An Improved Last for Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Dec., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 25th July, 1890-Accepted, 30th Aug., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Last for Boots and Shoes.
I, THOMAS ELI BRANSON, of No. 2 Lorne Road, Northampton, Boot and Shoe
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
The object of my invention is to provide a last for boots and shoes constructed in
such a manner as to enable the said boots shoes and like articles to be placed thereon
and removed therefrom without straining and also so simply that the last may be
readily put together and taken to pieces and may be manufactured at very small
cost.
I build up my last of three pieces of wood or other suitable material fitting together
without bolts screws &c., and almost instantly fitting into each other when placed
together.
I form the toe and part of the body of the foot or front as the first piece dividing it at
about the ankle from the heel part. At the junction I form in the end of this too or
front piece a tongue or dovetail; commencing about the position of the junction of the
toes I cut away the upper part of the foot leaving a central longitudinal tongue
extending backwardly.
·
The remainder of the foot and the heel I form together as the second portion,
continuing the cutting away of the upper part until such cut runs out and I groove or
socket the end of this second part to receive the tongue or dovetail projecting from
the corresponding end of the first part and into which groove or socket it. engages.
The third or-top-piece or block forms the front or top of the foot-and-is grooved to
receive the flat tongue or projection left in the cut away part of the first portion and
is also shaped and formed of sufficient depth to fill up the space so left. This portion
is continued to meet the ordinary upright stand usually used with lasts.
Dated this 6th day of December 1889.
POPPLEWELL & Co.,
17 & 18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Last for Boots and Shoes.
I THOMAS ELI BRANSON of No. 2 Lorne Road Northampton Boot and Shoe
Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of my invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
The object of my invention is to provide a last for boots shoes and similar articles
constructed in such a manner that articles may be placed thereon or removed there-
from without strain and so that the last may be readily put together and taken to
pieces.
I build up my last with three blocks or pieces of wood or suitable material such
blocks or pieces fitting accurately securely and readily together and in such a
manner that no bolts, screws springs or the like are required and the blocks are
quickly and easily detached when desired.
Referring to the accompanying sheet of drawings and to the figures and letters of
reference thereon:
Figure 1, is an elevation or view of my improved last the blocks or pieces being in
position.
Figure 2, is a view of the front block or toe portion of the last detached to shew
mode of fastening.

page_text: Figure 3, is a view of the hinder or heel portion of the last also detached.
Figure 4, is a view of the upper block, detached.
I form the front of the last or toe block as shewn in Figure 2 dividing it from the
heel transversely at or near the ankle and at the junction I form on the front A
a tongue (or dovetail) B to engage with a corresponding dovetail (or tongue) C
on the front A¹ of the heel or hinder block, Figure 3.
At or near the position of the roots of the toes I cut away the upper part of the
blocks as shewn at D-D leaving a central longitudinal tongue E.
I also cut away a portion of the heel block as at D' to correspond with the cut away
portions D D of the front block. The heel portion is formed as shewn in Figure 3,
the front A' having a tongue C to engage with B (or a slot as before described).
The upper portion Figure 4 completes the last and forms the front or top of
the foot, and is grooved as shewn by dotted lines at F, to receive the flat tongue
or projection E on the front block. This upper portion or block Figure 4 is
shaped so as to complete the foot and is continued backwardly to meet the ordinary
upright stand usually used and for insertion of which a slot or hole is formed in the
heel block as at G.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is―
1. The last for boots, shoes & the like constructed as herein described and as shewn
by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 25th day of Tul 1900
POPPLEWELL & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant