IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR SETTING AND SECURING LACING HOOKS IN LEATHER, CLOTH, OR OTHER MATERIALS
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine,
Lake, & Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR SETTING AND SECURING
LACING HOOKS IN LEATHER, CLOTH, OR OTHER MATERIALS." -A communica-
tion from abroad by Horace C. Bradford, of Providence, Rhode
Island. United States of America.
Sealed the 7th May 1872, and dated the 21st March 1872.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 21st March 1872.
I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co.,
5 Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR SETTING
AND SECURING LACING HOOKS IN LEATHER, CLOTH, OR OTHER MATERIALS," a com-
munication, to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in certain novel devices and combinations of

page_text: mechanism by means of which lacing hooks may be automatically set in
leather, cloth, or other fabric.
For the purposes of convenient illustration I will divide the said
Invention into four general divisions, viz. :-First, the combination of
mechanism which separates the lacing hooks from the mass of hooks,
and arranges them in a certain essential position ready for delivery to
the forcing mechanism. Second, the combination of mechanism which
delivers the single hook to the forcing mechanism. Third, the forcing
mechanism by which the prongs of the lacing hook are forced through
the leather or other fabric. Fourth, the combination of mechanism by
which the turning and the clinching of the prongs of the lacing hook
are effected.
My machine as herein described differs from others for setting the so
called "Shurtleff hooks" in this :-It will set the lacing hooks in leather
or other fabric while the leather is stationary and right side up, and by
forcing the prongs of the hook downward through the fabric. Hereto-
fore in all cases the hooks have been presented to the forcing mechanism
with their heads downward, with prongs pointing upward, and the fabric
upon being placed thereon wrong side up was forced down upon the
prongs until they protruded upward through it. With my machine the
operator can see whether every hook is to be set in proper position,
because the hooks and the fabric are both right side up at all times.
The main shaft is located at the rear of the machine below, and
sustained in hangers connected to the bed plate. To this shaft a crank
or driving pulley is applied. There is a hopper for containing the mass
of lacing hooks; a vertical separator operates within the hopper. The
separator lifts all hooks which engage with it. The hooks sustained by
the edge of the separator slide down the inclined edge to its lowest point.
Motion is communicated to this separator by means of a lever pivoted to
the under side of the plate. The said lever is actuated by a grooved
cam, with which it is connected by a projecting stud; the said cam is
connected to the main shaft by gearing.
The shoot for conveying the lacing hooks from the separator is con-
nected to the hopper. The said shoot extends downward and to the front
from the hopper, and is turned to the right at nearly a right angle, and
continued to the end with a uniform incline. A top plate is connected to
the hopper. It consists of a thin flat strip of metal, which at the hopper

page_text: is vertical, and corresponds in form and character with the edge of the
separator. When the separator is at its highest elevation, its lowest or
front end is coincident with the upper end of the top plate. A short
distance from the upper end the top plate is twisted from a vertical to a
horizontal position, and so continues throughout its length. This twist
in the top plate constitutes an important feature of my Invention.
The shoot has a turning plate which like the top plate is composed of
flat sheet metal, and is connected to the shoot in such a manner as not
to be in contact with the top plate but at right angles thereto, and at a
certain equal distance from it throughout its entire length. It com-
mences adjacent to the twist in the top plate and extends to the lower
end of the shoot. The upper end is pointed and twisted to correspond
with the under side of the top plate at the twist. The distance between
the upper edge of the turning plate and the under side of the top plate
is a little greater than the thickness of the shank plate of the lacing
hook. The shoot has also a back plate, which like the others consists of
a strip of sheet metal. It is vertical, and connected by the framework
and bottom rail of the shoot to the top and turning plates, but it is not in
contact with either. Its inside upper edge is parallel with but below
the rear edge of the top plate. Its inner side is parallel with the inner
face of the turning plate. It extends from a point near the twist down-
ward to the end of the shoot. The top plate, turning, and back plates
are secured to each other and to a standard, and constitute as a whole a
shoot possessing peculiar and novel features.
I will now describe the mechanism by which the hooks are separated
from the line of hooks in the shoot, and delivered or allowed to advance
singly to the forcing mechanism. For this purpose I employ two
releasing fingers; both are bow-shaped, and project outward to the front
horizontally from the ends of two parallel shafts, which are mounted in
bearings sustained by the standard. These releasing fingers are so
curved longitudinally from the lines of their respective axes, that when
they are semi-rotated they alternately approach and recede from the
upper surface of the top plate of the shoot. When the first finger is
turned down into close relation to the top plate, it prevents the hooks
already in the shoot from continuing downward by its actual contact
with the head of the lowest hook in the line. When this finger is turned
up, the hook with which it was in contact is allowed to continue down-
ward in the shoot until again arrested in its movement by the second

