US1179493A - Method of preparing insoles. - Google Patents

Description

T. 1. BALL.

METHOD OF PREPARING INSOLES.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-M1911.

Patented Apr. 18,1916.

UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS J. BALL, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED SHOE mommy COMPANY, or PATERSON, NEW JERSEY,

NEW JERSEY.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS J. BALL, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods of Preparing Insoles, of which the following is a specification.

The present of preparing for reinforcing what are known commercially as Gem insoles. The term reinforcing is used by those skilled in the art to designate the operation of forming a bead or crimpin the reinforcing material and securing it to the insole. The reinforcing material employed is usually canvas or duck and is attached to the insole by a sticky substance which is applied to one side of the reinforcing material before it is cut into pieces of the required size.

The present practice 1s to coat the reinforcingmaterial with the sticky substance by a distinct operation so that it may be transported in condition for use. This invention deals with such coated material, whether it be coated by a distinct operation or by a coating operation performed at the time of cutting the material into strips or blanks.

The chief object of the present invention is to cut the aforesaid coated reinforcing material in such away as to avoid the great waste incident to the practice hitherto followed. This practice has been to cut the sheetof reinforcing fabric into'strips whose width is equal at all points and whose side edges are straight. The width of such strips must, of course, be vsuflicient for the insoles at their widest portion, namely, the ball. The strips are then cut transversely to form separate blanks for separate soles. The blanks are secured to the soles by the reinforcing operation and the excess material extending laterally from the shank on both sides is trimmed oil. The quantity of excess material when the strips or blanks are cut to uniform width is very great, first, because some soles are narrower than others, and, second, because the heel and mnrnon or rnnmnme INSOLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

invention relates to a method A CORPORATION OF Patented Apr. 18,1916.

Application filed August 4, 1911. Serial No. 642,340.

the reinforcing material, and the loss by waste is very great. Such waste is almost entirely avoided by the method hereinafter described, because the reinforcing material is cut into separate blanks of such shape and size for each sole that there is no excess material to be trimmed of.

A large sheet of reinforcing material is out along serpentine lines which correspond more or less accurately to the curvatures along the side edges of the soles. The strips produced by cutting in this manner are relatively Wide at some points and relatively narrow at intermediate points, the wide portlons being sufiicient for the ball portions of the soles and the narrow portions being no more than necessary for the, shank portions of the soles. An idea may be had of' the savlng made possible by the latter method when -it-is stated that nine strips for mens soles, or thirteen strips for childrens soles, maynow be produced from a sheet of reinforcing material which would yield not more than seven strips 'of suflicient width for mens soles or nine strips for childrens soles if the width were equal at all points. The mere saving of canvas or duck is not the greatest item of economy. The

cost of the reinforcing material is greatly increased by the substance with which one side is coated and by the operation of applying the coating substance. The whole cost of the prepared reinforcing material is very great, and the saving made possible by the present invention is correspondingly great, 7 c

The present invention has been stated in its broad aspect, but it embraces an expedient method of actuating cutters to cause the cutters to traverse serpentine lines when dividing the sheet material into strips The preferred method of carrying out the present invention is as follows: The prep". red material, sticky on one side, is fed eogewise sticky side up, and the insoles are laid with their flesh, or 'lipped, sides upon the sticky substance. The soles are arranged in a series of rows in such manner as to leave narrow, longitudinal strips of the sheet exposed. Preferably the edges of the rows of soles are made continuous by overlap-ping Q-- rmaeee the heel seat of each sole on the toe of the In practising the present invention, as sole next to it. This arrangement is also illustrated in the drawings, a sheet of reinimportant as it saves canvas, it being necesforcing material, such as canvas or duck, is u sary to have the reinforcing'material extend moved edgewise against one or more cutters 5' only to about the breast line of the sole. The arranged to intersect its plane. The cutters 7o soles, also, are arranged so that their longiare mounted so as to be laterally movable tudinal lines are substantially parallel to and they are moved from side to side during the direction in which the work is fed, and the feeding movement of the work so as to the ball portion of one sole is arranged in curve the side edges of the strips cut in ac- I s the transverse line of the shank portion of *cordance with the lateral curvature of the a sole in the next row. The reinforcing masoles which are attached to the canvas. As terial with the soles stuck to it accordingshown by Fig. 1, the reinforcing material, to the arrangement explained is fedagainst indicated at 10, is taken from a roll 11 and cutters carried by followers which are is passed between rolls 12 and .13. Fig. 1

