AN IMPROVED METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR LASTING THE UPPERS OF BOOTS OR SHOES, WHICH INVENTION COMPRISES MECHANISM FOR MAKING TACK-CARRYING STRIPS FOR USE IN THE OPERATION OF LASTING
Year: 1881

page_text: '
LETTERS PATENT to Henry Harris Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention of
"AN IMPROVED METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR LASTING THE UPPERS OF
BOOTS OR SHOES, WHICH INVENTION COMPRISES MECHANISM FOR MAKING
TACK-CARRYING STRIPS FOR USE IN THE OPERATION OF LASTING." A com-
munication from abroad by George W. Copeland, of Malden, Massachusetts,
United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Harris Lake at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th July 1881.
"
HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. AN IMPROVED METHOD OF AND APPARATUS
FOR LASTING THE UPPERS OF BOOTS OR SHOES, WHICH INVENTION COMPRISES
MECHANISM FOR MAKING TACK-CARRYING STRIPS FOR USE IN THE OPERATION
OF LASTING." [A communication from abroad by George W. Copeland, of Malden,
Massachusetts, United States of America.]
This Invention relates to an improved method of and apparatus for lasting the
uppers of boots or shoes, also to mechanisin or apparatus for making tack-carrying
strips. The said Invention embraces machinery or apparatus for making what is
known as the "Copeland" tack.strip; machinery or apparatus for driving tacks
from said tack-strip by hand in the process of lasting an upper, and for other
purposes; apparatus for driving tacks from the tack-strip by power; an improved
method of lasting, consisting in fitting the upper to the last in any desirable way,
and folding the edge thereof upon the surface of the insole, and then in fastening
the edge thus folded by a gang or group of fastenings driven simultaneously or in
rapid succession; also other features hereinafter described.
The "Copeland" tack-strip consists in a flexible-tack supporting or carrying strip,
in which separate tacks are set at uniform distances apart, and which have their

page_text: heads covered by another strip cemented to the tack-supporting strip. The material
of which this strip is made is preferably paper, although it may be of other
material.
The machinery or apparatus constructed according to the present Invention for
making this strip embraces,-
A. reservoir for receiving tacks in bulk; means for feeding the tacks from the
reservoir to a separating device; a separating device; an inclined conveyor or feeding
chute leading from the separating device to a tack-carrying plate; and a tack-
carrying plate adapted to receive the tacks one by one from the end of the chute, and
to transfer them in succession to a position under the driver, by which they are
driven into the tack-supporting strip which is fed beneath it by any suitable devices.
The said Invention further comprises a device located preferably in the throat
of the machine adapted to be operated by the tack which is driven, and which
when operated permits the feeding of the tack-supporting strip to take place, and
which when it is not operated prevents the tack-supporting strip from being fed,
so that if by any accident a tack should not be in position to be driven, the feeding
of the strip does not take place. This insures that the tack strip shall be always
provided with tacks.
The said Invention includes also means for applying the thin upper strip to the
tack-supporting strip, and means for severing the completed strip into uniform
lengths.
This tack-strip is especially desirable for use in the lasting process, because by
it the small lasting tack, which is preferred for lasting purposes, can be fed
uniformly and with precision in tack-driving devices.
The next feature of the said Invention relates to the process of lasting, in which
this tack-strip may be used, and it embraces the fitting of the upper to the surface
of the last in any desirable manner, and the folding of its edge upon the surface of
the insole, and I prefer that the folding at the toe and heel be done automatically
by suitably folding plates, while that at the sides may be done either automatically
or by hand, as hereinafter described.
I provide apparatus for lasting the toe and heel automatically provided with the
folding plates herein before inentioned, and which also has a group or a series of
tack-drivers which may be placed in position by the folding plates, or may be
subsequently brought to place, and which drive through holes in the folding plates
a gang or group of fastenings.
The construction is such that the toe is first fitted, its edge folded and fastened,
and then by revolving the jack and the head carrying the lasting appliances the
heel is treated in the same way.
In this machine I may use either the tack-strip above described, or may use
separate tacks, or in fact any suitable fastenings.
I provide mechanism which is designed especially for driving tacks from the
aforesaid "Copeland" strip by hand, and it. is used in fastening the edge of the
upper to the insole when the gang process is not employed, or in connection with
the gang process when only the toe and heel are lasted by the gang process.
The features of this device consist in a feeding mechanism or pawl which is
adapted to advance the strip by coming in contact with the shanks of the tacks
and moving the strip forward thereby; an abutment which closes behind the
forward tack in the strip after it has been fed into the throat of the machine, and
prevents it from being withdrawn upon the back ward movement of the pawl; the
throat bevelled or inclined upon its juncture with the feed-way, and surrounded
by a narrow strip-supporting ledge, the throat being so proportioned to the head
of the tack that the same may be pushed, as it were, through the strip by a driver
without any of the paper of the supporting strip being removed, at the same time
thereby preventing the machine from being clogged. If the throat were of
substantially the same diameter as the driver or the head of the tack, it would
act as a die, and a portion of the paper-supporting strip would be removed with
the tack. But as have found this construction objectionable because of the

page_text: liability of the paper wedging between the head of the tack and the surface of
the throat, I have adopted the construction first described.
The construction of the apparatus, comprising means for driving by tacks power
from the Copeland strip is in many respects like that of the hand tool above
described, but it varies therefrom in several important respects, viz. :-
1st. In that the machine is so organized that but one tack can be driven at a
time.
2nd. In that the machine is put in operation for driving one tack by moving
the article to be tacked upwardly against the nozzle, which is vertically movable,
and which when pressed upward sets the machine in operation, and but one tack
only is driven.
This apparatus or machine is intended for use more especially with the gang
process of lasting the toe and heel, and in the process of lasting with it the upper
is drawn over the edge of the insole along the sides by a pincer, and as it is drawn
up it is fastened to the insole by the tacks driven thereby, the operator drawing
over a portion; then tacking; then drawing over another portion, and then tacking
or securing it, and so on.

