CERTAIN NEW AND USEFUL IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR LASTING AND PEGGING SHOES
Year: 1861

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Herman D. Bradt, of Boston, in the State of
Massachusetts, of the United States of America, for the Invention of
CERTAIN NEW AND USEFUL IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR LASTING
AND PEGGING SHOES."-A communication from John Taggart, residing at
Sealed the 8th April 1862, and dated the 6th November 1861.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Herman D. Bradt
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 6th November 1861.
I, HERMAN D. BRADT; of Boston, in the State of Massachusetts, of the
United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for
"CERTAIN NEW AND USEFUL IMPROVEMENTS. IN MACHINERY FOR LASTING, AND
PEGGING SHOES," to be as follows:-
Figure 1,denotes a top view of the machine containing the improvements;
Figure 2, a front elevation of it; Figure 3, a side elevation; and Figure 4, a
longitudinal and vertical section of it; Figure 5, a longitudinal section ;
Figure 6 a rear elevation; and Figure 7, an inner end view of the peg wood
carrier and peg driver; Figure 8 is a top view, Figure 9 a bottom view, and
Figure 10,a longitudinal section of the lasting mechanism adjustable carriage;
Figure 11 is a top view, Figure 12, a bottom view, Figure 13, a side eleva-
Price 8d.]

page_text: tion, and Figure 11 a longitudinal section of the lasting mechanisın; Figure 15
is a representation of the periphery or threads of the peculiar screw or worm
by which the movements and intervals of rest of the vertical shaft of the
lasting mechanism carriage are produced.
The nature of the improvements consist as follows:-In the combination
of a lasting and pegging mechanism constructed and made to operate in
manner as herein-after set forth; in the combination of a back latching
mechanism and its unlatching mechanism with the hammer and the peg driver.
Also, in the peculiar screw or worm by which the movements and intervals
of rest of the vertical shaft of the lasting mechanism carriage are produced.
Also, in a peculiar self-adjusting presser by which the carriage of the lasting
mechanism is maintained in gear with its driving pinion.
Also, in the lasting mechanism adjustable carriage made substantially in
manner and so as to operate as herein-after described.
Also, in a lasting block as constructed of a bed, block, heel, and toe, and
lateral and side clamps or crimpers, arranged substantially in manner and so
as to operate as herein-after described.
Also, in a peculiar mechanism for actuating the heel and toe crimpers of the
lasting block.
Also, in the combination and arrangement of an adjustable toe rest with the
lasting block.
In the Drawings A denotes the frame or stand of the machine; B is the
driving shaft, which is arranged horizontally, and supported in boxes a, a.
This shaft has a double cam C fastened upon its rear end, said cam, while
the shaft is being revolved, acts against the foot of a pitman D suspended
from the tail end of a hammer E, which is arranged in the upper part of the
frame A, and turns vertically upon a fulcrum c. To the said hammer and to
the upright standard of the frame A a spiral spring F is applied for the
purpose of effecting the downward motion of the hammer head upon a peg
driver G. The said peg driver plays vertically within a socket p at one end
of a peg wood carrier H, which is supported on an arm I, whose outer end is
sustained by a post or column K arranged on the frame A, as shown in the
Drawings. A spiral spring e applied to the said post or column and the said
arm operates to press the arm, and of course the carrier toward, and to keep
the latter in proper contact with the lasting block represented at L. There is
a small roller on the peg wood carrier, which is borne against the side of
the lasting block, and serves to maintain the peg wood carrier in its proper
position in reference to the lasting block. The peg wood carrier H is pro-
vided with a slider g, which is drawn forward or toward the peg
driver G by a

