Improvements in Mechanism for Lasting Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Mar., 1890-Accepted, 28th Feb., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (AMENDED).
Improvements in Mechanism for Lasting Boots and Shoes.
We, CHARLES SUMNER GOODING and SHERMAN WILLIAM LADD, of Brookline,
County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Somerville, County
of Middlesex and said Commonwealth, respectively, United States of America,
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:―
This invention relates to lasting machines and the nature thereof is described
hereinafter.
Referring to the drawings:
Fig is an elevation representing the right side of the machine; Fig. 2 is
an elevation of the left side of the machine; Figs. 3 and 4 are elevations of
the rear and front of the machine, respectively; Fig. 5 is an elevation of the
lower parts of the machine representing the treadle lever and a portion of the
plaiting mechanism; Fig. 6 and 7 are details connected with Fig. 5; Fig. 8 is
a front elevation representing a portion of the mechanism for imparting plait-
ing movements to the pincers: Figs. 9 and 10 are details connected with Fig. 8;
Fig. 10 being a section on line 10 10; Fig. 11 is a front elevation of that
portion of the plaiting mechanism which is in connection with the pincers;
Fig. 12 is a section on line 12 12 Figs. 13, 14, 15 and 16 are details connected
with Fig. 11; Fig. 17 is a side elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 11.
and also the mechanism for imparting forward and rearward movement to the
pincers supporting rod and pincers; Fig. 18 is a plan view of Fig. 17; Fig. 19
is a section on line 19 19; Fig. 20 is a side elevation of the pincers bar and
its operating cam: Fig. 21 is an end view of Fig. 20, the extreme end being
sectioned as indicated by line 21 21; Fig. 22 is a plan of the pincers supporting
and lifting mechanism; Fig. 23 is a side elevation thereof and Fig. 24 is a
detail connected with the same; Fig. 25 is a front elevation of the pincers
mechanism Figs. 26 and 27 are details connected with Fig. 25; Fig. 28 is a
plan view of the guide bar: Fig. 29 is a side elevation of the guide-bar and its
operating mechanism; Fig. 30 is a front elevation of Fig. 29; Fig. 31 is a
side elevation of the mechanism for imparting forward and rearward movement
to the tack driving mechanism Figs. 32. 33, 34. 35 are details connected with
Fig. 31 Fig. 36 is a side elevation of the tack driving mechanism: Fig. 37
is a front elevation of Fig. 36; Fig. 38 is a side elevation of the tack distribut-
ing mechanism made partly in section to illustrate details; Fig. 39 is a section,
on line 39 39; Fig. 40 is a plan view of the tack separating and distributing
mechanism Fig. 41 is a section on line 41 41 of Fig. 40; Fig. 42 is a vertical
section on line 42 42 of Fig. 40; Figs. 43, 44, 45, 46, 47 and 4S are details
connected with the tack distributing mechanism: Figs. 49 50 and 51 are details
connected with the tack driving mechanism; Fig. 52 is a side elevation of the

page_text: mechanism for operating the plaiting devices; Fig. 53 is a section on line 53 53
of Fig. 52; Figs. 54, 55, 56, 57 and 58 are details connected with Fig. 52:
Fig. 59 represents the shoe as prepared for the machine; Fig. 60 represents the
shoe after being lasted by the machine; Figs. 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, and 68
illustrate the operation of the machine and the process of lasting as performed
by the machine and will be referred to and more specifically described here-
inafter.
.
The working mechanism is mounted upon a column A which stands upon
the floor. This column is bent rearward (see Fig. 5) and supports on its top
end a framework designated in its several parts. By the letter B. Said frame-
work is called in this specification a head. It supports the working parts of
the machine and to that end it has an irregular formation with curves and
projections to which the working parts are pivoted or otherwise connected as
represented and fully described hereinafter. In the head B is journaled a
shaft D which constitutes the main driving shaft of the machine. To that end
it is provided with a pulley E, a co-operating friction clutch F and a treadle
mechanism extending down to the floor and adapted to be manipulated by the
workman for starting and stopping the machine. On said shaft D) are set the
cam and cam wheels that give proper motion to the mechanism as hereinafter
described.
