Improvements in Machines for Lasting the Uppers of Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Dec.. 1887
Complete Left, 17th May, 1888
Complete Accepted, 22nd June, 1889
0
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Lasting the Uppers of Boots and
Shoes.
We, ORLANDO ETHELBERT LEWIS, of 104 High Street, Boston, Massachusetts,
United States of America, but at present residing at the Charing Cross Hotel in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, and ALBERT EDWARD STIRCKLER, late of Boston
aforesaid, but at present of the Ram Hotel, Northampton, in the County of
Northampton, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this Invention to be as
follows:-
This Invention relates to machines of the type described in the Specification of Letters
Patent No. 3706 dated 16th March 1886 and the object of the present Invention is to
render the machines more perfect in their action and capable of efficiently operating
with lasts of different shapes or "springs."
According to this Invention the sliding clamps or heads between which the last is
situated (one clamp or head being at the foe end and the other clamp or head at the
heel end) are made capable of adjustment in such manner that the toe clamp or head
suits any dip of the toe end of the last so that the heel of the last is always in a hori-
zontal plane the heel clamp or head being adjustable vertically to accord with the plane
in which the heel is situated and being adjustable laterally to suit any transverse
incline of the heel of the last, the plates or wipers in the toe head or clamp, which act
as folders over of the leather, being brought to the requisite angle to accommodate the
lengthwise angle of the toe end of the last. The said folding plates or wipers are for
this purpose mounted in a holder capable of being turned and fixed in position on an
axis on the head or clamp and situated transversely of the length of the last. The
heel clamp or head is mounted upon an axis situated in line with the length of the
last. This allows of the heel head or clamp being adjusted to suit any angle of the
heel end of the last as seen from the end and the said heel head or clamp is capable of
being raised and lowered to any desired position necessitated by the "spring" of the
last by means of a screw and hand wheel. The toe head or clamp carries swivelling
pieces situated on either side of the toe end of the last and mounted in pieces adjust-
able laterally by screws so as to accommodate different widths of lasts, the swivelling
accommodating different curves of the toe ends of the lasts. On the said toe head or clamp

page_text: is also an attachment for prossing upon the leather on the last and holding it firmly in
place (whilst the last is depressed) being thereafter released and moved up or back to be
clear whilst the upper leather is folded over the last by the folding plates or wipers.
The said attachment has its bearing surface upon the leather made by a plate with
springs between it and the body of the attachment so as to allow the bearing surface
to accommodate itself to variations in the thickness of the leather. The pressing part
is forced down by a strong spring there being a nut or nuts for adjusting the
tension and the said pressing part is mounted on a stem capable of swivelling in
the holder and of being fixed in the position to which it has been brought. In this
stem is a rod capable of being moved down by means of a cam lever so as to press the
last down whilst the leather is retained by the aforesaid pressing surface. The toe
end of the last rests upon an under support which is used in conjunction with the
resting rod at the heel end for the last to rest upon. The said supports or rests are
moved up and down by means of a lever cross bar and rods and the rod which supports
the toe end is made in two lengths with reversely screwed ends engaging in a connecting
nut or screwed sleeve so that the said toe rest can be adjusted to the required height.
A strong spring beneath the cross arm which connects the rods of the two rests serves
to hold the upper leather between the last and the folding over plates but permits of
being depressed at the toe end as before stated. The heel supporting rod preferably
rests upon the crossbar through which it is operated so that it is slidden therealong
as the heel head or clamp is moved lengthwise to accommodate different lengths of
lasts.
In order to give an equal folding movement over the whole of the extent of the toe
end of the last upon which the folding plates in the toe head or clamp operate the said
plates are connected by slotted connections with two curved sides capable of being
moved in a circular path inwards at their operating ends by means of a hand lever
connected by a central rod to a central lengthwise sliding bar attached to the ends of
the curved bars by links which are utilized as thrust pieces to give movement in a
forward direction to a bar connected to the folding plates or wipers the said forward
movement being obtained by toggles between the links and the said bar connected to the
folding plates or wipers so that by the angle at which these toggles are placed a greater
or lesser forward movement of the folding plates or wipers may be obtained as required.
