IMPROVEMENTS IN SHOEMAKERS TOOLS FOR REPAIRING AND MAKING BOOTS AND SHOES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Ernest Charles Keay, of the Firm of E. C. and J. Keay, of
Birmingham, Iron Merchants, and William Edward Partridge, also of Birming-
hain, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SHOEMAKERS TOOLS FOR
REPAIRING AND MAKING BOOTS AND SHOES."
Sealed the 4th February 1879, and dated the 23rd August 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Ernest Charles Keay and
William Edward Partridge at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on
the 23rd August 1878.
ERNEST CHARLES KEAY, of the Firm of E. C. and J. Keay, of Birmingham, Iron
Merchants, and WILLIAM EDWARD PARTRIDGE, also of Birmingham. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN SHOEMAKERS TOOLS FOR REPAIRING AND MAKING BOOTS AND SHOES."
This Invention relates to improvements in shoemakers tools for repairing and
making boots and shoes, and consists :-
First. In forming a reversible repairing last, with one end suitable for small-sized
boots and shoes, and the other end for larger sizes. These lasts would generally be
made by casting or forming the two toe lasts in one piece, and the two heel lasts
in one piece, which would be hinged together at any part of their length, but
preferably at about one-third of the total length from the small end, the distance of
the heel from the toe piece being regulated by a screw passing through either side
of the joint.
We make a suitable stand for supporting this reversible double-ended last on the
hinge pivot, so that either end may be turned up without removal from the
stand.
Secondly. In making the toe pieces of repairing lasts loose, so that the toe can be
removed and smaller or larger toe pieces used with the same heel piece or pieces and
stand. This is accomplished by forming a projecting piece on each of the toe lasts
to fit into a suitable recess cast or formed in the leg pioce of the last, or the pro-

page_text: jecting piece may be on the leg part of the last and the recess in the toe pieces of
the lasts.
Thirdly. We use in conjunction with such compound repairing lasts suitable loose
waist or instep pieces, which are made in varying sizes, to drop between the front
and back part of the lasts, thus filling up the objectionable gap which is at present
formed in such compound lasts. The three parts are secured together by the afore-
said screw or other suitable fastening.
Fourthly. We construct lasts for making shoes in several pieces as follows:-The
toe piece is formed in two longitudinal parts hinged at the top or other part of the
instep, so as to open out for making broader shoes. The heel part is made in
various sizes, with a dovetail projection for dropping into a suitable recess left in
the back of the toe pieces.
In other cases we form the toe pieces of a centre strip in various thicknesses with
pins and screws for securing the three together.
Fifthly. We use in conjunction with the tool for punching out clumps and heels
a strong spiral or other spring which projects below the cutting edge of the tool,
bearing directly upon the piece to be cut, so that when the pressure is brought upon
the knife the spring produces the reaction for bringing the knife back to position.
More than one spring may be used, although one would generally be sufficient.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Ernest Charles Keay and William Edward Partridge in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 22nd February 1879.
ERNEST CHARLES KEAY, of the Firm of E. C. and J. Keay, of Birmingham, Iron
Merchants, and WILLIAM EDWARD PARTRIDGE, also of Birmingham. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN SHOEMAKERS TOOLS FOR REPAIRING AND MAKING BOOTS AND SHOES."
This Invention relates to improvements in shoomakers tools for repairing and
making boots and shoes, and consists :-
First. In forming a reversible repairing last with one end suitable for small-sized
boots and shoes, and the other end for larger sizes. These lasts would generally be
made by casting or forming the two toe laats in one piece, and the two heel lasts in
one piece, which would be hinged together at any part of their length, but prefer-
ably at about one-third of the total length from the small end, the distance of the
heel from the toc piece being regulated by a screw passing through either side of
the joint.
We make a suitable stand for supporting this reversible double-ended last on the
hingo pivot, so that either end may be turned up without removal from the
stand.
Figure 1 is a side elevation, and Figure 2 is a back elevation, of a reversible
last E mounted upon the stand F, but with the pivot G shown at the centre of its
length; the distance of the heel to the too boing regulated by the hand wheel and
screw H.
A modification of this plan is shown by Figure 3, side elevation, and Figure 4,
plan, where the distance of the toe to the heel piece is regulated by a link and
screw J.
