US1678140A - Apparatus for heating and softening shoes and parts thereof - Google Patents

Description

July 24, 1-928. 1,678,140

F. M. FURBER APPARATUS FOR HEATING AND SOFTENING SHOES AND PARTS THEREOF May 9, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 24, 1928. T 1,678,140

F. M. FURBER APPARATUS FOR HEATING AND SOFIENING SHOES AND PARTS THEREOF Filed May 9, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 24, 1928.

I UNlTEJD STATES RATE NT? OFFICE.

REQ-E C FUhBFB; 9 BE BF: r ess s rirrs' essence TQIVNITED HOE aonrnnnvoonronamon, on rA'r nnson, NEW JERSEY, A oonroimrron OF new Jansen lit-renames non II-YIEATING. nun sorrnnrne snons' nun rears THEREOF;

Application filed May 9,

This invention relates to. apparatus for An object of he invention is to provide an improved organization ofthe type com.- prising vaporizing means and nieaa is for supplying Water to-be'vaporiz ed .t l ereby,v and in which organization there shallv be aderpiate provisionfor taking care. of over flow in case the opeiator neglects-to shirt off the supply of water when the apparatus is not in use or permits. the Water to besupplied too copiously While the. apparatus is in use.

novel construction ofIthe vaporizingelement by which the overflow, iii therebefia/ny,v will]: be discharged at a point or points Where it will not wet the lasts orwthe uppers associated therewith. Another feature related thereto consists in providing a tank to, re ceive the overflow.

When, as in the illustrated" design,- the quantity of Water to be suppliedi to the vae 'porizingelenient is limited: asupply tank, a feature of the invention consistsuin proportiouing the supply tank and the overflow tank so that the latter will: hold as much wa ter as the former can supply at onefill-ingi and thus guard against flooding the bench or floor.

Still another feature consists; in forming the base of the apparatus to pIOVIdB the aforesaid overflow tank, lIl: which, respectthe utility of the base. is increased to good: ad:- vantago.

Another ob eot of the invention is to conserve the heat in thevaporizing element much as possible by restricting its means of escape by conduction. For practical reasons- A feature of the invention consists in" a' 1923. Serial No. 637,891 7 Such .nipunting would ordinarily involve considerable aerial: contact 0f the ;two,cast iron elements such. that the heat. developed in the vaporizing element would have con-= siderabl'e opportunity to be dissipated by; conduction to the base. A feature. of the invention. which guards against such heat loss consists in, providing the base and the vaporizing element with contacting portions which support the latter and, restrict the ac-. tual contact to a negligible aggregate area and yet afford a firm mounting. Moreover, these portions are, preferably for-med to provide an anti-slip, mounting. Again, if the vaporizing elementis connected tothe base to fasten itpositivelly against displacement the connecting meansinay'also be designed to. minimize conduction of heat, and for this purpose the illustrated construction includes two connecting elements each so long and yet so, restricted in cross {sectional area that their capacity to conductwhezrt from the vaporizer to the base is-negl-igible. y

The featu es a ve descri e are p ci l y advantageous-s n n: pparatus hat ut li s" electricity as; the heating .1Il6l l l;1ill1',;% 111d the illustrated apparatus! is, in fachidesig-ned to utilize electric heating incansfl It is necessary, however, to guard against Wetting the electrical equipment, and accordingly a fur-i ther feature. of the invention consists in inn proved Ineansfor protecting, the electrioele men s from being; Wet by carelesshandling of tie Water used in the apparatus.

Other features of the invention archers: inafter described. and claimed and are illustrated bythe accompanying drawings.

Referring tothe-drawingsze i i Fig. .1, is a front elevation of aheating and softening apparatus embodying the in vention in apreferredforni; Q i y Fig. 2 is an end eleyation thereof partly in section. andincluding an assembled shoe in; position for treatinenttand Fig 3 isa sectional view on allergen scale of the st uctu e interes e he i v 3 v ofFigrl. 1 I

I The apparatus comprises three principal cast iron: units, viz fa supporting base 10: a heat radiator 11,..21i1d'it atentank 1-2. The bottom. of, the base 10 is provided with bosses 13 which, if the apparatus is to be installed on a bench, may rest on the bench, but if it,

hereinafter explained the base preferably embodies the form water.

