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

page_text: Date of Application, 26th June, 1894-Accepted, 11th Aug., 1894
[Communicated from abroad by EDWARD FRANKLIN GRANDY, of Everett, in the
County of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, United States of America,
Machinist.]
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:-
This invention relates to a combination of treadle and cum mechanism with the
improved lasting mechanism to be bereinafter described; whereby the operation of
a single treadle will cause the operating parts to move in pre-determined order.
The object of this invention is to produce a machine specially adapted for
operation upon shoes, which will present fewer obstacles to the use of the tack
driving mechanism used to fasten the upper to the inner sole, after the turning
down process is completed, than do the machines herebefore used to hold the upper
preparatory to the tacking process.
In the drawings
Figure 1 is a front elevation of the machine with the heel and toe lasting heads
removed.
Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal cross section of the upper part of the machine
showing the construction of the jacking and side holding mechanism.
Figure 3 is a perspective view looking from the rear or heel end of the machine
and showing the construction of a portion of the jacking mechanism.
Figure 4 is a detached view in perspective looking from the front or toe end of
the machine and showing the mechanism for drawing the heel band close around
the counter of the last.
Figure 5 is a cross section of the main shaft of the machine looking from the toe
end and showing the means for giving the requisite step by step revolution of said
shaft by the use of a single operating treadle.
Figure 6 is a cross section of the main shaft looking from the heel end showing
the relations of the cams operating the side holding clamps to each other.
Figure 7 is a vertical cross section of the upper part of the machine showing the
clamps for holding the upper at the shank of the last and their operating
mechanism. This view shows a slight modification as hereinafter described.
Figure 8 is a similar section showing the parts in a different position.
Figure 9 is a vertical cross section of the main shaft and a portion of the machine
showing the brake which holds the main shaft in position during the fastening
operation.
Figure 10 is an enlarged elevation in perspective of the clamps used at the ball
of the last.
Figure 11 is an enlarged elevation in perspective of the clamps used at the
shank of the last.
Figure 12 is an enlarged vertical cross section of one of the clamps used at the
shank of the last.
Figure 13 is a vertical cross section of the longitudinal sliding toe rest showing
by full and dotted lines different positions thereof with relation to its support
or stem.

page_text: Figure 14 is an enlarged detached portion of the machine in front side elevation
showing a last jacked and the carriage ready to be moved forward and be locked
in operative position, and the locking mechanism therefor.
The frame of the machine consists of the parallel ties 1, which are supported by
the legs 2, at the correct height for the operator, and to these ties are secured the
various parts of the improved machine.
At one end of the ties 1, there is provided the slideway 3, in which is mounted
and moves the support 4, which carries the toe lasting head and the support 5, for
the toe rest 6.
At the opposite end of the parallel ties 1, there are provided the bars 7, which
form a track upon which the jacking and heel lasting mechanisin is supported, and
on which track it moves to and from the toe rest when the machine is operated.
The lower edges of the bars 7. are bevelled and the frame or carriage 8, when
mounted thereon as shown by Figure 3, will maintain their parallelism, as said
frame is moved thereon.
The sliding frame or carriage 8, is provided with rolls 8", which bear upon the
upper square edges of the bars 7, upon which said frame runs when it is moved.
Upon the upper part of the carriage 8, is mounted the heel lasting head and
heel band.
Through the centre of the carriage 8, there is formed the guideway 9, and fitted
to slide in this guideway is the slide 10, which carries the jack post 11, as shown
by Figures 1 and 2.
Upon the upper edge of the slide 10, is formed the rack 12, and mounted upon
the shaft 13, is the pinion 14, which engages with the rack 12, so that the hand
wheel 15, also fixed upon the shaft 13, can be operated to move the jack post to
and from the heel band; the shaft 13, being mounted in bearings formed in the
sides of the carriage 8.
