Machine for Lasting Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Oct., 1887
Complete Specification Left, 4th July, 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 24th Aug.,
1888
Machine for Lasting Boots and Shoes.
I, THOMAS BRINING of 44 Pontefract Street, Richmond Hill, Leeds, in the County
of York, Boot Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
A Machine for Lasting Boots and Shoes, which is constructed in the following
manner, a hollow mould, a portion of whose interior contour conforms to the Figure
of the Boot or Shoe to be Lasted, is fitted with a suitable number of stretching Pins
or slides, furnished on their upper surface with sharpened Points, and are for tho
purpose of attaching and securing the upper Leather of the Boot or Shoe to be
Lasted, when it is placed in the hollow mould. The Stretching Pins or Slides aro
fitted with Spiral or other springs at their outer ends, which keep the sharpened
points at their greatest distance from the interior edge of the hollow mould.
The upper Leather of the Boot or Shoe, being placed in the hollow mould, the
edges of the Leather are secured to the Stretching Pins. The Last being now put in
place in the interior of the upper Leather, the hollow mould with its accompanying
Last and upper Leather are placed under a Scrow or other Press, the pressure of
which forces the Last into position against the resistance of the Springs carried by
the Stretching Pins. The upper Leather being now secured and Blocked between
the Last and hollow mould, the operation of closing or turning the upper Leather
over the Insole takes place, and is effected by means of Levers attached and fulcrumed
to the hollow mould. The said Levers being armed with horizontal Pusher Plates,
will when the Levers are operated by hand, turn and push the edges of the upper
Leather over the Insole. The inner and upper portions of the Pusher Plates are
formed at an angle, in such a manner that the Pusher Plate in its progress, shall enter
under the edge of the upper Leather, and in doing so, shall release it from the
sharpened Points carried by the Stretching Pins. When the Levers are one by one
placed in position, they become locked, the operating edges of the Pusher Plates are
cut into a series of Notches for the purpose of leaving uncovered, portions of the

page_text: upper Leather, which can now be Tacked to the Insole, a Tack being inserted in the
Leather uncovered by each Notch in the Pusher Plates. The Tacking Nails having
been placed, the Pusher Levers are unlocked withdrawing the Pusher Plates. The
hollow Mould and booted Last are now withdrawn from the Screw Press, and the
operation of Lasting is completed.
I, THOMAS BRINING, of 44 Pontefract Street, Richmond Hill, Leeds, in the County
of York, Boot 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 or relating to machines or apparatus for
lasting boots and shoes, and its object is to provide a machine simple in construction
and efficient in its action whereby boots and shoes may be lasted on an ordinary iron
last.
In many of the machines hitherto employed for this purpose, the first operation
after the upper" has been placed in the machine is to draw it up until it fits the
instep and other portions of the last, and then the edges of the upper are closed
over the insole by a number of gripping devices or wipers actuated by a corresponding
number of levers or other equivalent mechanism from some moving part of the
machine.
Now this invention consists in mounting a hollow mould (having its interior formed
to suit the outer contour or shape of the boot or shoe) on suitable framework. Into
the hollow mould the "upper" is placed, and held in position by means of grippers or
retaining devices fixed to the closing or wiper plates until an ordinary iron last has
been forced down by a screw into the mould until the instep and outer portions are
made to fit or blocked to the contour of the mould and last. A sliding inward or
closing motion is then given to the closing or wiping plates from cams through levers,
rods, and toggles for closing the edges of the upper over the insole, and to hold
them there when the grippers release their hold on the "
upper for fastening it down
to the inner sole with ordinary tacks, tingles, or rivets.

page_text: In order that this invention may be more completely understood reference is given
to the accompanying drawings in which
Fig. 1. is a part side elevation.
Fig. 2. a sectional elevation on line a. x. fig. 5.
Fig. 3. a transverse section on line tc, w. fig. 5.
Fig. 4. a part end elevation.
Fig. 5. a part plan looking at the top.
Fig. 6. a part section plan on line y. y. fig. 4.
