US1976841A

US1976841A - Last centering device

Info

Publication number: US1976841A
Application number: US534831A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ernest W Durkee
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1931-05-04
Filing date: 1931-05-04
Publication date: 1934-10-16
Anticipated expiration: 1951-10-16

Description

Oct. 16, 1934. E, w. DURKEE LAST CENTERING DEVICE Filed May 4, l93l 3 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 16, 1934. E. w DURKEE LAST CENTERING DEVICE .v Filed May 4, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 4, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ,Ziiv622%r Patented Oct. 16, 1934 LAST CENTERING DEVICE Ernest W. Durkee, Lynn, Mass.

Application May 4, 1931, Serial No. 534,831

Claims.

My present invention relates to centering devices, and more particularly to a novel and improved apparatus or device for use in centering and marking lasts or analogous articles.

When lasts are to be repaired, rebuilt, re-

modeled, or the like, to such an extent that turning operations are required, it is necessary that the lasts be centered in the turning lathe in exact accordance with the centering of the model last to which the last being operated upon must conform. Heretofore it has been necessary to rely mainly upon the skill of the operator in centering these lasts in the lathe, and this, of course, has been an unsatisfactory method, resulting in failure to secure the last contours desired.

' This has been particularly true when major changes are to be made in the existing form of a last, as for example, when rebuilding lasts in accordance with the method illustrated and described in my prior and copending application, 'Ser. No. 516,326, filed Feb. 17, 1931. As described in said application, a substantial portion of the forepart of a last is removed, and a rough block affixed to the remainder of the forepart, said forepart and block being then turned to conform to the shape, size, and contour of the model last representing the finished size, shape and contour of the last being remodeled or rebuilt.

An important object of the present invention, therefore, resides in the provision of a centering device which may be adjusted to the predetermined centers of the model last, said centers of course defining the axis of rotation in the turning lathe, and which device may then be utilized to center-punch all succeeding lasts which are to be conformed to the model or master last to which the centering device has been adjusted.

Another object of the invention residesin the provision of a centering device wherein all essential parts are readily adjustable within a wide range, so that my novel centering device may be utilized to center-punch lasts of substantially any'size or shape.

Other objects and features or the invention redevice;

side in the novel details of construction of my.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of said device;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view on the 44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view on the 55 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view on the 6-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional detail, on an 6 enlarged scale, on the line 7-7 of Fig. i;

Fig. 8 is a rear elevation or" a last centerpunched by my device;

Fig. 9 is a perspective View of a rough last toe-punched by my device; and 7 Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view illustrating a modified form of toe-punch.

Referring now to the drawings, for a particu lar description of the invention, its construction and operation, 1 designates a bed or base to which is affixed a block 2 by bolts 3 said block having a Wall 4 projecting vertically therefrom and provided with a track 5 along which extends a slot 6. Vertically slidable on the track 5, and dovetailed thereover, is a headstock 7, 86 the vertical movement of the headstock 7 being controlled by a feed screw 8 fixed at its lower end to the block 2 and having a knurled handle or knob 9 at its upper end, the screw 8 being threaded through the headstock 7. Thus rotation of the knob 9 will effect a raising or lowering of the headstock 7 and of the punches 10 carried thereby.

When the headstock 7 has reached the desired position, it may be clamped in said pcsi- 9 tion by means of the screw 11 and knurled knob 12. The punches 10 are formed on a cap 13 'pivotally mounted at 14 to the reduced end 15 of a rod 16, the cap 13 being provided with a recess 17 ofsufiiciently greater size than the 9 diameter of the reduced end 15 to permit rocking of the cap 13 thereon, the adjusting screws 18 limiting the rocking movement of the cap 13.

The rod 16 is longitudinally slidable in a plug 19 which has side walls 20 projecting beyond the headstock 7, the inner edges of said projecting ends being beveled as at 21 to form a throat, the punches 10 being located substantially centrally of said throat. The plug 19 is held against movement in the headstock 7 by means of a set screw 22.

