US2137326A

US2137326A - Splitting machine

Info

Publication number: US2137326A
Application number: US56738A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lewis J Bazzoni
Original assignee: United Shoe Machinery Corp
Current assignee: United Shoe Machinery Corp
Priority date: 1935-12-30
Filing date: 1935-12-30
Publication date: 1938-11-22
Anticipated expiration: 1955-11-22

Description

Nov. 22, 1938.

L. J. BAZZONI SPLITTING MACHINE Original Filed Dec; 50, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 2 2, 1938 L, J. BAZZONI SPLITTI NG MACHINE Original Filed Dec. 50, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 22, 1938.. L. J. BAZZONI SPLITTING MACHINE 5 sheets-sheet 5 Original Filed Dec. 30, 1935 L. J. BAZZON! SPLITTING MACHINE Nov. 22, 1938.

Original Filed Dec. -50, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Nov. 22, 1938 UNITED STATES 2,137,326 SPLITTING MACHINE.

Lewis J. Bazzoni, Swampscott, Mass, assignor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Paterson, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application December 30, 1935, Serial No. 56,738

Renewed September 10, 1937 24 Claims This invention relates tothe manufacture of 7 shoes and is illustrated as embodied in a machine for splitting sole blanks.

In the manufacture of shoes it is common practice to split a sole blank which has been shaped to the proper outline, to form a skeleton insole having an opening in its forepart and to form an outsole the forepart of which has a central projection which is substantially complemental to the opening of the insole. In the finished shoethe central projection of the outsole engages within the recess of the insole, the overlasted margin of the shoe upper being included between the respective margins of the insole and the outsole in accordance with the usual practice.

It is desirable that the forepart of the skeleton insole and the central projection of the outsole shall form a substantially continuous surface which provides a comfortable foundation for the foot. Accordingly, when the sole is split by the use of a knife, it is common to remove suflicient material from the upper face of the margin of the split outsole to compensate for the thickness of the overlasted margin of the shoe upper, thereby insuring that the central projection of the outsole and the forepart ofthe insole shall form a substantially continuous foot-supporting foundation such as referred to'above.

In order that it will be unnecessary after splitting the sole blank to remove material from the margin of the .forepart of the split outsole as above described, and accordance with a featureof this invention, there is providedsplitting i and reducing means such,for example as a saw,

means for effecting relative displacement of the central portion of the forepart of a sole blank ontheone hand and the marginal portion of the forepart of the sole blank on the other hand, and mechanism for feeding the distorted sole blank past the splitting and reducing means to split from the sole blank a skeleton insole and outsole, the combined thicknesses of the marginal portions of said insole and outsole being less than the thickness of the sole blank.

In the illustrated machine the saw is of the band type and travels over a hollow pulley which guides the trimming section of the saw for movement in. a'circular path. The sole blank is supported upon the peripheral face of a matrix drum which is operatively connected to a rotatable feed member for moving the sole past the cutting section of the saw. The sole is progressively distorted in'accordance with the shape of the peripheral face of the drum by a plurality of presser fingers which force the sole against said face, the central portionof the forepart of the sole blank being forced below the trimming section of the saw to form the opening in the forepart of theskeleton insole and to form the central projecting portion of the split outsole. The matrix drum and the feed member are continuously rotated, the feed member and the presser fingers being moved away from the drum during a predeterminedarc of travel of the drum in order to permit sole blanks to be inserted in the machine. Gages are also provided for positioning the sole lengthwiseand widthwise with relation to the matrix drum when the feed member I and the presser member are swung away from the drum.

These and other features ofthe invention, including certain details of construction and combinations of parts will bedesoribed as embodied in anlillustrated machine and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, t

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the illustrated machine, portions of which have been broken away;

Fig. 2 is a plan View of the illustrated machine,- a portion of which has been broken away;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the machine, portions of which are shown in section; t

Fig. 4 is an illustrative view, partly broken away, showing, in side elevation a portion of a matrix drum for supporting. a sole blank and. a saw past which the sole blank is fed;

Figs. 5; 6 and '7 are sectional views taken through the sole and a portion of the matrix drum immediately in front of the cutting section of the saw during three stages of the splitting operation; r

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of a member for feeding the sole past the saw;

Fig. 9 is an illustrative view of a sole upon the matrix drum and showing lines along which teeth of the feed member engage the sole during the splitting operation;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a skeleton insole and outsole which have been split from the sole blank by the use of the above machine; and

