Year: 1887

page_text: I CHARLES HORATIO KEATS of 4L Gaol Road Stafford in the County of Stafford
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to novel arrangement of machinery whereby Boots and Shoes
may be lasted with great expedition, and in a manner equal to the best hand lasting, a
strain being simultaneously put upon the whole perimeter of the upper, during the
crimping operation.
In constructing my improved lasting machine, I provide a slotted table to receive a
series of standards, carrying each, an adjustable gripper. This table is mounted on
end frames, which carry the main driving shaft, running centrally and longitudinally
of the table. On one end of this shaft, fast and loose belt-pullies are mounted, by
means of which, through open and cross belts, a reverse rotary motion for the driving
shaft is obtained. Below the table, and near the centre thereof, are two pendent
brackets, and between these brackets, also pendent from the table, is a stud axle. In
these brackets are fitted two horizontal axles in different planes, for carrying each a
belt pulley, and formed on the boss of each pulley is a bevel pinion. These pulleys
stand immediately over a pair of belt pulleys keyed to the main driving shaft, and
receive from them driving belts, which are severally brought to tension by the action
of a treadle and tension roller. The pinions on the bosses of the belt pulleys before
mentioned, gear respectively into bevel wheels cast in one with a chain wheel and
mounted loosely on the central pendent stud axle.
These chain wheels are each intended to receive and drive an endless chain, in gear.
with a series of chain wheels keyed to vertical spindles, which have their bearings in
the series of adjustable standards mounted on the table, and surrounding the space in
which the last is placed. The chains, therefore, run one within the other. The travel
of the outer chain is designed to effect the simultaneous traverse motion inwards of a
series of grippers mounted on the upper end of the standards before mentioned, in
order that they may effect the lasting or straining of the leather over the last and
insole and when the lasting is effected, to return them to their normal position. The
inner chain serves, by driving the series of vertical spindles connected with it, to make

page_text: the jaws grip the upper, preparatory to their being advanced to strain it over the last.
The grippers have also a rocking motion to permit of their being adjusted to a height
corresponding to the level of that portion of the work on which they are respectively
intended to operate.
Within the space surrounded by the gripper standards, the last carrying the upper
is mounted. There is, for this purpose, bolted to the centre of the table, a low standard
carrying the vertical stem of a horizontal bar, which stem admits of vertical adjust-
ment in its socket. Fitted to one end of this horizontal bar, is an adjustable forked
piece, and fitted to the other end of the bar is a slide, carrying a spring clamp, which
Serves to grip the heel sides of the last. This spring clamp is composed of two
pivotted levers, drawn together by a right and left hand threaded screw, operated by a
hand wheel. To facilitate the operation of lasting, the stem is made capable of
yielding to a downward pressure, or of being clamped firmly to its socket..
The grippers I have said possess three movements, two of which may be produced
simultaneously throughout the whole series. Before describing how these movements
are produced, it will be necessary to explain the construction of the grippers and the
manner of mounting them.
Each standard is provided with a horizontally sliding frame which receives its
motion from a stationary adjustable nut working into a screw thread cut on a hori-
zontal stud pin of the sliding frame. The inner end of this nut carries a ring of spur
teeth, which gear into an elongated spur pinion mounted loosely on a fixed horizontal
axle carried by the standard. This spur pinion is cast with bevel teeth ai one end,
and into these teeth gears a bevel pinton, which is itself in gear with a bevel pinion
keyed upon one of the two vertical spindles mounted on the standard. This spindle
carries a chain wheel in gear with the outer endless chain before referred to as
imparting the lasting motion to the gripper.
Pivotted on the horizontal sliding frame is a rocking frame which carries the
gripper. Its position is adjustable by means of a screw which connects the upper
end of the rocking frame with the sliding frame.-The lower jaw of the gripper is a
lateral projection from this rocking frame, and the upper jaw consists of a cranked
lever which is pivotted near its inner extremity to the rocking frame, and is also
connected by à coupling pin to an adjustable hollow rod capable of moving in a
socket guide on the rocking frame. The hollow rod is tapped to receive a screw,
which carries at its outer end a spur pinion in gear with a broad horizontal pinion
mounted loosely on the stud axle of the standard. This horizontal pinion is cast with
bevel teeth which gear directly with a bevel pinion keyed on the second vertical
spindle of the standard, and receiving an axial motion from the inner travelling
endless chain.
