FR2555473A1 - CLAMPING AND POSITIONING MECHANISM FOR A POWDER REINFORCING MACHINE - Google Patents

Abstract

THIS DEVICE IS USED TO RETAIN AND POSITION A SUBSTRATE SUCH AS A SHOE UPPER S THAT IT IS ABOUT TO TREAT BY MEANS OF A REINFORCING SUBSTANCE, ON A SIDE 250 OF A ROTARY CUBE INTENDED TO BE APPLIED AGAINST A BELT FOR A REINFORCEMENT MACHINE. LEVERS 270 PROVIDED ON BOTH SIDES OF A SPRING PLATE 187 CARRY AT ONE END A CASTOR 286 WHICH ROLLERS ON AN EXTENSION 284 OF THE PLATE AND AT THE OTHER END, A FIN 278 WHICH APPLIES TO A SUBSTRATE TO BRIDGE IT ON THE PLATE AS THE CUBE TURNS. ANCHORS 334 ARE ADJUSTED IN SLOTS 332 OF A PLATE 326 WHICH CAN BE LOWERED BY A JACK 320, ADJUSTABLE IN TRANSLATION ON A BEAM 150 OF THE MACHINE FRAME. LOWERING ANKLES 334 LOWER PLATE 187; LEVERS 270 LIFT AND LIFT FINS 278 TO ALLOW THE SUBSTRATE ON PLATE 187 TO BE CHANGED.

Description

The present invention relates to a ma-

  material deposition china that can be used to

  apply a strengthening / stiffening powder to a

  substrate, and more particularly, to means of bri-

  dage and positioning provided on a

  shoe for clamping and positioning a shoe upper

  re before it is worked.

  In the shoe and clothing industry

  ment, stiffening and strengthening means have been applied for many years on the uppers of shoes, canvas pants called "blue jeans", pajamas, sportswear and sun visors.

caps and the like.

  British patent application 83 34 330

  (publication GB 2 136 324) describes a machine which applies

  as a powder material on a substrate, in which a powder deposition station comprising a stencil deposits powder on an annular receiving belt, the

  powder being deposited in a three-dimensional configuration

  thanks to the presence of peripheral separating means

  risks arranged on the cut between the stencil and the cour-

  receptive roe. The surface of the receiving belt an-

  The ring is brought by rotation to a curved heating station in which the powder is melted by heating elements arranged above and below. The molten powder is then brought to an assembly and cooling station in which a substrate such as a shoe upper or a part of clothing is first placed in a fixed fitting located on transfer means at the station. assembly and cooling and then turned and pressed against the molten powder by the transfer means, which has the effect of pressing it

  against a cooling plate located below.

  The substrate is then lifted from the receiving surface by the transfer means after being cooled, the transfer means thus rotating, with the fitting of

  fixed retainer retaining the substrate which is now reinforced

  forced, so as to move the substrate away from above the receiving surface, to allow the means to

  transfer to present the substrate at its original location

  tial to unload it from the global fixed retaining fitting

  tee on the transfer means, in order to allow

  inject a next substrate with these.

  An object of the present invention is to realize

  be an improved clamping mechanism mounted on the

  transfer means, which facilitates loading and un-

  loading of a substrate into the machine and a positioning mechanism placed above the transfer means, said positioning mechanism being adjustable with the clamping mechanism to adapt to variations in the

contours of successive substrates.

  The subject of the present invention is a mechanism

  articulated clamping fixture arranged on the transfer means and a positioning mechanism arranged above the transfer means of a powder deposition machine, in which the clamping and positioning means

  allow easy loading,

  operation and guidance of substrates having

  variable turns on the transfer means as well as the

  unloading of these substrates from these transfer means.