Figs. 7 and 8 are respectively a longitudinal section and plan of hollow mould and
upper closing devices and grippers.
In all the views like parts are marked with similar letters of reference.
The table A, its legs or uprights a a, longitudinal stretchers B, B', transverse
bearer C, and adjustable brackets D, D1, D2, D³, constitute the framework of the
machine. In suitable bearings a' a' on the legs or uprights a, a, is mounted longi-
tudinally a horizontal shaft E on which are fixed the cam plates e. el, ², and bevel
wheel es into which gears a pinion et carried on the end of a short shaft mounted
in horizontal bearings at a right angle to shaft E. On the outer end of shaft e³ is
fixed the hand wheel F provided with any desired number of ratchet teeth/(preferably
ten or twelve) on its periphery, and a set screw/1, both for the purposes bereafter set
forth.
G is the hollow mould which may be fixed Jongitudinally in the table A as shown at
Figs. 2 and 3, or its hottom or under surface may rest upon the top of the table.
When the latter is preferred, the mould shown at Figs. 7 and 8 is best adapted for the
purpose, and the opening or aperture a will require to be made much smaller than
when the mould is let into the table. The hollow mould G is cast or formed in one
or more pieces with its interior formed to suit, but slightly larger than the last H, and
it is fixed to the table directly over but at a right angle to the bearer C by any con-
venient means in such a manner that when an ordinary iron last H is inserted in its
interior the sole of the last is uppermost.
**
2:
The inner or recessed portion g of the mould G is made to conform to the outer
contour of the boot or shoe to be lasted, as well as to correspond with, though slightly
larger than that of the last. The difference in the sizes of recess and last H should
only be equal to about thickness of the upper." In order that the hollow inner
portion y may exactly correspond with the contour of the boot or shoe, I have found
it convenient in practice to take a plaster of paris cast or model of the boot from
which the core or model for the mould is made.
In the hearer is a slot hole c in which is placed a vertical bush or bearing c¹
provided with a cup or recess c² in its upper portion. In the bearing is mounted so
as to slide freely the supporting pin h on which an ordinary iron last H is placed
with its sole uppermost as shown. The pin is held up to its work by means of a
spiral spring, one end of which fits into the cup whilst its opposite end works
against a plate or projection 2 fixed to the pin h. At Fig. 2. the last H is shown
supported on the pin and pressed down into the hollow 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 last from the mould, the pin his
forced upwards by a bar ³ attached to a bearing or supporting piece ³ (which also
acts as a fulcrum) by any ordinary means, such as, a pin passing through a slot hole
in the bar. One end of the bar is forked for receiving the pin so as to get a better
purchase thereon for raising purposes. Suitable springs and catches may also be
employed for raising and holding the bar 4º in any given position.
I is a screw which in the drawings at Figs. 2. 3, and 5 is shown mounted at an
angle to the table and mould in a bearing on a moveable arm i pivoited at d to
bracket D, but it may also be mounted vertically, or nearly so, over the last and
mould. The screw I is employed for pressing the last down into the mould, and thus
blocks the upper to shape prior to closing its edges over the inner sole. On or to
the lower end of the screw I is pivotted a bridge provided with the heel piece
on which a flat spring operates for holding the bridge in position; whilst to the
::

page_text: upper end of the screw is fixed a hand wheel for raising and lowering the screw.
The arm and screw I may when in operation be retained in position by a suitable
catch or spring pin device. 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.
When the screw is mounted vertically or nearly so over the last, the heel
piece and spring may be dispensed with, and if preferred a suitable slotted
guide may be fixed to the bearing of the arm in their place for retaining the bridge
in position. In some cases, a thin flat metal plate may also be fixed to the ends or
under surfaces of the bridge at a right angle therewith for obtaining a greater
longitudinal bearing surface on the inner sole and last.
To each side and end of the mould G may be easi or attached thereto a flange or
any number (preferably two on each side and end) of picces g' projecting outwards
in a horizontal direction. On these projections slide the closing or wiper
plates 1, 1, 1, J. In the drawings I have shown four of these plates (which
number of course could be increased if necessary) which are retained in position
by means of studs and nuts j. }', ƒª, ƒ³ passing through slot holes j^; j³, jª: j'.
