Improvements in Machinery for Lasting Boots, Shoes, and Slippers.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 7th May, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 5th Feb., 1891-Accepted, 28th Mar.,
1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery for Lasting Boots, Shoes, and
Slippers.
We. JAMES GREGORY and GEORGE HENRY GREGORY, of Waterfoot,
near Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Slipper Manufacturers, do hereby
leclare the nature of our said invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to machinery for what is termed "lasting" boots, shoes
and slippers, that is, securing by cementing what is termed the inner sole to what
is termed the "upper."
There is a suitable frame or bed from which rises a stud which fits a hole in
the heel of the "last," the toe end being supported on a curved headed stand also
from the bed.
The "upper" is first placed on the last and then the hole in it is placed on the
stud, the sole part of the last being upwards.
The inner sole is placed upon the sole part of the last, and then slides carried in
suitable guides on the framing are arranged to carry forms or shapes (which may
be changed and are adjustable) one slide to operate upon each side of the lengthway
of the last, these forms or shapes being forced firmly against the upper, to press
it close to the sides of the last. Then other slides in suitable guides carrying
changeable forms or shapes, pass horizontally over the sole on each side of the
last and turn down the margin of the "upper" which comes above the sole of the
last upon the inner sole, which has previously had paste or cement applied to it,
and presses the margin of the upper down, and holds it firmly upon the inner sole
until the cement has set. There are also two other slides or pairs of slides in
suitable guides carrying changeable forms or shapes to come against the margin of
the upper, at the heel and toe of the last.
Springs are arranged to act upon the upper slides, or the forms or shapes carried
upper and
by them to give elastic pressure to bring and hold the margin of the
inner sole together until the cement is set.
The slides are worked by screws, or by right and left handed screws, which
operate the slides on opposite sides of the last.
Or the slides are or may be operated by levers, excentrics or cams, or by pistons
or rams and cylinders, actuated by hydraulic or fluid pressure.
The forins or shapes carried by the slides are or inay be constructed in sections
backed by springs or india rubber or other suitable elastic material, and the
surfaces to act to press and hold down the margin of the "upper
upon the inner
sole, are or may be formed by a series of flat springs side by side (which may be
formed upon one sheet of steel) and curved upwards at the operating ends or edges,
to first turn down the margin of the "upper "and then press upon it.
The upper slides are or may be those to be operated, in which case each of these
slides is connected with the lower slide by a strong spring or springs, the first
movement will bring the forms or shapes carried by the lower slides firmly against
the sides of the last and then the spring or springs will be compressed while the
upper slide is operating to turn over and press the margin of the upper upon
the inner sole.
Dated this Sirth day of Ver 1890.
PETER J. LIVSEY,
Agent.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery for Lasting Boots, Shoes, and
Slippers.
We. JAMES GREGORY and GEORGE HENRY GREGORY, of Waterfoot,
Tear Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Slipper Manufacturers, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:—
Our invention relates to machinery for what is termed " lasting" boots, shoes
and slippers, that is, securing by cementing what is termed the "inner sole" to
what is termed the " upper.
Our invention will be most readily explained by reference to the accompanying
drawings, which show several views of a machine constructed according to our
invention.
Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the machine.
Fig. 2 is a top plan view upon an enlarged scale of a part of the mechanism
operating upon one side and one end of the last.
Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation upon an enlarged scale taken in the lengthway of
the last, looking towards the mechanism operating upon one side of the last and
that (partly in section) for operating upon the toe or heel end of the last .r, which
is shown in dotted line in this figure,
Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation on an enlarged scale of the mechanism for operating
upon one side of the Inst.
Fig. 5 is a plan and Fig. 6 is a side view upon an enlarged scale, of one of the
springs detached.
Fig. 7 is a side view, and Fig. 8 an edge view of one of the presser levers shown
detached and upon an enlarged senle.
Fig. 9 is an end view upon an enlarged scale of a part detached.
Fig. 10 is a side view of a part of one of the sliding pushers, and a part of its
helical spring.