Pinned to the reduced end of the rod 16 is a head 24, and a spring 25 surrounds the rod 16 and is confined between the inner end of the head 24 and the plug 19, said spring normally line line

line

forcing said head away from the plug 19 and retaining the punches 10 housed between the side walls 20, movement in that direction being limited by engagement of the cap 13 with the plug 19.

A post 26 has a reduced threaded end 27 depending through the bed 1 and a nut 28 secures said post to said bed a desired distance in front of the headstock 7, the post 26 constituting a support for the heel of a last.

Provided in the bed 1 is a dovetailed groove 29, and held in said groove and to the bed 1 by screws 30 is a pillow-block 31 constituting a support for the reduced end 32 of a feed screw 33, a collar 34 being fixed to the reduced end 32 to prevent longitudinal movement of the feed screw 33. The other end of the feed screw 33 is reduced as at 35 and is supported in a bearing 36 fixed to the bed 1 by screws 37, a collar 38 and knurled head 39, together with the washer 40 preventing longitudinal displacement of the feed screw 33 at this end.

Dovetailed in the groove 29 and slidable therein and on the upper surface of the bed 1 is a block 41 having a vertically extending wall 42 and track 43 on which is slidable a tailstock 44, the wall 42 being provided with an elongated slot 45 and a clamping screw 46 extending through said slot and into the tailstock 44, the knurled handle 47 permitting clamping of the tailstock 44 on the wall 42 in any desired ad justed position.

Fixed in the tailstock 44 by a wing nut .48 is a sleeve 49, a cover plate 50 being fixed to the tailstock by screws 51. Slidable in the sleeve 49 is a rod 52 having atoe-punch 53 at one end thereof, and a head 54 at the other end thereof, said head being secured to said rod by a screw 55.

A coiled spring 56 surrounds the rod 52 and is confined between the head 54 and sleeve 49, normally tending to force the head 54 away from said sleeve, a collar 57 adjacent to the toe-punch 53 limiting said movement.

The tailstock 44 is vertically adjustable on the.

61 permits rotation of the screw 58 to feed the tailstock 44 vertically on the wall 42 and track 43 to adjust said tailstock and the toe-punch 53 to any desired height.

Dovetailed in the groove 29 between the headstock and tailstock, and also resting on the bed 1, is a block 62, said block having a lateral pro jection 63 through which is threaded a feed, screw 64, said feed screw being supported at its ends in bosses 65 projecting laterally from the bed 1. Rotation of the feed screw 64is efiected by means or" a knurled handle 66, and said feed screw is held against longitudinal displacement by said handle and by a collar 67 pinned to the opposite end oi": said screw. The block 62 has a vertical internally threaded boss 68 in which is threaded a screw 59, a nut being located on said screw adjacent to said boss. The upper end of the screw 69 threaded into the bottom of a transverse bed 71, and by manipulation of the nut 70 the height of the transverse bed 71relative to the longitudinal bed 1 maybe varied.

Also threaded through the transverse bed 71 is a pair of posts 72, nuts 73 being fixed to the lower end of saidposts, which posts constitute supports for the bottom of the forepart of a last,

said posts being independently vertically adjustable.

Dovetailed into a groove 74 in the transverse bed 71 is a pair of

brackets

75 and 76, these brackets being united by a feed screw 77 operable by a knurled handle 78 to effect simultaneous movement of the

brackets

75 and 76 toward or from each other.

Threaded through the bracket 75 is a screw 79 having a rounded end 80 on one end thereof, and a flat disc-like head 81 on the opposite end. The screw 79 may be adjusted inwardly and cutwardly with respect to the bracket 75, and when adjusted to desired position is held in said adjusted position by means of a wing nut 82. Threaded through the other bracket 76 is a screw '83 having a rounded end 84 and a disc-like head 85, this screw 83 being likewise adjustable in the bracket 76 and being held in adjustable position by the wing nut 86. Longitudinal movement of thefeed screw 77 is prevented by means of a collar 87 located on the inner side of a plate 88 which is fixed to the transverse bed 71 by means of screws 89, the handle 78 being pinned to the feed screw 77 on the opposite side of said plate 88.

The operation of my present novel centering device is simple and will be readily understood by those skilled in this art, being briefly described as follows:

Assuming that it is desired to remodel several lasts, such as the last 90 illustrated in Fig. 9, which has had a major portion of its forepart removed, and the rough block 91 aflixed thereto.

The operator takes the model last, illustrated in same with its heel resting on the post 26, then 1 adjusts the two posts 72 vertically relatively to the post 26 so that the last is lying in such a position that the toe and heel punches, when properly adjusted, will register and aline with the marks on said model. is rotated to loosen the screw 11 and the handle 9is rotated to feed the headstock 7 vertically, either up or down, until the throat formed by the side walls 20 is in proper relation with respect to the heel part of the last with the heel punch 10 registered and alined with the center mark on the heel of said model. When this adjusted position has been reached, the screw 11 is tightened by means of the handle 12. The position of the independently adjustable supports 72 may be varied with respect to the length of the last by rotating the feed screw 64 by means of the handle 66funti1 the posts 72 are in the desired Thereupon the handle 12 position beneath the forepart of the last, this.

position being determined by the shape of the forepart and by the size and location of the block 91 on the lasts to be remodeled.

Then either the screw 79 or the screw 83 is operated within its bracket until said screw 79 or the head 85, or both, is in engagement with the side of the last to line the toe of the last in proper registry with the toe-punch 53. Thereupon the block 41 may be moved either toward or from the last by manipulation of the feed screw 33, and the tailstock 44 may be raised or lowered in the same manner as described for the headstock until the toe-punch 53 is in proper alinement and registry with the center marking in' the toe of the model last. Thereupon the operator, holding the last, strikes the .12 by bolts 97.

head 24 and impresses the heel-punches 10 into the heel of the last, and then strikes the head 54, impressing the toe-punch 53 into the toe of the last. The model last is now properly punched for positioning in the lathe as the master or model last.

The parts of my novel centering device are now adjusted to properly center-punch all of the lasts which are to be conformed to the size, shape and contour of the model last. Removing the model last, the operator places the rough last, such as 90, on the bottom supports 26 and 72, and with the heel of the last in the throat formed by the side walls 20, and with the side or sides of the last in engagement with the screw 79, head of the screw 83, or both,

whichever it has been found desirable to adjust for the particular last to be operated upon. With the rough last in position, the operator then repeats the striking of the heads 24 and 54, indenting the punch marks 93 on the heel part of the last 90, and impressing the toepunch recess 94 at the toe part of the last. The rough last 90, which is to be conformed to the master or model 92, is now correctly centerpunched and ready for insertion in the lathe. Thereupon, upon operation of said lathe, the cutter head will conform the last to the size, shape and contour of the model last 92.

Gnce my novel device has been adjusted for a given model 92, it is a matter of but an in stant of time to properly and accurately centerpunch the rough lasts which are to be conformed to said model. Thus, the rebuilding of .lasts is expedited with a consequent saving in .which are to have new heel portions which would interfere with the positioning or centering of the heel portion in the throat of the headstock, I provide arms 95 each provided with an elongated slot 96 and held to the block Thus these arms may be swung downwardly to operative position and may be moved lengthwise with respect to the block 2 by reason of the slots 96. Adjusting screws 98 operable by wing nuts 99 and locked in adjusted :position by lock nuts 100 are provided at the outer ends of the arms 95. If a lasthaving a rough heel portion to be conformed to the master last is placed in the device, the arms 95 are swung to operative position, and the screws 98 threaded inwardly or outwardly, by means of the wing nuts 99, until the inner ends of said screws are in clamping position with the last properly centered in front of the heel punches 10. The other adjustments of the device are the same as heretofore, and the heads 24 and to engage, either one or both of them, the side' or sides or" thelast, and the flat contacting faces of the discs will accommodate a wide range of last sizes without adjustment.

