A New or Improved Machine for Lasting the Uppers of Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 26th June, 1894-Accepted, 23rd Mar., 1805
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by JOHN HENRY HANAN, of Bridge and Water
Streets, Brooklyn, County of Kings, State of New York, United States of
America, Manufacturer.]
A New or Improved Machine for Lasting the Uppers of Boots
and Shoes.
.I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent
Agents, 45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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:-
The object of this invention is to facilitate the lasting of heavy uppers, by the
substitution of power for manual operations wherever desirable.
It consists in providing suitable power operating mechanism with a starting
treadle and connecting mechanism therefor by which the operator can, by a slight
movement of the foot, serially have performed, the most laborious parts of the
lasting operations.
.
It also consists of improved mechanism for drawing the upper close to the shank
of the last with any desired force.
It also consists in providing means to insure the location of the last in the
machine during certain periods of the lasting operation, and also of mechanism to
ensure the absolute set position of the toe lasting mechanism.
In the drawings,
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved machine in position to receive and
deliver lasts.
Figure 2 is a vertical cross section showing the starting treadle and a portion of
the mechanism operated thereby, also showing the foot lever and its connecting
mechanism by which the operator is enabled to give any desired strain to the shank
of an upper.
Figure 3 is a vertical cross section, showing the jacking mechanism, the
mechanism for reciprocating the toe-rest, and the removable and adjustable brace,
which guides the toe of the last to the correct position upon the toe-rest and also
holds the same against the stress of the first strap drawn.
Figure 4 is a horizontal cross section, showing the main shaft of the machine
and its connecting and operating mechanism.
Figure 5 is an end elevation, showing the driving mechanism.
Figure 6 is an end elevation, showing the mechanism for locking and unlocking
the swinging frame carrying the heel-lasting head.
Figure 7 is a side elevation of a portion of the rear horizontal tie, showing the
mechanism for operating the heel lasting band.
Figure 8 is a vertical cross section taken between the supporting post and the
first cam on the main shaft, showing an end elevation of the mechanism for
operating the heel-lasting band, and the support for the toe rest.
Figure 9 is a plan of the toe-lasting head, showing the removable and adjustable
toe centring device and brace, also the improved means for ensuring the set position
of the double ended wedge, which governs the transverse angular position of the
toe-lasting head.

page_text: Figure 10 represents the improved construction of the bell crank levers supporting
the ends of the heel-lasting band.
In the present machine, the base, the heel and toe lasting heads, and the side
holding devices, with their supporting posts, are not herein claimed, and whenever
referred to in the following description will be designated by letters and the
improved parts by figures.
The power operating mechanisin consists of suitable edge cams fixed to a main-
shaft provided with belt operated attachments, which cause the main shaft to
move through any desired angle of revolution, each time a starting treadle is
depressed.
Each of the angles of revolution of the main-shaft produces one of the series of
movements necessary to the lasting process, and one full revolution of said shaft
from the position sbown by Figure 1, back to said position, brings the machine in
position to deliver a lasted, and to receive an unlasted upper.
This power mechanism is constructed and operated as follows:
Through the post B at 1, is formed a long bearing, in which revolves the
main-shaft 2, and secured to the outer end of said shaft is the gear 3, Figure 3.
In a suitable projection 4, formed upon the post B, is fixed the shaft 5, upon
which is mounted the pinion gear, 6, so that it will correctly intermesh with the
gear 3.
Fixed to the pinion 6, is the male part of a friction clutch 7; these parts are
free to revolve upon the shaft 5, but are fixed endwise.
The belt pulley 8, having formed therein the female part of the friction clutch 9,
is fitted to slide and revolve upon the shaft 5, and when the two parts of the friction
clutch are brought into contact, the main-shaft will revolve.
To reciprocate the belt pulley 8, upon the shaft 5, there is secured to the outer
end of said shaft a piece or collar 10, to which at 11, is pivoted a shipper-lever 12.
The shipper-lever is attached to the belt-pulley in the usual manner, and its
free end is connected to a projection 13, upon the post B, by a pull spring 14.
