IMPROVEMENTS IN LASTS' OR APPA- RATUS TO BE EMPLOYED IN MANUFACTURING, STRETCHING, OR REPAIRING BOOTS AND SHOES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Blakey, of Leeds, in the County of York, Boot and
Shoe Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LASTS' OR APPA-
RATUS TO BE EMPLOYED IN MANUFACTURING, STRETCHING, OR REPAIRING BOOTS
AND SHOES."
Sealed the 13th December 1878, and dated the 13th June 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Blakey at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th June 1878.
JOHN BLAKEY, of Leeds, in the County of York, Boot and Shoe Manufacturer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN 'LASTS' OR APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED IN MANUFACTURING,
STRETCHING, OR REPAIRING BOOTS AND SHOES."
This Invention consists,―
Firstly. In constructing such lasts in two halves, which, when placed together,
resemble an ordinary "last" or boot tree, cut vertically through the leg or ankle at
right angles to the length of the foot. One of these halves is fixed to a bed or
frame, and the other to a footstep or slide rest, through which passes a screwed
spindle, by turning which the two halves of the last may be moved nearer to or
further from each other as required. The slide and stationary parts may be
mounted on a spindle or shaft so as to rock from side to side, by which means it is
rendered easier to get to the upper part of the boot when cleaning or repairing.
Secondly. My Invention relates to ordinary stretching "lasts," although equally
applicable to those above described; and my improvements consist in placing the
spring for closing the longitudinal pieces in a recess made in the ball of the foot,
the spring passing round or being attached to a pin fixed in the recess in each pieco.

page_text: The spring for closing the sole and upper part of the het is placed in a hole in the
ball of the foot, and presses on a tail piece, which is attached to the sole and pro-
jects beyond the hinge for the purpose of receiving the pressure of the spring.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Blakey in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 13th December
1878.
JOHN BLAKEY, of Leeds, in the County of York, Boot and Shoe Manufacturer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN LASTS' OR APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED IN MANUFACTURING,
STRETCHING, OR REPAIRING BOOTS AND SHOES."
This Invention consists,-
Firstly. In constructing such lasts in two halves, which, when placed together,
resemble an ordinary "last" or boot tree, cut vertically through the leg or ankle at
right angles to the length of the foot. One of these halves is fixed to a bed or
frame, and the other to a footstep or slide rest, through which passes a screwed
spindle, by turning which the two halves of the last may be moved nearer to or
further from each other as required. The slide and stationary parts may be
mounted on a spindle or shaft so as to rock from side to side, by which means it is
rendered casier to get to the upper part of the boot when cleaning or repairing.
Secondly. My Invention relates to ordinary stretching "lasts," although equally
applicable to those above described; and any improvements consist in placing the
spring for closing the longitudinal pieces in a recess made in the ball of the foot, the
spring passing round or being attached to a pin fixed in the recess in each piece.
The spring for closing the sole and upper part of the last is placed in a hole in the
ball of the foot, and presses on a tail piece, which is attached to the sole and pro-
jects beyond the hinge for the purpose of receiving the pressure of the spring.
In order that my Invention may be more fully understood I herein give reference
to the accompanying Sheet of Drawings illustrative thereof.
Fig. 1 represents the first part of my Invention, in which A and B are the two
halves of the "last," of which the half A is fixed by screw nut to the box C,
whilst the other is capable of sliding in grooves D, being actuated by screw_E
passing through the boss G, which is formed on the bottom part of the half B. For
convenience the box C may be screwed to a table or bench by screws passing
through lugs H; or the box C may be dispensed with, and the spindle be fixed to
the part A by a loose collar, so that the boot may be "lasted," cleaned, or repaired
right side up, or turned about as required, as shewn in Fig. 2.
Figs. 3, 4, and 5 represent the second part of my Invention.
In Fig. 3 A represents an india-rubber spring passing around pins a in each of
the parts B and C for the purpose of closing the said parts. The under side of the
last is recessed to receive the spring, which is thus prevented from coming in con-
tact with the interior of the boot or shoe. D is the sole plate, the tail or hinge

page_text: piece of which is elongated beyond the hinge pin d, and is pressed upon by the
spiral spring e placed in a hole bored in the upper half of the last. This spring
keeps the upper and lower halves in contact.
as
Instead of the ordinary loose collar, which is placed in the interior of the "last"
a fulcrum for the lateral stretching spindle F, the half A of the "last" may be cast
with a heel plate G, which may be tapped, and the screwed spindle pass through
it, as shewn in Figs. 4 and 5.
Instead of attaching the stretching wedge to the screw F in the usual manner, I
form a ball-and-socket joint by casting the wedge with a lateral slit, forcing the
end of the spindle into the opening, and then closing the wedge, as shewn in
Fig. 6.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Blakey, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Tenth day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
JOHN BLAKEY. (LS.)