The heel head or clamp is provided with a similar arrangement. The spring grips or
nipper wipers situated at the sides of the last I make so that they have a parallel grip
for which purpose I attach the forward end of the spring (which puts the grip on), to
a sliding bar which slides in a guide and has on it one jaw of the grip the other jaw
being on the body part of the grip. The jaws may be roughed or pointed to ensure
their holding. The other end of the spring is attached to the centered lever for opening
and closing the grip. The lever which operates the toe folding plates as aforesaid has
a frictional clip piece upon it embracing the edge of the swivelling part of the toe
head or clamp so as to prevent the lever from swinging back when let go after
operating it.
The lever by which the rests for the last are raised and lowered is provided with a
projection which acts on a detent or dog to automatically release it from a retaining
cog after the rests are lowered so that the side grip can be moved either way freely
but when the lever is in the position in which the last is being operated on the grips
can be moved in but are prevented from moving out by the engagement of the grip
and dog.
Dated the 21st dose af Dacomban 1907

page_text: We ORLANDO ETHELBERT LEWIS of 104 High Street Boston Massachusetts United
States of America Gentleman and ALBERT EDWARD STIROKLER late of Boston afore-
said but at present of 8 St. Giles Terrace Northampton in the County of Northampton
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 lasting machines of the type described in the Specification
of Letters Patent No. 3706 dated 16th March 1886 and the object of the present
invention is to render the machines more perfect in their action and capable of
efficiently operating with lasts of different shapes or "springs."
According to this Invention the sliding clamps between which the last is situated
(one clamp being at the toe end of the last, and the other clamp at the heel end of the
last) are made capable of adjustment in such manner that the toe clamp can be made
to suit any dip of the toe end of the last so that the heel of the last is always in a
horizontal plane the position of the heel clamp being alterable vertically to accord
with the plane in which the heel is situated and laterally to suit any transverse incline
of the heel of the last the plates or wipers in the toe clamp which act as folders over
of the leather being brought to the requisite angle to accomodate the lengthwise
angle of the toe end of the last. The said folding plates or wipers are for this purpose
mounted in a holder capable of being turned and fixed in position on an axis on the
clamp and situated transversely of the length of the last. The heel clamp is mounted
upon an axis situated in line with the length of the last. This allows of the heel
clamp being adjusted to suit any angle of the heel end of the last as seen from the
end and the said heel clamp is capable of being raised and lowered to any desired
position necessitated by the "spring" of the last by means of a screw and hand
wheel or equivalent means. The toe clamp carries swivelling pieces situated on either
side of the toe end of the last and mounted in pieces adjustable laterally by screws so
as to accomodate different widths of lasts the swivelling accomodating different curves
of the toe ends of the lasts. On the said toe clamp is also an attachment for pressing
upon the leather on the last and holding it firmly in place (whilst the last is depressed)
being thereafter released and moved up or back to be clear whilst the upper leather
is folded over the last by the folding plates or wipers. The said attachment has its
bearing surface upon the leather made by a plate with springs between it and the
body of the attachment so as to allow the bearing surface to accomodate itself to
variations in the thickness of the leather. The pressing part is forced down by a
strong spring there being a nut or nuts for adjusting its tension and the said pressing
part is mounted on a stem capable of swivelling in the holder and of being fixed in
the position to which it has been brought. In this stem is a rod capable of being

page_text: moved down by means of a cam lever so as to press the last down whilst the leather
is retained by the aforesaid pressing surface. The toe end of the last rests upon an
under support which is used in conjunction with the resting rod at the heel end for
the last to rest upon. The said supports or rests are moved up and down by means
of a lever cross bar and rods and the rods which support the last may each be
made in two lengths with reversely screwed ends engaging in a connecting nut or
screwed sleeve so that the said rods can be adjusted in length. A strong spring
beneath the cross bar which connects the rods of the two rests serves to hold the
upper leather between the last and the folding over plates but permits of it being
depressed at the toe end as before stated. The heel supporting rod preferably rests
upon the cross bar through which it is operated so that it is slidden therealong as the
heel clamp is moved lengthwise to accomodate different lengths of lasts.