The width of the base 10 and heat radiator 11 is preferably sufficient to accommodate a series of four or more shoes arranged side by side, although a capacity for four shoes. is usually sufficient. As shown by Fig. 1, the heat radiator 11 is shaped like the span of a bridge, having two bosses'15 at each end .to provide pedestals by which it may stand on any suitable supporting means. i In the. illus trated design the base 10 is provided with supporting bosses 16 arranged to register with the bosses 15. These bosses, which cooperate with each other in pairs, are the only portions that afford contact of the radiator with the base, and they are preferably formed to restrict the areas of contact'to' mere points to minimize thetransmission of heat. For this reason the contacting portions of the'bosses are preferably beveled to sharp edges 15 and 16 which are arranged to cross one another and therefore touch only at the points of intersection. This construction affords a considerable range of horizon tal adjustment of the radiator relatively to the base to permit binding screws 17 extend ing downwardly through holes in the radiator to register with tapped holes in the'base.

Two binding screws are suflicient, and'theyare preferably long and slender to minim ze conduction of heat, and arranged one {ateach side of theapparatus as shown by Fig. 1 and between the pairs of contacting bosses as shown by Fig. 2. When the binding screws are set up tightly the crossed edges of the bosses hold-the radiator securely against lateral displacement, thereby relieving the binding screws from lateral stresses. I

i The forward portion of the base 10 is provided with a platform 18 which may be made of wood and which serves as a support for the lasts of the assembled shoes. The for-- ward portion of the radiator 11 overhangs the platform 18-but is far enough above the latter to provide a space for the reception of platform so that it may be readilyremoved' the sides of the base 10 are provided with ledges 19 as shown by Fig. 1. A guard consisting of a bar 20 of heat-insulating iraterial such as wood is preferably'fastened to the forward edge of the radiator 11, partly of a pan or basin to hold ment with their instepportions, from being thrust too. far tothe rear,and partly to prevent the overlying portions of the Vamps from touchingthe hot iron of the radiator.

The water tank 12 is supported by two upright rods 21, the base 10 being provided with sockets 22 to receive the lower ends of the rodsand the water tank being provided with sockets 23to receive the upper ends. The tank may. be lifted from the rods whenever necessary to make repairs or to dismantle the apparatus'for any other purpose. A discharge pipe 245is screwed into the bottom of the watertank'and is provided with a valve 25to-regulate. the discharge of water and to shut off the supply when the apparatus is not being used. The discharged water drops through a funnel 26 fastened to a brass plate 27 thatiforins the top of. a-vaporizmg chamber28. :The castiron body of theradiator is dished vto formsaid chamber As the water drops from the funnel it flows over the hot surface 29 of the cast iron body 11 and is immediately converted into vapor under the brass plate 27. Byreason of its expansion the vapor spreads laterally throughout the chamber 28and escapes through many small perforations 30. formed in the plate. A sheet of wire fabric -31 is-preferably arranged on the upper surface oflthe; brassplate to prevent the Vamps from touching the plate. The vapor that escapes from the perforations 30 is therefore given suflicient opportunityto become distributed laterally before it reaches the work, instead of being concentrated atpoints in register with the perforations. Consequently the only parts of the apparatusv touched by the vamps are the guard 20 and the wire fabric 31'. The cast iron-body of the heat radiator is preferably.

provided with many thin ribs or flanges extending upwardly fromthe surface 29 and touching the ,bottom' of the brass plate. These ribs reinforce theplate, transmit heat toit by direct engagement, and expedite the vaporization of the water byreasonof their relatively great area of radiating surface in the 'ch'amber 28.

Although any preferred means 'n'iay be provided to heat the element 11 the ill'us trated apparatus is -clesig1ie(l to be heated by electricheating' unitsf35. Since this apparatus is designed to have a capacity for four shoes atone time it is provided with five heating units each of which is embedded in a boss 36 cast on the bottom of the radiator. These bosses arebored horizontally from the rear to provide sockets toreceive the units, and are spaced apart a distance equal to the spacing of the shoes. The sources ofheat are thus distributed so, that each shoe will be between'two of-them. The electric wires 37 leading to the units overflow, and in this respect the pan-shaped 35'extend through a board or sheet 38 of heat-insulating material (compressed asbestos-board being represented), and the stretches of wire between this board and the radiator are enclosed innietal tubes 39 each serving one pair of wires. As shown by Fig. 3, the sockets containing theheating units 35 are counterbored to receive the tubes 39 which are fitted tightly in the counter bores and held thereby. In case any" water is splashed or spilled abovethe radiatorthe tubes 39*wil1 prevent it from reaching the wires and the heatingunits The board 38 anda'metallic-ho'od d0 detachably fastened to its rear side; together form a wir ing manifold in which the conductors are further enclosed. The hood has a boss ll throughwhich a flexibleelectric cordfl2 extends to connect the units 35 with a rheostat aawhichmay be mounted separately on any suitable support.