page_text: thereby, and having formed thereon a spiral wedge-like device or projection, 80
shaped that it will commence: to operate in freeing the chute froin tacks which
have become lodged therein at the point nearest the wall of the hopper and from
that point will move the tacks that are in the chute and upon it gradually upward
until the end of the wiper. leaves the top of the chute, when the tacks that have
been lifted up are allowed to move back until the wiper has revolved sufficiently to
operate again.
The arms a³ carrying the buckets are revolved by means of the shaft a³, the
gear wheel a2, the intermediary connecting gear wheels a¹³, a¹, and their
connecting shaft a¹, and the gear-wheel a¹ on the main shaft which engages with
the aforesaid gear-wheel a¹.
A hammer attached to an arm pivoted to the side of the hopper and operated by
a cam pin on the disc a10, and a spring jars or vibrates the platform attached to the
chute sufficiently to prevent the tacks from lodging therein.
The chute a extends downwardly, and its lower end is arranged upon a line
with the T-shaped opening at 6 in the sliding plate B; this plate is reciprocated
from the end of the feed way by means of a carriage b' which slides horizontally
in ways 6, the link or rod 6s which has a bearing at 6 on a stud 65, projecting
from a bracket, the bent lever B¹ also having a bearing on the stud b, and
adapted in connection with the spring B2 to provide the link with a swinging
movement on the stud and the cam-groove at 60, in the face of the cam-disc b
which is fastened to the main shaft at all.
The sliding-plate B by means of the T-shaped carrier transfers the tack from
the lower end of the chute to a position opposite the upper end of the driveway,
into which through the passage c it is transferred by the transferring plate c¹,
which is fastened to a block c² arranged in the ways c³ upon the frame A' of the
machine, and is reciprocated in the vertical part of the T-shaped passage in the
tack-carrier-plate and the said passage by the lever et pivoted at c³, and operated
by the edge cam groove co in the cam disc c upon the main shaft a". The tack
being transferred to the drive-way by the transferring plate drops therein, and is
supported by the jaws 8 which are adapted to yield against the pressure of the
springs c³.
The drive-rod C drives the tacks from the jaws into the strip. This drive-rod
is reciprocated by means of the cam-groove c¹0 in the cam-disc c¹¹, and the
connecting rod c¹ which is provided with the cam-pin c¹³ and has suitable bearings
in the frame of the machine.
The table or plate D supports the tack-strip feeding and severing mechanism,
which consists in part of the feedwheels d, d', and their connecting and operating
mechanism. The said table is cast upon or attached to the vertical plate D¹ which
has a dovetailed recess fitting the dovetail as on the outer edge of the bracket d'
fastened to the frame-work of the machine.
The plate D' is adapted to be moved vertically upon the dovetail, which
furnishes a guide as well as a support for it by means of the cam-groove in the
cam-block do, which is pivotted at d to the bracket d, and is provided with a
handled. A cam-pin d* upon the plate D¹ enters the said cam-groove and forms
the connection.
The mechanism for preventing the feeding of the tack strip when a tack is not
inserted therein embraces the lever which is provided with a slot 10, and is
operated by the arm d", the connecting rod d¹³, the arm d¹³, and the cam groove d¹,
in the disc c upon the main shaft. The arms d", d¹³, and connecting rod 12 con-
stitute substantially a bell-crank-lever. The vertical bar at d¹³ entering the slot 10
makes the connection between the ends of the arm and the said lever d³, and
also permits the lever to be moved vertically thereon as the strip feeding
mechanism is being moved vertically.
The mechanism for operating the knife or severing device E consists of the
lever e, at one end of which the knife-stock is secured, and which is pivotted at e¹
to the standard e²; the cams e³ upon the upper face of the cam-disc e', which has a