It may here be stated that the shoe is. prepared for lasting by first putting
the upper onto the last, drawing it over at the toe and preferably at the sides
also and there securing it with tacks or other fastening devices as shown in
Fig. 59. It is then taken in hand by the workman and held up to the machine
in position for commencing the work as shown in Fig. 1. The edge of the last
with its upper is pressed against the guide piece 10 with the edge of the upper
turned or bent inward over the last all this to the end that it may be in posi-
tion for the bite of the pincers. The shoe is supported and turned by the hand
of the workman and in order that the shoe may be easily held in position while
the pincers are drawing and stretching the upper over the last, a rest or down-
hold 12 is provided. Said rest is secured by suitable connections to the machine
head or other suitable support and drops down to the position desired relatively
to the pincers substantially as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. The shoe is pressed up-
wards against the bottom of the rest and the position of the rest is such that
when the shoe is pressed upwards against the same with its edge bearing against
the guide piece 10 as shown in Fig. 1 the upper will be in position for the
pincers to come forward and clasp the inturned edge of the upper as referred
to hereinafter.
In proceeding further to describe the machine we commence with the gripping
devices by means of which the upper is seized, drawn upward and over the
bottom of the last and held down to receive the fastening tack and which also
performs the proper plaiting at the heel, toe and other places as required. It
will be understood that a compound motion is required of this gripping mecha-
mism first the jaws of the pincers must open and close to take hold of the edge
of the upper and then the pincers must rise to stretch the leather and then move
over and down upon the last, all the while holding firmly to the leather in
order to bring it down tightly stretched into the proper place for attachment
to the inner sole and there must hold it until the presser foot or wiper here-
inafter described is moved forward. The tack is then driven and the operation
of the pincers must be repeated. The pincers are provided with two jaws 14
and 16, one 14 fixed and the other, 16, movable in relation to the fixed one.
The pincers are shown in position for work in the Figures and 2 and for
details of construction reference may be had to Figs. 25 and 26. The shank 18
carries the outer or fixed jaw 14. The shank 18 is grooved longitudinally
(see Fig. 26) and in this groove lies the shank 15 of the movable jaw 16. The
shank 15 is confined to the shank 13 by means of collar 17 which collar is fixed
to the shank 13 but allows the necessary vertical movement of the shank 15.

page_text: The main shank 13 of the pincers is threaded on its upper end as shown in
Figs. 25 and 26. It is supported on the lever 18 which lever is fulcrummed
on a pin 19, in the head B (see Figs. 22, 23 and 24). The front end of this lever
is provided with a cupped ring 24, (see Fig. 24) having an aperture 21 to receive
the pincers shank as shown. The bottom face of said ring bears in a correspond-
ing chamber formed in the nut 22 which nut 22 is threaded to turn on the pin-
cers shank 13 and above the ring is a semi-spherical nut 23 also threaded to
turn on the pincers shank and secured by check nut above. Its bottom face
bears in the ring and the whole co-operating forms a joint to support and per-
mit a universal swinging movement of the pincers. The lever is is further
provided with an extension 20 having an inner chamber to receive the spring 25
(see Fig. 23). One end of said spring bears against a thumb screw to by which
the tension of the spring is regulated.
The pincers shank and pincers are thus supported on the lever 26 through
the spring 25 and this gives a yielding spring tension to the pincers when they
havo seized the leather and are drawn upward by action of lever 26. The
lever 26 is also fulcrummed on the pin 19. Its forward end bears against the
spring 25 and its rear end is connected by a rod 27 with the operating cam 28
to which end a pin 29 is fixed in the rod 27 and enters a groove in the cam.
Said cam lifts and depresses the lever 26 and consequently the pincers sup-
ported thereon. In order to understand the vertical movement of the pincers
effected by this cam it may be stated that during this vertical movement by
means of a mechanism hereinafter described the pincers receive also a front
and rear movement in order to draw the leather over the last after they have
gripped it.
We will suppose the pincers to have gripped the leather; this occurs when
the pincers are at their lowest point of depression. At that time they are
moved by the mechanism hereinafter described farthest to the rear. The cam 28
operates to depress the lever 26 by the same motion lifting the lever pincers
vertically and drawing the leather to stretch it upward and as the cam 28
advances the pincers come down having been by other mechanism moved for-
ward over the last. The pincers do not here come down as low as they were
carried when gripping the leather but drop sufficiently to place the leather in
position for tacking to the inner sole. The pincers then release their hold upon
the leather and descending further go forward to again seize the leather and rise
as before (see Figs. 61, 62, 63, 64, 65 and 66). The upward and downward
movements of the pincers are effected by the groove in cam 28 through the
described intermediate lever mechanism. The lever 18 is extended and made
to bear upon the lever 26; when the lever 26 is lifted by cam 28 it will engage
the lever 18 and depress the forward end thereof and consequently drop the
pincers to position for gripping the leather. This downward movement of the
pincers is thus preferably made positive both in time and limit. The lifting
movement of the pincers is effected by the downward movement of lever 26
imparted through spring 25 which gives a yielding tension upon the leather
and the limit of tension may be modified and variously adjusted by an obvious
adjustment of the spring.