  The transfer means comprise a rotary transfer cube, as indicated in the abovementioned British patent application 83 34 330 (GB-2 136 324),

  which is cited in this brief for reference

  which cube has four planar faces which are

  parallel to its axis of rotation. Each side includes a pair of hinged flanges that replace the partitions

  and the retaining fitting of the aforementioned patent application

  tee. A spring plate, which carries a soft cushion

  is kept applied against each flat face, closer to the axis of rotation of the transfer cube than the flanges which are arranged at a rate on each edge of the spring plate, parallel to the axis of rotation. The spring plates can move towards and away from their respective flat faces under

  the action of means forming spring cams, which are ar-

  twisted on each side, as described in the request

of the aforementioned patent.

  The articulated flanges each include a

  lever arm which swivels on a pivot and are pre-

  views from both sides of the spring pack. Each lever arm has a winged or winged shoulder portion on its outermost end, this portion extending above the corresponding side of the spring plate. The inner end of each arm

  lever, that is, the tip that points generally-

  towards the center of the depositing machine, has a

  axis which protrudes on its "plate" side, axis on the

which spins a roulette.

  The caster comes into contact with an end portion which projects from each rear corner of

  the spring plate and rolls on this end part

  when the spring plate moves inward

  laughing or outward with respect to its respective face

tive of the transfer cube.

  The winged shoulder portion of the end

  external arm of the lever is pivotally mounted on the end of the lever to allow the shoulder

  wing to oscillate relative to the spring plate when

  that this spring plate approaches or moves away from

  its face of the cube. The lever arm includes a device

  spring tif used to urge its casing part in the downward direction to apply it against

  the tab which projects from the extreme rear corners

re of the spring plate.

  An adjustable positioning mechanism is arranged on the frame of the deposition machine, above and

  near the cube, between the two articulated flanges.

  The positioning mechanism includes a fluid cylinder

  under pressure which has a directed piston rod

  down. An arc-shaped plate is attached to the former

  lower end of the piston rod. A slit is

  cut diagonally from each end of the board

  that an ankle being mounted in an adjustable manner through

  towards each slot in the plate. The ankles are

  created so as to be just in contact with the surface

  of the foam cushion carried by the resistor plate

  comes out when this spring plate is in its extreme lower position (receiving position). The pneumatic cylinder is supplied so as to retract

  suitably the piston rod to move the pins away

  positioning cities of the trajectory of the spring plate when this spring plate has been raised to its extreme external position (by clamping an article to be reinforced between itself and the shoulders of the articulated levers) and when the transfer cube rotates to present a next face for the unloading of an article reinforced from this face and for the consecutive loading of an article not reinforced on this face. The positioning mechanism itself can be adjusted in

  the sense that brings it closer or away from the built of the ma-

  China, under the action of a threaded rod rotatably mounted between itself and this frame. The positioning mechanism

  can also be adjusted laterally with respect to the

  ti of the machine and relative to the axis of rotation of the

  transfer cube, which is done by turning two ti-

  threaded ges which pass through legs integral with the tank

  of the machine, on each side of the support device

of the positioning mechanism.

  In this way, the operator of the machine can-

  is an article or substrate such as a lined or unlined shoe upper, which is to be reinforced, on

  the upper surface of the extreme spring plate above

  of the cube. It arranges the article on this face so as to place it in positioning contact with the positioning pins previously adjusted.

  which are fixed in the arch plate mounted at the end

  lower tee of the piston rod of the posi-

  operation. When the article to be reinforced is suitable

  oriented, the machine operator operates the

  suitable circuit for mounting the spring plate.

  When the spring plate rises, with the article to be treated on this plate, it also raises the rollers provided at the innermost end of

  its clamping levers. This has the effect that the

  outdoor extreme moths as well as the parts forming

  shoulder or fins carried by these pivotal ends

  tent down to meet the substrate placed on the spring plate advanced upward and to come into pressure contact with this substrate, so that the substrate or article to be treated is thus clamped on this plate. The consecutive rotation of the transfer cube and

  simultaneous removal of the positioning mechanism

  the substrate or treated article in its outermost position

  me upper, ot the spring plate is retracted towards its respective face of the transfer cube, releasing the

  inner ends biased by spring of the-

  to lift the shoulders or fins, which moves the flanges away from the surface of the spring plate, thus allowing the article to be removed and a next article to be loaded which will be positioned and clamped by these

  flanges to be worked after.

  Other features and benefits of

  the invention will appear during the description which

  go follow. In the accompanying drawings, given only at

  example, in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a

  flange device provided on the upper end face

  re of a rotary transfer cube, and an adjustable positioning mechanism mounted on this face; Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the clamping mechanism in its clamping position; Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the positioning mechanism; and Fig. 4 is a view taken along the lines

IV-IV-of Fig. 3.

  As can be seen by referring to

  tail to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, there is shown transfer means supported by a powder deposition machine such as that described in British patent application 83 34 330 (GB 2 136 324) to which reference will be made in this specification, the

  transfer means comprising a rotary transfer cube

  tif 140 which has four planar surfaces 250 parallel

  to the axis of rotation "R" of the cube 140. Each face 250 pre-

  feels a pair of articulated flanges 252 and 254 available

  seated on both sides of a spring plate 187, as re-

shown in Fig. 1.

  Above the transfer means, there are

  articulated positioning or guiding means

  260 which are fixed to the front face of a horizontal beam-

  tale 150 which can go up and down, as we

  described more fully below.

  Each spring plate 187 is controlled by linkages described in the aforementioned application, which

  bring it closer or further away from its flat face 250 res-

  pective, as represented by the arrow "A". Restraint means have been described in the aforementioned application, these

  means were fixed and insufficient for a wide range of

riety of substrates to be reinforced.

  Each articulated flange 252 and 254 comprises a lever arm 270 which can pivot around an axis 272 (Fig. 2), as shown by the arrow "P" and which is journalled in a support 274, each support 274

  being fixed to the corresponding flat face 250 as re-

  shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The lever arm 270 has an outwardly directed end 276 which

  carries an articulated fin 278 forming a shoulder.

  The wing 278 pivots freely on the outer end.

  re 276 of the lever arm 270, on an axis 280 which is journalled in an end tab 281. The fin

  278 includes a flat portion 282 which can be applied

  quée on the outer surface of a substrate "S" placed on the spring plate 187. The end 276 of the lever 270 may have additional end tabs 283, only one of which is shown transparently in FIG. 2, to allow the fin 278 to be carried over

  far outward on this lever.

  Each spring plate 187 has a pat-

  te 284 which projects on each of its extreme angles

  my interiors, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and which is parallel to this plate. Each lever 270 has an end 289 directed inwards which carries a swiveling caster on an axis 288 mounted on the "plate" side of the internal end 289 of the lever

  270, as shown in the drawings. Each wheel

  lette 286 which rotates on the "plate" side of the inner end 289 of each lever 270 is in rolling contact with the "upper" surface of its respective tab 284. A torsion spring 290 is arranged around the axis 272 on which the lever 270 pivots. One end of the spring 290 is secured to the lever arm 270 and its other end is secured to the support 274, so as to constitute biasing means, acting in the opposite direction to that of the needles

  of a watch, seen in FIG. 2, to hold the roller

  te 286 pressed against the upper surface of the tab 284 of the spring plate 187, which is shown raised above its respective flat face 250 in FIG. 2. The length of the lever arm measured between the caster 286 and the axle 272 and the arm length of

  lever measured between axis 272 and fin 278 allows

  attempt to obtain maximum clearance for discharge-

  while preventing the caster 286 from being pressed on the take-up belt 22 when the cube 140 is

  lowered against this belt, as described in the

aforementioned patent application.

  An inner end guide or tip 292 is disposed along the inner edge of each planar face 250, as shown in FIG. 1, to retain the inner peripheral edge of a substrate, such as a shoe upper, in place. The end guide or tip 292 includes a

  element 294 in the shape of an "L" which is turned over and available

  dried on a stud 293 fixed to the flat face 250. A res-

  lot 295 is arranged around the stud to tend to

  move the L-shaped element 294 away from its flat side

  ne 250 respective. A mark is provided on the external surface of the element 294 to indicate to the operator

  of the machine where you can measure the position from

  shot from which the material is deposited on the substrate.

  The operation of depositing the material is described in the

aforementioned patent application.

