Improvements in or relating to Lasts employed in the Manufacture of Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Lasts employed in the Manufacture
of Boots and Shoes.
I, THOMAS BRINING, of 36 Sussex Street, Richinond 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 lasts employed in the manufacture of boots and
shoes.
In the Specification of Letters Patent granted to me the twelfth day of January
1895, No. 795, I described a method of dividing the last into two parts in an
angular direction, and holding the divided parts together by dovetails and hooks
cast or otherwise fixed thereon. Whilst I have found lasts constructed as therein
described answer remarkably well in practice, yet the cost of manufacture and
of fitting the parts accurately together is greater than lasts in ordinary use.
Now the object of the present invention is to reduce the cost of manufacture of
the last by simplifying its construction, but at the same time to obtain all the
advantages of the hereinbefore mentioned lasts.
According to this invention, say for wooden lasts, at a suitable distance from the
heel at or near the ball of the last I cut or remove a portion of the last away to
form a trausverse recess of any suitable length and width. This recess extends any
required distance in an angular direction from the sole of the last towards its
upper portion, but not entirely through the last. At a point nearer the heel, and
from its upper portion I cut or divide the last in an angular direction and arrange
this division line to run for a portion of its length at or about, or at a different
angle to the herein before mentioned angular and transverse recess, and then to
enter the said recess either at a curve, or at a right or other angle to the said
recess and division line, but at a suitable distance from the extremity or inner end
of the said recess so as to form a book or sneck. By this means the last is
divided into two parts, that is a toe and a heel portion, and the two parts may be
connected together by a cord or chain or leather strap or it or their equivalent,
attached thereto by any suitable means. For retaining the two portions of the
last in position, to the toe portion is screwed or otherwise fixed a dovetail piece of
any desired length and width, but of the same thickness as the transverse angular
recess. The top of the male portion of a dovetail piece may be arranged to abut
(or nearly so) against the inner end of the said recess. And to the heel portion of
the last, and at a suitable distance from its sole is fixed the female portion of the
dovetail piece which is arranged to project above the level of the curved or right or
other angular portion of the before mentioned division line so as to pass into the
said transverse angular recess on each side of the male portion when the two
portions of the dovetail are in engagement. The two portions of the dovetail may
be made of any suitable material such as for instance metal stampings, castings, or
forgings, or may be made of hard wood or the like.
The space between the edges of the female portion of the dovetail and the sides

page_text: of the last may be filled up with wood; and a projection fixed to the heel portion
may also when desired be arranged to pass over or upon the face of the male
portion of the dovetail.
Metal or other plates may be, if desired but not necessarily so, fixed to the heel
and toe portions of the last on the sole thereof as well as on the upper portion and
also along the whole or a portion of the division line.
The two portions of the last may be locked or retained in position by a spring
pin or its equivalent to which one of the ends of the before mentioned connecting
cord or chain or strap or its equivalent may be attached.
The holes into which the last supporting pin or stand and the spring pin
respectively pass may or may not be bushed or lined with a piece of metal
tubing.
The herein described improvements may be applied to iron lasts, in which case
they would require to be cast thereon or attached thereto by any suitable and
convenient means.
Dated this twenty second day of July 1896
Improvements in or relating to Lasts employed in the Manufacture:
of Boots and Shoes.
I, THOMAS BRINING, of 36 Sussex 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 lasts employed in the manufacture of boots and shoes,
and is adapted to both Wood and Iron Lasts.
In the Specification of Letters Patent granted to me the twelfth day of January
1895, No. 795, I described a method of dividing the last into two parts in an
angular direction, and holding the divided parts together by dovetails and hooks, s
cast or otherwise fixed thereon. Whilst I have found lasts constructed as therein
described answer remarkably well in practice, yet the cost of manufacture and of
fitting the parts accurately together is greater than lasts in ordinary use.
Now the object of the present invention is to reduce the cost of manufacture of
the last by simplifying its construction, but at the same time to obtain all the
advantages of the hereinbefore mentioned lasts.