In order to give an equal folding movement over the whole of the extent of the
toe end of the last upon which the folding plates in the top clamp operate, the said
plates are connected by slotted connections with two curved slides capable of being
moved in a circular path inwards at their operating ends by means of a hand lever
connected by a centered rod to a central lengthwise sliding bar attached to the ends
of the curved bars by links which are utilized as thrust pieces to give movement
in a forward direction to a bar connected to the folding plates or wipers the said
forward movement being obtained by toggles between the links and the said bar
connected to the folding plates or wipers so that by the angle at which these toggles
are placed a greater or lesser forward movement of the folding plates or wipers may
be obtained as required. The heel clamp may be provided with a similar arrange-
ment. The spring grips or nipper wipers situated at the sides of the last I make
so that they have a parallel grip for which purpose I attach the forward end of
the spring (which puts the grip on) to a sliding bar which slides in a guide and has
on it one jaw of the grip the other jaw being on the body part of the grip. The
jaws may be roughed or pointed to ensure their holding the leather. The other end
of the spring is attached to the centered lever for opening and closing the jaws. The
lever which operates the toe folding plates as aforesaid has a frictional clip piece upon
it embracing the edge of the swivelling part. of the toe clamp so as to prevent the
lever from swinging back when let go after operating it. The lever by which the
rests for the last are raised and lowered is provided with a projection which acts on a
detent or dog to automatically release it from a retaining tooth after the rests are
lowered, so that the side nipper wipers can be moved either way freely but when the
lever is in the position in which the last is being operated on the said nipper wipers
can be moved in but are prevented from moving out by the engagement of the detent
or dog with the retaining tooth.
And in order that our invention may be clearly understood we shall now proceed
more particularly to describe the same and for that purpose shall refer to the
accompanying drawings the same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts
in all the figures.
Figures 1 and 2 represent in plan and side elevation respectively a machine con-
structed according to this invention and Figures 3 and 4 are sections of parts of the
machine. Figures 5 to 11 illustrate details hereinafter referred to.
The essential parts of the machine which we will describe in the order in which
they are brought into action consist
1st. Of supports for the last with means for pressing and securing the last
thereon.
2ndly. The heel and toe clamps by which the leather or upper is drawn over the
heel and toe parts of the last and
"
3rdly. The side nipper wipers which are mainly instrumental in stretching or pulling
the upper over the last.
the heel
The means for supporting the last consists essentially of two rods and S
Figures 1 and 2 provided with suitably formed heads for the reception of
and toe ends of the last which heads are adjustable in height to suit lasts of different
springs." The rod Q works in a guide q connected by a rod p to a slide and is

page_text: provided at its lower extremity with a block arranged to slide in a guide which is
connected by rods wand z pivotted to a horizontal bar E to which is also pivotted the
rod c carrying the rest or support S for the toe end of the last. Beneath the bar E'
near the end to which the supporting rod e¹ is pivotted is a strong spring tending
to maintain this end of the bar elevated and serving to hold the upper between the
last and the folding over plates as hereinafter described.
On an axis Farranged beneath the base of the machine is an eccentric or cam F¹
upon which a rod fast on the bar E' bears. On one end of this axis F a lever K
is fixed by means of which the cam may be turned so as to raise and lower the
bar E' as required to alter the elevation of the last resting on the supports Q and S.
The extremities of the bar E' being free to move in the guides E2; and the bar
being pivotally connected to the rods w, and c'; and the guide v being similarly
connected to the rods and, the pressure exerted on the last through the rod e' and
support S and through the head of the rod Q is equalised so that these two parts of
the mechanism always remain in the required relative positions.
The lever K is provided with a guiding piece s fitted to slide on a rod »
the frame of the machine and provided with ratchet teeth or notches with which a
pivoited to
spring detent s carried on the lever K engages to retain the said lever in any desired
position and prevent any accidental displacement of the cam F.
The heel and toe clamps C and D are arranged respectively upon the screw
shafts A A' Figures 1, 2, 3, 3, in such a manner that by turning the said shafts by
means of a wheel E to the right or to the left as the case may be they can be moved
towards or from each other to accommodate lasts of different lengths.
