US1297605A - Sole-flexing machine. - Google Patents

Description

Patent-ed Mar.- 18,1919..

3 SHEETS-SHEET l- W. C. STEWART. SQLE FLEXING NIACHlNE. APPucATxoN mso JULY 26 ma lvzzar.

W. C. STEWART.

SOLE FLEXING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 26. |913.

1,297,605. Patented Mar. 18,1919.

A3 sufrir-SHEET 2.

W. C. STEWART.

SOLE FLEXING MACHINE.

APPLlcArloN Fx,LED1uLY.2e.191a.

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y has been givento the sole.

,TED srnrns rarnivr ornron.

WILLIAM C. STEWART, OF SWAT/IP'SCOT'I, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE IASSIGNMENTS, TO UNITED SHOE MACHINERY CORPORATION, OF PATERSON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY. .Y

SOLE-FLEXING- MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 1s, V1919.

Application filed July ze, 1913. serial No. rsiaez.

chines of the type which are constructed and arranged to bend or flex the 'sole a number of times to impart flexibility thereto.

In the operation of rendering the sole flexible by repeated bending, itis obviously essential that the sole be bent to a considerable extent during the sole flexing operation, so as to exert a considerable strain on the bers of the stock. Machines of this class as heretofore devised have been constructed to bend the sole to the same extent during each action of the bending means, and since tlieleather is comparatively stii and brittle when it is introduced into the inachine,'the sole is often broken or injured during the first part of the flexingoperation.

One object of the invention is to produce a sole flexing machine of the above type in which the sole may be rendered flexible by repeated bending without liability' of breaking or injuring the sole. With this object in view, one feature of the invention contemplates the provision of sole bending devices constructed and arranged to increase progressively the extent to which the sole is bent during successive actions of the bending devices. By reason of this construction and arrangement of the bending devices, the sole may be bent to a relatively slight extent during the first part ofthe flexing operation when it is Vstiff and brittle and liable to be broken, and the extent of the bending of the sole during each succeeding action of t-he bending devices may be increased step by step until the vdesired degree o-f iiexibility Another object of the invention is to produceV a simple and eflicient sole Hexing machine of the type referred to which requires little skill, care yor attention the operator, U

' Other features of the'invent-lon consist of on the part of certain constructions, arrangements and combinations of parts, the advantages of. which will be understood by those skilled in the art` from the following description.

In the accompanying drawings a machine is illustrated which embodies the various featuresof the invention in the best form at present known to the inventor, but it is to be understood that except as ldefined in the claims, the invention is not limited to any particular machlne'or type of machine, or

Vto anyrparticular construction or arrangement of parts.

In the drawings illustrating a machineV 1 embodying4 the invention in its` preferred form, Figure l is a front elevation of the upper portion of the machine, with-a part of the frame broken away; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the upper portion of the machine, illustratingcertain of the parts in different positions from those in which they appear in Fig. l; Fig. 3 is a plan of the machine; and Fig. 4 isa side elevation of the lower portion of the machine illustrating particularly the clutch mechanism for connecting the drivingl shaftrwith and for disconnecting it fromthe source of power.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the machine comprises 'devices for engaging di'erent portions of the detached sole which, is to be rendered flexible, and

means for relatively moving said devices a number of times in the same direction tov impart flexibility thereto. During the sole bendingoperation the sole is held in operative'position relative to the bending devices by suitably actuated gripping jaws. The gripping devices forholding the sole during the sole bending operation comprises a fixed jaw l (Figs. l and 2) on which the sole rests,

formed upon the end of a horizontal arm 2" onthe frame of the machine, and a movable jaw 3 formed at the end of the horizontal 1.- To close'the jaw 3 on the sole'the vertical arm 6 of the bell crank'lev'er ls-.6 is

