IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR LASTING BOOTS AND SHOES
Year: 1878

page_text: 56
LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR LASTING BOOTS AND SHOES." A commu-
nication from abroad by Henry Graham Thompson, of Milford, Connecticut,
United States of America.
Sealed the 5th July 1878, and dated the 4th May 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th May 1878.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR LASTING
BOOTS AND SHOES." [A communication from abroad by Henry Graham Thompson,
of Milford, Connecticut, United States of America.]
This Invention relates to machinery for lasting boots and shoes, and comprises
various improvements in the mechanism described in the Specification of former
Letters Patent, dated 31st July 1877, No. 2917.
In the machine described in the said Specification the crimping jaws or pullers
are held down upon the material both when being moved forward and when the
tacks are being driven by means of a spring. With such a spring the edges of the
upper will sometimes slip when the tacks are being driven, and the spring had to be
adjusted for different sized shoes.
To obviate the difficulties incident to the use of the aforesaid crimping jaws and
spring, and to ensure the holding of the upper firmly by the jaws when the tacks are
being driven and to place the amount of strain or pressure to be put upon the upper
completely under the control of the operator, the said crimping jaws are according
to this Invention placed upon a vertically adjustable slide, with which is combined
an adjusting lever and locking device to raise or lower the pivot of the jaws and
lock such pivot with reference to the level of the sole of the shoe.
•
According to the present Invention crimping jaws are used to draw over and plait
in the uppers of the boots and shoes combined with an adjusting lever and locking
Prins 11

page_text: device for elevating and depressing the jaws and locking the same fast at any desired
position. I also use crimping jaws combined with a pivoted supporting plate and
its carrying slide, a lever to adjust the jaws and plate vertically, and locking devices
to hold them in adjusted position, substantially as set forth.
In combination with the crimping jaws and a supporting plate pivoted at its
inner end an adjusting device or screw is arranged to turn the plate on its pivot, to
adjust the jaws to conform to the shape of the last. A supporting plate is pivoted
at its inner end, and set screws or other suitable devices are used to adjust the outer
end of the said plate to give to the jaws any desired elevation or depression to
adopt the same to the shape of the last, and to adjust the position of the jaws
vertically and laterally.
The said Invention also comprises the following combination of parts or instru-
mentalities, namely, an adjustable pivoted supporting plate, crimping jaws, mechanisin
to reciprocate the jaws longitudinally and to close them as they move forward, and
an adjusting lever adapted to be operated to press the forwardly moving jaws down
upon the upper, so that the jaws bear with a yielding pressure upon the upper
while the tacks are being driven. The head of the said machine is adapted to be
supported on a swivelling jack, and in combination therewith I combine shank
lasting mechanisin and devices for moving such mechanism independently with
relation to the toe and heel lasting devices to adapt the said shank lasting
mechanism to shoes of different sizes.
In combination with the head and arms and shank pullers thereon I arrange
springs to bear upon the sides of the upper, and mechanism to simultaneously adjust
the said arms and their pullers and springs vertically and longitudinally with rela-
tion to the head and the height and length of the last.
I combine with the head carrying such shank lasting mechanism a horizontally
movable frame, a vortically movable slide, and devices to move and adjust such
frame and slide horizontally and vertically to simultaneously place the shoc and
shank lasting mechanism in operative position according to the size of the shoe,
and I provide the machine with a lever to close and open the said arms.
I provide the said machine with jaws, so curved downward from their fulcrums to
their points or ends that when pressed down upon the shoe by the adjusting lever
the jaws will yield to permit the entire inner curved portion of both jaws to act
with a yielding pressure while they draw over and fit the upper to the configuration
of the last. I also provide crimping jaws made entirely of sheet spring steel and
curved from their front ends to their fulcrums to adapt them to the folded over
edges of the upper at the toe and heel of the last.
