Improvements in Lasting Machines.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 18th July, 1893-Accepted, 3rd Mar., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by JOHN HENRY HANAN, of the City of Brooklyn,
State of New York, United States of America, Merchant.]
Improvements in Lasting Machines.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent
Agents, 45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
This invention relates to machines for lasting boots and shoes made of certain
grades of material, so that when the same is employed the sides of the boot or
shoe can be lasted economically by the ordinary hand appliances; but the toe
and heel portions thereof, where caps and counter stiffeners are used, require the
use of plates to ensure rapidity and uniformity in lasting.
It consists of mechanism having such construction and mode of operation that
will present the last to the operator in the best manner for serial operations to
be performed thereon, and that will change the last from one position to the
other, as required, with little if any loss of time.
This is accomplished by a peculiar construction of the jack, which enables it
to be elevated above the lasting heads and inclined forward for jacking, side
lasting, and unjacking and the jack can be drawn down and firmly locked into
position, between heads, carrying toe and heel lasting plates, by one movement
of foot treadle mechanism.
The various details of construction, application, combination and operation are
fully explained in the following Specification with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which,
Figure 1 is a front elevation of the machine in position for jacking, unjacking
and side lasting.
Figure 2 is a front elevation showing the jack locked in position for toe and heel
lasting.
Figure 3 is a plan of the machine with the jack down and showing the slide
carrying the toe lasting head, vertically, in cross section, on line xx, Figure 2.
Figure 4 is an end elevation with the toe lasting head removed.
Figure 5 is a central cross-section, showing the relation of the jack operating
mechanism with the operating treadle in front, indicated by dotted lines.
Figure 6 is a central section on line y y Figure 2, showing by full and dotted
lines the operative positions of the jack.
Figures 7, and 8 are an elevation and a plan of the swinging guide carrying the
toe lasting head, enlarged, showing the means for locking the jack into position.
Figures 9, and 10, are a section and a plan of a lasting head, showing an
improved toe-forming device and where it is attached above the lasting plates.
Figure 11 is an enlarged plan of the toe-forming device showing its operation
around the toe.
The jack and its operating mechanism is constructed in the following manner :-
Upon a base A is fixed a stand A' to which stand is secured the vertical slide A³,
and fitted so that they will slide freely thereon, are the sliding heads B B', con-
nected by the adjusting screw B³, and pivoted to the head B' at B³ is another
head B which, when the head B is in the position shown by the full lines of

page_text: 4
:
Figure 6, holds the jack it carries vertical, and which when the head B is at its
highest position on the slide A3, by reason of the angular tunnel shaped enlarge-
ment of the guiding bearings of B towards B', swings forward to about the
And as by mechanism to be
position shown by the dotted lines of Figure 6.
hereinafter described, the head B is always raised to the same height upon the
slide A²; operating the screw B2, to change the distance between the heads B B'
will vary the inclination of the jack as desired.
Forming part of the swinging head B₁ is the socket bearing B', into which the
spindle C¹ on which the jack revolves, is fitted to turn freely, and is secured in
place by a collar and pin. The support and guide for the jack C³, consists of a
spindle C carrying a D shaped head C, and fixed to and above this head are two
lugs, between which is pivoted the lower part of the jack C2, the straight part of
the D shaped head of the spindle C¹ engaging with the face of the slide A² when-
ever the head B is vertical, and holds the jack aligned to the centre line of the toe
and heel lasting heads Figures 2, 3, 6. The lower part of the jack C is formed of
two arms, branching from the base, hung between the lugs upon C, which arms
carry an adjustably mounted jack pin and toe rest, and the said base is hung
between the lugs of C so that it will swing to and from the heel lasting head
enough to allow the heel of any sized last jacked, to be firmly pressed into the
heel band of said head without adjustment thereof.
The jack pin and last rest C³ is pivoted to the slide bar C* and this slide bar C
is adjustable for height upon one of the arms of C2, Figure 1, a spring C³ acting to
The
press the last upon the jack pin, down on the toe rest, in the usual manner.
toe-rest C is adjustable for height by its slide C' sliding in the pivoted bar C8 and
this bar C is pivoted to the top of the second arm of C² and swings to and from
the jack-pin C³ giving adjustment for length.
The pivoted bar C is locked in position by the pawl C10 which is mounted on its
lower end and which is drawn by the spring C" into contact with the ratchet C'
affixed to the same arm of C2 on which C is pivoted, Figures 1, 7, 8.
There is an incline C formed on the end of the branch of C2 to which C is
pivoted, whose use for pressing back the last will be described in combination
with the parts operating therewith.
Fixed to the base Å are the stands A3 A4, and on which stands, at Aº, are
bearings for the shaft D to oscillate in. Attached to this shaft D is the double
crank D¹ whose connecting rods D² are also connected to each side of the sliding
head B and are far enough apart to straddle the swinging head B, as shown in
Figures 1, and 6.