page_text: spiral spring h, contained within a pulley or barrel i, which is connected with
the slider g by a cord k, arranged as shown in the Drawings. The peg
driver G is intended to carry an awl for making peg holes in the sole of a
shoe, each of such holes being made while a peg is being driven into another
hole or one previously made. The peg driver and its carrier may also be
furnished with a suitable device or devices for separating a peg from a strip
of peg wood preparatory to such peg being driven into a shoe or its sole when
fixed on the last M contained within the lasting block. After each blow of
the hammer upon the peg driver, such hammer, owing to the sudden elevation
of the peg driver by the spring of the latter, is liable to rebound more or less,
and strike one or more unnecessary blows. It has been found that in con-
sequence of such rebounding of the hammer a peg is liable to be driven a
short distance into the shoe, while the latter may be in movement, or may be
in the act of being fed along a suitable distance for the reception of another
peg after one may have been driven. The result of the rebound of the
hammer is generally the breakage of the peg, or a failure to drive it into the
hole for its reception, and it is to prevent such a result that I have combined
with the hammer and the peg driver what I term the back latching
mechanism and its unlatching mechanism. The said back latching mechanism
consists not only of a stud / extended from the peg driver, but a spring catch
or spring m projected upward from the peg wood carrier and under the latch
as shown in Figures 6 and 7. The unlatching mechanism consists mainly of
a lever n and its lifting cord o, this latter being attached to the hammer E
and the said lever . While the hammer is being raised it lifts the lever,
which extends between the spring catch and the guide or socket p, in which
the
peg driver is supported. As the peg driver after each of its downward
movements is elevated by a spring g, this latter will raise the
enough for the catch m to spring underneath the stud 1, and thereby prevent
the
peg driver from being depressed by a blow that may be produced by a
rebound of the hammer. While the hammer is being raised it will lift the
lever n up to the stud 1, the lever during its elevation operating to throw or.
inove the spring catch m outward from underneath the said stud, in order that
the peg driver may be driven downward by the next regular blow of the
hammer. The peg driver while descending takes the lever down with it, and
so as to relieve the spring catch in a manner to enable it to catch underneath
the stud when the peg driver next rises upwards. The lasting block L, above
mentioned, is formed as a mould or matrix to receive a last M, and the upper
of a shoe when placed on such last. This lasting block has two heel and toe
clamps 7, 8, and two lateral or side clamps or crimpers t, t, each of the latter
peg
driver far

page_text: being hinged to the block, as shown at u, and provided with studs v, v,
extending respectively from its ends, and so as to pass underneath the lips
w, w, of the heel and toe clamps, while these latter are being drawn toward
one another. Each clamp r, s, turns on two pivots or centres x, x, extending
from opposite sides of the block L. On each side of the block the two
clamps, by means of two pitmen y, z, are connected to a lever a², the said pit-
man being arranged with reference to the clamp and lever, as shown in the
Drawings. Each lever a2 embraces one of two excentrics 62, 62, fixed upon a
transverse shaft c², from one end of which a lever d² extends. By laying hold
of the lever 2, and moving it so as to throw the shaft c² in one direction, the
two heel and toe clamps,s,will be drawn towards one another, and be caused
to lock the two lateral clamps. Inside of the lasting block is an adjustable toe
rest a³, which serves to extend underneath and support the toe part of the last.
A screw 63 extends into the lasting block, and up against the toe rest a³, and
serves to elevate such rest in order to adapt the lasting block to the reception
of lasts, which may vary in thickness or size at the toe. By means of the
lasting block constructed as described, a shoe may be lasted and prepared
ready for having an outer sole pegged to it.
The said lasting block rests and is suitably fixed upon a carriage N, which
is provided with a curved internal rack f2, which engages with a pinion g²,
fixed on the upper end of an upright shaft h, (see Figure 4). Instead of
making the rack continuous it may be formed in two parts 2, 72, as shown in
Figures 8, 9, and 10, the rearinost part 2 being placed in a frame 12, which is
separate from and is applied to the carriage N in such manner as to be
capable of being slid or moved longitudinally therein, and so as to enable one
rack to be slid or moved more or less longitudinally upon the other. By thus
constructing the carriageN as shown in Figures 8,9, and 10,wehave the means
of adjusting the rack of such carriage to operate lasting blocks of different
lengths or sizes. Thus one carriage may answer for several of the blocks, for by
previously adjusting the sliding portion of the rack with reference to the
stationary part, the pinion will work in either or from one to the other. The
rack of the carriage N is kept in engagement with its pinion by means of a
peculiar self-adjusting presser shown at O, which consists partlyof a spring m²,
which supports the fulcrum n² of a lever o². This lever supports two vertical
rollers P, P2, which rest against the carriage. Thus the presser is composed
of the said spring, the lever, and the two rollers, arranged as shown in the
Drawings. By having two rollers applied to the spring by means of a lever as
described, the proper position of the lasting block with respect to the peg
driver is better ensured than would be the case were but one roller used with