Fig. 11 is a transverse section of the forepart of a shoe in which the insole and outsole have been incorporated. i

The machine is illustrated-with reference to splitting an outsole 20 (Fig. 10) and a skeleton insole 22 from a sole blank 24 (Figs. 2 and 3). The sole blank 24 is progressively forced against insure that an effective rolling fit the periphery 26 of a matrix drum 28 by a presser member 30 (Fig. 3) as it is moved past a cutting section 32 of the band saw 34 by a feed member 36, the forepart of the sole blank 24 being distorted transversely as it is moved past the cutting section 32 in order to form in the forepart of the insole 22 an opening 38 which is substantially complemental to a central projection 40 of the forepart of the outsole 20.

When the outsole 20 and the insole 22 have been incorporated in a shoe 2I (Fig. 11) the central projecting portion 40 of the outsole and the margin or rand 23 of the insole have their upper surfaces flush with each other to form a substantially continuous face which serves as a comfortable support for the foot. It will be noted that the overlasted margin 25 of the shoe upper is positioned between the rand 23 of the insole 22 and the margin of the forepart of the outsole 20 and that if the projection 40 of the outsole is to be flushw-ith the rand 23 of the insole the thickness of the overlasted counter portion 25 of the shoe should be compensated for by forming an outsole 20 the thickness of the projecting portion 40 f which is substantially equal to the combined thickness ofthe margin of the forepart of the outsole 20, the overlasted portion 25 of the shoe upper, and the rand 23 of the insole. As above stated, after splitting a skeleton insole and an outsole from a sole blank by the use of a knife, it has been proposed to remove material from the upper face of the margin of the forepart of the outsole in order to compensate for the thickness of the overlasted margin of the shoe upper. In the illustrated machine the kerf removed by the saw is of substantially the same thickness as the overlasted margin of the upper and it is therefore unnecessary to reduce the margin of the forepart of the outsole as above described.

The band saw 34 is mounted upon a lower pulley (not shown) and upon an upper pulley 42 which is rotatable upon

roller bearings

44, 46 and 48 (Figs. 1 and 3.) The-pulley 42 has a circular groove 50 of suitable shape to receive the

bearings

44, 46 and 48 and has a tapered portion 52 beyond which the cutting section 32 of the saw 34 projects. The tapered portion 52 of the pulley 42 forms a flaring opening 54 which is shaped to receive the matrix drum 28 and in.- cludes the forward'end of a tray 56 arranged to receive the split outsole. The skeleton insoles 22 are grasped by the operator as they override the band knife 34 and are stacked. The roller bearings 46 and 48 are mounted upon threaded studs 58 (Fig. 3) secured by nuts 66 to a bracket 62, the bearing 44 being mounted upon an eccentric portion 64 of a stud 66. In order to between the

bearings

44, 46 and 48 and the pulley 42, the eccentric portion 64 may be swung toward an adjacent portion of the pulley until the bearings are forced against the bottom of the annular groove 50, after which a nut 'I'U'is turned to retain the eccentric in its adjusted position.

The bracket 62 is formed integral with a pair of bowed carrier frames 12 connected by an arcuate portion 14 which engages within arcuate guideways 16 of a base 18 secured by bolts 80 to a pedestal 82. The curvature of the guideway 16 is substantially coincident with the uppermost portion of the cutting section 32 of the saw 34, the arrangement being such that when a worm 84 which is in meshing engagement with a gear 86 formed at the under side of the arcuate plate 14 isturned, the pulley 42 is swung about the uppermost portion of the cutting section 32 thereby properly adjusting the pulley 42 in order to insure that the cutting edge of the saw shall remain in a plane as it travels over the pulley. The arcuate plate 14 is held in the guideways 16 by rolls 88 (Fig. 3) which are eccentrically mounted upon the base 18. The carrier frame 72 is normally secured to the base 18 of the machine by screws 90 which are in threaded engagement with the carrier frame and pass through elongated slots 92 formed in the base I8.

The carrier frame 12 comprises a pair of bosses 94 which support a bearing shaft 93 upon which a pair of side plates 98 are swivelcd, the lower ends of the side plates being in engagement with a pair of cams I06 (Figs. 1 and 3) formed integral with a bar I62 pivotally mounted upon the carrier frame 12. The side plates 93 are provided with laterally projecting bosses I04, respectively, bored to receive a shaft I66 to which the matrix drum 28 is keyed. The matrix drum 28 may be conveniently adjusted with relation to the cutting section 32 of the saw 34 for locating the split in the sole blank 24, by swinging a handle I08 of the eccentric bar I02 thereby raising or lowering the side plates 98 and therefore the drum 28 with relation to the cutting section 32. The side plates 98 are conveniently locked to the carrier frame I2 by screws IIO (Fig. 3) which are in threaded relation with the carrier frame and extended through arcuate openings II2of the respective side plates 98.

