IMPROVE- MENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND SHOES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Cowburn, of Havelock Villa, Howard Street,
Gloucester, in the County of Gloucester, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND
SHOES."
Sealed the 29th August 1879, and dated the 23rd April 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Cowburn at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd April 1879.
THOMAS COWBURN, of Havelock Villa, Howard Street, Gloucester, in the County
of Gloucester. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR THE MANU-
FACTURE OF BOOTS AND SHOES,"
My Invention relates to the operations of rivetting the soles and heels, and
shaping or paring the heels in the manufacture of boots and shoes, and has reference
to improvements upon the machinery or apparatus for that purpose, in respect of
which Letters Patent were granted to me dated the 8th November 1877, No.
4169.
One part of my present Invention relates to the apparatus or devices employed
for retaining the nails or rivets in the racks or holders containing the necessary
supply, and for releasing them at the requisite times.
In carrying out this part of my Invention I employ two bars arranged so as to
slide one over the other in opposite directions, in such a manner as to be alternately
moved towards and from the rack or holder containing the supply of nails or rivets,
the motion being obtained in one direction by means of springs or weights, and in
the opposite direction by a moving part of the machine. It is preferred to employ
for obtaining this latter motion in the case of the upper rack inclined or cam
surfaces formed upon the upper guide hereinafter referred to, the said surfaces
being caused to operate the bars by the act of bringing the guide into position, and
in the case of the lower rack, the said motion is obtained by an inclined or cam
surface provided on a fixed part of the machine, and which is caused to operate the
bars by the act of bringing the said rack into position.
During the normal condition of the apparatus the nails or rivets contained in the
rack or holder rest or are suspended by their beads upon the bottom bar, the two
bars being then subjected to the uncontrolled action of the spring or weights.

page_text: When however the upper guide or the lower rack, as the case may be, is brought
into position, the two bars are moved in the opposite direction to that in which
they are impelled by the spring or weights, whereby the top bar is first caused to
approach the nails or rivets, and hold or support the whole of them except the
bottom row which continues to rest against the lower bar, and the latter then in its
turn being moved the nails or rivets are consequently discharged or released.
In the case of the upper supply the nails or rivets are conducted directly into
passages provided in the ram, but in the case of the lower supply (in which the
nails or rivets require to be delivered heads downwards), the nails or rivets are
received by a supporting tumbler by the act of operating, which by hand or
automatically by the aid of a lever the nails or rivets are inserted, and thence
discharged into the holes in the block or rest, the tumbler being returned to its
normal position by a spring or weight.
Another part of my Invention relates to the arrangement of the upper ram
and the drivers or punches. In carrying out this part of my Invention the drivers
or punches are actuated by an arm separate from that which carries the ram, and
the parts of the ram in which the drivers or punches slide are hinged so as to
admit of their lower ends being adjusted to adapt themselves to different sized
heels. The drivers or punches are grooved so as to form passages for the nails
or rivets, and the motions of the parts are so regulated as to allow the nails or
rivets to pass into the die or presser before the drivers or punches descend.
In the case of the lower set of drivers or punches, viz., those for driving nails or
rivets into the top piece of the heel, I prefer to arrange such drivers or punches in
groups so as to be capable of sliding upwards when impelled by the lower ram, and
of being withdrawn by a spring.
My Invention further relates to the shaping or paring of the heels.
In carrying out this part of my Invention, the knife is carried on a lever or arm
pivoted on a horizontal axis level with the top of the rest or block, and the pivots
are carried on a rocking frame with a horizontal axis at right angles to the knifo
lever. The bearing in which the rocking frame works is so arranged as to be
capable of movement to or from the rest in order to adjust the knife to various
Bizes of heels and the bearing, and with it the knife lever and knife, are carried on
a plate having on its underside a pin and roller, which works in a groove or guide
made the same shape as the bottom of the heel. The plate is also provided with a
pin or stud passing through a curved slot or guide, and engages a lever or arm
which has a reciprocating rotary motion imparted to it, and carries the plate and
with it the knife round three sides of the heel. The slot or guide is of such a
different form to the groove for the shape of heel that the knife is guided at the
same or the required relative angle with the heel all the way round.