To separate the parts of the friction-clutch and cause the main-shaft to stop in
the desired positions, the pins 15, are fitted to slide free in holes, formed the correct
angular distance apart, through the rim of the gear 3. These distances are
irregular and governed by the desired angle of revolution.
To one end of a rocker-shaft 16, there is secured the swinging-arm 17, carrying
elastically mounted in its upper free end the inclined piece 18, as shown by
Figure 2.
The straight side of the inclined piece 18, bears and slides against the face of
the projection 13, and terminates below the incline in a short straight face, having
a square projection therefrom.
A pull spring 19, draws the arm 17, against a suitable stop on the projection 13.
When in this position, the incline 18, will make contact with the inner ends of
the pins 15, and push them towards the shipper-lever 12, as the gear 3, carries said
pins around during its periods of revolution.
When the pins 15, are pushed fully forward, their inner ends will rest upon the
projection below the incline and bear against the short straight part thereof.
As the gear 3, continues its revolution, the spring supporting the incline yields
vertically, and the outer ends of the pins 15, make contact with the adjustable
incline 20, carried by the shipper-lever, and separate the two parts of the
friction-clutch, and stop the revolution of the main-shaft at the desired angle of
revolution.
The elastic mounting of the inclined piece 18, upon the swinging arm 17, allows
the parts just described to make contact without injurious concussion.
The pins 15, are provided with suitable heads and cross-pins, which prevent
them from sliding too far as they are reciprocated in the holes in the rim of the
gear 3.
The reciprocations of the pins 15, are made by contact with the incline, 18, in
one direction and by the return motion of the shipper in the other direction.

page_text: The rocker-shaft, 16, oscillates in bearings, one formed upon the post B, at 21,
and oue formed in the stand, 22, which is secured to the base A, and fixed to the
inner end of this shaft is the swinging arm 23, Figures 1 and 2.
To the outer end of the arm 23, there is secured the catch 24, provided with the
adjusting screw 25, which adjusts the bearing of the end of the dog 26, upon said
catch.
The dog 26, is secured to the free end of the swinging-arm 27, which is hung
upon the inner end of the starting treadle lever 28, and a pull spring 29, draws the
arm 27 towards the rock-shaft 16, so that the dog 26, always contacts with the end
of the adjusting screw, 25.
The starting treadle 28, is hung upon the stand 22, and the weight of the parts
attached to the inner end of said treadle are sufficient to elevate the outer end as
shown by Figure 2.
Depressing the foot piece of the starting treadle, 28, brings the dog 26, in
contact with the catch 24, and swings the rocker-shaft 16, sufficient to move the
inclined piece 18, from under one of the pins 15.
The spring 14, then draws the two parts of the friction clutch together.
When the pin 15, is clear of the incline 18, as the foot piece of the starting
treadle is further depressed, the adjusting screw 25, swings the dog 26, clear of the
catch, 24, when the spring 19, draws the arm 17, back against its stop.
When the main-shaft has moved through the desired angle of revolution, another
of the pins 15, is brought into contact with the incline 18, and the parts of the
friction clutch again separated.
By the above described combination of mechanism, each full depression of the
starting treadle, no matter at what speed or how long continued, will give but one
resultant motion of the main-shaft.
The norinal position of the improved machine is illustrated by Figure 1 of the
drawings, where the machine is shown open, with the jack-post G, down, ready for
a last to be placed upon the jack-pin, c. "
The first operation of lasting an upper is to place the last upon the jack-pin,
close the machine and lock the swinging frame K, to the parallel ties E, raise the
toe-rest D, and jack the last firmly in the machine.
The laborious parts of this operation are accomplished by the first angular
movement of the main-shaft, as follows:
To operate the releasing shaft A', (the object and construction of which are set
forth in the prior Specification No. 3457 A.D. 1890) there is secured to the inner
face of the gear 3, the edge cam 30, Figures 1, 3 and 5.