Figures 6 and 7 are two plans of one of the clamps containing the mechanism for
forcing the upper over the heel and toe of the last the cover plate being removed and
showing the internal arrangement of the parts in two positions.
In a recess in the body C of the clamp two bars and are fitted to slide one
over the other in the longitudinal direction of the last. A lever I pivotted to the
clamp Cat is connected with the lower slide g² by a pin on the lever engaging with
the slide in such a manner that when the lever is moved in the direction indicated by
the arrow in Figure 6 the slide 2 is moved longitudinally towards the centre of the
machine and vice versa. Links h² are jointed at one end to the rear end of the slide g²
the other ends of these links being jointed to two curved slides or arms e². The
links are also connected by two other links to the bar to the forward end of
which bar a pair of folding plates or wipers are pivotted. These folding plates are
each provided with a slot in which works a pin projecting from the underside of the
corresponding curved arm e².
When the lever I is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 6 the
slide is pushed forwards in the same direction thereby transmitting motion through
the links to the curved arms e² and by these latter to the folding plates d², whilst at
the same time the slide will also be moved forward by the connecting links i h² so
that the plates are not only caused to move towards one another on their pivot but
are also pushed bodily forwards from the position indicated in Figure 6 to that
indicated in Figure 7, and thereby press the projecting edge of the upper leather
over the edge of the last the said turned over edge of the upper being then secured to
the insole in the ordinary manner. Owing to this double or compound action of the
folding plates or wipers the upper is drawn regularly over the end of the last.
The heel clamp C is connected by pins e to the sliding support D¹ Figure 3 so as to
be capable of being inclined or tilted laterally but is maintained normally in a
horizontal position by springs arranged between the under side of the clamp and the
upper side of the guide in which the support D' slides longitudinally.
The guide C is not rigidly connected to the table but is carried by an intermediate
support E in which it is capable of vertical adjustment by means of a screw c² and
hand wheel o to regulate the height of the clamp C which clamp is maintained in its
vertically adjusted position by means of a set screw n.
This clamp in addition to its vertical adjustment is capable of being adjusted

page_text: longitudinally as hereinbefore described by means of the screw A which works in a
mut supported between vertical guides in the slide D' as shown in Figures 3 and 3ª
(Figure representing a horizontal section taken along the line 1-2 Figure 3) so
as to be capable of moving the said slide longitudinally without interfering with its
vertical movements.
The internal arrangement of the toe clamp or support D is the same as that of the
heel clamp C so that the description of the internal mechanism of the one is sufficient
to explain that of the other. The toe clamp however is not supported in the same
way as the heel clamp but is hinged as shown at Figures 2 and 8 to a slide m so as
to be capable of being adjusted in a more or less inclined position by means of
adjusting screws U Figures 1, 2 and 8.
l
The longitudinal adjustment of the clamp D is effected by means of the screw A¹
which works in a nut or internal screw thread formed in the slide m and receives its
motion from the wheel E through the gearing N N and spindles B so that by turning
this screw A the slide m together with the clamp D will be moved in the direction of
the length of the table simultaneously with the clamp C. Supported by two lugs on
the top or covering plate of the clamp D is a bolt or pin upon which is fitted to slide
a slotted piece or link W to the front end of which link is connected a presser Z the
construction of which is shown more clearly in Figures 10 and 11.
i
This presser consists of a hollow cylindrical piece 2 slotted at its upper end where
it is provided with a cam lever P. Inside this piece p² is fitted to slide a rod g²
provided at its lower end with a disc 3 which when in operation is pressed down by
the action of the cam P, on to the insole placed on the last. The piece p² is provided
with an external screw thread on which two nuts and o² are screwed and between
which nuts is engaged one end of the slotted piece W. A plate S2 is fitted to slide up
and down the lower end of the piece p2 but without rotating thereon. This plate
is held down in its normal position indicated in Figure 10 by a spring and is
prevented from slipping off the end of the piece p² by a projecting rim or flange as
shown in the drawing. A horseshoe shaped or curved piece 2 is connected by
bolts and helical springs ² to the plate S² and is maintained at a certain distance
therefrom by the said springs ².
