and Shoes, Leather Belts, and other such like Objects.
Year: 1885

page_text: and Shoes, Leather Belts, and other such like Objects.
I, WILLIAM HENRY BECK, of 115 Cannon Street, in the City of London,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent do hereby declare the nature of the
said invention for "NEW OR IMPROVED MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR SCREWING
BOOTS AND SHOES, LEATHER BELTS AND OTHER SUCH LIKE PURPOSES
to be as
follows:-
"
The new or improved machinery or apparatus, forming the subject of this
invention, allows of the work being done on a last, or anvil, with brass or other
wire in coils, or skeins, the employment of which, instead of the lengths of wire
of about five feet long heretofore employed, obviates the hand labour necessary for
arranging and cutting the wire into lengths, which labour may be estimated. at
from four to eight shillings per hundred-weight of wire. There is also a con-
siderable economy resulting from the absence of waste, for with lengths of five
feet there is a waste in each length of at least one and a half to two inches,
whereas when the wire is used in coils, the waste is only from ten to sixteen feet.
per hundred-weight, whilst in all machines where short lengths are used, there is
a loss of nearly three hundred feet in that weight of wire. The application of
the wire in coils or skeins has also the advantages of avoiding the frequent
stoppages that are necessary with wire in short lengths, and consequently the loss
of time arising from such stoppages; the production is proportionately increased;
the machinery is lighter, and it can be worked in rooms of ordinary pitch.
Independently of the above mentioned advantages, the machinery is furnished
with a novel last-carrier which is moveable in all directions, is easy to stop in any
position without keys or pins, and is very convenient for screwing shoes or boots
without deforming them, as the soles are always presented square to the tool
notwithstanding their sinuosities and curves. This result, which has never before
PD 1

page_text: been obtained, is essential for perfect screwing and to prevent the screws from
passing through the uppers into the inside of the boot or shoe.
The machinery is also furnished with a cast iron frame or stand in substitution
for the ordinary wooden frames; in order to give the whole a more solid appearance,
but at the same time to secure comparative lightness. A conducting tube, which
establishes a communication between the screwing mechanism and a drawer in
the frame or stand, prevents the loss of the chips and ends of wire, and prevents
their being thrown about the work room, which often serves also as the living
room of the operator.
Finally, the application of a powerful direct-acting pedal facilitates the manipu-
lation by reducing the effort required, and allows of the application at pleasure
of a double pedal for cutting off the wire by the action of the foot.
The framework or stand is of cast iron, formed of two side frames connected
together at the bottom by a cross bar, and bolted at the top to a cast iron table
formed with slightly raised flanges round it, except in front where there is no
flange.
*
In the centre of the table is bolted a hollow column or standard to the top of
which is hinged the support of the screwing mechanism. This support has a tail
piece to the end of which is jointed the upper end of a connecting rod with a
counterweight; the lower end of this connecting rod is connected to a pedal which
oscillates on trunnions turning in bearings fixed to the cross bar connecting the
side frames.
As usual the support of the screwing mechanism is adapted to receive at the
upper part the guide or pattern screw which determines the pitch of the screw to
be formed on the wire, and in two projections from the said support, is carried the
hollow axis or spindle, having at its lower end a socket in which is placed a guide
bearing for the wire, which may be tightened up at pleasure by means of a flat
headed screw.
The upper end of the aforesaid hollow axis or spindle is furnished
with a jointed apparatus which constitutes bearings on the guide or pattern screw
for raising or lowering the spindle according to the direction of motion given to it.
This motion is given by a crank handle which turns in a cheek bolted to the
support of the screwing mechanism, and is furnished with a bevil wheel driving a
pinion keyed on the aforesaid hollow spindle.
At the lower end of the support of the screwing mechanism is a fixing in which
is placed a cutter for forming the thread on the wire, and another cutter for
cutting off the screws; the latter cutter is actuated for that purpose by means of
a lever either by hand or foot power, as will be explained hereafter. The
threading cutter forms a thread on the wire more or less deep according as an
adjusting screw is turned to the right or the left.
The aforesaid fixing at the lower end of the support of the screwing mechanism
is hollowed out to direct the chips or cuttings into a tube which conducts them to
a bole in the main column or standard.