The lever carrying the knife at its outer end is guided by an upper guide of the
same form as the top of the heel, and can be adjusted to give a greater or less
difference between the shapes at the top and bottom of the heel, the said guide
being pivotted so as to be capable of swivelling out of the way for the facility
of introducing the material into the cup or holder, and of moving into position
again for guiding the knife. The rocking frame which carries the pivots of the
knife lever is connected by a lever with a guide, which moves the cutting edge
of the knife backwards and forwards from the vertical line, or so as to maintain the
cutting edge in the desired position relatively to the varying configuration of the
heel. The front of the heel is cut by another knife working in a rectilinear slide,
and adjustable for different sizes of heels.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Cowburn in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 23rd
October 1879.
THOMAS COWBURN, of Havelock Villa, Howard Street, Gloucester, in the County
of Gloucester. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR THE MANU-
FACTURE OF BOOTS AND SHOES."
My said Invention relates to the operations of rivetting the soles and heels, and
shaping or paring the heels in the manufacture of books and shoes, and has reference
to improvements upon the machinery or apparatus for that purpose in respect
of which Letters Patent were granted to me dated the Eighth November, One
thousand eight hundred and seventy seven, No. 4169.
One part of my present Invention relates to the apparatus or devices employed
for retaining the nails or rivets in the racks or holders containing the necessary
supply, and for releasing them at the requisite times.
In carrying out this part of my said Invention I employ two bars arranged so as
to slide one over the other in opposite directions in such a manner as to be
alternately moved towards and from the rack or holder containing the supply
of nails or rivets, the motion being obtained in one direction by means of
springs or weights, and in the opposite direction by a moving part of the
machine.
It is preferred to employ for obtaining this latter motion in the case of the upper
rack inclined or cam surfaces formed upon the upper guide hereinafter referred to,
the said surfaces being caused to operate the bars by the act of bringing the guide
into position; and in the case of the lower rack the said motion is obtained by an
inclined or cam surface provided on a fixed part of the machine, and which is
caused to operate the bars by the act of bringing the said rack into position.
During the normal condition of the apparatus the nails or rivets contained in
the rack or holder are supported by their heads by the bottom bar, the two bars
being then subjected to the uncontrolled action of the spring or weights. When
however the upper guide or the lower rack, as the case may be, is brought into
position the two bars are moved in the opposite direction to that in which they
are impelled by the spring or weights, whereby the top bar is first caused to
approach the nails or rivets, and hold or support the whole of them, except the
bottom row, which continues to rest against the lower bar, and the latter
then in its turn being moved, the nails or rivets are consequently discharged or
released.
In the case of the upper supply the nails or rivets are conducted directly into
passages provided in the ram, but in the case of the lower supply (in which the
Dails or rivets require to be delivered heads downwards) the nails or rivets are
received by a supporting tumbler, by the act of operating which by hand or
automatically by the aid of a lever the nails or rivets are inverted, and thence
discharged into the holes in the block or rest, the tumbler being returned to its
normal position by a spring or weight.
Another part of my present Invention relates to the arrangement of the upper
ram and the drivers or punches. In carrying out this part of my said Invention
the drivers or punches are actuated by an arm separate from that which carries the
ram, and the parts of the ram in which the drivers or punches slide are hinged so
as to admit of their lower ends being adjusted to adapt themselves to different
sized heels. The drivers or punches are grooved so as to form passages for the nails
or rivets, and the motions of the parts are so regulated as to allow the nails or
rivets to pass into the die or presser before the drivers or punches descend.
In the case of the lower set of drivers or punches, videlicit, those for driving

page_text: nails or rivets into the top piece of the heel I prefer to arrange such drivers or
punches in groups, so as to be capable of sliding upwards when impelled by the
lower ram, and of being withdrawn by a spring.
