Improvements in or relating to Machines or Apparatus for Lasting Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Nov., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 19th Aug., 1889-Accepted, 5th Oct., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Machines or Apparatus for Lasting
Boots and Shoes.
1, THOMAS BRINING, of No. 44 Pontefract Street, Richmond Hill, Leeds, in the
County of York, Boot and Shoe Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to Improvements in or relating to machines for lasting boots
and shoes such as are described in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to me
the fourth day of October 1887 No. 13391.
In the herein before mentioned Specification the mould in which the boot or shoe is
lasted is described as being made in one or more pieces, and the wiper platos, which
carry the retaining jaws, are made to travel on the top of the mould, thus requir-
ing a separate mould and jaws for each size or fitting of a boot or shoe.
Now the object of the present invention is to make one mould suitable for lasting
several sizes or fittings of boots or shoes, thus dispensing with the use of so many
different moulds, and at the sametime saving the labour in changing the same.
زو
In carrying this invention into practice, the mould is fixed upon the table so as to
be removeable therefrom. In the heel portion of the mould is provided a block carry-
ing a piece of steel or other suitable metal shaped to the contour of the heel portion
of a boot or shoe. The block is so arranged that it can, by means of a screw, shaft,
mitre and hand wheels, be moved backwards and forwards in the mould and adjusted
to any required size of boot or shoe thereby increasing or diminishing the size of the
mould. The toe pieces are also made so as to be removeable from the mould so that
they may be readily changed as the nature of the work requires, and they may also.
when required be adjusted by means of a set screw armed with india rubber, leather,
or other flexible material so as to provide for the varying thicknesses of the " uppers."
Instead of making the plates that carry the jaws to work backwards and forwards
on the moulds, as described in the herein before mentioned Specification, they are
made a fixture on the top of the mould, and on their under surfaces are cut or formed
any desired number of grooves suitable for carrying a corresponding number of
V slides, the outer ends of which are supported by brackets from the table of the
machine. The outer ends of the slides are notched or recessed for receiving the
connecting ends of the toggies, whilst to the opposite end of each slide is pivoted one
of the wipers. The wipers on their inner edges are shaped to conform to the contour
of the boot or shoe, and are held in their places, so as to slide freely, by the plates
fixed to the top of the mould. The two side wipers are so arranged as to aid in
closing the heel and toe plates. And in order to better adapt the mould for lasting
boots or shoes of varying sizes or fittings, to the two side wipers, and also to the toe
plate may be attached a piece or pieces of leather or leather and india rubber combined
which is allowed to pass into the mould. When the machine is in operation, the free
ends of the pieces of leather, or leather and india rubber combined is held by the
upper and last (after the latter has been forced down into the mould) against the
sides of the mould, whilst the wiper plates are closing the "upper" over the insole.
23
The retaining jaws are mounted in suitable bearings upon the fixed plates, and are
operated by cam or eccentric ended levers, the required tension being imparted by
suitable springs arranged to work in tubes, carried on the moulds, so as to be capable
of adjustment.
The remaining parts of and means for operating the machine may be of the same
description as in the herein before mentioned Specification, except that the screw and
hand wheel for forcing down the last into the mould are mounted in an arm that may

page_text: be swung out of the way when not in use, and the block to which the heel toggle is
attached may be made so that its position on the table may be adjusted by a screw
and hand wheel.
Dated this Nineteenth day of November 1888.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Machines or Apparatus for Lasting
Boots and Shoes.
I, THOMAS BRINING of No. 44 Pontefract Street, Richmond Hill, Leeds, in the
County of York, Boot and Shoe 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 improvements in machines or apparatus for lasting boots
and shoes such as are described in the Specification of British Letters Patent granted
to ine the fourth day of October 1887 No. 13391.
In the hereinbefore mentioned Specification the mould in which the boot or shoe is
lasted is shown and described as being made in one piece, and the wiper plates which
carry the retaining jaws are made to travel on the top of the mould thus requiring a
separate mould and jaws for each size or fitting of a boot or shoe.
Now the object of the present invention is to reduce the number of moulds required
for lasting boots and shoes of varying sizes and to provide a mould with changable
heel and toe pieces or portions thereof so that by adjusting the relative parts, the
machine or apparatus may be employed in lasting boots and shoes of varying shapes
and sizes, that is to say, each mould is arranged so that its parts may be adjusted to
last boots or shoes say of one of the following ranges of sizes or fittings namely from
4's to 6's or from 7's to 10's or from 11's to 1's or womens which include 2's to 5's
or mens in the same mould thus dispensing with the use of a separate mould for each
size and fitting, and at the same time saving the labour and expense in changing the
same.