I also provide the said machine with the following devices, namely, a main presser
and toothed puller to engage the upper combined with an arm to move the puller
toward the centre of the last; a spring to press the puller forward, in order that
the puller may yield backward as the arm moves the puller toward the centre of
the last; and mechanism for adjusting the force of the spring to regulate the amount
of strain upon the upper; also a toothed upper engaging device with a rod and
carrying arm, an adjustable sleeve to govern the forward position of the said puller,
and a spring for holding the puller in an elevated position until thrown down by
hand to engage the upper.
I also combine with the carrying arm and main presser a pivoted puller and its
adjusting screw to regulate the distance to which the teeth of the puller may descend
below the presser, an auxiliary presser having spring shanks and a side pressing
spring connected with its carrying arm by a holder and bolt to permit the vertical
and horizontal adjustment of the acting end of the spring.
The said Invention also comprises a frame provided with a guide way for a slide,
and adjusting device pivoted thereon in combination with the arms, toothed pullers,
and main pressers, and an adjusting device adapted to place the pressers at the
desired level with reference to the last and to permit the said arms, pressers, and
slide to rise as the pressers pass upon the lost.
It also comprises the combination of the said arms, main pressers rounded at their

page_text: forward ends, and toothed pullers located at each side of the last opposite the shank
of the shoe with mechanism for supporting the pressers at the proper levels with
reference to the edge of the stationary last and inner sole and devices for moving
the said main pressers and toothed pullers toward the centre of the last, whereby
the pullers and arms during such movement are also moved vertically with referenco
to the last, to stretch and fit the upper about the last.
Also the adjustable toe and heel crimping jaws for pressing the edges of the upper
horizontally over upon the last bottom, shank lasting mechanism composed of arms
povided with main pressers, toothed pullers, and springs to hold the pressers and
pullers forward, such pressers, pullers, and arms being constructed and operated to
engage the upper, and, while engaged therewith, move upward and horizontally
with reference to the bottom of the last.
It also comprises the combination of the frame and slide carrying the shank
lasting devices with an adjusting device for regulating the level of the main pressors
as they commence to move forward, the connection between the adjusting device
frame and slide being adapted to permit free vertical movement of the slide and
pressers, as the latter are closed over the last bottom, as above described.
Also the toothed puller hinged at its rear end and provided with a thumb-piece
to lift it, and a screw to regulate its descent, combined with a presser provided at its
front end with an open space for the puller teeth to enter the upper, substan-
tially as described.
The said Invention also comprises the machine embodying the above described
parts and devices arranged to operate as and for the purposes set forth.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 4th
November 1878.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR LASTING
BOOTS AND SHOES." A communication from abroad by Henry Graham Thompson,
of Milford, Connecticut, United States of America.
This Invention relates to machinery for lasting boots and shoes, and comprises
various improvements in the mechanism described in the Specification of former
Letters Patent, dated July 31, A.D. 1877, No. 2917.
In the machine described in the said Specification there are crimping-jaws, pullers,
held down upon the material, both when it is being moved forward and when the
tacks are being driven by means of a curved leaf spring. With such a spring the
edges of the upper will sometimes slip when the tacks are being driven and the
spring has to be adjusted for different sized shoes.
To obviate the difficulties incident to the use of the aforesaid crimping jaws
and spring, and to ensure the holding of the upper firmly by the jaws when the
tacks are being driven, and to keep the amount of strain or pressure to be put upon
the upper completely under the control of the operator, the said crimping jaws are
according to the present Invention placed upon a vertically adjustable slide, with
which is combined an adjusting lever and locking device to raise or lower the pivot
of the jaws, and lock such pivot with reference to the level of the sole of the
shoo.
The said Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, in which,-
Figure 1 is a side clevation of improved shank lasting devices and toe lasting
devices forming part of my improved machinery.
Figures 2 and 3 show portions of the crimping jaws and the device which holds
them in place.
Figure 4 is a side elevation partly in section of the arms, their carrying frame,
the shank pullers, and presser removed from their places on the head of the machine;
Figure 5 is a top view thereof.
Figures 6 and 7 show parts of the adjusting devices for setting the shank pullers
at the proper level; and Figure 8 shows one of the auxiliary pressers detached.