The plates are are also provided with the brackets for supporting the pin or rod
to which one end of each toggle L is attached. On reference to Figs. 5 and S
it will be seen that the side plates are preferably shaped to suit the contour
of the sides and length of the mould as well as of the boot or shoe, whilst the
toe and heel plates J, J³ are respectively shaped to correspond with the contour
(or a portion thereof) of the toe and heel. The inner edges of the closing or
wiper plates may if preferred be serrated or perforated for the insertion of the
retaining tacks, tingles, or rivets, but in practice I have found satisfactory results
may be obtained when such serrations or perforations are dispensed with and the
plates made a little narrower than they would when serrations or perforations
are used.
Each plate in addition to being bevelled on its inner edge is also
scarfed or recessed at each end, that is about half its thickness is cut away as
shown at so as to permit of each plate sliding up to its work simultaneously
with or independently of each other, as well as to form a locking device when
sides of the toe and heel plates come in contact with the projecting portions of
the scarfed ends of the side plates J J2 thus preventing the plates from being
traversed too far onto the last. The closing or wiper plates J, J, J², are each
armed (so as to travel with its respective plate) with the gripping device shown
at Figs. 7 and 8, which consists of an inverted ☐ shaped frame or bracket j
fixed by its two ends to the closing plate. To the bracket" is pivotted at j
the gripper or retaining plate (provided with the curved arm or lever)
which forms the upper jaw of the gripper, whilst the upper surface of each
plate J. J², respectively forms the lower jaw. In order to keep the upper
jaw down to its work a strong spiral spring (the tension of which is
adjusted by set screw 1) is mounted between the two upright sides of each
bracket When preferred a suitable number of sharp pointed stretching pins
may also be employed for holding the "upper" in position during the pressing
down of the last, but from experiments I have made I find when a strong spiral
spring is employed for retaining the upper jaw of the gripper down to its
work that the stretcher pins may be conveniently be dispensed with.
In order to gather in the toe of the boot or shoe, to the underside of the
plate is pivotted at the hinged thin metal jaws 18. These jaws are hinged
hear to the forward curved or concaved portion thereof, and the pin acts as
the axis of the hinge as well as the means for attaching them to the plate J.
To the heel or straight back of each portion of the jaws is attached respectively
the pins and between which is placed a spiral spring for keeping the
rear of the jaws together. In the operation of lasting the side plates are
closed slightly in advance of the toe and heel plates, and the projecting portion
of the scarfed ends of plates J' J' nearest to the toe plate J are cut so as to form
inclines against which the front ends of the jaws jis are made to work, and as

page_text: the toe plate is pressed or forced inwards against these inclines, the jaws are made
to gather the toc portion of the "upper over the insole and last."
::
The closing or wiper plates are so arranged that their under surfaces will hold the
edges of the upper" tightly in position on the insole and last, after the former has
been closed over the latter and released from the grippers for being tacked down by
any convenient method, but I prefer to use ordinary tacks, tingles, or rivets (such as
are obtained at grindery stores) and insert them by the band tool described in the
Specification accompanying my application for Letters patent dated the ninth day of
June 1888 No. 8453.
The required motion for closing the "upper" over the insole is obtained from hand
wheel F and conveyed to the closing or wiper plates through shafte to bevel pinion e¹,
bevel wheel e, shaft E, bell cams cut or formed respectively in plates e, el, e²,
levers M, M, N N', (pivotted respectively to the projecting brackets b, b³,
12,13 on
longitudinal stretchers B, B', that is to say, levers M, N. N₁ are respectively pivotted
to stretcher B at b,,, whilst lever M is pivotted at 3 to stretcher B¹), connecting
rods and links O, toggles and pins or bars. It will be readily understood that
each lever M, M, N, N' are operated separately by their respective recessed cams by
means of a runner attached to the levers and working therein, and further that in the
plate e a cam is cut or formed in each side of the plate.