connected at its extremity with the inner end Y ofV a rod 7 (Fig. 1') which extends through a perforation in a lever` 8 pivoted on the@V stud 5. A coiled spring 9 surrounds Athe rod 7 and is interposed between the lever 8 anda thumb nut 10V threaded on the outer end `of said rod. The jaw 3 of the gripping device is moved toward and from the jaw 1 by means of a toggle connecting the lower end of the lever 8 with a rock shaft 11 journaled in the frame of the machine. toggle comprises pivotally connected links 12 and 13, of which the link 12 is pivotally connected with the lower end of the lever 8, and the link 13is fixed to the shaft 11. When the toggle is broken, as illustrated inFig. 1, the movable jaw of the gripping device -is maintained out of gripping relation with the fiXed jaw. TWhen the toggle is straightened, as shown in Fig. 2,

the movable jaw of the gripping device is brought down on the sole which has been placed on the jaw 1, and is thereby securely held in operating position. constructed and arranged so that movement imparted to the movable jaw by the straightening of the toggle is sufiicient to grip a sole of minimum thickness between the jaws. Incase thek sole is of such thickness that the movable jaw of the gripping device engages the sole before the toggle is straightened, the coiled spring 9 yields and permits a relative movement between the lever 8 and the arm 6 of thebell crank lever, and under such a condition the movable jaw of tliegripping device is held in yielding engagement with the sole. To operate the toggle, a second arm 14 is fixed to the rock shaft 11 and is connected with the treadle 15 (Fig. 4) by means of the treadle rod 16. A suitably connected spring 17 lifts the treadle rod when the treadle is released. rl`he depression of the treadle will operate to rock the shaft 11 in a directionto straighten the toggle and cause the jaws of the gripping device to grip the sole between them. l/Vhen the treadle is released and the treadle rodis moved upwardly by the spring 17, the toggle is broken and the movable jaw of the lgripping device is moved away from the sole, thus releasing it.

f The sole engaging Vand bending devices compriseva partial cylinder or roll 18 (Figs. 1 to 3) carried atthe end of andpreferably formed integral with the arm 2. rlhis Y partial cylinder or roll forms a continuation of the jaw 1, and thus is adapted to 'engage thelower face of the sole as it lies between the Vjaws ofthe gripping device. f ,A second sole engaging device, preferably consisting of'a roll 19, is arranged to engage the upper face of the sole as it lies between the gripping jaws, and is mounted for movement about the aXis of the partial roll or cylinder 18 to bend the portion of the sole projecting beyond said partial roll away`v from the plane of the body of the sole. The supporting mechanism for the roll 19 com-Y This The parts are prises a rock shaft'20 journaled in and centrally located with relation tothe partial roll 18, having arms 21 and 22 secured to its opposite ends provided at'their upper extremities with bearings in which is journaled a shaft 23, on which is carried a frame 24 in which the roll 19 is mounted. The frame 24 is provided with upper arms 25 and 26 (Fig. 3), through which the shaft 23 passesY loosely, and with depending arms 27 in which a shaft, carrying the roll 19, is j ournaled. f

During the operation ofthe machine the shaft 2O is rocked to swing the roll 19 about the partial roll 18. The arms 21 and 22 are providedwith stops, one of which isv shown at 28 in Fig. 1, and theframe 24is provided with shoulders 29 opposed-to and arranged to be engaged by the stops 28. The frame 24 and the roll 19 carried thereby are normally held in the position illustrated in Fig. 1 with relation to the arms 21 `and 22,

with the shoulders 29 engaging the stops 28,l by means of a coiled spring 3(1)l surrounding the shaft 23 and securedk at one extremity toV ward end of the shaft 20, the teeth of which gear mesh with the teeth of a toothed segment 35 carried upon the end of an arm 36 secured to a rock shaft 37 journaled in the frame of the machine. A second arm 38 is secured to the shaft 37Vand is pivotallyconnected at its free end with a pitman 39 extending 'from an eccentric strap 40 surrounding an eccentric 41 on the driving shaft 42 of the machine. By means of this mechanism the rotation of the main shaft 42 will oscillate the arm 36, and the segment 35 carried thereby and thus swing the roll 19 back and forth about the partial roll 18.