Figure 1 shows one half of the lasting head and the toe lasting devices, the
erimping jaws to operate upon the heel of the shoe being omitted as unnecessary to
be shown, as they are in construction and operation like the toe lasting devices.
The socket a, the pivotted supporting plate or head h, the crimping jaws c, and
the lever & and its connections for moving the jaws forward, and for opening and
closing them, are substantially as described in the said former Specification.
The carriage e, shown in dotted lines, is provided with a post f, fitted to slide in
ways g formed in the head h, and is made longitudinally adjustable in the head by
means of a screw i, provided with a thumb nut j or other suitable means to adapt
the jaws to boots or shoes of different lengths.
The supporting plate b instead of being pivotted at its rear end as in the machine
described in the afore-mentioned Specification is pivotted at or near its forward
end at k to the vertically adjustable plate carrying slide 1, which is capable of being
raised and lowered with reference to the post f, whereby it is guided. The screw m,
operating upon the rear end of the plate b, acts to place the under sides of the
crimping jaws c at the proper inclination with reference to the toe or heel of the
last, according to its curvature.
The plate carrying slide is formed with a screw threaded sleeve or boss for the
reception of a screw n, held in a sleeve o, provided with a thumb nut p, by which
the supporting plate b and the jaws may be quickly adjusted vertically to place the
jaws at the proper level in relation to the bottom of the last.
The slide-adjusting lever q is a bent or crooked lever pivotted at r; it has a short

page_text: arm 2 connected by a small link 3 with the slide at 4; and the said lever may be
operated to move the slide and jaws vertically, to lift them above or force them
down upon the boot or shoe being lasted with more or less force as may be required.
The handle or long end of this lever q carrios part of the locking device, which, in
this instance, is composed of a rod 5, a spring 6, to lift the said rod, a pawl 7, and a
rack 8, in which the said pawl engages to lock and hold the handle, and keeps the
slide and jaws in position, the said pawl being so connected with the rod 5 as to be
disengaged from the rack by depressing the said rod.
The shank lasting devices are carried by the frame t which is movable laterally
on the guide-way g of the head h, a set screw u being provided for fastening the
same. The vertical portion of the frame t is provided with a guiding lodge v, to
which is fitted the finger-carrying slide w, having ears or extensions 10, to
which are pivotted the arms 11 that carry the shank-lasting devices; these arms
are pivotted to the ears 10 by bolts 12, and are adapted to be so moved as to pass
the pullers and pressers carried by them from the outside of the last horizontally,
or nearly so, across the edge of the last toward the central line of the last bottom.
One arm 11 has pivotted to it one end of a link 13, and the opposite end of such
link is connected with the short end of a hand lever 14, pivotted at 15.
The arms 11 are also provided with upper pressing springs 16-17 to meet the
side of the uppor, press it firmly against the side of the last, and placo the upper in
the proper position to be operated upon by the shank lasting devices which force
the upper over the last as the arms are closed.
An adjusting device, which, as shewn in the Drawings, is composed of an elbow
lever and a thumbscrew ³, is pivotted at a to the frame t. The extremity * of the
long arm of this adjusting lever enters a notch at one edge of the slide w, as
shown in dotted lines in Figure 6; as the screw ³ is turned into the said lever the
latter is caused to lift the slide w and its attached arms 11 to bring the main
pressers 18 in such position with reference to the bottom of the last that when
closed or pressed toward the shoe they will meet the upper at the edge of the
last and force the upper or the shank over upon the last. The ends of the
said pressers are rounded, so that as they are closed upon the upper and passed
beyond the last's edges they will be lifted, carrying with them the arms, slide, and
pressors.
These main pressers are located at the narrowest portion of the shank, and are
attached to slides 19 fitted in sleeves 20 adjustably held at the upper ends of the
arms 11. Springs a² attached to blocks as pivotted upon lugs a¹ of the arms 11,
bear against the shoulders b² of the main pressers, to press them forward in the said
sleeves, the force with which they are pressed forward being regulated by the
screws as or by other suitable means whereby I can regulate or adjust the amount
of strain upon the upper as it is drawn over and about the last by the shank
pullers ; the latter are pivotted at 6%, and provided with teeth 68 to penetrate
the upper when the pullers are turned down as at the right-hand side of Figure 4,
to engage the upper, such engagement taking place each time the main pressers
close sufficiently upon the last for their rounded ends to get a start over the last
edge. The puller at the left-hand side of Figure 4 is shown elevated and in section
to illustrate the action of the spring 66 which holds the said puller up out of
operation, or down to engage the upper.