page_text: finger, which, like the other is, when turned down, also in close relation
with the upper side of the top plate. Motion may be communicated to
these fingers by cranks, rods, levers, and springs.
I also employ a transfer bar, by means of which the lacing hooks are
transferred from the shoot to the forcing mechanism. This transfer bar
consists of a metallic rod fitted to horizontal bearings, and is arranged
to alternately move to the right and left to and from the lower open
end of the shoot at proper intervals. The end of the bar-adjacent to the
shoot is slotted vertically for a short distance. The width of the slot
corresponds with the distance between the turning plate and back plate,
while the bar on both sides of the slot corresponds in width and thickness
to each of the two plates of the shoot referred to. When the end of the
transfer bar is in contact with the end of the shoot the bar constitutes
a movable continuation of the shoot without its top plate. The alternate
movement of the transfer bar is effected by a horizontal lever mounted
on a standard above the bed plate, and actuated by a vertical lever in
contact with the surface on the side of a rotary cam on the main shaft.
A vertically vibratory transfer finger transfers the released lacing hook
from the shoot to the transfer bar. It occupies the space intervening
between and below the back and turning plates of the shoot at its lower
end. It is mounted on the end of a shaft, which is sustained in bearings
projecting from that arm of the standard which immediately sustains the
lower end of the shoot. The transfer finger when at rest has its upper
end inclined towards the shoot, and does not project upward into the
space between the vertical plates until the finger is vibrated by the
semi-rotary movement of its axis or shaft. It is actuated by a crank
lever connected with a spring lever beneath the bed plate. The said
lever at its free end is in contact with the edge of another cam on the
main shaft. The movement of the finger to the right is accomplished
by a spring, which is attached to the lever while the return movement
is effected by the cam.
A pair of clamping nippers automatically seize the lacing hooks as
they are presented singly on the transfer bar, and force their prongs
downward through the leather or fabric with which they are to be used,
and holds them in proper position during the subsequent clinching
operation. These nippers are secured to the lower end of a rod, which
is fitted to vertical slides in an arm of the aforesaid standard. A hori-
zontal beam lever is mounted on an axis at the top of the standard. The

page_text: front end of the beam lever is pivoted to the upper end of the aforesaid
rod and its rear end to a vertical connecting rod, which extends down-
ward through the bed plate, and is capable of being shortened or
lengthened as desired. Motion for the beam and nippers is derived from
the last-mentioned cam on the main shaft, which is provided with a
groove in its side, with which a stud projecting from the side of the
lower end of the rod engages. The nippers have one stationary and one
movable jaw. The latter is pivoted to the stationary jaw in a manner
common to nippers or pliers, and a spring is so applied that its force will
keep the jaws closed when not overcome by a counter force. At its
lower end the movable jaw is provided with an inward projection fitted
to enter the lacing space between the under side of the head and the top
of the shank plate of the hook, and thus hold and sustain the hook
during the subsequent setting operation.
I use a clinching block, which is a metallic tubular structure secured
to and projecting upward from the bed plate beneath the nippers and
on a vertical linetherewith. The top of the said clinching block is so set
with relation to the nippers, that when the latter are at their lowest point
they will be separated only by a space equal to the thickness of the
leather or fabric in which the lacing hooks are to be set. The said block
is slotted vertically on three sides for the reception of three vertical
turning fingers, which are pivoted to the block at a point about midway
between their two ends. Each finger is provided at its lower end with
a spring set to bear inward against its outer edge, and by that means
force the upper ends outward when not otherwise prevented.
the fingers are forced outward at their upper ends an open T shaped
space is formed in the top of the clinching block of such dimensions as
will permit the prongs of the button hook to enter as they are forced
through the leather.
When
Within the said clinching block is a clincher. It is a metallic rod
fitted to vertical bearings in the base of the block and extends downward
through the bed plate. Its upper end is T shaped, and corresponds in
form and dimensions with the T shaped space in the top of the clinching
block referred to. A short distance below its upper end it is enlarged'
in the form of two cones joined at their bases with conical inclined
planes above and below the largest diameter. The turning fingers are
so set with relation to these inclined planes on the clincher that their
inner edges are in constant contact with the inclines, actuated by the