page_text: the spring. On the lower end of the shaft h² there is a worin gear r², which
engages with a screw or worm s², fixed upon the driving shaft B; each of the
threads of this screw instead of being a true helix runs perpendicularly to
the shaft for short distances on two opposite sides of it so as to produce
during opposite quarters or arcs of each revolution of the worm no rotary
movement of the worm gear 2, the said worm gear being put in revolution by
the other parts or arcs of the worm. While the shaft B is in revolution, suc-
cessive intervals of rest and rotary movements will be imparted to the shafth².
In consequence of such, the lasting block will be fed forwards with an inter-
mittent motion such as will be necessary to enable the pegs to be inserted in
the shoe carried by such block. The shoe should be always at rest while a
peg is being driven into it.
In operating with the above described machine, an inner sole should be
placed upon the last, and the upper of the shoe is to be placed around the top
of the last, and so as to have its edges project a short distance below the sole
on such last. The toe of the upper is then drawn over, and a single tack or
peg placed in it so as to confine it to the last. The last and upper is next
placed in the lasting block, and by a single turn of the lever d the crimpers
are brought to bear against the lower edges of the upper,
and with a drawing
inward movement to draw the upper smoothly over the edge of the last, and
confine it in a proper position for having an outer sole applied thereto, the sole
having been tacked to the last and the driving shaft put in revolution, the shoe
is not only fed along automatically but a row of pegs is driven into the sole
and around the entire edge thereof.
First, I claim the combination of a lasting and pegging mechanism con-
structed and operated substantially as set forth.
I also claim the combination of the back latching mechanism (or stud land
spring catch m) and its unlatching mechanism (or lever haud cord o) with
the hammer and the peg driver.
I also claim the peculiar screw or worm s2, by which intermittent move-
ments of the shaft h² are effected.
I also claim the peculiar self-adjusting presser O, by which the carriage of
the lasting block is maintained in gear with its driving pinion.
I also claim the lasting block adjustable carriage as made with its rack cou-
structed in two parts 12, k², in manner and applied together and to the carriage,
substantially as specified.
I claim the lasting block L as constructed of a bed block heel and toe
clamps r,s,and lateral and side clamps or crimpers t,t, constructed and arranged
substantially in manner and so as to operate as described.

page_text: I also claim the combination of the excentrics 62, 62, the lever a², and the
two pitmen y, z, as applied to the shaft t² on each side of the lasting block and
its heel and toe clamps as described.
I also claim the combination and arrangement of the adjustable toe rest a³
with the lasting block.
.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Herinan D. Bradt in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 5th May 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HERMAN
D. BRADT, of Bostou, in the County of Suffolk, and State of Massachusetts,
of the United States of America, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Sixth day of November, A.D. 1861, in the twenty-
fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant vuto me, the said Herman D. Bradt, Her special license 'that I, thé
said Herman D. Bradt, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said Herman D. Bradt, my executors, administrators,
or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time
'to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should
and lawfully inight make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United King-
dom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man,
an Invention of "CERTAIN NEW AND USEFUL IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY
POR LASTING AND PEGGING SHOES," upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said Herman D. Bradt, by an instrument in writing under my hand
and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the
same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months
next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Herman D. Bradt do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following Specification, and the accompanying Drawings, of which,
Figure 1, denotes a top view of the machine containing my improvements;
Figure 2, a front elevation of it; Figure 3, a side elevation; and Figure 4 a
longitudinal and vertical section of it; Figure 5, a longitudinal section,.
Figure 6, a rear elevation, and Figure 7, an inner end view of the peg wood