On the cover plate of the clamp D is centred a lever M provided at one end with a
wedge shaped projection which (when the presser is turned into the position shown in
Figure 2) may by turning the lever M, be forced beneath the outer end of the slotted
piece W and thereby press the plate 2 on to the projecting edge of the "
upper" and
hold it securely between the said plate and the upper surface of the folding over plates
or wipers of the clamp D the springs permitting of the plate t² accommodating
itself to any inequalities in the thickness of the leather.
By turning the cam P the disc ³ on the lower end of the rod 2 is pressed down on
to the insole, the pressure thereby exerted forcing the last and the support S down
against the resisting power of the spring beneath the bar E hereinbefore described,
and consequently drawing the upper (which is still retained between the plates t
and d) tightly above the edge of the toe of the last in readiness for the plates d² to
wipe or draw the said projecting edge over the said toe. To effect this wiping or
folding over of the upper the lever L Figures 1 and 2 is turned so as to cause the
plates d² to advance and simultaneously with the movement of the lever L. the pressure
of the plate 3 is removed from the last by turning the lever M so as to withdraw the
wedge piece from beneath the slotted piece W the presser may then be turned on the
pin into the position shown in Figure S and the wiping over of the upper at the toe
completed by the continued motion of the lever L. At the front end of the clamp D there
are pieces Figure 9 capable of being slidden in guides by means of screws d and
provided at their front ends with pivotted pieces or cheeks T which, when the last
with the upper thereon is placed in the machine, press the upper firmly against the
last and also adjust the position laterally of the toe of the last.
The grips or nipper wipers which hold the leather at the sides of the last are
illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5 and consist each of a lever h, a spring fand

page_text: jaws yg the jaw g sliding in a guide on the jaw gl. The jaw g' is connected at 'to
the slide d' so as to be capable of turning horizontally thereon; it is also capable of
turning in a vertical direction on a horizontal axis to admit of the jaws engaging the
upper. The lever is pivotted on the jaw and is also connected by the spring fto
the jaw g. The front end of the jaw 9 is bent at right angles or provided with a lip
which acts against the end of the jaw g. When the lever is raised into the position
shewn on the right hand side of Figure 4 the jaws separate and when the said lever is
turned down into the position shown on the left hand side of the same figure, the jaws
are brought close together so as to grip the leather placed between them.
y
The slide d¹ to which the jaw is connected is capable of sliding, in a direction
transverse to the longitudinal axis of the last, in guides provided in a block which is
pivotted at to the slide V. The slides d' are connected in pairs by rods a to the
opposite ends of a plate or bar b (see Figure 1) the latter being pivotted to another
bar or plate e carried on the upper end of a lever y fulcrumed at 2 on the frame of the
machine as shown in Figures 2 and 4. The lower end of the lever is operated by a
cam O on a shaft H driven by gearing G H from a shaft G by means of a hand
wheel F. When the lower end of the lever y is pushed outwards by the cam O the
upper end together with the levers and are moved inwards that is to say, towards
the last so that all the nipper wipers connected thereto are simultaneously moved in
the same direction, and it will be understood that if one of the nipper wipers come
into position to act before the other nipper which is connected to the same plate or
bar the latter owing to its peculiar connection with the said plate will continue to
move onwards until it likewise comes into position to act.