In the centre of the slide 10, there is placed the spiral spring 16, which acts to
move the slide 10, and the jack post from the heel band when the machine is
opened to deliver the lasted upper.
The jack post, 11, moves vertically in the slide 10, and is elastically and
adjustably mounted therein as follows:-
To the under part of the slide 10, there is pivoted at 17, the swinging arm 18,
and pivoted to the outer free end of this swinging arm is the support and guide 19,
for the spiral spring 20, upon which rests the jack post, 11, the jack post having a
pocket to receive and guide the spring 20, formed therein.
On the under side of the carriage 8, there is formed or secured thereto the
bar 21, whose outer end is provided with the pocket 22, which carries and guides
the spring 23.
The upper part of the sides of this pocket 22, is slotted, and fitted so that it will
slide vertically, but not turn therein, is the nut 24, which rests upon the spring 23,
and to which is fitted the adjusting screw 25, provided with the small band
wheel 26, by which the screw can be raised and lowered as desired.
The strength of the spring 20, is made sufficient to hold up the jack post with a
last placed thereon, and the strength of the spring 23, is made sufficient to press
the last upon the jack post firmly against the gauge for height formed upon one of
the heel lasting plates when the action of the hand wheel 15 brings the heel of the
last under said gauge.
As shown by Figure 2, the edge of the lever or bar 18 rests upon the end of the
screw 25, and when the last is jacked as shown by Figure 14, the spring 20, is fully
depressed, the lower end of the jack post is in contact with the upper surface of the
guide 19, and the superior tension of the spring 23, is doing the effective work of
holding up the post and last.
The screw 25, is only operated when the vertical thickness of the lasts vary
considerably, or when it is desired to change the pressure of the heel of the last
against the gauge for height.
The jack post is locked in the vertical position so that it cannot be moved down

page_text: by the action of the heel lasting plates when they are folding down the upper
(and at the same time it is capable of being moved upward to give the final
pressure which fully irons down the upper) by the following described mechanism.
Formed upon the edge of the jack post farthest from the heel band is the ratchet
rack 27, whose teeth are so formed that they will resist downward pressure, and
the slot through the slide 10, is made somewhat wider at the top than at the bottom
where it engages with the edges of the jack post, so that said jack post can swing a
little lengthwise of the machine.
The action of the spring 16, always swings the top end of the jack post towards
the heel band when the machine is at rest.
Mounted to slide upon the top of the slide 10, opposite the ratchet rack 27, is the
sliding pawl 28, which is pressed towards the jack post by the spring 29, also
secured to the slide 10.
The forward motion of the sliding pawl 28, is so limited that it cannot engage
with the teeth of the rack 27, when the jack post is swung towards the heel band
as far as possible and when in this position the jack post is free to reciprocate.
When the operator places a last upon the jack pin and moves the jack post, by
the hand wheel 15, towards the heel band, as soon as the heel of the last contacts
with the centre of the heel band, the jack post swings forward and the pawl 28,
engages with the correct tooth of the rack 27, and the jack post is held fixed from
vertical stress applied from above so long as held in that position.
If from any cause the last was below the desired height at the time of contact
with the heel band, the action of the spring 23, would move the jack post up and
the spring 29, would yield and allow the pawl to move back until the correct
position was reached when said pawl would act as before described.
To hold the jack post fixed firmly against the centre portion of the heel band,
the outer circumference of the hand wheel 15, is provided with ratchet teeth 30,
and the swinging pawl 31, hung upon the downward projection 32, formed upon or
secured to the carriage 8, is drawn by the action of the spiral spring 33, into
contact with said ratchet teeth 30, and thus retains the hand wheel 15, in its set
position and the last firmly jacked as required with the toe unsupported as shown
by Figure 14.
To release the hand wheel, 15, there is mounted upon the projection 32, the
swinging lever 34, as shown by Figure 3, whose upper end is inclined so that when
it is swung towards the pawl 31, it will engage with the upper side of said pawl
and draw it from contact with the teeth of the wheel 15, the lower end of said
lever being provided with the plate 35, against which the operator presses when it
is desired to unjack the last.