The support of the screwing mechanism is surmounted by a bracket intended to
hold a cage in which is stored, on a bobbin, the wire which is to form the screws.
The head of the bracket is furnished with an adjustable pin which fits into a
recess on the top of the aforesaid cage; the lower end of the cage, which is also
recessed, turns on the end of the guide or pattern screw, so that the cage is held
loosely between the end of the said guide or pattern screw and the pin on the top
of the bracket.
'
The said pin, the guide or pattern screw, the hollow spindle and the hole in the
fixing carrying the cutters, are exactly in the same axial line, so that the rotation
of the bobbin and the hollow spindle takes place in the same plane.

page_text: The cage is moved by the same handle as gives motion to the hollow spindle,
and for this purpose there is connected with the bevil driving wheel on the latter
a spur pinion which transmits motion to a spur wheel keyed on an intermediate
shaft placed parallel to the hollow spindle in two lugs at the side of the support.
The upper end of this shaft carries a spur wheel which gears with a pinion on
the cage.
The sides of the frame or stand are ribbed and cast with openings to secure both
strength and lightness, and the ornamental appearance that is required in this kind
of machinery. Below the table is arranged a drawer with two compartments;
one to contain tools, and the other to receive the waste resulting from the threading
and cutting off of the screws, which waste is brought by the before mentioned
conducting tube into the main column or standard below which the said waste
compartment is placed.
By the addition of this drawer, no loss of metal can take place, and no accident
need be feared to the health of the operatives or others that may live near the
machine. On the table, which is perforated for that purpose, is placed the last or
the anvil or a plate on which the improved last-carrier takes its bearing. This
plate, which is notched to embrace the main column or standard, which latter is
ribbed at its sides to guide the plate without play, may be raised or lowered by
means of an adjusting screw which acts on a socket of the plate, guided in a
bearing fitted to the table and bored out to receive either the said socket of the
plate or the part of the anvil which forms its pivot.
The pedal is of great power and direct action as it acts directly by the connecting
rod on the tail piece of the support. The connecting rod is jointed to the tail
piece by one or other of the holes formed in its upper end according as the stroke
of the machine is to be greater or less.
When the screws formed are to be cut off by the foot, the pedal is made double,
so as to contain in it a smaller pedal on which the foot may be pressed when
required. This smaller pedal is connected by a rod or a wire to one arm of a bell.
crank lever, the other arm of which acts on the cutter.
The bobbin cage contains the bobbin and the wire wound on it. The bobbin
is formed of a flanged cylinder which turns loosely in bearings in the cage. The
wire is wound on to the bobbin by means of a crank handle, and in performing
this operation it is not necessary to mount or dismount any part of the apparatus;
there is therefore no loss of time but great security in working, and the entangling
of the wire during the work becomes impossible, which is very important.
The improved last-carrier for boots and shoes is constructed as follows:-With
a base is cast a standard on which rests a kind of frame held to it by the ends of
two screws working in vertical slots in the said standard. At the lower part of
the latter are cast teeth which gear with corresponding teeth on the lower ends of
the sides of the said frame, so that it is only necessary to lift the frame, when it is
required to modify the inclination of the last, out of gear with one set of teeth and
to place it in gear with another set, the teeth holding it firmly in the required
position.
The last is held on the back of the frame by a hooked piece, the head of which
fits as a bayonet joint into an iron plate fixed on the last; the pendant and
screwed end of the hooked piece screws into the tapped end of a stem placed in
the standard. This stem may be turned with a special key so as to increase or
decrease the tightness of the hooked piece.
The front end of the last rests upon a piece of leather on the top of a guide
which pivots on the end of a suitable support preferably made in two pieces, one
bolted in position in a slot in the base, and the other screwed into, or on to it, Bo
that the guide may be raised or lowered at pleasure.
In order to incline the sole of the last longitudinally, when required, the base of
the last-carrier is raised at one or other of its ends, and rested on a prismatic chair,
suitable notches being formed in the underside of the base to take on to the edge
of the prism so as to prevent the last-carrier from slipping during the work.

page_text: It will be readily understood that the last, supported as above described, may be
instantly placed in any required. position, either by inclining the frame to the right
or left, or by raising the last-carrier at one or other of its ends; the whole being
effected without keying or pinning. In this way the boot or shoe is always
presented normally to the screws, and perfect screwing is effected without the 5
screws ever passing into the interior of the boot or shoe."
'
and Shoes, Leather Belts, and other such like Objects.
I, WILLIAM HENRY BECK, of 115 Cannon Street, in the City of. London,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent 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, reference being had
to the accompanying two sheets of Drawings and to the letters and Figures
marked thereon:-
The new or improved machinery or apparatus forming the subject of this
invention allows of the work being done on a last or anvil with brass or other
wire in coils, or skeins, the employment of which, instead of the lengths of wire of
about 5 feet long heretofore employed, obviates the hand labour necessary for
arranging and cutting the wire into lengths which labour may be estimated at
from 4 to 8 shillings per cwt of wire. There is also a considerable economy
resulting from the absence of waste, for with lengths of 5 feet there is a waste in
each length of at least 1 to 2 inches, whereas when the wire is used in coils, the
waste is only from 10 to 16 feet per cwt, whilst in all machines where short
lengths are used, there is a loss of nearly 300 feet in that weight of wire. The
application of the wire in coils or skeins has also the advantages of avoiding the
frequent stoppages that are necessary with wire in short lengths, and consequently,
the loss of time arising from such stoppages, the production is proportionately
increased, the machinery is lighter and it can be worked in rooms of ordinary
pitch.
Independently of the above mentioned advantages, the machinery is furnished
with a novel last carrier which is moveable in all directions, is easy to stop in
any position without keys or pins, and is very convenient for screwing boots or
shoes without deforming them, as the soles are always presented square to the tool

page_text: notwithstanding their sinuosities and curves. This result, which has never before
been obtained, is essential for perfect screwing and to prevent the screws from
passing through the uppers into the inside of the boot or shoe,
The machinery is also furnished with a cast iron frame or stand in substitution
for the ordinary wooden frames, in order to give the whole a more solid appearance,
but at the same time to secure comparative lightness. A conducting tube, which
establishes a communication between the screwing mechanism and a drawer in the
frame or stand, prevents the loss of the chips and ends of wire and prevents their
being thrown about the work room which often serves also as the living room of
the operator.
Finally the application of a powerful direct acting pedal facilitates the manipu-
lation by reducing the effort required and allows of the application at pleasure of
a double pedal for cutting off the wire by the action of the foot.
Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying Drawings represent side and front
elevations respectively of a machine constructed in accordance with my invention,
Figure 1 being partly in section.
The frame work or stand is of cast iron formed of two side frames a a¹
connected together at the bottom by a cross bar a³ and bolted at the top to a cast
iron table 6 formed with slightly raised flanges round it except in front where
there is no flange.
In the centre of the table b is bolted a hollow column or standard c to the top
of which is hinged at e the support d of the screwing mechanism. This support d
has a tail piece d¹ to the end of which is jointed the upper end of a connecting
rod f with a counterweight f¹; the lower end of this connecting rod is connected
to a pedal p which oscillates on trunnions at p¹ turning in bearings fixed to the
cross bar a connecting the side frames.
As usual, the support d is adapted to receive at the upper part the guide or
pattern screw g which determines the pitch of the screw to be formed on the wire,
and in two projections d' and d³ from the said support d is carried the bollow axis
or spindle h having at its lower end a socket h¹ in which is placed a guide bearing
for the wire, which may be tightened up at pleasure by means of the flat headed
screw h. The upper end of the hollow axis or spindle h is furnished with a
jointed apparatus k which constitutes bearings on the guide or pattern screw g for
raising or lowering the spindle according to the direction of motion given to it.
This motion is given by a crank handle m which turns in a cheek bolted to the
support d and is furnished with a bevil wheel m¹ driving a pinion i keyed on the
hollow spindle h.
At the lower end of the support d is a fixing j in which is placed a cutter o for
forming the thread on the wire, and another cutter for cutting off the screws;
this latter cutter is actuated for that purpose by means of a lever either by hand
or foot power as will be explained hereafter. The cutter o forms a thread on the
wire more or less deep according as an adjusting screw o¹ connected to the heel of
the cutter is turned to the right or the left.