' 15 adapted to traverse the exposed strips of reincludes two rolls 13 which are represented a inforcingmaterial between the rows of soles. as standing at an angle one with relation The followers are mounted so as to be laterto the other. Although but one roll 12 is ally movable independently of each other shown by Fig. '1, because of the character and they are moved from side to side by the 0f the drawing, it may be understood that 20 edges of the moving rows of soles, thus there are two such rolls and that they are causing the cutters to cut in lines substan arr nge t an allgle Similar o th angle 'tially midway of the exposed strips between of the rolls 13, also that each roll 12 coacts the rows of soles The serpentine strips with a'ro1l13. It may be assumed that the thus produced areafterward ut trans rolls 12 are driven for the purpose of feed- 25 versely so as to divide them into separate ing the sheet of reinforcing material and 9c blanks for the separate soles, and the canthat the rolls 13 rest upon the work by vas is then molded about the stitch-receiving force of gravity. The purpose in arranging ribs'with which the soles are provided. The he t o pai s of o ls at t e a g e shown s quantity of reinforcing materi l whi h y to separate the strips after their severance so be trimmed from the sole after being molded for a pu p s h r i a e e p ain dis negligible, since the strips have been cut The cutters are arranged to engage the so that the curvature of their side edges corork in dvanc 0f he feed r 11- A Cu ter responds to the curvature of the sole suitable for the purpose isshown by Fig. 8.

e invention resides primarily in cut- The blade of the cutter is indicated at 14,

B5 ting the strips so that the curvature of the n h cut ng dg hi h i -shaped, i edges will be in accordance with'the curvaindicated a 1 hei mounted n a ture of the Soles, whether the cutting of the holder 16, hereinafter termed a follower, bestrips be controlled directl by the soles or Cause it is adapted to be engaged and moved whether it be performed before the soles laterally by the side edges of the sole. Any

40 have been attached to the reinforcing m desired number of cutters may be provided, terial. I I depending upon the number .of strips into Of the accompanying drawings which which the reinforcin material is to be diillustrate the preferred way in which the vided. The points where the cutters are inpres'ent invention may be practised: Figure tended to act upon the work are indicated in 45 1 represents a perspective view of appa- Fig- 1 at w, w, w-

ratus adapted to be used in practising the Although Figs. 1 and 2 represent the sheet invention. 7 Fig. 2 represents a top plan of reinforcing material as being divided into view of a relatively narrow sheet of reinbut four strips for four rows of soles, it is forcing material on which a number of rows to be understood that the invention is repre- 50 of nsoles are la d, one end of the sheet masented in this manner only for the purpose terial being divided to form strips. Fig. 3 of simplifying the drawings. The rein-. represents a cross section of a portion of forcing material will, in practice, be of such the sheet material with soles thereon,- and width as to provide for the most economical an elevation of a-laterally movable cutter. production of strips. The soles are indias Fig. 4 represents a side elevation of the cated at 20. They are attached .to the rein- 12 cutter and its movable support. 5 repforcing material, preferably by adhesive resents a top plan view thereof. Fig. 6 re substance. Thev reinforcing material now in resents a horizontal section in a plane ind general use-is coated on one side with suitcated in Fig. 4 by hne F1g. repreable substance 26 which is non adhesive un sents a horizontal section indicated in Fig. der normal conditions so that the sheet may a N Fig. 8 represents an elevabe readily unwound from the roll but which tion of the cutter detached from its movable is adapted to be rendered adhesive by the su port. application of heat or a liquid solvent. I he same reference characters indicate the The apparatus illustrated by Fig. 11' insame parts wherever they occur. chides heating devices over which the sheet 3v material is fed to soften the adhesive subfree to swing about the pivots 19, and the stance preparatory to the attaching of the followers are adapted to turn about their soles. The heating devices shown comprise stems 17. Each arm is preferably provided a drum 21 and a bed 22. A gas pipe 23 exwith a roll 32 for engaging an arm 33 on the tends through the drum, and a gas pipe 24: bracket 29 for the purpose of sustaining any extends under the bed. The pipes are pro'-- stress upon the arm, so as to prevent the vided with orifices 25 whichconstitute burnpivot 19 binding in its bearing. Each folers. The reinforcin material is unwound lower is normally held in one position by a" from the roll in suc manner that the unspring 34. In orderto limit oscillatory 10 prepared side will engage the drum and the movement of the follower about its stem 17,