page_text: carrier and peg driver; Figure 8 is a top view, Figure 9, a bottom view,
and Figure 10, a longitudi nal section of the lasting mechanism adjustable
carriage; Figure 11 is a top view, Figure 12, a bottom view; Figure 13, a
side elevation, and Figure 14, a longitudinal section of the lasting mechanism;
Figure 15 is a representation of the periphery or threads of the peculiar screw
or worm, by which the movements and intervals of rest of the vertical shaft
of the lasting mechanism carriage are produced.
The nature of my improvements consists as follows:-In the combination
of a lasting and pegging mechanism, constructed and made to operate
together in manner as herein-after set forth. Also, in the combination of a back
latching mechanism and its unlatching mechanism with the hammer and
the peg driver; also, in the peculiar screw or worm, by which the movements
and intervals of rest of the vertical shaft of the-lasting mechanism carriage
are produced; also in a peculiar self-adjusting presser, by which the carriage
of the lasting mechanism is maintained in geer with its driving pinion; also, in
the lasting mechanism adjustable carriage made substantially in manner and
so as to operate as herein-after described; also in a lasting block, as con-
structed of a bed block, heel, and toe, and lateral or side clamps, or crimpers,
arranged substantially in manner and so as to operate as herein-after de-
scribed; also, in a peculiar mechanism for actuating the heel and toe crimpers
of the lasting block; also in the combination and arrangement of an adjust-
able toe rest with the lasting block.
In the Drawings, A denotes the frame or stand of the machine ; B is the
driving shaft which is arranged horizontally, and supported in boxes a, a.
This shaft has a double cam C fastened upon its rear end. Such cam, while
the shaft is being revolved, acts against the foot b of a pitman D'suspended
from the tail end of a hammer E, which is arranged in the upper part of the
frame A, and turns vertically upon a fulcrum c. To the said hammer, and to
the upright standard of the frame, a spiral spring F is applied for the purpose
of effecting the downward motion of the hammer head upon a peg driver G.
The said peg driver plays vertically within a rocker p, at one end of a peg wood
carrier H, which is supported on au arm I, whose outer end is supported by a
post or column K, arranged on the frame A, as shown in the Drawings. A spiral
spring e applied to the said post or column and the said arm operates to
press the arm, and of course the carrier toward, and to keep the latter in proper
contact with the lasting block represented at L. There is a small roller f
on the peg wood carrier, which is borne against the side of the lasting block,
and serves to maintain the peg wood carrier in its proper position in reference
to the lasting block. This peg wood carrier H is provided with a slider g,