When this chain is set in motion, the screw in the hollow rod is caused to tip the
moving jaw and make it grip the work. It is when this movement of the jaw is
effected, that the outer chain comes into action to thrust all the grippers inward, and
thereby to strain the upper over the last.
Below the gripper is a sliding plate or wiper, which, as the gripper is opened, will
be thrust forward and caused to press the strained edge of the upper down upon the
insole.
The upper jaw of those grippers which operate on the toe and heel is furnished with
an adjustable pressing apparatus for holding down the insole on the last, and
depressing the last, to ensure that a proper strain is put upon the upper before the
grippers are advanced to complete the lasting operation.
It should be remarked that before this simultaneous advance of the grippers take
place, they require to be adjusted by hand through their rocking frames, and through
their sliding frames, to bring each into a proper position for working. To provide for
this, the stationary nuts which transmit motion to the sliding frames are fitted with a
clip formed with an eye through which an adjusting screw passes to a tapped hole in
the standard. The turning, therefore, of this screw will advance the sliding frame
towards, or draw it back from the last, as may be required, to suit the work in
hand, preparatory to the closing of the grippers.

page_text: When the grippers are closed, any one or more of them may be advanced by hand
to produce a partial or local strain of the upper, say. from the heel to the ive, and
when the requisite "draft" is thus obtained, the simultaneous advance of all the
grippers will take place by the travel of the outer chain.
The gripper standards are adjustable on the table in their slots, and are made fast in
the desired position by menus of clamping screws.
Dated this 28th day of December 1887.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Machinery for Lasting Boots and Shoes.
I CHARLES HORATIO KEATS of 41 Gaol Road Stafford in the County of Stafford,
Engineer 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 a novel arrangement of machinery whereby boots and shoes
may be lasted with great expedition, and in a manner equal to the best hand-lasting, a
strain being simultaneously put upon the whole perimeter of the upper during the
crimping operation.
In constructing my improved lasting machine, I provide a slotted table to receive a
series of standards carrying each on adjustable gripper, which grippers are intended to
take hold of the edge of the upper and lay the same over the insole supported in the
last, ready to receive the facks for attaching the margin of the upper to the insole.
By means of suitable gearing I provide for the simultaneous advance and recession of
the grippers, and also for the simultaneous closing and opening of the same, and I
utilize the opening movement of the grippers to advance a series of sliding plates,
which crimp the lapped margin of the upper, and hold it firmly on the insole (when
the upper is released from the grippers), ready to receive the attaching tacks, when
these are used.
In the accompanying drawings:
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal central sectional elevation of the lasting machine, showing
the toe and heel grippers, and the last in position on its support.
Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the machine on the line 1, 2 of Fig. 1. shewing
the side grippers and the hand lever for operating the belt shifter of the main driving
belts.

page_text: .
Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the lower portion of the machine, showing one
of the tightening pullies of the machine bands, the section being taken on the line 3, 4
of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view of the machine, the section being taken on the line 5, G,
Fig. 1. two only of the gripper standards being drawn in place, the position of the
others being indicated by dotted lines.
Fig. 5 is an elevation, drawn on an enlarged scale, of one of the side standards
carrying a pair of lasting grippers and the mechanism for operating the same.
Fig. 6 is a side elevation, partly in section, drawn on an enlarged scale, of the last
holder with its standard, the last being shown in dotted lines.
Fig. 7 is an end elevation of the same, showing the means of operating the heel and
waist clamp.
Fig. 8 is a plan view of the heel and waist clamp and instep rest for supporting the
last in position.
Fig. 9 is a sectional plan view of the standard carrying the last holder, the section
being taken in the line 7. S of Fig. 6.
Fig. 10 is a sectional elevation, and Fig. 11 an end view, of the gearing situate
under the table of the machine, and serving to drive a pair of endless chains, through
which all the grippers are simultaneously operated.
Figs. 12 show in elevation and plan view, drawn full size, a pair of grippers with a
levelling plate fitted thereto.
Fig. 1 shows in sectional elevation a gripper fitted with an adjustable pressure
roller.
Fig. 14 shows a modified form of gripper carrying an elastic pressure roller
Figs. 15 to 18 are sectional views of the corrugated or undulating gripper jaws.
The diagrams Figs. 19 to 22 illustrate the progress of the lasting of a boot or shoe.
In Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, A is the slotted table mounted on end frames B B, which
carry in suitable bearings the main driving shaft C.running centrallyand longitudinally
of the table.
D, D. D are the gripper standards, of which there will ordinarily be 14,as indicated by
the dotted lines in the plan view Fig. 4.-Three of these standards, with their grippers.
are situate near the toe of the last, three at the heel of the last, while four gripper
standards are situate at either side of the last.
These standards are secured in place on the table by clips and binding screws, as
hest shown in Fig. 5. and they are, with the exception of the two central standards.
capable of lateral adjustment to suit the work in hand. The table has four parallel
slots, which are arranged longitudinally of the table. Over the two short slots . and
projecting down through them, the central end standards are secured, and over the
longer slots a, and also projecting down through them, are secured the remainder of
the standards, held firmly in place as illustrated at Fig. 5.
These standards will vary in number, and consequently in position, on the table,
according to the work in hand, and they are provided with bearings for the reception
each of two vertical spindles E El, which transmit motion to the gripper, as will be
hereafter explained.
Referring now to the mechanism below the table A, the driving shaft C carries,
at one end, fast and loose belt pullies C¹ C, by means of which, through open and
cross belts, from a prime pover, reverse rotary motions for the driving shaft Care
obtained.
Pendent from the underside of the table, and near the centre thereof, are two
brackets A A2, and between these brackets, also pendent from the table, is a stud
axle F. In these brackets are fitted two horizontal axles G G¹, situate in different
planes, and fitted to these are the band pullies G2 G³, carrying on their bosses a
ring of bevil teeth.-The teeth of the pulley G gear into a bevil wheel Fl mounted
loosely on the stud axle F, and carrying a chain wheel F. An endless chain from
this chain wheel, after passing over a guide wheel 7 (see Fig. 4), is led around a series
of pinions e, keyed on to the spindle E of the several standards, and returns to the
chain wheel from which it started. This endless chain serves to impart a rotary

page_text: motion to the several spindles E for the purpose of giving a traverse motion to the
grippers.
Gearing into the teeth on the boss of the pulley G³, is a bevil wheel F, mounted
loosely on the sind axle F, and bearing upon a collar pinned to the stud axle. Cast
in one with this pulley F. is a chain wheel, which serves to drive an endless
chain H, arranged as shown in Fig. 4, and serving, through pinions el keyed to the
lower end of the spindles E. to drive those spindles which convey the motion upwards
for operating the movable jaws of the grippers. The chains, therefore, it will be
seen, run one within the other, and they are designed to act alternately by the
depression of treadle levers, as will be hereafter explained.-L. I. I is a series of
traversing grippers mounted on the upper end of the standards D. and serving to
effect the lasting or siraining of the leather over the last and insole. They receive
also a rocking motion to permit of their being adjusted to a height corresponding
to the level of that portion of the work on which they are respectively intended to
operate.
Within the space surrounded by the gripper standards, is mounted the last K.
which is carried by an elastic support (see Fig. 6).-K is a low socketted standard
bolted to the table, for receiving and supporting elastically the vertical stem of a
horizontal bar K, forming, with its fittings, a rest for the last. The siem of this rest
admits of being fixed rigidly in an adjusted position to its socket. Fitted to one
end of this horizontal bar K2, is an adjustable forked piece K. and fitted to the
other end of the bar is a slide K, carrying a spring clamp K, which serves to
grip the heel sides of the last, and hold the upper, in which the last is inserted
firmly, to take the last.-This spring clamp (see Figs. 6, 7 and 8) is composed of
two pivotted levers k, k. to the extremities of which, a U spring ** is attached.-
These levers, in order to make the U spring clip the work, are drawn together by
a right and left hand threaded screw operated by a hand wheel -To facilitate
the operation of lasting, the stem is made capable of yielding to a downward pressure.
the socket being fitted with a sustaining spring Or the stem may be clamped
firmly to its socket by means of the set screw, when the lasting has been completed,
and the attachment of the upper to the insole is to be effected.
The grippers I have said possess three movements. of which two may, throughout
the whole series of grippers, be produced simultaneously. Before describing how
these movements are produced, it will be necessary to explain the construction of the
grippers, and the manner of mounting them.
Each standard is provided at its upper part with a horizontally sliding frame T
(see Fig. 5). having a guide pin i at back, and also a screwed stud, to which is fitted
a stationaryadjustable sleeve nut. This nut is elongated to serve as a guide, in addition
to the guide pin i, for supporting the frame in the standard. horizontal holes being
made in the casting to receive these guides.