If, however, the forepart of the last is distor-ted, as by the rough block 91, it is desirable to have the screw 79 in the position illustrated in Fig. 1, that is, with the rounded end 80 against the side of the last, with substantially a point contact. For these purposes the

screws

79 and 83 may bereadily reversed in their

brackets

75 and 76.

If changes are to be made only on the heel part. of the last, I may substitute, for the toepunch 53, the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 10, wherein a pair of plates 101 have flaring ends 102 to constitute a throat to receive the toe of the last 103. Slidable between the plates 101 is a rod 104 having a toe-punch 105 thereon, movement 'of the rod 104 being limited by means of the pin 106 riding in the slots 1%? of the plates 101. A coiled spring 108 bearing against the head 109 normally keeps the toepunch 1G5 retracted within the throat formed by the flared ends 102. A wing screw 110 holds the plates 101 in position in the tailstock 44. Thus the throat 102 constitutes an automatic centering device for the toe of the last 103, it being then necessary to adjust the heel portion of the last to proper position to aline the heel punch with the heel centering mark, and to adjust the headstock to proper vertical position to aline the toe punch 105 with the toe centering mark, lateral adjustment being automatically provided for by the throat 162.

The advantages of my novel device, the efficiency thereof, and the benefits and economies obtainable thereby will be instantly apparent to those skilled in this art.

While I have necessarily described my present invention somewhat in detail, it is to be understood the claims are to be construed as broadly as the state of the art permits and it will be appreciated that I may vary the size, shape, and arrangement of parts, within reasonably wide limits without departing from the spirit of the invention.

My device is further described and defined in the form of claims as follows:

1. In a device of the kind described, a plurality of last supports, heel-punching means, a support therefor, means to effect vertical adjustment of said heel-punching means, toe-punching means, a support therefor, means to effect vertical adjustment of said toe-punching means, said heel and toe punching means being adapted to gauge and mark on a last the axis of rotation thereof, and means to effect longitudinal movement of said toe-punching means and its support relative to said last.

2. In a device of the kind described, a plurality of last supports, a plurality of abutments to engage the sides of. a last, means to effect adjustment of said abutments laterally with respect to said last, heel punching means, means to effect vertical movement of said heel punching means, toe punching means, a support therefor, means to effect vertical adjustment of said toe punching means on its support, and means to effect adjustment of said toe punching means and its support longitudinally with respect to said last, sad heel and toe punching means being adapted to gauge and mark on a last the axis of rotation thereof.

3. In a device of the kind described, a plurality of last supports, a plurality of abutments to engage the sides of a last, means to effect longitudinal movement'of said abutments relative to said last, means to effect movement of said abutments laterally with respect to said last, heel punching means, means to eifect vertical adjustment of said heel punching means, toe punching means, a support thereof, means to effect longitudinal movement of said toe punching means and its support relative to said last,

and means to effect vertical movement of said toe punching means on its support, said heel and toe punching means being adapted to gauge and mark on a last the axis of rotation thereof.

4. In a device of the kind described, a plurality of last supports, a plurality of abutments to engage the sides of a last, means to effect longitudinal adjustment of said abutments relative to said last, heel punching means, means to effect vertical movement of said gheel punching means, toe punching means, a support there of, means to effect vertical movement of said toe punching means on its support, means to effect longitudinal movement of said toe puncha plurality of supports for the forepart of the last, means to effect vertical adjustment ofsaid forepart supports, a standard on said bed, a heel punch carried thereby, means to effect vertical movement of said heel punch on its support, a second standard on said bed, a toe punch carried thereby, means to effect movement of said toe punch and its standardlongitudinally of said bed, said bed having a groove therein on its upper surface, a block mounted in said groove, means to effect longitudinal movement of said block, a pair of abutments carried. by said block and adapted to engage the sides of a last, and

means to effect lateral movementof said abut ments.

6. A last centering device, comprising a bed, a post projecting vertically from said bed and con.- stituting asupport for the heel of thelast, a plurality of supports for the forepart of the last,

means to effect vertical adjustment o fsaid fore part supports, a standard on said bed, a heel' punch carried thereby, means to effect vertical movement of said heel punch on its'support, a

second standard on said bed, a toe punch carried thereby, means to effect movement of sad toe punch and its standard longitudinally of said bed,

said bed having a groove therein on its upper surface, a block mounted in said groove, means to, effect longitudinal movement of said block, a pairof abutments carried by said block and adapted to engage the sides of a last, and means to effect independent lateral movement of said abutments. i

7. A last centering device, comprising 'a bed, a post projecting vertically from said bed and constituting a support for the heel of the last, a

plurality of supports for the forepart of the last,

means to effect vertical adjustment of said fore-.

part supports, a standard on said bed, a heel punch carried thereby, means to effect vertical movement of said heel punch on its. support, .a second standard on said bed, a toe punch carried thereby, means to effect movement of said toe punch and its standard longitudinally of said bed, said bed having a groove thereinon. its

upper surface, a blockrmounted in said groove, means to effect longitudinal movement of said block, a pair of abutments carried by said block and adapted to engage the sides of a last, and means to effect independent lateral movement of said abutments, said forepart supports being carried by said block and movable longitudinally therewith. Y

8. Alast centering device, comprising a bed, apostrprojecting vertically from said bed and constituting a support for the heel of the last, aplurality of supports for the forepart of the last, means to effect vertical adjustment of said forepart supports, a standard on said bed, a heel punch carried thereby, means to effect vertical movement of said .heel punch on its support, a second standard on said bed, a toe punch carried thereby, means to effect movement of said toe punch and its standard longitudinally of said bed, said bed having agroove therein on its upper surface, a block mounted in said groove, means to effect longitudinal movement of said block, a-pair of abutments carried by said block and adapted to engage the sides of a last, means to effect lateral movement of said abutments, and resilient means to normally maintain said heel punch and said toe punch in retracted position in their supports.

9. A last centering device, comprising a bed, a post projectingvertically from said bed and constituting a support for the heel of the last, a plurality of supports for the forepart of the last, means to effect vertical adjustment of said forepart supports, a standard on said bed, a heel punch carried thereby, means to effect vertical movement of said heel punch on its support, a second standard on said bed, a toe punch carried thereby, means to automatically center the toe part of a last laterally with respect to said toe punch, means to effect movement of said toe punch and its standard longitudinally of said bed, said bed having a groove therein on its upper surface, a block mounted in said groove, means to effect longitudinal movement of said block, a pair of abutments carried by said block and adapted to engage the sides of a last, and means to effect lateral movement of said abutments.

.10. A- last centering device, comprising a bed, a post projecting vertically from said bed and constituting-a support for the heel of the last, a plurality of supports for the forepart of the last, means to elfect vertical adjustment of said forepart supports, a standard on said bed, a heel punch carried thereby, means to effect vertical movement of said heel punch on its support, a second standard on said bed, a toe punch carried thereby, means converging to- Ward said toe punch to automatically center the toe part of a last laterally with respect to said toe punch, means to] effect movement of said toe punch and its standard longitudinally of said bed, said bed having a groove therein on its upper surface, a block mounted in said groove, means to effect longitudinal movement of said block, a pair of abutments carried by said block and adapted to engage the sides of a last, and means to effect movement of said abutments laterally with respect to said last.

. 1 ERNEST W. DURKEE.

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