Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Aug., 1897-Accepted, 25th Sept., 1897
A communication from abroad by EDWARD FRANKLIN GRANDY, of Everett, in the State
of Massachusetts, one of the United States of America, Engineer.
I ALFRED GEORGE BROOKES of 55 and 56 Chancery Lane in the County of London,
Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to improvements in lasting machines and more particularly to
improvements in that type of lasting machines which embody in their structure
flexible last band or clainp which embraces the heel, or toe portion of the upper upon
the last and holds it firmly in position during the lasting operation.
The present invention consists of improvements in the forin and arrangement of
the last band or clamp, and its actuating mechanism, whereby said clamp or band is
made to conform more accurately to the shape of the toe or heel of the last, whether
the same be pointed or round.
The present invention further consists of connections between the mechanisins,
which actuate the clamp or band, and the wipers, whereby the movement of the
wiper actuating mechanism effects the operation of the last clamp or band.
The present invention further consists of certain other improvements in the form
and arrangement of parts hereinafter more specifically set forth and claimed.
My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which
:
Figure 1 is a plan view of a toe lasting head, with the top plate removed and a portion
of one of the lasting plates or wipers and the actuating handle or lever broken away,
the lasting plates or wipers being drawn back and the last clamp or band open.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the toe lasting head partially in section showing its
connection with the supporting carriage.
Figure 3 is a plan view similar to Figure 1, showing the parts in the positions
which they occupy when the lasting plates or wipers have been moved forward and
the last band or clamp in close contact with the end of the last.
"
Figure 4 is a detail plan view, reduced, of a portion of the head showing more.
clearly the construction of the actuating mechanism for the last band or clamp.
Figures 5, 6 and 7 show details of the mechanism for actuating the last band or
clamp which will be hereinafter more fully described.
Figure 8 represents a modification which will be hereinafter referred to.
In the drawings 1 represents a carriage upon which is mounted a pivoted head 2,.
Faid pivoted head 2 being fulcrumed at its forward end to the carriage 1 and adapted
to be adjusted vertically by screw 4. Carried upon the swinging head 2'are hearings 5
in which is mounted a sleeve 6 having upon its forward end an extension or plate 61
upon which is mounted the lasting plates or wipers 10, said lasting plates or wipers.
being actuated by a plunger 62 and lever 19. Upon the sleeve 6 is formed a worm
gear 7 with which meshes a worm gear 8 actuated by a crank 63 by means of which
the sleeve is adapted to be turned in the bearings 5 to tilt the plate 61 and adjust the
lateral inclination of the lasting plates or wipers 10 to the lateral inclination of the
:
P

page_text: bottom of the last. All of the above parts may be of any usual or preferred form
and arrangement and in themselves form no part of the present invention.
Before proceeding to a detailed description of my improved last band or clamp, I
desire to state that while I have illustrated it in connection with toe lasting devices,
the use is in no wise restricted thereto but it is equally applicable for use in connection
with heel lasting devices, and I consider such application thereof clearly. within the
scope of my invention. In the drawing A represents the last band or clamp formed
of leather or any suitable flexible material, so as to readily conform to the end of the
last.
B represents a carrier, or frame, which may conveniently consist of the cross bar b,
to the ends of which are pivoted the arms b¹, having at their free ends the upturneu
blocks to which are secured the ends of the last band or clamp.
At the rear of bar b, of the carrier B, are the projecting guide bars b³, which as
shown, may be of substantially rectangular shape in cross section, which are fitted to
slide in suitable guide ways a formed in the plate 61 which is projected from the
sleeve G and which sustains the lasting plates or wipers.
The above described arrangement is such that a forward and backward movement
of the carrier or frame B, will carry the last band or clamp towards or from the last.
In order to insure a close contact between the last band or clamp at its central
portion and the toe of the last, I provide a spring actuated follower or carrier C to
which the last band or clamp may be attached as at c, to a suitable block or projection
formed thereon by any suitable ineans.
Carrier C, as shown comprises the plate c, which preferably extends nearly across
the recess formed in the front of plate 61 and at its rear is provided with suitable
guide rods c' which are fitted to slide in bearings c², formed in plate 61. In these
bearings are placed suitable springs c' which rest at one end against the bottom of
the bearings, and at the other end against the guide rods c', the arrangement being
such that upon a forward motion of carrier B, the follower or carrier C, is forced
forward by the springs c carrying with it the central portion of the last band or
clamp, and forcing it in close contact with the end of the last.
For the purpose of reciprocating the frane B, and thus moving the last band or
clamp towards and fro:n the last substantially simultaneously with the forward and
backward movement of the lasting plates or wipers, I have provided suitable
connections between the lever or handle 19 which operates the lasting devices and the
frame or carrier B, which actuates the last band or clamp.
Pivoted at d to the plate 61, is the lever D, in which is fitted a stud 2, upon the barb,
of the frame or carrier B, the arrangement being such that a swinging movement
of lever D, upon its pivot d, will through the slot and stud connection thereof with
the frame or carrier B, cause a corresponding movement of the said frame and the
last band or clamp. Lever B, at its free end is connected by a universal coupling d³,
to a rod d said rod passing through an eye formed in a lug d secured to or formed
on the lever 19, a nut or head do, on the rod forming a suitable stop to engage the
lug d, whereby a backward movement of lever 19 will also cause a backward
movement of the rod and the lever 1, causing a backward movement of the
frame B, and the last band or clamp. It is often desirable to give a further forward
and closing movement of the lasting plates or wipers after the last clamp or band has
moved forward a sufficient distance to clamp the end of the last, and to enable this to
be done I have provided a yielding connection between lever 19 and the rod d. This
yielding connection may comprise as shown, a suitable spring surrounding said rod
and bearing at one end against the lug d³ and the other against an adjusting nut or
collar d upon said rod.
In order that the last band or clamp may be held open when retracted as shown in
Fig. 1, I have provided suitable springs e, one end of which is secured, as by screws e¹,
to the plate 61, and the other end to the swinging arms b', whereby said arms will be
swung outwardly on their pivots when the parts are retract ed thus causing the last
clamp or band to assume substantially the position shown in Fig. 1.
In order to retract the carrier C, against the tension of springs c³, and thus retract