page_text: bearing on the shaft supporting the feed wheel d¹; the cam pin e which projects
inwardly from the lever e in a position to be lifted upon the successive cams, and
which may be provided with a friction-wheel; the disc e which is adapted to be
revolved with the intermediary gear wheel E¹ between the feed-wheels d, d¹, and
is provided with a notch e; the ratchet wheel es fastened to the cam-disc e; the
pawl and the pawl carrying plate e10 which is pivotted at e¹¹ to a standard
projecting outwardly from the plate or table D, and has the two pins e¹s, elz
between which the pawl passes, and the pin els which is adapted to be engaged by
the notch e on the disc e. The pin e¹s is kept in contact with the edge of the
disc e by a suitable spring. The lever or pawl e is reciprocated by means of the
arm e¹5.
.
A bed E' is arranged above the grooved bed E³ which supports and guides the tack-
strip, and has a slit or recess across it into which the knife closes, and the tack strip
is severed by the joint operation of the lower edge of the said bed and the knife.
It will be observed that the pawl e has a reciprocating movement for each tack
inserted into the tack strip, but that it is held off from the ratchet-wheel e³ by
means of the disc eº, and hinged carrier-plate e¹0 until the notch e' receives the
pin els, when the pawl engages with the ratchet-wheel e8, and moves it the distance
between the teeth. This movement of the ratchet-wheel causes the disc e* and
the cams thereon to be revolved sufficiently to reciprocate the lever carrying the
the knife.
The mechanism for automatically stopping the tack-feeding and tack-driving
devices consists of a rod f, which is parallel or substantially parallel with the bar
carrying the drive-rod, and has a block flat its lower end surrounding or partially
surrounding the drive-rod bar, and a latch f' at the upper end, which is adapted
to suit automatically behind a catch f³ on the rod F connecting the operating-
bandle with the clutch lever f³. A spring f6 serves to draw the latch and its
rod downwardly behind the catch, when the rod having the catch has been drawn
outwardly sufficiently to engage the clutch at f7 with the clutch on the driven
pulley F. A spring f8 serves to automatically retract the rod F when the latch
has been moved upward sufficiently to clear the catch, thereby disengaging the
clutch at f'.
The drive-rod is fastened to the drive-bar by a friction block f, sufficiently to
enable it to drive the tacks without slipping therein, but not sufficiently to prevent
slipping, if any obstacles, such as a bent tack, becomes lodged on any part of the
drive-way or bed. And when the drive-rod is thus arrested in its descent, it slips
upwardly in its holding block, and finally comes in contact with the block f¹
moving it upward and causing it to trip the catch, thereby stopping the machine.
The mechanism for operating the slide B is provided with devices, whereby it
may be easily adjusted so that the chute and the recess b in the carrying plate B
and the drive-way may accurately register. These devices consist of the lower
arm g of the lever B' and the set-screw g, which is carried by a bracket g² on the
lower portion of the operating-arm 6s, and which bears against the end of the
arm g, whereby the distance between the said arm and the arm b³ may be increased
or diminished, thereby affording means for varying the extent of movement of the
sliding plate B outwardly, or in the direction of the passage to the drive-way, and
of the screw g³ supported by the bracket g' on the end of the block b', which is
adapted to strike against a stop g at the end of the inward throw of the plate,
thereby providing means whereby the limit of inward movement of the plate B is
obtained.
The mechanism for applying the covering strip consists in the bevel gear-wheel h
fastened to the feed-wheel d¹; the bevel gear wheel h¹ having a bearing upon the
shaft b and the wheel h³, which is adapted to bear upon the bed of the machine in
compressing the covering strip upon the main strip or that portion of the strip
carrying the tacks. The shaft is supported by a block movable in the guide-
way h of the standard h³ and a curved cam-groove h6 in the lever h, which is
pivoted as shewn. By means of this lever the roll.may be adjusted vertically in

page_text: relation to the bed and in connection with a thumb screw ° which clamps the roll
supporting block, the amount of pressure of the roll upon the bed may be
varied.
Any suitable device for applying cement or paste may be used.
The machine is further provided with a hammer M, whichis reciprocated against
the frame A¹ by means of the lever m which supports it, and is pivoted at m' and
an edge cam m³ on the cam disc 67. The object of this hammer is to cause the chute
to be vibrated sufficiently to prevent the tacks from stopping therein in their
descent.
The operation of the machine above described is as follows, that is to say:-The
tacks are deposited in bulk either in the chamber a from which they are fed in
sufficient quantity to the hopper A or are deposited directly in the said hopper, and by
the revolution of the said buckets are scooped from the bottom of the said hopper, and
deposited upon the inclined table a, and those that fall point downward with their
heads resting upon the platform on either side of the chute commence to descend.
The wiper a prevents the said tacks from descending too rapidly and clogging
in the chute, the tacks descending in the chute are taken from the end thereof
successively by the sliding carrier plate, which is adapted to receive but one tack,
and carry it to a position opposite a passage leading into the drive-way, whence it
is removed by the reciprocating transferrer, that carries it in a direction at right
angles to the line of movement of the carrier and deposit it in the said drive-way,
whence it falls to a position between the jaws c³, where it is held until the descent
of the driver, when it is driven into the tack-strip which is carried by the reel N,
and which after receiving the first tack is fed by the contact of the feed-wheel
with the driver tack. The last tack-strip is then fed to a position to receive the
covering strip, and the tack-strip is then severed into uniform lengths by the
mechanism heretofore described. The vibration caused by the hammer prevents
the tacks from lodging in the chute as above stated.
In case the tacks become lodged in the driveway or are not properly driven
into the tack strip, the tack feeding and driving devices are automatically
stopped.
The mechanism for operating the feed wheels is provided with a detaining
pawl O for the purpose of preventing the backward movement of the ratchet-
wheel operated by the feed pawl o upon its backward movement.
In case it is necessary to inspect or remove any part of the tack strip feeding
or severing mechanism, the table D supporting it may be lowered upon the
bracket d', thereby exposing the same in a desirable way to the operator.
In the accompanying Drawings I have shown two forms of lasting machines;
will first describe the machine which contains the mechanism for driving a gang or
group of tacks or other fastenings simultaneously or in rapid succession.
This mechanism is illustrated in Figures 10 to 13 of the Drawings, in which
Figure 10 is a vertical section.
Figure 11, a plan; and
Figures 12 and 13, detail views drawn to an enlarged scale.
The machine as here presented is designed more especially for lasting the toe
and heel portions of boots and shoes, and embraces means for holding the upper to
the side of the last about the toe or heel prior to the feeding of the edge thereof upon
the surface of the insole, also folding plates or devices for folding the edge of the
upper upon the insole; and a gang or group of devices for driving tacks or other
fastenings simultaneously or by a single impulse after the folding plates have per-
formed their functions, and which may or may not be placed in position to be
operated by thein.
Referring to these Figures, A. represents the last which is mounted at the heel
upon the pin a of the jack A', and at the toe upon the toe support a¹ of the
jack. The pin and toe support of the jack project outwardly from the bed a³
which is pivoted at a³ to the sliding plate at, so that it may be revolved. This