Various methods for carrying this invention into practice are illustrated in the
drawings hereunto annexed, in which
Fig. 1 is a part longitudinal section and elevation of a last with the improvements
applied and with the dovetail retaining pieces arranged to extend from the sole
in wards.
Fig. 2 a plan of the same.
Fig. 3 a part sectional elevation of the toe portion of the last shown at Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 an end elevation of said toe portion.
Fig. 5 a sectional elevation of the heel portion of the last shown at Fig. 1.
Fig. 6 an end elevation of said heel portion.
Fig. 7 is a part longitudinal section of a last arranged with the dovetail retaining
pieces arranged at a distance from the sole.

page_text: Fig. 8 a part plan of the last shown at Fig. 1.
Fig. 9 a part sectional elevation of the toe portion of the last shown at Fig. 7.
Fig. 10 an end elevation of same.
Fig. 11 a sectional elevation of the heel portion of the last shown at Fig. 7.
Fig. 12 an end elevation of same.
Fig. 13 a sectional elevation of a toe portion in which the dovetail retaining
piece forms part of the hook fastening.
Fig. 14 an end elevation of same.
Fig. 15 a sectional elevation of the heel portion for the toe portion shown at Fig. 13.
Fig. 16 an end elevation of same.
Fig. 17 a jart sectional elevation of toe portion of a last constructed according
to this invention with a cam lever for operating the spring pin.
Fig. 18 an end elevation of same.
Fig. 19 a sectional elevation of heel portion for the toe portion shown at Fig. 17.
Fig. 20 an end elevation of same.
Fig. 21 a part sectional elevation of toe portion of a last with a hook fastening.
Fig. 22 an end elevation of same.
Fig. 23 a sectional elevation of heel portion for the toe portion shown at Fig. 21.
Fig. 24 an end elevation of same.
Fig. 25 a part sectional elevation of a toe portion of a last provided with a short
pivot plate, and bushed holes for pivot stand and spring pin.
Fig. 26 an end elevation of same.
Fig. 27 a sectional elevation of heel portion for toe portion shown at Fig. 25.
Fig. 28 an end elevation of same.
Fig. 29 a part sectional elevation of toe portion of a last showing the dovetail
retaining pieces constructed in parts.
Fig. 30 an end elevation of same.
Fig. 31 a sectional elevation of heel portion for toe portion shown at Fig. 29.
Fig. 32 an end elevation of same.
Fig. 33 a part sectional elevation of toe portion of an American form of last
itted with the improvements forming the subject-matter of this invention.
Fig 34 an end elevation of same.
Fig. 35 a sectional elevation of heel portion for the toe portion of last shown at
Fig. 33.
Fig. 36 an end elevation of same.
Fig. 37 a part sectional elevation of toe portion of a last constructed according
o this invention made in Iron showing the method of moulding the same.
Fig. 38 an end elevation of saine.
Fig 39 a sectional elevation of heel portion for the toe portion shown at Fig. 38
also showing inethod of moulding same.
Fig. 40 an end elevation of same.
Fig. 41 a front elevation of the female portion of dovetail retaining piece adapted
for the portion of the last shown at Figs. 15 and 16.
Fig. 42 a side elevation of same.
Fig. 43 a front elevation of the male portion of dovetail retaining piece adapted
for the portion of the last shown at Figs. 13 and 14.
Fig. 44 a side elevation of same.
Fig. 45 a part elevation of a last showing method of dividing same into parts.
Like parts in all the views are marked with similar letters of reference.
A is the toe portion of the last. B the heel portion, which is divided from the
oe portion as hereafter described, that is to say
In the case of wooden lasts I take a last which has been formed (or nearly so)
to its required shape and size, and at a suitable distance from its heel,-at or near
he hall of the last, I cut or remove a portion of the last away to form a
transverse recess C (see Fig. 45) of any suitable length and width.
This recess

page_text: extends any required distance in an angular direction from the sole D of the last
towards its upper portion, or top E, but not entirely through the last.