A double ended lever 31, with the cam roll 32, secured to its upper end, is
hung upon the pinion shaft 5, so that the cam roll 32, will engage with the edge of
the cam, 30.
The lower end of the lever 31, is slotted to engage with the pin 33, fixed in the
bell crank lever 34, and this lever is fixed upon the releasing shaft A'.
The pull spring 35, is secured to the long arm of the bell crank lever 34, and to
the post B, so that it will act to reverse the releasing shaft A', when the high
part of the cam 30, is not in contact with the cam roll 32.
These connections cause the releasing shaft A', to reciprocate once at each
revelution of the cam 30, and thus operate the various parts attached thereto,
which operate the lock and the jack-post.
The toe-rest D, is raised and lowered at the proper times, by the edge cam 36,
which engages with the cam roll, 37, fixed to the support for the toe rest 38.
The support for the toe rest 38, reciprocates vertically in a suitable guide 39,
formed upon or attached to the parallel ties E.
The lasts are jacked in the machine by the bar, 40, which presses the jack post G,
towards the heel band by contact with the swinging arm F, and this bar has
suflicient range of motion to jack all sizes of lasts.
The bar 40, is fitted to slide free through the post B, and adjustably fixed upon
said bar is the collar 41, provided with the cam roll 42.

page_text: LO
Hung upon a suitable bearing attacnea the post D, 18
lever 43.
VIAC WOLL Claun
One end of this lever 43, is segmental and has formed upon the segment the
incline 44, which will engage with the roll 42, and force the bar 40, towards the
jack post as the segment is swung upward.
The other end of the lever 43, is prolonged, and through a hole formed in the
outer end thereof is passed the rod 45, with the push spring 46, thereon, and
the inner end of the rod 45, is adjustably secured to the lug 47, formed upon the
post B.
The action of the spring 46, will force the end of the bell crank lever against
the lug 47, which thus forms a stop for the lever's motion in that direction.
To compress the spring 46, and relieve the pressure upon the bar 40, the upper
edge of the segmental end of the bell crank lever 43, is suitably curved and a cam
roll, 48 is correctly located upon the inner face of the cam 36, so that each time the
machine is open, the spring 46, is compressed, as shown by Figure 3.
The next operation is to draw the heel-lasting band. This is accomplished by
the cam roll 48, which at the proper time engages with the lever 49, which is fixed
on one end of the rock shaft 50, Figures 7 and 8.
This rock shaft oscillates in bearings 51, formed in the rear projections, which
branch from the parallel ties E.
To the end of the rock shaft 50, next the heel band, is fixed the arm 52, and the
connection 53, operates the bell crank lever k, to draw the heel lasting band.
A pull spring, 54, returns the rock shaft to its normal position when the machine
is opened.
In machines heretofore made, the holding straps have been drawn simultaneously
in opposing pairs or groups.
In the present machine, it is found advantageous to draw the opposing pairs
or groups alternately, commencing with the strap which holds the fore part nearest
the operator.
The action of this first strap, when being drawn, would tend to move the toe of
the last from its central position upon the toe rest, without means were provided
to prevent such movement.
In the present instance, the removable and adjustable brace 55, Figures 3 and 9,
is used for that purpose, which is constructed and operated as follows:
The adjusting screw 56, is provided with a suitable bearing in the upper
supporting plate of the toe-lasting head C, and fitted to slide upon the upper face
of said plate is the small carriage 57,.having a downward projection, 58 which
engages with the thread of the screw 56, and causes the carriage to. reciprocate as
the screw is turned by its hand wheel 59.
Two ears 60, are formed upon the top rear end of the carriage 57, and between
these ears is hung the brace, 55 which has a downward projection, whose inner face
is so finished or covered that when brought into contact with the upper upon a last
there will be no injurious result.
The carriage 57, is adjusted by the screw 56, so that the downward projection
of the brace 55, when in operative position, will act to centre the toes of the
lasts of the style the machine is to operate upon, when said lasts are being fixed
in the machine.