The presser member 30 which progressively forces the sole blank 24 fed past the saw 34 against the periphery 26 of the rotary drum 28 comprises a plurality of resilient fingers I I4 (Figs. 1 and 2) and a shank portion H6 (Figs. 2 and 3) which is secured by screws I I8 to a sleeve I28 mounted upon a rod I22 supported by the side plates 98.

The feed member 36 is pinned to a shaft I24 rotatably mounted in bosses I26, respectively, of a pair of connected arms I28 (Figs. 2 and 3) the rear ends of which are pivotally supported upon the shaft 96. The left arm I28, as viewed from the front of the machine, has a depending portion I 30, the lower end of which carries a cam roll I 32 arranged to engage a cam I34 (Fig. 3) secured to the matrix drum 28 by screws I36.

The sleeve I20 (Figs. 2 and 3) to which the presser member 30 is secured comprises a pair of levers I38, I39, respectively, (Fig. 2), the lever I38 carrying a roll I40 which is forced by springs I42 into engagement with a ledge I44 formed upon the depending extension I30 of the.

arm I28. The upper ends of the springs I42 are connected to corresponding levers I38 and the lower ends of the springs are adjustably con nected to screws I45 which pass through recesses formed in corresponding side plates 98 and are in threaded relation with nuts I46. The springs I42 cause the cam roll I 32 to be forced against the cam I34 as well as cause the presser member 30 to force the sole against the periphery 26 of the drum 28. In order to insure that the cam roll I 32 shall effectively follow the cam I34 the arms I28 are forced downwardly under the action of a strong spring I48, the upper end of which is in engagement with a yoke I50 formed integral with the side plates 98 and the lower end of which is in engagement with a cross bar I52 whichis secured to the arms I28. As illustrated in Fig. 3 a sole blank 24 has just been positioned in the machine, the cam I 32 being in engagement with the high portion I54 of the cam I34 and being about ready to be moved into engagementiwith a low portion I56 of the cam thereby causing the feed member 36 and the presser member 30 to be lowered to their operating positions.

.WhiIe the cam roll I32 is riding on the high portion I54 of the cam I34 the sole blank 24 is fed into the machine until the toe end of the sole .blank engages a bifurcated gage I58 (Figs.

2 and 3) which when in its lowered operative positionis located immediately ahead of the cutting section32 of the saw 34. gage I58 is pivotally mounted The bifurcated upon a rod I60 and is provided with a groove I82 (Fig. 2) in which engages a screw I64 carried by a sleeve I66 secured to the arms I28. When the arms I28 are raised to render the feed member 38 and the presser member 30 inoperative, the bifurcated gage I58 is lowered to the position illustrated inFig. 3, and when the above members are lowered into operative position, the gage I58 swings section 32 ofthe saw 34, as

ber 30 shall penetrate of the sole blank to a raised inoperative position.

The transverseradius of curvature of the periphery 26, of the matrix drum 28 is substantiallythe same as the radius of curvature of the cutting section 32 of the saw 34. In

I10 have a peripheral speed substantially equal to. that of the periphery 26 of the matrix drum 28. Throughout an arc of approximately 300 the teeth I10 are arranged in two peripheral series I12 (Figs. land 8) located inclose proximity to each other and through mately 60" the teeth are arranged in twoperipheral series I14 which are spaced a considerable distance apart. ,The series 112 of teeth effectively feed the major portion of the sole past the saw and'engage the same along lines I16 indicated in Fig. 9. In order to insure that the presser memthe portion of the sole overlying the cavity I08 instead of. merely forcing the sole into the central part of the cavity, the series I14 of teethare suitably spaced so as to engage the sole along lines I18 of Fig. 9.

In order to limit the penetration ofthe teeth I10 into the sole blank 24 and to insure that when the machine isrunning without any sole blanks being inserted therein, the teeth shall not engage the matrix drum 28 or the saw 34, each of thetarms I28carries an adjustable screw I arranged to engage an abutment I82 (Fig. 3) of a corresponding side plate 98.