Fig. 11 is a spring which in some cases is or may be used in place of the spring
shown by Figs. 5 and 6 and the levers or pressers shown by Figs. 7 and 8.
The Pigs. 5 to 11 inclusive will be hereinafter referred to.
The machine is formed by a bed or base plate a, to which stands or brackets are
secure to carry the operating mechanism.
The "last" is placed in the upper" as it is termed, and there is a hole at the
heel end of the last which is placed upon a pin or stud b, in a stand b, attached to
the base plate a, so that the sole of the lust is uppermost. The stand b, may be
made if desired, to receive and hold pins or studs to suit different sizes of holes
in the last, and the stand or upright b. is by preference made to pass through
a slot (6) in the base plate a, the lengthway of which is in the lengthway of
the last, the lower end of the stand or upright being connected with a part
forming a slide, working in or on a suitable slideway on the underside of the
base plate (see Figs. 3 and 4) and this slide, may have a projection 67, which is
serew tapped for a screw 63, which can be rotated in a bracket, from the under-
side of the plate a, in which it is prevented from moving endways so that by means
of a handle, (see Figs. 3 and 4) the slide can be moved to and fro to adjust its
position to suit different lengths of lasts.
The lower part of the upright b, has flattened sides that fit into the slot 6. and
there is a hole, in the end of it for the end " a serew *, to pass into, which screw
screws through the slide 2, and has a land wheel 6, upon its end for rotating it.
The end of the serew, can rotate in the hole in the lower end of the stand b,
and is connected with it by a groove formed round the screw, and a pin passing
through a cross hole in the stand, the side of which pin comes in the groove in
the screw.

page_text: By means of this arrangement the height of the last may be adjusted.
If desired the lower end of the stand or upright b, may be secured and made to
screw through the screw tapped hole in the slide 62, and there may be a lock nut
or handle on the end of the stand b, upon the underside of the slide b³, the stand
thus being adjusted by rotating it by a hand or other wheel upon its lower part or
by other means.
There is or may be a corresponding pin 6, and stand b, for the toc end of the
last, which may be also adjustable as described both horizontally and vertically if
desired, and the pin b', of this stand may fit a forked or T head shaped part", sec
Fig. 3 to suit various sizes of lasts; the upper on the last near the toc end resting
upon the said fork or T head, so that the last is held steady while being operated
upon.
It is not necessary that the stand b, for the toe of the last should be adjustable
horizontally, same as the stand b, for the heel end of the last and it is only illus-
trated in Fig. 3 as adjusted vertically by similar means to those described in
reference to the stand for the heel end of the last, the part 6, through which the
screw, passes being secured to the underside of the base plate a.
11
The "insole" as it is termed, is placed upon the sole part of the last and cement
is applied on the margin of the face of the inner sole, above which the "upper
projects all round, this projecting part being turned down all round the last and
pressed firmly upon the outside face of the inner sole and held until the cement is
set which completes the "lasting" operation, the last being then taken from the
machine to have the sole applied and may then be withdrawn from the upper,
when the operation may be repeated for the next slipper or other foot covering to
be "lasted."
In Fig. 1 it will be seen that there are slides (hereinafter explained) on each
side of the lengthway of the last, and that there is also a slide arrangement at the
heel and toe of the last and as the latter slides are duplicates of each other as well
as those on each side of the last it will only be necessary to describe the slides and
connected mechanism for one side and for one end of the last.
, are two stands secured to the base plate a, (seen bost in Figs. 3 and 4) and d, is
a slide which at each end (see Fig. 3) has projections from its lower edge that
enter grooves in the face of the stands c, (see Fig. 3) so that it can be slided to and
from the side of the last.
A rod d', (see best in Fig. 4) is connected with the outside of the slide d, and
the outer end of this rod slides through and is guided in a hole in a bracket ³,
secured on a stand e, attached to the base plate a.
From this rod d, there is a descending branch d³, that passes through a slot in
the middle part of a lever d', which has its fulcrum on a stud, secured in the
base plate.