page_text: finger springs, and therefore as the clincher is moved down and up it
causes the fingers to vibrate in and out at their tops, and by that action
to incline the prongs of a hook inward toward a centre common to all
of them, and on arriving at its highest elevation its T shaped end forces
the inclined prongs flat against the leather and completes the clinching
operation. The holding nippers are so adjusted that they receive the
force of the rising clincher without yielding, and therefore the prongs
are well flattened and more or less cushioned into the leather. The
clincher is actuated by a lever below the bed plate, which is pivotted to
a hanger suspended therefrom. The lever at one end engages with a
groove of the cam which operates the lever of the transfer bar.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 20th September 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, send greeting.
'
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent bearing date the Twenty-first day of March, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the
thirty-fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said William Robert Lake, Her special
license that I, the said William Robert Lake, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Robert Lake,
my executors, administrators, and 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 MACHINES FOR SETTING AND SECURING LACING HOOKS IN
LEATHER, CLOTH, OR OTHER MATERIALS," a communication to me from abroad
by Horace C. Bradford, of Providence, Rhode Island, United States of
America, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William
Robert Lake, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in

page_text: writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, 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 William Robert Lake, do hereby.
declare the nature of the 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
Drawing forming a part of this Specification:-
This Invention consists in certain novel devices and combinations of
mechanism by means of which lacing hooks may be automatically set in
leather, cloth, or other fabric.
For the purposes of convenient illustration I will divide the said
Invention into four general divisions, viz :—First, that combination of
mechanism which separates the lacing hooks from the mass of hooks,
and arranges them in a certain essential position ready for delivery to
the forcing mechanism. Second, the combination of mechanism which
delivers the single hook to the forcing mechanism. Third, the forcing
mechanism by which the prongs of the lacing hook are forced through
the leather, or other fabric. Fourth, the combination of mechanism
by which the turning and the clinching of the prongs of the lacing hook
are effected.
My machine, as herein described, differs from others for setting the
so-called "Shurtleff hooks" in this, it will set the lacing hooks in
leather or other fabric while the leather is stationary and right side
up, and by forcing the prongs of the hook downward through the
fabric. Heretofore in all cases the hooks have been presented to the
forcing mechanism with their heads downward and prongs pointing
upward, and the fabric upon being placed thereon, wrong side up, was
forced down upon the prongs until they protruded upward through it.
With my machine the operator can see whether every hook is to be set
in the proper position, because the hooks and the fabric are both right
side up at all times.

page_text: D is the shoot for conveying the lacing hooks from the separator; it
is connected to the hopper and is sustained partly by it, and by arms
extending from the main standard X. The said shoot extends down-
ward and to the front from the hopper, and is then by an easy curve
turned to the right at nearly a right angle, and continued to the end
with a uniform incline. E is the top plate of the shoot; at its upper end
it is connected to the hopper. It consists of a thin flat strip of metal,
which at the hopper is vertical and corresponds in form and character
with the edge of the separator. When the separator is at its highest
elevation its lowest or front end is coincident with the upper end of the
top plate. A short distance from the upper end the top plate is twisted
from a vertical to a horizontal position, and so continues throughout its
length. This twist d in the top plate constitutes an important feature
of my Invention, and its peculiar function is herein-after more fully
described.
F is the turning plate of the shoot, like the top plate it is composed
of flat sheet metal, and is connected to the shoot in such a manner as
not to be in contact with the top plate but at right angles thereto, and
at a certain equal distance from it throughout its entire length. It
commences adjacent to the twist d in the top plate, and extends to the
lower end of the shoot. The upper end is jointed and 'twisted to
correspond with the under side of the top plate at the twist d. The
distance between the upper edge of the turning plate and the under side
of the top plate is a little greater than the thickness of the shank plate
of the lacing hook; G is the back plate of the shoot; like the others, it
consists of a strip of sheet metal; it is vertical and connected by the
framework and bottom rail of the shoot to the top and turning plates,
but is not in contact with either. Its inside upper edge is parallel with
but below the rear edge of the top plate. Its inner side is parallel with
the inner face of the turning plate; it extends from a point near the
twist d, downward to the end of the shoot. The top plate turning and
back plates are secured to each other and to the standard X, and con-
stitute as a whole a shoot possessing peculiar and novel features.
The separator on being forced upward through the mass of hooks in
the hopper lifts therefrom such as may engage with its thin upper edge.
All those hooks which are retained by their necks on the edge and have
their prongs extending to the right hand will slide downward semi-
horizontally on the separator and off from it to the edge of the top plate,