My Invention further relates to the shaping or paring of the heels.
In carrying out this part of my said Invention the knife is carried on a lever or
arm pivotted on a horizontal axis level with the top of the rest or block, and the
pivots are carried on a rocking frame with a horizontal axis at right angles to the
knife lever. The bearing in which the rocking frame works is so arranged as to
be capable of movement to or from the rest, in order to adjust the knife to various
sizes of heels, and the bearing, and with it the knife lever and knife, are carried on
a plate, having on its underside a pin and roller, which works in a groove or guide
made the same shape as the bottom of the heel. The plate is also provided with a
pin or stud passing through a curved slot or guide, and engages a lever or arm
which has a reciprocating rotary motion imparted to it, and carries the plate, and
with it the knife, round three sides of the heel. The slot or guide is of such a
different form to the groove for the shape of heel that the knife is guided at the
same or the required relative angle with the heel all the way round. The lever
carrying the knife at its outer end is guided by an upper guide of the same form
as the top of the heel, and can be adjusted to give a greater or less difference
between the shapes at the top and bottom of the heel, the said guide being pivotted
so as to be capable of swivelling out of the way for the facility of introducing the
material into the cup or holder, and of moving into position again for guiding the
knife. The rocking frame which carries the pivots of the knife lever is connected
by a lever with a guide, which moves the cutting edge of the knife backwards and
forwards from the vertical line, or so as to maintain the cutting edge in the
desired position relatively to the varying configuration of the heel.
The front of the heel is cut by another knife having a rectilinear sliding motion,
and made adjustable for different sizes of heels.
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood I shall now pro-
ceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to the
several Figures on the annexed Sheets of Drawings, the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the Figures.
Figure 1 (Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings) represents a front elevation of
a machine constructed according to my said Invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation,
Figure 3 is a plan, and Figure 4, a sectional plan with the upper part of the frame
removed; Figure 5 (Sheet 2) is an elevation of the opposite side to that shewn in
Figure 2; Figure 6 is a longitudinal section of the machine viewed in an opposite
direction; Figure 7 (Sheet 3) is an enlarged front elevation of the upper part of the
machine; Figures 7ª, 7b, 7°, and 7d are vertical sections of a portion of the appa-
ratus shewn in Figure 7; Figure 8 is a plan of the underside of the disc, herein-
after referred to; Figure 9 (Sheet 4) is a side elevation partly in section, and Figure
10 is a plan of the cutting apparatus, hereinafter referred to, shewing the means for
obtaining reciprocating rotatory motion; Figure 11 (Sheet 5) is a full size front
clevation of the upper nail or rivet feeder; Figure 12 is a side elevation, and Figure
13 a plan of the same; Figures 14 and 15 are sections showing the action of the
bars on the nails or rivets; Figure 16 is a side elevation of the lower nail or rivet
feeder; Figure 17 is a section showing the action of the bars and tumbler.
The various parts of the machine are carried on a stand or frame A. The motion
is derived from the shaft B mounted in bearings B', and actuated by a belt pulley
B and another pulley from any suitable prime mover. On the shaft B is a friction
clutch Bs, one part of which, marked 2, is capable of sliding on feathers on the
shaft, whilst the other part (3) is loose, and is provided with a worm B at one end.
This worm gives motion to a worm wheel C keyed on the main shaft C', which
rotates in bearings C².
The shaft C' makes one revolution for a complete operation of the machine, and
is brought to rest by the pin C coming in contact with the projection 14 on rods
C, which are connected to the lever B mounted on centres or fulcra at 1 in the

page_text: the necessary
frame A. The lever B³ puts the friction clutch B³ in or out of gear,
pressure for holding the clutch in gear being given by the hand lever Bº.
When another operation of the machine is required, the rods C are lifted clear of
the stop pin C by the foot lever and rods B7. The hand lever B is connected to
the lever B³, by which the clutch can be engaged or disengaged at pleasure.