Another mode of regulating the distance of the toe and heel piece is by the
lever K. and thumb-nut L, shown by Figure 5, sido elevation, and Figure 6, plan.
Secondly. In making the toe pieces of repairing lasts loose, so that the toe can be
removed and smaller or larger toe pieces used with the same heel piece or pieces and
stand. This is accomplished by forming a projecting piece on each of the too lasts
to fit into a suitable recess cast or formed in the leg piece of the last, or the pro-
jecting piece may be on the leg part of the last and the recess in the toe pieces of
the last.
Figure 7 is a side clevation, and Figure 8 a back elevation, of a last with a loose
large toe piece M and a loose small toe piece N which may be instantly exchanged
for each other, and this combined with the adjustable heel piece O, which is secured
into any position by the hand wheel and screw P, make the last adaptable to almost
any sized boot or shoe.
In some cases we make the heel piece partially self-adjusting by means of the
spiral or other spring Q, as shown by Figures 9 and 10, which is confined in its
travel by the stop R, and it may be brought against the toe piece by simple
pressure, or by using the lever W, which would sometimes be fitted to the lasts.
These heel pieces may either be hinged, as shown by Figure 7, or simply working
in a socket, as shown by Figure 9.
Thirdly. We use in conjunction with such compound repairing lasts suitable loose
waist or instep pieces S, as shown by Figures 11 and 12, which are made in varying
sizes, to drop between the front and back part of the lasts, thus filling up the objec-
tionable gap which is at present formed in such compound lasts. The three parts
are secured together by the aforesaid screw or other suitable fastening.
Fourthly. We construct lasts for making shoes in several pieces as follows :―The
toe is formed in two longitudinal parts hinged at the top or toe end, as shown by
Figures 13 and 14, with a small heel piece, as in Figure 13, or a large heel piece, as
in Figure 14, for dropping into suitable recesses in the toe pieces a, a, a, a, Figures
13 and 14; or the whole last may be split, and hinged at the top of the instep, as

page_text: shown by Figures 15, 16, and 17, where j is the hinge and b is the screw for drawing
the last together.
In other cases we form the toe pieces of a centre strip in various thicknesses, with
pins and screws for securing the three together, as shown by Figures 18, 19, and 20,
where T is the centre piece, which may be made of any thickness. These pieces may
be put together by screws, as shewn by d, or pins, as dotted in by e, or dovetails, as
shown by ff, the purpose being to form a broad or narrow last with the same sides.
Fifthly. We use in conjunction with the tool for punching out clumps and heels a
strong spiral or other spring which projects below the cutting edge of the tool,
bearing directly upon the piece to be cut, so that when the pressure is brought
upon the knife the spring produces the reaction for bringing the knife back to
position.
The details will be clearly understood by referring to Figures 21, 22, 23, and 24,
where Figure 21 is a single spring, which would act either direct upon the leather
or through the plate, instead of spiral springs, as shown by Figures 22, 23,
and 24.
More than one spring may be used, as shown by the plan, Figure 23, the longi-
tudinal section, Figure 22, on line A, B, and the cross section, Figure 24, on line
O, D, where the springs g work upon the pins h, which are rivetted or otherwiso
fastened to the plate U which projects above the edge of the knife V, the pins being
secured to the knife by the eye studs k. The tools for cutting the heels would bo
similarly made.
Having described our Invention, and some of the means which we adopt in
carrying the same into effect, what we claim is,-
1st. The reversible repairing last, and as shown and described.
2nd. Making the toe pieces of repairing lasts changeable and self-expanding by n
spring; this last wo call the "Perfect" repairing last, and as shown and described.
3rd. Filling the gap between the heel and too of Insts with varying sized instep
pieces, and as shown and described.
4th. Constructing shoemaking lasts so as to be variable in size, as shown and
described.
5th. Protecting the edge of sole and heel cutting tools, as shown and described.
In witness whereof, we, the said Ernest Charles Keay and William Edward
Partridge, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Nineteenth day of
February, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy
nine.
ERNEST CHARLES KEAY.
(L.B.)
WILLIAM EDWARD PARTRIDGE. (L.S.)
Witnessed by
THOMAS HIPWOOD,
Clerk to George Barker,
27, Colmore Row,
Patent Agent and Consulting Engineer,
Birmingham.