Improvements in Lasting Machines.
Year: 1894

page_text: COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by CLARENCE SEWARD LUITWIELER, of No. 105,
Summer Street, Boston, County of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, United
States of America, Business Manager.]
Improvements in Lasting Machines.
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 consists of a jack for lasting boots and shoes, constructed and
arranged for operation all substantially as hereinafter fully described.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a front view.
Figure 2 is a plan view, with a last and upper of a boot or shoe in position to be
lasted.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical central section on line 3-3, Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a cross section on line 4-4 Figure 1 looking to the right.
Figure 5 is a detail plan view of one end below line 5-5 Figure 1.
Figure is a detail plan view to be hereinafter referred to.
Figure 7 is a plan view below the parts shown in plan view in Figure 6.
Figure 8 is a detail elevation of some of the operating parts drawn to an enlarged
scale.
Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures of the
drawings.
A represents a body or frame supported by a central cross pivot or screw bolt B
between two vertical arms C of the base plate D which can be secured on any
suitable support, the said bolt passing through a longitudinal slot E in the body as
shown in Figure 3, by which the body can be moved forward and backward, and
by tightening the bolt will hold it in such positions.
At each end of the base plate Figures 1 and 3 is a projection F up through
which extends a screw G, having a head a, for turning it, on which screws the
ends 6 of the body A rest and bear, for it to be adjusted as to its angle of elevation
on its pivot, and when adjusted by turning up the screws accordingly be held firm
in such adjusted position.
His a pin on which the heel J of the last K is placed by its socket d as shown
in Figure 3, which pin is screwed at e into a block Ĺ pivoted at f Figure 1 between
two arms g of a bracket M having a spindle or rod N adapted to move horizontally
in a socket h of the body, the block extending down a short distance below its
pivot as at j against the inner side of the lower end of which is arranged to abut
an arm P on a horizontal pivot Qin the body, and having secured to a forward
extension of the pivot a handle R for swinging the same.
This spindle or rod N extends beyond the opening or socket in the body and
has on its outer end a screw nut m and around this spindle in the socket is a
spiral spring S which abuts against a shoulder n of the socket and against an inner
screw nut T on the end of the said spindle in the socket, the screwing on or off of
which nut T increases or reduces the tension of the spiral spring S.
After the last is placed on the pin by swinging the handle R up, its arm P will
be moved against the lower arm j of the pin block L and cause it and the heel
pin H to swing and the last to move forward for the purpose hereinafter described.
17

page_text: U is a block arranged to slide toward and from the last pin in a dovetail
groover Figures 3 and 4 in the body having a downwardly projecting lug t through
which screws horizontally a screw V having a head u Figure 1 which abuts against
the end of the body and an inner shoulder w in a socket x in the end, which
allows the free turning of the screw, but prevents its longitudinal movement, so
that in turning the screw in either direction the block U will be moved forward or
backward along its grooved bearing.
W is a plate pivoted at y by a central downward extension between arms a' of
the block U so that it can swing up and down thereon within certain limits, an
open slot Y engaging with a cross screw bolt A' limiting its downward movement,
but allowing it to be swung upward a short distance as shown in Figure 3, and to
be secured in its adjusted position by tightening up the screw bolt A
The forward or left hand end of the plate W is much thinner than the rear
portion 6, which thinner portion is in the form of two flat arms B' having inner
curved edges making a U-shaped space between them, and pivoted at d' respectively
on this plate W in front of the thick portion 6', and resting on the forward
extending arms B' of the plate are two curved arms C', D', which cross each other
as at F¹ being cut away at such place to pass by each other and then extend
forward over the plate arms B' as shown in Figure 7.
These arms C' D' beyond their junction are angular in cross section having a
horizontal portion e¹ and a vertical wall f¹; disposed upon the horizontal portions
and within the vertical walls of these arms C₁ D' is a chain or flexible band G'
pivoted by its ends at g¹ to each end of the curved arms C¹D¹ as shown in
Figure 7.