D is the ram or holder on which the upper part of the boot or shoe is placed (the
sole having been previously attached by rivetting, sewing, or otherwise). This ram
or holder is carried by the arm D¹ working in suitable guides in the framing A,
the said arm being lifted by the cam E and a roller carried in a bracket F, which
is fitted on the arm D¹. The bracket F is adjustable on the arm D¹ for different
thicknesses of work by means of the worm F' and revolving boss F, which is fitted
in the bracket F, and has worm teeth cut on the outside and a bolt F³ eccentric
with the boss passing through it and into the arm D', the latter being provided
with a slot in order to allow the bolt to traverse as the boss F* is rotated. The
ram D is provided on its lower end with a die or presser G for pressing upon the
insole of the boot or shore placed thereon. This die is perforated with holes G¹
(see details Figures 70, 7b, and 7°) corresponding with the number of rivets or nails
which are to be driven from the inside of the boot or shoe, the holes being arranged
in the direction in which the rivets are to be driven.
The ram D is fitted with two cheeks D² (see Sheet 3) the upper ends of which
are hinged on a piece D³ fixed on the arm D¹, the said cheeks being connected
together by pins D. The cheeks are formed with grooves corresponding with the
boles in the die G, and each groove is fitted with and forms a guide for a punch
or driver D', the lower ends of which punches or drivers are caused to pass into the
holes in the die G, whilst the upper ends are connected together by pins 5.
The punches or drivers are actuated by the cap H carried by the arm H', which
is provided with guides, bracket 12, cam E*, roller 13, and devices 4 for adjustment
similar to those with which the arm D' is furnished. The cap H is curved on the
underside, and is provided with curved plates screwed on to projections at the ends
of the cap so as to form slots in which the pins 5 slide as the punches or
drivers D are drawn out or forced into the checks D' when the rivets are being
driven.
The portions of the punches or drivers D* above the parts which pass into
the holes in the die G are of larger size and of a square section; the backs are
grooved out (see Figures 7ª, 7b, and 7d) so as to form a channel or passage for
the nails or rivets to pass down, and the upper parts of the holes in the die G
are widened out conically, so that when the lower parts of the punches or drivers
are withdrawn from the holes in the die G a clear passage is left for the nails
or rivets, which when the punches or drivers descend are driven through the
insole into the heel. The die G can be readily changed to suit the size of the
heel, the cheeks D' open out to suit the larger ones and close in for the small one,
the angles of the nails or rivets being greater in the small ones and less in the
larger ones. The nails or rivets are conveyed to the ram by small tubes I (one to
each channel) which are fixed to the bracket I', secured to the frame A of the
machine holes H' in the cap H admit of its passage over the tubes I when the
arm H ascends. The nails or rivets are conveyed to the tubes by the racks or
guides J (shewn full size in Figures 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15), the said racks or guides
having inclined grooves 6 to allow the rivets to slide freely down with the heads or
shoulders resting on the edges. The bars J' and J slide over each other in the
guides Js, and are drawn together by the springs J. When the nails or rivets are
fed into the inclined grooves the heads of the lowest row rest against the bar J¹
(see Figure 14), and when the striker J³ is lifted by the lever jo (ns hereinafter
explained) it strikes the inclined fuce at 7, and the top bar J' or an attachment
thereto is forced against the rack, and pushes back all the rivets except the
last row,
which still rest against the bar J; on the striker J³ still rising it acts
on the incline 8 on the bar J³, and pushes it away from the heads of the nails or
rivets, and allows them to run down the racks into the tubes 1. On the striker

page_text: descending the springs J' draw the bar J towards the racks and the bar J from
the racks, which allows the last row of nails or rivets to fall against the bar J'.
The lever J, which lifts the striker Jo, is connected to the rod X, carried by the
bent bar X' which passes down inside the bracket I', carrying the racks J. On
the lower end of the bar X is a stud and roller X', which is so situate that
when the inclined surface X³, which is secured to the part Q1, is moved as the
guide is turned out of the way (as hereinafter described) the inclined surface X³
lifts the roller X³, and so actuates the bars J¹, J*.