In the drawings :-
Fig. 1. is a reduced side elevation of machine. Fig. 2. an end elevation and Fig. 3.
a plan looking at the top with mould removed. Fig. 4. a part section showing centre
of cam gearing. Fig. 5. a plan of cain gearing. Fig. 6. a back elevation of jib
standard. Fig. 7. a plan of bridge. Fig. 8. an enlarged longitudinal section of
mould complete. Figs. 9. 10 and 11 are respectively a plan, transverse section on
line xx fig. 9, and end elevation of mould with grippers, wipers, toe and heel portions
removed. Fig. 12. a plan of complete mould looking at the top. Fig. 13. a plan of
wipers looking at the underside. Figs. 14 and 15 are respectively a side elevation
and plan of changable toe piece. Figs. 16 and 17 a plan and elevation of changable
heel piece. Figs. 18. 19 and 20 are respectively an end elevation, a plan looking at
the top and a plan looking at the underside of fixed plate armed with the toe-gripper
and wiper. Figs. 21. 22 and 23 are respectively a side elevation, a plan looking at
the top, and a plan of underside of one of fixed side plates arned with side gripper.
Figs. 24, 25, 26 and 27 are respectively transverse section of side wipers, plans
looking at the top and at the underside of side and heel wipers, and a transverse
section of heel wiper.
Like parts are marked in all the views with the same letters of reference.
The table A, its legs or uprights a a longitudinal stretchers B, B¹, transverse bearer
or bridge C, and adjustable brackets D, D¹, D', D' constitute the framework of the
machine. In the bearings on the legs or uprights is mounted longitudinally so as to
revolve freely a horizontal shaft E on which are fixed the cam gearing e e¹³ and spur
wheel into which gears a pinion e' carried on a stud e fixed to framing of machine

page_text: parallel with shaft E. On the same stud e is fixed the hand wheel F provided with
any desired number of ratchet teeth (preferably ten or twelve) on its periphery.
All the above described parts may be the same as in the before mentioned specification.
G is the body or outer casing of the mould preferably made of cast iron removably
secured upon the table A so that it may be detached when desired and a portion of its
recess g may also be shaped to correspond with the outer contour of the boot or shoe.
At the heel and toe portions of the mould are provided recesses or cavities g¹ g³ for
the reception of the adjustable heel and toe pieces or blocks G G which are respec-
tively shaped to correspond with the outer contour of the heel, toe and front portions
of the boot or shoe. The recess or cavity g' is preferably made longer than g³ to
permit of a greater movement of the heel piece G³ for increasing or diminishing the
size or length of the mould. The toe piece G³ may also be moved backwards and
forwards in its cavity g³ by set screw 9 for the same purpose. The heel piece G³ is
moved backwards or forwards on the flanges 9 in its cavity by means of a screw
shaft working through the centre of a second screw d' (to be hereafter described)
and actuated by a hand wheel g. The adjustable heel piece is also provided with a
thin steel or other suitable metal plate 10 bent or curved to the exact shape of the
heel portion of a boot or shoe. This plate may also be bevilled or chamfered on its
edge gl so as to prevent the possibility of any mark or crease being left on the boot
when it has been lasted.
«
upper
وو
The toe piece block G³ made of metal or any other suitable material is dropped
into the recess or cavity g' and can be easily removed therefrom when desired. *To
the block is fixed by screws 98 or their equivalents the changable piece g* made of
steel or its equivalent and shaped to suit the toe and front portion of the boot and
shoe. The toe piece may be adjusted longitudinally as described by set screw go and
transversely for the varying thickness of boot uppers by the set screws 97 (see
Figure 12). When it is required to change the shape of the toe from a narrow to a
broad one or vice-versú all that is requisite is to unscrew the screws 98 and remove the
piece of which may then be readily replaced by another of suitable shape and attached
in position by the screws as described.
39
To the top of each mould G is fixed by bolts or screws (passing through
slot holes ) the plates J, J', J', J. Between the under surfaces of each plate
To the fixed
and top of the mould is a space in which the wipers are made to work.
plates J J are cast or formed grooves for carrying the slides and whilst slides **
and are arranged to work on the brackets provided with recesses in which the
projections 10 work. To the inner ends of the slides " " and * are pivoted
at the toe and two metal (steel brass or other suitable material) side
wipers J* Jo, Jo.