To lock the carriage 8, in operative position, a catch 36, is secured to or formed
upon the side of the carriage so that it will engage with the swinging catch 37,
pivoted to the front of one of the ties 1, as shown by Figures 1 and 14; which
swinging catch is drawn towards the catch 36, by the spring 38, fixed to said catch
and the tie 1.
The swinging catch 37, is provided with the projecting handle 39, by the use of
which the operator can draw back said catch and move the carriage & backward if
desired for any purpose.
The swinging catch 37, is also provided with the projecting arm 40, Figure 7,
which is operated automatically to unlock the carriage 8, in unison with the other
parts of the machine by contact at the suitable time with a pin, 41 upon the face of
one of the cams 55, at the completion of the lasting process.
The position of the last after it is jacked enables the operator readily to
position the upper thereon before running it into the machine and locking the
carriage 8, in position for the lasting process at which time the toe rest is down
and the side holding clamps are above the edges of the upper as shown by
Figure 2.
The lasting process as practised with this machine, consists in jacking the last,
with the upper thereon, as herein before described, running the jacked last into the

page_text: machine, raising the toe rest, drawing the heel band tight around the counter,
drawing over and clamping down the upper upon the innersole; commencing at
the ball of the foot and ending at the shank, at alternate sides lasting the toe and
heel, fastening the upper to the innersole by tacks and then simultaneously
releasing the various holding devices and removing the lasted upper from the
machine.
Most of the operations were performed in the preceding machines by the
manipulation of a treadle for each operation.
In the present machine, a single treadle, which can be depressed without change
of the operator's position, is used in the place of the treadles aforesaid.
This treadle revolves a sleeve, upon which is fixed the cams which give the
desired motions, the whole device being constructed as follows:
A. supporting shaft 42, is fixed between the cross bars 43 and 44, connecting the
parallel ties 1, and fitted to revolve upon this shaft is the long sleeve 45, Figures 4
to 9. Fixed upon this sleeve are the cams operating the desired parts of the
machine.
To revolve the sleeve 45, at the proper intervals, there is fixed upon it the
ratchet wheel 46, Figure 5, having a single tooth for each motion it is desired to
give the sleeve.
Loosely mounted upon the sleeve 45 is the disk plate 47, having the pawl 48,
hung upon one of its projecting arms, so that it will engage with the teeth of the
ratchet wheel.
To the other projecting arm of the disk 47, there is attached one end of a
connection 49, whose lower end is attached to the foot treadle 50, Figure 1, which
the spring 51, holds at its highest elevation when said treadle is at rest.
Each depression of the treadle 50, by the foot of the operator causes the cam
sleeve 45, to revolve one segment of its revolution.
With the machine in the starting position and the carriage 8, locked in operative
position, the toe rest 6, is raised upon the first depression of the treadle 50, by the
action of the cam 52, Figure 2, which acts upon the roll 53, fixed upon the swinging
support 54, for said toe rest.
At the second depression of the treadle 50, the heel band is drawn tight around
the counter of the last by the action of the cam 55, which acts upon the roll 56,
fixed upon the lever 57, which lever is connected to the rock shaft 58, mounted in
the rear tie 1, by the connection 59, and the arm 60, fixed upon the outer end of
said shaft as shown by Figures 2 and 4.
The arm 61, formed upon or secured upon the inner end of the rock shaft 58,
with the roll 62, mounted upon its free end acts in turn upon the lever 63, in the
usual manner as shown by Figure 4.
The side holding clamps are then drawn down by successive motions of the
treadle 50, which cause the cams, 64, 65 66 and 67, in the order named, to act each
upon its individual lever.
The levers hereinbefore mentioned are substantially alike in construction and
operation and are mounted alternately upon the pins 68, which are supported in
dependent arms 69, secured to or formed upon the ties 1, as shown by Figures 1, 7
and 8.
The outer free ends of these levers are connected to the ties 1, by the spiral pull
springs 70, which hold their rolls at all times against the edges of their operating
cams as shown by Figures 4, 7 and 8.
The side holding mechanism consists of clamps which are swung vertically to
and from the last by the action of the free ends of their operating levers and they
are mounted, constructed and operated as follows:
These clamps are arranged to operate singly or in pairs as desired and the clamp
or groups of clamps are moved by their cams so that the clamp on one side is
moved first and then the opposite one commencing with one of the clamps at the
ball of the last.
Bolted to the outer sides of the ties 1, so that they can be swung at will

page_text: lengthwise of the last, are the swinging standards 71, Figures 1, 7 and 8, having
sockets, 72 at their upper free ends, which sockets are provided with suitable set
screws.
Fitted to turn and slide in the sockets 72, are the pins 73, whose upper ends are
forked to receive the swinging levers 74, whose outer ends are also forked to
receive two clamps as shown by Figure 10, or one clamp as shown by Figure 11.
The clamps 75, are provided with stops 76, which limit their swinging motion in
the levers 74, so that they can swing about 20 degrees downward and be rigid when
parallel with said levers 74, shown by Figures 7 and 8.
Springs 77, are fixed to the levers 74, which press the clamps 75, down with the
desired tension.
When the clamps 75, are drawn towards the last as soon as they contact with the
leather of the upper, the springs 77, give back and the swinging motion of the
clamp gives an inward motion to its contacting surface, which, as said surface is
serrated, causes the clamp to draw the upper tighter around the last than if said
clamp was swung directly down upon the turned-over upper.
These clamps are drawn towards the last by the rods 78, which may be single
and connected directly to the cam levers as shown in Figure 7 where the levers 74,
are shown as carrying a pair of clamps, or the rods 78, may be connected to a cross
link 79, which is connected in turn to a single rod 80, which is directly connected
to the cam levers, see Figures 2 & 8.
The connection of the rods 78 or 80, is made by passing the rods through holes
formed in the free ends of said levers with a collar 81, fixed to the rods above the
cam levers so that the levers will always raise the clamps to the same height when
elevated by the springs 70.
Below the cam levers the spiral push springs 82, are placed around the lower ends
of the rods 78 and 80, whose tension adjusted by the thumb nuts 83, determines
the pressure of the clamps 75, upon the upper when the cam levers are drawn down
by the rigid action of their operating cams.
If desired, the cams hereinbefore described may be constructed double so that
the clamps will operate alternately with relation to each other and also operate
alternately with relation to right and left lasts so that it will require oue full
revolution of the cams to last a pair of uppers.
In machines heretofore used, after the last has been firmly jacked, its toe rests or
is pressed down upon the toc-rest which is carried by and moves with the toe-lasting
head during the toe-lasting process.
As the toe-lasting head requires to be moved to and from the last during said
process the friction of the top part of the toe-rest upon some grades of material is
undesirable and effects the finish of the upper. To remedy this defect, the top
part 84, of the toe rest 6, in the present machine is fitted to slide on a suitable
dovetail formed on the lower part 6, as shown by the full and dotted lines of
Figures 2 and 13.
A pocket to receive a light spiral spring 85, is formed in the lower part 6, and a
plate 86, is secured to the side of the top part 84, towards the heel of the last and
a stop screw 87, is fixed to the opposite side of the part 84, which holds it in the
position shown by the full lines against the pressure of the spring 85, when the
machine is at rest.
When the toe lasting process commences the toe lasting plates are projected
somewhere under the end of the toe of the last and as said plates are moved toward
the last, the top part of the toe-rest will compress the spring 85, and remain
stationary upon the upper side while the lower part 6, will move to the position
shown by the dotted lines of Figure 13.