The die G is maintained in close contact with the insole by the cam E and holds
the heel firmly on the block K which rests on the disc U in the stand or table A.
The clip or cup R is employed in order to maintain the lifts and top piece of the
heel in position previously to the descent of the die G and during the operation of
attaching the heel to the sole.
On this
The block K which is perforated with holes corresponding to the number of nails
or rivets required in the top piece or underside of the heel, and at the angle the
rivets are to be driven is made hollow and has a piece K' fitted to move up inside
a distance a little greater than the longest nails or rivets to be driven.
piece rest plates K into which the punches K³ are fitted in groups, the block K
having grooves or recesses for the plates to slide in and at the same angle as the
holes in the block. On the plates K₁ rest a washer K³ with a spiral spring 9
pressing upon it and against the top of the block K in order to force down the
plates and with them the punches or drivers.
The lifting piece. K¹ is elevated by the ram K which is actuated by the projec-
tions L fixed on the periphery of the cams E and E2. The rivets are fed into holes
in the block K by the rack M (shewn full size in Figures 16 and 17, Sheet 5) which
swings on the stud M' and extends over the block K when the ram D is in its
elevated position. The rack is fitted with grooves corresponding to maximum
number of nails or rivets required in the top piece of the heel, and is provided with
bars, guides, striker, and springs similar to the upper guides. The nails or rivets
however on being released by the lower bar instead of passing direct into the
tubes M² are received by a supporting tumbler M³ which is turned by the lever M*,
thus causing the nails or rivets to be inverted and discharged head downwards into
the tubes M whence they pass into the holes in the blocks K. The striker M³ is
actuated by the lever M³ provided with a roller Y which on the rack M being
turned on the stud M' is caused to run up the inclined surface M7, and so lifts the
striker. On turning the rack back into position with the tubes M³ over the holes
in the block K the striker falls and so releases the last row of nails or rivets.
When the sole has been attached to the heel by the forcing in of the nails by the
punches D, and the top piece has been secured by the nails or rivets being forced
up by the punches K³, the clip or cup R is withdrawn out of the way of the cutting
or paring knife N which is designed to pare round three sides of the heel, and
which next comes into operation. The cutting or paring knife N is made of the
desired shape for the heel and is fixed on a lever or arm N' pivotted on a horizontal
axis at N° level with the top of the rest or block. K. The pivot N² is carried on a
rocking frame N³ with a horizontal axis N* at right angles to N and is adjustable
for different sized heels by the screw N³. The whole is carried on a plate ○ which
is provided with a stud or projection O¹ which passes through a curved alot 0° in
the top of the table or frame and is connected to a crank arm P. To this crank
arm is imparted a reciprocating rotary motion by means of a rack pinion P¹ which
gears into the rack Ps, the latter being moved backwards and forwards by the
lever P³ which is mounted at its lower end on a pin carried in the bracket P³ and is
actuated by a roller and a cam Ps. The plate O is provided on its underside with
another stud or projection with a roller Z which moves in a slot or groove Z' of the
same form as the bottom of the heel and guides the cutting knife N round the heel.
The ends of the groove Z' are turned outwards to draw the knife further from the
heel when the cut is finished and before it commences. The bearing N', which is
the axis of the rocking frame N³, is provided with another hole or bearing in which

page_text: the boss of the lever V works; this lever is provided with a slot and with a stud V₁,
which latter engages in a slot in the rocking frame N³. The lever V is provided
with a fixed stud V at the outer end carrying a rod V, the said rod passing down
through a hole in the stud or projection O' and having screwed it into an appendage
provided with an eye to which a stud and roller are connected. This roller works
in a guide W' fixed in the disc U which is of such a form as to raise or lower the
rod V³ and with it the lever V and rocking frame so that the cutting edge of the
knife N can be moved backwards and forwards from an imaginary vertical line in
order to maintain the cutting edge at the proper angle when cutting heels with
considerable difference between the top and bottom.