page_text: sliding plate has a horizontal movement in suitable guides to and from the lasting
devices.
The appliance or device for holding the edge of the upper against the side and
end surfaces of the last consists in two curved arms B, B₁, each of which is shaped
and conformed to that portion of the side and end of the last upon which it is to
operate. These arms may be made of steel sufficiently thin to conform by yielding
to the surface of the last, or they may be made of metal and be lined upon their
surfaces with india-rubber or leather, or other suitable material, or they may be
made in any other suitable manner. They are each mounted on a yielding or
spring arm b, and one is arranged to project slightly in advance of the other, so
that upon the presentation of the last and upper thereto they will be brought in
contact with the holding device upon one side and corner, and the upper drawn up
by pinchers, or in any other suitable manner upon that side and corner immediately
before being brought in contact; and while being brought in contact with the said
advance holding device, and that portion of the upper having being drawn up
and fitted and being held by the holding device, the last and upper are then
moved to the other upper holding device adapted to act upon the other corner
and side of the last, and the upper is pulled up by pinchers or in any other manner
immediately before and while being brought in contact therewith, and is held up
thereby afterward until the action of the folding plates, or in other words the
two upper holding or clamping devices are so arranged in relation to each other and
to the jack that that portion of the upper about one corner of the last is first
fitted to the end and side surface of the last and held up by the holding plate, and
then the portion about the other corner is brought in contact with the second or
other upper holding-device and fitted to the last as explained, whereby the toe or
heel of the upper is fitted to the toe or heel of the last in successive sections.
These upper holding devices may obviously be secured to a moving block or head,
as herein described; or they may be stationary and the last moved in relation
thereto, or the last may be stationary and they may be moved in relation to it
without departing from the spirit of this portion of my Invention.
The next feature of this Invention relates to the folding of the edge of the upper
upon the insole at the toe and heel, and the fastening of the edge thus folded to
the insole by a group or gang of fastenings driven simultaneously by a single
impulse.
The jack is represented as capable of being reversed or revolved on a horizontal
plane, and the spring-arms carrying the upper-holders B, B', are shewn secured to
the block or post 6'. This block or post projects downwardly from the plate or
bed G¹ which is adapted to slide horizontally in suitable ways C in the frame of
the machine, and this frame is provided with the post c³ which enters the socket c
on the standard ct, and furnishes means whereby the frame-bed and appendages
may be revolved. One end of the sliding bed or plate carries the toe lasting
plates D, D¹. These plates are pivoted at their inner ends to the post d, and upon
the inward movement of the bed or plate are caused to be shut or closed upon
the surface of the insole by means of the rolls d², d³, upon the frame c¹; the outer
surfaces of the plates coming in contact with the rolls as the bed or plate slides
inwardly cause the said plates to be closed. The folding plates are provided with
a series of holes or nozzles e, which are arranged at a short distance from the edge
of the plates, and in these holes or nozzles a corresponding series or group of
drivers E are arranged to be reciprocated by any suitable means. One arrangement
consists in the attachment of the drivers to the hinged blocks e¹ and the use of
the rod d in communication with a treadle when operated by foot power and a
cam or lever when operated by motive or mechanical power for reciprocating the
said blocks. In this event the blocks would be hinged upon the rod d, and
would have a vertical movement.
The spring e' may or may not be used for returning the blocks to their normal
position, in connection with the mechanism herein described for reciprocating them.

page_text: Each driveway, nozzle, or hole e has opening into it a feed passage e³, preferably
horizontal, by which the fastenings are fed to the drivers.
I prefer to use with the driving mechanism described the said "Copeland" tack-
strip, the shape of the feedway and the devices for feeding the said strip being
hereinafter described more fully in connection with the hand and power tack-
driving machines.
It is not therefore necessary to further describe the construction and operation
of the fastening driving mechanism, with the exception that I may state that such
devices when used for driving fastenings according to this Invention are arranged
in gangs or groups, each device having a nozzle, feed-way, feed mechanism, and
drive-way, substantially like those hereinafter described; the drivers however are
arranged to be operated together or by a single impulse, the feed-ways being
converging or substantially converging in direction, and the nozzles being preferably
formed in the folding-plates, and being placed or moved into position in relation to
the edge of the last by them.
The operation is as follows, that is to say, the upper being mounted upon the
last, and secured thereto temporarily at the toe and heel, is with the said last
placed upon the jack, and the upper, last, and jack are then moved to the upper
holding device, and the upper having been fitted to the sides and ends and being
held by the holding device, the edge to be folded being above the surface of the
insole, and in a vertical position, the upper, last, jack, and upper holding device are
then moved borizontally under the folding plates, and by their continued movement
cause the said folding plates to be closed upon the surface of the insole, thereby
folding the edge of the upper thereon, and at the same time bringing the group or
gang of driving devices into the proper position for driving the group or gang of
fastenings. The group or gang of fastenings is then driven simultaneously or by a
single impulse.
This description of the operation of the machine applies to the heel, lasting, and
securing appliances, as well as those for the toe, and the toe having been lasted, the
only thing necessary to do to last the heel is to reverse the jack and the frame c', and
the other end of the frame which is provided with the heel-lasting appliances which
are in every respect, excepting that of shape, a counterpart of the lasting devices
already described, are brought into the position occupied by the toe lasting devices,
and the heel is then lasted as above described.
I will now describe the apparatus or devices for driving tacks from the said tack
supporting strip by hand. These devices are shown in Figures 14, 15, 17, 18, 20,
21, 22, and 23, in which
Figure 14 is a vertical section, and
Figure 15, a section on the line y, y, Figure 14.
Figures 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, and 23, illustrate parts of the construction, and the
method of operation upon the tack supporting strip hereinafter more particularly
described.
Figures 16 and 19 represent an inferior construction by way of contrast.
The principal features of this apparatus aro those which relate to the shape or
formation of the throat of the machine, whereby the tacks are pushed or driven out
from the tack supporting strip without punching or severing a part of the under
or thicker portion thereof, thereby avoiding the liability of the stoppage of the
machine by the clogging of the throat and to the form of feed pawl, whereby the
tack is fed uniformly in a line parallel with the axis of the throat or driver.
To accomplish the first named object I make the throat a of the machine at the
point where the feedway benters it, or, to be more particular, that portion of the
throat immediately below the ledge c, which supports the tack-carrying strip
sufficiently large to prevent that portion of the throat acting in connection with
the driver as a punch. The best shape to give it is that of an inverted cone. By
this construction it is obvious that the ledge c of the feed-way about the throat
supports the tack carrying-strip in such a manner that the lower or thicker portion
.thereof yields downwardly upon the contact of the driver with the head of the