On the top of the plates J, J1, J' are mounted the gripping devices consisting of
grippers or plates. The side plates are preferably made in two pieces as shewn
at Figures 8 and 12 and provided with two short arins, that is, one arm on each
portion of the plate. A short arm is also provided on the toe gripping plate as
shown. Above each arm 4 is pivoted to the brackets ja cam or eccentric ended
lever provided with or without a runner je shown at Figure 8 for reducing the
friction. When it is required to raise the jaw of the gripper "the free end of the
lever is pulled or drawn upwards until the cam shaped portion (or runner 6) has
depressed the arm and the upper portion of said arm presses against the flat
surface where it is held until the lever is returned to the position shown in the
drawings. To impart the requisite tension to the grippers under each arm is a
spiral spring carrying a round headed pin. The springs are mounted in tubes **
which are respectively supported by and from the plates J, J, J' by nuts. The
tension of each spring is adjusted by a tube or plug 4, the end of which is screwed
into the lower end of tube as shown.
The wiper J for gathering in the toe, is constructed as follows. To the underside
of the slide is pivoted at the hinged thin metal jaws 18 shaped to suit the toe of
the boot. These jaws are hinged near to the shaped forward recessed or concaved
portion thereof, and the pin " acts as the axis of the hinge as well as the means for

page_text: attaching them to the slide ". The shaped jaws are prolonged as shown at
Figures 8, 19 and 20 and provided with thin projecting pieces which pass under
and are held down by the side wipers J' and J. After passing under the side wipers
the ends of the projecting pieces are turned down at a right angle to form pushers 11
against which the screws 1 work for adjusting the jaws to the contour of the toe
piece.
To the rear of each portion of the jaw are attached respectively the
pins 1920 between which is placed a spiral spring 1 for keeping the rear portions of
the jaw together. The slide to which the toe wiper is pivoted is also provided
with a slot hole through which the tube passes.
87
وو
24 25
The side wipers J J are pivoted as described to their respective slides at 7
and work in the space between the tops of the moulds J¹ J so as to operate in any
required position. These wipers are shaped to correspond to the outer shape of the
boot or shoe. In order to adapt them to fit any required range of sizes of boots or
shoes the ends are arranged to work in the V slides formed in the hinged
and shaped carrier or holder J' which is pivoted to the slide working on the under-
side of plate J³. The carrier J is formed of two pieces of metal scarfed and pivoted
together so as to form a hinge and it is so arranged that when the heel piece G' has
been moved inwards by the screw its position over the block may be adjusted by
means of a second screw d¹ and hand wheel das hereafter described. When the
wipers J J are forced inwards for closing the "upper over the insole of the boot
or shoe, by arranging their ends j37 38 to be held by and work in the slides the
holder is thereby caused to open or work on its pivot, and thus adjusts itself to the
moving position of the wipers, but at the same time providing for its front and shaped
portions to slide forward for gathering in the heel. In order to permit of the side
wipers being closed slightly in advance of the toe wipers they are provided with
recesses, which are inclined as shown so that when the toe wiper is forced
over the insole its free ends come in contact with the inclines which force them
inwards for gathering in the toe. In order to support the last in the mould in
the bearer on bridge is a slot hole c in which is placed a vertical bush or
bearing e provided with a recess in its upper portion, and in its lower portion
is a set screw in which the last supporting pin H slides freely. On the pin H
an ordinary iron last is placed with its sole uppermost. The pin H is held up to
its work by a spiral spring ², one end of which passes into the recess whilst
its opposite end works against a projection h³ formed on the pin H and is adjusted
to the required height by screw h. The last is pressed down into the mould G
(by a hand wheel and screw arrangement to be hereafter described) ready for
receiving the closing operation. But when it is desired to remove the lust from
the mould the last is forced upwards by a pin h³ carried in bearings h³ attached
to the bridge C as shown at Figs. 4 and 7. This pin is provided with an end
(removeable at pleasure) made to fit the instep of the last, which end may be
padded or cushioned with any soft material such as felt, flannel, india rubber or
the like to prevent it from damaging the " upper." In the pin is a slot in
which is passed one end he of a double ended lever which is pivoted at 48 to the
bridge as shown. To the end 4 of lever h' is connected a rol h¹ working in a
bearing and provided with a bent end to form a step on which the operator
places his foot for raising the last. When the rod 410 is depressed the end he of
lever is raised carrying with it the pin h³ thus forcing the last upwards. The
pin is returned to its normal position shown in the drawings when the operator's foot
is withdrawn from end of rod 10 by a spiral spring h. To prevent the last from
being pressed too far into the mould Ga screw his passed through table A and a
bearing (attached to bridge C) whereby the movement of the lever h' in an
upward direction may be adjusted as desired.