The brace 55, is swung from the position shown by the dotted lines in Figure 3
to that shown by the full lines, to guide the last being placed in the machine, and
swung back when the toe lasting plates commence to move over the innersole.
The holding straps are drawn serially by the step by step revolution of the
edge cams 61 and 62, which are fixed upon the main-shaft 2, and operate the
swinging arms E³, by engaging with suitable cam rolls 63, connected to said arms
by the levers 64, as shown by Figure 2.
I'ush springs placed in suitable pockets, formed upon or attached to the parallel
ties E, over the inner parts of the levers 64, close in the swinging arms E³, when
the cams 61 and 62 are in position to allow of such action.

page_text: The mechanism, which enables the operator, to use the common lasting pincers
and draw the upper at the shank close to the last, by operating a foot lever, is
constructed as shown by Figures 1, 2 and 4.
The foot lever 66, provided with a suitable foot piece, is hung upon the releasing
shaft A', as shown by Figure 2.
A short connection, 67 connects the lever 66, to the vertically reciprocating
slide 68, which has a bearing at 69, upon the stand 22, and is also further
guided by the inside faces and hubs of the cams 61 and 62.
A push spring 70, rests upon the end of the bearing, 69 and raises the slide 68
and foot lever 66, when they are not in use.
Secured to the parallel ties E are the two standards 71, with a roller mounted
on their upper ends, and these rollers are covered by the straps 72 which guide
and keep a cord or chain 73, in position as it is drawn over the rollers.
To the free end of the cord or chain 73 there are secured the loops 74, made
of sufficient size to readily receive the jaws of a pair of lasting pincers in the
manner shown by Figure 2.
The lower end of the cord or chain 73 is secured to the rods 75 which in
turn pass down through suitable projections 76, formed upon the slide 68, as
sliown by Figures 2 and 4.
Below the projections 76, the rods 75 are provided with push springs 77,
which are retained upon the rode by the check nuts 78.
The normal position of the slide 68, is up and that of the loops 74 is horizontal
and resting against the straps 72.
When the operator desires to strain the shank of the upper on either side of
the last, the pincers are passed through the loop at the opposite side of the
machine, and the upper grasped at the desired place as illustrated. This brings
the spring 77, about in contact with the under side of the projection 76 of the
slide and requires no great expenditure of force.
Depression of the foot lever 66, will then draw the upper across the shank
of the last with a strain which is only limited by the tension of the spring 77,
which is set to nearly the point of rupture of the upper.
The springs 77, allow the foot lever 66, to be depressed by one movement, but
said springs can be omitted from the combination by careful manipulation of the
foot lever.
With the above described mechanism, the operator can if necessary use both
hands to close the pincers upon a heavy upper, which requires a strong pull, while
a very light upper can be drawn over without danger thereto, by graduating the
pressure upon the foot lever.
The foot lever 66, and starting treadle 28, are so located that the heel can he
used to strain the upper, and the toe to start the main-shaft and draw the holding
strap for the same.
After the shank holding straps are drawn, the heel and toe lasting machine
is operated to turn and hold down the upper at those parts, and the fastenings.
are driven.
A last depression of the starting treadle then causes the parts of the machine to
return to the positions shown by Figure 1.
Nearly all modern lasting machines are provided with some mechanism by
which the transverse angle of the toe lasting mechanism can be adjusted to the
transverse angle of the toe of the last as it is changed from right to left, or
vice versa, and this mechanism is also used to adjust to all minor variations of
transverse inclination.
la the machine shown aud described in this Specification, the toe lasting
mechanism is mounted upon a suitable supporting plate, and this plate is mounted
upon springs which act to raise it vertically against a bar which is mounted
to slide transversely in suitable lugs, which are secured to the sides of the toe
lasting head.

page_text: The two ends of this bar are so inclined that as they are moved or slid out from
under either of the lugs, they allow the side of the toe lasting head next to said
lug to rise by either the action of the spring on that side, or by pressure of the
work, or by both, while at the same time the straight part of the bar at the opposite
side moves out under the other lug and acts as a centre upon which the side being
adjusted swings.
