IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND SHOES
Year: 1858

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Vickers Scarborough, of Belfast, in the County
of Antrim, Ireland, Gutta Percha Boot Manufacturer, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND
SHOES."
Sealed the 4th March 1859, and dated the 7th December 1858.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Vickers Scarborough
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
7th December 1858.
I, JOHN VICKERS SCARBOROUGH, of Belfast, in the County of Antrim,
Ireland, Gutta Percha Boot Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF
BOOTS AND SHOES," to be as follows, that is to say :-
This Invention relates to the manufacture or production of what are known
as, or ordinarily designated, gutta percha boots and shoes, in which the soles
and heels of the boots or shoes are made of gutta percha. According to these
improvements, the sole and heel of the boot or shoe are moulded by means of
an improved apparatus in such manner as not to require any subsequent
trimming off. The moulding apparatus so far finishes the boot or shoe that
when it is removed therefrom, nothing more is required than to blacken the
edges of the sole and heel, and put in nails if necessary. Under one modifi-
cation, the moulding apparatus consists of a metal mould, in which a cavity is
sunk of the exact configuration to be given to the intended sole and heel; this
mould is by preference made of lead, but an amalgam of lead combined with

page_text: tin or other soft metal would answer the purpose.
Inside the raised edge
which surrounds the sunk part or cavity of the mould are fitted two strips of
brass, the upper edges of which are turned inwards. One of these strips of
metal surrounds the cavity at the front part of the mould extending backwards
as far as the "waist" of the boot or shoe. The other strip of metal extends from
the "waist" round the heel, at which part the metal is made as broad as the
depth of the intended heel. These strips of metal fit accurately to the contour
of the cavity in the mould, and into a groove made round the inuer edge of
the cavity for the purpose. The inner surface of these strips or moulding
pieces is made quite smooth, the vertical parts serving to mould the outer
surfaces of the gutta percha sole and heel. Two short pieces of metal project
laterally from the moulding pieces; these projecting parts enable the operator
to remove the moulding pieces from the mould, and to open them when they
are to be released froin the boot or shoe. At the front and heel part of the
mould is screwed a curved piece of metal corresponding to the shape of the
toe and heel of the boot or shoe; these pieces serve as gauges against which
the toe and heel of the boot or shoe rest during the affixing of the sole
and heel.
In manufacturing boots and shoes according to these improvements, the
"upper" with the "insole" attached thereto in the ordinary manner is put on
to a last corresponding to the cavity in the mould; the gutta percha which is
to form the sole and heel is then put in a softened state into the mould, and is
pressed down so as to cause it to take the form of the mould.
There are holes made through the metal of the mould to allow of the escape
of air and of any superfluous gutta percha. The insole of the upper is now
laid upon the gutta percha, and the last is steadily forced down by means of a
screw or screws until it is brought in close contact with the gutta percha in
every part, the whole forming a firm and compact mass. In the course of
this operation the superfluous gutta percha is pressed through the holes made
for the purpose in the sole and heel part of the mould. The boot or shoe is
allowed to remain until the gutta percha is hard, when it is lifted out of the
mould, carrying with it the moulding strips of metal; these are opened and
removed, and nothing more is required than to cut off the small pieces of
gutta percha that may have been squeezed through the apertures before
referred to. The blackening of the edge of the sole and outer surface of the
heel completes the manufacture of the boot or shoe, excepting that nails may
be driven in, if necessary.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Vickers Scarborough in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 6th June 1859.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
VICKERS SCARBOROUGH, of Belfast, in the County of Antrim, Ireland, Gutta
Percha Boot Manufacturer, send greeting.
.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Seventh day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, in the twenty-second
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said John Vickers Scarborough, Her special license
that I, the said John Vickers Scarborough, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said John Vickers Scarborough,
my executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during
the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND SHOES," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said John Vickers Scarborough, by an instru-
ment in writing under my hand and seal, should particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal
Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the
date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Vickers Scarborough, do hereby
declare the nature of my said 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 Drawings and
to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
My said Invention relates to the manufacture or production of what are
known as, or ordinarily designated, gutta percha boots and shoes, in which the
soles and heels of the boots or shoes are made of gutta percha. According to
these improvements the sole and heel of the boot or shoe are moulded by means
of an improved apparatus in such manner as not to require any subsequent trim-
ming off. The moulding apparatus so far finishes the boot or shoe, that when
it is removed therefrom nothing more is required than to blacken the edges of
the sole and heel, and put in nails if necessary. Under one modification the