We have in the description of the parts given above referred to a front to
rear movement of the pincers which takes place during the vertical movement
thereof, which with said upward movement form a resultant causing the pincers
to draw up the leather and carry it over the last and lay it down in position for
tacking to the inner sole.
We now proceed to describe the mechanism by which this front to rear move-
ment is accomplished. Fig. 17 represents a side view of this mechanism detached
from the machine; Fig. 18 is a plan thereof; Fig. 19 is a section thereof on line
19 19 of Fig. 18. The carrier 30 comprises a tubular sleeve a and a similar
tubular sleeve b formed in one piece or block and arranged at right angles to
each other as represented. The vertical sleeve a is made to surround the pincers

page_text: shank and the carrier as a whole is supported on prongs 31 31 which surround
and embrace the horizontal sleeve b. The prongs are carried upon the front
end of rod 32 which rod permits the slight rocking movement in its bearings
to allow the swinging of the pincers as referred to hereinafter. A pin project-
ing from said rod supports a cam-roll 33 which engages the cam 34 on the
main shaft as shown in Fig. 17 said cam operates to move backwards the rod
against the tension of a spiral spring 35 said spring is mounted on a suitable
stud projecting from the machine head B and operates the lever 36 which
engages the rod 32 through an intermediate stud as shown. Said spring is
connected at one end with a wheel 37 which permits being turned on its sup-
porting stud and is provided with a clutch and ratchet mechanism shown in
Fig. 19 whereby the tension of the spring 35 may be regulated. This spring
as before stated operates to move forward the rod 32 and consequently the pin-
cers supported thereon and this it will be understood is the force applied to the
pincers for drawing the leather forward over the last. The shape of the cam 34
is represented in Fig. 17 and as a further aid in understanding the same it is
observed that during a part of its revolution the cam holds the pincers in their
rear position while the mechanism (to be described hereinafter) operates to cause
them to grip the edge of the leather. As the cam advances further it releases
the rod 32 and the pincers are advanced over the last by a spring 35 forcing
forward the rod 32. The cam advances still further allowing the pincers to
remain in their advanced position while the leather is secured in place to the
inner sole and then a further movement of the cam forces the pincers back-
ward to the position for taking a new hold upon the leather.
In order that the shoe may be in position for the pincers to properly take
hold of the leather a guide-piece 10 is provided. Said guide piece and its opera-
tive mechanisms are shown in detail in Figs. 28, 29 and 30. A lever 39 is
pivoted to the frame or head B as shown in Fig. 29. It has on one end a roll
that engages cam 40. Its opposite end is connected with the bar 41 which slides
in a groove in the head Band supports on its outer end the guide-piece 10.
The rearward movement of the bar is effected by a cam. 40 and the forward
movement thereof when allowed by the cam is effected by the spring 42 the
arrangement of which is obvious. The timing of this mechanism relatively to
the other parts of the machine is such as to advance the guide piece 10 when
the shoe is pressed against the same as shown in Fig. 1 and on an enlarged
scale in Figs. 67 and 68 while the pincers advance and take hold of the upper
and then to withdraw the guide-piece while the upper is being strained upward
and carried over the last. The shoe is prevented from slipping out of place
after the guide piece is withdrawn by a rest or downhold 12 against which the
shoe is pressed by the workman as before described. Said downhold is pro-
vided with a foot portion 12 which is projected forward to a point where the
pincers are to grip the upper and serve as an indicator to the workman whereby
to determine the point or part of the upper to be laid hold of by the next move-
ment of the pincers.
