IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR LASTING BOOTS AND SHOES com
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake of the firm of Haseltine, Lake,
"
& C° Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR LASTING BOOTS AND SHOES commu-
nicated to him from abroad by Jacob Rookhart Scott of Nyack, New York,
United States of America Machinist
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th July 1883.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake and Co, Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR LASTING
BOOTS AND SHOES"-[A communication to him from abroad by Jacob Rook hart
Scott of Nyack, New York, United States of America Machinist]
This invention relates to machines for lasting boots and shoes.
The lasting of a boot or shoe consists in pulling the upper over the insole on the
last and tacking the upper and insole together by small tacks. This work is chiefly
done by hand, the workman pulling the upper over the edge of the insole on the
last and then driving the tacks with the hammer side of the pincers. To do this
well requires skilled labour. The object of this invention is to produce à machine
capable of doing the work in a manner similar to that done by the hand-laster, but
better and faster.
The said invention comprises a spear or holdfast, against which the operator
upwardly presses the bottom of the insole (which has been previously tacked to the
bottom of the last); this spear pierces the insole and forms a point of resistance to.
the action of a pair of griping-jaws which seize the upper and pull the same over
the edge of the insole and last; at the instant that the pulling over is complete, a
tack fed by suitable mechanism is driven through the upper and insole, thus
"lasting" the shoe by securing the upper to the insole while on the last, as a
needful step preparatory to sewing or otherwise attaching the outsole. The said
invention also comprises improvements in the spear, the griping-jaws, the means
Price Gdı

page_text: for adjusting the tension of the jaws, the tack-feeding device, and the treadle and
clutch device.
32
According to the said invention the machine consists of a frame or head
supporting mechanism operated by cams, cranks, rods and springs in such a manner
that the griper-jaws (one of which rests on the inner sole under the edge of the
upper) seize the upper and draw it over the last, and hold it there until the driver
drives a tack supplied through the tack-chute; the gripers are then retracted, and
are ready to take a new grip, and repeat as above. The resistance to the drawing-
over action of the gripers is due to the action of the said spear or "holdfast
having a sharp serrated or roughened end, against which the operator upwardly
presses the insole, at the instant when the griper-jaws make a "grip.". After a
tack is driven, the operator feeds the last, insole, and upper the proper distance,
say from one quarter to three quarters of an inch, pressing them upwardly against
the holdfast as described. This operation closely resembles that of the hand laster,
but is far more rapid.
In carrying the said invention into practice I provide a cast iron head or frame
which
may
be cast in one piece, the other parts being attached to it in the usual
manner, and a pillar, table or standard upon which the machine rests. The griper-
jaws should stand at breast height from the floor. The spear, finger, or holdfast
may be pointed, serrated, or roughened, though I prefer it to be pointed. This
construction makes it take a firm bold against the outer surface of the inner sole
when the operator presses it up against the said spear, at the instant, or just
before, the gripers start to draw the upper over the inner sole and edge of the last.
The spear or holdfast thus steadily holds in a fixed position the last and its inner
sole, while the upper is being drawn over by the gripers. The said holdfast may be
arranged in an arm fixed to the frame and adjustable therein, but I prefer to
provide the said arm with three extensions one of which carries the spear, another
being pivotted to the frame, while the third carries a stud working in the groove
of a cam whereby a rocking motion is imparted to the said arm. At the instant
the tack is driven the said cam motion rocks the said arm so as to lift the spear
withdrawing it from the insole and permitting the operator to slide the shoe along
a proper space for the insertion of the next tack. When this rocking motion is
not used, the operator has to disengage the insole from the spear by a downward
'movement of his hands.
.
A horizontal griper bar is provided which slides in bearings secured to the side
of the frame. To and fro motion is imparted to the said bar by a cam-lever one
end of which is secured to the bar by a stud and slot; the other end is arranged
to work in the groove of a second cam; the centre of the cam lever is pivotted to
the frame by a spur so as to rock. The main shaft of the machine is driven by
suitable belts and carries all the cams.
:
The outer griper or jaw has a curved foot, and is intended, while in use, to rest
'upon the outer surface of the insole, close up to, and projecting under, the upper ;
this griper slides upon the said bar and is actuated towards the outer griper by a
spiral spring. The force of this spring is regulated by means of a set screw
'and stud.