page_text: tack allowing the said tack to be pushed through it without removing any part of
the strip. The end of the driver d should not be larger than the head of the tacks,
and preferably should be a little smaller, and in no event should it be so large as
to make what is termed a "nice fit" with the throat. The feed pawl f and the
abutment g co-operate to feed the tack-strip, and hold it in position while a tack
is being driven from the said strip and the feed-pawl is returning to its original
position to again feed. The said pawl may be operated in any suitable manner,
and has a reciprocating horizontal movement. The abutment is most clearly shown
in Figure 22, and consists of a hinged plate, the end of which is adapted to close
into the feedway automatically at its juncture with the throat behind the shank of
the tack, which has been fed into the said throat, thereby holding it in position
therein. I prefer that the feed-pawl should have two fingers or arms h arranged
so that the upper one shall bear or shut behind the shank of the tack near the head,
and the lower one behind the shank at or near the point, so that as they move the
tack forward against the inclined surface of the abutment it is not moved from a
line substantially parallel with the axis of the throat.
I prefer to make the thoat in a block m of hardened steel and of the general
shape shewn in Figure 17. It is planed across its end to form the recess m', in
which the lower finger or arm of the feed pawl enters in feeding. It also has the
projection m³ upon one side, and two pins m³ which enter corresponding holes in
the frame of the machine, thereby holding the block securely in place between the
two side-plates m³, m³.
.
The driver or driver-rod is supported by a bar or rod of larger size which has
suitable bearings in the stock of the machine, and is depressed or driven down-
wardly against the stress of the coiled spring and lifted automatically by the said
spring. The feed-way is T-shaped in cross-section.
In Figure 20 I have shown a plan of a tack carrying-strip, in which the material
of the strip is punched out in driving the tack therefrom. This is the objectionable
method.
In Figure 21 I have shown a plan of a tack carrying-strip from which tacks
have been removed by the mechanism above described, that is by being punched out
therefrom, no part of the material of the tack-strip being removed with the tack.
The next feature of the said Invention relates to a power machine, or machine for
mechanically driving and feeding the tack-strip above described, and for driving
tacks therefrom, and is represented in Figure 24 and the following Figures. I
will describe the same in connection with a jack and other devices used in the
lasting process.
The construction of the tack driving machine is best shown in Figures 40, 41,
42, 43, 44, 45, and 46, and in the following description of the construction of the
machine; these Figures only will be referred to.
Figure 40 is an elevation of one side of the machine, and
Figure 41 is an elevation of the opposite side of the same.
Figure 42 is a section of the said machine on the line u, u, Figure 40.
Figure 43 is a detail side view of the driver, knife, and centreing device,
hereinafter described.
Figure 44 is a horizontal section on the line x, x, Figure 40.
Figure 45 is a section of the line 2, 2, Figure 40.
Figure 46 is a vertical section on the line y, y, Figure 40.
A is the nozzle of the machine, which may have a vertical movement, as herein-
after described, when it is desired to cause the actuation of the machine by the
presentation or act of presenting the work to the nozzle in position to receive the
tack. The devices connecting it with the starting and stopping mechanism of the
machine will be hereinafter described. When the nozzle is thus movable it has
at its upper end an inverted bell or cone shaped recess a¹, which when the nozzle
is pressed upward by the work to discharge, the machine fits upou the bell or
cone shaped projection as about the driveway. This construction centres. the
nozzle as it is lifted and holds it rigidly in place during the driving of a tack.