In the thicker portion 61 of the plate W is a horizontal central slot or groove h¹
in which is arranged to slide two blocks m'n' each having an open longitudinal
central socket t' Figure 3 open towards each other, in which is a spiral spring u²,
its tension acting to separate the blocks from each other, the inner one m¹ being
arranged to bear by its end against the back of the curved pivoted arms C₁ D' at
their juncture as shown more particularly in Figure 7.
A horizontal screw H¹ screws through the portion of the plate and bears
against the outer end of the outer block n' and serves to force the two blocks
forward and as an adjustable bearing against which the block n' can rest.
Disposed on this plate W are two plates J'K' Figure 6 pivoted together at v¹ each
having an arm L' projecting forward substantially over the curved pivoted arms C'D',
each curved on its inner side and having a curved slot M', which fits respectively
over and engages with pins or pivots d of the plate W below it, the two plates
abutting together at their meeting edges x', and each having an opening N¹ in its
inner side, on the edges of which are teeth making an internal gear a³, the two
plates overlapping each other through their thicknesses at their rear ends, the
internal gear a² continuing across such opening beyond the central longitudinal
line of the two plates.
With the plate J¹ engages a gear P¹ turning on a journal d² of the plate W and
another gear Q' turning on another pivot e of the plate W engages with the
internal gear a² of the other plate K', engaging with this gear Q' is a small gear R¹
turning on a pin f' of the plate W and engaging with this small gear R¹ and the
gear P', is a segment of a gear S₁ turning on a pin 92 of the plate and which gear
has a handle TT for operation of the same.
Taking hold of the handle T' and swinging this segmental gear on its pivot 92,
causes the gears Q₁P₁ to revolve, which in turn act upon their respectively pivoted
plates J K by their internal gears a² and cause the plates to move from and to
each other as desired swinging on their pivot v¹.
In the rear end of the plate W in its upper side are two curved slots or
grooves UV curved outward from the segment gear pivot g' as shown in Figure 7,
in which fits respectively a pin on the under side of the pivoted plates J'K' 80
that when the two plates are swung on their pivot v by the swinging of the
segmental gear S' the pins / travel up and along their respective groove U₁V¹ in

page_text: the plate W and the curved slots M' over the pivots d¹ of the plates first move
forward, and then their arms L' moved toward each other as shown in dotted lines
in Figure 6 and in the backward swing of the segmental gear the arms will be
moved from each other and then back to their original position.
The smallest gear R¹ is to turn the gear Q'in a reverse direction from that of
the gear P¹ for it to move the arm K¹ in the proper direction.
Above these curved arm plates J' K' is a plate W¹ Figures 1 2 and 3 which fits
over the two pins 2 resting on shoulders thereon and bearing on the top of the
segmental gear pivot or pin 2 so that when this plate W is secured by screw
nuts m² on the two pins d there will be room enough between it and the block
plate W for the pivoted plates J₁ K' and gears to freely move.
Pivoted at 6 between two upright arms Y' of the upper plate W₁ is an arm A³
which extends forward, to the under side of this arm is attached a horizontal
segmental plate B' the said plate being secured by two screws n² each of which
passes freely down through an opening in the arm A screwing into the segmental
plate B, their heads resting on shoulders t³ of their respective holes in the arm A²,
which limit the height of the plate in relation to its supporting arm, but yet allow
of some movement upward of the segment plate shoulders t³ on the screw abutting
against the segmental plate.
The under side of this segment plate B2 is hollowed out and has near its curved
edge a narrow rib or edge v² which extends around the plate substantially in the
arc of a circle.
The arm A² has a longitudinal slot 3 through it in which is a square block C
arranged to move therein having a shoulder on its lower end to bear against the
under side of the arm and a screw nut D2 which screws upon the upper end of the
block C against a washer E' over the upper end of the block and bearing upon
the arm, and holding the block (2 firmly in its position in the arm A³.
The block has a central vertical opening a³ in it through which freely passes a
screw F screwing through the screw nut D2 and extending freely through the
lower end of the block bears upon the upper side of the segment plate B³. The
said screw presses the segment plate down for the heads of its screws n' to bear
firmly in the seats in the arm A³.
H' Figure 3 is a narrow flat bar having at each end a vertical pin m³ each of
which projects up through a separate hole n³ Figure 4 in the plate B³, and with a
cross pin through its end to prevent detachment of the bar H³, the pins m³ having
free movement through their respective holes, so the bar can be moved back and
forth or up and down, and when close up to the segmental plate it lies freely in a
recess J in the under side of the plate so that the bar can be disposed in the
recess and not project beyond the plate but be flush with the same.
An upward angular portion K2 of the arm A2 has a slot L³ through it sideways
in which is disposed a cross pin M² of two arms N2 between which the angular
portion is disposed and which as one at their other end is secured over and to a
pin or journal P2 which is adapted to turn in bearings in the upright arms Y¹ of
the plate W' the journal extending forward at one end beyond the bearing arm
and bent upward to form a handle Qas shown in Figure 1, so that in swinging
the handle up through the cross pin engagement with the arm A, the arm and
segmental plate B will be swung up from its position shown in section lines in
Figure 3 and dotted lines in Figure 1 into the upright position shown in Figure 1.
R³, S³, Figure 4 are two arms joined together and pivoted as one at t between
two arms T of a rock shaft U' Figure 3 adapted to rock in a bearing in the
block U, from the central portion of the shaft U2 projects a segment gear W
which is arranged to engage with a small pinion Y2 on a pin turning in a bearing
in the block U, one end extending out beyond the block and having on its end a
handle A for operation of the same. These arms extend transversely each way
from the central line of the machine, then upward, then toward each other, over
and above the plates for their free ends B³ which are somewhat enlarged when the
arms are substantially in an upright position to be over the pins m³ of the bar H²

page_text: in the underside of the segmental plate B' which position is as shown in
Figures 2 and 4.
Swinging the handle A³ up into the position shown in Figure 1, by its gear Y
connection with pin or arbor of the two arms they will be raised a little and then
swung back into position shown in Figure 1, which will move them back out of
the way of the segmental plate, so that if desired the plate can be swung up from
its position shown in Figure 3 in section and dotted lines Figure 1 into position
shown in full lines in Figure 1.
The arms R, S, have a central downward extension piece C³ below their pivot
which when the arms are in the position shown in Figure 3 projects down through
a hole or opening D Figure 4 in a projection Es of the sliding block U and in
the operation of the machine this serves as a guide and a hold to the arms for
their proper work as will be described later.
As the arms are raised to be swung back, the extension piece moves up and out
of its opening leaving the arms free to swing back into the position shown in
Figure 1.
F is a rest for the toe of the last and consists of a plate, hollow or concave on
its upper surface, having a centrally downwardly extending arm G' Figures 3 and 4
which fits in a vertical socket w³ in the block U, its lower portion w' being reduced
in diameter and fitting in a corresponding socket y³, a spiral spring H³ encircling
the smaller portion and bearing against the shoulder of the arm and the bottom
of the socket w, as shown in Figure 3 in section, which serves to hold the rest in
its upper position, its movements and down being limited by a slot d' in the
arm through which projects a pin of the block U as shown in Figure 3.
All the parts above described relate to the mechanism for operation on the toe
of the boot or shoe while the mechanism at the left relates to operation upon the
heel of the boot or shoe.
At the opposite end of the body A is an upright or standard J which is
arranged to slide forward and backward or to and from the toe end of the machine,
in a dove-tail groove f* in the body. A lug g' projects down from the bottom of
the standard into a longitudinal slot in the body, which receives a screw K³
adapted to turn in a bearing m* and prevented from longitudinal movement by the
abutment of its milled head L³ against the portion M³ of the standard and a
shoulder n of the screw abutting against the other side of the portion M³ as
shown in Figure 3 in section.