page_text: and continue downward in that position until they arrive at the twist d.
By the configuration of the top plate at the twist the hook is made to
assume a vertical position with the head upward. The shank plate and
prongs being heavier than the head the hook naturally inclines some-
what with the prongs downward. As the hook descends on the top
plate at the upper end of the twist d the upper end of the turning
plate F engages with one prong of the hook and causes this prong to
enter the space between the turning plate and the top plate, and prevents
the falling of the hook as it changes its position. When the said hook
arrives in its downward course at the lower end of the twist and at the
upper end of the back plate the other two prongs will enter the space
between the two inner faces of the back plate and turning plate, as
shown in Figure 3. When any hooks are lifted from the mass by the
separator engaging in the spaces between the prongs or engaging with
the necks of other hooks with their prongs extending toward the left
hand they will all be delivered upon the edge of the top plate as if
properly presented, but as they descend they will all be thrown from the
shoot at the twist d as there will be nothing to hold them on while
passing the twist. In practice the separator will average a little more
than one hook properly delivered in each movement; it therefore keeps
the shoot supplied with hooks somewhat in advance of immediate

page_text: movement by the finger H³, which like the other is when turned down
also in close relation with the upper side of the top plate. The following
downward movement of the finger H brings it into contact with the next
upper hook in the line; the following upward movement of the finger H¹
releases the lowest hook, and allows it to continue downward to the end
of the shoot.
Motion may be communicated to these fingers by various contrivances.
In the present instance motion is communicated to the finger H by a
crank and rod connected to the horizontally vibrating lever e, and to the
finger H by a crank and a horizontal lever, the free end of which is
adjacent to and operated by a stud projecting from the side of the con-
necting rod q herein-after more fully described. The return movement
of the finger H' is effected by a retractile spring, which is connected to
the bed plate and to its horizontal lever, as clearly shown in Figure 1.
I denotes a transfer bar, by means of which the lacing hooks are trans-
ferred from the shoot to the forcing mechanism. This transfer bar
consists of a metallic rod fitted to horizontal bearings, and is arranged
to alternately move to the right and left to and from the lower open
end of the shoot at proper intervals. The end of the bar adjacent to the
shoot is slotted vertically for a short distance. The width of the slot
corresponds with the distance between the turning plate and back plate,
while the bar on both sides of the slot corresponds in width and thickness
to each of the two plates of the shoot referred to. When the end of
the transfer bar is in contact with the end of the shoot the bar con-
stitutes a movable continuation of the shoot without its top plate. The
alternate movement of the transfer bar is effected by the horizontal lever e
mounted on a standard above the bed plate, and actuated by a vertical
lever f, which in turn extends downward through the bed plate and is
actuated by contact with the surface f¹ on the side of the rotary cam g
mounted on the main shaft.
This portion of the cam g is so formed that during every complete
revolution it will cause the transfer bar to move out of contact with the
shoot quickly to the right away from the said shoot, then to rest for
say about two-thirds of the revolution, after which it quickly returns
the bar to its former position, and then rests for about one-third of the
revolution. As shown in the Drawing the cam works in but one direction,
the return movement being made by a retractile spring connected at one
end to an arm of the standard of the machine, and at the other to the