page_text: B is a disc fixed to the main shaft; B¹ is a movable disc fastened to the driving
pulley b or lever by means of the connecting arms b³; b₁ is a washer which may
be placed between the said discs.
It is obvious from this description that upon the outward movement of one
member of the clutch mechanism, which will be hereinafter described from the
other member, the two discs are brought in contact, and that a breaking action or
friction upon the main shaft of the machine is obtained. It is also obvious that
the moving of the movable member of the clutch to engage with the other member
causes the discs to be separated sufficiently to prevent friction between them;
thus the revolution of the main shaft may be stopped suddenly upon the disengage-
ment of the clutch and driven pulley, and upon their engagement it may be
revolved without hindrance.
c is the frame of the machine; c¹ is its main shaft; c is the driver-bar which has
bearings in brackets c; c³ is a crank connecting the main shaft with the driver bar;
c¹ is the driver rod which plays up and down in the drive-way of the machine
and in the throat above it.
The main shaft has in addition to the crank for reciprocating the driver-bar
aside from the clutch mechanism only the cam-groove D in the cam-disc d. This
cam-groove is utilized in connection with the starting and stopping mechanism
hereinafter described and for operating the feed-mechanism. A centreing device
whereby a tack is always located in a given position in the throat of the machine,
is provided by forming in the hinged block or abutment E a vertical V-shaped
recess between the two projections e¹, e2, each of which has an inclined face in the
direction of the feed.
The operation of this device is as follows, that is to say :-The feed-pawl having
pushed the tack-strip forward in the operation of the feeding, the first tack in the
strip is fed into the throat of the machine, the block or abutment E being pressed
out by the shank of the tack as the strip is fed forward. When the feeding stops
the block returns to its original position, and the second tack will be between the
points e', e2, and in the recess e. As the block returns to its original position it
either draws the tack-strip back slightly or pushes it forward somewhat, according
to the position that the shank of the tack bears in relation to the recess, the face
of the projection which comes in contact with the shank of the tack acting to move
the said tack either forward or backward, as the case may be, to the centre of the
recess. It will be obvious that if the shank of the tack happens to be at the
centre it will not be moved upon the inward movement of the block.
I prefer that the feed-pawl F should have three teeth f, and that it should have
an inward movement given to it to place the T in line with the tack in the strip, a
forward feeding movement, wherein one of the teeth at least engages with a shank
of a tack in the strip and feeds. it forward, an outward movement at the completion
of the forward feeding movement, and a backward movement to its original
position, or in other words a positively actuated four-motion feed. I prefer that
the feed-pawl should have three teeth as above stated in order that the feeding of
the strip may be made absolutely certain, as it is sure that one of the teeth at
least will find the shank of the tack in the forward movement of the pawl. The
said pawl has the outward movement at the end of the forward throw for the
reason that the forward tooth is moved into the throat of the machine and must
be withdrawn therefrom before the descent of the driver-rod. These movements
are given by the cam D and the following mechanism, namely:-The bell-crank
lever f pivoted at f³, and bearing at the end of the arm f', a cam-pin d¹, and
connected at the end of its other arm f5 and by a connection which will permit
of a suitable adjustment with the lever fe at the upper end of the rock-shaft f'.
This shaft has suitable bearings in the frame, and carries at its lower end the
lever f8, through which the short shaft or the pivot fº extends. This pivot or
shaft supports the lever f10 and also the lever or arm f", and has the extension ₤12
carrying the nut f¹³, between which and the upper surface of the lever f" is the
coiled spring f". This construction clamps the levers or arms f10, f" to the lever fe

page_text: with sufficient friction to provent them from turning on the said lever f8, except
one of the arms comes in contact with a stationary stop; the washers f 15 are
interposed between the two arms and the lever f³ to assist in the clamping action
of the said devices. The lower arm f10 supports the pawl.
The operation of this feeding mechanism is as follows, that is to say, supposing
the position of the pawl to be that shown in Figure 45, the cam in revolving
causes the shaft f' to partially revolve, and thereby move the lever 8 sufficiently
to throw the inner end of the arm f10, and consequently the pawl, a distance
sufficient to cause the latter to enter the feed way; the end of the lever f 10 then
comes in contact with a stop, and thus prevents its further movement in that
direction; as however the revolution of the shaft f' still continues, the movement
of the arm f10 must be converted into a forward or straight movement, and as it
can move on the centre fº against the stress of the friction it is caused to. be
advanced forward and thereby feeds the tack-strip, moving slightly on the centre ₤10
while so doing, and the lever f8 also moves upon the centre of the shaft f. Upon
the reverse movement of the shaft f, which occurs at the end of the feed motion,
the lever first throws or moves outward the arm f10 until the arm f" comes in
contact with the stop 17, when the movement is again converted from that of
an arc of a circle to a straight one, and the feed-pawl is returned upon that line
to its original position preparatory to again feeding.
8
G is a knife attached to the driver rod and reciprocating therewith in the
passage g. It serves to sever that portion of the tack supporting strip from which
the tacks have been driven from the remainder of the strip. This motion may be
operated in the ordinary manner, or it may be provided with automatic starting
and stopping motions adapted to be operated by the act of presenting the work to
receive a tack or fastening, or by means of a treadle.
The mechanism for automatically starting and stopping the machine is best
represented in Figures 25, 26, 27, and 28.
Figure 25 is an elevation of one side of the mechanism, and
Figure 26 an elevation of the opposite side of the same.
Figure 27 is a detail view, and
Figure 28 a vertical section of the throat and adjacent parts.
A. represents the throat of the machine, and a, the end of the nozzle. The main
shaft D is supplied with the spider d and the driven pulley d¹. This driven pulley
is loose upon the shaft and is adapted to be moved to and from the spider by
mechanism consisting of the lever d³ pivoted at ³, and secured to the pulley by
means of a yoke, or in any other desired manner, and having the recess d* formed
therein, the spring d³, the lever de pivoted at d to another lever d³, which is
pivoted at do, and is reciprocated by means of the cam-groove 10 in the edge of
the cam-wheel or disc d upon the main shaft, the upper end of the said lever d
having a cam pin which projects into the said cam-groove.
The end d¹³ of the
lever do is shaped substantially as shown in Figure 26, and acts in conjunction
with the recess d and the side d¹³ of the lever as a latch in holding the said
lever, and consequently the driven pulley against the stress of the spring d³ and
out of contact with the spider. Upon the downward movement of the end d¹ of
this lever, however, the latch is tripped, and the spring d³ draws the pulley into
contact with the spider, and therefore the machine is set in motion. The operation
of this lever de so that the latch may be tripped and also returned to its original
position to be again tripped, depends upon two features, namely, first the horizontal
movement of the lever, and, second, the vertical movement of the end or latch d¹³.
This last named movement is produced in this instance by means of the bell crank
lever d, which is pivoted at d¹s to the sliding plate do, the end 7 of the lever
resting upon the top of this bell crank lever d¹. It follows therefore that upon
the lifting of the bell-crank lever the end d17 of the lever d¹ is raised and its
other end depressed.
I have herein described the bell-crank lever as being attached to a sliding
plate do which is adapted to be lifted by means of the foot ¹s adjustably attached