  As indicated in this pre-

  cited, a substrate "S" which is to be reinforced or stiffened is firmly retained on the external surface of the spring plate 187 by the articulated flanges 252 and 254, when the machine operator has placed the substrate , for example a shoe upper, a visor,

  a piece of clothing or equivalent, on the resistor plate

  comes out 187 when the latter is in its most retracted position, closest to its face

  respective plane 250, as shown in FIG. 1.

  The machine operator then activates the mechanism

  suitable, described in the aforementioned application, for distance

  coat the spring plate 187 with its flat face 250 respec-

  tive. In this movement, the spring plate 187 entral-

  also do the tabs 284 which are fixed to this plate

  than. When legs 284 lift, the end

  inner 289 of each lever arm 270 is constrained

  te to rise, under the effect of the rolling of the caster

  286 attached to this lever. The outer end 276 of the

  vier 270 is thus caused to pivot about its axis 272, by bringing the fin 278 closer to the spring plate 187 and applying it against this plate, to fix

2555 4 7 3

  thus a substrate "S" between the flat part 282 of the

  lette 278 and the external surface of the spring plate 187, which is limited in its outwardly directed movement in the direction of separation from

its respective flat face 250.-

  Guide means 260 which can be articulated

  abutment are arranged on the front face of the horizontal beam

  zontale 150 which is part of the deposition machine, the beam 150 being shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 and this beam can be raised and lowered by means which can be actuated appropriately,

  and which are described in the aforementioned patent application.

  The guide means 260 comprise a housing 300-

  which is fixed to the beam 150 by a connecting element 302 in the shape of a "T", which is slidably mounted in a slot 304 formed in the beam 150, the connecting element 302 being fixed by its base to the housing 300 as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The housing 300 contains

  a block 306 in the shape of "L" which can slide towards the a-

  front and back, as shown by an arrow

  "H" 'in Fig. 4, on a pair of bars 308 inside

  laughter of shoemaker 300. A threaded rod 310 is mounted to rotate in the "L" block 306, between the

  two bars 308. The threaded rod 310 is screwed through

  towards the front part of the shoemaker 300 and wears a wheel

  312 on its distal end, as shown

  felt in Figs. 1, 3 and 4. Two legs 314 are fi

  fixed to the horizontal beam 150, at a certain distance

  this on both sides of the shoemaker 300, as shown in

  Fig. 4. An adjustable screw 316 is screwed through each

  as lug 314 for abutting against a side wall of the housing 300, so as to facilitate lateral adjustment of the boot 300, as indicated by the arrow "B" drawn

in Fig. 4.

  The upper part of the cylinder

  double-acting pressure 320 is fixed to the lower part

  of the "L" block 306, while a fitting 322 is fixed to the lower part of the cylinder 320. A

  piston rod 324 extends downward from the cy-

  liner 320 and a support plate or fitting 326 in form

  arc me is attached to the lower end of the rod

  324. The support plate 326 has a rod 328 direct

  upwards on the back side of its central part

  trale, this rod 328 sliding in an opening 320

  of the fitting 322. Two slots 332 are formed obli-

  only in support plate 326, one at each end

  mite from this plate, forming an angle of about 45 with the axis of rotation "R" of the rotating transfer cube, as can be seen in FIG. 1. An ankle

  guide 334 is mounted in each slot 332 of ma-

  to be able to move in this slot and to

  see being blocked at a particular point in this window

  te, by locking means such as wing nuts

  lettes 340 or equivalent, as shown in Figs.

  1 and 3. The lower ends of the guide pins

  dage 334 can be abutted against the upper surface of the upper extreme spring plate 187

of the transfer cube 140.

  The guide pins 334 behave like stops for the substrate "S", which can be, for example, a shoe upper, when this substrate is placed on the transfer cube 140 and then be

  coated with a substance, as described in the

aforementioned patent application.