page_text: moulding apparatus consists of a metal mould in which a cavity is sunk of
the exact configuration to be given to the intended sole and heel; this mould
is by preference made of lead, but an amalgam of lead combined with tin
or other soft metal would answer the purpose. Inside the raised edge which
surrounds the sunk part or cavity of the mould are fitted two strips of brass,
the upper edges of which are turned inwards. One of these strips of metal
surrounds the cavity at the front part of the mould, extending backwards as
far as the "waist" of the boot or shoe. The other strip of metal extends from
the "waist" round the heel, at which part the metal is made as broad as the
depth of the intended heel. These strips of metal fit accurately to the contour
of the cavity in the mould, and into a groove made round the inner edge of
the cavity for the purpose. The inner surface of these strips or moulding
pieces is made quite smooth, the vertical parts serving to mould the outer
surfaces of the gutta percha sole and heel. Two short pieces of metal project
laterally from the moulding pieces; these projecting parts enable the operator
to remove the moulding pieces from the mould, and to open them when they
are to be released from the boot or shoe. At the front and heel part of the
mould is screwed a curved piece of metal corresponding to the shape of the toe
and heel of the boot or shoe; these pieces serve as gauges against which the
toe and heel of the boot or shoe rests during the affixing of the sole and
heel. In manufacturing boots and shoes according to these improvements,
the "
upper "with the "insole" attached thereto in the ordinary manner is
put on to a last corresponding to the cavity in the mould; the gutta percha
which is to form the sole and heel is then put in a softened state into the
mould, and is pressed down so as to cause it to take the form of the mould.
There are holes made through the metal of the mould to allow of the escape
of air and of any suprefluous gutta percha. The insole of the upper is now
laid upon the gutta percha, and the last is steadily forced down by means of
a screw or screws until it is brought in close contact with the gutta percha in
every part, the whole forming a firm and .compact mass. In the course of
this operation the superfluous gutta percha is pressed through the holes made
for the purpose in the sole and heel part of the mould. The boot or shoe is
allowed to remain until the gutta percha is hard, when it is lifted out of the
mould, carrying with it the moulding strips of metal; these are opened and
removed, and nothing more is required than to cut off the small pieces of
gutta percha that may have been squeezed through the apertures before
referred to. The blackening of the edge of the sole and outer surface of the
heel completes the manufacture of the boot or shoe, except that nails may be
driven in, if necessary.