page_text: to the lower end of the sliding plate, and located in relation to the nozzle a of the
machine, substantially as shewn in Figure 28. Upon presenting the work to be
tacked to the action of the machine, first comes in contact with the end of the
foot, and before the machine can be operated, the said foot is lifted so that the work
will come in contact with the end of the nozzle. This lifting of the foot causes
the bell-crank lever to be raised, thereby tripping the latch and permitting the
driven pulley to come into contact with the spider. It is necessary however when
the method of operating the latch is employed, to provide means whereby the
lever do may be moved to a position to again engage with the catch before the
driving of another tack, and for this purpose I employ the cam do and the
spring and construct the end d of the lever and the bell crank lever d¹ in
such a manner that the lever may be moved horizontally, and when moved
sufficiently engage with the catch. The movements given by the cam and the
spring will be readily understood, but the connection between the end of the bell-
crank lever and the end d of the connecting lever is not so apparent, I will
therefore describe it more minutely. The end of the lever de is bent inwardly in
a horizontal direction at a right angle therewith, and consequently the said end
slides off the top of the bell-crank at certain times and falls beyond it, that is to
say, when the cam do throws it back horizontally to enable the latch to engage
with the catch. The cam then moves the lever forward again, consequently moving
the lever d², and causing it to disengage the driven pulley from the spider, and in
so doing the end d17 will come in contact with the side of the upper end of the bell-
crank lever unless the work has been withdrawn from the nozzle and permits the
sliding plate to fall. Therefore the bell-crank lever must be arranged to yield
horizontally in the direction of the said lever d; this is accomplished by pivoting
it at d¹³, as described. Upon removing the work from the nozzle the sliding plate
and its foot fall, and the end of the bell-crank lever is then brought to its original
position under the end of the lever do by means of the spring do, which is attached
to the end d of the bell-crank lever and to the stationary projection d of the
frame. This spring not only causes the bell-crank lever to be brought into an
upright position, but it also acts to force downwardly or return to their original
position the sliding plate and the foot (18. A stop d³ prevents the bell-crank
lever from being moved from a vertical position except in the direction described.
In lieu of actuating the starting and stopping mechanism as aboved described, I
may employ a treadle for this purpose. I then employ the construction shewn in
Figures 47, 48, and 49, in which A is a treadle for operating the jack A', as herein-
after described. D is the treadle for operating the starting and stopping mechanism.
D¹ is an arm which in part is the equivalent of the lever de in Figure 26; this arm
has at its end the latch d, which engages with the pin d' on the lever d², which
lever is the same as the lever d' shewn in Figure 20. A connecting rod d³ connects
the end of the treadle D with the latch arm. As the treadle is pivoted at d*, it
follows that upon the downward movement of its front end its rear end is lifted,
thereby lifting the latch-arm, dropping the latch, and permitting the movable
member of the clutch to engage with the fixed member, as hereinbefore described.
Then by gravity the latch falls upon the pin, and it is operated by the cam to
unship the clutch, as above described in connection with Figures 25 and 26.
In connection with this power tacking machine I employ, when the same is used
for lasting purposes, a jack of novel construction, and if desired lasting plates,
arranged so that the jack can move the last and the upper thereon from the tacking
machine to the lasting plates. This part of my Invention is illustrated in Figures
24, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and 47.
Figure 39 is a front elevation of an organized machine representing the lasting
plates and the jack and its supporting mechanism.
Figures 31, 32, and 33 are details of the treadle mechanism for supporting and
operating the jack.
Figure 34 is a plan or top view of the machine shewn in Figure 30.

page_text: rga 53332
mechanism.
Figure 36 is a view of the upper portion of the said jack supporting mechanism.
Figure 37 illustrates more especially the yielding guide or rest H.
Figure 38 represents in elevation a portion of the mechanism shewn in Figure 35;
and
Figure 39 is a horizontal section of a part of the same mechanism.
Figures 24 and 29 illustrate a jack of a somewhat different construction from
that shewn in the above named Figures, and also a slightly different form of the
guide or rest H.
喜
In describing the jack and lasting plates Figures 30 to 39 are more particularly
referred to. C is the jack, which may be of any suitable construction for holding
the last at its heel and toe. The said jack and the adjusting mechanism, herein-
after described, are supported by the rod c, which is hinged or pivotted at its lower
end c¹ to the arin, or lever c³, so that the said rod c can be moved in any horizontal
direction in relation to the post A. The hinge connection, to be more specific,
consists of the socket c³ supporting the rod c, and having downwardly projecting
lugs or ears c, which straddle the plate or sleeve c, to which they are fastened by
the pivot c. The plate is adapted to swivel upon the pivot c', projecting hori-
zontally from the end of the lever c²; this lever is pivoted at its inner end c to a
suitable support, and has projecting from its side an arm c³, which connects the
lever with the treadle lever co; this connection is shewn in Figure 31. The
treadle lever is pivoted at c¹¹. Between the rod c and the jack C there are two
devices for adjusting the position of the jack. The first or upper device D consists
in appliances for changing the inclination of the last while it is being revolved in
presenting the work to the fastening driving appliances, and the second device E
is a simple device for varying the position of the jack in relation to the axis of the
rod. The last device comprises a plate e, from the upper end of which projects
upwardly the arm or plate e', and which has the curved slot e² near its lower end;
this slotted plate is pivotted at e to the plate e, which is fastened to the upper end
of the rod c by a set screw and socket e. The plate e is locked in any desired position
in relation to the plate es by means of the screw stud e', which is fastened to the
plate e, and projects through the slot e² and the thumb screw e8.
The device D for automatically changing the inclination of the jack or the level
of the surface of the insole consists of the arm or plate e¹, above referred to, and
the block d upon which the jack rests, as shown in Figure 35, and which is pivoted
to the plate e' by the pivot d'. This block d contains a shaft d², which is fastened
at its upper end to the lower part d' of the jack, and revolves therewith; the
said shaft carries the bevel gear-wheel d³, which engages with the bevel gear-
wheel d; this bevel gear-wheel do has a cylindrical extension or barrel, across the
face of which is cut a long slot at d; it has a bearing in the block d. In the slot
at d' is a block ds, arranged to be adjusted therein when desired, and from which
projects the stud or pin, that extends through the slot d¹º in the upper part of
the plate e¹.
This pin or stud plays up and down, from the axial centre of the gear wheel de
when it is desired to throw or move the block d in relation to the plate or
arm e¹, and is in substance an adjustable crank pin, by varying the position of
which in relation to the said centre of the bevel gear-wheel the extent of movement
of the said block d is controlled and regulated.
The method of adjusting the stud or pin in the recess d, and the manner of
locking it in position by means of the thumb screw d¹¹, may be effected as shewn
in Figures 38 and 39; or the block may be made in two parts, and a projecting
ledge on either side of the recess extended between them sufficiently to permit them
to be clamped thereon by the stud or pin which passes from the inner plate to
which it is rigidly fastened through the outer block, the sleeve, or roll which
surrounds the stud and the thumb screw d¹¹.