page_text: outer end of the transfer bar. By a double acting cam this entire move-
ment can be accomplished with a positive motion.
K is a vertically vibrating transfer finger which transfers the released
lacing hook from the shoot to the transfer bar. It occupies the space
intervening between and below the back and turning plates of the shoot
at its lower end. It is mounted on the end of a shaft, which is sustained
in bearings projecting from that arm of the standard X which immedi-
ately sustains the lower end of the shoot. The transfer finger when at
rest has its upper end inclined toward the shoot, and does not project
upward into the space between the vertical plates until the finger is
vibrated by the semi-rotary movement of its axis or shaft. In its
vibratory movement the free end of the said finger describes an arc equal
to about one quarter of a circle. It is actuated by a crank lever, to
which a connecting rod h is attached; this in turn is connected with a
spring lever i beneath the bed plate. The lever i at its free end is in
contact with the edge of the cam m on the main shaft.
As the cam
revolves it forces the connected end of the lever i downward, and holds
it in that position until the proper time arrives for the vibration of the
finger. The movement of the finger to the right is accomplished by
a spring attached to the lever, while the return movement is effected
by the cam, which is so formed that during about seven-eighths of its
movement the aforesaid finger is at rest and held in that position, the
complete vibratory movement being effected during the remaining one-
eighth portion of the revolution.
L is a pair of clamping nippers which automatically seize the lacing
hooks as they are presented singly on the transfer bar I, and force their
prongs downward through the leather or fabric with which they are to
be used, and hold them in proper position during the subsequent clinch-
ing operation. These nippers are secured to the lower end of a rod o,
which is fitted to vertical slides in an arm of the aforesaid standard X.
A horizontal beam lever is mounted on an axis at the top of the main
standard X. The front end of the beam lever is pivoted to the upper
end of the rod o, and its rear end to the vertical connecting rod q, which
extends downward through the bed plate, and is capable of being shortened
or lengthened as desired. Motion for the beam and nippers is derived from
the cam m on the main shaft, which is provided with a groove m' in
its side, with which a stud projecting from the side of the lower end of
the rod q engages. The groove m of the cam m is of such a form that

page_text: it gives to the nippers in every revolution a downward movement
followed by a slight rest, a continued downward movement followed by
a longer rest, and then a full upward movement. The nippers L have
one stationary jaw and one movable jaw r. The latter is pivoted to the
stationary jaw in a manner common to nippers or pliers, and a spring is
so applied that its force will keep the jaws closed when not overcome by
a counter force. At its lower end the movable jaw is provided with an
inward projection, which is fitted to enter the lacing space between the
under side of the head and the top of the shank plate of the hook, and
thus hold and sustain the hook during the subsequent setting operation.
The automatic opening of the jaws is effected by the edge m of the
cam g on the main shaft. The latter actuates a vertical lever t, which
projects upward through the bed plate, to the upper end of this lever a
rod is pivoted; this rod is at its opposite end pivotted to the upper end or
arm of the movable jaw r. The edge of the cam g is so formed that
during every complete revolution it will cause the jaws to be open at
their highest elevation, and so remain at rest until they have descended
to the transfer bar I; at this point it will permit the jaws to close by
the action of their spring, and so remain at rest until the lowest point is
reached, and after a slightly continued rest it will open the jaws wide,
and so hold them during the entire upward return movement.
M is a clinching block. It is a metallic tubular structure, secured to
and projecting upward from the bed plate beneath the nippers L, and in
a vertical line therewith. The top of the said clinching block is so set
with relation to the nippers that when the latter are at their lowest point
they will be separated only by a space equal to the thickness of the
leather or fabric in which the lacing hooks are to be set. The block M
is slotted vertically on three sides for the reception of three vertical
turning fingers v, which are pivotted to the block at a point about midway
between their two ends. Each finger is provided at its lower end with a
spring, so set as to bear inward against its outer edge and by that means
force the upper ends outward when not otherwise prevented. When the
fingers are forced outward at their upper ends an open T shaped space
is formed in the top of the clinching block of such dimensions as will
permit the prongs of the button hook to enter as they are forced through
the leather.