Immediately before the presser 18 assumes the position shewn at the right-hand
side of Figure 4, the pullers are thrown down so that their teeth penetrate the
upper between the points of the presser as shewn in Figure 5, and thereafter the
further inward movement of the arms 11 by the handle 14 causes the arms 11 and
slide w to rise as the pressers pass over upon the inner sole, and as such arms,
pressers, and pullers so rise (the last being held down at the toe and heel by the
crimping jaws) the upper engaged by the teeth of the pullers is pulled by an
upward strain closely about the last, and the edge of the upper is carried positively
over upon the inner sole to be secured by suitable nails or fastenings driven in it in
the usual manner,

page_text: The screw of the adjusting lever af is made to bear loosely against the part t,
so that the arms 11 and slide w are free to be lifted as described. This positive
upward pull or strain of the pullers exerted upon the upper at the shank is a most
important feature of this Invention, for by reason thereof the said shank may be
lasted perfectly tight, the action being substantially the same as that of a workman
with pincers.
It will be obvious that by drawing the upper upward about the last by a puller
having a combined vertical and horizontal movement, the principal portion of the
strain upon the upper will be exerted to stretch it by a direct pull from the top of
the instep of the last to the edge of the sole, whereas, if the said puller had only a
horizontal movement, much of the strain would be lost in friction between the upper
and the sides and corners of the last. At the time that these jaws are being closed
and raised, the operator is pressing downward the lover handle 14, and the down-
ward force thus exerted causes additional upward strain on the pressers, for the last
being fixed, it is obvious that the pullers, pressers, and arms are raised by the
downward thrust on the said handle. The finger pieces 7 permit the pullers to be
easily lifted, and the screws 68 regulate the penetration of the teeth into the upper.
The slides 19 of the pressers are free to oscillate in the sockets at the tops of the
arms 11.
The auxiliary pressers o¹ placed at the sides of the main pressors are attached to
springs held securely to the stems o³ fitted into the tubular adjustable heads c* at
the upper ends of the pins c³; the latter are supported in sockets c" projecting from
the arms 11.
The upper pressing springs 10, 17, are fitted into grooves in the heads of spring
holders d; the latter are tubular bolts externally screw threaded, as shewn in section
in Figure 4; they extend through care 28 of the arms 11, where they receivo milled
nuts d', which confine the holders d adjustably in such a position that the springs
may project upward with the desired inclination toward the too or heel of the last.
Bolts d extended through the holders d bear upon the faces of the lower ends of
the said springs, and hold them in position vertically. The cars 10 are provided
with stops e as shewn in Figure 6, which stops are struck by pins e at the lower
ends of the arms 11, when the said arins are thrown fully apart.
Each of the aforesaid pullers is provided with an opening 29 for the passage of a
tack or nail into the upper and inner sole 30, while the upper is held by the pillars.
The length or distance of the forward movement of the puller 63 from the arms 11
may be controlled by horizontally adjusting the sleeves 20. These pullers are
thrown down into engagement with the upper by hand, and their time of engage-
ment is thus controlled according to the requirements of the boot or shoe being
lasted.
The devices shown in top and side view, Figure 3, hold the crimping jaws c upon
their sliding fulcrum pin 21, the pin 24 entering a slot therein as described in the
said former Specification.
The said pulling device and presser may be advantageously arranged to be movod
by a sliding or reciprocating carrier, or by a vibrating arm, but the latter is pre-
ferable.
The springs 16, 17, bear upon the upper at such a point as to force the inner
corners of the heel stiffener held between the upper and lining into the curved
portion of the shank, so that such stiffener is also correctly drawn in and lasted,
and will not project out and form a shoulder at the shank.