In operating upon a detached sole, theV sole is placed between the jaws of the gripping device with the forward portion of the sole extending to the left (Fig. 1)-be youd the partial roll 18. The position of the sole with relation rto the sole bending device is determined by a gage 43 against which the heel end of the so-le is placed, locating it between the jaws of the gripping device. This gage is arranged to extend over the surface of the table 44 formed by the portion of the frame to the rear of the sole gripping jaws, and is mounted for adjustment toward and from the partial'roll 18 so that the distance which thesole projectsbeyond said rollwhen located in bending .position may be varied to accommodate soles of varying lengths. In-order that the gage 43 may beadj usted in this manner, and

securely held in adjusted position, it is pro vided with a downwardly extending portion which is grooved to receive airib 45 onxthe Y the initial position ofthe roll V19 with rela.

tionrto the partialfroll 18. When the roll 19 is swung downwardly about` the partial roll 18, the roll 19 will. engage the portion of the soleprojecting beyond the partial roll 18 and bend it about said partial roll, as illustrated in Fig. 2. During the swinging movement of fthetroll 19 about the par-il tial roll 18, the resistanceof the solek to the movement of the roll 19 will overcome the tension of the spring 30 and will, therefore,

cause the roll 19 to swing outwardly about the shaft 23 against the tension ofy the spring. Fig. 2 illustrates in dotted lines the positionof the roll-19 duringvr the earlier part of the sole iexingoperation, when itV has been turned to some, extent about the shaft 23 by the resistance-ofthe sole toits pressure.

Each time that the roll 19. isgswungabout the partial roll 18 theresistance of the. sole@ to the swinging movement of theroll 19 is less than during the previous swinging movement of saidroll, because of the increase in the flexibility lof, the sole,y and the roll 19 willswing to a greater' extent about the partial roll 18, and bend the'sole to a greater degree. thanl during its previous movement (seethe two positions of the roll and the sole shownl in Fig( 2). 4 The move? ment of `theroll 19 with relation to the roll 18, and thejextenft` to which the sole is bent,

therefore increases p-rogressively as thesole flexing operation progresses. During each step in the flexing operation the spring 30 yields before the sole is rbent to an. extent suiicient tobrealr` or injure the sole. The

sole is bent to a relatively'slight degreeduring the firstpart o-f the flexing operation when it is comparatively lstiffand brittle, and step by stepthe extentto ywhichrit is bent in each action ofthebending devices is increased imtil thesole has .acquired the desired degree of flexibility The'spring 30y deteiniines the v maximum bending force A apr t plied to the sole during the sole exing opeV the cap 51. A brake member 54 is mounted eration, and this force may belvariedvto suit the particular sole being operated upon n by varying the tension of the spring,y This may jlbe accomplished Yby rotating the shaftk 23 in aleft-handdirection, Fig.` 1, thewengagement of the pawl 32 with the ratchetv wheel 33 operatingl to maintain the spring.

under the tension-for which it has been set.

In the present invention, mechanism is provided which actsautomatically to arrest the relative movement ofthe sole bendingY devices when the desired degree of'flexibility of the sole has been attained.` With l l The rotation of the main shaft `ofthe machine is controlled by a suitable clutch which is arranged to be engaged to start the` machine when the treadle is depressed. The