page_text: And in order that my said Invention of improvements in the manufacture
of boots and shoes may be properly understood, I shall now proceed to describe
the several Figures on the explanatory Sheet of Drawings which I have here-
unto appended for the purpose of showing certain modifications under which
my improvements may be judiciously carried out in practice, that is to say:-
Figure 1 is an elevation or longitudinal view of one modification of the
machinery or apparatus used in the manufacture of boots and shoes according
to my improved system; Figure 2 is an end view partially in section of the
apparatus; and Figure 3 is a plan corresponding to Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4
is a plan of the moulding apparatus in which the sole is attached to the boot
or shoe, and Figure 5 is a longitudinal section of the same; Figure 6 is a
plan, and Figure 7 an edge view of the moulding brasses which mould and
produce a sinooth even surface along the edges of the sole and heel; Figure 8
is a transverse section of the mould taken through the line a, b, Figure 4;
Figure 9 is a corresponding section on the line c, d; and Figure 10 is a
section on the line e, f; Figure 11 is an elevation of the improved last used
in the manufacture of boots and shoes according to this system; and Figure 12
is a plan or under side view of the same. According to the modification of
the arrangement delineated in the accompanying Drawings, the gutta
percha soles are moulded and attached to the boot or shoe in the apparatus
shown in Figures 1 to 3; this apparatus consists of a mechanical arrangements
for subjecting the last and "upper" to pressure to ensure the adhesion of the
insole to the softened gutta percha, as well as to mould the gutta percha
to the desired figure. This pressing and moulding apparatus is intended to be
fitted in a series along counters or benches arranged for the purpose in
Figures 1 and 2, a portion only of one series is represented, the other parts
being, however, merely a repetition of those delineated. To the counter or
bench A is bolted the standards B, which carry the longitudinal rails C
and D; these rails are secured to the standards B by the nuts E, which fit the
threads cut on the standards. At uniform distances asunder are arranged a
series of the vertical screws F, the upper parts of which work in collars fitted
in the rail C, whilst the lower extremities are made somewhat smaller in
diameter, and rotate in holes made for the purpose in the lower rail D; each
of the screws F passes through the bent presser bar G, the horizontal part of
which has an internal screw tapped in it to correspond to the screw F; by this
means as the screw is turned, the presser bar G is raised or depressed accor-
ding to the direction in which it is caused to rotate. The upper extremities
of the screws F are squared, and upon this part a hand wheel H is fitted, by
turning the handle of which raises or depresses the presser bar. The front

page_text: end of the presser bar G is bent outwards, and forms a right angle with the
vertical part of the bar; a screw I passes through this outwardly bent part,
which screw carries the front presser piece J; this presser piece is curved to
an arched form, which is made to fit the front part of the last, so as to press
closely and firmly down upon the "upper "without indenting or marking
it. The backward end of the presser bar G is widened out laterally so as to
obtain a good firm bearing on the upper part of the last on which it bears.
The moulding apparatus in which the sole is moulded and attached to the
"upper" is delineated to an enlarged scale in Figures 4 to 10 in the accom-
panying Drawings. The mould K is by preference cast in lead or other similar
soft metal; the interior of this mould is shaped to the exact configuration to be
given to the intended sole and heel, and the surface of the bottom of the mould
on which the gutta percha sole lies is made quite smooth, to give a good surface
to the finished sole. Two holes L are made through the metal of the mould K;
these apertures are for the purpose of allowing the confined air to escape when the
softened gutta perclia is put into the mould; and to admit of any superfluous gutta
percha being squeezed through them, so that a fair and perfectly formed sole
is moulded at one.operation. The edges of the sole are formed by the
moulding brasses M and N; these consist of thin strips of brass, which are
bent to fit closely to the walls of the mould K; these moulding brasses are
formed in two pieces, one of which extends from the "waist" of the boot or shoe
round the front or toe part, and backwards to the waist, the ends of the brass
being turned outwards for the convenience of holding when it is to be removed.
The other brass N extends round the heel of the mould, the extremities abutting
against the front brass M. At the parts where the ends of the brasses meet,
each brass has attached to it a small laterally projecting piece O, which extends
outwards over the edge of the mould on each side; these projecting parts
serve as handles to lift the brasses out of the mould before removing the boot
or shoc therefrom. The brasses M and N fit closely to the vertical parts of
the mould, and the lower edges sink into a groove made for the purpose round
the edge of the sole part of the mould; the upper edges of the brasses M
and N are turned over and inwards, at right angles to the vertical portion ;
this inwardly turned part moulds the upper edges of the sole and heel, forming
a neat finish at the part where the sole and heel join the "upper." The
moulds are arranged in a row or series on the bench A, one under each screw
presser, the apertures L in the mould being brought over the vertical orifices P,
which are made through the bench to allow the surplus gutta percha to pass
through the holes L without impediment.
The last I prefer to use in manufacturing boots and shoes, according to this