The inner end of the nut carries a ring of spur teeth, which gear into an
elongated spur pinion d, mounted loosely on a fixed horizontal axle D' carried by the
standard D. This spur pinion is cast with bevil teeth at one end, and into these
teeth gears a bevil pinion, carried by a stud pin on the standard, which bevil
pinion gears with a bevil pinion keyed to the top of the vertical spindle E. and
receives rotary motion therefrom. This spindle E will therefore, as it is rotated,
traverse the sliding frame I' towards or from the work, according to the direction
of its rotation.
Pivotted on the horizontal sliding frame I', is a rocking frame I², which carries the
gripper I. The fixed jaw of this gripper is in one piece with the rocking frame, and
may be cast with it. Overlapping this fixed jaw is the movable jaw, which is
pivotted to the frame I, and is operated as will be presently explained.
The jaws of these grippers are by preference made with undulating or corrugated
surfaces, such undulations or corrugations running transversely of the jaws, and serving
to crimp up the edge of the upper, preparatory to its being turned over and flattened
upon the insole.
The position of the rocking frame with respect to the frame which carries it, is made

page_text: adjustable for the purpose of raising or lowering the gripper to suit the level of that
portion of work on which it is intended to act.
This adjustment is offerted by means of a screw, provided with a hand wheel 7,
fitted to a swivel socket mounted on the sliding frame 1, and taking into a swivel
nut mounted on the rocking frame P. This screw is fitted with a collar which
bears against the swivel socket, and it extends beyond this socket to receive a coiled
spring, which holds the collar in contact with the socket, so that as the screw is
turned to act upon the swivel nut, it will tip the rocking frame to the angle required
for presenting the gripper to its work. The lower jaw of the gripper may be described
as a lateral projection from the forward extremity of the rocking frame 1, and the
upper jaw consists of a crank lever, which is pivotted near its inner extremity to the
rocking frame. This jaw is connected by a coupling pin to an adjustable hollow
rod fitted in a socket guide on the rocking frame, and lying in a line drawn from
the centre of the coupling pin to the axis of motion of the rocking frame. The hollow
rodis tapped to receive a screw, which is held to the socket by an internal
flange, fitting an annular rebate in the screw stem. This screw carries, at its outer
end, a spur pinion 2 in gear with an elongated horizontal pinion, mounted loosely
on the stud axle D' of the standard D. This horizontal pinion is cast with bevil
teeth which gear directly with a bevil pinion e³, keyed to the upper end of the
spindle E', which receives an axial motion from the endless chain H
When this chain is set in motion, the screw in the hollow rod is caused to tip the
moving jaw, and make it grip the work. It is when this depression of the jaw has
been effected, that the outer chain H is brought into action to thrust all the grippers
inward, and thereby to strain the upper over the last.
Mounted in guides on the under side of the rocking frame 1, immediately below
the fixed jaw of the gripper, is a sliding plate, wiper, or levelling plate 1, which is
connected by gear teeth with the tail end of the movable gripper jaw lever, as shown
at Figs. 12 As, therefore, the gripper is opened to release the upper, the sliding
plate will be thrust forward, and caused to press the strained edge of the upper
down upon the insole, which is tacked to the last, preparatory to the insertion of the
last in the upper.
The upper jaw of the central grippers which operate respectively on the toe and
heel, are each furnished with an adjustable pressing apparatus (see Fig. 1) for
depressing the last, to ensure that a proper strain is put upon the upper before the
grippers are advanced to effect the lasting operation.
Similarly, at the opposite sides of the last, the grippers situate near its broadest
part are provided with pressing rollers for adjusting the set of the last on its
support.
Fig. 13 shews, in side view, an adjustable pressing roller with its fittings carried
by the movable gripping jaw. is the pressing roller mounted in a fork 3* the stem
of which is socketted and tapped to receive an adjusting screw The stem of the
fork is free to slide in a guide formed at the front of the gripping jaw lever, while the
screw is free to turn in a bearing, which retains it in a fixed position.-The screw is
formed with a squared head, to receive a key, by turning which, the roller may be
forced down to any desired extent on to the last, and by its depression, determine
the amount of tension to be put upon the upper during the lasting operation.
Fig. 14 shews a modification of the pressing apparatus, in which an elastic pressure
is given to the roller -In this case, the threaded stem of the fork 7 carries a
nut, which receives the pressure of a coiled spring inserted between it and the
upper guide through which the forked stem passes." An adjustable spring pressure
will thus be imparted to the pressing roller.