Y clutch mechanismfor the driving sha/ft (see Fig. 4) comprisesa driven yclutch member- 48 fixe-d to the drivingv shaft 42, and a driving clutch member 49 which consists ofa pulley arranged Yfor connection with any suitable source of power and provided with a clutchsurface which is arranged to engage y the opposed clutch surface of the clutch member V48. The pulley 49 `is. journaled upon a bushing 50 which is loosely mounted on the shaft 42 `and is vmovable longitudinally of the shaft. Theouter endof the hubof the pulley 49 is engagedby a dish-shaped cap 51, and the pulley is forced over into clutching engagement with the clutch member 48 by means of-lcoiled-springs 52, seated in suitable recesses .in a member 53 secured, to the end of the shaft 42, thejspringsengaging an outwardly` projecting rflange on upon the shaft 42 toy rotate therewith, but is arranged to slide longitudinally ofthe the machine. The mechanismv forI controlling'the clutch and vbrake is so` arranged that upon the depression ofthe treadlelthe clutch is engaged and the brake is disen-` gaged, and when the treadle is released and is moved upwardly by the spring 17 the4 clutch will be disengaged and the brake engagedjo stop the machine. This control-z ling' mechanism comprises apin56 (Fig. 4)

-shaft intoi and out ,of lengagement withv a fixed brakeshoe55 secured to the frameof,l

mountedV in the clutch member 48 to slide in` l `a directionlongitudinally of thjeshaftf 42y and 4provided with a head 57 :arranged-to f engage the inner end of the bushing50. The

-pin 56 is held from turning movement in` the ,clutch member .48.,in any convenient manner. The inner end of the pin 56`is formed with an inclined face (see Fig. 4), and an arm 58 having a complemental inclined face is fixed to a shaft 59 and ar-.`

ranged so'that its upper end may be swung ("i'nto a'positionadjacent the shaft v42 and between the brake member 54 and the path of the'inner end of the pin 56 (see Fig. 1).

Then the treadle is depressed to start the machine the'arm 58 is swung away from the shaft 42 by the engagement of a forwardly projecting lug 60 (Fig. l), upon a collar se-YV cured to the treadle rod 16, with a'late'rally projecting-lug 61 upon a collar 62 'secured' to the shaft 59. When the arm 58 is swung 'away from the yshaft 42, the brake member 54 is disengaged from the brake shoe 55 and the pulley 49 is enabled to be moved by the springs 52 into clutching engagement with the clutclrmember 48. When the treadle is released, and the treadle rod is moved upwardly under the influence of the-spring 17, the arm 58 is swung inwardly to bring its upper end between the brake member 54 and the path of the pin 56 by a coiled spring 63 (Fig. 1) secured at one end to a fixed point on the machine frame, and at the otherv into engagementwith the complemental inclined surface at the end of the arm 58, and the pin 56 will be moved to the right, Fig. 4, through the clutch member 48, thereby forcing the pulley 49 out of clutching engagement with the clutch member 48. The shaft 59 is arranged for a slight longitudinal movement in lits bearings, and the thrust of the pin 56 against the outer inclined face of thearm 58 will force said arm in a direction to engage the brake member 54 with the brake shoe 55 to stop the machine.

In order that after the machine is started the relative movement of the sole bending devices may'continue until the desired degree of flexibility of the sole is attained, -and that their movement may then be arrested,

means is provided 'which acts to maintain the engagement of the members ofthe driving clutch, after the treadle has been dey pressed to engage said clutch members and start the machine, until a certain degree of flexibility has been imparted to the sole, and which is then actuated to permit the mechanism by which the clutch members are disengaged and the brake engaged to act to stop the machine. rlhis means comprises an arm 65 (Figs. 1 and 2) secured to the rock shaft 11 and provided at its end with a recess 66 arranged to receive a roll 67 carried at the end of the arm 68 of a bell crank lever treadle is depressed to start the machine, the

arm 66 is lifted and the bell crank lever 68-69 is actuated by a spring 71 to bring the roll V67 beneath the recess at the end-of Vthe arm 65. The engagementof the roll 67 insaid recess will retain the parts of the mechanism for actuating the clutch in position tov maintain the Vclutch Vmembers in engagement, and the machine will continue to operate as long as the roll 67 is in engagement with the recess 66. During the sole flexing operation the resistance of the'sole to the-movement of the roll 19 aboutthe 'partial roll 18 gradually diminishes as the sole'increases in'flexibility, and the movement of the roll 19 about the roll 18 increases, since the roll 195is swungV to a less degree about the lshaft k23 during each suc# cessive movement. A'roll 72 (Figs. 2 andy 3) is mounted upon theouter end of the shaft upon which the rroll 19 is journaled,

