Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Sept., 1886.
Complete Left, 1st July, 1887.
Complete Accepted, 2nd Aug., 1887.
follows:-
It is well understood that "bespoke" work is usually handsewn and made on
wooden lasts.
It is also known that there is a scarcity of labor of this description and that it may
ultimately be necessary to produce "bespoke" work by machine sewing, or rivetting
on iron lasts.
The object of my invention is therefore to produce an iron last (of the dimensions
of the foot of say an individual requiring and ordering them) which may take the
place and have the advantages of the wooden last inasmuch as I provide for my iron
lasts suitable studs or projections which may be applied to the lasts at different points
to provide for bunions, corns, and the like or for an increase in the size of the foot-
this provision being usually made by tacking pieces of leather to the wooden last at
the desired points.
I also effect improvements in iron lasts by providing blocks of extra length and
certain formation which are capable of being readily withdrawn as I lessen resistance
at the instep and joint. The blocks and lasts at present made offer great resistance at
the points named and frequently strain and tear" "upper" material. I therefore in
order to carry out my invention recess an iron last leaving the outer portion from the
waist or joint to the toe raised preferably almost level with the flat or front portion of
the block and by this means I am provided with increased area in which to bore holes
at the sides to receive a suitable stud or projection (the surface of which may be
designed to suit the shape of the corn or bunion) having a suitable pin or shank
attached to it which may be fitted into the holes before named.
I may of course bore holes and apply the studs &c. to any portion of the last as
required.

page_text: And when necessary I may bore the holes described in the desired part of the last
and by filling them with wood gutta percha or other suitable material leather studs
or projections may be tacked to the last for the protection of corns bunions and the
like.
Having recessed the front portion of the last viz :-from the instep to preferably
within say half an inch of the toe I arrange that from the top to the base of the
recess the sides of it may be preferably at an obtuse angle from the base and the
curved sloping base of the recess from the instep to the Hat or joint or toe portion
may also be at the same angle.
The recess and corresponding block may be tapered and continued almost to the
toe of the last and it will be seen that resistance to the withdrawal of the block and
remaining portion is lessened.
I may provide a suitable ridge in the recessed portion of the last and the block may
be suitably recessed to correspond.

page_text: I, HENRY DAVEY of 37 Cumberland Street Leicester, Last 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:
It is well understood that "bespoke "work is usually handsewn and made on
wooden lasts.
may
It is also known that there is a scarcity of labor of this description and that
ultimately be necessary to produce "bespoke" work by machine sewing, or rivetting
on iron lasts.
The object of my invention is therefore to produce an iron last (of the dimensions
of the foot of say an individual requiring and ordering them) which may take the
place and have the advantages of the wooden lasts inasmuch as I provide for my iron
lasts suitable studs or projections, which may be applied to the lasts at different points
to provide for bunions, corns, and the like, or for an increase in the size of the foot-
this provision being usually made by tacking pieces of leather to the wooden last at
the desired points. I also effect improvements in iron lasts by providing blocks of
extra length and certain formation which are capable of being readily withdrawn as
1 lessen resistance at the instep and joint. The blocks and lasts at present made
offer great resistance at the points named and frequently strain and tear the upper
material.
In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of a last constructed
according to my invention.
Figure 2 is a plan of same.
Figure 3 is a plan of a last with the instep block removed. Figure 4 is a section
across the line P. P. Figure 5 is a side elevation of the instep block.
Figure 6 is a view of a stud or projection used in connection with my improved
last.
A is the bottom block of a last having a cavity or recess A' which is extended
from the instep to within a convenient distance from the toe as shewn.
On each side of the recess A' the outer portion C of the last from the waist or
joint to the toe is left raised preferably almost level with the upper or front portion,
any desired number of holes C¹ may be bored in such parts, to receive studs, or corn
or bunion pieces C2 which may be of any required size, shape, & material.
I do not however confine myself strictly to the use or employment of holes (" in
the exact position as shewn in the annexed drawings, as I may when necessary bore
suitable holes in any required position on the last for the reception of the studs (2 or
I may dispense with the studs & by filling the perforations with gutta-percha or

page_text: any other soft & pliable substance, enable leather or other projections to be tacked
or otherwise secured thereon to provide for callosities or increase in the size of the
foot.
The shape of the recess A¹ is convenient for my purpose, but I may when necessary
vary the shape, & length & depth of the recess to any convenient extent as desired.
The sides of the recess A¹ are bevelled or inclined inwards as shewn by the dotted
lines in Figure 3, the instep block B being oppositely bevelled to fit into same, this
has the effect of keeping the instep block B in position & from becoming detached and
falling when the last is placed or used in an inverted position.
When it is desired to secure greater area on the outer portions C of the last for the
purpose of increasing the number and varying the position of the holes C¹ it may be
effected by constructing the recess A¹ proportionately narrower or of a more decided
taper, the instep block being correspondingly shaped.
The tongue or dovetail D is preferably continued down to the base of the recess A¹,
the end D of the recess is slightly inclined or bevelled outwards, i.e. towards the toe.
The sides of the recess or outer portions C are tapered to a point so as to be on a
level with the sloping surface of the bottom block A.
It will therefore be seen that when it is desired to withdraw the last from a boot or
shoo it is easily effected, resistance being considerably lessened in consequence of
there being no rough or projecting parts to come in contact with the inner material
of a boot upper and injury to same being thereby avoided.
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. A metal last formed in two pieces and united by a dovetail joint substantially as
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2. In combination, with a metal last, the use or employment of holes and corn and
bunion pieces substantially as & for the purpose specified.
Dated this day of July 1881.
Witness
E. N. LEWIS,
Midland Patent Office,
Market Street,
Leicester.
HENRY DAVEY.