Improvements in Devices for Connecting Together the Parts of Lasts for Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 6th June, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 27th Feb., 1894-Accepted, 7th Apr., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Devices for Connecting Together the Parts of Lasts
for Boots and Shoes.
1, FRANÇOIS PIATTON, of Nimes Department of Gard, in the Republic of
France, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to a device for connecting or fastening together the two
parts of lasts employed in the manufacture of boots and shoes that is to say, the
movable portion or wedge, and the main-body of the last.
The improved fastening device which is intended as an advantageous substitute
for the screw hitherto generally used for the purpose will apply as readily to
existing as to new forms of lasts." It consists in the employment of a vertical rod
fitted by means of a spring within the body of the last so that it may be raised,
and turned freely about its own axis, the said rod being provided at its upper end
with a hook or beak.
When the rod is turned in such a manner that the hook or beak takes up its
position underneath the wedge, the end of such hook engages in a recess provided
in the said wedge and is rigidly retained in this position by the action of a spring
which constantly tends to draw the rod downwards so that the wedge is securely
locked in position. In order to release the said wedge the rod is raised, against the
resistance of the spring, sufficiently to enable the hook to leave the recess where-
upon the rod is turned about its axis through an angle of 180° and the wedge is
thereby loosened and may be removed without difficulty.
According to my said invention the fastening device consists of a rod terminating
in a hook at its upper end and in a head at its lower end, the said rod being
located within a recess or opening formed in the body of the last. A metal plate
having a perforation of a sufficient diameter to afford a passage for the rod
closes the recess or opening and serves as a support or rest for the end of a spiral
spring, the opposite end of which bears on the head of the rod within the recess or
opening.
The rod is placed upon the last in such a manner that when the wedge is secured
in place, this rod engages with a notch formed in the rear-end of the wedge, so as
to prevent any lateral displacement of the same. The wedge is also provided with
an opening adapted to receive the end of the beak or hook.
When it is desired to remove the wedge it is only necessary to raise the hook and
turn it through an angle of 180° whereupon it is allowed to drop so that its point
enters a notch provided in the main-body of the last.
As the hook then projects only a very short distance above the surface of the
last it is easy to remove the wedge by pulling it backwards. Moreover a groove
provided in the lower surface of the rear end of the wedge enables it to slide along
the hook without rising from the inclined seat upon which it rests.
Dated this 6th day of June 1893.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in Devices for Connecting Together the Parts of Lasts
for Boots and Shoes.
I, FRANÇOIS PIATTON of Nimes Department of Gard in the Republic of
France, Manufacturer, 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 a device for connecting or fastening together the two
parts of lasts employed in the manufacture of boots and shoes, that is to say, the
movable portion or wedge, and the main body of the last.
The improved fastening device which is intended as an advantageous substitute
for the screw hitherto generally used for the purpose will apply as readily to
existing as to new forms of lasts. It consists in the employment of a vertical rod
fitted by means of a spring within the body of the last so that it may be raised, and
turned freely about its own axis, the said rod being provided at its upper end with
a hook or beak.
When the rod is turned in such a manner that the hook or beak is above the
wedge, the end of such hook engages in a recess provided in the said wedge and is
rigidly retained in this position by the action of a spring which constantly tends to
draw the rod downwards, so that the wedge is securely locked in position. In order
to release the said wedge the rod is raised, against the resistance of the spring,
sufficiently to enable the hook to leave the recess; whereupon the rod is turned
about its axis through an angle of 180° and the wedge is thereby loosened and may
be removed without difficulty.
In the accompanying drawing,
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a last, partly in section provided with the improved
fastening device, which is shewn in the position which it assumes when the wedge B
is secured to the main body A of the last.
Figure 2 is a plan of the last, with the wedge removed and the fastening-beak or
hook shewn in the position which it occupies when the rod is turned, in order to
disengage the wedge.
A is the body of the last B is the wedge C is the fastening hook or beak, the
rod C of which terminates in a head C2 which is located within a recess or
opening D formed in the body of the last. A metal plate E having a perforation
of a sufficient diameter to afford a passage for the rod C¹ closes the recess or
opening D and serves as a support or rest for the end of a spiral spring F the
opposite end of which bears on the head C' of the rod C¹.
The rod C is placed upon the last in such a manner that when the wedge B is
secured in place, this rod engages with a notch B' formed in the rear-end of the
wedge, so as to prevent any lateral displacement of the same. The wedge is also
provided with an opening B' adapted to receive the end of the beak or hook C as
shewn in Figure 1.
When it is desired to remove the wedge it is only necessary to raise the hook C
and turn it through an angle of 180°, whereupon it is allowed to drop so that its
point enters a notch A' provided in the main-body of the last. As the hook then
occupies the position shewn in Figure 2, and projects only a very short distance
above the surface of the last, it is easy to remove the wedge A by pulling it back-
wards. Moreover a groove B³ provided in the lower surface of the rear end of the
wedge enables it to slide along the hook without rising from the inclined seat A
upon which it rests.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, declare that what I
claim is :-
The device hereinabove described for fastening wedges to lasts such as are
employed in the manufacture of boots and shoes mainly consisting in the
employment of a vertical rod fitted by means of a spring within the body of the last
in such manner that it may be turned about its own axis and raised; such rod
terminating externally, at its upper part, in a bent piece having the shape of a
hook or beak, adapted either to engage with the wedge or to release the wedge
when turned through an angle of 180° about its own axis; substantially as described
and shown.
Dated thin 07th Jan of Wa1004
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.