when the apparatus is controlled and regulated with due care. the water supplied to the chamber 28 is VtlpOPlZQCl so rapidly that no wateraccumulates therein, but if the valve 25 is opened too' much, or if the operator shouldneglect'jto"shut the valve when the electric, current is turned off, the discharged water would soon overflow the chamber 28 and permit the entire contents of the t"ank,12 to spill on the bench or on the floor of the work-room were it not for suitable provision for taking care of the overflow. One of the featuressof this invention consists in means for-taking careof such base 10 "serves as a catch-basin to catch the water. The water. capacity'of the base is flow ports are formed in them, the receiving ends of the ports being thus located far enough above the level of the surface2-9Kto insure vaporization of all the water in the chamber 28 under correct conditions ofregulation.

The apparatus described herein is capable of administering moisture to the work in two alternativeways both of which are described in my copending application Serial" No. 618;- 374, filed February 10, 1923. For example,

when the heat-radiating element 11 is heat ed to its maximum temperature, as when all the heating units 35 areoperating to their full" capacity, both. the heat-radiating surface f 29 and the brass plate 27 are maintained at temperatures above 212 degrees FL; although the'teniperature of the brassplate-is never so high as that of the surface 29. Under these conditions vapor generated by the surface 29 rises as vapor through the holes 30 the brass plate and does not become condensed until it reaches the work. This would be the preferable method of vusing the apparatus when the work to be treated would not be mpu-ed by the maximum temperature or by a relatlvely copious supply of vapor, and

when it is desired to heat and moisten the work as rapidly as possible.

On the other hand, when the character-ofthe upper leather or any other elen' entto'be treated is such that it would be preferable to restrict the heat and moisture thetempeu ature of the heat-radiating element could be reduced either by cutting out one or more of the heating units 35. or by means of the rheostat in the box 45 from which the cord or lead wires 42 receive current. However; thetemperature of the radiating element 11 is" regulated it is possible to reduce lts tempers" ature to a degree that will still be above 212 degrees while the temperature of the brass plate; .27 will be substantially less than 212 degrees. Under these conditionsthovapor generated by the surface 29" will be condensed by the plate 27 a1id the water'o'f con densat-ion willtill the holes 30 and seal them thereby preventing the initial vapor from reaching the work. method of operation the holes 30 a re'made so small that the quantity of water necessary to seal them will be supported by surface tension. To make the holes readilyapparent in Fig. 3 they are exaggerated but To provide for this low in practice they are preferably no larger than, if as large as, theshank ofa common pin.

When the apparatus is operating under the' conditions last specified a relatively small aggregate quantity of moisture rises from the many small seals or plugs of water held in the holes 30, and these small bodies of water arecontinuously replenished by the condensation of the vapor that continues to rise from the surface 29. Thus, without altering the adjustment of the water valve 25 the quantity as well as the temperature of the moisture adn'iinistered to the work may be increased or diminished by regulating the temperature of the element 11,.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Let'- ters Patent of the United States is:

1. A shoetreatingapparatus comprising a heat-radiatlng element adapted to convert water into hot moist vapor, a tank for supply ng water to said heat-radiating element,

and an overflow tank having a: capacity as great as that of said supply tanleand' arranged to catch; water that overflows said heat-radiating element;

2. A shoe-treating apparatus comprising a a base, a heata-adiating element formed and arranged to vaporize water between the last and vamp of an assembled shoe, and a reservoir for Water arranged to discharge ater on said element, said base being formed as a catch-basin to catch any water that ,may overflow said element, and said element being formed and arranged to, discharge such overflow into said catch-basin at a point or points located to avoid Wetting the last.

