Improvements in or relating to Lasts for Use in the Manufacture of Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Lasts for Use in the Manufacture of
Boots and Shoes.
I, THOMAS BRINING, of 4, Lindley Grove, Richmond Hill, Leeds, in the County
of York, Boot and Shoe Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in lasts for use in the manufacture
of boots and shoes. Its object is to produce a last with its heel portion separated
from its toe portion but so arranged as to be capable of being securely and
firmly held together in position when in use by the upper of the boot or shoe
without the additional use of movable catches or spring pins.
According to this invention the last may be made or formed in two parts, a
toe portion and a heel portion, either in wood or iron and the division line
between the said two portions is made in an irregular direction in a similar
manner to that described in my Complete Specification accompanying my Appli-
cation for Letters Patent, No. 13178 of 1898. That is to say the irregular
division line runs from the sole to the top (the portion opposite to the sole) of
the last, but at the same time the division line is so formied or curved that the
two parts may be readily separated, or placed in contact with each other.
The division line may be first cut or otherwise formed transversely across the
sole of the last at any required distance from the heel, and continued into the
main portion thereof to the required depth in a curved or partly curved and
partly angular direction, and it is then continued at an angle to the sole of the
last and emerges at the top of the last at a suitable distance from the heel;
the said division line being nearer to the heel at the top of the last than at
its sole.
In the two portions of the last and in the division line thereof are arranged
projecting pieces or recesses. That is to say, a projection is formed on, or
let into, or attached to the said toe portion below its sole and it is arranged to
pass into a recess formed for its reception in the said heel portion. The said
projection may be in plan, say, semi-circular or semi-elliptical as well as slightly
tapering in its height for aiding in separating the two parts of the last, as well
as placing them in position. In the toe portion of the last is also provided an
angular recess. This recess extends from the top of the said projection to within
a suitable distance of the top of the last. A tapering or parallel projection,
formed on or attached to the heel portion of the last, is made to pass into the
said angular recess for preventing any lateral movement of the two parts.
The projection on the heel portion may be made a little shorter than the
angular recess to permit of a fixed catch or sneck being arranged at one end
thereof to pass into the said recess which is carried at this point at an angle
to its main portion.
A hole or aperture is also provided in the heel portion of the last in an
angular direction from the division line to the back of the heel, at a suitable
distance from the sole. Into this hole or aperture a piece of steel or other
metal, or wood or other suitable material, shaped to form a fixed catch or sneck,

page_text: is driven and securely fastened therein so as to project beyond the irregular
division line. The hole or aperture beyond the inner end of the catch or sneck
and the back of the heel may be filled with a plug of leather, wood, lead, or
other material.
By permitting this hole or aperture to pass in an angular direction through
the heel portion of the last not only can the fixed catch or sneck be readily
secured in position, but should the catch or sneck become worn or broken, on
removing the plug from the hole or aperture the portion of the catch or sneck
remaining in the hole or aperture can be readily driven out.
Or the said catch or suecki may be cast, or otherwise, formed on the heel portion,
either the full width thereof, or only the width of the angular recess.
By this means I sam enabled to dispense with the movable spring pins.or
catches used in the divided lasts described in the specifications accompanying
my applications for Letters Patent namely:-No. 795 dated the Twelfth day
of January 1895, No. 16316 dated the Twenty-third day of July 1896, and
No. 13178 dated the Thirteenth day of June 1898.
The two portions of the last may be connected together by a cord, chain,
spring, or strap, or link or loop of any suitable material, of such a length as
will permit of the heel portion being placed or drawn on to, and rest upon the
sole of the toe portion wheen the boot or shoe is is placed upon or removed from
the last.
A hole is also provided in the top of the last for the pivot pin of ordinary
construction.
When the two portions of the last are placed together within the boot or
shoe they are retained in position by its "upper" without any additional parts
than those herein described. At the same time the boot or shoe can be readily
removed therefrom by the operator taking hold of the upper at its back and
raising the heel of the boot or shoe simultaneously with that of the heel portion
of the last, when the two portions of the last will readily separate to permit of
the boot or shoe being removed.
