Year: 1888

page_text: I HENRY HARRIS LAKE of the firm of Haseltine Lake & Co. Patont Agents,
Southampton Buildings in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare the nature
of the said 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 that class of boot and shoe lasts which are provided with
blocks; and it consists in certain novel features, as hereinafter fully set forth and
claimed, the object being to produce a more effective and otherwise desirable article
of this character than is now in ordinary use.
The nature and operation of the improvement will be readily understood by all con-
versant with such matters from the following explanation.
In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved last, the block being represented
as elevated.
Figures 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are views partially in section showing certain details of
construction; and
Figures 7 and 8 are views showing alternative forms of constructing certain of
the parts.
Like letters and figures of reference indicato corresponding parts in the different
figures of the drawing.

page_text: A represents the body of the last, B the block, and CH the cords by which tho
block is attached to the body.
The block B is provided with a hole 44, which extends longitudinally through it, the
forward end of said hole opening on the lower side of the block at 47, where it
is connected with a short groove 95.
A socket is formed in the rear end of the block, and a socket 54, on its lower side
near its rear end.
The body A is provided with a seat 50 for the block, and with a V-shaped
socket 58 at the forward end of suid sent for receiving the "contering" the V-shaped
forward end 57, of spid block.
A centrally arranged longitudinal groove 45, is cut in the block-seat 50; and at the
rear end of said groove a holo 49, is hored in the hody A.
A hole or socket m is formed in the upper edge or corner 75, of the heel portion of
the body, the mouth of said holo being preferably slightly funnel-shaped or flaring
and opening partially through the side of said heel portion and partially through its
top 85, as hest seen in Figure 3.
The cord is inserted in the hole 44 in the block B, and provided at its outer ond
with a knot 14, encased in a metallic clip or pull E its inner end being inserted in
the hole 49, and secured by a screw D.
The head of said scrow projects above the plane of the block-seat 50 and enters
the socket 54, when the block B is seated, said socket and scrow constituting a block-
lock which assists in preventing the block from accidentally sliding longitudinally or
laterally on its seat.
One end of the cord II is inserted in the holo or socket m of the body A and the
other in the holo or socket of the block B, said cord being secured in said sockets
by screws t, for which however, pins or any other suitable means of fastening may be
substituted, if desired.
To prevent the cord H, from unravelling, and enable the screws to hold it
more securely, its ends are encased in metallic clips 65, which are indented or
grooved, as shown at b, to prevent them from being detached, one or more grooves being
employed, as desired.
The body of one of the clips is preferably left plain, as shown at e, in Figure 6,
to enable it to bo stamped with letters, figures, or symbols to identify the work.
The object in forming the hole or socket m, in the corner 75, of the heel portion of
the body A, is to enable the cord H to be bent down, as shown in Figure 3, lo
permit the workman to pound with a hammer on the top 85, of the heel and drivo it
into the boot or shoe, and also to enablo said cord to be bent upward as shown by
the dotted lines 99 in Figure 3, to prevent it from getting between the last and upper
of the boot or shoe during the lasting process and thereby injuring the work.
Said hole may be placed at either side or at the rear of the heel portion, as preferred.
It may also be placed a short distance inward from the edge, provided the mouth is so
formed as to open partially through the side and partially through the top of the heel
portion as described.
The cord rests in the groove 45, and holo 44 when the block is seated, and being
entirely housed or concealed within the last, will not wear out or break as readily as
whon exposed.
By opening the groove 45, directly into the hole 49, the cord C, can ho kept
in bettor position by the screw D, than would otherwise be possible. The short
groove 95, in the block also sorves to assist in adjusting the cord C, in soating
the block.
The corner or edge 75, of the hoel portion of the body may be bovalled or chamfered,
and the hole m, forined in the bevel, as shown in Figure 8; and the scrow D may
be placed in another position and a separate screw or plug used to secure the end of
the cord C, if desired, the socket 54, being, of course, changed accordingly, without
departing entirely from the spirit of the invention.
Instead of making the forward end 57, of the block V-shaped and providing a
V-shaped socket 58, in the body to receive it, the block may be kept in position