:
The motion outward of the outer griper is obtained through a connecting lever
the inner end of which is in contact with a screw-stud on the rear side of the
second cam lever. The centre of the latter lever is pivotted to the frame, while its
upper end has a stud working in the groove of a third cam. The lower end of the
second cam lever has a tooth or clutch which catches against a stop on a treadle
lever, this lever is pivotted to the frame and is held up by a spring and depressed
by a treadle attached to a connecting rod. The outer end of the treadle lever is
connected to a revolving stop clutch. When the foot is on the treadle the
mechanism acts; by removing the foot the mechanism is stopped. The inner
griper-jaw is secured to the bar by means of a set screw. A driver moves
vertically in a hollow standard, upon the top of the frame. A strong spiral spring
is contained in the said standard, resting upon the head of the said driver, and is

page_text: held down by a hand-screw on the top of the standard. The downward pressure
of this spring upon the driver when raised by a fourth cam gives the blow which
drives the tack. The said fourth cam is on the main shaft and is arranged to
raise the driver.
A chute is provided through which the tacks are fed singly, either by a boy or
by the automatic device hereinafter described.
The tack-hopper revolves on its own shaft near to the main shaft, to the pulley
of which it is connected by a belt. This hopper is cylindrical, having several
curved flukes or buckets on its inner surface; one end of the tack, race-way
projects into the hopper extending nearly from end to end, the outer end of the
race-way extends to a point over the mouth of the tack-chute. The tack-hopper
is supplied with tacks through a door. As the said hopper revolves, its curved
flukes lift up the tacks to the highest point, and drop them from a point imme-
diately over the groove in the race-way. At each one third of a revolution (where
three flukes are used) some of the tacks fall point downward, so as to be caught in
the groove of the race-way; tacks so caught are held by their heads which slide
down the upper, surface of the race-way, until the last in line is caught and held
down by a gate.
I also provide a rock-lever actuated by a cam and pivotted to the race-way; a
stop-gate to stop the tack last in line on the race-way; an under gate, having its
upper end grooved out to catch the last tack when released by the said gate, and
then drop it into the mouth of chute which delivers it into the tack passage of
the inner griping jaw. The said gates have a spiral spring between them tending
to make them approach each other. This mechanism is so arranged that as the
said rock lever raises the stop gate and releases a tack, the spring raises the under
gate which catches the tack, and delivers it into the mouth of the tack-chute;
almost at the same instant the stop gate snaps down on a succeeding tack and
holds it for a repetition of above movements; the jarring motion of the driver
effectually jars off the tack from the extreme end of the race-way. By the use of
this automatic tack-feeder I dispense with the boy needed to feed tacks singly
by hand.
The operation of the improved machine is as follows that is to say:-The
operator stands facing the side of the machine; taking a last he applies the
insole; he also applies the upper which is bent over at the toe, and drives the
centre toe-tack either by hand as usual, or by the machine; or a number of lasts
may thus be previously made ready for the operator. The last is then so held by
the operator that the outer griper rests on the inner sole close up to, and under,.
the edge of the upper; at this instant the operator lifts up the last so as to
force the insole against the spear. (The edge of the last farthest from the operator
rests against a back-gauge, which can be adjustable, and can swing out of the
way). The operator then presses on the treadle and starts the machine; the outer
griper noves up to the inner griper, firmly grasping the edge of the upper: as the
two gripers holding the upper move still further they are resisted by the hold-fast
so that the said upper is forcibly pulled over the insole and last, and is held in
position until the tack passage of the inner griper is in line with the driver; at
that instant the driver descends and drives the tack. The hold-fast is then lifted
by its rock-lever out of the way and the operator keeping time with the machine
moves his last a proper distance for the next tack and repeats the operation above
described, turning the last as necessary until the shoe is wholly tacked around or
lasted.
It is obvious that I may vary, some of the details of construction without
departing from the nature of this invention.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Robert Lake in the Patent Office on the 19th January
1884.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine Lake & Co, Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings London "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR LASTING
BOOTS AND SHOES A communication to me from abroad by Jacob Rookhart
Scott, of Nyack, New York, United States of America, Machinist
This invention relates to machinery for lasting boots and shoes.
The lasting of a boot or shoe consists in pulling the upper over the insole on the
last and tacking the upper and insole together by small tacks. This work is
chiefly done by hand, the workman pulling the upper over the edge of the insole
on the last and then driving the tacks with the hammer side of the pincers. To
do this well requires skilled labor. The object of this invention is to produce a
machine capable of doing the work in a manner similar to that done by the hand
laster, but better and faster.
The said invention comprises a spear or holdfast, against which the operator
upwardly presses the bottom of the insole (which has been previously tacked to the
bottom of the last); this spear pierces the insole and forms a point of resistance
to the action of a pair of griping-jaws which seize the upper, and pull the same
over the edge of the insole and last. At the instant that the pulling over is
complete, a tack fed by suitable mechanism is driven through the upper and insole,
thus "lasting" the shoe by securing the upper to the insole while on the last, as
The said
a needful step preparatory to sewing or otherwise-attaching the outsole.
invention also comprises improvements in the griping-jaws, the means
for
adjusting the tension of the jaws, the tack-feeding device, and the treadle and
clutch device.