page_text: In order that the jack may not turn too easily upon the block d I interpose the
coiled spring f surrounding the lower end of the shaft between the nut f' and
the lower surface of the block d, which spring acts to draw the jack to the block
with stress enough to create sufficient friction for the purpose between the two
parts.
A bracket or support G, through which the post c passes, and which is fastened
to the standard A, holds the jack and its supporting mechanism in an upright
position.
I have shewn in the Drawings plates for lasting the heel only, but it will be
obvious from the following description that toe lasting plates can be used in lieu
theroof, or that they can be arranged at the right hand of the standard, and be used
in connection with the heel lasting plates.
These heel lasting plates are shown as attached to the end of the arm G¹,
projecting laterally froin the standard, but they may be supported by an indepen-
dent frame if desired. They are pivoted at g', and are provided with the arms g²,
which extend rearwards, and upwardly projecting pins ³, which enter the curved
slots g' in the lever g³, which is pivoted at go. It is obvious that the movement of
the lever closes or opens the jaws or plates g according to the direction of the
movement of the lever.
These lasting plates should have such a location in relation to the fastening-driving
device that the jack c can be moved from the one to the other; or in case the
lasting plates are used additionally to them, and if for any reason the surface of the
insole becomes inclined from a horizontal position, or substantially a horizontal
position on account of this movement, the said plates may be operated on a corre-
sponding level instead of on a horizontal plane.
I do not confine myself however to the method of operating the lasting plates
described and shewn, neither do I confine myself to the hinged lasting plates
described, but I may use in lieu thereof any of the well known constructions.
It will be seen from this description that the act of placing the work in proper
position for receiving the fastening starts the fastening driving mechanism, drives
the said fastening, and stops the mechanism; and as the work is presented to the
nozzle of the fastening-driving machine by means of a foot treadle, it will also be
observed that the act of depressing the treadle not only places the work in proper
position to receive the fastening, but also causes the fastening-driving machine to
be actuated. It will be obvious that the connection between the treadle and jack
and the fastening driving machine, whereby the fastening may be driven upon
work being brought into the proper position in relation to the nozzle to receive the
fastening, may be somewhat different in construction from that above described,
and yet be the equivalent therefor.
This method of operating the machine would be produced if the treadle had for
instance an independent arm or rod connecting it directly with the device for
starting the machine, whereby when the work is placed in proper position the
machine would by that act of positioning be put in operation; or the connection
may be between the jack itself or any portion of its supporting mechanism and
the actuating mechanism of the fastening driving machines, or a properly located
device to be moved by hand for thus operating the fastening driving machines
might be employed.
In order that the work may be easily guided or directed, or steadied while it is
being lifted to the nozzle of the fastening driving device, I have arranged at the
rear of the nozzle the guide H, see Figure 37.
It will be obvious that I may use the tack driving mechanism herein described
for other purposes than for lasting the uppers of boots and shoes without departing
from the principle of this Invention.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,
First. A machine for the manufacture of tack-strips constructed and organized
.

page_text: substantially as herein described, or one or more parts thereof adapted to operate
or co-operate as above specified.
Second. The mechanism for lasting the uppers of boots and shoes, and for
fastening the edge thereof to the insole, shown in Figures 10, 11, 12, and 13, and
the combination of any two or more elements therein, as shown, and adapted to co-
operate as set forth..
'
Third. The hand tack-driving machine, shewn in Figures 14, 15, 17, 18, 22, and
23, and the combination of any two or more elements of the said machine, adapted
to co-operate as above described.
:
Fourth. A machine for driving tacks from a tack-supporting strip by mechanical
power, substantially as shewn in Figures 25, 26, 27, 28, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48,
and 49, or any combination of two or more elements therein, shewn and adapted to
.co-operate as above described.
Fifth. An organized mechanical power tack-driving machine, having automatic
starting and stopping motion or mechanism adapted to be operated by the act of
placing the work in position to receive the tack, or while the work is in position to
receive the tack and to drive one or a given number, of tacks, and then automatically
stop.
Sixth. The organized lasting and tacking machine shown in Figure 24, Figures
29 to 39, and Figures 47 to 49, and the combination of any two or more elements
therein, shown and adapted to co-operate as above described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Harris Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty eighth day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
HENRY H. LAKE. (L.S.)