One end of the wedge bar gives the adjustment to the right and the other to
the left.
This bar is called a double ended wedge, and it is obvious that if the angles of
the ends of this bar are quite obtuse the pressure of the spring which is acting, or
the pressure of the work, would tend to move the bar end wise, (by the action of the
inclined end of the bar against the incline of the lug), and so move the lasting
mechanism from its set position.
As shown by Figure 9 of the drawings, the double ended wedge bar is moved
to give the toe lasting mechanism transverse angular adjustment by a short rack
which is formed upon its back and which intermeshes with a segmental pinion
having attached an operating handle.
Certain of the operations performed upon this machine require that when the
toe lasting head is once set to transverse angular adjustment its rigidity should be
made absolute.
This is accomplished in the present instance by attaching to the upper supporting
plate of the toe lasting head C the segmental rack 79, provided with square teeth,
so that the tops of the teeth will contact with the under side of the hand lever
operating the wedge.
To the hand lever is pivoted the catch 80, formed integral with its hand piece,
and provided with the push spring 81, which acts to press the catch 80, into the
spaces formed in the rack 79."
This device absolutely prevents motion of the double ended wedge in either
direction, and the set rigidity of said wedge cannot be affected by the angle of
its ends.
In machines constructed and operated in accordance with previous patents, the
operation calling for the most muscular effort on the part of the operator was that
of depressing the return or releasing treadle, which had to be performed, twice for
each upper lasted.
In the present machine, as hereinbefore described, the cam 30 performs the
functions of said treadle and to unlock the swinging frame K, from the horizontal
ties E, the lever 89, is fixed to the return shaft A', in the place of the treadle.
It is desirable that the swinging frame heretofore used can be unlocked from the
horizontal ties without turning the main shaft for that purpose.
This is accomplished by substituting for the swinging latch, the swinging plate 82,
provided with the handle 83.
A groove is formed in the upper of the stays K' and fitted to reciprocate in said
groove are the latches 84, which are pressed outward by the push springs 85.
Pins 86 are fixed into the latches, which project through the inclined openings 87,
formed through the plate 82, and these pins withdraw the latches 84, from the
catches 88, secured to the ends of the horizontal ties E, when the handle 83 is
depressed.
The pins 86, also limit the motions of the plate 82, and the latches 84 as will be
understood by reference to Figure 6 of the drawings.
In previous machines, the heel supporting band is mounted upon a central
pivoted support, with its ends carried by the inner ends of the bell crank levers g",
to which said ends are loosely pivoted.
This gave sufficiently adjusting quality to the band on the sides of the counter
where the variations of curve were but small.
It has been found that, as the transverse inclination of the toe increases, the
curves of the sides of the counter usually increase.

page_text: This calls for increase of motion of the ends of the heel lasting band, which
requires more range than can readily be given by loosely pivoting the ends of the
band to the ends of the bell crank levers.
To give the requisite swing to the ends of the band at the sides of the counter,
the inner ends of the bell crank levers g, are separated therefrom at 90 and
provided with a suitable pivot 91, which is fitted to the socket 92, formed in the
main part of the arms, as will be understood by reference to Figure 10.
These additional joints cause all parts of the heel lasting band to conform to
counters of all curves.
By the above described combinations of mechanisms, numerous and important
advantages are attained, viz. :-
First, the serial operation of the combined machine by the starting treadle does
not require the operator to change his position during the lasting process as
heretofore, and the short movement and ease of motion of said treadle reduces to a
minimum the labour of operation.
Second, the jacking mechanism is absolutely automatic and requires neither the
discretion nor labour of the operator therefor.
Third, the centring and holding brace facilitates the positioning of the toe of
the last in the machine for the toe lasting process, which in this machine commences
at a point below the line of the inner-sole.
Fourth, drawing the pairs, or groups of pairs, of side lasting straps serially, and
commencing such drawing on the side of the last next the operator enables him to
work to better advantage.