page_text: the central portion of the last band or clamp, the frame B, is provided with the
forwardly projecting arms b', upon the ends of which are the lugs or stops b', which
engage the frame or carrier C, and cause it to be retracted when the frame or carrier B
is drawn back. In order that the last band or clamp may be caused to closely
embrace the end of the last and to smooth out the upper and tightly clamp the same
around the toe or heel, I have provided the flat springs e which are secured by one
end to the blocks 62, from which they extend towards the central portion of the clamp
or band, in close contact therewith, the free ends being adjacent to the point of
connection c, of the clamp or band to the frame or carrier C.
In the modification of my invention shown in Fig. 8, instead of connecting the
band A to the blocks 2, said band is extended and passed around the corners of the
plate 61 and at each end is connected to a short coiled spring 8, the opposite end of
said spring being connected to studs or screws 8¹.
represents guide clips connected to the plate 61 through which the band or
clamp A is movable when drawn along the plate 61 when actuated to clamp the
end of the last. In this form of the present invention the blocks on the ends of
the arms b¹ are arranged to have a free movement along the back of the band A
between its points of connection whereby they are adapted to automatically position
themselves along the rear face of the band A and accurately conform said band to the
ends of the last, whether the last be pointed or round.
In all other respects the construction shown in Fig. 8 is the same as that shown
in the other figures of the drawing and a further description thereof is deemed
unnecessary.
In the operation of the machine of the drawings, the upper being drawn on to
the last, the last is jacked in the usual manner. The lever 19 is then moved forward
and by means of the plunger 62 actuates the lasting plates or wipers 10 causing a
forward and closing movement of the lasting plates or wipers.
Substantially simultaneously with this forward moveinent of the lasting devices
the lever 19 through its connection with frame B, moves said frame forward, the
springs at the same time causing a forward movement of the frame C, which brings
the central portion of the clamp or band into contact with the upper at the end of
the last. The continued forward movement of frame B will carry forwards the ends
of the clamp or band A, which will cause the arms b', to swing on their pivots,
(springs e yielding), and thus the clamp or band is carried around and brought into
close contact with the upper on the last, tightly clamping the same and preventing
it from moving during the lasting operation.
The operation of the modified device shown in Fig. 8 is substantially the same
as that just described, the only difference being that the blocks b² are free to move
along the rear face of the band A, as heretofore described, and constitute automatically
adjustable abutments or pressure blocks whereby the band A is pressed smooth
against the upper.
In some kinds of work it is advantageous to have the clamp or band close on
the upper before the closing of the lasting plates or wipers, and in other kinds of
work it is of advantage to have the last clamp or band and the wipers come in
contact with the upper at substantially the same time, and it will be noted in
connection with the construction herein shown and described that by means of the
adjustable nut or collar d', the relative time of closing of the clamp or band and the
lasting devices may be regulated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a lasting machine the combination with the lasting plates or wipers, of a
last band or clamp, and connected mechanism for actuating the lasting plates or
wipers and for closing the last band or clamp, around the upper on the last,
substantially as described.
2. In a lasting machine the combination of lasting plates or wipers, a last band or

page_text: clamp, mechanism for actuating the lasting plates or wipers, mechanism for closing
the band or clamp around the upper on the last, and a yielding connection between
said actuating mechanisms, substantially as described.
3. In a lasting machine the combination with a last band or clamp, of a spring
actuated follower arranged to advance the central portion of said band or clamp,
substantially as described.
4. In a lasting machine the combination with a last band or clamp, of suitable
supports for the ends thereof, and an independent yielding support for the central
portion of the band or clamp, substantially as described.
5. In a lasting machine the combination with a last band or clamp, of suitable
supports for the ends thereof, an independently movable support for the central
portion of said band or clamp, and means for advancing and retracting said central
support, substantially as described.
6. In a lasting machine the combination with a last band or clamp. of suitable
supports for the ends thereof, springs secured to said supports and projecting along
said band or clamp, substantially as described.
7. In a lasting machine the combination of suitable lasting plates or wipers, a last
band or clamp, connected mechanisms for actuating the plates or wipers, and to
close the band or clamp, around the upper on the last, and means to adjust the
actuating mechanisms to adjust the relative movements of the lasting plates or
wipers, and the last band or clamp, substantially as described.
8. In a lasting machine the combination with a last band or clamp, of spring
controlled supports for the ends thereof, and a yielding support for its central
portion, substantially as described.
9. In a lasting machine a last band or clamp supported at or near its center, in
combination with movable abutments arranged to bear upon and slide along the
band or clamp upon opposite sides of its point of support, substantially as
described.
10. In a lasting machine the combination with a flexible last band or clamp sup-
ported at or near its center and opposite ends, and movable abutments arranged to
bear on the band or clamp between its points of support, substantially as described.
11. In a lasting machine the combination with a last band or clamp of extensible
supports for the ends thereof, and movable abutments arranged to bear upon the
band or clamp between its points of support, substantially as described.
12. In a lasting machine the combination with a head carrying lasting devices,
of a last band or clamp, and springs connected to the ends of the band or clamp and
to said head, substantially as described.
13. In a lasting machine the combination with a last band or clamp, of elastic
pressing devices arranged to bear against and move along the band or clamp,
substantially as described.
Total the day of t 1007
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 and 56 Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.