We now proceed to describe the mechanism for opening and closing the jaws
of the pincers for releasing and gripping the edge of the upper. It will be
borne in mind that the pincers in their general movement pass backward gradu-
ally descending to the edge of the upper and here it is necessary that the mov-
able jaw should be raised so that the gripping face of the fixed jaw may pass
under and hear against the inner face of the upper the upper meantime passing
in between the pincers jaws. It will be observed that the jaws are opened back
to the rear as shown in Fig. 1 so that when the movable jaw is raised it opens
the space between the two jaws. In practice the upper jaw should be raised
about three quarters of an inch and this occurs just before the jaws come back
against the upper. In Fig. 62 of the drawings the pincers are represented as
about to take hold of the upper, the last with its upper being pressed against
the end of the guide-piece 10. The edge of the upper extends forward to enter

page_text: the pincers as they descend open. By Fig. 27 is represented a shell 44 which is
provided with duplicate chambers 45 in which are spiral springs 46 46. Said
springs are coiled about a centre core as shown in Fig. 27 and connected at one
end with levers 47 47. This shell is provided with a central opening to receive
the pincers shank 13 as represented. It is fixed upon the pincers shank 13 as
represented in Fig. 25, with the ends of levers 47 47 bearing down upon a
collar 48 which collar 48 is attached to the shank 15 of the movable pincer-
jaw. The movable jaw of the pincers is lifted by a cam 49 on the main shaft
which operates through the intermediate lever 50. It will be understood that
the leather is held by being compressed between the pincers-jaws. The holding
power is limited to the tension of the springs 46 46. The holding
power is required only while the pincers are closed together and it is desirable
to perform the operation of opening the pincers without lifting against the hold-
ing force and to obviate this in part we arrange the levers 47 47 so that they
will be in a nearly horizontal line when the pincers are closed as represented
in Fig. 25. In this position of the levers the resultant force produced by the
springs 46 46 operates downward upon the pincers jaw in a nearly straight line
and from this point upwards as the pincers are lifted the force of the springs 46
46 divide and above the parallel line oppose and in part neutralize each other so
that the higher the pincers are lifted the smaller will become the downward or
closing force. This we believe to be a new feature in pincers mechanism.
The
shape and position of cam 49 is such as to throw the lever 50 and lift the mov-
able pincer jaw immediately after the nailer advances as hereinafter described.
The first movement is suflicient to cause the jaw to release the leather and this
we prefer to have take place just before the uailer and presser foot hereinafter
described reaches its extreme forward movement. The further lifting of this
jaw takes place during the backward movement of the pincers. Immediately
after the fixed jaw reaches the edge of the leather, the rear end of lever 50 is
released by the cam and the movable jaw is forced down to grip the upper.
It is forced down by means of springs 46 46 as above described.
It remains constantly in contact with the leather until lifted by movement
of the cam and the intermediate lever 50. Only the movements of the pincer
mechanism herein before described are necessary on the sides of the last. In
order to form the plaiting at the heel toe and occasionally at other points
another movement is required. For this purpose it is necessary that the pincers
should have a lateral movement. It is also necessary that such movement
should be adapted to yield as required to prevent tearing the upper and it is
further desirable that such movement should be arranged to take place only
when the operator wills it.
In order to prepare the pincers for permitting the necessary swinging move-
ments the fork-ends or prongs 31 31 are made to surround the horizontal
sleeve thereby supporting the carrier and also permitting a slight rocking
movement of the barrel in its supporting bearing which allows a swinging move-
ment of the pincers in one direction, and the rod 32 permits a rocking move-
ment in its bearing which allows a swinging movement of the pincers in the
transverse direction. In the sleeve b is a rod or plunger 51 (see Figs. 14 and 16).
Said rod permits movement endwise in the sleeve and is provided with a pin 52
which extends outward through an opening in the sleeve and engages the
springs 53 53 as fully shown in Figs. 11 and 12. Said springs are coiled about
supporting studs extended from the carrier 30 and are provided each at one end
with adjustable washers 54 54 whereby the tension of the springs may be
adjusted.
The opposite ends of the springs are respectively made to bear on opposite
sides of the pin 52. This mechanism is fully illustrated in the drawings and
particularly in the Figures 11 & 12.
The tension of the springs 53 53 is opposed each to the other. The springs
engage opposite sides of the pin 52 and opposing each other hold the pin in a

page_text: line with the vertical rod of the pincers shank or approximately in line there-
with. This determines the normal condition of the rod 51, and the springs are
stopped from crossing the centre line by stop-pins 300 and 400.