When the last is removed from the machine, the spring 85, acts against the
plate 86, and returns the top part of the toe-rest to its normal position.
After the heel-lasting process is completed the upper is ironed down by the
operator who depresses the treadle 88, and forces the upper end of the rod 89,
Figures 1 and 2, against the under side of the swinging arm 18, which causes the

page_text: jack post 11, to raise the last toward the heel-lasting plates with the desired
pressure.
The cams fixed upon the sleeve 45, are made of such shape that they will depress
the levers serially at the correct times, and then hold said levers so depressed until
the last lever of the series has been depressed and the last holding clamp moved
down upon the upper. From this position, the form of all of the cams is such that the
next depression of the treadle 50 will cause all of the cams to allow the return
springs to act and move the various levers connected thereto back to their starting
position where as shown by Figures 4, 6, 7 and 8, the cams are provided with a
slight depression 90, which engages with the cam-rolls on the levers and holds
the sleeve 45, in the starting position ready for another serial operation.
The requisite variation in the strength of the various springs acting upon the
return inclines of the cams and the different movements which different operators
give to the treadle 50, will at times cause the cams to acquire sufficient momentum
to over-run the depression 90, and raise and hold up the toe-rest 6.
Making the depression 90, of sufficient depth to catch and hold the cams under
all conditions would give an undesirable jar to the machine and also require extra
exertion on the part of the operator in giving the first active motion to the cams.
To ensure the perfect stopping of the cam sleeve under all conditions there is
fixed to said sleeve the brake wheel 91, Figures 2 and 9, whose brake strap 92,
is secured at one end to the front tie 1. The free end of the brake strap 92, is
connected to the rod 93, which rod is connected as shown by Figure 9, to the
lever 94, which lever is hung upon the rear pin 68.
The spring 95, around the lower part of the rod 93, adjusted by the screw nut 96,
governs the pressure of the brake strap 92, when the lever 94, is depressed by the
action of the cam 97, upon its roll 98.
The brake cam 97, is fixed upon the sleeve 45, and so located with reference to
the operating cams, that the brake strap 92, commences to act when the last holding
clamp is nearly drawn and is relieved just as the slight depression 90, is in correct
position to engage with the various cam-rolls.
By the above described device all irregular effects of momentum are overcome
and at the same time the cams are held stationary during the tacking process.
By inspection of Figure 1 it will be seen that the longitudinal angle of the last
at the shank is considerable, and that as the shank holding clamps are swung
lengthwise the last by the movement of the standards 71, to bring said clamps into
the desired position for lasts of varying lengths, the working surfaces of said
clamps will be presented to surfaces of different angular inclinations.
To cause the working surfaces of the shank holding clamps to bear fair upon
the upper in all positions these working surfaces are constructed as shown by
Figures 11, and 12, the working surface 99, being pivoted to the part, 75, by the
pin 100, so that it can swing upon said pin lengthwise of the last.
This joint causes the surface 99, to conform by contact to the angle of the bottom
of the last, and thus be presented fair to the turned down upper without danger of
injury thereto.
In lasting machines of the class therein described, the heel and toe are held fixed
centrally with the machine when the last is jacked and locked into operative
position.
Many of the lasts used at the present time have very narrow shanks and these
shanks have considerable longitudinal curve with reference to the median line of
.heel and toe.
If the standards carrying the shank-holding clamps were fixtures, transverse or
crosswise the last, the ends of said clamps would either pass completely across the
shank or not be in position to contact therewith as the lasts used changed from
right to left.
Figures 1, 2 and 8 show the means of adjustment by which the correct location
of the ends of the shank holding clamps is simultaneously made.
The standards 71, are jointed at 101, see Fig. 8, so that they can be swung

page_text: crosswise the last, and pivoted to the upper jointed part are the bearings 102, which
bearings are free to turn upon their pivot pins 103.