In the end of each slide 326 39 is provided a recess, that in the slides"
and may when preferred be rather longer than in the other two slides for
purposes to be hereafter described.
In order that the mould G may always be placed exactly in the same position on
the table A, recesses a* are formed therein in which the projections 9" on the mould

page_text: fit. To adapt the moulds for lasts that are cut away at the heel (that is for high
heeled boots or shoes) when preferred the mould may be made to taper towards the
heel and between the undersides of the fixed plates J, J, J, J and the top of the
mould may be placed india rubber packings or spiral springs whereby the height of
such plates may be adjusted to the shape of the last by the set screws j,j,j, j
از
I is a screw which in the drawings at Figs. 1, 2 and 3 is mounted in a sliding
bearing i carried in the free and bifurcated end of a moveable arm or jib ¹ pivoted to
a vertical stand or pillar I fixed to the table A as shown. The screw I or its
equivalent is employed for pressing the last into the mould and thus bringing the
instep portion of the upper to shape prior to its edges being closed over the insole.
The screw I and bridge are kept in position by means of a slotted guide (fixed
to the screw I) and set screw attached to bearing i. On the lower end of screw I
is suitably mounted the bridge, to one end of which may be attached a flat thin
metal plate for obtaining a greater longitudinal bearing on the inner sole and last.
The free end of this plate may be adjusted by a set screw 7 mounted in one end of
the bridge. To the upper end of the screw I is fixed a hand wheel for raising and
lowering the screw. In order to retain the pressure upon the last after it has been
forced down into the mould by the screw I and bridge the underside of the rim of
the hand wheel is armed with a number of ratchet teeth in which a pawl or
catch lever (pivoted at 10 to the sliding bearing i) is made to engage as soon
as the screw I has been traversed down the required distance. When it is required
to remove the last from the mould after the lasting operation has been performed
the screw is raised and the arm moved on its pivot clear of the mould.
In the recesses of the slides are passed the free ends of the toggles L that
is to say one end of each toggle is attached or coupled respectively to the
brackets D, D1, D2, D3 whilst its opposite end, and one of the ends of the second
portion of the toggle are coupled to the adjustable ends of connecting rods O,
whilst the free and hooked or catch shaped ends pass into the recesses j.
The required motion for closing the "
"
upper over the insole is imparted to the
wipers from hand wheel F and conveyed through spur gearing e³ to shaft E, cains
cut or formed respectively in plates e, e', es levers M, M, N, N' (pivoted respectively
to the brackets b, b', 63, 6 on longitudinal stretchers B, B1, (that is to say
levers M, N, N' are respectively pivoted to stretcher B at b, b', whilst lever M¹
is pivoted at 6 to stretcher B¹) connecting rods and links O, toggles L and
slides ****. It will readily be understood that each lever M, M, N, N', is
operated separately by its recessed cam by means of a runner (attached to the
lever) working therein, also that in plate e a cam is cut or formed in each side
of the plate.
To enable the toggle at the heel of the mould G to always give the same amount
of motion to the slide, the bracket D, to which one end of a toggle L is attached,
is made adjustable upon the table and is moved backwards and forwards in a slide
by means of the screw d' carried in bracket g and actuated by hand wheel d².
The bracket D to which the toggle at the toe is attached may also be made
adjustable on the table A and is moved backwards and forwards in a slide by means
of a screw d carried in a bracket and working in a nut attached to bracket D'
and actuated by a hand wheel d. In order to provide for a regular movement of the
toe wiper Jthe plate J in which it slides is provided with slotted holes and connected
to the bracket D' by means of rods d8 (one on each side) so that when any move-
ment is imparted to the bracket by the screw d³ the rods de correspondingly push or
pull the plate inwards or outwards, such movement being provided for by means of
the slot holes through which the attaching screws pass. The plates J, JJ' are
connected together by projections 9" passing into slits 9.