A movement
of the rod 51 in either direction is transmitted to the pincers carrier and con-
sequently to the pincers through the intermediate springs 53 53 in other words
a movement of the rod in one direction is transmitted by one of said springs
while a movement in the opposite direction is transmitted by the other of said
springs and this it will be understood gives a yielding tension to the lateral
movement of the pincers. This is the power applied to strain the leather in a
lateral direction for purposes of plaiting the toe heel and other places. The
lateral movement of rod 51 is imparted thereto through the connecting rod 55
which is connected at one end with the rod 51 by a swinging or ball joint con-
nection as shown in Fig. 12 to permit the necessary movement of the pincers
before described. The opposite end of said rod 55 is connected with a movable
crank-pin 64 through an intermediate yoke 66 as shown in Fig. 8. The crank-
pin 64 is supported in a sliding block 63 which is supported on a rocking driver
head 57 and is arranged to permit sliding movement along the groove 62 formed
in the driver 57. Said groove 62 is made to cross the axis of rotation of the
driver and is preferably made curvilinear. Rocking movement is imparted to
the driver by mechanism hereinafter described. Obviously while the pin 61
is in line with the centre of rotation of the driver the driver will simply turn the
pin 64 and impart no movement to the pincers mechanism. If however the pin 64
be carried along the groove 62 to one side of the centre of rotation it will act
as a crank pin and force the rod 52 in one direction carrying with it the pincers
to one side of their normal position but if the pin 64 is moved along the groove
to the other side of the line of rotation it will operate to draw the rod 55 and
carry the pincers in the opposite direction to one side of their normal position.
The object of this two-fold motion is to draw and plait the leather at one time
in one direction and at another time in the other direction.
The driver 57 is rigidly attached to or formed integral with a sleeve-shaft 56.
Said sleeve 56 is journalled in a boss or horn extending from the head B and
carries on its opposite end a sectional gear 5S that meshes with a segment
gear 59 on the end of lever 60. Said lever 60 is pivoted to the head 13 as shown
in Fig. 8. It engages its rear end with a cam 61 which cam is on the main
shaft of the machine and operates to rock the lever once in each direction, during
the revolution of the shaft. This operates to rock the sleeve 56 and consequently
the driver 57 which is on the forward end thereof and which supports the pin 64
as before described which pin in turn supports the bar 65. Said bar has its
ends journaled in the yoke 66 and permits rocking movement on the pin 64.
The opposite end of said yoke connects with the rod 55. All these parts are
fully represented in Fig. 8 of the drawings.
It is desirable as before stated that this plaiting mechanism shall be subject
to the control of the workman so as to be thrown into and out of operation at
any time. To this end we provide mechanism as follows:-
Extending from the column A (see Fig. 5) is a hoss on which is pivoted a
lever 68. Said lever is provided on its front end with a fork 69 to receive the
knee of the workman. In the rear end of said lever is a cam groove to receive
the cam-roll 70 said roll turns on a pin projecting from the rod 71. The cam
groove' is cut on an incline as shown in Fig. 6 at 72. A movement of the lever
in one direction past the centre line lifts and a movement thereof past the
centre line in the opposite direction depresses the rod 71. The top end of said
rod connects with a bell-crank lever 3 (see Fig. 52) which lever has on its
end a fork embracing the collar 74 (see Fig. 53). Said collar is arranged to
slide on the sleeve shaft 56. It is grooved and splined therewith to prevent
turning independently thereon. Attached to the collar is a key 75 which passes
through a groove cut longitudinally through the sleeve and enters a groove
cut spirally in the shaft 76 (see Figs. 55 and 56). Said shaft 76 permits rotary

page_text: movement in the sleeve and carries on its forward end a gear 77 that engages
the gear teeth formed in the slide 63 (see Fig. 9).
From the foregoing description it will be understood that the driver 57 is
given a continuous rocking movement but imparts no motion to the pincers
mechanism so long as the pin 64 is in line with the centre of rotation of the
driver. Such is the position of the pin while the lever US is extended in a sub-
stantially straight line for ward in which position it is supported by a spring
stop as shown. This is the normal condition of the lever and a movement
thereof to one side lifts the rod 71 which movement is transmitted through
lever 73 collar 74, key 75, shaft 76, gear 77 to the slide 63 and moves the slide
thereby carrying the pin 64 along the groove 62 to one side of the axis of rota-
tion of the driver 57. The lateral movement of the pincers then begins and
the extent thereof is determined by the position of the pin 64 relatively to the
said axis of rotation and this in turn is limited by the extent to which the
lever GS is moved laterally from its central or normal position. A reverse move-
ment of the lever GS will operate to carry the pin 64 off the centre of rotation
in the opposite direction. The lever is designed to be moved by the knee of
the workman and the limit of movement allowed to regulated by the set
screws 79 79.