  When the guide means 260 and flanges 252 and 254 operate on the machine, the "L" block 306 can be brought into its correct position in the front-rear direction by action on the control wheel 312 mounted on the end of the threaded rod 310, the rotation of which moves the block 306 forward or backward, and consequently the cylinder 320 and the pins

  guide 334, according to the direction of rotation of the knurl-

  312. The adjustment screws 316 can be turned in the lugs 314 to move the housing 300, together with the "L" block 306 and, consequently, with the guide pins 334, to the left or to the right by relative to the transfer cube 140 and to its axis of rotation "R". The machine operator can thus adjust the position of the guide pins 334 in good position in their slots beforehand.

  332 respective, their positions not being necessary

  identical, since they depend on the confi-

  guration of the substrate loaded in the machine. Then,

  the operator tightens clamping means 340 for locking

  fit the dowels 334 in position. The slots 332, of

  same as beam 150 and shoemaker 300, can pre-

  feel marks on their periphery, as we have

  shown in Figs. 1 and 4, to allow the opera-

  to subsequently reproduce the settings of the che-

  334 guide cities in these slots.

  When the guide pins 334 are placed in good position on the spring plate 187 which is in its lower end position closest to its respective flat face 250, the flanges 252 and 254 are inclined and their fins 278

  are raised above the spring plate 187.

  At this time, the operator loads a substrate

  "S" on the spring plate 187, aligning its peri

  meter on the points defined by the guide pins

  dage 334 previously set and by the end guide

  te or bout 292. By actuating appropriate means

* required, the spring plate 187 can be lifted from the surface of its respective flat face 250. The paws

  284 therefore rise in the same way, and they thus

  if rolling the 286 casters mounted at the inner end

  lower 289 levers 270 flanges 252 and 254. The

  substrate "is thus thus firmly fixed on the surface

  external face of the spring plate 187 by the force directed downwards from the pivoting fin 278 mounted

  on the ends of the lever arms 270.

  When the transfer cube is rotated about its "R" axis, using appropriate means described in the aforementioned patent application, a spring plate 187 is presented, directed upwards to the operator, ready for the unloading of a coated substrate and for the loading of a substrate * S "to be treated. Simultaneously with the rotation of the transfer cube 140, there occurs, under the action of suitable pressure means, not shown, operation of the cylinder of pressurized fluid cylinder 320 which is sufficient to retract the piston rod 324 in this cylinder and to determine an elevation of the support plate 326 and of the guide pins 324 fixed to this plate, so as to clear the passage for the edges of the transfer cube 140 during the rotation of this cube. The cylinder of pressurized fluid cylinder 320 is suitably actuated to return the guide pins 334 to their lower extreme positions in response to stopping the rot ation of the transfer cube

  , to allow loading of the following "S" substrates

  uniformly precise on this cube.

  Ox therefore described above a set of meta-

  unique mechanisms which allow the correct and reproducible positioning of a substrate such as a shoe upper or equivalent on a transfer mechanism and to fix it on this mechanism, and which can be adjusted

  later to adapt it to different configurations

  peripheral conditions of the substrates.

Claims (21)