The corrugations made in the gripper jaws will vary according to the position of
the grippers in the machine. Thus, at the toe and the heel, where the crimping is
closest, the corrugations will be deepest.
Fig. 15. shews in longitudinal section, transversely of the corrugations, a pair of toe
grippers.

page_text: Fig. 17 a section of waist grippers, and
Fig. 1S a section of grippers situate near the fore part of the last.
The toe grippers shew the greatest depth of corrugation, the heel grippers a some-
what less depth of corrugation, and the grippers for the waist and for the fore part or
tread of the sole, have both undulations, or broad shallow corrugations, for taking up
the slack material.
I have said that the chains H and H', are intended, the one to advance and with-
draw the grippers, and the other to close and release the movable jaw of the grippers.—
It is to provide for these opposite movements, that a reversing motion is required to
be imparted to the chains.
I stated also that an open and a cross belt are employed, which require to be put
alternately into use, to effect the rotation, in opposite directions, of the main shaft C,
which imparts the reverse motion to the chains. To provide for this reversing, I have
arranged a belt shifting bar L, controlled by a rock lever L', which is brought
within convenient reach of the attendant. By giving this bar a shog to the right or
left, either the open or the cross belt will be shifted from the loose to the fast pulley
on the shaft C. When this is done, it will be requisite for the attendant to bring to
tension one or other of the bands CC of the pullies GP GP, according to the move-
ment desired to be given to the machine. These bauds are made effective for the
transmission of motion from the shaft C to their respective pullies G2 G3, by means of
tension pullies CC, carried in the forks of treadle levers C7 C, see Figs. 1 and 3,
fulcrummed on the driving shaft C.-The depression, therefore, of one or other of
these treadles, will set either the chain H. or the chain H. as the case may be, in
uction, and that in the direction provided for by the shifting of the main driving
belts.
:
It should be remarked that before putting the grippers in action, they require to be
adjusted severally by hand, through their rocking frames, and through their sliding
frames, to bring each into a proper position for working. To provide for this, the
sleeve nuts which transmit motion to the sliding frames I, are fitted with a clip ¿"
formed with an eye through which passes a threaded stems, projecting from the
standard D. A hand wheel, the boss of which is threaded, is attached to the clip -
The turning, therefore, of the hand wheel will advance the sliding frame I towards,
or draw it back from, the last. K, as may be required, (to suit the work in hand)
preparatory to the closing of the grippers.
Similarly, the grippers, when automatically closed, may be advanced singly by
turning the hand wheel to produce a partial or a local increased strain of the upper.
say, from the heel to the toe, and when the requisite "draught" is thus obtained, the
simultaneous advance of all the grippers may be effected by the travel of the chain H.
Having described the construction of my improved lasting machine, I will now
proceed to explain the mode of operating therewith, to effect the lasting of a boot or
shoe, reference being had to the diagrams Figs. 19, 20, 21 and 22, which illustrate
the progress of the operation.
I take a last with an insole tacked upon its sole surface, as when the lasting process
is to be performed by hand, and insert it in an upper (complete with heel stiffener).
supported in the rest K-The upper, placed upon the rest with its bottom edge
uppermost, is in a position to be lapped over the edges of the insole by the advance of
the grippers.
Preparatory to this advance, and in order to bring the levelling plates up to, or
level with, the under jaw of the grippers, the upper jaws are simultaneously partially
closed, or set to such a position as will enable them to clear the edge of the upper
when advanced. This partial closing is effected by the depression of the treadle C.-
The advance of the opened grippers is then effected by the depression of the treadle C
and they are thus brought to the position shewn at diagram Fig. 19. By this advance,
the grippers in line with the broadest part of the last will be brought to touch the
upper. The attendant will next, by means of the hand wheels advance those
grippers which do not touch the parts of the upper to which they are opposed,
bringing them into range for work. By turning the hand wheels ", the attendant will

page_text: now raise or lower, as may be required, the rocking frame 12 (carrying the grippers),
until the grippers are brought to the level of the insole. When this position is attained
by all the grippers, the treadle C, is again depressed, to close the grippers on the
margin of the upper, as shown by the diagram Fig. 20.