In performing the plaiting around the toe of the shoe it is desirable to have
the pincers pass over to one side of their normal perpendicular position and
starting from that point to move forward and grip the edge of the leather,
lift upward and then backward to the starting point and thence pass to the
opposite side of the perpendicular line for laying the plait. This movement
of the pincers lays the plait in a line more nearly perpendicular to the curve
of the last and thus prevents the leather from being crimped along the edge
of the last. To this end we arrange the pin 64 so as to travel in a curvilinear
path on the driver 57 that is the groove 62 as this construction gives a more
uniform advance movement of the pitman 55 and consequently a more uniform
movement of the pincers laterally.
We would not be understood as saying that the pin 64 must be moved
in a curvilinear path as we are aware that a straight path across the centre of
rotation would be efficient though probably not so desirable as the curvilinear
path and we believe the best results are attainable when the path is the are of
a circle.
We now proceed to describe the tacking mechanism. It will be understood
that after the pincers have gripped the leather and laid it down upon the last,
the tacking mechanism is moved forward into position for driving the tack and
again is moved backward to allow the next operation of the pincers. To this
end we provide a carriage N having a lateral extension S4 and a vertical ex-
tension $5 (see Fig. 36). The lateral extension 84 is arranged to permit slid-
ing movement in a groove formed in the head B. Connected therewith was a
lever 87 (see Fig. 31) which engages a cam 88 on the main shaft whereby the
carriage is moved forward and backward over the last during each revolution
of the cam.
The tack-hammer bar comprises the jointed bar 90 90 arranged to
permit vertical movement in a groove formed in the vertical extension 85 of
the carriage N (see Fig. 36). The hammer-bar is lifted by a cam 91 the shape
of which is represented in Fig. 32. Said cam is mounted on the end of a
sleeve 92 (see Figs. 33 and 34). This sleeve is arranged on the main shaft D
and is grooved and splined thereto so as to revolve therewith for lifting the ham-
mer-bar and permit endwise sliding movement of the sleeve to accommodate
the forward and backward movement of the carriage N. The hammer-bar is
lifted against the spring 93 (see Figs. 1 and 2) which being contracted by the
lifting operation operates to depress the hammer-bar whenever the cam permits
it and this it will be understood. is the power which drives home the tack. The
tacks are received from the distributing mechanism hereinafter explained by a
polished steel channel having a race-way along which they are conducted to

page_text: the separating and delivering screws $1. Said screws drop the tacks one by
one into the vertical tube 82 through which they descend into a chamber in the
tack-holder S whereby they are supported and carried forward to the driving
point (see Figs. 49 50 and 51). To this end the said holder S is secured to
the bottom of the carriage N (see Figs. 1 and 2) and is moved forward and
backward therewith. Said holder by the rearward movement of the carriage N
is brought into position with the tack-receiving tube 83 directly under and in
line with the tube 82. The tack is dropped through the tube 82 into the
chamber 83 of the holder while the pincers are gripping and drawing the leather
over the last. The carriage N is then moved forward carrying the holder and
the hammer bar into position for driving, the tack during this forward move-
ment remains lodged in the holder S. Said holder S comprises the two blocks ff
which are pivotally connected (see Fig. 5). The blocks are carried & pressed
together by springs 95 95 and the hammer bar in descending passes into the
tube 83 thereby spreading the blocks f f against the action of the springs 95 95
and releasing the tack at the moment of driving.
Connected with the holder S is a spring 96 located under the holder and hav-
ing an opening coinciding with the chamber 83. During the forward movement
of the carriage N this spring 96 bears upon the leather and wipes over the
edge thereof drawing and retaining it in position for the driving of the tack.
The tack in driving passes through the opening in this spring. The hammer
bar is made in two parts 90 90 to the end that the bottom section may be swung
forward and permit the holder S to pass under the receiving tube 82 as shown in
Figures 2 and 36. A rod 94 arrests the rearward movement of this lower section
of the hammer bar thereby causing it to swing forward, as shown in Figure 36
and allow the tack channel block to have place over the tack-holder S. Dur-
ing the forward movement of the carriage N this section of the hammer bar is
forced back to its normal position by the spring 202. By thus forming the
hammer bar in two parts and swinging the lower section forward and backward.
as described we obviate the work of lifting the hammer bar high enough to
clear the end of the race-way block and thereby diminish the time required to
lift the hammer bar.
