Improvements in Last Stands and Lasts for Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Aug., 1891-Accepted, 10th Oct., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Last Stands and Lasts for Boots and Shoes.
We, LOUIS SACKS and HENRY RICHMOND of the City of Newark, County
of Essex, State of New Jersey, United States of America, Last Manufacturers,
lo 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:-
Our invention relates to boot and shoe lasts in general, and it consists in certain
improvements which are fully set forth in the following Specification and shown in
the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.
More specifically, our invention relates to what are called anvil lasts, and its
object is to simplify the methods now in use and provide a better device for the uses
intended.
In carrying out our invention, we provide a standard or post, preferably arranged
with a foot upon one end with screw holes or other means of fastening it to the
floor.
Above the foot, the post has a projection, on this projection is hinged in any
desirable manner a treadle, and upon the side of the post is a ratchet, this ratchet
is preferably made or cast on one of the ribs of the post, the post being cast with
ribs on it to allow of the greatest amount of strength with the least metal. Into
this ratchet on the ribs of the post, the bar of the treadle is adapted to engage ;
there is also on the under side of the treadle a loop formed for the purpose
holding a strap in position this strap being used to bind the boot or shoe securely
to the last when the same is being used.
of
The upper end of the post is provided with a tenon of peculiar form, it is straight
on one side, or more properly speaking, one side is in a direct vertical line with the
side of the post and the other has a deflection of about forty degrees from the
vertical line of the post.
There is also provided a series of lasts, having sockets of a peculiar form. These
sockets have one of their sides vertical, and one at an angle, corresponding with the
vertical, and angular, sides of the tenon on the top of the post.
The peculiar formation of the socket in the last and the tenon on the post, admits
of the last when placed on the tenon assuming a horizontal or oblique position by
the person using it, removing it and turning it to the right or left.
In the arrangement of the angle on the tenon, an angle of about forty degrees is
found best suited to the work, but we do not confine ourselves to any determined
angle nor to any material in the manufacture of our lasts or post; cast iron being
preferred, but they may be made of wrought iron if desired.
In the drawings A is the last, A¹ is the socket in the last, B is the post, B¹ is
the foot, a, a' represent two sides of the socket of the last, and b, b' two sides of the
tenon, on the standard B which engage in the socket or mortise of the last A.
C the strap, D the ratchet E the hinge of treadle F the treadle bar F¹ the foot
rest the slot for strap. The manner of using this device is simple.
The boot or shoe to be lasted is put upon the last in the usual manner the binding
belt is placed over the sole at the desired point, and the pressure of the foot is
brought to bear on the treadle. When a force sufficient to answer the purpose is
attained, the treadle bar is lodged by a side motion of the foot in one of the ratchets
and the boot or shoe is securely fixed, the turning of the last to the right or left
causing it to assume a horizontal or oblique position.

page_text: 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 :-
First. A last for boots or shoes having an elongated mortise or socket with one
of its edge walls vertical and the other inclined.
Second. A standard for a boot or shoe last terminating on its upper end in a flat
tenon having one of its edges vertical the other inclined adapted to engage in a
corresponding mortise in a last.
Third. The combination in a reversible boot or shoe last of a standard terminating
in a flat tenon having one of its edges vertical the other inclined, and a last having
a narrow elongated socket or mortise, with one of its edge walls vertical and the
other inclined corresponding in shape with the inclined and vertical edges of the
tenon on the standard and adapted to engage the same.
Fourth. The combination in an anvil last for boots or shoes of a standard
adapted to engage upon one end a reversible last, and a lever and ratchet mechanism
attached to the standard for the purpose of operating a binding belt for the boot or
shoe when on the last.
Dated this 18th day of August 1891
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicants.