Reading a simple diagram, how to practically implement this on a breadboard
Conventional voltage regulators like the LM317 don't do what you're trying to do.  They regulate a higher voltage down to a particular (lower) voltage.  If you're trying to boost a DC voltage to a higher level you can convert it to AC, run it through a transformer and then rectify it back to DC, or you could use a DC to DC converter known as a "boost converter" or "step up converter" (or "step up regulator"). See:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boost_converter

Here's one example of such a part:

http://www.newark.com/linear-technology/lt3581emse-pbf/ic-boost-inverting-dc-dc-conv-msop/dp/71R4698

Edit:

Also, depending on exactly what you're trying to accomplish, there might be other approaches.  For example, if you aren't necessarily trying to convert one voltage TO another voltage, but rather to control a signal at one voltage using a signal at a different voltage, you may only need a transistor, or perhaps an opto-isolator.