US615989A - Last for shoes and standard for supporting same - Google Patents

Description

'N'u. 65,989. Patented Dec. 13,1898. F. J. HRUZA. LAST FUR SHOESAND STANDARD FUR SUPPORTING SAME.

(Application filed Jan. 9, 1897.) v

3 Sheets-Shaw.

(No Model.)

H n 1 W H u H I I 7 4. ll-ll V Inventor.

Witnesses.

Til: nomus PETERS 00.. PNOTO-UTNO" WASHINGTON. u. c.

' No. 6l5,989. A Patented-Dec. l3. I898.

r, HRUZA. LAST FDR SHDES AND STANDARD FDR SUPPORTING SAME.

' (Application filed Jan. 9, 1897.)

(No Model. 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Witriesses. Inventor m; 6l5,989. Paten td Dec. I3, 1398.

F. J. HBUZA. LAST FOB SHOES AND STANDARD FUR SUPPORTING SAME.

(Application filed. Jan. 9, 1897.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

w/ TNESSES o'ro-uruou wunmaron. u. c.

2 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK J. HRUZA, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

LAST FOR SHOES AND STANDARD FOR SUPFORTING SAME.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent in). 615,999, dated December is, 1898. Application filed January 9,1897. Serial No. 618,525. (No model.)

' To (all whom it Duty concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK J. HRUZA, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Cincinnati, in thecounty of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lasts for Shoes and Standards for Supporting the Same, of which the following is a specification.

Under the head of shoes I include boots, slippers, and all analogous articles for covering the feet and in the manufacture or repair of which, as well as in the adaptation of the same to the foot of the wearer, lasts are employed.

One feature of my invention relates to such a novel construction of thelast as enables it to be employed successively or simultaneously as a toe-stretcher and a length-stretcher-viz., as a toe-stretcher for broadening the shoe at and in the vicinity of the toes, and as a lengthstretcher for increasing the length of the shoe from toe to heel.

Another feature of my invention consists in such a construction as that the said last can be employed as an instep-stretcherviz., for stretching the shoe in height at and in the vicinity of the instep.

Another feature of m yinvention consists in a construction of the last as shall enable one last to be used in operating upon shoes of different lengths.

Other features of my invention appertaining to the last will be evident from the following description and claims.

bottom or foundation piece of the last.

Still another feature relates to a construction of standard adapted to receive the lasts of my invention.

Other advantages resulting from the use of the several features of my invention ,conjointly or otherwise will be hereinafter ap parent.

In the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, and in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts, Figure 1, Sheet 1, representsa side elevation of a last constructed according to my invention and equipped as a toe and length stretcher. Fig. 2 represents in perspective the top, front, and one side of the This piece may in common parlance be denominated the last. a diminished scale, of the inner side of one of the halves of a toe-stretcher. Fig. 4. is a View of the bottom of the rear portion of either of the toe-stretcher shown in Fig. 3 or the toe-stretcher shown in Fig. 1 and on the same scale as the latter. Fig. 5 is a view in perspective of the device employed to separate the halves of the toe-stretcher, a portion of the operating-rod being omitted as unnec essary for the understanding of the device. Fig. 6 isa front elevation of the heel-stretcher on an enlarged scale. Fig. 7 is a top View of the latter on the same scale as thatof Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the last equipped with an instep-stretcher in operative position. On Sheet 2 Fig. 9 is aside elevation of one-half of a toe-stretcher adapted to be used as such for given sizes of shoes and also to be used as the foundation for toestretchers for other sizes of shoes, as hereinafter specified. Fig. 10 is a bottom view of the toe-stretcher shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is an elevation of the inside of the toe-stretcher shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 12 is an elevation of the toe-stretcher of Fig. 9, adapted to be used for a size of shoe larger than that for which the stretcher of Fig. 9 is used. Fig. 13 is an elevation of Fig. 9, adapted to be used for yet larger sizes of shoes. Fig. 14 is a view in perspective of the patch on the toe-stretcher of Fig. 9. Fig. 15 is a View in perspective of the patch on the toe-stretcher shown in Fig. 12. Fig. 16 is a top view, on a diminished scale, of one of the lasts and'which is adapted to receive .the toe-stretcher shown in Fig. 9. i Fig. 17 is a top view, on a like scale, of a last adapted to receive the toe-stretcher shown in Fig. 12. Fig. 18 is a top view, on alike scale, of a last adapted to receive the toe-stretcher shown in Fig.13. Fig. 19 is a bottom view of rear part of toe-stretcher shown in Fig. 13. 'On Sheet 3 Fig. 20 is a side elevation of the last shown in Fig. 15 and of an instep-stretcher in position thereon. Fig. 21 is a side elevation of the standard for upholding lasts and of one of my lasts in position thereon. Fig. 22 represents a vertical central section of the head of the standard, the section being from left to right of the standard as it stands represented in Fig. 20, that side of the section be- Fig. 3 is an elevation, on

ing shown which in Fig. 20 would face the spectator if that side of the standard this side of the section-line-t'. e., nearest the spectator-Were removed. Fig. 23 is a top view of the standard.

I will now proceed to particularly describe my invention.

A indicates the foundation-piece or last. This last has a bottom plate A From this plate rises a standard B. The latter is located near the rear portion of the plate A so as to be in the area of the hole of the shoe wherein the ankle of the wearer of the shoe enters. This standard has vertical side grooves B B On the plate A and near the bottom of the standard B are the pivot-lugs O C. One of these lugs is on each side of the said standard, substantially as shown in Figs. 2 and 15. Retaining-lugs D are present in the immediate neighborhood of said pivots, one lug for a pivot. A space D is present below the lug D and above plate A On the inner side of each half-piece E of the toe-stretcher is located a guideway E inclined from the upper-edge of the rear part of the toe-stretcher downwardly and forwardly. Technically speaking, the toe-stretcher includes all the parts that cooperate in stretching the toe of the shoe; but for the sake of conciseness each half-piece E will be hereinafter designated as a toe-stretcher.

The lower rear part of each toe-stretcher E has a thicker lug E containing a vertical aperture E adapted to receive the pivot-bolt O on its side of the standard. In proximity to this lug is a lug E extending inwardly from the piece E. In practice each stretcher E is adjusted to place by locating the adjacent pivot O in recess E and then swinging the toe part of the stretcher E forward until it comes over its adjacent part of the last and its inner upper edge is substantially in alinement with the median vertical longitudinal plan of the last. The lug E will thus have been brought under the lug D, and the conjunction of these lugs will prevent the rear portions of the toe-stretchers E E from rising.

F indicates a yoke or saddle having the arms F F and bridge-piece F These arms are shaped on the inner side so as respectively to fit the adjacent groove B of standard B. As the grooves B are in the present illustrative instance grooved, so will the inner sides of the arms F be convexly curved. In the bridge F is a hole F screw-threaded. A rod G screw-threaded is screwed through the hole F One end of this rod carries a suitable handle G and the other end G carries the operating separator or wedge H. The connection between the wedge Hand the rod G is such that the rod can readily rotate without turning the wedge. A preferred connection between the rod and the wedge is adj ustable and is accom plished by leaving a slot H in the rear end of the wedge, this slot extending from the surface of the wedge to the hole wherein the rod is received, the slot being narrower than the hole and receiving a poition of the rod next behind the front end- 1'. e. enlarged headthereof, substantially as shown.

In practice, the toe-stretchers E E being in position, the last, with them in place, is introduced into and passed within the shoe. The wedge is then introduced into the guideways E of the pieces E, the respective sides H of the wedge each entering its adjacent guideway E The bridge F is now or hitherto has been caused to engage the standard B, the arms F respectively entering adjacent grooves. The rod G is now turned (screwed) forward, and the wedge is thus advanced toward the toe of the shoe, thereby separating the toe-stretchers E E and stretching the toe of the shoe in proportion to the distance it is advanced. The withdrawal of the parts of the last and its said devices from the shoe will be in an order the reverse of that followed when they were introduced therein.

At the rear of the last are guideways J, each consisting of a rib J and a recess J one guideway on each side of the last. A separable heel-stretcher K has a recess K whose sides each have a recess K and a rib or flange K The heel-stretcher may be run onto the guideways, and when thus located in conjunction with them the guideways extend into the recess K and on each side a rib J 2 enters the adjacent recess K and recess J" receives a rib K The heel-stretcher K has an inner inclined face K extending from the upper rear edge downward and forward, substantially as shown.

A support L is fixed to the last and inclines rearwardly and has a screw-threaded hole L therethrough, and the latter engages the screw of the rod M, passed through said hole L and bearing at one end against the inner rear portion K of the length-stretcher K and provided at its other end with a handle M By advancing the rod M the heel-stretcher is advanced against the heel of the shoe previously placed upon the last, and the shoe is lengthened proportionately to the advancement of the rod. Retraction of the rod M allows the heel-stretcher to be likewise retraeted.

The heel-stretcheris capable of being used simultaneously with the toe-stretcher, and in order that the two operating-rods G and M may not interfere one of them must dodge the other. There are various ways of enabling them to dodge. A very convenient and novel mode consists in having the rod M incline to one side of rod G and in such event causing the hole for rod M in support L to be likewise inclined. The inner side of the heel-stretcher where the rod will impingeis beveled out at K, the better to enable the rod M to work against the heel-stretcher and push it rearward. In Fig. l the toe and length stretchers are both in proper position on the last. When desired, the support L may be separable from the plate A or standard 13 and will then be secured to the last by a screw L (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8) or otherwise, as desired.

The instep-stretcher N (see Fig. 8) consists of a plate formed in general like the upper portion of the foot in front of the ankle and preferably provided with a device for keeping it in alinement with plate A at the toe. A preferred description of such device consists of the opening N in the plate A and detent N in the instep-stretcher N. The rear end of the instep-stretcher N has a screwthreaded opening N (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8,) and through this is screwed a rod P, provided atits upper end with a suitable han dle. (Not shown because sut'ficien tly understood.) The lower end of this rod P rests in a recess or step B in the top of standard B. The shoe and instep-stretcher having been screwed into the stretcher aforesaid, further rotation of the rod in the same direction elevates the rear end of the instep-stretcher and stretches the instep of the shoe. When this process of stretching has been continued until the desired instep has been stretched as much as desired, the screw-rod is removed, and the last, with instep-stretcher N, is removed from the shoe. Rib W on the upper fore part of plate A and rib X on the under part of the rear part of plate A are preferably present to impart strength to the same and at the same time to also economize metal.

In connection with the foregoing I have invented a novel and useful means whereby one size of toe-stretchers can be used with different sizes of lasts, and thusbe utilized in stretching shoes of various sizes. For instance, the toe-stretcher E ismade of a size for the smaller sizes of shoes. It will then be used on the last shown in Fig. 15. To adapt it for use with larger sizes of shoes, I provide metal patches R, (see Figs. 14 and 15,) and the size of these patches will vary with the size of the shoe to be stretched. As is evident from an inspection of the drawings, the shape of the patch conforms to the shape of the shoe at and in the location where the patch is used. Thus the patch added to the toe-stretcher E of Fig. 9 increased the size of the latter sufficiently to do effective work in correctly stretching a larger shoe. A patch, such as shown in Fig. 14, applied to the toe-stretcher E, makes the stretcher shown in Fig. 12. The patch illustrated in Fig. 15, combined with the stretcher E, results in the stretcher seen in Fig. 13. As the patch of Fig. 13 is larger than that of Fig. 14:, the stretcher of Fig. 13 is adapted to stretch a larger size of shoe than is the stretcher of Fig. 12. Other patches of successively larger size respectively added to a standard or, foundation toe-stretcher, as E, will enable larger sizes of shoes to be stretched. Where a given size of stretcher E is used for the foundation of all the patches of various sizes, then the inner side of each patch will properly conform in shape to the exthem.

terior surface of that portion of the stretcher E to which the patch is applied. The preferred means for attaching the patch to the stretcher is the screw S, passing through a hole S in the patch and engaging a screwthreaded hole S in the stretcher. The convenience and economy of such a toe-stretcher, possessing adaptability for and to various sizes of shoes, are quite apparent without explanation.

In connection with the lasts of my invention of the forms herein shown and described I have invented and made one preferred form of standard for receiving and supporting preventing the shank from tipping over and for attaching it to a table, bench, &c., I pro vide it with a foot T having holes T through which screws may be passed to more firmly secure it to the base upon which it stands; but the foot may be otherwise formed or altogether omitted. In the latter case the shank may be set into a bench, table, or other suitable base. The upper end of the shank carries the holder or head V, having a central slot V extending through the head and two enlargements V and V at different relative inclinations. Enlargement V extends upward in a substantially vertical direction and the axis of the enlargement V is at an angle of nearly ninety degrees from the vertical axis of the standard. Either enlargement takes in the standard B of the last, and the slot V receives those extensions or projections of the last which are immediately in front of or behind the standard B. WVhen the last is in the vertical enlargement V the bottom of the last will be substantially horizontal, as shown in solid lines in Fig. 20. When the last is located in the inclined enlargement V the bottom ofthe last will be inclined substantially as shown by dotted lines. In the lasts shown in Figs. 15,16, and 17 therear guides and piece L are omitted. These lasts may thus be used,huteach of them may be provided with length-stretching devices, and in using lasts in connection with toe-stretchers, such as are shown in Figs. 9, 12, and 13, itis not my purpose to confine such to lasts without end stretchers.

