effected by the action
of the gears &¹ and .. It will be apparent that the bolt in turn performs-
the double office of at one time locking the tablet to the machine table,
while the clutches are out of engagement, and at another time maintain-
ing these clutches. in contact and, thus preserving in operation the proper
instrumentalities for effecting: a revolution. of such. tablet, it being
understood, and as will be evident to the reader hereof, that the depression.
of the bolt which was effected by means of the shipping lever is.
maintained by its own impact with the bottom of the tablet, or its.
encompassing rib k¹, until such tablet has completed one entire circuit,
which as. before stated brings its notch into coincidence with the bolt.
The elevation of the bolt into. this last-mentioned notch is. effected by
the contraction of a coiled or other proper spring w¹; one end of which-
is secured to the under side of the machine table, and the other fixed.
to an arm a pivoted to and disposed, alongside of the shipping lever
We have now seen the nature and grouping of agencies for producing
the descent and ensuring ascents of the mould block to and from the.
shaping last, as well as the locking and unlocking of such last with
respect to the machine table, and its travelling movement in describing.
its circuit about and by means of the pinion which drives it. It now
remains for me to describe the construction and mode of operation of the
devices which effect the cutting out of the sole and the production of
the channel which is to receive the stitching which secures the sole to
the upper..
The combination of devices. by whose agency I effect such results
comprises as.a general whole the portion of the machine which I term
the "head block." This head block is composed, first, of a flat rectangular-
sliding plate a¹, dovetailed upon its edges and sliding within a dovetailed-
groove y¹ formed in the upper part of the base or bed plate z³ erected-
centrally upon the machine table and end on to the travelling tablet ď²;
and so disposed with respect to the latter that the bottom of the said.
sliding plate x¹ shall be on a level with or slightly above that of the
upper surface of the tablet where it overlaps a short distance, or as
shown in Figure 4 of the accompanying Drawings, when at its extreme
forward position. The sliding plate or carriage x' is forced rearward and
away from the tablet d by the action of two coiled springs a², a²,

page_text: disposed upon opposite sides of it and with their outer extremities fixed
to opposite ends of a cross bar b² fixed to a rod or pitman c³, which in its.
turn is pivoted to the rear and outer extremity of the said plate x¹, the
opposite ends of said springs being secured to the bed plate z¹ before
mentioned, or to the machine table, or any fixture thereof. The rear-
ward movements of the plate x¹ are effected by means of a bell-crank
lever de fulcrumed at its bend to the under side of the machine table or a
stud fixed thereat, the fulcrum of said lever being closely contiguous.
to that of the shipping lever ¹ herein-before mentioned.
The upper
extremity of the outer and vertical arm e² of the lever d² passes through
an orifice f2 made in the plate r¹ and at about its centre, the remaining
arm g² of the said lever extending to the front of the machine and
having affixed to its extremity a weight or ball h² of sufficient gravity to
aid considerably the action of the springs a, a, in retracting the plate a¹,
this weight, however, being rather a desirable addition than necessary
appendage of the machine. A connecting rod or pitman ³ connects the
centre of the longer and horizontal arm g² of the bell-crank lever d³ with
the inner end of a treadle ja disposed at the lower part of the machine
frame, and pivoted at about its centre to a cross bar uniting the lower
portion of the two front legs of the machine frame, the pedal of this
treadle extending into such a position in advance of the machine as to
enable the attendant of the same to readily place his foot upon it. By
placing the foot upon the treadle and elevating its inner end and with it
the longer arm of the bell-crank lever, the upright arm of such lever is
vibrated upon its fulcrum, its ensuing retraction causing a like retraction
of the sliding plate x¹ and its accessories for the purpose of removing
with it the channelling tool and knife from contact with the sole upon
the shaping last after the necessary operations upon such sole have been
completed. A stop pawl is pivoted to the cross bar last mentioned
and in close proximity to the pedal of the treadle, and is for the purpose
of maintaining it in a depressed position, and consequently retain the
sliding plate x¹ and its adjunct in the rearward position when circum-
stances require against the power of the springs a², a², and the gravity of
the weight ¹ exerted to force it in a contrary. direction. To the upper
and front end of the plate r¹ a horizontal and second and swinging
plate of similar character but shorter is pivoted, also at its front end,
in such manner that its rear end is free to describe. an arc of a circle
upon, the lower plate. Within the upper face of the plate I dispose a
third plate or cutter head m², the connection and disposition of these two.