The recess is first cut in the last, as shown at Fig. 4, and it is afterwards
fitted and filled by the insertion of dovetail retaining pieces N NI, which are made
as, say, at Figs. 41 to 44, of wood, metal, or the like material of the same thickness
as the recess C. The female portion N is fixed to the heel portion B of the last
by, say, nails arranged to pass through holes n', and the male portion N is fixed
to the toe portion A of the last by, say, nails arranged to pass through the holes n
in the ledge. The pieces N N may be fixed in position as described, say
after the last has been formed to its correct shape. The pieces NN
are then shaped to the contour of the last by trimming or the removal of any
surplus material. After the pieces NN¹ have been securely fixed by the nails
as just described in position, and the pivot and spring bolt holes have been bored,
the last is then divided by sawing or otherwise along the dotted line F to G as
shown at. Fig. 45.
That is to say, at a point, say F, nearer the heel, and from its upper portion or
top E I cut or divide the last in an angular direction and arrange this division
line F to G to run for a portion of its length, say, at or about an angle of forty five
degrees, and then to run into the angular and transverse recess C, say at or about
a right or other angle thereto, or at a curve thereto, or the division line may be
carried level with the face of the male portion N of the dovetail fixed to the toe
portion A of the last.
When the division line F to G enters the recess C at a suitable distance from
its extremity or inner end, as shown at Figs. 1 and 45, a book or sneck H is formed
for the female portion N' of the dovetail.
By this means the last is divided into two
portions, after the dovetail pieces NN have
thereto,
parts, A and B, that is toe and heel
been fitted and fixed in position
The pieces N N¹ may be then additionally secured in position by screws an³, as
shown at Figs. 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 12. The pieces N N₁ are also cut away or scarfed
at n to form a hook arrangement with each other when the toe and heel portions
are in engagement.
By this method of construction I am enabled in an economical manner to so
adjust the dovetails, which hold the toe and heel pieces of the last together, that
when it is afterwards divided the complete last retains the precise form which it
had before the toe and heel parts were cut apart.
The two parts A and B may be connected together by a cord (Fig. 33) or chain.
(Fig. 7), or leather strap (Fig. 1), or it or their equivalent, all of which are marked
and hereafter termed the strap I. The strap I is attached to the parts named by
any suitable means, as for instance, one end of the strap I may be attached to the
heel portion B by a plate J and screw or screws J', or screw or screws alone, and the
opposite end of the strap may be fastened to the spring bolt K by means of, say,
a washer Land split pin M or their equivalents.
In the drawings I have shown various ways for retaining the two portions A and B
of the last in position, as for instance, say, to the toe portion A (as at Figs. 1, 7,
and 33) is screwed or otherwise fixed the male portion N of a dovetail piece of any
desired length and width to hold the parts together without risk of jamming in
removing the boot from the last or in relasting.
The dovetail is made as before described the same thickness as the transverse
angular recess C. The bottom of male portion N may be arranged to be level with
the sole D, as at Fig. 1, or at a suitable distance therefrom, as at Fig. 7, whilst the
top of the male portion N may be arranged to abut (or nearly so) against the inner
end of the said recess.
To the heel portion of the last, and to extend a suitable distance from its sole
upwards, may be fixed, say, the female portion N¹ (Figs. 1, 7, and 35) of the dovetail
piece which is arranged to project above the level of the curved or right or other
angular portion of the before mentioned division line F to G so as to pass into the said

page_text: transverse angular recess C on each side of the male portion N for forming the hook
engagement it, when the two portions of the dovetail are in engagement. But, if
so desired, the male portion N of the dovetail may be fixed to heel portion B and
the female portion of the dovetail to the toe portion A as, say, at 'Figs. 17, 21,
and 29.
The two portions of the dovetail may be made of any suitable material, such as for
instance metal stampings, castings, (Iron or brass), or forgings, as at Figs. 7 and 17,
or may be made of hard wood or the like, as at Figs. 1 and 25; or a combination of
the two, as at Fig. 29.