Fifth, the loops enable the operator quickly to attach the common lasting pincers
to the mechanism which enables the weight of the body, instead of the strength of
the arms, to strain the upper at the shank around the last.
Sixth, the absolute locking of the double ended wedge allows the height of said
wedge to be made sufficient to set the angle of the toe lasting head to toes of the
largest transverse inclination known, without increasing the labour of setting said
head. This also dispenses with the necessity for the use of springs.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is:-
1. In a lasting machine, the combination with lasting mechanism and a main
shaft with suitable cams for operating said mechanism fixed thereon; of the gear 3,
fixed to the main shaft; the reciprocating pins 15, mounted on the rim of said gear
with reference to said operating cams; the incline 18, mounted upon the swinging
arm 17, and the incline 20, mounted upon and moving with the clutch shipper
lever, and suitable supporting and operating mechanism therefor, all co-operating
to reciprocate the pins 15, with reference to the angular position of the cams fixed
upon the main shaft, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
2. In a lasting machine, the combination with lasting mechanism and a main
shaft with suitable cams for operating said lasting mechanism fixed thereon; the
incline 18, mounted upon the swinging arm 17, and capable of vertical reciprocation
thereon; a treadle and suitable connecting mechanism to move said incline and
arm to and from operative position; the reciprocating pins mounted in the rim of
the driving gear, and acting to reciprocate said incline with reference to the
operating cams; connecting mechanism substantially as described between said
incline and the driving mechanism, to disconnect said driving mechanism from the
driven mechanism, when said incline is reciprocated, substantially as shown and
described.
3. In a lasting machine, the combination of a centring guide and brace mounted
to swing vertically upon its supporting carriage; a supporting carriage horizontally
adjustable, and screw adjusting mechanism for said carriage, all mounted upon the
toe lasting head, substantially as shown and described.
4. In a lasting machine of the class described, the combination of mechanism

page_text: substantially as described, to draw the opposing pairs or groups of pairs of holding
straps alternately and serially, and an adjustable and removable brace to hold the
last in position against the stress of the first drawn strap of the series, substantially
as shown and described.
5. In a lasting machine, the combination of standards fixed at each side of the
machine, substantially as described, chain guide mechanism at their upper ends
located above the surface of the last when fixed in the machine, chains passing
through said guides having loops adapted to connect them with the jaws of a pair
of lasting pincers at their free ends, and a treadle and suitable connecting
mechanism to operate said loops, substantially as shown and described.
6. In combination with a lasting machine head of the class described, the
combination of the transverse adjusting double ended wedge mounted on said head,
an operating lever therefor; a catch and spring for said lever, and a segmental
rack fixed to said head and engaging with said catch, all substantially as shown
and described.
7. In a lasting machine, the combination of the plate, 82, mounted to oscillate
upon the swinging frame; having inclined openings and an operating handle;
latches to engage with said plate substantially as described; and catches fixed to
the ends of the horizontal ties to engage with said latches, and lock the swinging
frame in operative position substantially as shown and described.
8. In a lasting machine of the class described, the combination of the cam 30,
fixed to the driving gear; a double ended lever mounted to swing on the pinion
shaft, and operated by said cam; a bell crank lever fixed to the releasing shaft
and operated by the double ended lever and said releasing shaft, substantially as
shown and described.
9. In a lasting machine of the class described, the jacking bar 40, mounted to
reciprocate in the post of the machine in line with the jack-post; an adjustabl
collar provided with a cam roll fixed on said bar; a bell-crank lever having an
inclined segment to engage with said roll pivoted to the post of the machine; au
adjustable spring fixed to the frame of the machine and to said lever, to operate
the jacking bar; a cam shaft mounted to revolve on said post, and a cam roll
operated by said shaft to act on said bell crank and react on the jacking bar, all
substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.
10. In a lasting machine a heel supporting band with its ends carried by the
inner ends of bell crank levers provided with the sockets 92, supporting the
pivots 91, all substantially as shown and described.
Dated this 26th day of June 1894.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.