A pinion D³ is fixed to the shaft D, Figures 1, and 5 and the segment E is
pivoted upon the stand A¹ at E' so that its teeth will mesh with and revolve the
pinion D as the foot treadle E' is operated. A crank-like projection of E is con-
nected to the rocker arm E by the connection E, and the rocker arm E* is firmly
fixed to the rock shaft E whose bearing is in the stand A' at A', Figures 1, 3. 4
and firmly fixed to the other end of this rock shaft is the treadle E³, the depression
of which will cause the jack to straighten, and then with its component parts to
descend, pass under, and rise up to a gauge for height where it is locked by the
springs E pressing one of the pawls or dogs E' into a tooth of the ratchet Es fixed
to the base A, Figure 6.
To the end of the shaft D outside of the stand A4 is secured the counter-
balance D', which will slightly overbalance the jack and parts operating it, and
raise the jack to its upper point of rest, which, with the crank D' is just past the
centre, so that no force applied to the bottom of a last on the jack can move it
downward without the treadle E' being depressed.
To the end of the shaft D outside of the stand A3 is secured the arm D which
revolves with the shaft D and which engages at the proper point of revolution with
the leaf spring A', fixed to the base A, Figures 12 and 4 the said spring by taking
up the acquired momentum of the counter-balance, during the rapid lowering of the
jack, between the lasting heads, stores and holds sufficient force to start the

page_text: counter-balance smartly on its return movement when the said counter-balance is
active in raising the jack from under the lasting heads.
The counter-balance D' and arm D' are so located upon the shaft D that their
hubs contact with the outer sides of the stands A³ A', so that when the machine is
in position for the operation of the lasting heads the shaft D is transformed into a
tie, preventing the stands A³ A', from spreading apart under the stress of heel and
toe lasting.
There is another foot treadle F which is hung upon the rock shaft E', between
the bearing A' and the rocker arm E, and which can be connected to the
segment E by the connection F', should it be desired to last the sides of the upper
by moving the last up to the operating nozzle of a tack driving machine: in which
case the counter-balance D', is set so that it will raise the jack nearly to the nozzle,
and then require a depression of the treadle F to raise the jack for the purpose of
operating the tack driver.
The general preference seems to be for a suspended tack driver with sufficient
range to cover both positions of jack.
The toe and heel lasting heads are similarly hung upon the top of the
stands A³ A', so that they can be swung toward each other by the cams. De at
proper times, to close over the jack after it descends below the line of the lasting
plates, and they are arranged and operated as follows, a description of one serving
for both.
A swinging guide G, Figure 7, is fixed upon a pivot pin G' and this pivot is
hung in the bearing G2, on the upper ends of the stands A3 A' so that it can be
swung into the positions shown in Figures 1 and 2, and fitted to this guide G, is
the slide G which is connected by the rod H, to the crank H', the shaft of
which H2, is mounted in a bearing at the lower end of the stands A³ A', and said
shaft has fixed to its outer end the foot treadle H³ which said treadle is double
ended for the toe lasting head and single for the heel lasting head.
The slide G³ carries at right angles to its line of motion, a guide G', Figures 1, 2,
3,4, in which slides the frames G, upon which are hung the lasting heads, which
can be adjusted to any desired degree of inclination. Handwheels and screws,
Figures 1, 2, adjust the frame G, and the lasting heads carried thereon, for varying
length of lasts, in the usual manner.
A gauge K for height, Figures 1, 2, 4, which fixes the position of the last for
the action of the lasting plates, is fitted to slide to the desired position on the
slide K, and the slide K is firmly fixed in a projecting hub K2 formed for
this purpose upon the swinging guide G of the toe lasting head, see enlarged
Figures 7 and 8.
A brace L, is mounted upon the swinging guide G, of the toe lasting head, to
press against the incline C2 of the jack and thereby force the last, jacked and
positioned for height, back into the heel band of the heel lasting head.
The outer end of the brace L engages with the sides of the incline C¹², to give
the jack central location by combined action with the heel band, and it carries the
the face of the incline 12
roll L, pivoted therein, which roll L' runs on
Figures 7, 8. This brace is carried by and forms part of the shaft L', which shaft
has its bearing in the hub L³, forming part of G. To the outer end of the shaft L²,
is fixed the lever and handle L', the handle having the spring latch or pawl L³,
which by engaging with the ratchet L', fixed on the hub L³, holds the brace L in
any desired position.
The toe lasting head and its attachments rest upon the guide G and are to be
moved up by the double ended treadle during the toe lasting process, while the
heel lasting head and its attachments are held up by the spring M, located in the
socket M' and are to be moved down during the heel lasting process. The gauge K
for height, the jack pin C³, and the toe rest C, are relatively adjusted to each
other and to the position of the lasting plates, so that when firmly held in position
for heel and toe lasting, the inner sole at the heel will be below the line of the heel
lasting plates, and the inner sole at the toe will be considerably above the line of

page_text: the toe lasting plates, so that the said plates may be used aur
of the head to mould the upper around the toe of the last before the plates are up
to the line where their folding action can commence.