When the edges of the female portion of the dovetail are not made the full
width say of the heel portion B, or toe portion A, then the space on each side
thereof may be filled with wood or pieces of metal or other material, as at Fig. 20,
and a projection H is formed, or fixed to the toe portion A, as at Figs. 1, 7, and 33,
and may also when desired be arranged to pass over, or upon the face of the male
portion N of the dovetail, or over the female portion N when it is fixed to the toe
portion A, as at Fig. 21.
At Figs. 41 to 44 I have shown a simple and ready arrangement of dovetail
retaining pieces which may be made in separate pieces and readily and accurately
fixed in position by nails, tacks, or their equivalents prior to the dividing of the
last into the portions A and B as before described.
Metal or other plates O may be, if desired, but not necessarily so, fixed to the
heel and toe portions of the last on the sole D thereof. Plates P may, also, be
fixed on the upper portion E extending the whole length thereof as, say, at Fig. 17,
or only a portion thereof, as, say, at Figs. 1 and 7, or in the form of an
angle plate as, say, at Figs. 13 and 25. In this invention I prefer to
make the plates 1 separate from the bushings of metal Q and in the
pivot and spring bolt holes, in order that they may be more readily and
accurately fixed in position. The bushing R may, algo, be reduced, "if
desired, at its upper end, by stamping or otherwise, to fit and form a bearing
for the smaller end of the spring bolt K, or the said bearing may be formed in
the plate P. The plates J may, also, if so desired, be arranged to extend the
whole length, or only a portion thereof, of the division line F to G for protecting
it from wear or damage.
The two portions A and B of the last are locked or retained in position by a
spring bolt K, one end of which passes into the heel portion B as shown. To
the top of the spring bolt K one of the ends of the before mentioned connecting
cord or chain or strap I, or its equivalent, may be attached
described.
The herein described improvements may be applied to iron lasts, in which
case they would require to be cast thereon, or attached thereto, by any suitable
and convenient means.
In order to facilitate the casting of lasts in Iron or other metal when
constructed according to this invention I proceed as follows:-
I first mould the heel portion B with its sole D upwards, as shown at Fig. 39.
Into the hole R that eventually receives the spring bolt K I place a wood
peg 1 which is made to serve the double purpose of core print and peg for
attaching the two portions A and B together. After the heel has been moulded,
the wooden peg 1 is first withdrawn from the heel pattern leaving a print or hole
in the sand for the reception of the core. The heel portion B can then be
withdrawn from the sand in the direction of arrow 2. The heel portion B is then
ready for casting.
Before the toe portion A is placed in the sand for moulding purposes I fix the
pattern of the heel portion B in position thereto and use the wood peg 1 as a pin
for preventing the two parts working asunder. The last is placed in the sand with
its sole D upwards, as shown at Fig. 37, and moulded in the usual manner. After
this has been done the wooden peg 1 is first removed, then the heel portion B, and
finally the toe portion A is removed in direction of arrow 3. When the toe portion A

page_text: has been removed from the sand a casting of the heel portion B, having a core
inserted in the hole R and projecting above the angular division line F to G, is
placed in the heel part of the mould to form a chill on to or against which the
molten metal is run when casting the toe portion. By this means the heel portion B
is made to accurately fit its toe portion A without any extra fitting, thereby
reducing the cost of labour, in the case of Iron Lasts, in fitting the two parts
together, to a minimum.
In some cases I dispense with the strap I and use in place thereof cam lever S
shown at Fig. 17.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is-
1. In divided lasts the process of manufacturing the same by first cutting away
the piece C as shown at Fig. 45 then fitting into the space thus created the
pieces N N' shown at Figs. 41 to 44 then by cutting or otherwise trimming fitting these
pieces so as entirely to fill the space previously occupied by the piece C and then
dividing the last along the line F to G and finally screwing or otherwise securing
the pieces N and N to the toe and heel pieces respectively all substantially as
described and illustrated.
2. The combination with the divided last and dovetail arrangements for con-
necting and holding the heel and toe pieces, of the strap I connected at one end
with the bolt K and at the other with the heel piece B for facilitating the
insertion and removal of the last all substantially as described and illustrated at
Fig. 1.
1907