Mounted in the bearings 102, is the shaft 104, having the collars 105, fixed upon
it on each side of the bearings 102, which collars preserve the relative distance.
apart of the sockets 72, as the two united standards are swung crosswise the last.
Secured to the fixed part of the front standard 71, is the plate 106, whose upper-
end is enlarged and formed into a suitable screw nut.
To this screw nut is fitted the screw 107, formed on the projecting end of the
shaft 104, which screw when turned by its head 108, will move in unison and hold
the ends of the shank-holding clamps in any desired position with reference to the
centre of the shank of the last.
It will be observed that in this Specification the operating cams are mounted on.
a long sleeve 45, revolving on a fixed shaft 42. It is evident that the cams may be
mounted directly upon the shaft 42, in which case the shaft should be provided
with suitable bearings secured to or formed on the frame or parallel ties 1, 1.
thereof.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inveu--
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 of a frame supporting the heel lasting
mechanism, a slide reciprocating therein; a swinging jack-post reciprocating in said.
slide, substantially as described; lever and spring mechanism, for raising said
jack-post pivoted to said slide; a stationary adjustable support fixed to said frame
and engaging with said lever, and ratchet and pawl holding mechanism for said
jack-post, all operating substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.
2. In a lasting machine the combination of a frame supporting the heel-lasting
mechanism; a slide carrying the jack-post reciprocating therein; a return spring
for said slide; rack pinion mechanism for moving said slide with reference to said
frame; ratchet and pawl mechanism for locking said slide in operative position, and
a swinging lever for releasing said slide, all operating substantially as described.
3. In a lasting machine, the combination of a carriage supporting the jacking
and heel-lasting mechanism a track upon which said carriage moves; spring catch
mechanism which holds said carriage in operative position; a lever connected to
the catch mechanism, and a pin for engaging with said lever, fixed at the desired
angular position upon one of the operating cams, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
4. In a lasting machine, the combination of operating cams mounted to revolve
below the jacked last, substantially as described; treadle operated ratchet and
pawl mechanism to revolve said cams; and brake mechanism for said cams; lever,.
roll and suitable connecting mechanism for setting and releasing said brake which
is operated by the revolution of said cams, all substantially as described, and for
the purposes set forth.
5. In a lasting machine, the combination of operating cams mounted to revolve
the jacked last, substantially as described; treadle operated ratchet and pawl
mechanism to revolve said cams; swinging side holding clamps mounted above the
jacked last, and lever and rod connections between said holding clamps and said
operating cams, all substantially as described.
6. In a lasting machine, the combination of swinging stands mounted upon the
sides of the machine, swinging levers mounted upon their upper free ends; swinging
holding clamps pivoted to said levers; springs and stocks for said clamps, all
adjustably located above the bottom of the last held in the machine; and suitable
operating mechanism connected to said levers, which move them down and upon
said last, all substantially as shown and described.
7. In a lasting machine, holding clamps, having a swinging auxiliary contacting
face pivoted thereto, substantially as shown and described.
8. In a lasting machine, a toe rest or support provided with a longitudinal

page_text: reciprocating contact face, substantially as shown and described, and for the
purpose set forth.
9. In a lasting machine, the combination of longitudinal swinging stands mounted
upon the sides of the machine, joints in said stands whereby their top members can
be swung crosswise the machine, holding clamps mounted on said top members, a
jointed connection between opposing pairs of said top members, and adjusting
mechanism adapted to swing said top members in unison, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
10. In a lasting machine, the combination of a carriage supporting the jacking
and heel lasting mechanism, a slide reciprocating therein, a swinging jack-post
reciprocating in said slide, lever and spring mechanism for raising said jack-post
pivoted to said slide, a track which supports said carriage, mechanism for locking
said carriage in operative position on said track, treadle and rod mechanism
mounted on the frame of the machine and located to engage with the jack-post
raising lever, when said carriage is locked in position, all substantially as set
forth.
Dated this 26th day of Iun 1904
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.