The improved machine consists of a frame or head, supporting mechanism
operated by cams, cranks, rods and springs in such a manner that the griper-jaws,
(one of which rests on the inner sole under the edge of the upper) seize the upper
.and draw it over the last, and hold it there until the driver drives a tack supplied
through the tack chute; the gripers are then retracted, and are ready to take a
new grip, and repeat as above. The resistance to the drawing over action of the
gripers is due to the action of a spear or "holdfast" having a sharp, serrated or
roughened end, against which the operator upwardly presses the insole, at the instant
when the griper-jaws make a "grip." After a tack is driven, the operator feeds
the last the insole and the upper the proper distance, say from one quarter to three
quarters of an inch, pressing them upwardly against the holdfast as described.
This operation closely resembles that of hand-lasting but is far more rapid.
In the accompanying drawing
Figures. 1 and 2 are opposite side elevations of a machine constructed according
to this invention.
Figure. 3, is a horizontal section through the tack-hopper, also showing a plan of
the race-way
Figure. 4; is a front elevation of the machine.
Figure. 5, is a view drawn to an enlarged scale of a detail of the device for
delivering the tacks
Figure. 6, is a vertical transverse section of the tack-hopper.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.
A indicates the cast-head or frame of the machine, which frame may be cast in
one piece, the other parts being attached to it in the usual manner and A' a pillar,

page_text: table or standard upon which the machine rests. The griper-jaws should stand at
breast height from the floor.
B indicates the spear, finger, or holdfast, which is adjustable. in rocking lever C.
This spear or holdfast at its lower end is pointed serrated or roughened, though I
prefer it to be pointed. This construction makes it take a firm hold against the
outer surface of the inner sole when the operator presses it up against the said
spear, at the instant, or just before, the gripers, start to draw the upper over the
inner sole and edge of the last.. The spear or holdfast B, thus steadily holds in
a fixed position the last and its inner sole, while the upper is being drawn over by
the gripers. The said holdfast may be arranged in an arm C, fixed to the frame
and adjustable therein but I prefer to arrange it as shown in the drawing where
the arm C is provided with three extensions one of which carries the spear B
another being pivoted to the frame A, while the third carries a stud 7, working in
the groove of a cain Z whereby a rocking motion is imparted to the said arm. At
the instant the tack is driven, this cam inotion rocks the arm C, so as to lift the
spear B, withdrawing it from the insole, and permitting the operator to slide the
shoe along a proper space for the insertion of the next tack. When this rocking
motion is not used, the operator has to disengage the insole from the spear by a
downward movement of his hands.
:
D indicates a horizontal griper bar which slides in bearings secured to the side
of the frame A. To and fro motion is imparted to the said bar D, by the cam-
lever E one end of which is secured to the bar D by a stud and slot; the other.
end is arranged to work in the groove of cam G. The centre of the lever E, is
pivoted to the frame A, by a spur, so as to rock.
Hindicates the main shaft of the machine which is driven by suitable belts,
and carries all the cams.
I indicates the outer griper or jaw having a curved foot, and is intended, while
in use, to rest upon the outer surface of the insole, close up to and projecting under
the upper; this griper I, slides upon the bar D, and is actuated towards the inner
griper by the spiral spring e. The force of this spring is regulated by means of
the set screw f, and stud j..
The motion outward of the griper I is obtained through a connecting lever U,
the inner end of which is in contact with a screw-stud on the rear side of the
cam lever V. The centre of the lever V is pivoted to the frame A, while its upper
end has a stud working in the groove of a cam X. The lower end of the lever V
has a tooth or clutch which catches against a stop on the treadle-lever Y; this
lever is pivoted to the frame A, and is held up by spring 4, and depressed by a
treadle attached to connecting rod 5. The outer end of the lever Y is connected to
a. revolving stop clutch 6. When the foot is on the treadle the mechanism acts;
by removing the foot the mechanism is stopped
J indicates the inner griper-jaw which is secured to the bar D by means of a
set screw.
K indicates the driver which moves vertically in the hollow standard L, upon
the top of the frame A. A strong spiral spring is contained in the standard L,
resting upon the head of the driver K, and is held down by a hand-screw on the
top of the standard L. The downward pressure of this spring upon the driver
when raised by the cam N, gives the blow which drives the tack. The cam N;
is on the main shaft, and is arranged to raise the driver K.