The aforesaid fixing j is hollowed out to direct the chips or cuttings into a tube t
which conducts them to a hole in the main column or standard c.
The support d is surmounted by a bracket n intended to hold a cage q in which
is stored, on a bobbin, the wire which is to form the screws. The head of the
bracket n is furnished with an adjustable pin n¹ which fits into a recess on the top
of the cage q, and is held in place by the thumb screw n³; the lower end of the
cage q, which is also recessed, turns on the end of the guide or pattern screw g 80
that the cage is held loosely between the end of the said guide or pattern screw g
and the pin n¹ or the top of the bracket.
The pin n¹, the guide or pattern screw g, the hollow spindle h, and the hole in
the fixing carrying the cutters, are exactly in the same axial line, so that the
rotation of the bobbin and the hollow spindle h takes place in the same plane.
The cage is moved by the same handle m as gives motion to the hollow
spindle h, and for this purpose there is connected with the bevil driving wheel i on

page_text: the latter, a spur pinion which transmits motion to a spur wheel ¹ keyed on an
intermediate shaft placed parallel to the hollow spindle h in two lugs at the side
of the support d. The upper end of this shaft r¹ carries a spur wheel ³ which
gears with a pinion q¹ on the cage q.
The sides a, a¹ of the frame or stand are ribbed and cast with openings to secure
both strength, lightness, and the ornamental appearance that is required in this
kind of machinery. Below the table b is arranged to slide in guides 81 8¹ a
drawer 8 with two compartments, one to contain tools, and the other to receive the
waste resulting from the threading and cutting off of the screws, which waste is
brought by the conducting tube t into the main column or standard c below which
the said waste compartment is placed.
By the addition of this drawer no loss of metal can take place, and no accident
need be feared to the health of the operatives or others that may live near the
machine. On the table b, which is perforated for that purpose at 61, is placed one
or other of the beak irons or anvils shown in Figure 5, or a plate u, (Figures 3
and 4) on which the improved last-carrier takes its bearing. This plate u, which
is notched at w¹ to embrace the main column or standard o which latter is ribbed
at its sides to guide the plate u without play, may be raised or lowered by means
of an adjusting screw u³ which screws into a bridge piece us bolted to the under-
side of the table b. The screw u² acts on a socket ut of the plate u guided in a
bearing u fitted to the table and bored out to receive either the socket u* of the
plate u or the part of the anvil which forms its pivot.
The pedal p is of great power and direct action as it acts directly by the
connecting rod f on the tail piece d¹ of the oscillating support d. The connecting
rod f is jointed to the tail piece d by one or other of the holes formed in its upper
end according as the stroke of the machine is to be greater or less.
When the screws formed are to be cut off by the foot, the pedal is made double
(as in Figure 6) so as to contain in it a smaller pedal p* on which the foot may be
pressed when required. This smaller pedal is connected by a rod or a wire to one
arm of a bell crank lever v the other arm of which acts on the cutter in the same
way as the lever beforementioned.
The bobbin cage q contains the bobbin and the wire wound on it. The bobbin
is formed of a cylinder x with a flange a¹; the cylinder turns loosely in openings
in the cage q and is held therein by a check ³ (see Figures 7, 8 and 9). The wire
is wound on to the bobbin by means of a crank handle the axis of which is
furnished with a snug to connect it to the bobbin. The cage is furnished with the
two rollers q q³ for holding and guiding the wire and at the same time con-
necting together the two sides of the cage. In winding the wire it is not
necessary to mount or dismount any part of the apparatus as the bobbin forms
part of the cage; there is therefore no loss of time but great security in working,
and the entangling of the wire during the work becomes impossible, which is very
important.
The improved last-carrier for boots and shoes is shown in Figures 10, 11, 12
and 13 and is constructed so as to be moveable in every direction both upwards
and sidewise, and without bolts or pins.
Figure 10 is a sectional side elevation, Figure 11 is an end elevation of the
support intended to carry the heel part, and Figure 12 an end elevation of the
support for carrying the toe part. With a base A is cast a standard B over which
rests a kind of frame C held to it by the ends of two screws D working in vertical
slots in the said standard. At the lower part of the latter are cast teeth E which
gear with corresponding teeth c¹ on the lower ends of the sides of the said frame
so that it is only necessary to lift the frame, when it is required to modify the
inclination of the last, out of gear with one set of teeth and to place it in gear
with another set, the teeth holding it firmly in the required position.
