IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF PATTERNS FOR CASTING METALLIC LASTS
Year: 1884

page_text: DECLICATION.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, Fel. Inst. P. A., 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster, and 323 High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF PATTERNS FOR CASTING METALLIC LASTS" and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to bo particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The object. of this Invention is to provide a cheap and practical method of
making patterns for casting metallic lasts whereby they can be manufactured at a
price low enough to allow them to be generally used.
Heretofore, iron lasts as manufactured have been either too heavy for general
use, or, if made light enough, the cost of manufacture has been too great. But by
this method iron shell lasts may be made which are light enough in weight and
low enough in price to successfully compete with wooden lasts. The method
consists essentially in the following steps.
1st. In turning out a wooden last of the desired pattern, and in cutting out a
transverse section of the wooden last extending from the top nearly down to the
toe as heretofore described.
2nd. In severing from each other near the toe the instep and bottom blocks
thus left, and hollowing them out to form shell-like patterns for castings; after
casting from the patterns thus formed, the bottom and instep parts are fitted
together for uso as lasts.
In the accompanying Drawings:-
Fig. 1 is a wooden last to be used as a pattern.
Fig. 2, represents the same last when the section C has been removed.
Figs. 3 and 4 aro perspective views of the patterns for casting the bottom and
instep plates A and B.
Fig. 5. is a vertical longitudinal section through a finished iron last, the external
contour of which will be like the mutilated wooden last shown by Fig. 2.
Starting with the wooden last shown in Fig. 1, or a last made of any equivalent
material that can be turned and cut, the central portion C is sawn out by means
of a gig saw or otherwise, following the dotted lines a &b leaving the last in the
condition shown by Fig. 2, consisting of the bottom block A and instep block B
attached only at the toe. It is found that the last having open sides is just as
'

page_text: serviceable as a solid last, for the upper leather draws smooth and even from the
lower edge of the instep block B across the open space down to the bottom A.
These lasts may therefore be constructed with open sides whereby lightness and
economy of material are secured, and the lasts may also be made collapsible.
The flange left around the edge of the bottom plate extending from the top of
the heel downward along the shank and ball to the toe affords full support to the
heel or heel stiffener, and to the edge of the upper along the edge of the sole, and
the broad instep plate B gives the true shape and curve to the instep and does not
distort the upper as would a mere rib if used in place of the broad instep plate as
has been proposed.
The bottom and instep blocks are then severed on the dotted lines D, and both
hollowed out substantially as shown by Figs. 3 and 4 to be used as patterns for
castings.
Ribs R may be left along the underside of the instep block for strength, and in
fashioning the bottom block sockets in the sole may be formed for the reception
of cork fillings to receive the insole nails, and lugs or flanges projecting from the
inside of the botton for strength or for the attachment of the interior fittings of
the last may be left as desired, but the configuration of both of the patterns must
be such that a casting can be taken from them without requiring the use of a core.
The toe is left as a portion of the bottom block, and the line of separation is
bebind the toe, so that the contour of the toe is not broken. A serious defect in
the last is thus avoided. It will be observed that the last narrows or tapers
slightly from the line a down to the edge of the sole, and it likewise tapers at the
heel from a line drawn around at the point a¹ in order that the pattern can be
easily withdrawn from the sand in the process of casting. The castings are tinned
to give the last a smooth surface, and to protect it from rust.
The castings being thus made, the interior fittings are attached substantially as
illustrated by Fig. 5, though these of course can be varied in details and any other
equivalent devices may be substituted for those herein described, some of which
may if desired be formed as parts of the castings as above explained.
E is a hinge riveted to the bottom and instep plates at the toc. F is a post
riveted to the instep plate at the instep; and riveted to the bottom plate is a
casting forming a forked standard G, a socket H to receive the pin of the jack,
and also the tool by means of which the last is pulled out in the usual way; and a
prong I against which the wooden or cork plug K abuts to prevent it from being
driven in. The upper is nailed to the plug K in the process of lasting, the hole for
it being drilled after casting. A locking pin L passing through holes in the forked
standard G and post F holds the instep. plate in the proper position. Separate
holes may be provided for different heights of instep, and the last is easily removed
from the shoe when the locking pin L is withdrawn.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention as communicated to me, and in what manner the same is to .be
performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1st. The method of making patterns for shell lasts herein described, which
consists in cutting from a solid last the transverse section C, and hollowing out the
separated sections of said last so as to leave flaring sides, in order that the shell
castings may be made without the use of cores, substantially as set forth.
Tad him noth J. of M-1901.