page_text: which is drawn forward or toward the peg driver G by a spiral spring h,
contained within a pulley or barrel i, which is connected with the slider g
by a cord k, arranged as shown in the Drawings. The peg driver G is intended
to carry an awl for making peg holes in the sole of a shoe, each of such holes
being made while a peg is being driven into another hole or one previously
made. The peg wood driver and its carrier may also be furnished with a
suitable device or devices for separating a peg from a strip of peg wood,
preparatory to such peg being driven into a shoe, or its sole when fixed
on the last M, contained within the lasting block. After each blow of the
hammer upon the peg driver, such hammer, owing to the sudden elevation of
the peg driver by the spring of the latter, is liable to rebound more or less,
and strike one or more unnecessary blows. It has been found that in con-
sequence of such rebounding of the hammer, a peg is liable to be driven a short
distance into the shoe while the latter may be in movement, or may be in the
act of being fed along a suitable distance for the reception of another peg, after
one may have been driven. The result of the rebound of the hammer is
generally the breakage of the peg or a failure to drive it into the hole for its
reception, and it is to prevent such a result that I have combined with the
hammer and the peg driver what I term the back latching mechanism and its
unlatching mechanism. The said back latching mechanism consists not only
of astud lextended from the peg driver, but a spring catch or springm projected'
upward from the peg wood carrier and under the latch as shown in Figures 6
and 7. The unlatching mechanism consists mainly of a lever n, and its lifting
cordo, this latter being attached to the hammer E and the said levern. While
the hammer is being raised, it lifts the lever which extends between the spring
catch and the guide or socket p, in which the peg driver is supported. As the
peg driver after each of its downward movements is elevated by a spring q
this latter will raise the peg driver far enough for the catch mto spring under-
neath the stud 1, and thereby prevent the peg driver from being depressed by a
blow that may be produced by a rebound of the hammer. While the hammer
is being raised, it will lift the lever n up to the stud 7, the lever during its
elevation operating to move or throw the spring catch m outward from
underneath the said stud, in order that the peg driver may be driven down-
ward by the next regular blow of the hammer. The peg driver while
descending, takes the lever down with it, and so as to relieve the spring catch
in a manner to enable it to catch underneath the stud when the peg
driver
next rises upward. The lasting block L above mentioned, is formed as a
mould or matrix to receive a last M, and the upper of a shoe when placed on
such.last. This lasting block has two heel and toe clamps r, s, and two lateral

page_text: or side clamps or crimpers t, t, each of the latter being hinged to the block, as
shown at u, and provided with studs or projections v,v,extending respectively
from its ends, and so as to pass underneath the lips w, w, of the heel and toe
clamps, while these latter are being drawn toward one another. Each clamp
7, 5, turns on two pivots or centres x, x, extending from opposite sides of the
block L. On each side of the block the two clamps by means of two pitmen
y, z, are connected to a lever d², the said pitmen being arranged with reference
to the clamp and lever, as shown in the Drawings. Each lever d², embraces
one of two eccentrics 62, 62, fixed upon a transverse shaft c³, from one end of
which a lever d² extends. By laying hold of the lever d², and moving it so as
to turn the shaft c² in one direction, the two heel and toe clamps r,s, will be
drawn toward one another, and caused to lock the two lateral clamps. Inside
of the lasting block is an adjustable toe rest a³, which serves to extend under-
neath and support the toe part of the heel. A screw 63 extends into the lasting
block, and up against the toe rest a³, and serves to elevate such rest, in order
to adapt the lasting block to the reception of lasts which may vary in thickness
or size at the toe. By means of the lasting mechanism constructed as de-
scribed, a shoe may be lasted and prepared ready for having an outer sole
pegged to it. The said lasting block rests and is suitably fixed upon a
carriage N, that is provided with a toothed internal rack f2, which engages
with a pinion g², fixed on the upper end of an upright shaft h³, (see Figure 4.)
Instead of making the rack continuous, it may be formed in two parts ², k², as
shown in Figures 8, 9, 10, the rearmost part 2 being placed in a frame 12,
which is separate from and is applied to the carriage N,in such manner as to
be capable of being slid or moved longitudinally therein, and so as to enable
one rack to be slid or moved more or less longitudinally upon the other. By
thus constructing the carriage N, as shown in Figures 8, 9, and 10, I have
the means of adjusting the rack of such carriage to operate lasting blocks of
different lengths or sizes. Thus one carriage may answer for several of the
blocks, for by properly adjusting the sliding portion of the rack with reference
to the stationary part, the pinion will work in either, or from one to the other.
The rack of the carriage N is kept in engagement with its pinion by means of
a peculiar self-adjusting presser shown at O, which consists partly of a spring
m², that supports the fulcrum n² of a lever o³. This lever supports two vertical
rollers p², p², which rest against the carriage; thus the presser is composed of
the said spring, the lever, and the two rollers, arranged as shown in the Draw-
ings. By having two rollers applied to the spring by means of a lever as
described, the proper position of the lasting block with respect to the peg
driver is better ensured than would be the case were but one roller used with