It will be seen also that owing to the connection of the plates or bars with the
bar e as shown in Figure 1 when the nipper wipers connected to one of the bars or
plates comes into position to act before those do so which are connected with the
other plate the latter will not be prevented from continuing to move forward into
position, this arrangement permitting the nipper wipers to move independently of
each other in order to accommodate themselves to the curves of the last. The two
cams O which operate the levers y on opposite sides of the machine are so shaped
and arranged relatively to one another that the two levers y move inwards and
outwards simultaneously. To admit of the shaft H rotating after the nipper wipers
on one side of the last have been brought up to the last, and thus prevented from
moving any farther in that direction before the nipper wipers on the opposite side,
of the last have completed their motion, the said shaft F is capable of sliding longi-
tudinally in its bearings to a limited extent (which in practice need not exceed
about 2 inches) so as to complete the motion of the said nipper wipers. To admit
of this sliding action of the shaft H without it becoming disengaged from the shaft G,
the toothed wheel G is made broader than the corresponding wheel H as shewn in
Figure 5 the additional breadth of the wheel G' being equal to or greater than the
maximum displacement of the shaft H. By this arrangement if the shaft G be
rotated the nipper wipers on both sides of the machine will be moved towards the last,
and assuming (for example) that those on the right hand side of Figure 4 arrive at
the position of rest before those on the opposite side, the lever y connected to the
former is prevented from moving any farther in this direction, and as the cam shaft.H
continues to rotate the now stationary lever acting on the incline of its cam o causes
the shaft H to slide longitudinally in its bearings towards the left hand. This has
the effect of causing the lever and the corresponding nipper wipers on the left hand
side of the machine to advance at an accelerated rate towards the last. By these
means notwithstanding that both levers y are directly connected to one driving shaft
the said shaft may be driven at a regular and constant speed and continues to act
upon one lever whilst the other lever remains stationary.
An arrangement of plates rods or levers similar to that described for adjusting the
horizontal position of the nipper wipers is employed for regulating the vertical position
of the said nipper wipers as shewn in Figures 4 and 5. Plates l' are fitted to slide
vertically in guides K on the inside of the frame of the machine and to the upper.

page_text: end of each plate I, is pivotted at $ (Figure 5) a plate or bar e² to the opposite ends
of which bar are similarly pivotted at t¹ two other plates or bars 02.
The ends of the levers are connected by rods a² with the hinged blocks at l¹ so
that these blocks together with the nipper wipers attached thereto can be adjusted
vertically by moving the plates 1. The blocks on the right hand side of Figure 4
are shown in the raised position and on the left hand side of the same figure, they are
shown in their lowered position.
The two platos I are connected at 1 to a transverse bar R which is connected by a
rod L to a foot lever or treadle M' by which the blocks and side nipper wipers
may be raised or lowered as required." By reason of the jointed connection of the
parts with one another as described and shewn, the several nipper wipers are
enabled to adjust themselves relatively to one another on opposite sides of the last
as well as to the varying curves of the last, and thus the pressure is equalised
throughout.
The nipper wipers on each side of the last are carried on slides V1 V2 V8 and V4.
The two slides Vi and V3 are each provided with half nuts working on right and left
handed screws on a shaft B so that by rotating this shaft the said slides may be made
to approach nearer to or forced further apart from each other as required. The
slides have no motion in the longitudinal direction of the last and the slides V+
being connected by pieces, Figure 2, to the slide of the toe clamp D partakes of the
movements of the said clamp.
The action of the machine is as follows :-
The last with the insole and upper thereon is placed on the supports and S,
and the heel and toe clamps C and D are then brought up to the last by turning the
hand wheel E so that the projecting slide of the heel clamp overlaps the heel of
the last. The swivelling checks T carried at the front end of the toe clamp Dare then
brought into contact with the sides of the toc of the last by turning the screws d, so as
to adjust the last in its truc lateral position after which the lever Kis moved outwardly
so as to cause the cam F to force the supports Q and S up against the under surface
of the last to hold it securely in position. The presser is then turned from the
position shown in Figure & to that shown in Figures 1 and 2 and the lever M is then
turned on its centre so as to bring the wedge shaped projection on the end of the said
lever beneath the slotted piece W thereby forcing the curved plate t down onto the
edge of the upper so as to securely hold the same between the said plate and
the wiper plates of the clamp D. The projecting edge of the upper on each side
of the last is then clamped between the jaws gg' of the side wipers and the foot of the
operator placed on the treadle M³ so as to clevate the said side wipers and at the
same time the lever P is turned from the position shown in Figure 2 into the position
shewn in Figure 8 thereby forcing the disc 73 down onto the last, the pressure being
such as to depress the last into the upper held between the plates 2 and d² and the
nipper wipers g², against the power of the spring C³ placed beneath the bar E'
carrying the toe support S. The lever L'is next turned so as to cause the wiper
plates to advance slightly and at the same time the lever M is turned back to its
former position so as to release the presser Z which presser is then turned back into
the position shown in Figure 8 to admit of the forward movement by the lever L of
the wiper plates which as they advance draw the upper smoothly over the toe of
the last ready for fixing. The upper at the toe end having thus been forced over the
last the side nipper wipers g g on both sides of the last are forced towards the centre
of the last by rotating the wheel F (the said nipper wipers adjusting themselves to
the curves of the last) thereby drawing the upper smoothly and uniformly over the
sides of the last. The side nipper wipers are retained in this position by a spring
detent or dog engaging with the teeth of the pinion G (by which motion is trans-
mitted to the wiper) as shewn in Figure 5 so as to admit of the said wheel rotating.