P indicates the chute through which the tacks are fed singly, either by a boy,
or by the automatic device hereinafter described; and the tack-hopper,
revolving on its own shaft near to the main shaft, to the pulley of which it is
connected by a belt. This hopper is cylindrical, having several curved flukes or
buckets 8 on its inner surface (see figures 3 and 6).
R indicates the tack-race-way one end of which projects into the hopper
extending nearly from end to end, the outer end of the race-way.extends to a
point over the mouth of the tack-chute.
In operation the tack-hopper is supplied with say half a pound of small lasting

page_text: An
tacks, through a door 7. As the said hopper revolves, its curved flukes lift up the
tacks to the highest point, and drop them from a point immediately over the
groove in the race-way. At each one third of a revolution (where three flukes
are used) some of the tacks fall point downward, so as to be caught in the groove
of the race-way; tacks so caught are held by their heads. which slide down the
upper surface of the race-way, until the last in line is caught and held down by
the gate 9. 10 indicates a rock-lever actuated by a cam 11, and pivoted to the
race-way R. The stop-gate 9 stops the tack last in line on the race-way.
under gate 12 has its upper end grooved out to catch the last tack when released
by the gate 9, and then to drop it into the mouth of the chute P, which delivers it
into the tack passage of the jaw J. The gates 9 and 12 have a spiral spring
between them tending to make them approach each other. This mechanism is so
arranged that as the rock-lever 10 raises the gate. 9.and releases a tack, the spring
raises the gate 12 which catches the tack and delivers it into the mouth of the
tack-chute; almost at the same instant, the gate 9 snaps down on a succeeding
tack and holds it for a repetition of above movements. (see figures 1 and. 5) the
jarring motion of the driver effectually jars off the tack from the extreme end of
the race-way. By the use of this automatic tack-feeder I dispense with the boy
needed to feed tacks singly by hand.
The operation of the improved machine is as follows that is to say the operator
stands facing the side of the machine shown in figure 4. Taking a last, he applies
the insole; he also applies the upper, which is bent over at the toe, and drives
the centre toe-tack either by hand as usual, or by the machine or a number of
lasts may thus be previously made ready for the operator. The last is then so
held by the operator that the griper I rests on the inner sole close-up to and under
the edge of the uppers. At this instant the operator lifts up the last so as to force
the insole against the spear B. (The edge farthest from the operator rests against
a back-gauge, which can be adjustable, and can swing out of the way.) The
operator then presses on the treadle, and starts the machine, whereby the griper J
moves up to the griper I firmly grasping the edge of the upper. As the two
gripers holding the upper move still further, they are resisted by the hold-fast B
so that the said upper is forcibly pulled over the insole and last, and is held in
position until the tack passage of the griper J is in line with the driver K ; at
that instant the driver descends and drives the tack. The hold-fast is then lifted
by its rock-lever out of the way and the operator keeping time with the machine
moves his last a proper distance for the next tack and repeats the operation above
described, turning the last as necessary until the shoe is wholly tacked around
or lasted.
'
..It is obvious that I may vary some of the details of construction and some or
all of the proportions without departing from the nature of this invention..
Having thus fully described the said invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent and the manner of performing the same I wish it understood
that I claim
First. The spear or hold-fast B for fixing the last and insole while the
being pulled over, substantially as described.
upper is
Second The spear B provided with a rock-lever for raising it out of the way
after the driving of each tack.
Third The griper-jaws I and J operated by the bar D, and the levers and
mechanism for grasping and pulling over the upper, substantially as shown and
described.
Fourth. The mechanism for grasping and pulling over the upper, in combination
with the hold-fast B, as set forth.
Fifth The mechanism for predetermining the amount of pull on the upper,
consisting of the jaws I and J, the bar D, and the cam levers and cams, the jaw I
being actuated towards the jaw J by means of a spring e. and tension screw f,
substantially as described.
Sixth. A lasting machine, provided with a pair of griper-jaws I J, the slide

page_text: bar D supporting the jaws, the jaw I being adapted to slide with the bar, and so
arranged that when the jaws gripe the upper they shall simultaneously move
forward, as described.
Seventh. The automatic tack-feeding mechanism composed of the tack-hopper Q
with the flukes 8, the race-way R, the gates 9 and 12, the rock-lever 10, and the
cam 11, substantially as set forth.
Eighth The tack-hopper Q provided with flukes operating to deliver tacks into
the raceway R, as set forth,
Ninth The mechanism for stopping tacks in the race-way, one at a time, and
delivering them singly into the tack-chute, substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof I the said William Robert Lake have hereunto set my
hand and seal this nineteenth day of January in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and eighty four.
W ROB LAKE (L.S.)