3. A shoe-treating apparatus comprising a base in the form of a catch-basin to hold Water, a Work-supporting platform arranged to form a cover for said basin and adapted to support the lasts of a series of shoes as-} sembled on the lasts, a heat-radiating element mounted on said base and formedto overhang the toes of the lasts and support the vamps ofthe shoes, and means to-supply water to said element to be vaporized thereby, said element being formed and arranged to discharge any surplus Water into said. catch-basih at a point or points located to avoid wetting the lasts on said platform.

4:. A shoe-treating apparatus comprising a heat-radiating element having, a shallow dished portion formed and arranged to overhang the toe of the last .and underlie the vamp, means for supporting the last, a foraminous sheet arranged to support the vamp above the bottom of said dished portion, and means to supply Water to said dished portion, the latter having an overflow duct the receiving end of which is between the levels of said foraminous sheet and the bottom of the dished portion. 1

5. An apparatus for treating parts of boots and shoes; comprising supporting means having top ridges, and a heat-radiator having bottom ridges arranged to cross and rest on said top ridges. the contact between said means and heat-radiator being restricted to negligible areas at the points where, said ridges cross one another.

6. An apparatus for treating parts of boots and shoes, comprising supporting means and a heat-radiator havingaplurality of pairs of contacting portions by which the heat-radiator is supported, the areas of said contacting portions being restricted to points having a negligible aggregate heat-conduct ing capacity.

7. An apparatus for treating parts of boots and shoes, comprising a supporting base having bosses projectingupwardly, aheat-radiator l'iaving bottom ridges arranged to bear on said bosses. the contacting portions of said bosses being ridges arranged to cross those o'l'said radiator to restricttheir contact to points and to afford lateral adjust ment, and means arranged to fastensaid heat-radiator to said base.

,8.-An apparatus for treating parts of boots and shoes, comprisingsupporting radiator is supported.

9. An. apparatus for treating parts of boots and shoes, comprising metallic supporting means and a metallic heat-radiator having anti-slipping contacting portions by- Wlnch the heat-radiator is supported and by, Which tlie'areas ofcontact are restricted to a negligible aggregate heatpoints having I conducting capac1ty.- 1 I I I 10. A shoe-treating apparatus comprising a base, a heat-radiating element mounted.

thereon and having one .or more sockets to receiveelectric heating units, posts extending upwardly from said base, a atertank supported by said posts above the level of said he'at-radiatingelement to supply ater to the latter, means fastened to said posts to enclose electric conductors leading to said heating units, and tubes extending from said heat-radiating element to said enclosing means to enclose the correspondingportions of the electric conductors. I i 11. A shoe treating apparatus comprising a stationary heat-radiating element having a series .ofsocketsto receive electric units,a

stationary manifold to receive the conductors for said units, saidmanifold having a series of holes corresponding to said sockets, and aseries of tubes the ends of which are arranged respectively in telescopic relation to said element and in contlguous relation to said manifold to enclose. theconductors.

12. Ashoe treating apparatus comprising a base, a heat-radiating element mounted thereon and'having a'series of socketsto re-,

ceive ,electric units, a Wiring manifold mountedon sald base and having holes to rece ve the conductors for said units, and a series of tubes fastened to said element and protruding from the mouths ofsaid sockets to said manifold'to enclose the conductors.

13. A treating. apparatus co'mprising means to support one or more assembled shoes in position for treatment, heat-radiating means formed and-arranged to vaporize A water between the toes of the, lasts and the Vamps of the shoes,means to supply ater to said heat-radiating means, and means to re-v ceive surplus Water shed by said heat-radiate ingmeans.

14'. A treating apparatus 'comprising meansto support'a series of assembledshoes in position for treatment, and abridge-like heataadiator,formed and arranged to span the toes of the lasts and underlie the Vamps of the shoes, :said heat-radiator having sockets spaced according to thespacing of the shoes and adapted ;toenclose heating units. I I I I I 15. A treating apparatus comprising a bridgedike heat-radiator formed and are ranged to span the toes of the lasts and underlie the vamps of a series of assembled shoes and having a series of sockets to re ceive electric heating units;

16. A treating apparatus comprising a bridge-like heat-radiator having pedestals at 5 its ends to stand on a support and provide a single unobstructed space for the toes of the lasts of a series of assembled shoes arranged on such support, said radiator being formed to span the toes of the lasts and underlie the Vamps of the shoes and having 10 one or more sockets open at the rear to receiVe and enclose heating units.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification;

FREDERICK M. FURBER.

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