US476460A - Boot-treeing machine - Google Patents

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

0. L. HBISLER. 300T TREBING MACHINE.

No. 476,460. Patented June '7, 1892.

(Ithaca Lew 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

I O. L. EEISLER. BOOT TREBING MACHINE.

No. 476,460. Patented June 7, 1892.

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NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES L. IIEISLER, OF DUNKIRK, NEXV YORK.

BOOT-TREEING MACHlNE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 476,460, dated June 7, 1892. Application filed January 8, 1892. Serial No. 417,376- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES L. HEISLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dunkirk, county of Chautauqua, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stretchers for Plastic Articles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to apparatus adapted to be used in the manufacture of plastic articles, and more especially felt boots, shoes, or stockings and the like; and it has for its object to provide an improved apparatus whereby such articles may readily be stretched and made to conform to the desired shape and whereby they may be retained on the stretcher until the stretched and molded form has dried or set, so that it will retain its shape.

To these ends my invention consists in an apparatus constructed, arranged, and operating substantially in the manner more particularly hereinafter pointed out.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View, partially in section, showing an embodiment of my invention in the form of a collapsible last mounted upon a suitable crimping-machine. Fig. 2 is a side view, partially in section, of a stretcher or last supported in a suitable socket and in position for unlocking the last and removing the boot therefrom. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through the last in its collapsed condition. Fig. a is a front view, partially in section on the line 4 a, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a plan View of the sole and heel plate. Fig. 6 is a top View of the leg-section. Fig. 7 is a section of the same on a line 7 7, Fig. 2. Fig. 8 is a detail sectional View on the line 8 S, Fig. 2. Fig. 9 is a detail sectional View on the line 9 9, Fig. 2.

I have illustrated my invention as applied to making a boot of felt, and while I shall describe the principles. of the invention and show their application to the specific structure illustrated I do not limit my invention thereto, as it is evident that the same general principles of construction and mode of operation may be applied to other forms and embodiments of the invention without departing from its spirit. I have further illustrated the typical form of a crimpingmachine whereby the stretcher or last can be operated and manipulated, and it is evident that the stretcher may be used in connection with this form of crimping-machine or anyother equivalent form adapted to carry out the manipulations necessary in making the particular article.

The stretcher or last illustrated consists, essentially, of front and back leg-sections suitably connected to each other and a footsection, the foot-section being shown as composed, essentially, of three pieces and the back section being shown as composed of two pieces, the necessary connections for operating these pieces being illustrated in a manner that I shall now more particularly describe. These various pieces of the last may be made of different material, according to their size and purpose; but I preferably make use of galvanized malleable iron and provide the parts with suitable perforations covering the greater portion of their surfaces to permit the steam to circulate and freely permeate the felt orother material placed on the last. The front section 1 is bent to the desired shape, depending upon the configuration to be given to the boot, and the back section, which is also properly conformed or shaped, is made up of two pieces 2 and 3, while the foot-piece, which is connected to both the back and front sections, is shown as made up of three pieces, numbered 4, 5, and 6,1'espectively. The front and back sections 3 are connected together by the links or levers 13 and 38, pivotally mounted and attached to the respective sections, and the back section 2 is connected to the front section 1 by the link l4, also shown as pivotally connected to these parts. The part 3 of the back section is loosely connected to the part 2 of the back section, so as to slide thereon, and it is pro vided with a central slot 39 to permit the passage of the link 14. The parts are held togethcr by some suitable device, as by the lug and pin 40, the lug passing through the slot 39 and the pin serving to retain the parts together, but permitting a longitudinal sliding movement thereof.

The parts 2 and 3, while they may slide with relation to each other in the operation of the device, as pointed out hereinafter, are also provided with means whereby they may be locked and held in their extended position, and I have shown as a simple and convenient device for this purpose a slot1-2, arranged in the part 2, and a catch 41, formed on the slotted piece 3 and arranged in such a manner that when the parts of the stretcher are distended, as shown in Fig. 2, the catch 41 will slip into the slot 42 and the parts will be held together, the elasticity of the material on the last or stretcher tending to keep the partsin connection until forcibly released. As a convenient means of separating these partsI have shown a lever 22, having a hook2l, connect-ed to the crimping-machine, the hook being of such a form that when it engages the lower portion of the slot 39 in the part 3 and is forcibly drawn therein its wedging action separates the parts 2 and 3, so that they are unlocked, and then a further action upon the lever operates to fold the parts of the device into the position shown in Fig. 3, when the article thereon may be removed. I have shown this lever 22 as attached tothe crimping-machine, as I find that a convenient place from which to operate it; but of course it may be used independently of the crimping-machine, if desired.