page_text: last-mentioned plates being similar to that of the said plate / and the
lower sliding plate x', they being provided with springs n², n², in like
manner as with said lower plates and for the same purpose, the proper
position of the upper plate (which I term the tool carrier, inasmuch as
it carries the rounding knife and channelling instrument) upon the
middle plate being determined by pins o³, o³, fixed to the upper surface
of the latter, and extending into slots or notches p³, 1*, made in the said
upper plate, as represented in Figure 6 of the Drawings, which is a plan
of the two. The rounding tool or knife for cutting or turning the sole
close to the edge of the bed c' is shown at q² in the Drawings as mounted
in a suitable manner and in an upright position at the front end of the
upper plate or cutter head m², and so that when the latter is in its
extreme forward position such knife shall be in close contact with the
edge of the forming last c¹. The holder or chuck for supporting the
channelling tool or ploughing instrument is denoted by the letter as
pivoted to the lower end of the tool carrier, which, as represented in the
present instance, is a bent or curved bar s² making part of or extending
outwardly from a tubular standard 12, which slides upon an upright
rod u erected upon the cutter head or plate m². The said tool holder is
depressed toward the cutter head or the shaping last when surmounted
by a coiled spring v² which encircles the upper part of the rod u² and
As the construction and
rests upon the top of said tool carrier.
operation of the channelling instrument carried by the chuck på and
which operates upon the upper surface of the sole which at the time is
upon the last c¹ to form the stitch receiving channel has been used by
me in other machinery, a detailed description of such instrument is not
considered a necessary or pertinent part of this Specification. I would
remark, however, that the channelling tool is to be applied to the tool
carrier and in combination with a movable guide in such manner as to
allow of its position with respect to such tool carrier and guide being
varied or changed in order to regulate the depth of the channel to be
cut as well as for useful purposes.
Having thus described the mechanical construction of parts which
embody a working and self-contained whole or practical machine for
carrying out the object of my present Invention, I will now describe
the operation of such machine.
The normal or starting position of the travelling tablet is that shown
in Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings, that is to say, with the toe

page_text: "
of its shaping last c¹ at the right of the operator and with the “ball” of
such last about opposite the headstock hercin-before mentioned, the
locking bolt u being at this time within the notch, v of the tablet and
locking the latter immovably to the table of the machine. The picce
of leather or sole blank having been previously moistened by immersion
in water in the customary manner is to be placed upon the forming last
or bed c¹ or upon the sharp spurs, which crown it, and preferably pressed.
somewhat about them. The operator now seizes hold of the hand wheel
of the pinion shaft, and by means of such pinion produces a descent of
the mould block upon the sole blank, the upper end of the spindle p of
such mould block by this act being brought immediately below the path
of forward movement of the lever v. This having been accomplished the.
operator next seizes within his right hand the handle of the lever or
arm x, and by depressing it drives forward the lever v. until its. inner end
is over and coincides with the spindle of the mould block, the hold of the
· arm being maintained until the proper time comes for its removal as
herein-after stated, which is effected by a coiled spring applied to the
lever and the furcated post u,, as exhibited in the Drawings. With his.
hold upon the arm preserved the attendant now depresses the outer
forward end or handle of the shipper 21, by this. act forcing the two
clutches n', o, into engagement and putting the shaft and pinion in
revolution, and at the same instant and by the same, act withdrawing
the bolt from contact with the tablet and leaving the latter free to begin
its movement consequent upon revolution of the pinion e¹, the wrist of
the crank wheelf being in the position shown in the Drawings, or as in
readiness to effect the elevation of the outer and the ensuing depression
of the inner end of the lever v. A commencement of revolution of the
driving shaft inaugurated by ordinary means, first, by means of the
aforesaid crank wheel and lever v effects a very powerful descent of the
mould block upon the sole blank and toward the bed c', thus embracing
and compressing between them such blank; by this operation not only
moulding the said blank to the general surface of the last to which it is
subsequently securely confined by its spurs, but also impressing upon or
into such sole the figure or characters with which the bottom of the
mould is provided. The moment the wrist of the crank wheel arrives
at its highest point the pressure of the lever upon the mould block of
necessity ceases, and the attendant at this point releases his hold of the
handle or arm x, which permits the spring of the said lever to retract it
to its normal position and out of coincidence with the spindle of the