To each of the side and toe wipers may also be attached when required a piece of
leather or leather and india rubber combined as shown at Figs. 8 and 24. The free
ends of these pieces are allowed to pass into the mould as shown and when the boot
or shoe "
upper " and last have been forced into the mould by the screw 1 they are
held tightly against the sides of the mould, and thus aid in bringing or drawing the

page_text: «
"
upper up to and firmly over the shape of the last when the side and toe wipers
are forced over the insole. By this means and also by making the recesses in
slides 23 and 2 longer than in the other slides and by providing one or more
holes (in the slides) in which a pin may be inserted against which the, end of. one
of the toggles is arranged to work; whilst in the hole on the opposite slide.no pin is
inserted in order that its toggle may have room to slide in the recess (that is, there is
a certain amount of lost motion) without operating the wiper, provision may be
made for lasting boots or shoes for the right or left foot in the same mould. Whilst,
for small factories where room is a consideration, the arrangement just described of
lasting rights" and "lefts" in the same mould will be found to be very convenient,
still when preferred the moulds as herein described may be so constructed as only to
last rights
or "lefts" in separate moulds but such arrangement would involve
the duplication of framing and actuating mechanism.
"
"
The tension of the springs j may be so adjusted that when the side and toe wipers
have passed a suitable distance over the insole their continued inward movement will
draw the edges of the "upper" from under the grippers.
In order to keep the closing or wiper plates up to their work during the tacking
down of the " upper" after it has been closed over the insole, to the table A is
pivoted at P pawl which
P
engages with the ratchet teeth f in the hand wheel F and
thus holds the closing or wiper plates in position. But when it is desired to release
them from their work the pawl is thrown out of gear and the hand wheel rotated
until the wipers are clear of the mould.
"
upper
To last the "upper" of a boot or shoe to its insole I proceed as follows:-
After notching or serrating the toe and heel of the upper to prevent piping or
puckering, and fastening the openings between the leg quarters, it is placed in the
hollow mould (which has been previously adjusted to the required size and shape)
with the top downwards. The edges of the toe and side portions of the "
are then made fast in the jaws of the grippers. Then an iron last with an insole
thereon is inserted and pressed down by hand wheel **, screw I and bridge until the
upper "has been blocked to the shape of the inner contour of the mould and to
that of the outside of the last. The last is held in this position by the screw until
the "
upper" has been closed over by the wipers and tacked to the insole. The
motion for closing the wiper plates is imparted by hand wheel F as hereinbefore
described, which causes the side wipers to close over the sides of the "upper" slightly
in advance of the toe and heel plates or wipers. By the time that the " upper
been drawn firmly over the last and insole the plates are so arranged that they become
locked as described and are retained in that position by pawl p engaging with the
ratchet teeth fin the hand wheel F. The edges of the "
"
upper are then released
from the jaws of the grippers (when the tension of the springs are adjusted to
prevent the wipers drawing the edges therefrom) and the " upper "held in position
by the undersurfaces of the wipers until the " upper" has been tacked on to the
insole. The pawl is then released from the ratchet teeth f, the wipers return to
their normal position the screw I released from its hold upon the insole and the
lasted "
upper" and last raised from the mould by pin h³ (as described) ready for
the next operation.
has
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is.
1. The construction, substantially as herein described and shown, of a mould for
use in machines or apparatus for lasting boots or shoes, by means of which construc-
tion the same machine, by merely changing the heel and toe pieces or portions
thereof in the mould and adjusting the relative parts, may be employed in lasting
boots or shoes of varying shapes or sizes.
2. The manufacture and use of a machine or apparatus for lasting boots or shoes,
in which a mould, formed in pieces and provided with changeable parts capable of
adjustment for the purposes described, is armed with adjustable and pivotted side, toe

page_text: and heel wipers, sliding on or below the under surface of metal plates, such
as J, J, J, J, and also with fixed bearings, on said piates, which carry stationary
grippers all arranged and operating as berein set forth.
3. In a lasting machine, such as herein described, the combination with a mould
such as G (having adjustable removable and changeable toe and heel pieces such
as G and G³) of sliding and pivotted toe, heel and side wipers, such a J', J', J'
and J (J, J and J being provided or not with an arming of leather or other
flexible material,) said wipers being arranged and operated by the means substantially
as described and shown.
4. In a machine for lasting boots or shoes, the combination with a mould such
as G (provided with adjustable, removable, and changeable toe and heel pieces) of
the means or parts, substantially as hereinbefore described and shown, for adjusting
or operating the same and of the stationary grippers, all arranged substantially as
set forth.
5. The general arrangement and combination of the various parts forming the
lasting machine, as a whole, substantially as set forth and illustrated.
Dated this Seventeenth day of Anonst 1889.
THOMAS BRINING.
By W. Fairburn Hart,
Agent.