The upper end or surface of this standard inclines upward or at an angle of
about 45 degrees toward the last, and is divided into two parts, with a space or
groove between them, and in dove-tail grooves P³ in the upper ends of these parts
is arranged to slide up and down, or to and from the last, a bar N³, it having on its
under side a rib which projects freely down into the space or groove between the
two parts of the standard, its under edge having gear teeth or a rack Q³ with
which engages a segment of a gear R freely disposed in said groove and secured
to a cross pin or shaft adapted to turn in bearings of the standard uprights,
which pin at the front end extends beyond the upright and has a handle S
Figure 1 secured thereto for operation thereof, so that swinging the handle down
to the right, Figure 1, the bar N³ is caused to move up the incline in its guideways,
and to be moved downward or lowered in swinging the handle up, and in both
ways in line with the central longitudinal line of the last or machine.
Above this upright J' is a plate T3 which is connected to a downwardly extending
arm U³ pivoted at t to the upper end of the bar N³ which arm U³ at its lower
end straddles a block V³, having a pin W³ Figure 1 projecting from each side and
extending respectively in slots u in the end of each part. A screw u³ Figure 3
passes freely through a socket in this block screwing into bar N³.
By means of this screw the plate T³ can be swung on its pivot so that it will
lie at a greater or less angle in relation to the last, within certain limits it being
held firmly in position by the screw u³.
The plate T's is attached to the pivoted arm U³ by a transverse groove joint A*,

page_text: as shown in Figure 3,din cross section, so that the plate can move back and forth
along such groove of itself within certain limits, being stopped by a screw pin æt
Figure 1 on the under side of the plate at each side.
The front end of the plate Ts is concave or hollowed out vertically, making two
short arms B one each side, to the outer ends of which is pivoted at a³ the end of
a chain or flexible band C* the main portion extending back between the arms B*
in a curved line.
On top of the plate T are two plates D, E, pivoted together at 65 and each
having a projecting arm or narrow portion d' having an inner curved edge e³ which
extends out over the flexible band and its supporting arms.
The plates D, E, are on the same horizontal plane and each has a curved
groove disposed over a ring washer 9' on a screw pivot F screwing into the
plate T which fits in the groove, the rear end of each plate having a hole G¹
through its thickness, which fits over pins h on gears H, J, respectively, the two
gears being side by side, and engaging with each other and disposed in a recess or
depression m³ in the plate T³, the gear J engaging with a segmental gear K₁
turning on a pivot n of the plate T³, and extending out from its opposite side in an
extension L which forms a handle for operating the same.
Swinging the segmental gear K' on its pivot operates to move forward, through
the gear connection, the plates a short distance and then the curved grooves ƒ³
travelling over the pins F cause the arms d³ to move toward each other.
M* Figure 8 is a lever having a hook end pivoted at t to a block N' having a
spring P between its arm & and the block N' which acts to force the arm u³ outward,
its movement being limited by a set screw screwing through a socket win the
arm into the block N'.
This block N is pivoted to a pin Q of an arm R₁ of the body in a slot S
against which pin Qis arranged to bear a pin T4 extending up into a socket U*
in the block N' and having a spiral spring V in the socket bearing against the
pin T to hold it against the pivot Q
The block N has another slot Win its end opposite to the hook lever in which
is disposed a cross pin of a lever A' pivoted at B³ to the arm R' having a
handle C for operation of the same.
As the lever is swung up by its connection with the hook lever M*, it is swung
up and forward so that its hook will be brought over and bear upon the upper on
that side of the last, and then pressing firmly down the lever A' the lever hook a
will hold firmly down the edge of the upper on the last, but by a yielding pressure.
Moving down against its socket pin spring V and from the changed position of
the block N' and the lever M' in its slot in the block as shown in dotted lines in
Figure 8, the lever M* will be locked in position, and can be easily unlocked and
returned to its normal position Figure 8 by swinging down the handle lever A.
The plate V2 Figure 3 secured by the screws F' above the plate D* and E¹ and
screw nut e over the pin n° holds the plates and other parts in place but so as to
leave them free for their operation.
In front of and secured to each flexible band G and C is secured a piece g³ of
suitable soft material, such as leather, to prevent injury to the upper of the boot or
shoe being lasted.