page_text: mould block. The next act of the attendant is to elevate the mould
block by the same agencies that lowered it, the sole blank remaining.
upon the shaping last, to which it clings with a sufficient tenacity to
remain in place thereupon during the manipulations to which it is
subjected. The duty of the attendant is now to remove the stop paul or
dog from contact with the treadle and allow the force of the springs.
a², a, and the gravity of the weight h² to advance the headstock and
force its knife or rounding tool in close contact with the edge of the.
shaping last, care being taken by the attendant that the channelling
tool carried by the chuck before mentioned be elevated and deposited
upon the upper surface of the sole blank. The continued revolution of
the driving shaft and as a consequence through instrumentalities before
mentioned of the tubular shaft ƒ¹ and its pinions effects revolutions or
journeys of the tablet & and shaping last c¹ about the pinion, and as
before stated in an oblong path, the yielding connections of the various
component parts of the head block allowing the cutting and channelling
tools to conform themselves to the curvature of the boundary of said
last and to operate in parallelism therewith. The tablet and shaping
last continue their journey in unison until a complete circuit has been
made and the notch v¹ of the tablet arrives over the bolt u', when the
latter as well as the shipping lever is elevated, thus at one movement
locking the bolt into said notch and disengaging the clutches, the tablet
coming to a stop and being locked immovably in position, thus bringing
us to our starting point. During this circuit of the tablet d' the
rounding tool or knife has cut the sole closely to the edge of the last
while the channelling tool has at the same time cut within or from the
face of such blank the continuous or endless channel to receive the
stitching. The operator now places his foot upon the treadle j and
depresses it to such an extent that it is locked in position by its holdfast
paul, the lowering of the treadle having the effect of retracting the head
block and its adjuncts, including the rounding and channelling instru-
ment, from proximity to the sole blank and tablet. The sole is now
forcibly removed from the spurs of the last, when it will be found to
have received not only the impress of such last and of the character
formed upon the lower face of the movable block but an endless channel
as before stated, and to have been cut to the outline of the last.

page_text: operations are combined in one machine and the work performed in one
complete movement or circuit of working parts of such machine, the
number of machines is reduced to one-third that now required to do the
same work with a consequent diminution of the amount of capital
required to conduct the business. Its use also diminishes. to. about
that extent the size of the room occupied by such machines, with a
consequent diminution in the amount expended for rent of such rooms.
or building, the number of operators being reduced to one-third that.
heretofore required, making a saving of expense of great magnitude.
The work is also performed by the machine in the most thorough and
perfect manner.
What I claim to be novel and original with myself and desire to secure
by Letters Patent is as follows:-
First. I claim the combination in an organized machine of instru-
mentalities or mechanisms for moulding, rounding, channelling,, and
stamping or embossing a sole, under the arrangement and operating,
substantially as herein-before set forth.
Second. I claim as a means of moulding a sole the combination of the
moulding block o and the supporting last or bed c', when the former is
supported by the spindle p and actuated by the rack t, pinion q, and
lever v, and the latter is affixed to or makes part of the travelling,
tablet d, the whole being as before explained.
Third. I claim operating the travelling tablet d by means of a
revolving pinion and an endless rack formed upon the interior of the
tablet and in parallelism with its outer periphery for the purpose before
alluded to.
Fourth. I claim in combination with the travelling tablet & the bolt ut
operating in connection with a notch in the tablet to estop its movement,
essentially as explained.
Fifth. I claim in a machine for moulding, rounding, channelling, and
stamping soles, the combination of a bolt and a shipping lever with the
travelling tablet or last and the movable semi-clutch whereby upon one
movement of said shipper the bolt is withdrawn from connection with
the tablet and the clutch is locked to its fellow clutch, and vice versa,
such arrangement of parts being productive of results herein-before
cnumerated.

page_text: Sixth. I claim supporting the mould block and its suspensory upon a
carriage which is susceptible of lateral adjustment upon the supporting
cross head or superstructure of the machine, the same being for the
purpose of securing correct the relationship or coincidence of the said
mould block and the shaping last or bed below it, should such adjust-
ment become desirable, the advantages of such an arrangement being
herein-before alluded to and explained.
Seventh. I claim in combination with the travelling tablet arranged
and driven as explained the tongued rail or its equivalent, whereby the
correct position of the tablet upon the machine table is ensured for the
purpose explained.
Eighth. I claim as a means of exerting great pressure upon the mould
block the employment of the lever v, sliding at its forward end on
a fulcrum as explained, and operated in a horizontal plane by the
arm x or its equivalent and in vertical oscillations by the crank
wheel and rod a² or their substitutes, in manner and operating as set
forth.
Ninth. I claim in combination with the lever vand mould block o
or its suspensory the construction of the connecting rod a¹ whereby
its length may be varied and adjusted for the purpose before alluded to.
Tenth. I claim the combination and arrangement of the mould
block o operated by the rack t and pinion q, and carried by the tubular
carriage, the furcated or slotted cross head j or its equivalent,
and the lever v, the latter being mounted, provided, and operating as
explained.
the
Eleventh. I claim the combination and arrangement of the bolt u¹,
shipping lever, with its fork q', and the tubular hub or semi-clutch l,
the latter operating in connection with its fellow clutch o¹ and the bolt
with the notch of the tablet, the whole being combined and operating as
herein explained.
Twelfth. I claim in combination with the travelling tablet & and the
bolt a suitable device for maintaining the depression of the said bolt
at such times as the periphery of the tablet recedes therefrom, to
prevent premature entrance of such bolt into the path of movement of
5 the tablet.