page_text: fitted to vertical bearings in the base of the block, and extends down-
ward through the bed plate. Its upper end is T shaped, and corresponds
in form and dimensions with the shaped space in the top of the
clinching block referred to. A short distance below its upper end it is
enlarged in the form of two cones joined at their bases with conical
inclined planes above and below the largest diameter. The fingers v are
so set with relation to these inclined planes on the clincher that their
inner edges are in constant contact with the inclines actuated by the
finger springs, and therefore, as the clincher is moved down and up it
causes the fingers to vibrate in and out at their tops, and by that action
to incline the prongs of a hook inward toward a centre common to all of
them, and on arriving at its highest clevation its T shaped end forces the
inclined prongs flat against the leather and completes the clinching
operation. The holding nippers are so adjusted that they receive the
force of the rising clincher without yielding, and therefore the prongs
are well flattened and more or less cushioned into the leather. The
clinchery is actuated by a lever w below the bed plate, and pivotted
to a hanger suspended therefrom. This lever at one end engages with
the
groove of the cam g on the main shaft. This portion of the cam is
so formed that during every complete revolution it will cause a complete
rise and fall of the clincher, and this movement will be accomplished
during about one-half of the revolution of the cam, and during the
remainder of its rotary movement the clincher will stand at full rest.
Having thus described the several portions of the said improved
machine, I will now describe its operation:-Supposing the hopper to
be supplied with lacing hooks, the separator C will readily lift at each
movement more or less of them on its edge and transfer them to the top
plate E of the shoot D. As the hooks descend the inclined plane, all
which are not supported by their necks with their prongs toward the
right hand will be thrown from the shoot at the twist d into a box pro-
vided for the purpose. Those in proper position are turned from a
horizontal to a vertical position at the twist d, and immediately afterward
fully enter into the shoot, down which they slide until arrested in their
course by the contact of the lowest one with the releasing finger H, at
which point in practice some fifteen or twenty hooks are held in check.
An upward movement of the finger H resulting from a semi-rotary
movement of its axis, releases the hook with which it is in contact, and
the whole of the hooks then slide down a little further until again

page_text: arrested by the releasing finger H', which turns down to the top plate as
the finger E turns upward, and vice versa. The finger H next turns down
again, coming in contact with the second lowest hook in the line, and
simultaneously therewith the finger H³ releases the lowest hook, which
slides down to the end of the shoot.
The fingers H and H' by the alternate movement described deliver or
release the hooks one by one as they are presented in the shoot. On
arriving at the bottom of the shoot the transfer finger K, by its semi-
rotary movement on its axis, throws the hook beyond the end of the
shoot to the transfer bar I, and then returns to its former position ready
for another hook. The lacing hook when it has entered the slot at the
end of the transfer bar has its prongs in the same relation to the sides
of the bar at the slot that they bore while in the shoot to the back plate
and turning plate. While the hook is being sustained by the transfer
bar, the clamping nippers L descend with the jaws open, and at the bar
close on the neck of the hook, and there rest until the transfer bar by a
quick movement to the right opens a passage for its further descent.
The nippers then descend to the clinching block and force the prongs
through the leather into the T shaped space in the top of the block and
there rest. The clincher y by a vertical movement draws inward the
tops of the turning fingers v, and thereby causes the prongs of the lacing
hook to be all inclined toward the centre. After this turning operation
is effected the clincher rises and forces the prongs flat against the leather.
The holding nippers then open and resume their highest elevation, and
the several devices are ready to repeat the operation described. In many
instances return motions of the above parts are effected by springs, but
it is practicable in all cases to dispense with springs when desired, and
effect all movements by the positive action of cams.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, as communicated to me by my foreign corre-
spondent, I wish it understood that I claim,-
First. The top plate E partially vertical and partially horizontal, with
the intervening section twisted or curved, in combination with the
turning plate F, substantially as described.
Second. The combination of the shoot with fingers H and H' arranged
to vibrate alternately to and from the upper surface of the shoot, as and
for the purposes specified.

page_text: Third. The combination of the shoot, the transfer finger, and the
transfer bar, as and for the purposes specified.
Fourth. The automatic holding and forcing nippers in combination
with the transfer or holding bar, as and for the purposes specified.
Fifth. The clinching block in combination with the turning fingers
and the clincher, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
. Sixth. The machine for automatically setting lacing hooks, composed
of the several mechanical devices organized and combined, substantially
as described, for separating single hooks from a mass of hooks for pre-
senting them in a proper position for seizing each hook adjacent to its
lacing space, as presented, and forcing its prongs through the fabric in
which it is to be set, and for turning and clinching the prongs.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Twentieth day of September, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
two.
Witness,
W. J. LOWE.
W. ROB. LAKE. (L.S.)