Improvements in Devices for Displaying Goods for Sale and for other similar Purposes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 7th May,
1897
Complete Specification Left, 29th Jan., 1898-Accepted, 19th Mar., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Devices for Displaying Goods for Sale and for other
similar Purposes.
I, HARRY RALPII JACKSON, of Kirby Muxloe, in the County of Leicester, Boot
Manufacturer's Manager, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention has reference to an improved construction of device to be used
for expanding or filling out boots and shoes so as to display them with the best
effect for window dressing, sample room, exhibition and like purposes.
The invention comprises a last or model formed in two pieces viz.: a heel and
a front or instep, connected together by a tempered flat steel spring plate which
will allow the two parts of the last to be moved into closer relative positions when
it is proposed either to insert it into a boot or shoe or remove it therefrom.
It is obvious that when the said last is placed within a boot or shoe it will under
the influence of the spring plate automatically expand itself to its normal length
and thus fill out the boot or shoe so as to slightly stretch the upper leather and
remove any creases therefrom.
The invention also comprises means by which to readily contract the last while
it is within the boot or shoe, i.e. to bring the two parts into close proximity to
each other and also to assist in withdrawing the last.
A simple means consists of two rings having screwed shanks to pass into the
heel piece and the rear vertical face of the front part of the last.
The attendant by taking the boot or shoe into his left hand and passing a finger
and his thumb on the right hand through the two rings referred to can both draw
together the two parts of the last and also pull the latter out of the boot.
A hook or other simple device may be employed instead of the rings to assist
the removal of the last from the boot.
1
1
1002
Improvements in Devices for Displaying Goods for Sale and for other
similar Purposes.
I, HARRY RALPH JACKSON, of Kirby Muxloe, in the County of Leicester, Boot
Manufacturer's Manager, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
Price Rd1

page_text: what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
This invention' has reference to an improved construction of device to be used
for expanding or filling out boots and shoes so as to display them with the best
effect for window dressing, sample room, exhibition and like purposes.
The invention comprises a last or model formed in two pieces viz.: a heel and
a front or instep, connected together by a tempered flat steel spring plate which
will allow the two parts of the last to be moved into closer relative positions when
it is proposed either to insert it into a boot or shoe or remove it therefrom.
It is obvious that when the said last is placed within a boot or shoe it will under
the influence of the spring plate automatically expand itself to its normal length
and thus fili out the boot or shoe so as to slightly stretch the upper leather and
remove any creases therefrom.
The invention also comprises means by which to readily contract the last while
it is within the boot or shoe, i.e. to bring the two parts into close proximity to
cach other and also to assist in withdrawing the last.
A simple means consists of two rings having screwed shanks to pass into the
heel piece and the rear vertical face of the front part of the last.
The attendant by taking the boot or shoe into his left hand and passing a finger
and his thumb on the right hand through the two rings referred to can both draw
together the two parts of the last and also pull the latter out of the boot.
A hook, strap or other simple device may be employed instead of or in addition
to the rings to assist the removal of the last from the boot.
Referring to the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a last for the purpose named constructed in
accordance with this invention.
Figure 2 is an elevation of a modification.
Similar letters refer to the same parts in each figure.
A B represent the two parts, heel and front or instep respectively of the last.
These two parts are connected and normally held apart by a curved flat steel
spring or plate C the ends of which are let into the adjacent faces A' 1' respectively.
The ends of the spring may be turned at a right angle and inserted in a hole
in the faces A B and a wedge of wood or other material also forced into the
same hole to fix the spring into position.
The spring may be otherwise connected to the two parts A B.
Two eyes CC with threaded shanks are screwed into the faces A 13 of the last.
These eyes may be large enough to admit the finger and thumb respectively of
the person using the last.
Or smaller eyes may be used and connected by a short leather strap D with a
loop or link D at each end passed through the eyes.
The last shown in Figure 1 is solid and the last represented in Figure 2 is a
skeleton or hollow one, to reduce the weight, the solid parts of the last being
indicated by section lines.
The said last may be made of wood, papier-mache or any other suitable material.
Hooks may be used instead of the eyes when no connecting strap is employed.
In the drawings the lasts are shown in their normal condition."
Before inserting the last in a boot or shoe, the individual or user places his
finger and thumb, one in each of the eyes C₁ C³ (or hooks when the latter are
employed) and draws them together, thereby contracting the last or reducing its
length so that it can easily enter the boot upper.
Immediately the last is thus placed inside the boot or shoe the finger and thumb
are withdrawn and the spring C expands the last by forcing the two pieces A B
apart within the boot or shoe so that it stretches or fills out the upper.
When a strap is employed the act of pulling it in an upward direction will
similarly contract the last.
Before withdrawing the last from a boot or shoe the two parts of the last are

page_text: first drawn together or contracted in a similar manner to that herein before
described for its insertion.
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. A last formed in two parts A B connected by a spring C and provided on its
adjacent faces with eyes or hooks substantially as and for the purpose described.
2. A last formed in two parts A B connected by a spring C and a strap such
as substantially as and for the purpose described.
3. A two part last constructed substantially as described and illustrated in
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.
4. A two part last constructed substantially as described and illustrated in
Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 27th day of January 1898