in the direction for advancing the side wipers towards the centre of the last but which
will prevent the said pinion turning in the reverse direction. The upper being thus-
turned over the toe and sides of the last the heel portion of the said upper is next.

page_text: drawn or wiped over the heel of the last by turning the lever I so as to cause the
wiper plates d in the clamp C to advance in a similar manner to that described with
reference to the toe clamp D and while the parts are in the position described the
upper is secured to the insole by tacks or otherwise, after which the side nipper
wipers are opened out to release the upper and the other parts of the machine are
returned to their former positions and the last with the upper thereon removed in
readiness for the reception of another last. To admit of the side nipper wipers being
withdrawn from the last the lever K is moved inwards so as to cause a projection t
thereon to press on the tail of the detent or dog and thereby disengage the said
detent from the pinion G¹.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is
1. In machines for lasting the uppers of boots and shoes the heel and toe clamps
(either of them separately or both of them in combination) capable of being adjusted in
the manner described so that the toe clamp may be made to suit any dip and inclination
of the toe end of the last the heel clamp being capable of adjustment vertically to
suit the spring of the last and also laterally to suit any transverse inclination of the
heel of the last all substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
2. In or for machines for lasting the uppers of boots and shoes a toe clamp and a
heel clamp (either or both of them) containing plates or wipers connected by a system
of links and sliding bars to an operating lever in such a manner that when the said
plates or wipers are moved forwards they will also at the same time he caused to
approach each other substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described with
reference more particularly to Figures 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.
3. In machines for lasting the uppers of boots and shoes the combination with the
toe clamp D, of the presser Z the support S bar E' and spring C³ the whole being
arranged to operate substantially in the manner herein before described and illustrated
in the accompanying drawings.
4. The general construction combination and arrangement of parts constituting the
presser Zhaving a yielding bearing surface capable of adjusting itself to different
thicknesses of leather as herein before described and illustrated by Figures 10 and 11
of the accompanying drawings.
5. In or for machines for lasting the uppers of boots and shoes nipper wipers for
operating on the upper at each side of the last the said nipper wipers consisting of
the jaws yg having a parallel motion with reference to each other and connected
together by the lever hand spring substantially as herein before described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
6. In machines for lasting the uppers of boots and shoes the mode of connecting
the nipper wipers on opposite sides of the machine to one and the same treadle whereby
the whole of the said nipper wipers may be simultaneously raised or lowered and
whereby they are free to adjust themselves to the shape of the last substantially as
herein before described with reference more particularly to Figures 4 and 5 of the
accompanying drawings.
7. In machines for lasting the uppers of boots and shoes the combination with the
levers y cams o and shafts G and H for operating the nipper wipers on the opposite sides
of the machine, of a spring detent or dog for retaining the said nipper wipers in
their advanced position substantially as herein before described with reference more
particularly to Figures 45 and 5ª of the accompanying drawings.
8. In machines for lasting the uppers of boots and shoes the support Q for the heel
of the last connected to the heel clamp so as to be capable of moving longitudinally
therewith but free to move vertically independently thereof substantially as herein
before described and illustrated in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.
32

page_text: 9. In machines for lasting the uppers of boots and shoes the combination with the
toe and heel clamps D and C and last supports Q and S connected to the bar El of
the spring (3 cam F and lever K for securely holding the last in position while the
upper is being lasted substantially as herein before described and illustrated in Figure 2
of the accompanying drawings.
10. The general combination and arrangement of parts constituting a machine for
lasting the uppers of boots and shoes substantially as herein before described and
illustrated by the accompanying drawings.