When the lasts are made of cast iron the heel portion may be cast first, and
after the fixed catch or sneck has been secured in position, the said portion may,
by ordinary means, be converted into and be used as a chill for casting the toe
portion thereto, thus ensuring an accurate fit at the division line without any
additional labour.
When the lasts are formed of wood they may, or may not be provided with
metal sole plates which may be fixed thereto by any suitable means.
Dated this Fifteenth day of May 1899.
THOMAS BRINING.
By W. Fairburn-Hart,
Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Lasts for Use in the Manufacture of
Boots and Shoes.
I. THOMAS BRINING, of 4, Lindley Grove, Richmond Hill, Leeds, in the County 4
of York, Boot and Shoe Manufacturer, 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 improvements in lasts for use in the manufacture

page_text: of boots and shoes. Its object is to produce a last with its heel portion separated
from its toe portion but so arranged as to be capable of being securely and
firmly held together in position when in use by the upper of the boot or shoe
without the additional use of movable catches or spring pins.
In the drawings hereunto annexed:-
Fig 1 is a part sectional elevation of a last constructed according to this
invention.
Fig. 2 a part sectional elevation of toe portion.
Fig. 3 a plan looking at the underside of toe portion.
Fig. 4 an end elevation of toe portion.
Fig. 5 a sectional elevation of heel portion.
Fig. 6 an end elevation of heel portion
Fig. 7 a plan of heel portion looking at the top.
Fig. 8 a part sectional elevation of last with pivot holder and retaining pin
formed in one piece.
Fig. 9 a part sectional elevation of last with pivot holder and retaining pin
formed in one piece and means for preventing lateral movement of the heel.
portion.
Fig. 10 an end elevation of heel portion shown at Fig. 9.
Fig 11 a sectional elevation of a last with modified arrangement of fixed
catches or projections.
Fig. 12 a part sectional elevation of last with two fixed projections, one of
which is provided with a metal armature.
Figs. 13, 14, 15 and 16 are respectively sections and elevations of details of
last shown at Fig. 12.
Fig. 17 a sectional elevation of last provided with a spring for retaining the
toe and heel portions together when the last is not in use.
Figs. 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 are respectively sections, elevations, and a plan
of details of last shown at Fig. 17
Like parts in all the views are marked with similar letters of reference.
The last is made or formed in two parts,-a toe portion A and a heel
portion B,-either in wood or iron, and the division line C C between the said
two portions is made in an irregular direction. That is to say, the irregular
division line C C runs from the sole to the top (the portion opposite to the sole)
of the last, but at the same time the division line is so formed or curved that
the two parts may be readily separated, or placed in contact with each other.
The division line may be first cut or otherwise formed transversely across the
sole of the last at any required distance from the heel, and continued into the
main portion thereof to the required depth in a curved or partly curved and
partly angular and slightly upward direction towards. the heel, when it is
again turned upwards and continued at an angle to the sole of the last and
emerges at the top of the last at a suitable distance from the heel; the said
division line being nearer to the heel at the top of the last than at its sole.
In the two portions of the last and in the division line thereof are arranged
projecting pieces and recesses as follows:-
That is to say, a projection D is formed on the toe portion of the last, as
at-Figs. 11, 17 and 18, or let into said toe portion, as at Fig. 12; or attached
thereto, as at Figs. 8 and 9. In all cases the said projection 1) is arranged to be
at a suitable distance from the toe and below the level of the sole, but at the
same time to project a suitable distance above the division line for entering a
recess. E (Fig. 5) formed for its reception in the heel portion B.
Or the projection 1) may also, if so desired, be made in the form of a pin,
or dowel, or plug and arranged to be driven partly through a vertical or slightly
inclined or unbushed pivot hole H,-Figs. 1 and 2, in the toe portion, so that
the end of the plug will project beyond the division line to form a circular
projection. In this case the pivot hole H will require to pass entirely through
the toe portion of the last; or it may be let into,-as at Fig. 13, the last

page_text: separately and distinctly from the pivot hole H. Or the projection or plug D
may be made to pass entirely through the toe portion A,-as at Figs. 8 and 9,-
and it is provided with flanges I by which it is secured to the top of the last.