The last F is held on the back of the frame C by a hooked. piece & the head of t
which fits as a bayonet joint into an iron plate F¹ fixed on the last; the pendant
and screwed end of the hooked piece acrews into the tapped end of a stem H placed

page_text: in the standard B. This stem H may be turned in one or other direction with a
special key on lifting up the base A so as to increase or decrease the tightness of
the hooked piece G.
The front end of the last rests upon a piece of leather K on the top of a guide I
which pivots on, at I, the end of a suitable support J preferably made in two
pieces, one bolted in position in a slot in the base A and the other screwed into or
on to it so that the guide I may be raised or lowered at pleasure.
'
In order to incline the sole of the last longitudinally when required, the base A
of the last-carrier is raised at one one or other of its ends, and rested on a prismatic
chair. P (Figure 13) suitable notches A¹ being formed in the underside of the
base A to take on to the edge of the prism P so as to prevent the last-carrier from
slipping during the work.
It will be readily understood that the last, supported as above described, may
be instantly placed in any required position, either by inclining the frame C to the
right or left, or by raising the base A. of the last-carrier at one or other of its ends;
the whole being effected without keying or pinning. In this way the boot or shoe
is always presented normally to the screws and consequently perfect screwing is
effected without the screws ever passing into the interior of the boot or shoe.
The forms, materials and dimensions of the parts of the new or improved
machinery may be varied and the improvements which distinguish it may be
applied wholly or in part to all boot screwing and cutting off machines without
departing from the nature of this invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
First. The new or improved machine for screwing boots and shoes, leather belts
and other such like objects with wire in coils or skeins, arranged, combined, and
operating as hereinbefore described, and illustrated in the Drawings hereto
annexed.
Second. The general arrangement of the machine comprising the cast iron
frame, the screwing mechanism, the bobbin containing the wire in coil or skein,
the simple or double pedal, the conductor tube and drawer for the waste material,
and the last-carrier moveable in any direction, as herein before described, and
illustrated in the Drawings hereto annexed.
Third. The last-carrier constructed and arranged so as to allow the last to be
moved quickly in any direction without the intervention of pins or keys, as
hereinbefore described, and illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 10, 11, 12 and 13 of the
Drawings hereto annexed.
Fourth. The general application and use of the last-carrier forming the subject
of the third claim clause hereof in machines for screwing boots and shoes, leather
belts and other such like objects.
Fifth. The arrangement of the plate upon which the last-carrier rests so that it
may be raised or lowered at pleasure as herein before described, and illustrated in
Figures 3 and 4 of the Drawings hereto annexed.
Sixth. The bobbin for winding the wire into coils or skeins fitted into the
bobbin-carrier or special cage having two rollers for keeping the wire rolled up,
the said bobbin serving directly for the winding on of the wire without mounting
or dismounting any of the parts, as hereinbefore described, and illustrated in
Figures 7, 8 and 9 of the Drawings hereto annexed.
Seventh. The application and use of the cast iron frame in substitution for the
wooden frame heretofore employed in machines for screwing boots and shoes and
such like articles.
Eighth. The arrangement and combination of the pressure pedal attached directly
to the frame of the mechanism by a connecting rod adapted to allow the oscillations
of the said frame to be regulated, as hereinbefore described, and illustrated in the
Drawings hereto annexed,

page_text: Ninth. The arrangement and combination of the pedal forming the subject of
the eighth claim clause hereof with a second pedal for cutting off the screw, as
hereinbefore described, and illustrated in the Drawings hereto annexed.
Tenth. The application of pedal arrangements for cutting off the screws at
pleasure as hereinbefore described.
Eleventh. The application and use of a tube in connection with the cutter
carriage for conducting the waste material to a drawer or receiver as hereinbefore
described and illustrated in the Drawings hereto annexed.
Twelfth. The application and use of a drawer or receiver beneath the table of the
machine for receiving the waste material, such drawer or receiver being constructed
with or without compartments for tools, as herein before described, and illustrated
in the Drawings hereto annexed.