The perforated crimping jaws have their fulcrum on a stud 21 undercut at its
edges to receive the portion 22 of a holding plate 23, also provided with a spring
pin 24, as shewn in Figure 3, to enter a slot in the top of the stud 21.
The holding plate takes the place of a nut; it may be readily removed, and then
permits the removal of the jaws from the stud 21. The jaws in this instance are
inade entirely of spring steel.
In working with this improved machine the upper is first placed over the last,
and held by tacks at the toe, heel, and sides. Then the upper and last are placed

page_text: in position on the usual last-holding pin in the head, the toe of the last and upper
meeting the toe rest, as shewn in dotted lines in Figure 1. The carriage sustaining
the crimping jaws and the slide carrying the pullers are then adjusted horizontally
and vertically, according to the length and size of the boot or shoe upon which they
are to operate. The jaws when adjusted will be so elevated that their pivot points
will occupy a position in a plane from one-fourth to three-eighths of an inch higher
than the plane which the outer or free ends of the jaws will occupy when resting
upon the upper edges of the last at the too and lieel, as herein-after described.
Assuming that the operator has his left hand upon the adjusting and locking
lever q and his right hand on the lever & for moving forward aud closing the jaws,
he with one hand first throws back the adjusting lever q to elevate the ends of the
jaws into a line with the last, and with his other hand he then moves the lever & to
close the jaws until their downwardly curved points or ends rest on the upper at
the edge of the last. In this position the curved portions of the jaws will be
elevated somewhat above the extreme end of the last. Then the operator reverses
the movement of the lever q to press the slide down until the ends and inner
curved edges of the jaws press down upon the upper about the entire ends of the
last heel and toe; then he operates the handle or lever d, and moves the crimping
jaws forward over the last, the said jaws at the same time closing together and
wrapping the edges of the upper closely about the last. The edge of the upper is
fulled or crimped the most at the points of greatest curvature of the last, that is to
say, the extremities of the toe and heel. The portion of the jaws near their fulcrums
meet these heel and toc portions, and being made of spring steel will yield or move
back, which would not be the case were the ends of the jaws held in iron blocks, as
heretofore. These jaws c of spring steel, curved from their outer ends to their
fulcrums, are adapted to bear firmly at all points on the upper below them, and
spring or yield to the thickness of the crimp or pleat without tearing the stock.
When the jaws are moved forward and closed, the operator before tacking will
give the lever q an extra pull to lower the jaws or press them down with additional
force upon the edges of the shoe upper so turned over, and such lever locked by the
locking devices will hold the upper firmly under pressure while the tacks are driven
into the upper and inner sole..
It is obvious that the amount of pressure or strain upon the upper, and the
closeness with which it fits the last, will depend upon the force whereby the jaws
are pressed down as they are moved forward and closed. This final pressure by
the downward movement of the slide after the jaws are closed may be in excess
of the pressure that the upper would sustain while the said jaws were being
moved forward.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,
First. In a machine for lasting boots and shoes, the crimping jaws or pullers to
push and draw over the uppers of the boots and shoes when provided with holes
behind the working edges of the jaws to permit the driving of the tacks or other
fastenings, in combination with a tipping supporting plate and the adjustable set
screw, or with the locking device, as above set forth.
Second. In combination with the crimping jaws, the pivotted supporting plate
and its carrying slide, the lever, and other devices for adjusting the jaws and plate,
and locking devices to hold them when adjusted, as above set forth.
Third. The improvements comprising the combination of the crimping jaws for
drawing over and plaiting in the uppers of boots and shoes, the supporting plate
pivotted at its inner end, the set screw or equivalent device for adjusting the outer
end of the said plate to give the jaws any desired elevation or depression requisite
to ensure its conformity to the shape of the last, and devices for adjusting the said
jaws vertically and laterally;. and the combination with the above of mechanism
for reciprocating the jaws longitudinally and closing them as they move forward
and an adjusting lever adapted to be operated to press the forwardly moving jaws

page_text: down upon the upper, so that the jaws bear with a yielding pressure upon the upper
while the tacks are being driven, all as above described.