In this case the pivot hole H is formed in the plug or projection 1).
The projection D) is in all cases arranged in the centre of the width of the
last at the division line, but its configuration as well as the height, thickness,
or length and width may vary, as for example, the width or diameter of the
projection may vary from about, say, one half of an inch in medium sizes of
lasts to, say, one inch in the larger sizes, but these dimensions may be altered
more or less, as circumstances or the sizes of the last require. The part of the
projection protruding from the division line may also be arranged in a variety
of forms, as for instance at Figs. 1, 2, and 13, it is shown in the form of a circular
plug, or pin or dowel, whilst at Fig. 11 it is shown in the form of a lump or
swelling with a flat upper surface, varying in dimension, say, from about three
eighths to three quarters of an inch (more or less) in length and width at its
largest parts, by about, say, a quarter to one half of an inch (more or less)
in thickness.
The projection D in plan, may be either circular, as at Fig. 3, or semi-circular
or semi-elliptical, or with tapering sides and with one end semi-circular and the
other end flat or straight, as at Fig. 20. The said projection is also made to
slightly taper in its height so as to aid in separating the two parts of the last,
as well as to assist in placing them together in position.
In the toe portion of the last is also provided an angular recess F which is
made to vary in shape and contour according to that of the projection G to be
inserted therein, and whether the latter is to form a single or double fired catch.
The said recess F in most of the views is, as at Fig. 4, in the form of a long
narrow hole with parallel sides or walls, in or about the centre of the width of
the last at the division line. But, at Figs. 18 and 19, it takes another form
and is made to extend across the whole width of the upper part of the toe portion
of the last. The recess F extends (except at Figs. 17 to 22), say, from or near
to the top of the projection D to within a suitable distance of the top of the last.
A corresponding projection G arranged in screw form, as at Fig. 5; or in pin,
dowel, or plug form, as at Figs. 12 and 15 or in web form with a plain or
level surface, as at Fig. 9; or with an irregular or serrated surface, as at Fig. 11,
being formed on or attached to the heel portion of the last, and it is made to
pass into the said angular recess for preventing any lateral movement of the
two parts. But as previously described, as at Figs. 17 to 22, in some cases the
upper portion of the recess F is made to extend the full width of the toe portion A,
as at Fig. 19; in this case the portion of the fixed projection G is increased in
width to correspond therewith, as shown at Fig. 22. By this means a series of
fixed catches are provided.
The recesses E and F (Figs. 2 and 5), when the lasts are made of wood, may,
or may not be bushed or lined, as at Figs. 12 and 13, with metal, hard wood,
or the like to prevent it or them quickly wearing away.
At Figs. 1, 5, and 8 the projection G, which is cast or otherwise fixed on or
to the heel portion B, is shown in the form of a screw or other projecting pin
arranged to enter the upper portion of a correspondingly shaped angular recess F.
When the projection G is in the form of a screw, as shown at Fig. 5, the hole
in which it is screwed or otherwise fixed may be continued through the heel
portion Bin, say, an angular direction, as shown by dotted lines, and the
portion of the hole beyond the said projection may be filied or plugged with
leather, or lead, or wood, or a combination of two or more of them or of any
other suitable material, or be driven, or screwed, or run therein, thus providing
a ready means for removing the projection G from the heel portion should it
become worn or broken, as well as for inserting a new
one.
At Fig. 8 the projection G is also shown in screw form, but at Figs. 12 and 15
it is in the form of a circular plug driven partly into a hole provided for its

page_text: "
reception so that its outer end projects beyond the division line of the heel
portion B for entering the recess F. In all of these three last named cases,
the hole in which the projection G is, is not made to pass entirely through the
said heel portion, as at Fig. 5.
But in some cases it may be found more convenient to arrange the projection G
in the form as shown at Fig. 9, that is in the web form, the upper end of which
is made to project above the top of the last and to be curved over towards the
toe in order to enter a recess formed for its reception in the flange I of the pro-
jection D, secured to the toe portion of the last, whilst the main or body portion
of the web is provided with a plain or level surface, say, semi-circular, or
rectangular in cross section, for entering the angular recess F.