The next operation is to put a strain on the upper from the heel instep and front
quarter towards the toe, and lap the edge of the upper over the last.-This is done by
the attendant raising and advancing the grippers by means of their respective hand
wheels; or, if preferred, by putting pressure upon the insole at the foe by means
of the adjustable pressing apparatus on the front of the movable jaw of the central
toe gripper. By this means, the necessary draught is put upon the upper, thus
preparing it for the lasting operation proper.
The attendant will next depress the last and insole in the suspended upper by means
of the adjustable pressing apparatus which is situated on the front of the movable
jaw of the central heel gripper. The other self-adjusting spring pressure rollers
follow the insole and last in its descent, still pressing upon the insole, and keeping it
level upon the last. The attendant next secures the depressed position of the last
with respect to the upper, by means of the spring clamp K before mentioned. The
action of the clamp, when tightened, is to clip the counter" and the sides of the
waist against the last, whereby no more upper than is actually necessary is laid over
the insole at those parts. In case one side of the last is higher than the other, the
regulating pressure screws of the gripper or grippers adjacent to the raised part, are
caused to put such pressure upon the last as will adjust its set.
The work is now ready for the lasting operation. To effect this, the whole of the
grippers, with their sliding or levelling plates, and their adjustable pressure rollers,
and self adjusting spring pressure rollers, surrounding the entire contour of the last,
and holding the upper firmly gripped in their jaws, are simultaneously advanced by
the depression of the treadle C, in order to lay the margin of the upper over the
edges of the insole, as shown by diagram Fig. 21. As the grippers, (with their
levelling plates) advance, carrying the pleated edges of the upper in their grip, the
attendant gradually raises the adjustable pressure rollers at the centre of toe and licel,
thus releasing the downward pressure upon the last and insole, and allowing said last
and insole to rise until the margin of the advancing, upper is pressed against the
under side of the levelling plates, by the last and insole, (or until the margin of the
advancing upper is pressed between the under side of the levelling plates and,
the insole upon the last).
When this is done, the attendant removes the pressure of his foot from the treadle C7,
thereby stopping the advance of the grippers. The direction of rotation of the
driving shaft is then changed by the belt shifter, and the attendant depresses the
treadle Cs, thereby causing the grippers to release their hold on the strained upper.-
Before, however, this relaxation of the grippers takes place, it is necessary for the
attendant to inspect the progress of the work. For this purpose, a mirror is placed
on the front part of the last rest, in such a position that the attendant, by looking
into it, can see at once if the front seam, or any part of the front quarter of the
upper, is properly drawn or blocked over the last. In case any defect is visible, he
has merely to tighten or slacken any unevenly strained part, by turning one of the
hand wheels or 9. This being done, the upper jaws are raised, as before mentioned,
to their highest position, and by this movement, the sliding plates 1, which are
geared to the jaw levers I, are thrust forward, and caused to press the pleated margin
of the upper on to the insole, levelling in their advance, any uneven parts not
previously strained or blocked down by the under jaws of the grippers, this advanced
position of the parts is shewn by the diagram Fig. 22-The sliding plates I may be
slotted as usual, to facilitate the insertion of tacks into the work; if however, it is
preferred to affix the lasted upper to the insole with glue, paste, or cement, such
siccative material can be inserted between the upper and insole before the plates, 1,
are thrust forward. The sliding plates and lower jaws of the grippers may, in this
case, be advantageously heated by gas jets, to expedite the adhesion of the upper to
the insole.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim, is
1. The arrangement of lasting machinery above described, with reference to the
drawings, in which a series of grippers for straining the margin of the upper over
the insole, is adapted to receive a horizontal and a vertical adjustment (independently
of one another) with respect to the upper of the boot or shoe, and the last which is
inserted therein, such grippers being automatically advanced or retracted, and their
jaws opened or closed simultaneously, the opening and closing of the jaws serving
also to advance and retract a series of levelling plates, by which the lapped portion of
the upper is pressed down upon the insole ready for attachment thereto.
2. The means above described whereby the toe end of the last is forced downwards
and backwards (during the time the upper is gripped round its margin) for tho
purpose of obtaining the "draught" required for preparing the work for the lasting
operation proper.
:.
3. The incans above described for giving the last a proper set in the upper,
preparatory to the lasting operation.
4. The arrangement of table and gripper standards as above described, which
permits of the re-adjustment of the machine to suit special work, such as the lasting
of children's boots and shoes, and the lasting of boots and shoes for deformed feet.
Dated this 25th day of September 1SSS.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.