The toggles are formed by bolting or coupling four plates 1, 12, 13 at their ends
respectively to the brackets D, D1, D2, D³, adjustable and slotted end of connecting
rod O, and rods or bars jo, that is to say, one end of the plates, are attached or
coupled to the brackets, whilst the opposite ends and one end of the plates 1213 are
coupled to the connecting rod O, and the free ends of the latter plates are notched or
catch shaped for hooking onto the rods or bars js.
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 fixed
a bracket P carrying a pivotted pawl p which is made to engage with the ratchet
teeth in the hand wheel F and thus hold 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 head of the set screw f1 comes in contact
with the bracket P which acts as a stop for preventing the wheel rotating too much.
To last the upper" of a boot or shoe to its insole I proceed as follows:-
$$
22
After notching or serrating the toe and heel of the "upper" to prevent it piping or
puckering, and fastening the opening between the leg quarters, it is placed in the
hollow mould with the top downwards. The edges of the toe and side portions are
then made fast in the jaws of the grippers. The iron last with an insole thereon is
then inserted and pressed down by hand wheel, screw I, and bridge until the
upper is 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 and tacked to the insole. Motion is then given to the closing or
wiper plates from hand wheel F as hereinbefore described, which causes the side
plates JJ to close over the sides of the "upper" slightly in advance of the toe and
heel plates. By the time that the "
upper "has 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 in the hand wheel F.
The edges of the upper" are then released from the jaws of the grippers, and the
upper "beld in position by the under surfaces of the closing or wiper plates until
the upper" has been tacked on to the insole. The pawl then released from the
ratchet teeth f, the closing or wiper plates returned to their normal position, the screw I
released from its hold upon the insole, and the lasted " upper and last raised from
mould by bar ready for the next or rivetting operation.
*
It will be readily understood that care will have to be taken in the formation of the
moulds so as not to get them too large, but by forming them as herein described there
should be little or no difficulty in making them the correct size. Also a separate mould
is required for each size of boot or shoe to be lasted, and further, by blocking the

page_text: $ uppers" into the mould each boot or shoe will be as near as possible a copy of its
original one or pattern.
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 :-
1st. The machine for lasting boots and shoes in which the "upper" is pressed or
forced down into a hollow mould such as G and blocked to shape by an iron last
prior to being drawn over the insole by closing or wiper plates, such as J, J, J, .J³
actuated by mechanism substantially as herein described and illustrated.
2nd. The method of lasting boots and shoes by machinery such as herein described,
which consists in retaining the sides and toe portions of the "upper" in grippers or
holding devices, forcing down and blocking the "upper" to shape in a hollow mould
(shaped to the outer contour of the boot or shoc) by an iron last prior to drawing
over and fastening its edges onto the insole, substantially as herein set forth.
3rd. In a machine for lasting boots and shoes such as herein described, a hollow
mould such as G formed or cast in one or more pieces, the inner portion y of which is
shaped to conform to the outer contour of the boot to be lasted, said mould being
mounted in or on a table such as A capable of receiving an iron last for forming or
blocking the "
upper" to shape prior to being closed over the edges of the insole,
substantially as herein described and illustrated.
4th. In a machine for lasting boots and shoes such as herein described, the com-
bination of a hollow mould such as G, iron last such as H, screw such as I and its
support, table such as A, closing or wiper plates such as J, J³, J2, J³ and parts
connected therewith for closing the " upper" over and on to the insole after it has
been forced down and blocked to shape in said mould, and means for retaining it in
position during the tacking operation after the grippers have released their hold on
the "upper," substantially as herein set forth.
5th. In a machine for lasting boots and shoes, the combination of hollow mould
such as G mounted in or on a table such as A with the grippers and closing or wiper
plates such as J, J, J2, J³, and parts connected therewith and means for actuating
and operating the same, substantially as herein set forth and illustrated.
:
6th. The machine for lasting boots and shoes as a whole, constructed, arranged, and
operating substantially as herein described and illustrated.
Dated this Third day of July 1888