The amount of rocking is determined by moving the stud V₁ nearer to or further
from the fulcrum U of the lever V.
The upper part of the knife lever N¹ is fitted with an adjustable stud and
roller 10 which engages a curved groove or guide Q made of a shape corresponding
to the upper part of the heel, and which may be of any desired different shape to
the bottom part of the heel. This guide is secured to a part Q' by screws Q3 (and
cau be adjusted by liners placed between the two faces). The part Q rotates on
that portion of the frame which guides the upper part of the arms D' and H', and
is held in position by the catch lever Q³, so that while the upper of the boot or
shoe is being placed on the ram D and the cup or holder R is being fitted the
guide is turned out of the way by the handle with which the said lever is
provided. The cup R is fitted into a sliding frame R' which slides in suitable
guides on the part on which Q' rotates, and is held in position by a catch R'
engaging with the stud R³. On this stud is a roller R against which the lever S
acts to draw back the cup after the die G has pressed the material of the heel
firmly on the block K and the nails or rivets have been driven. The lever S fits
On the upper
on the stud S' and is actuated by the cam or wiper S and roller S³.
end of the lever S is an inclined surface S' which, when the lever begins to move,
strikes the projecting part on the catch R³, and depresses the catch so that the
stud R³ can pass.
After the heel has been pared round the three sides by the
knife N, and while the knife is returning, the front of the heel is cut by another
knife T which is hollowed to the shape required; this knife is provided with a
dovetail projection which fits into a corresponding recess in the stock or slide T'
which moves in a recess in the boss of the centre piece U. The slide is actuated
by the lever T which is keyed on to a shaft T3 on which another lever T is keyed;
another lever T5 is loose on the shaft, and is fitted with a roller To which is lifted
by the inclined cam projection T7 fixed on the side of the cam E, and another
projection forces the roller To down after the cut is completed. The levers T, T³,
are connected together by a bolt, and a slot is provided so as to enable the lift of
the knife T to be adjusted for different thicknesses of heels. The knife T is also
adjusted for different sizes of heels by the slide and screw T° against which the
knife T bears when cutting.
For assisting in holding the upper part of a boot on the ram Da roller Y¹ is
provided which is carried on a pin eccentric with the axis Y2 on which is a lever Y³.
The axis is carried on a bracket supported on the arm D' and made adjustable for
different lengths of uppers. The roller Y' is composed of india-rubber or other
suitable yielding material with a metal bush inserted therein.
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 would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and
original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in
part recited Letters Patent is,―
First. The peculiar construction and arrangement of apparatus or devices for
retaining the nails or rivets in their racks or holders, and for releasing them at the
requisite times, substantially as herein before described.
Secondly. The combination with apparatus or devices for retaining and releasing
the nails or rivets, as herein set forth, of a tumbler or devise for inverting the nails

page_text: or rivets and discharging. the same head downwards when required, substantially
as herein before described.
Thirdly. Constructing the guides for the upper punches or drivers separate from
the body of the upper ram or holder, and hinging the same thereto or to an attach-
ment thereto, so as to admit of the lower ends of the punches or drivers being
adjusted to adapt themselves to different sized heels, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
Fourthly. In apparatus for shaping or paring the heels of boots and shoes the
combination with a pivotted knife or knife holder of a rocking frame constructed
and arranged so as to operate substantially in the manner and for the purpose
herein before described.
Fifthly. The employment of a guide and accessory devices for moving the cutting
edge of the knife backwards and forwards from the vertical line, or so as to
maintain the cutting edge in the desired position relatively to the varying configu-
ration of the heel, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Sixthly. The general arrangement and combination of parts constituting an
apparatus for rivetting or attaching, shaping, and finishing the heels of boots and
shoes, substantially as herein before described and illustrated by the accompanying
Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Cowburn, have to this my Specification
set my hand and seal, the Tenth day of October, One thousand eight
hundred and seventy nine.
THOMAS COWBURN. (L.S.)