and the arm 69 of thelbell crank lever 68-69 is provided with a curved extremity, as shown in Figspl and 2, which extends into a position to be engaged by the roll l7 2 when the roll 19 reaches va predetermined position in its movements. about the roll 18,V

or when the degree of flexibility of the sole Y predetermined by the adjustment ofthe spring 30 hasbeen attained. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the engagement of the roll 72 with the arm 69 occurs when the resistance of the sole is not suliicient to overcome the pressure of the spring 30. The engagement of the roll 7 2 with the arm 69 will lift this arm and swing the bell crank lever 68*69 in a direction to release the roll 67 from therecess 66. -When members of the driving clutch `and the engagement of the members of thebrake, vto stop the machine. v v

l/Vhil'e it is preferred to employ the specific construction and arrangement ofthe parts .shown and described, since this construction Vand arrangement is the simplest and most efficient embodiment of the invention which has yet been devised, it will be understood that this construction and arrangement is not essential except so' far as specified in the claims, and may be varied or modified without departing fromthe broader features Vof the invention.

Having explained thenature and object `of the inventiomand specifically described one form of machine in which it'may be embodied, what is claimed is 1.` A sole flexing machine, having, in combination, means for supporting a sole', and

sole bending devices for repeatedly turning izo or bending'a portion ofthe sole at an angle Yto another portion thereof acting to decrease kprogressively the angle betweenv themsaid n portions'of the,` sole as the operationrproy lgresses'whereby the extent to which the sole i is bent is progressively increased. 2. A sole flexing machine, having, in combination, sole supporting means-and coperating devices for 'repeatedly 'turningYK ora bending-one portion of the sole at'anangle to another portion thereof, constructed and -arranged to increase progressively the extent rone portion of the soleat an angle to another portion thereof, constructed and arranged to,

increase progressivelyY the extentto which the tivo portions of the sole arek relatively Y turned or bent as the sole flexing operation Y bent to a predetermined extentby the bend-1l ing devices.

progresses, and means for arresting the sole yflexing operation when a predetermined degree of flexibility has been imparted to the sole. 1

. 4. Asole flexing machina-having, in combination, sole supporting means, cooperating devices for repeatedly turning or bending one portion of the sole atan angle to another portion thereof, constructed and arranged to increase progressively the lextent to which,

the two portions of the sole are relatively turned or bent 'as the ysole flexing operation progresses, and means for arresting the sole flexing o eration when the sole has been 5. A sole bination, relatively movable sole engaging devices, means for imparting successive relative movements to said devices to bend the sole repeatedly, and means for causing a variation in the relative movement of said devices in successive actions thereof to increase progressively the degree to which the sole is bent as the sole increases in flexibility.

6. A sole flexing machine, having, in combination, relatively movable sole bending devices, means for relatively moving said devices successively to bend the sole repeatedly, means foi-'causing a variation in the relative movement of said devices as the flexing operation progresses to increase progressively the extent to which the sole is bent, and means to arrest the operation 'of the machine when a predetermined degree of flexibility has been imparted to the sole.

