Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Mar., 1886.
Complete Left, 4th Dec., 1886.
Complete Accepted, 5th Jan., 1887.
I ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The lasts used by shoemakers in the manufacture of boots are divided into iwo
parts which are joined by wedges or screws and the wear and tear of these latter is so
great that, the lasts cannot be used after a certain time.
To avoid this the wedges or screws for the joining of the two pieces of the last are
replaced by a suitable spring which fits into and is drawn into a hole or recess in the
last for the purpose of joining the two parts thereof.
In a line with the head of the spring is a groove in the upper part of the last to
allow a hook to be introduced in the head of the spring to withdraw this for the
purpose of separating the two parts of the last.
The spring may also consist of a rigid piece provided with a spring which piece
then has a hole for the introduction of the hook for the withdrawal of the spring from
the last.

page_text: I ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
M.I.M.I. 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 :-
The last used by shoemakers in the manufacture of shoes are divided into two parts
i.c. the last itself and the instep block which are joined by pins or screws and the
wear and tear of the latter is so great that the lasts cannot be used after a certain
time.
To avoid this the pins or screws for the joining of the two parts of the last are
replaced by a suitable tempered steel spring which is bent and curved as represented.
In the accompanying drawings: :-
Figure 1 represents a longitudinal section of a last provided with the spring.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the spring.
Figure 3 is a key by which the spring may be replaced.
Figure is a longitudinal section of a last representing a modication of the
fastening.
Figure 5 is a transverse section on line a. y. of Figure 4.
The spring, the form of which is sufficiently indicated in Fig. 2 fits into and is
driven into a hole or recess in the last for the purpose of joining the two parts A and
B thereof. In penetrating the recess the two. blades of the spring bend and thus
firmly hold the two parts of the last together.
In a line with the head of, the spring C is a groove in the instep block A to
allow a hook to be introduced into the head of the spring to withdraw this latter for
the purpose of separating the two parts of the last.
The spring may be replaced by a rigid key D. Figure 3 provided with a
spring to hold it in place in the recess of the last. It is further provided with a hole T
for the introduction of a hook or other suitable instrument to withdraw the key from
the last.
Figures 4 and 5 represent a modification of the employment of the spring C. The
two parts A and B of the last are also provided with the recess as in Figure 1 but in
the recess of the part B is fixed rigidly an undulating or corrugated steel blade L.
When the spring C is driven into this recess to join the two parts of the last, its two
arms will adapt themselves and fit against the corrugations or undulations of the
blade L which will further increase the hold of the spring C. To withdraw the latter
a groove E is arranged in the instep block for the introduction of a hook or other
suitable instrument into the head of the spring.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention
as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent and in what manner the same is
to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
1. In shoemakers lasts the method of joining the instep block to the last by means
of a spring such as C or spring key such as D operating substantially as specified.
2. The combination with a spring such as C of a corrugated or undulated blade
such as L said spring and blade being constructed and operating substantially as and
for the purpose specified.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents.