Improvements in Sturts for Boot Lasts.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Oct., 1890-Accepted, 22nd Nov., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATIOUN.
Improvements in Sturts for Boot Lasts.
I, HENRY OSBORNE STRONG, of Gloucester Street, St. Paul's, Bristol Engineer
and Machinist 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 improved sturts for holding lasts while in use for making,
finishing, or repairing boots and shoes thereon.
Hitherto, boot-makers have had to keep an assortment of sturts to fit the various
izes of lasts, and in use the parts of the sturts which fit into the lasts frequently get
broken and have to be thrown aside until refitted, but by my invention, a workman
will be able to use one sturt for all sizes of lasts, when made in three pieces as herein-
after described, viz., the sturt which fits into the bench-stand or socket, the blade
which fits into the last, and the cap which attaches the blade to the sturt: With a
combination sturt so constructed, the blade, which is the only part liable to damage
or wear, may be easily replaced when broken, and the ends may be reversed when
required, or the blade may be exchanged for one of another size if necessary.
To carry my invention into effect, I provide a sturt or upright stand, the lower end
of which is made of a shape that will fit the ordinary sockets used in boot making,
either round, square, or any other shape; the upper part of the sturt is made tapering,
erit may be made with a slot in the middle to grip the blade, the outer edges being
tapered; I also provide blades of the width and thickness to fit into the iron lasts in
general use, and of a suitable length to be used in connection with the sturt; these
blades are reversible, so that either end may be used, and the blades may be made
narrower at one end than the other, so that they may fit smaller size lasts; the
blades are preferably made of steel, but any other suitable metal may be used: The
cap which secures the blade to the sturt is made taper or wedge shape both inside and
out, and at the lower part is a projecting piece or pieces on which the blade rests
while the cap is put over the sturt.
The various parts of my improved combination sturt being provided as described,
it is used in the following manner :-The sturt is put into the socket in the bench
with the taper or slotted end uppermost, a blade of the required size is dropped into
the cap on to the projecting piece or pieces, the blade and cap are then placed over
the tapered part of the sturt, and by their own weight will fall into place, ready to
receive a last on the blade, and when the last is so placed, the weight of the last will
further tighten the grip of the sturt and cap on the blade, while every blow given by
a hammer in lasting or finishing a boot will increase the rigidity of the sturt. When
it is required to change the blade, a slight blow on the lower end of the cap will loosen
its grip, and the blade may then be easily removed.
The construction of my combination sturt will be more fully understood by reference
to the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which
Fig. 1 represents a general view of the sturt, with the parts in place ready
for use;
Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation of the same;
Fig. 3 is a similar view of a sturt in which the blades rest on a slot, the cap fitting
Over the tapered edges;
Fig. 4 is a front view of the tapered sturt;
Fig. 5 is a section of the cap with the blade resting on the shoulder; and
Figs. 6. 7. and 8 are representations of different sizes of blades to fit men's,

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
:-
The construction of a combination sturt with a separate blade fitting in a taper cap
over the tapered end of the sturt in such a manner that the blade shall be perfectly
rigid, and yet may be easily reversed or exchanged when required, substantially as and
for the purpose herein described and set forth, and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
J. G. WESTLAKE,
2, John Street, Bristol, Applicant's Agent.
J. G. WESTLAKE,
2, John Street, Bristol, Applicant's Agent.