7 A sole flexing machine, having, incombination, relatively movable sole engaging devices, means for relatively moving said devices successively to bend the sole repeatedly, and means for causing a progressive flexing machine, having, in comincreasein the` relative movementof said devices vas the sole llexing operation progresses to increase progressively the extent toiwhich the soleis bentg, i

8. A sole flexing rmachine, having, in bination, devices for engagingazsolearranged for relative movement to bend the V sole, means for successively moving saiddevices lrelatively to each other;l to, bend .the sole repeatedly, means `for causingy a pro- Agressive increase in the extent of thecrelative movement of said devices to increase progressively the extent to which vthe sole is Ybent Vas the sole increases in flexibility, and I' means acting automatically to arrest the operation of the machine when the relative movement ofsaid devices hasy reached a'pre- Y 'determined extent. f Y

9. A sole flexing machine, having, in com? #bination, sole engaging devices arranged for relative movement to y bend the sole, means for successively moving said -devices relatively -to each otherto bend thevsolerepeatby said devices.

10. A sole lexing machine, having, incomvvbination, relatively movable soleengaging devices, means foryfrelatively moving said I devices successively to; bend theI solefrepeatbination, sole engaging devices, means for relatively moving said devices' successively `tobend-the vsole repeatedly,`a spring to permit one of said devices to yield to the resistance of the sole during their relative movement and thereby cause a progressive increase in the extent to which the sole'is ibent as the sole increases in flexibility, and

means acting automatically to arrest the operation of the machine when the sole is bent to a predetermined extent by said devices.

12. A sole flexing machine, having, in combination, relatively movable sole engaging devices, means for relatively moving said devices to bend the sole, a spring arranged to permit one of said devices toyield to the resistance of the sole during the relative movement lof said devices, and means whereby the tension of the spring may be adjusted.

13. A sole flexing machine, having, in combination, a sole engaging member having a convex face, nieans for holding the sole in position with one face thereof resting on said member, and with a portion thereof projecting freely beyond said member, a device for engaging the portion of the sole beyond said member, and means for moving said device successively with relation to said 'edly, and means for determining -the maximum bending force toubefapplied to the sole member to bend the free projecting portion of the sole repeatedly about the convex face vof said member. l

14. A sole flexingV machine, having, in combinatioma sole'engaging member, means f vfory holdingcthe sole in position with one face thereof resting on said member, and

with a portionthereof projectingfreely beyond said member, a device for engaging the free projecting portion of the sole, means for vmoving said' device successively with relation to said member to bend the free pro- A jecting portion of the solerepeatedly at an freely beyond the roll, a shaft -arranged coaxially with the roll, a device for engaging the free lprojecting portion of the sole supported on said shaft, and means for moving said device successively about the axis of the roll to bend the portion of the sole engaged thereby repeatedly about the roll, comprising a gear fast on said shaft,`a gear Y segment meshing With said gear, and means for oscillating said gear segment. l 16. A sole flexing machine, having in coin-4 bination, relatively movableI sole engaging devices, means for relatively moving said devices to bend the sole, a spring arranged to permit one of said devices to yield to theresistance of the sole Aduring the relative movement of said devices, atripping member moving -With the latter device, a trip lever .arranged to be actuated by the tripping member when a predetermined degree of flexibility has been imparted to the.l sole, and means controlled by the trip lever/for arresting the operation of the machine when thetrip lever is actuated by the tripping member. i f

17. VA sole flexing machine, having in` combination, a sole engaging member having a j convex face, means for holding thes'ole in position with one face thereof restingon said member and with a portion thereof pro- Y jecting freely beyond saidvmember, a device;

for engaging the portion ,of the sole projecting beyond said member pivoted to swing about the convex face of said member, means for swinging said device successively about j the sole repeatedly, a spring arranged to Y permit'said device to yield to the, resistance .of the sole during its sole bending movelthe `convex face of said member t0 bend' ment, a tripping member mountedto move l with said device, a triplever arranged to be actuated by said tripping `member when a predetermined degree of flexibility has been imparted tothe sole, and means controlled by the trip lever for arresting the operation of the machine when the trip lever is actuated by the tripping member.

WILLIAM c. sTEwAivr.l j Witnesses: Y

iCniEsTnR E. ROGERS, i'

RUTH E. WARD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained'for iive'centseach, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. C

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