Untitled record

Application filed January 25, 1884. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern :

Be it known that I, George A. Reynolds, of the city of Utica, in the county of Oneida and State of New York, have invented a new 5 and useful Improvement in Lasts; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon.

io My invention and discovery relate to that class of mechanism consisting of a last formed in two sections from malleable or gray iron or other suitable- material capable of being molded or pressed into proper shape for the 15 manufacture of rubber bootsandshoes; and it consists in a perforation of the last above the line of the rubber shoe, to form air-passages for the free circulation of heated air when the boot or shoe is undergoing the baking pro20 cess.

Heretofore lasts have been provided and used formed from wood, which are liable when used to shrink, and in the different stages of manufacturing rubber shoes the same are sub²5 jected to extreme heat, which rapidly destroys the wooden last. '' .

To simplify the process of manufacturing rubber shoes and to shorten the time of manufacturing the same, it is found advantageous 30 to use a metallic last manufactured of iron as the best conductor of heat.

My invention consists in forming a last in two parts from the metal before described, with the shank of the last above the rubber 35 line perforated. It is obvious that these perforations may be changed into a variety of forms and shapes without interfering with the usefulness of my invention. In providing a last for manufacturing rubber shoes it is necessary 40 to have the projecting shank to enable the operator to handle the last when the rubber is applied to the last preparatory to applying the baking process.

. Having described the nature and construc45 tion of my invention, I will now proceed to describe it in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which’similar letters refer to similar parts throughout.

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the last with the perforations above the rubber- 50 line. Fig. 2 represents a section of my improved last with the perforations indicated. Fig. 3 represents a section of the same. Fig. 4 represents a top view of the shank.

Having described my invention in reference 55 to the figures indicated in the drawings, I will now proceed to describe it more in detail, in which—

A represents a section of the last with a line running from the toe to the heel through the 60 center of the last.

B represents the other section of the last.

C represents a side elevation of my improved last. The line represents the rubber-line. This may be varied according to the wishes of 65 the person who uses the same.

E represents the perforations in the sections of the last, which form the whole when together.

d represents the top of the shank. The top 70 of this shank is adapted to receive the leg ordinarily used in manufacturing rubber boots. The shank is also perforated with holes. This may also be varied to suit the wishes of the person using the same without interfering with 75 the usefulness of my invention.

f f represent two holes in the shank of the last. These may also be varied in form and shape. ‘ ' a represents the lug or projection. 80

1) represents a corresponding recess in the heel of the last.

h represents a corresponding lug at the toe.

M represents a corresponding recess, to guide and hold the parts in shape when placed to- 85 gether.

n represents rivets, which secure the two sections of the last rigidly together. The seam formed by the union of the two sides of the last is reduced to be filled by solder or other go suitable cement, so as to form a smooth surface, to prevent seams in the shoes manufactured on the last.

I am aware that cast metallic lasts have been heretofore provided formed in two sections, 95 secured by screws, and adapted to be expanded and contracted by means thereof, designed to receive between the sections strips of metal 297,633 to expand or contract the width of the boot or shoe without changing the length. These I do not claim.