To the prolongations G' of the pivot pins of the toe and heel lasting heads, are
fixed the levers N, Figures 1, 2, 4 and the ends of these levers are connected 5
together by the spring N₁ so that the spring will draw back the swinging guides G
against the stops forming part of the top of the stands A3, A4, Figure 1, when the
jack is elevated.
As the shaft D is revolved to draw the last down, as herein before described, the
cams D, properly fixed thereto, at the correct time, engage with the arms G',
operating their respective heads and swinging these heads into position, see
Figure 2; the said heads reaching the place of rest just after the jack commences
to raise the last towards the gauge K.
The operation of transferring the jack from the position Figure 1 to that of
Figure 2, is as follows, viz. :
With the last nearly in correct lineal position, the operator places his foot upon
the foot plate of the treadle E³, clear of the spring locking dogs E, and presses
lightly, thereon, and as the various parts are correctly balanced the crank D'
commences to revolve drawing down the swinging head B against the inclined
head of the slide A2, and this downward movement of the head B causes the jack:
to move into vertical position.
When the jack has reached a vertical position the straight side of the D-shaped
head of the spindle C', contacts with the face of the slide A2 and assures correct
lineal position of the jack; the operator. then throws his full weight upon the
treadle E, and the jack rapidly descends until the crank D' passes its centre and
swings the inner sole up against the gauge K for height, and one of the dogs E³,
engages with the ratchet E8, and there firmly holds the jack.
When the jack is about three-quarters down, the cams D, engage with the
arms G', carry and hold the spring balanced heads into position, for operating,
and about the time the inner sole has reached the gauge for height the operator
draws the handle L', toward the heel lasting head and firmly locks the last back
into the heel band.
The above described operation taking two or three seconds.
To return the jack to the position Figure 1, the operator releases the handle L
and presses firmly down upon the foot piece of E, then touches the toe pieces of
the dogs E, with his toe the storage spring A' then gives the counter-balance D
a quick start and the various parts return in the reverse order to the position
required.
Figures 9, 10, 11 show an improved device for forming the upper around the to
of the last by the upward rise of the toe lasting head before the plates commenc
their folding action, without changing its relation to the lasting plates. Th
consists of two strong springs O, right angular in form, swung above the lastin
plates by their corners O', so that two of their ends will nearly meet. at th
centre line of the last and their other arms will be about parallel with the sid
of the last.
Stretched between the ends of, and forming the hypothenuse of the right angul
springs, is a flexible band O' of any desired material which at rest will assur
about the position shown by Figure 10; and which in use automatically w
conform to, and press the upper evenly around the toe portion of any size or sha
of toe last, by pressing either the bands towards the toe or the toe towards t
bands as shown by Figure 11.
The combination of devices represented in Figures 10 and 11 and describ
above may be used with equal advantage at the heel of the shoe; inasmuch as
flexible band will in use automatically conformn to and press the upper eve
around the heel portion of any size or shape of the last, when the bands are pres
toward the last, which they are described in reference to Figures 10 and 11
pressing toward the toe portion of the last.
10

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is.
1. In a lasting machine for boots and shoes, heel and toe lasting heads mounted
in carriers pivoted to the standards, and also independently pivoted for adjustment
and an intermediate pivoted jack, in combination with mechanism substantially as
described for raising said jack above the heads for hand lasting and a treadle and
intermediate connecting mechanism for drawing down said jack between the heads
and locking it in position for machine lasting, by one movement of the treadle
substantially as set forth.
2. In a lasting machine for boots and shoes, heel and toe lasting heads mounted
in carriers pivoted to the standards, and also independently pivoted for adjustment
and an intermediate pivoted jack in combination with mechanism substantially as
described for raising said jack above the heads for hand lasting, and a treadle and
intermediate connecting mechanism for swinging said jack from an inclined to
a vertical position and then drawing down the said jack between the heads and
locking it in position for machine lasting, by one movement of the treadle
substantially as set forth.
3. In a lasting machine of the class above described, the combination of the
spring A affixed to the base of the machine, the counter-balance D', the lever D³
affixed to the jack operating mechanism, the said jack operating mechanism and
suitable lasting mechanism substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
4. In a lasting machine of the class above described having heel and toe lasting
mechanism, the combination therewith of a jack and operating mechanism sub-
stantially as described provided with an auxiliary treadle F and suitable connecting
mechanism all operating substantially as described.
5. In a lasting machine head, a toe or heel conforming band, comprising two
independent flexible bands, elastically mounted upon and above the lasting plates
carried by the said head in combination with the lasting plates and suitable
operating mechanism therefor, whereby the conforming band is actuated by and
in advance of the operative motions of said plates, substantially as described and
for the purposes set forth.
Dated this 18th day of July 1893
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.