bed, leaving the coated side uppermost for the arm 18 is provided with a lip 35 adapted the reception of the soles. x to be engaged by projections such as pins 36 The soles are arranged in the relation inserted in the follower as shown by Fig. 7. shown by Fig. 2 upon that stretch of. the The cross section of an insole is shown by 15 reinforcing material which ispassing along Fig. 3. The edge of the sole is splitto prothe bed 22. The arrangement of the soles vide a stitch-receiving rib 37 and a feather is such as to provide longitudinal rows and 38. Eachfollower is provided with lips 39 transverse rows. The heel of each sole pref- 'which extend laterally, one from each side. erably overlaps the toe' of the sole in the The lips are adapted to lie between the 20 same longitudinal row,,because it 1s not feather 38 and the reinforcing material 10,

necessary to provide reinforcing material and their function is to keep the work and for the heel seats of the sole. Referring now the cutter in operative relation. to the transverse rows, it will be observed The work, after being divided into strips, that the widest part of one sole is arranged passes between the rolls 12 and 13. The

25 in thetransverse line of the narrowest part strip-s become spread apartvlaterally by reaof the adjacent sole. It is desirable to arson of the angular arrangement of the rolls range alternate soles so that they extend in and in this way the liability of the strips one direction and to arrange the intermebecoming overlapped and stuck to each other diate soles so that they extend in the oppois avoided. ,A board or delivery table (not 30 site direction whenever the reinforcing mashown) may be arranged to receive the work 35 posed reinforcing material.

terial may be more efliciently used as the refrom the rolls 12 and 13. 'Thestrips are sult of such arrangement. The longitudinal afterward cut transversely, across the toe of rows are separated from each other so as to each sole, to provide a separate reinforcing provide narrow, intermediate strips of exblank for each sole, and thereafter the canvas blanks are then molded upon the-soles When the soles have been attached, they and trimmed if necessary in the usual manmove with the reinforcing material between ner. I two coacting rolls 27 and 28 which are in The knife 1 in making the sinuous cuts, advance of the cutters. The upper roll. 28 is guided by means of the lips 39 which con- 4 is adapted to yield, but by reason of its tact with the lip 37, and also by a contact weight it, also, is adapted to press the soles of the follower 16 with the feather 38. against the sheet material to make them Therefore, the knife is guided by either the stlck more firmly. The rolls serve the addilip 39 or the follower 16. In the claims the tional purpose of maintaining a slight tenterm marginal portion of an insole refers 45 sion on that stretch of the work between to the rib 37 as well as to the feather 38,

them and the feed rolls 12 and 13. The since these portionsof the insole serve as a followers 16 enter between the longitudinal guide or form a cam path to control the rows of soles and move from side to side as course of the cutter 1 4. the work advances, thus causing the cutters I claim:

50 to out along lines substantially as shown by 1. The method of cutting sheet material Figs. 1 and 2. The followers may be mountfor reinforcing insoles, consisting in relaed in any desired manner in orderto adapt tively' moving the material and a cutter to them to be actuated in, the manner exadvance the point of operation of the cutter plained. The preferred manner of mountuponthe material in the direction of the 55 ing them is that shown by Figs. 3, 4 and 5. length of a series of insoles positioned end Each follower is provided with a stem 17 to end upon the material, and moving the which is inounted in bearings inan arm 18. 'cutter transversely of the relat ve move- The arm is connected to a suitable bracket ment of the material and cutter 1n accord- 29 by apivot member 19. The bracket is ance with lateral curvatures of the series of 60 mounted upon a rod 30 arranged to extend insoles.