It will be understood that in the manufacture of the various parts of my invention I -do not confine myself to the use of metal, but

shall use any suitable material.

It is understood that the instep-stretcher may be used in connection with either of the three lasts shown in Figs. 16, 17, and18.

It is also to be understood that the lasts of toe,length,and instep stretchers maybe used, as desired,in the operations of soling and heeling. In such connections they will be found very useful.

What I claim as new and of'my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is"- 1. A shoe-stretcher having a standard provided with grooves and toe-stretchers,and the bridge F having arms engaging said grooves,

This standard has a shank T. Forand a separator advanced to separate the stretchers by using said bridge as an abutment, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. In a shoe-stretcher, a standard B having grooves, and toe-stretchers hinged or pivoted at or near their rear ends, and the bridge F having arms engaging in said grooves, and a toe-stretcher separator advanced by using said bridge as an abutment, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

3. In a shoe-stretcher, a standard having vertical grooves, and a bridge having arms engagingin said grooves, and the toe-stretchers pivoted at rear, and rod screwing through the bridge, and a toe-separator on the forward end thereof, the toe-stretchers being provided with guides for giving direction to the sepator, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

4. In a shoe-stretcher, toe-stretchers capable of separation, and having side guides E and the separator H wedge-shaped and adjustable to and in said guides, and rod G connected thereto, and a bridge and a standard for holding the latter, the standard rising from the base of the last, independent of the side stretchers and the bridge adjustably embracing the standard and removable with rod G, the rod screwed through the bridge, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

5. In a shoe-stretcher, the narrow vertical standard toe-stretchers adapted to move to and from each other at the toe, and having devices for hinging them at their rear portions to the last, and each having a device for interlocking at their rear end with the last at the base of the standard, to the foundation plate-piece to prevent their rear ends being uplifted as they are operated on by the separator, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

6. In ashoe-stretcher, toe-stretchers adapted to move to and from each other at the toe, and having devices for hinging them at their rear portions to the last, and each having a lug E arranged to look below a projection of the last, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

7. In a shoe-stretcher, the toe-stretchers adapted to be separated at the toe, and having the pivotal opening in their rear portion, and a log E at said portion, and a projection D of the last for engaging said lug E as the toe stretchers are approximated, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

8. In a shoestretcher, the combination of the toe-stretchers having guideways, and lug E and opening E of each stretcher, and the separator and rod G, bridge F, and arms F thereof, the rod engaging the bridge, and the standard B of the shoe-stretcher frame having grooves 13 and the arms F for engaging said grooves, and lug D and pivot C of the last, for making engagement with the rear portion of the toe-stretchers, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

9. In a shoe-stretcher, the horizontal side guides .I, J attached to the basal frame thereof, and a length-stretcher sliding on these guides and having a place for the impingement of the actuating device, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

10. In a shoe-stretcher, the horizontal side guides J ,J 3 connected to the basal frame thereof, and a length-stretcher K sliding on these guides, and a standard L, and rod M, engaging the standard and actuating the stretcher, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

11. In a shoe-stretcher, the side guides connected to the basal frame thereof, and the length-stretcher, sliding on these guides, and having a recess K, and the standard L on the last and a rod engaging the standard and bearing against the stretcher in the recess of the latter, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

12. In a shoe-stretcher, the combination of a toe-stretching device in front and a rod G for advancing the separator of the stretcher, and a 1ength-stretching device and its red M for actuating the length-stretcher, the rods M and G arranged to dodge one another, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

13. In a shoe-stretcher, the combination of a toe-stretching device, and a standard on a last carrying a bridge or abutment, and a rod G passing through said abutment, and operating the separator of the toe-stretcher, and guides at rear of the last, and a heelstretcher adjustable thereon and provided with a recess Kflwidened at K, and a standard K, and a rod M engaging the standard, and Working thereon, the opening in standard M being inclined to one side, and the rod M dodging the rod G, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

1 1. In a shoe-stretcher, a sliding lengthstretcher located at the heel, guides therefor attached to the last, standard as L removable, and rod M engaging the standard and directed diagonally downward toward the rear portion of the heel and acting on the lengthstretcher, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

15. In a shoe-stretcher, the combination of the indented standard, instep-stretcher, rod P thereof, turning against the standard, and the standard L, guides J J length-stretcher K, and rod M for engaging the standard L and moving the length-stretcher, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

FRANK J. IIRUZA.

In presence of- A. S. LUDLow,

K. SMITH.

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