The tacks are distributed and deposited in the tack-raceway with their heads
bearing upon the race-way block their points projecting downward into the
race-way by mechanism described as follows:-
A shaft 204 is provided with a spiral gear 205 that engages with a similar
spiral gear on the main driving shaft. 1), from which power is transmittedl
through said gears to revolve the shaft 204. The motion of said shaft 204 is
transmitted to revolve the shaft 206 through intermediate mechanism composed
of the gears ce shaft h, worm d worm-gear, shaft and gears kk (see Fig. 42)
the effect being to revolve the pot 100 which is mounted to turn with the
shaft 206. Said pot is closely adjacent to and turns in sliding contact with the
basin 207 which basin opens at its rear end into the pot 100. The tacks are
placed in bulk in the basin 207 and gravitate down its inclined faces into the
pot and are lifted by paddles 208 secured to the pot, to a point above the pan 209.
Said pan is provided with inclined faces (see Fig. 46) converging to a point
above the race-way in the channel block. The tacks in falling from the
paddles 208 strike into the pan 209 and pass down its inclined faces head or
point first, in either of which cases they shoot off the pan into the raceway.
where they are suspended with their heads bearing upon the edges of the
channel-block along the race way 210. The tacks which are not lined point
first or head first by the inclined faces of the pan and which therefore do not
pass into the race way 210 will fall over the sides of the channel-block into the
basin to be again lifted and dashed into the pan as before.
Obviously some of the tacks will be improperly suspended in the race-way and
obstruct the downward progress of other tacks. These improperly lodged tacks
must be lifted from the race-way or adjusted so as to pass downward along

page_text: the race-way with the other tacks. On the channel-block is a bridge 214,
which overhangs the race-way 210. This bridge obstructs the downward pro-
gress of all tacks not properly suspended in the race-way that is to say in other
words, a tack must be down upon the channel block, its head bearing closely
on the surface of the bleek and its point in the race-way in order to pass freely
under the bridge. Once under the bridge it is no longer liable to displacement.
Above the bridge is a tripper or agitator 211. Said tripper is supported in the
rock-shaft 212. Its bottom end bears upon the channel block above the race-way
and its end is preferably grooved to receive the edges of the channel-block as
shown in Figs. 40 and 41. The tripper permits movement vertically against
the spiral spring 213 which is arranged about the shank of the tripper and
operates to bear down upon the channel block. The vertical movement of the
tripper against said spring permits it to be reciprocated along the race-way
block and also to be lifted onto the bridge 214 as shown in Figs. 41 and 44.
To this end a rocking movement is imparted to the shaft 212 by the revolving
pot 100 through intermediate mechanism consisting of lever 215 engaging
stops 216 on the pot, an arm 217 and a spring 218 arranged as represented.
Fig. 4 represented the tripper resting on the bridge where it has been lifted
by the return movement of the spring 218. The tripper is shown as engaging
and about to move forward along the race-way to agitate and re-adjust the tacks
which are improperly suspended in the race-way. To this end the tripper after
leaving the bridge is depressed by the spring 213 into contact with the channel-
block and moves upward along the channel-block pushing before it the tacks.
The tripper is then withdrawn quickly onto the bridge and the tacks return
downward along the race-way. In many cases the tacks will have been adjusted
by a single movement of the tripper so as to pass under the bridge but a second
or third movement of the tripper will accomplish the desired result in all cases.
To this end the tripper is moved forward regularly its action being useless of
course but harmless except when tacks are in condition for adjustment. After
passing the bridge the tacks gravitate downward to a distributing device con-
sisting of the worm-shaft 8.1 whereby they are separated and dropped one by
one to the tack holder S. To this end the screw shaft 81 is made to revolvo
by a mechanism connected to the main driving shaft as shown and caused to
drop a tack for each operation of the driving mechanism as before described.
The pot 100 is revolved continuously and the tacks are thereby lifted and
dashed into the pan 209 to pass therefrom into the race-way as before described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. In a lasting machine the combination with a lever composed of two pivoted
members each member adapted to engage with the other member intermediate
the pivotal point and the outer end of said other member of a pincers mecha-
nism secured to the outer end of one of the members and an operating devico
secured to the outer end of the other member substantially as described.
2. In a lasting machine the combination with a lever composed of two pivoted
members each member adapted to engage with the other member intermediate
the pivotal point and the outer end of said other member of a spring interposed
between the contact point of one of the members with the other member a
pincers mechanism secured to the outer end of one of said members and an
operating device secured to the outer end of the other member substantially as
described.