Other means of locking the parts together when in their extended position can be used, which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art; but I find that described simple and effective. The portion a of the footis pivotally connected to the front section 1 and is rigidly attached to the link 38, as best shown in Fig. 3, so that the portion at will move with the movements of the back section 3. Pivotally connected to the end or toe of the portion 4 is the sole-plate 6, while the heel-plate 5 is pivotally connected to the rear section 3, and the sole and heel plates are united by a sliding connection 9. (Best seen in Figs. 3 and 5.) The pivot-pin 8, uniting the heel portion 5 to the back section 3, is made somewhat smaller than the opening 10 in the lug connected to the heel-piece, which gives a free but somewhat limited movement to the heel-piece and prevents any binding action between the parts 5 and G, which slide telescopically with relation to each other through the connection 9. Furthermore, this arrangement permits the end of the heel-piece or rear section 2 to lie below and back of the heel-plate 5 when the parts are in their collapsed position, avoiding a projection above the surrounding surface of the folded last, and consequently facilitating the placing of the article upon the last. The heel-plate 5 is preferably recessed on its under side, as shown at 11, so as to permit it to lie snugly over the projecting corners of the section 3 when in its extended position, (shown in Fig. 2,) and at the same time the heel-piece has the requisite thickness and strength, which is aided by the lug 12, extending longitudinally of the heel-piece.

The stretcher or last is provided with means whereby it may be heated and steam passed therein, so as to moisten the article being stretched,and I providein the present instance a perforated steam-pipe 17, extending lengthwise through the leg of thestretcher, and this is connected to a socket-piece 18, by means of which ready connection maybe made with a suitable steam-pipe.

In order to conveniently apply the article to be stretched to the stretcher, I provide means whereby it may be held in an upright position, and I have shown a socket-piece 20, which may be attached to the frame of the crimping-machine or otherwise and be of configuration to receive the end of the front section 1, and steam may be applied to the device through a pipe 19, having an extension adapted to fit the socket-piece 18. The weight of the last when supported in the socket I find will maintain a close contact between the socket-piece and steam-pipe to prevent excessive leakage.

In order to expand the last or stretcher when the article has been applied to the last in its collapsed condition, I make use of a crimping-machine, which is shown as having a suitable base 31, from which extends an arm 20, to which is pivoteda lever 27, having a counterbalance-weight 28. Connected to the shaft of this lever is a pinion 30, whichis adapted to engage with the rack 31 on the segment 32, which is mounted in bearings 33 on the crimping-machine, so that when the lever is tilted the segment is operated. The upper portion of this segment is formed into a hook 36, which is adapted to engage with the notch -16 in the forward portion of the last, while the notch 23 in the rear portion 3 of the last comes in sliding contact with the lower edge of the gear sector or segment and forms a bearing therefor.

Mounted upon the plate of the crimpingmachine is some means for preventing the last rotating when under the action of the sector, and I have showna hook 21 pivotal] y mounted on the plate and adapted to extend over the upper portion of the last and prevent its upward movement when being stretched. It is evident that this book may be-padded or otherwise suitably formed to prevcntits injuring the goods being crimped. In some instances I find it advantageous to roughen some portions of the last, and more particularly the rear section 2, in order that it may take hold of the goods more readily and cause them to conform to the desired shape.