page_text: the spring. On the lower end of the shaft h2, there is a worm gearr, which
engages with a screw or worm s² fixed upon the driving shaft B. Each of the
threads of this screw, instead of being a true helix, runs perpendicular to the
shaft for short distances on two opposite sides of it, so as to produce during
opposite quarters or arcs of each revolution of the worm no rotary movement
of the worm gear 2, the same worm gear being put in revolution by the other
parts or arcs of the worm.
Figure 16 is a side view; and Figure 17, a top view of the worm; while
Figure 15 exhibits its developement, as herein-before mentioned.
While the shaft B is in revolution successive intervals of rest and rotary
movements will be imparted to the shaft h2. In consequence of such the
lasting block will be fed forward with an intermittent motion, such as will be
necessary to enable the pegs to be inserted in the shoe carried by such block.
The shoe should always be at rest while a peg is being driven into it.
In operating with the above machine, an inner sole is to be placed on the
last and the upper of the shoe is to be placed around the top of the last, and
so as to have its edges project a short distance below the sole on such last.
The toe of the upper is next drawn over the last, and a single tack or peg
driven into the upper and insole so as to confine it to the last.
The last,
insole, and upper is next to be placed in the lasting block, and by a single
turn of the lever d the crimpers are brought to bear against the lower edges
of the upper, and with a drawing inward movement, to draw the upper
smoothly over the edge of the last and confine it in a proper position for having
an outer sole applied thereto. The outer sole having been tacked to the last,
and the driving shaft having been put in revolution, the shoe will not only be
fed along automatically, but a row of pegs be driven into the sole and around
the entire edge thereof. From this it will be seen that the lasting and pegging
mechanism are so combined that immediately after the proper lasting of the
upper of the shoe and the application of the sole have been effected the
pegging of the sole takes place, no labor being required to transmit the
lasted shoe into the pegging machine, as would be necessary. when the two
mechanisms separate from one another.
I lay no claim to a last and last holder in combination with mechanism for
pegging a shoe when on such last.
My machine contains an additional mechanism, viz., one by which the
lasting
" of the upper leather of the shoe can be effected while the last is
held inplace. With most if not all pegging machines heretofore invented
the lasting of the shoe has to be done while the last is out of its holder, and
by machinery entirely separated therefrom, the lasted shoe being subsequently

page_text: removed from the lasting machine and carried to and fixed in the pegging
machine, a labor or operation which is saved by my automatic combination of
pegging and lasting mechanism.
I claim the combination of a lasting and a pegging mechanism constructed
and made to operate together, substantially in manner as set forth.
I also claim the combination of the back latching mechanism (or stud land
spring catch m) and its unlatching mechanism (or lever h and cord o), with
the hammer and peg driver.
I also claim the peculiar screw or worms, by which intermittent movements
of the shaft h² are effected.
I also claim the peculiar self-adjusting presser O, by which the carriage of
the lasting block is maintained in geer with the driving pinion.
I also claim the lasting block adjustable carriage, as made with its rack
constructed in two parts (2, 2), in manner and applied together and to the
carriage substantially as specified.
I also claim the lasting block L, as constructed of a bed block, heel and
toe clamps r, s, and lateral or side clamps or crimpers t, t, constructed and
arranged substantially in manner and so as to operate as described.
I also claim the combination of the eccentrics 62, the lever a², and the
pitmen y, z, as applied to the shaft c², and each side of the lasting block and
its heel and toe clamps, as described.
I also claim the combination and arrangement of the adjustable toe rest a
with the lasting block.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 12th day
of March 1862.