3. The combination in the pincers of a lasting machine and with the fixed jaw
thereof of a movable ja and spring-actuated levers mounted on the fixed jaw
and engaging with the movable jaw the whole arranged as described so that the
power of the levers decreases as the movable jaw moves from and increases as
it moves toward the fixed jaw substantially as described.

page_text: 4. The combination in the pincers of a lasting machine and with the fixed
jaw of the pincers thereof of a movable jaw and spring actuated levers engaging
therewith, said levers being substantially at right angles to the line of move-
ment when the pincers are closed substantially as described.
In a lasting machine the combination of a pincers mechanism and a
pivotally connected supporting carrier therefor a rod 51 supported movably in
the carrier and springs 53 53 interposed between the rod and carrier and means
for moving the rod substantially as described.
6: In a lasting machine and in combination the rod 32 a pincers mechanism
supported thereon a cam for advancing the rod in one direction and a spring
for moving the rod in the opposite direction substantially as described.
7. In a lasting machine and in combination the driver 57 means for giving
said driver a rocking movement a pin supported movably in the driver a con-
ecting rod attached to said pin communicating with a pivotally supported pin-
cers; mechanism substantially as described.
8. In a lasting machine in combination the carrier 30 a pincers mechanism
supported thereby a rod 32 connected therewith and supporting the carrier and
means for giving to the carrier a rocking movement substantially as described.
9. In a lasting machine and in combination the driver 57 having a groove 62
aslide 63 movable in said groove a rod ivotally connected with the slide at one
end and, with a pivotally supported pincers mechanism at its, opposite end and
means s for giving the driver a rocking movement substantially as described.
10. In combination the driver 57 means for giving said driver a rock-
ing movement a pin as 64 supported movably in said driver a knee lever and
connecting mechanism for imparting movement to the pin substantially as
described.
::
11. In a lasting machine and in combination the driver 57 means for giving
said driver a rocking movement a pin supported movably in the driver a knee
lever and mechanism intermediate the knee lever and driver substantially as
described...
Fet
12. In a lasting machine and in combination the driver 57 mounted on
sleeve 56,as shown means for rocking the sleeve 56 a groove 62 in the driver and
a slide 63 arranged to travel in said groove a shaft located in the sleeve 56 and
connected by a suitable gear mechanism with the slide 63 and the described
knee mechanism connected with the shaft substantially as and for the purposes
described.
for
13. In combination with a movable rod as 13 the springs 53 53 means
moving the rod against the tension of said springs and a means for supporting
the rod and springs substantially as described.
14. In a lasting machine a reciprocating hammer mechanism for driving
tacks means for advancing it over and withdrawing it from the driving point
a receptacle for receiving tacks one at a time a tack carrier block secured to the
hammer carrier and moving below said receptacle for receiving the discharged
tack and supporting it under the driving mechanism and mechanism for avanc
ing the carrier block first to the delivery point below the receptacle for receiving
the tack and then to the driving point for the driving operation substantially
as described.
21"
15. In combination a receptacle for tacks singly a sliding block or carriage N
a hammer mechanisin supported in said block a tack carrier Ssecured to and
movable with the block below said receptacle and means for advancing and
withdrawing the block substantially as and for the purposes described.
16. In combination the movable block or carriage N a hammer mechanism
supported in said block and movable relatively thereto for driving tacks: means
for lifting and depressing the hammer and means for advancing and withdraw-
ing the block substantially as and for the purposes described.
17. In combination witli the receptacle and tack carrier arranged to operate

page_text: substantially as described of the jointed hammer 90 90 and supporting and
operating mechanism therefor substantially as described.
18. The combination of the tack shute a shaft journalled transversely above
the shute and reciprocating spring-actuated tripper arm carried thereby and
arranged at an angle thereto to swing longitudinally over and along the shute
substantially as described.
19. The combination of the tack shute a shaft a tripper arm and a spring
engaging with the shaft and with the tripper arm substantially as described.
20. The combination of the tack shute a shaft and an adjustable tripper arm
arranged over and above the shute substantially as described.
21. The combination of the tack shute a rock-shaft having a positive motion
in one direction and a yielding motion in the opposite direction and a tripper
arm operated thereby above and along the shute substantially as described.
22. The combination of the tack-shute. a spring-actuated shaft a tripper arm
and mechanism for rocking the shaft positively in one direction substantially
as described.
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Dated this 95th day of March 1800'