To the free end of this lever d', one end of a rod, is jointed the other end of
which is jointed with one arm of a T lever, having its fulcrum on a stud 2, in the
base plate or upon a stand secured to it.
The long arm (3) of this Ṭ lever forms the handle by which it is moved, and
it is more or less elastic vertically, and when moved to give pressure against the
"last" it is made to catch upon ratchet teeth formed upon a part *, secured to
the edge of the base plate (see Fig. 4) and this holds the lever, in such position
with the pushers carried by it against the side of the last until released by forcing
the lever downwards clear of the ratchet teeth.
The other arm of the T lever, is jointed with a rod also marked f³, to connect
it with a lever also marked d', corresponding to the lever, for the other side of
the last, the slides d, on both sides being thus simultaneously operated by the same
lever handle³.
The slide d, has a number of holes formed in it, in a direction parallel to that in
which it slides to and from the side of the last, and in each hole a spindle g, is
fitted to slide in and out.

page_text: The inner part of the spindle g, is reduced in diameter for a helical spring g'.
(see Figs. 4 and 10), which abuts at its inner end against the end of the hole in the
slide d, and at its front against the shoulder the spindle.
The spring, thus acts to force out the spindle and when the latter is forced in.
the spring, is compressed. There is or may be a stop to prevent the spindle from
being forced out too far.
The outer end of the spindle, has a head, which is bent down and then
horizontally to extend parallel to and under the slide d, the spindle g, being thus
prevented from turning round.
That face of the hend, of each spindle which is to come against the " upper
when upon the last is or may be faced with india rubber or other suitable elastic
material which will give way to accommodate itself to slight inequalities of the
surface against which it operates. Three of these sliding spindles g, are shown in
each side, but any desired number may be used placed as close as they can be got
side by side if desired.
When the slides d, are move towards the sides of the last, the head of one
spindle o̟, may come against it sooner than the heads of the other spindles, but the
helical spring causes each to give pressure against the side of the last, though acting
upon the curved surface of the side of the last.
Above and clear of the upper part of the slide d, there is another slide 4, the
ends of which fit and slide freely in grooves in the face of the upper part of the
stands e, (see Figs. 3 and 4).
This slide, has a rib, across it in a direction at a right angle to that in which
it slides.
On one side of this rib, the inner ends of a series of levers or pressers k, nbut.
one of which is shown detached and upon an enlarged seale by Figs. 7 and 8.
These levers or pressers k, are placed side by side and rubbing against each
uther, but are perfectly free to move up and down at one end.
In their lengthway they are parallel to the direction in which the slide h, moves
to and fro, and in length they vary to suit the curve of the last (see Figs. 1
and 2).
They are prevented from moving out of position sideways by filling in
pieces between the levers k, and an upward projection from the slide 4, at each
side of it.
These pressing levers k, are held from moving endways by flat steel springs.
with bent ends, one of which is shown detached and upon an enlarged scale by
Figs. 5 and 6.
The bent ends of these springs nearest the rib, come against the opposite side
of the rib to that against which the pressers or levers k. are forced, and the ends
of the springs, are held against the rib by a bar . extending across the slide h
the end view of which upon an enlarged scale, is shown by Fig. 9, but a piece of
leather or other suitable material, is interposed between the face of the bar 4³.
and the ends of the springs, to bed firmly against the ends of the springs.
The lar is forced against the ends of the springs by a set screw, at ench
end screwing through a projection from the slide h
The slide, is moved to and fro by a lever handle 7, (seen best in Fig. 4) which
lever has its fularium hª, upon a projection from the stand e.
The fulcrum part of this lever, is forkod, and at each side one end of two
connecting rods, are jointed, the other onds of which are jointed to the slide h.
(seen hest in Fig. 2).