At Fig. 11 the projection G is also in the form of a narrow web, but in this case
it is provided with an irregular or serrated surface as shown. The number of
indents or serrations, as well as their shape or contour may be varied as circum-
stances require. In some cases the said serrations may extend wholly across the
heel portion. But I prefer to form the projection G, which may be made, say,
of steel, or other metal, or wood, or other suitable material and either attached
to or formed or cast on the heel portion, and recess F as herein described and
illustrated, and by this means I am enabled to dispense with the movable spring
pins or catches used in the divided lasts described in the Specifications accom-
panying my Applications for Letters Patent namely:-No. 795 dated the
Twelfth day of January 1895; No. 16316 dated the Twenty-third day of July
1896; and No. 13178 dated the Thirteenth day of June 1898.
The position of the projections D and G, and also of the recesses E and F
may be reversed, that is to say, the recess E and projection G may be formed
respectively in and on the toe portion A instead of the heel portion. Projection 1)
and recess F may also be formed on and in the heel portion B instead of the
toe portion as previously described.
The two portions A B of the last may be connected together by a cord, chain,
or strap, or link, or loop, hereafter termed a cord J Fig. 1, of any suitable
material, of such a length as will permit of the heel portion being placed or
drawn on to, and rest upon the sole of the toe portion when the boot or shoe
is placed upon or removed from the last.
When it is required to dispense with, say, the cord by which the two portions A
and B of the last are usually held together they may be kept or retained in
position by a helical spring K (say rectangular in cross section) as at Fig. 17,
arranged to enter a recess L (Fig. 21) formed for its reception in the heel portion
of the last. The lower portion of the recess L being enlarged to permit of a
backward movement of the spring K whilst the two parts of the last are being
separated. The recess L is also so formed that the lower portion of the spring K
can also project into the angular recess F in order that its base k may engage
with and press against the projecting ledge or abutment f (Fig. 18) in the
angular recess F for retaining the two parts together. A pin K' being employed
for retaining it in position. The base & may also, if desired, be armed or covered
with a cap.
For wood lasts, in some cases, it may be found advisable to arm the fixed
projection G, as shown at Figs. 12 and 15 with a spring 0 to enable it the
more readily to engage with the walls of its recess. F. and the better to retain
the two portions of the last in position. By this means provision is made for
the projection G and spring O to retain a firm hold on the recess F after the
latter has become worn or damaged.
Recesses or notches P may also be provided in the flange I of the pivot hole H
and they are made to engage with projections on the pivot pin for preventing
the last turning round when placed upon said pin. A pin Q may also be
made to pass through the side of the last and the projection D for preventing it
working out of position.
When the lasts are made of cast iron the heel portion may be cast first, and

page_text: after the projection G has been secured in position the said portion may, by
ordinary means be converted into and be used as a chill for casting the toe
portion thereto, thus ensuring an accurate fit at the division line without any
additional labour.
When the lasts are formed of wood they may, or may not, be provided with
metal sole plates which may be fixed thereto by any suitable means.
When the two portions of the last are placed together within the boot or shoe
they are retained in position by its upper" without any additional parts than
those herein described. The projections 1 and G prevent any lateral movement
of the heel portion B during the lasting operation.
At the same time the boot or shoe can be readily removed therefrom by the
operator taking hold of the upper at its back and drawing the heel of the boot
or shoe, in the direction of arrows, Fig. 1, simultaneously with that of the heel
portion of the last, when the two portions of the last will readily separate to
permit of the boot or shoe being removed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
A last for boots and shoes divided along an irregular line as described into
a toe portion and a heel portion, said divided portions being provided on the
division line with projecting pieces and arranged to fit respectively into a recess
formed in the said heel portion and into an angular recess formed in the said toe
portion, or vice versa, all constructed and combined as described and illustrated
and for the purposes set forth.
Dated this Wavetrunth day of Tohru 1900