The operation of the machine is substantially as follows:
The machine with all its parts when in its normal position is as shown in
Figure 1 ready to receive the last and upper of the boot or shoe to be lasted.
The upper G of the boot being placed on the last K the last is placed in the
machine by placing its heel socket d over the heel pin H as shown in section in
Figure 3.
The toe of the last is then pressed down on the toe rest F³ between the two arms
or ends of the flexible band G of the curved arms C¹, D¹, and then the upper G¹
at the toe smoothed by band back or away from the last over and upon the two
arms C', D'; the segment ribbed plate B is then swung over and pressed down
firmly upon the edge of the upper on the arms C¹, D₁ at the toe by swinging

page_text: down its handle Q'; the handle A³ of the arms R2, S3, is then swung down to the
right, which brings the two arms R2, S3, forward and their euds B³, over the
pins n² of the bar H in the ribbed plate B and continuing the movement of
the arm, the two arms R², S2, are pressed firmly down on the bar pins n³ which
press the bar H2 firmly down against the inner sole H' on the last and pressing it
and the last firmly down into the upper upon its spring yielding seat F³ which
stretches and tightens the upper at the toe upon the last, its edges at the toe being
held firmly between the ribbed plate B, and the arms C', D¹ at such time; when
so held the handle R is raised which through its arm P swings. the last pin H
forward and presses and forces the last toe firmly and strongly against the flexible
band G and thus firmly holds the toe of the upper between it and the flexible
band, and when so held the ribbed plate B³ is_swung up out of the way into the
position shown in Figure 1, and then the arm T¹ is swung forward or to the left
Figures 2 and 6, which moves forward or toward the last, the two curved arms L'
of the plates JK' and then toward each other over the toe of the last which
firmly wipes and rubs the upper over the inner sole at the toe.
The arm S is then swung down which through its segmental gear P³ moves the
block N up until its flexible band C* connected thereto closes and bears against
the upper at the end of the heel of the last; the arm L' is then swung forward
which causes the two plates D, E, to move forward over the edges of the upper
at the heel, and their arms d swinging toward each other firmly wipe and rub the
edges of the upper at the heel over and holds them firmly on to the heel of the
last.
The lever A, is then swung down which swings the curved arm M* up and its
bearing end over and upon the edge of the upper at a', as shown in Figure 2,
which presses and holds it firmly upon the lust at such place.
With the last and the upper secured as described and as is shown in plan view
in Figure 2 the side 3 of the upper is ready to be lasted, which is done by hand
or in any suitable lasting machine, and then this side of the boot is secured by
tacks and also around the toe and heel.
The hooked lever M is then swung down and out of the way and the opposite
side of the boot lasted like the first side, and secured by tacks as before, when the
last and the upper are removed from the jack, and another last and upper placed
therein and operated upon as before.
The spring S of the last pin H holds the pin and thus the last forward firmly
but with a yielding pressure, to relieve the rigidity of the same, so that the upper
at the toe is held firmly against the flexible band G' after being released from its
hold by the segmental ribbed plate B³.
The segmental plate B is held firmly down and securely holds the upper over
and down upon the arms C' D' by its supporting arm A' being locked by the cross
pin M' of the lever Q then being at the outer end of the slot L², as shown in
Figure 3, in cross section; for from the relative positions of the slot L. the
arm A' and the lever pin M³, and its pivot P2 the arm A* is locked and held from
swinging up and consequently the plate B2 is prevented from movement.
The bar N carrying the lasting plates is arranged on the inclined guideways
and surface, for it and the parts carried by it when not in use to be moved down
out of the way of the last and upper so the operator can have free access to the
upper when otherwise handling and operating.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. In a lasting machine, in combination, a pin for insertion in the heel of the
last, an arm or rod to which said pin is pivoted, a socket or bearing for said arm
in which it is adapted to move back and forth, a spring arranged to act upon said
arm, an extension of said pin beyond its pivot and means for acting on said extension
to swing the pin on its pivot against said spring.