When the lever handle 4, is moved to push the slide h, towards the last, ihe
lower rounded ends of the pressers or levers k, first come against. that part of the
"upper" projecting above the "insole" and press and force it first firmly against
the side of the last and then rise to the level of the edge of the upper and slide
over it, thus pressing it down firmly against the unter face of the insole" each
spring, acts to press down the end of its presser or lever k, to hold the edge of

page_text: position until the cement has set.
When forced sufficiently forward the slide h, will remain in the position in which
it is placed owing to the pressure of the springs kl, acting downwards, upon the
"insole" and "lust."
When the handle, is pulled back the pressers or levers k, are withdrawn clear
of the last.
There is a separate handle 4, for each slide /.
In Fig. 3 the operating ends of the pressers or levers k, are shown in different
positions as when operating, in which position they conform to the curve of the sole
of the last, or to the "insole" and upper when turned down.
The slides for the heel and too of the last will be most readily understood from
Fig. 3.
There is a stand 1, from the base plate a, which has formed upon it a horizontal
part upon which slideways are formed for a slide 2, which can move to and fro
in the direction of the lengthway of the last. The stands 1, for the heel and toe
are or may be made adjustable upon the base plate a, to and from the last to suit
different lengths of last.
The end of the slide 1, which is to come against the toe or heel is or may be
made removable from the end of the slide to which it would be secured so that
its form may be such as to suit each size and shape of the heel or toe to be
acted upon.
The operating edge is or may be faced with india rubber or other suitable elastic
material that will give way and accommodate itself to some extent to the form and
size of the heel or toe.
There is an upward projection 1, from the slide and from this there is another
projection to which one end of a double rod is jointed, the other end of which is
jointed (one rod on each side) to a lever handle, having its fulcrum **, jointed to
a projection from the head of the stand 7, (see Fig. 3).
Secured to the upper side of the slide 2, there is an elastic steel plate 17, one
end of which projects in front of the slide 1, and passes through a slot in the
upright, from the slide, and the other end of this steel plate slides through a slot
in the projection, from the head of the stand.
When the slide 1, is moved against the toe or heel (as the case may be) the end
of the spring, first presses against and then passes over the "upper" projecting
above the insole at the heel or toe and presses it down and holds it firmly against
the insole until the cement has set.
In some cases springs are or may be used bent in the form shown by (*) Fig. 11,
in place of the springs, and levers k, the front bent end and lower side of each
spring (Fig. 11) acting in place of the front and lower side of the levers k, to press
upon the "
upper."
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. The combination of slides (d) upon each side of the last having pushers acted
upon by springs substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described and
illustrated by the drawings.
2. The combination of slides (d) having clastic pushers upon each side of the
"last" with slides (2) to act upon the heel and toe ends of the "last" substantially
as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the drawings.
3. The combination of a series of lever or pressers or fingers carried upon a
slide (4) acted upon by springs (or being elastic) upon each side of the lengthway
of the last, the ends of these levers, pressers, or fingers, first acting to push the
upper" against the sides or edges of the insole and last, and then lifting and
pressing the "upper" down upon the insole, substantially as and for the purpose
hereinbefore described and illustrated by the drawings.

page_text: 4. The combination of levers or pressers (k) or elastic fingera (k, Fig. 11)
carried upon slides (4) upon each side of the lengthway of the last with slides (d)
carrying pushers acted upon by springs to
the sides of the last, substantially as and fress upon and force the upper against
the purpose hereinbefore described
and illustrated by the drawings.
5. The combination of slides (P) to act upon the foe and heel ends of the last,
with an elastic plate (1), finger or fingers, to first press the "upper" against the
toe or heel, and then lift and press the "upper" down upon the insole substantially
as and for the purpose hereinbefore described and illustrated by the drawings.
6. The combination of slides (7) having elastic pushers and slides (4) with levers,
pressers or fingers, to act upon both sides, and slides to act upon the toe and heel
of the "last" substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described and
illustrated by the drawings.
7. The combination and arrangement of mechanism substantially as and for the
purpose hereinbefore described and illustrated by the drawings.
Dated this Fourth day of February 1891.
PETER J. LIVSEY,
Agent.