Fourth. The combination with the head of the machine adapted to be sup-
ported on a swivelling jack of the shank-lasting mechanism, herein described, and
mechanism to move the whole of such shank-lasting mechanism independently with
relation to the toe and heel lasting devices to adapt the said shank-lasting mechanism
to shoes of different sizes, as above set forth.
Fifth. In a lasting machine, the head, arms, shank pullers, and springs to bear
upon the sides of the upper in combination with mechanism for simultaneously
adjusting the arms and thoir pullers and springs vertically and longitudinally with
relation to the head and the height and length of the last, and the means for simul-
taneously placing the shoe and the shank-lasting mechanism in operative position
according to the size of the shoe, as above set forth.
Sixth. The combination of parts comprising the arms, the pullers, the link, and
lover for closing and opening the said arns, as and for the purpose described.
Seventh. The jaws curved downward from their fulcrums to their points or ends,
so that when pressed down upon a boot or shoe by the adjusting lever the said jaws
will yield to permit their entire inner curved portions to act with a yielding pressure
while they draw over and fit the upper to the configuration of the last, and which
jaws are either made entirely of sheet spring steel or otherwise, as above set
forth.
Eighth. In a lasting machine for boots and shoes, the combination of parts com-
prising the main presser and toothed puller for engaging the upper, combined with
an arm for moving the puller toward the centre of the last, and with a spring to
press the puller forward in order that the puller may yield backwardly as the arm
moves the puller toward the centre of the last; and the combination of these parts
with mechanism to adjust the force of the spring to regulate the amount of strain
upon the upper, and a spring to hold the puller in an elevated position, all as abovo
doscribed.
Ninth. In a lasting machine, the combination of parts comprising the toothed
upper engaging device, its rod and carrying arm, and the adjustable sleeve to govern
the forward position of the puller, as above described.
Tenth. The carrying arm and main presser combined with the pivotted puller and
its adjusting screw for regulating the distance to which the teeth of the puller may
descend below the presser, as above described.
Eleventh. The aforesaid movable arms and main pressers and pullors combined
with the auxiliary pressers having spring shanks, as and for the purpose specified.
Twelfth. The side-pressing spring combined with the arm by means of the holder
and bolt for permitting the vertical and horizontal adjustment of the acting end of
the spring, as and for the purpose specified.
Thirteenth. In a lasting machine, the frame provided with a guideway for the
slide, and the adjusting device pivotted thereon, combined with the slide arms, and
toothed pullers, and main pressers, the said adjusting device being adapted to place
the pressers at the desired level with reference to the last, and to permit the arms,
pressers, and slide to rise as the pressors pass upon the last, and the arrangement of
the adjusting device, frame, and slide for permitting free vertical movement of the
slide and pressers as the latter are closed over the last bottom, all as above
described.
Fourteenth. In a lasting machine, the arms, the main pressers rounded at their
forward ends, and the toothed pullers located at each side of the last opposite the
shank of the shoe, in combination with mechanism for supporting the pressers at the
proper level with reference to the edge of the stationary last and inner solo, and
with devices for moving the main pressers and toothed pullers toward the centre of
the last, whereby the pullers and arms during such movement are also moved verti-
cally with reference to the last to stretch and fit the upper about the same, as above
described.
Fifteenth. In a lasting machine which has adjustable toe and heel crimping jaws

page_text: for pressing the edges of the upper horizontally over upon the last bottom, the
shank-lasting mechanism composed of arms provided with main pressers, toothed
pullers, and springs to hold the pressers and pullers forward, such pullers, pressers,
and arins being constructed and operated to engage the upper, and while engaged
therewith move upward and horizontally with reference to the bottom of the last,
as above described.
Sixteenth. The toothed puller hinged at the rear end, and provided with a thumb
piece to lift it and a screw to regulate its descent, combined with the presser pro-
vided at its front end with an open space for the puller teeth to enter the upper, as
above described.
Seventeenth. A machine which embodies in its construction the above specified
improvements in combination with other parts, as shewn in the Drawing, as and for
the purposes set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fourth day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.