  1. Machine for depositing a material, compre-   nant a transport mechanism which comprises a set   adjustable guide (260) for positioning a sub-   strat on a mobile base, as well as a rear mechanism   flanged ticulate intended to retain said substrate on the   said mobile base, characterized in that said assembly   guide wire (260) comprises an adjustable boot (300) mounted on an element (150) of the machine frame,   means (320) that can be maneuvered in alternate translation   native to move the guide means (334) closer to and away from the rotary transfer mechanism (140), and   guide means (292) for positioning a sub-   strat ("S") on a movable base (187) of the transfer mechanism, and in that the flange mechanism comprises two levers (270) arranged on the two opposite sides of   said movable base (187), said levers being able to   vote on articulation supports (274) mounted on each of the planar faces (250) of the rotary transfer mechanism (140), control means (284) provided on said movable base for pivoting said levers, and means for clamping (278) carried by said levers and serving to hold said substrate applied to said base.   2. Machine according to claim 1, character-   laughed in that said means (320) being operable   vrés in alternative translation can approach and move away didiî element (150) of the frame of the machine under the effect of the actuation of adjustment means (310, 312) mounted in said housing (300).   3. Machine according to claim 1 character-   in that said case (300) can be moved laterally relative to said element (150) of the frame   the machine under the effect of the operation of   glage (316) arranged between said housing and the frame of said machine.   4. Machine according to claim 2, character-   -5473 laughed in that said adjusting means (310, 312)   include a threaded rod (310) adapted to move   cer with respect to said shoemaker (300) said means   (320) which can be operated in alternating translation   native when said threaded rod is rotated be these means and the housing.   5. Machine according to claim 3, character-   in that said adjusting means (316) comprises   at least one threaded rod (316) adapted to move   cer said bootmaker (300) relative to a tab (314)   attached to said frame, so as to adjust the-   said means (320) which can be operated in translation   alternative from one side to the other compared to said mechanism rotary transfer nism (140).   6. Machine according to claim 4, character-   laughed in that said means (320) being operable   vres in alternative translation are constituted by a   piston cylinder and double acting cylinder (320).   7. Machine according to claim 6, character-   in that a piston rod (324) extends downward from the piston and cylinder cylinder and in that said guide means (260) comprise a fitting   guide (326) mounted on the lower end of the said piston rod (324).   8. Machine according to claim 7, character-   in that said guide fitting (326) has   te a set of slots (332), each of these slots being adapted to receive a guide pin (334) crossing it.   9. Machine according to claim 8, character-   in that said guide pins (334) can   can be moved into said slots, the ends   lower of said plugs which can be put into bu-   tee against said movable base (187).   10. Machine according to claim 8, character-   in that said guide pins (334) can   wind be blocked on said guide fitting (326).   11. Machine according to claim 8, charac-   characterized in that said guide fitting (326) pre-   feel marks arranged along said slots (332)   to allow subsequent replacement of said che-   cities (334) in the same position, in said slots (332).   12. Machine according to claim 8, charac-   characterized in that said guide fitting (336) carries pins (334) which extend in positions   fixed through holes in this fitting, said iron   guide strip which can be fixed on the lower end   of said piston rod (324) and be separated therefrom rée.   13. Machine according to claim 9, charac-   characterized in that said piston and cylinder jack (320) can be actuated to move said guide pins (334) away from said movable base (187) when   the transfer mechanism rotates (140).   14. Machine according to claim 1, charac-   terized in that said movable base (187) moves away   of said rotary transfer mechanism (140), said clutch   is mobile (187) having extensions (284) pre-   seen on its periphery and intended to attack a part   end of the levers (270) to pivot these   viers around their supports (174).   15. Machine according to claim 14, charac-   terized in that each of said levers (270) carries at one end a rotary caster (286), which is in contact with said extension (284) forming a tab,   to enable rolling contact to be established   these elements when the lever pivots around its support.   16. Machine according to claim 1, charac-   terized in that said clamping means (278) comprise   take a fin (278) pivotally mounted on each of the levers (270), and which can be brought into contact with the external surface of said movable base (187) for 255-5473   clamp a substrate placed between itself and this base.   17. Machine according to claim 15, charac-   checked in that each lever (270) and the support -   (274) corresponding are provided with means of soliciting   spring loaded (290) arranged between these elements and which tend to apply the lever against said extension forming tab (284).   18. Machine according to claim 16, charac-   terized in that said fin (278) is held in place   parallel to said movable base (187) to avoid pressing   ser a substrate ("S" ') irregularly against the mobile base.   19. Machine according to claim 16, charac-   terized in that said fin (278) is adjustable in   position on its respective lever (270).   20. Machine according to claim 19, charac-   terized in that it comprises a guide (292) arranged on the inner end edge of said movable base (187) for positioning the inner end edge of a substrate ("S") placed on this base.   21. Machine according to claim 20, charac-   characterized in that said guide (292) comprises an element (292) in the shape of an "L" which is biased towards the outside   by a spring, in the direction which moves it away from said em-   mobile base (187), so as to retain said substrate on this base when the latter is distant from said planar face (250).