page_text: suitable means.
end of the block, as shown in Figure 1 or
by any owner
It is well known that when the block of a last is secured to its body by a cord in
the usual manner, the cord is liable to be broken and the block separated and mislaid,
thereby causing much annoyance and loss of time, this being more especially the case
with very heavy or large lasts. The use of the two cords H C prevents the block
from becoming entirely detached from the body of the last, however large or heavy it
may be, and hence obviates that objection.
When the last is small enough or its weight such as to warrant it one of the cords
may be omitted if desired. In case the cord is omitted the hole 44, and grooves 45
and 95, may also be omitted, and the socket placed higher in the block to some
advantage, as for instance at the point 48. The forward end of said cord may also be
attached to the body at any other convenient point, if desired.
In the use of our improved last, the block may be readily removed from the boot
or shoe without unbuttoning the upper by pulling on the cap F, or cord H, the
rear end of the block being first raised slightly to unlock it or detacli it from the bead
of the screw D.
In place of said screw D, any other suitable block-lock may be employed, if
preferred. The metallic cap E may also be omitted and the knot 14 in the
cord, used without a cap to prevent the cord from being withdrawn from
the hole 44.
By attaching one end of the cord H to the extreme rear end of the block, the block
may be pulled from the shoe more readily and to better advantage by said cord than
if it were attached at any other point.
The hole or socket m is preferably inclined, as shown in Figure 3, but this is
immaterial provided its mouth is so formed or located that the cord H will lead or
draw from the upper edge or corner of the heel portion of the body of the last, or
approximately so. Said cord H may also be secured to the body by any other
suitable means than shown, provided it is so arranged as to lead from the edge or
corner of the heel portion of the body, or approximately so.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention
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 :-
First. In a last for boots or shoes, a hole or socket, as m formed in the upper edge
or corner of the heel portion of the body thereof for receiving one end of the block-
cord, substantially as described.
Second. In a last for boots or shoes, a hole or socket as m, formed in the upper
edge or corner of the heel portion of the body thereof, for receiving one end of the
block-cord, the mouth of said hole opening partially through the side and partially
through the top of said heel portion, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Third. In a last for boots or shoes, the combination of a body, a block and a cord,
one end of said cord being attached to the block and the other secured to the body in
such position as to lead from or approximately from the upper edge or corner of the
heel portion of said body, substantially as described.
Fourth. In a last for boots or shoes, a body, a block, and a cord connecting the
body and block, one end of said cord being secured in a hole or socket as formed
in the rear end of the block, and the other in a hole or socket as m, formed in the
upper edge or corner of the heel portion of the body, substantially as set forth.
Fifth. In a last for boots or shoes, a body as A provided with the hole or socket m
in the upper edge or corner of its heel portion; a block, as B, provided with the hole
or socket in its rear end; the cord H having its ends respectively inserted in said
sockets and the screws for securing the ends of the cord in said sockets all being
combined and arranged to operate substantially as described.
Sixth. In a last for boots or shoes, a body, as A, provided with the hole or socket m,
in the upper edge or corner of its heel portion, a block, as B, provided with the hole
or socket, in its rear end; the cord H provided with the metallic clips or casings 65,

page_text: and having its ends respectively inserted in said sockets; and the screws for securing
the ends of the cord in said sockets all being combined and arranged to operate
substantially as set forth.
Seventh. In a last for boots or shoes, a body, as A, provided with a hole or sockel. m,
in the upper edge or corner of its heel portion; a block as B, provided with the hole 5
or socket, in its rear end; the conl H, having its ends respectively inserted in said
sockets; the screws for securing the ends of the cord in said sockets; and a lock
for suid block, all being combined and arranged to operate substantially as described.
Eighth. In a Inst for boots or shoes, the combination of the block B, having the
the hole 14, and socket 54: the body A, provided with the groove 45, and hole 49;
and the cord C, and screw D, aid cord being inserted in the hole 44, and having its
outer end provided with a knot or pull, and its inner end secured in the hole 49, by
said screw, substantially as set forth.
Ninth. In a last for boots or shoes, the combination of a body, a block a cord, and
a lock for the block, one end of said cord being attached to the block in such position
as to lead from its rear end, and the other secured to the body in such position as to
lead from or approximately from the upper edge or corner of the heel portion of said
body, substantially as described.
Tenth. In a last for boots or shoes, the block B, provided with the hole, and
socket 54, the body A provided with the hole, the screw 1), inserted in said body a
with its head projecting and adapted to register with the socket 54, when the block is
seated; the cord I provided with the clip 65, and having its ends respectively inserted
in the holes m, f; and the screws f. for socuring said cord in said holes, substantially
as set forth.
Eleventh. In a last for hoots or shoes, the body A, provided with the groove 45, 1
having its rear end terminating in the hole 19, in combination with the cord (
connected with the block of the last and having one of its ends inserted in said
hole, and the screw D, for securing the end of the cord in said bolu, substantially as
doscribed.
Twelfth. In a last for boots or shoes, the lindy A. provided with the groove 45,
hole 49, and socket m; the block B, provided with the sockets 54 and and the
hule 44 the cord H having its ends rospectively inserted in the sockets mund; the
screws for securing said ends in said sockets; and the cord U, inserted in the hole 44,
and having one of its ends secured in the hole 19, by the screw 1), and the other
provided with a knot or pull, all being combined and arrangal to operate substantially
as described.
Thirteenth. In a last for boots or shoes, the combination of a body, a block, a cord
connecting snid body and block, and a lock for said block, one and of said cord
being secured to the block and the other secared to the body by the block-lock or a
portion thereof, and said last provided with an opening in its interior in which the
inain portion of said cord is disposed or housed when the block is seated substantially
as set forth.
:
Fourteenth. In a last for hoots or shoes, the combination of the following instru-
mentalities, to wit ; a body; a block adapted to be seated on said body, a lock for
said block and a cord connecting said block and body, the body or main portion of
said cord when the block is seated being disposed or housed partially in a hole
extending lengthwise through said block, and partially in a groove in the interior of
the last, one end of said cord being secured to the rear portion of said body by the
block-lock or a portion thereof, and the other protruding through the rear or outer
end of the hole in the block and provided with a knot or pull, substantially as
described.
Fifteenth. In a last for boots or shoes, the cord C, provided with the metallic pull E,
in combination with the block B, provided with the hole 4, body A, provided with
the hole 49, and groove 45, and a lock for the block, said cord being inserted in the
hole 4, and having one of its ends secured in the hole 49, by the block-lock or a
portion thereof, substantially as set forth.
Sixteenth 1st for boots or shoes having a longitudinal groove in its interior

page_text: for the block-cord, the combination, with the last-body provided with a block-seat,
and with a V-shaped socket at the lower end of said seat, of a block having a
V-shaped end for fitting said socket, and provided with a longitudinal cord-holo, a
cord disposed in said hole and groove and connecting said block and body, and
a block-lock, said cord being secured to said body by the block-lock or a portion
thereof, substantially as described.
Seventeenth. In a last for boots or shoes, the screw D, and socket 54, for locking
the block or assisting to keep it in position on its seat, substantially as set forth.
DIL:
T... 1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.