758,435. Heel-seat bedding machine. BRITISH BOOT, SHOE & ALLIED TRADES RESEARCH ASSOCIATION. Jan. 19, 1953 [Jan. 18, 1952], No. 1470/52. Class 17 (1). A heel-seat bedding machine comprises jaws for gripping an upper 40, the heel-seat of which has been fitted over a last 50 positioned on the machine, and for pulling it forwardly to bed the seat on the last prior to a pulling over operation, an actuating member 2 associated with the jaw-operating mechanism arranged so that initial operation thereof brings about closure of the jaws and continued operation brings about forward movement of the tightly closed jaws, the grip of the jaws preferably increasing with the pull on the upper, and a positive stop 41 which prevents the forward movement during the initial operation but is cleared automatically to permit the movement at the completion of the initial operation. The gripping &c. means may be operated by a mechanical, hydraulic, or pneumatic system. As shown, pedal 2, having a return spring 4 and adjustable stop 5, is actuated to rotate shaft 11 through ports 7, 6, 9 and lever 10 pinned to the shaft, thereby rotating lever 12 to which one end of a cable 13 is connected. Cable 13 passes round a pulley 14 and through a tube 15 to a link 35, the tube being clamped to a pivoted arm 16 and pulled by springs 20 so as to be rockable in a vertical plane, providing a floating pivot axis for the pulley. A jaw mechanism mounted on the tube 15 comprises a member 21 having a jaw face 22 and rockable about a bracket 26, this movement being limited by an adjustable stop 27 urged against jaw holder 28 by a spring 29 and permitting adjustment for different thicknesses of upper; and a pivoted member 23 with a jaw face 24 urged to the open position by a spring 25. The jaw faces have a considerable overhang. The member 23 comprises parallel plates 30 each having a slot 38 and cam surfaces 31, 32 co-operating with rollers 33, 34 on the link 35 which is supported by links 37 from the holder 28: Spring 29 urges links 37, 35 upwardly whereupon plates 30 swing to the open position, Fig. 2, the axis pin of the upper link 37 being housed in slots 38. When pedal 2 is first pressed cable 13 pulls rollers 33, 34 downwards, the former contacting the cam surface 31 and for a small movement of the rollers swing the jaw plates through approximately 90 degrees to close the jaws lightly. Subsequently roller 34 contacts cam surface 32 to exert a substantial leverage on the plates to close the jaws tightly. Increased tension on cable 13 on further movement of the pedal overcomes springs 20 and tube 15 moves from the adjustable stop 39 moving the jaws forwardly, their grip also being increased. To prevent spring 20 being overcome before the jaws are closed a lever 41 on shaft 11 abuts a roller 42 on the shaft of pulley 14 until it is cleared by rotation of shaft 11. A pillar 43 adjustable on. the franie receives a last peg 46. A mirror 49 is arranged behind the pillar, or the latter is tilted, so that the operator can see the back seam, a tool holder 51 is provided, and a guide rail 53 is mounted on the pillar to deflect the upper from the heel of the last as it is lifted. When the upper is gripped the operator adjusts the upper and stiffener, applies full bedding pressure, and then tacks the upper. Jaw face 24 is attached by a loose fitting screw 55 which permits the face to rock laterally to accommodate uppers of irregular thickness, e.g. an upper with an attached mudguard. A modification is shown with a vertically adjustable frame, a body plate, and a sprocket and chain instead of pulley 14 and cable 13. The machine may be made with two pillars and two sets of jaws side by side so that two uppers may be operated on at the same time. The jaws may be replaced by rollers which rotate together to pull the upper. An automatic tacking or staple device may be attached to the machine, and the machine may be incorporated in machines for back tacking, and heel seat lasting. In hydraulic operation the system is preferably devoid of sliding seals with the optional exception of a safety valve, hydraulic capsules effecting the closure of the jaws, a hydraulic capsule or a tubular Bourdon gauge type member moving the jaws and a valve, replacing stop 41, responding to movement of a machine part to admit fluid. A pneumatic system may comprise a first cylinder for closing the jaws and a second cylinder for moving the jaws, a trip valve replacing stop 41 being responsive to a movement of a machine part and actuating the second cylinder. Alternatively the sequence of jaw closure followed by forward movement may be accomplished by a lost motion mechanism.