transversely over the work. The several 2. The method of cutting sheet materlal brackets 29 for the several cutters may be for reinforcing lnsoles conslstlng n drawing fastened at the desired position upon a rod the material in a continuous rectilinear path '30, each bracket being'provided' with a setedge-wlse against a cutter, positioning inscrew 31 for this purpose. The arms 18 are soles in a row upon the material before it 1 arvae-es reaches the cutter, and moving the cutter relative to the movement of the material to cut a series of reverse curves in accordance wlth lateral curvatures of the lnsoles 1n the row.

ters, attaching insoles for simultaneousmovement with the material, and cutting the material from end to end along lines deter in rows end to end upon a sheet of adhesively coated reinforcing material, renderlng the mined by lateral curvatures of the marmaterial adhesive to secure the insoles, and

utilizing the rows of insoles as a guide for cutting the material into strips along reversely curved lines simulating lateral curvatures of the rows of insoles.

6. The method of preparing insoles for reinforcing, consisting in sticking a series of insoles in rows to a sheet of reinforcing fabric, then feeding the series of insoles while stuck to the fabric, and thereafter cutting the sheet into strips along lines extending substantially equidistant between'adjacent rows of insoles, substantially as de scribed.

7, The method of preparing insoles for reinforcing, consisting in sticking insoles end to end in a series of rows to a sheet of reinforcing fabric and cutting the sheet continuously from end to end into strips along reversely curved lines extend-ing substant'ially equidistant between adjacent rows of insoles, substantially as described.

8. The method of cutting sheet material for reinforcing insoles comprising, positioning the insoles on the material in rows with the ball portion of the insole in one row opposite the shank portion of the insole in an adjacent row, feeding the material against a cutter, and moving the cutter relatively to the line of feed to form a serpentine path which is approximately determined by lateral curvatures of opposed marginal portions of the insoles in adjacent rows.

9. The method of preparing reinforcing 'material for insoles consisting in feeding a 3. The method of cutting sheet material reinforcing material with an adhesive side thereon against a cutter treating the reinforcing material to make it adhesive, placing insoles upon the adhesive material, pressing the insoles to secure them to the material, and cutting the material in a path determined by marginal portions of the adhering insoles.

10. The method of preparing insoles for reinforcing consisting in feeding a sheet of sticky reinforcing fabric with rows of insoles adhering theteto, dividing the fabric between the rows into strips having edges of serpentine outline, and then laterally forcing apart the strips so cut to prevent entangling, substantially as described.

11. The method of preparing insoles for reinforcing consisting in sticking insoles end to end in a series of rows to a sheet of rein.- forcing fabric, alternate rows having the toes of the insoles pointed in opposite directions, and then cutting the sheet into strips along lines lying between the rows of insoles, and'simulating lateral curvatures of their marginal portions, substantially as described. 1

12. The method of preparing insoles for reinforcing consisting in sticking insoles end to end in a series vof rows to a sheet of reinforcing fabric, dividing the fabric into strips having edges of serpentine outline, by cutting between the rows, and then dividing the strips into single blanks by severing them transversely at one end of each insole, substantially as described.

13.".The method of, preparing insoles for reinforcing consisting in sticking insoles to a sheet of reinforcingfabric arranged heel to tOe ina series of rows each heel overlapping the toe of the next adjacent sole in the row, dividing the fabric into strips by cutting between the rows, and then cutting the strips transversely into single blanks across the toe of each insole, substantially as described.

14. The method of reparing insoles for reinforcing consisting in feeding forward a sheet of adhesively coated reinforcing fabric, sticky side up, then'laying lipped insoles, lip side down, on said fabric, heel to toe'ln a serles 'of rows, insoles in adjacent rows having balls opposite shanks, leaving exposed a sinuous strip of fabric between ing material into two or more strips, and. In testimony whereof I have afiixed. my moving the adjacent cutters alternately tosignature, in presence of two Witnesses. a, Ward and from one another transverse to THOMAS J. BALL. the line of relative movement of the web and Witnesses:

5 cutters to make each pair of cuts alternately I M. B. MAY,

diverge and converge. 1 P. W. PEzzE'r'rL

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