An Improved Hollow Last or Tree for Warming and Drying Boots and Shoes without Contraction.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Oct., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 5th July, 1890-Accepted, 23rd Aug., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Hollow Last or Tree for Warming and Drying Boots
and Shoes without Contraction.
I, LEONIDAS NICHOLAS THIERRY of 48 Gresham Street, London, Bootmaker, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention refers to hollow lasts or trees used for holding hot water for warming
or drying the inside of boots and shoes.
My improvements consist in dividing the hollow last into several parts somewhat
similar to those employed in an ordinary solid wooden last.
For example in the case of ordinary short walking boots which reach a little above
the ankle, I construct the hollow last either in two pieces, which are separated vertically
by a sectional line down through the leg, into (1) a front part consisting of the foot
and the fore part of the leg, and (2) a back part forming the heel and back of the
leg; or,
, 1 construct the hollow last in three pieces by inserting (3) a wedge-shaped
piece between the other two.
This wedge-shaped piece may be hollow or of solid wood, and may have a groove
or channel down each side to allow of a circulation of air from the interior of the
boot. It would be fitted with a handle or knob and might have projections or guide-
strips on its front and back sides, which fit into corresponding grooves or depressions
in those sides of the other two pieces of the last (1 and 2) against which the (3) centre
piece abuts.
In the case of hollow lasts with longer leg parts; suitable for Wellington or other
high boots a further division of parts is desirable, and in this case I sever the front
part of the foot from the front part of the leg by a diagonal section from the instep to
the ankle or thereabouts, so as the more easily to effect its insertion in the front of the
boot.
In some cases it may be desirable to use this diagonal section for short lasts, thereby
making the hollow last of two pieces, namely (1) the foot and (2) the leg. The latter
when inserted acting as a wedge to push the former into its place.
I make my lasts wholly or partly of metal, stoneware, glass, or any other suitable
material.
Nozzles for filling, rings for withdrawal and channels for ventilation or circulation
of air can be attached, corresponding recesses being formed to receive or accommodate
the nozzles and rings when required.
By the foregoing improvements I am able to use a hollow last much nearer the
size and shape of the foot, by which means, I can dry or warm the boot much quicker
and more effectually, and can if desired actually press the last tightly into the front
of the boot where the damp is usually found, and thus prevent any tendency in the
vamp to contract during the process of drying.
Dated this 12th day of October 1889.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Hollow Last or Tree for Warming and Drying Boots
and Shoes without Contraction.
I, LEONIDAS NIcholas Thierry of 48 Gresham Street, London, Bootmaker, 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 refers to hollow lasts or trees used for holding hot water for warming
or drying the inside of boots and shoes.
My improvements consist in dividing the hollow last into several parts somewhat
similar to those employed in an ordinary solid wooden last, and in the adoption of
novel materials for their construction.
Fig. 3
I will now proceed to describe the invention with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which Fig. 1 shews an elevation of a short last made for ankle boots in
'three pieces. Fig. 2 shews a horizontal section of Fig. 1 at the line x-y..
shews a horizontal section without wedge. Fig. 4 shews two horizontal sections, one
with projecting wings d, d; the other with projecting strips f, f. Fig. 5 shews a high
last with division at ankle joint.
a, is the front or foot part of the last.
b, is the heel or back part of the last.
c, is the wedge for insertion between a and b.
d, is a projecting wing at side.
e, is the leg of front part a, when divided.
ff, are the projecting metal guide strips.
In the case of ordinary short walking boots which reach a little above the ankle,
I construct the hollow last as shown in Fig. 1 either in two pieces a, and b, which are
separated vertically by a sectional line down through the leg, into a front part a, con-
sisting of the foot and the fore part of the leg; and (b) a back part forming the heel and
back of the leg; or I construct the hollow last in three pieces by inserting c, a wedge
shaped piece between the other two. This wedge-shaped piece may be hollow or of
solid wood, and may have a groove or channel down each side to allow of a circulation
of air from the interior of the boot. It would be fitted with a handle or knob and
might have projections or guide strips on its front and back sides which fit into corre-
sponding grooves or depressions in those sides of the other two pieces of the last (a, b)
against which the centre piece abuts.
Or if preferred the two parts a, b, of the last may be made with slightly projecting
wings d, d or strips f, f, on the alternative side of each face as shewn in section in
Fig, 4, so as to prevent lateral movement. If a wedge be employed with this
description of last it could have bevelled sides so as to fit properly against the
wings d, d.
In the case of hollow lasts with longer leg parts; suitable for Wellington or other
high boots, a further division of parts is desirable, and in this case I sever the front
part of the foot from the front part of the leg as shewn in Fig. 5 by a diagonal section
from the instep to the ankle or thereabouts as shewn by the line s-t, so as to more
easily effect its insertion in the front of the boot.
In some cases it may be desirable to use this diagonal section for short lasts, thereby
making the front of the hollow last of two pieces, namely (a) the foot, and (e) the leg.
The latter when inserted acting as a wedge to push the former in its place.
I make my lasts wholly or partly of metal, stoneware, wood pulp, glass, or any
other suitable material. When inetal is used, I prefer to cover the last with pulp,
papier-mache, felt, or cloth so as to prevent too rapid radiation of heat, which is liable
to harden and injure the leather.
Nozzles for filling, rings for withdrawal and channels for ventilation or circulation
of air can be attached, corresponding recesses being formed to receive or accommodate
the nozzles and rings when required.

page_text: By the foregoing improvements I am able to use a hollow last much nearer the size
and shape of the foot, by which means I can dry or warm the boot much quicker and
more effectually, and can if desired actually press the last tightly into the front of
the boot where the damp is usually found, and thus prevent any tendency in the vamp
to contract during the process of drying.
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 :-
(1) In the construction of hollow lasts for hot water the mode of separating or
dividing the last into sections as herein described and set forth.
(2) In the manufacture of hollow lasts as aforesaid the application of plastic
materials such as prepared pulp or of metal encased in such pulp or in felt, flannel or
cloth, as herein described and set forth.
Dated this 5th day of July 1800
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, London, E.C., Patent Agent.
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, London, E.C., Patent Agent.