page_text: system, is shown arranged in the apparatus in Figure 2 of the accompanying
Drawings, and separately in Figures 11 and 12. The last Q is made of wood
in the ordinary manner, excepting that round the edge of the sole a groove is
formed, in which a strip of vulcanised india-rubber or other elastic material R
is laid this strip or band of india-rubber is secured in its place round the
groove by means of brass clipping pieces S, which are screwed to the bottom
of the last; the ends of the central piece are filled up to a point, and are then
turned in, so as to penetrate the india-rubber. The margin of the toe piece S.
presses tightly down upon the band R, a portion of the front part being turned
over on to the upper part of the last, and is there screwed down; this over-
lapping part serves to confine the two ends of the band R. The heel piece S
extends a little beyond the inner edge of the band R, the margin of the heel.
piece being hammered down upon the band, the elastic material is securely
held round the heel part of the last. To the upper part of the heel of the last
is screwed the metal upright T, which has an eye formed in its upper extremity;
this eye serves to pass a short bar of round iron through for the purpose of
getting a hold upon the last to remove it and the completed boot or shoe from
the mould. The "upper" having the "insole" attached to it in the ordinary
manner is put upon the last, and the insole is smeared over with a solution of
gutta percha dissolved by heat. A gutta percha sole and heel piece, in a
softened state, are then pressed into the mould corresponding to the size of the
upper; the gutta percha sole is pressed down upon the surface of the mould
to cause it to take the shape of the sole part, which is formed to the required
figure.
6.
It may be here observed that the moulding brasses M and N are fitted into.
the mould prior to putting in the softened gutta percha. The last and upper
with its adhesive coating of gutta percha are now placed in the mould, and
the presser bar G is screwed down upon the last, which is kept in a vertical.
position by the upright T, the upper end of which passes between the guide
through which the backward part of the presser bar descends. The stendy
pressure of the presser bar G, through the agency of the screw F, forces the
last down, and causes the insole to adhere to the gutta percha in the mould;
the pressure serves also to force the softened gutta percha into all parts of the
mould, so that it fills up accurately the angles of the moulding brasses M and N,
producing a neat and well finished edge to the sole. The elastic nature of the
band R presses the "upper "well into the moulding brasses, and thus avoids
any escape of the india-rubber along the upper edge of the sole; the surplus
gutta porcha is forced, by the pressure of the bar G, down through the holes L
in the mould. The boot or shoe is allowed to remain screwed down in the

page_text: apparatus until the gutta percha is quite solid, and the sole firmly cemented to
the " upper." When the cooling and. solidification is thoroughly effected, the
screw F is raised, the moulding brasses are removed, and the boot or shoe is
lifted out of the mould, by passing a piece of iron through the eye of the
upright T. The edges of the sole having been properly formed in the mould,
nothing more is required than to cut off any superfluous gutta percha that may
have exuded through the holes in the mould, and to blacken the edges of the
sole, which completes the manufacture of the boot or shoe.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, I may observe, in conclusion, that I do not confine or restrict myself
to the precise details or arrangements which I have had occasion to describe
or refer to, as many variations may be made therefrom without deviating
from the principles or main features of my Invention; but what I consider to
be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by
the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
First, the general arrangement and construction of the machinery or appa-
ratus for the manufacture of boots or shoes, as herein-before described and
delineated in the accompanying Drawings.
Second, the system or mode of manufacturing boots or shoes, in the manner-
and by means of the apparatus herein-before described and shown in the
accompanying Drawings, or any mere modification of the same.
Third, the application to and use in the manufacture of boots or shoes, of a
metallic mould, and the parts connected therewith arranged and constructed as
herein-before described, or any mere equivalent therefor.
Fourth, the application to and use of flexible or elastic materials in lasts for
the manufacture of boots or shoes, as herein-before described and shown in the
accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Vickers Scarborough, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Fourth day of June, One thousand
eight hundred and fifty-nine.
JOHN VICKERS SCARBOROUGH. (L.S.)