of the Feet and for similar Purposes.
Year: 1887

page_text: of the Feet and for similar Purposes.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co. Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 :-
My invention relates to an apparatus for taking the correct measure of the foot,
and for grading the soles and uppers of shoes and consists in the construction and
combination of devices as I shall hereinafter fully describe and claim.
To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention I will now describe
the manner in which I have carried it out, reference being had to the accompanying
drawings in which
Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a complete apparatus for grading shoes and
measuring feet.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through X X of figure 1.
Figure 3 is a transverse section through 1-1 of figure 2.
Figure 4 shows the application of measure for grading the uppers and bottoms
separately and jointly.
Figure 5 shows the vertical scale rod with measure attached.
Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, A represents the frame in which the apparatus is
placed and to which the rear or heel section of the bed is rigidly attached by any
convenient and well known means. B represents the bed of my apparatus placed
within the frame A, and divided into sections 1. 2. 3 and 4, as plainly shown in said
figures, the said sections being held in position and operated by the screw B¹. This
screw is constructed with a varying pitch, as shown in figure 2 the larger diameter
being that portion of the screw connecting sections 2 and 3, whereby these two sections
are separated from each other twice the distance that the other sections are separated
by the same movement of the screw B. The object gained by this local difference in
the pitch of the screw B₁ is the preservation of the proportion of the soles when
graded for the different sizes of shoes, an important point, which will be readily

page_text: understood and appreciated by any one skilled in the art to which this invention
appertains.
By this means when grading the length of the sole for a larger sized shoe, the
increased length of the shoe is properly distributed along its whole body according to
the laws governing the natural growth of the foot. On the opposite sides of the
frame I prefer to insert the guide rods E passing through the several sections thereby
securing an even and parallel movement of the several sections when acted on by the
screw B. The end of each section of the bed is provided with dove-tailed grooves b
see figures 1 and 3, for adjustably securing the parallel transverse plates C¹ C
whereby the adjustment of the several parts of the apparatus is secured as will now
be explained.
On plates is laterally adjusted the toe plate D' see figure 1 having one or more
sleeves in which move the spring pins d'. By pressing down the pins they will make
the toe line on the diagram and give the size as will be hereinafter explained, the same
result being obtained if the diagram is pressed down upon the pins or if the pins be
rigid instead of yielding.
On plates C are laterally adjusted the devices for marking the exact contour of
the sides of the foot.
These devices are composed of metallic blocks E' and E" of peculiar shape as shown
in figure 1 of the drawing.
The plates are provided with a graduated scale on their outer top edges and the
blocks E' E are perforated transversely to receive parallel rows of horizontal pins e
projecting from the vertical bars e, the pins of the upper row in each block being
provided with coiled springs as shown in figure 3. Each of the vertical bars e carries
a sleeve in which spring pins d' slide freely like those in the toepiece before described.
These pins are marked with numbers, the even numbers on the one side and the odd
numbers on the other side, so as show exactly where any irregularity in the shape
of the foot occurs. It is evident from this description of the blocks EE" with their
arrangement of spring bars, that the vertical bars e will align themselves exactly with
the contour of the foot placed on the floor or foot rest D, with the heel against the
heel piece m, and the toe in position against the toe piece. While the foot is in this
position the spring pins d' are all pressed down with their sharp points marking on a
suitable diagram placed upon the bed plate under the foot, the exact shape of the out-
line of the foot at these points, which must be taken into account and accommodated
in order to secure ease and comfort in the shoe. It being understood that the same
result may be obtained by pressing the diagram against the pointed pins in which case
the pins will have their points upward or if desired the springs may be omitted without
departing from the spirit of my invention.
The block E" which is placed against the outside of the foot is swivelled on its
adjustable slide while the block E' may be swivelled or not as may be desired.
While the devices thus far described will grade correctly the length or number of
the foot, and the width of the sole, it would be very incomplete if it did not also grade
the size or number of the upper.
To provide for this, I place on each end of the plate C" a measuring scale, the one
side showing the different sizes of the shoe, and the other side determining the grade
of the upper.
The end of the flexible measuring strap F is first applied to say figure 5, if a No. 5
shoe is needed. The measure is then passed down through a slot, made through the
plate F representing the outer sole of the shoe, then under and over the foot and
drawn up through slot f', in the plate F", on the opposite side, and the end of the
measure placed on the scale on the end of the other plate C for grading the upper.
The operation readily determines by drawing the strap whether the measure indicates
a 5 B or 5 C, or 5D. The space between the plates F and F indicates the shape and
size of the inner sole of the shoc, while the outer edges of these plates indicate the
outer sole. On plates C is placed an adjustable bar G, carrying a thin metal spring
plate 9, which fits in the hollow of the foot, and by pressing upwards against the foot
keeps the flesh of the foot in position for a proper measurement.

page_text: This plate g also represents a portion of the inner sole of the shoe.
The bar G is rendered adjustable by means of the thumb screw g¹ and springs g²,
on the bar G and on one side of the thin plate g I secure a suitable graduated flexible
scale strap I for measuring the instep.
This strap is brought above and around the foot and carried to the opposite side of
the plate g,
when the figure of the strap will properly indicate the grade or size of the
upper at that point.
On the plate C is placed an adjustable bar G¹ for adjusting the height of the
heel and at a central point on this bar I secure the vertical heel piece m, and at the
central point in the rear of this heel piece I secure one end of a flexible measuring
strap I, similar to the strap I. This strap is to be passed over and around the upper
portion of the foot, and back to the starting point where the graduated scale on the
strap will indicate the measure in the well known way.
To determine the thickness of the foot at any point I use a vertical scale rod Y as
shown in figure 5 which may be placed at any desired point of the bed of the apparatus,
and by which the thickness of the foot is readily determined.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me by my foreign
correspondent I declare that what I claim is
First. In an apparatus for grading leather the frame A and bed plate B divided into
sections, in combination with the screw B', having threads of variable pitch, substantially
as herein described.
Second. The frame A and bed plate B divided into sections, the screw B¹
having threads of variable pitch in combination with the laterally adjustable
plates C, C, C, C, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Third. In a shoemakers measure, the sectional bed-plate B, and the adjustable
plates C in combination with the laterally adjustable blocks E E" provided with a
series of spring actuated pins d' substantially as herein described.
Fourth. The laterally adjustable metallic blocks E¹ E" having the spring actuated
pins, and the sectional bed plate B, in combination with the laterally adjustable toe
plate having pins d' substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Fifth. The sectional bed plate B, the metallic blocks E' E" and the adjustable too
plate D'in combination with the adjustable bar G¹ and the heel piece m secured thereto,
substantially as described.
Sixth. The sectional bed plate B, metallic blocks E' E" and adjustable toe plate D¹
in combination with the adjustable heel piece m and the adjustable bar G, provided
with metal spring plate g, all constructed to operate, substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
Seventh. The adjustable bar G provided with the metal spring plate g, in combina-
tion with the graduated flexible scale strap I for measuring the instep of the foot,
substantially as herein described.
Eighth. The sectional bed-plate B, and the sole-shaped plate FF" having the
slots in combination with the flexible measuring strap F engaging said slots and
the graduated plates (1 substantially as specified.
Ninth. The sectional bed plate B, heel piece m and the flexible measuring strap I'
in combination with the bar G, metallic spring plate g, and flexible measuring strap I,
substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.