Such being the preferred construction of my device in the present embodiment, its operation may be stated as follows: Assuming the last to be in a position shown in Fig. 3 that is, with its parts contracted and supported upon a suitable socket 20the article to be stretched is placed over the last, and it will be seen that there are no projections or obstructions to passing the article over the last. The last, with its boot of felt, is then placed on the crimping-machine and the hook 36 caused to engage with the section 1, while the section 3 bears against the lower portion of the segment or sector 32. On turning the weighted lever the sections of the last are expanded to the position shown in Fig. 1, the hook acting to pull the section 1 in one direction, while forcing the section 3 in the opposite direction, and the arm or hook 24 holds the last over the crimping-machine and prevents its rotation. Itwill beseenthatthelinks 13 and 38 cause the parts 1 and 3 to separate from each other and expand the leg portion of the last, while the link 14 draws the section 3 toward the top of the boot, thus preventing the formation of any wrinkle in the line measuring around the heel and instep of the last. This motion I find to be quite important, as it prevents the gathering of material around the heel portion, and it will be further seen that the portion 3 comes in contact with the article to be formed only near the completion of the crimping op eration, and then at a short distance from the heel, and this further aids in stretching and conforming the heel portion of the boot and avoiding the wrinkling thereof. It will be seen that the toe portion 4,being rigidly connected to the link 38, is gradually forced to assume its proper position, and at the same time the sole-piece 6, sliding on the heel-piece 5, operates to properly conform the foot portion of the boot, and at no time are there any undue strains upon any portion which are liable to rupture the fabric. When the last has been forced into its final position to form the boot, the lug ll slips into the slot 42 and the parts are securely locked, the tension of the boot holding the parts 2 and 3 together. The last is then placed upon a suitable support, as a socket 520 or other position, for the purpose of drying and allowing the fabric to set. \Vhen this is done, the parts can be unlocked in any suitable way, preferably by the hook 21, which may be operated by the lever 22 and which acts to unlock the parts 2 and 3, when the parts can be folded to assume the position shown in Fig. 3 and the operation repeated. In this way it will be seen that by making the rear portion of the last in two sections sliding on each other and, if necessary, roughening the outer portion of one or both of themand connecting the heel and toe portions in the manner shown I am enabled to produce a constant and gradually-increasing pressure on the felt or other fabric to be stretched which will draw the material to the best advantage and allow the forming of the heel and foot portions of the article without danger of injuring the body of the fabric, and at the same time the operations are all simple and positive in their nature and the operative parts of the device are not liable to get out of order.

\Vhat I claim is 1. A stretcher coniprisingafoot portion and the leg-sections, the rear sections being com posed of two parts overlapping each other, and connections between the sections,whereby as the leg is expanded the parts of the rear section will slide on each other, substantially as described.

2. A stretcher having a foot portion and leg portion comprising the front section, the rear section in two parts sliding on each other, links connecting both of the rear sections to the front section, and a locking device for locking the parts of the rear section together when expanded, substantially as described.

3. A stretcher having a foot portion and leg portion comprising the front leg-section, the rear le -section made in two parts sliding on each other, links connecting the inner part of the rear section to the front section, and a link connecting the upper part of the rear section to the front section, the inner part being slotted for the passage of the latter link, substantially as described.

4. In a stretcher having a foot portion and leg portion, the combination, with the front section, of a rear section made in two parts arranged to slide on each other, one of the parts being slotted, and a stud holding the two parts in sliding connection, and connections between the front and rear sections, substantially as described.

5. In a stretcher having a foot portion and and leg-sections, the combination, with the front section, of the two-part rear section, one of the parts being provided with a slot and the other with a stud, and connections between the front and rear sections, whereby the parts of the rear section may slide with relation to each other and be locked together and the front and rear sections can be expanded and retracted with relation to each other, substantially as described.

6. The combination, with the stretcher, of a perforated steam-pipe extending through the stretcher and having a socket-piece connected to the pipe and a socket conforming to the shape of a portion of thelast and adapted to support the same and having a steam-pipe arranged therein adapted to fit the socketpiece in the last, substantially as described.

7. The combination, with the socket, of a collapsible stretcher having means for looking the parts in their expanded positions, a lever, and a hook carried by the lever and adapted to engage with the stretcher and unlock the parts thereof, substantially as described.

8. The combination, with the socket, of a boot-tree comprising a front and rear section, one of the sections being made in two parts sliding with relation to each other, a locking device uniting the two parts, connections between the front and rear sections, and a hook carried by a lever and arranged to engage the 'locked parts to release them and collapse the stretcher, substantially as described.

9. The combination, with the crimping-machine having a hook-sect0r and lever for opcrating the same, of a collapsible boot-tree supporting the boot-tree while being colconsisting of the front and rear sections and lapsed, substantially as described.

links connecting the same, whereby the sec- In testimony whereof I have signed my tions of the boot-tree may be expanded by the name to this specification in the presence of 5 hook-sector, substantially as described. two subscribing witnesses.

10. The combination, with a crimping-ina- I a chine having apinion and hook-sectormount- CHARLEb HEISLER ed thereon, of a lever for operating the same, Vitnesses: a device for holding the boot-tree while being J. H. LASCELLES,

1o expanded by the hook-sector, and a socket for L. Y. MURRAY.

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