. To rotate the matrix drum 28 and the feed member 36 at substantially the same speed and to retain the drum and the feed member in timed itk a gear I84 (Fig-1) which is in meshing enrelation the shaft I08 has mounted upon gagement with a gear I86 mounted upon a stub shaft I88 rotatably supported by a bracket I90 extending from the carrier frame 12. The stub shaft I88 carries at its inner end a crank arm which is operatively connected through a link I94 to a crank arm I93 pinned to the shaft I24 upon which the feed member38 is mounted.

an arc of approxi- When the arms I28 are in their lowered position the axis of the shaft I24 substantially coincides with the axis of the stub shaft I88. The shaft I06 is driven by a pulley I91 which is operated by a belt I99.

In order that the operator may present the solewith its central median plane arranged at a predetermined angle with relation to the plane of movement of the matrix drum 28, the machine is provided with gages I98, 280 (Fig. 2) Which engage opposite sides of the forepart and the heel portions, respectively, of the sole. As. above stated, the sole is positioned lengthwise of the machine by forcing the toe end of the sole blank against the bifurcated gage I58 which is in lowered position when the feed member36 and the presser member 30 are raised in order to permit the, sole blank 24 to be inserted in the machine. Certain features disclosed but not claimed herein are claimed in United States Letters Patent No. 2,107,281, granted February .8, 1938, on an application filed in my name.

Having described the invention, what Iclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentof the United States is: I

1. In a machine of the class described, splitting and reducing means, means for effecting relative displacement of the central portion of the forepart of a sole blank on the one hand and the marginal portion of the forepart of the sole blank on theother hand, and mechanism for feeding the distorted sole blankpast said-firstnamed means to split from the sole blank a skeleton insole and outsole, the combined thicknesses of the marginal portions of said insole and out sole being less than the thickness of the sole blankr I 2. In a machine of the class described, a splitting and reducing tool, means for eifectingrelative displacement of the central portion of the forepart of a sole blank on the one hand and the marginal portion of the forepart of the sole blank on the other hand, and mechanism for feeding the distorted sole blank past said tool to split a skeleton insole and an outsole from the V sole blank and simultaneously therewith to remove a layer of material from the blank.

3. In a machine of the class described, a saw having a curved cutting edge, and means comprising a matrix for distorting a sole blank and feeding it past the saw, said saw and said means being constructed and arranged to split a skeleton insole and an outsole from the sole blank and simultaneously therewith to remove a layer of material from the blank. I

4. A splitting machine comprising a rotatable cutter, a rotatable drum for supportinga sole blank, a member operatively connected to the drum and constructed and arranged to feed the sole blank upon the drum past the cutter, means for operating the drum and the feed member, a presser member for progressively forcing the sole blank against the drum thereby distorting the sole blank as it is presented to the cutter in accordance with the shape of the drum, and mechanism constructed and arranged to, move the feed member and the presser member away from the drum during a predetermined arc of travel. of the drum thereby permitting the sole blank to be inserted in the machine, said cutter and said drum being constructed and arranged to split a skeleton insole and an outsole from the blank. I

5. A splitting machine comprising arotatable saw, a rotatable drum for supporting a sole blank,

a member operatively connected to the drum and constructed and arranged to feed the sole blank upon the drum past the saw, a presser member for progressively forcing the sole blank against the drum as it is moved past the saw to distort the blank in accordance with the shape of the drum, means for operating said drum, and mechanism for moving the feed member and the presser member away from the drum during a predetermined arc of travel of the drum thereby permitting the sole to be inserted in the machine, said saw and said drum being constructed and arranged to split a skeleton insole and an outsole from the blank.

6. In a splitting machine, a rotatable saw, a

rotatable matrix drum for supporting a sole blank, a rotatable member operatively connected to the drum and constructed and arranged to feed the sole upon the drum past the saw, a presser member for progressively forcing the sole against the drum as it is fed past the saw to distort the sole blank transversely in accordance with the shape of the drum, mechanism for continuously rotating the drum and the feed member, and mechanism for moving the feed member and the presser member away from the drum during a predetermined arc of travel of the same thereby permitting another sole blank to be inserted in the machine.

[7. In a splitting machine, a'rotatable cutter,

a, rotatable matrix drum for supporting a sole blank, means for continuously rotating the drum, a member operatively connected to the drum and constructed and arranged to feed the sole blank upon the drum past the cutter, a presser member for progressively forcing the blank against the drum as it is moved past the cutter to distort the sole blank in accordance with the shape of the drum, and mechanism for moving the feed mem her and the presser member away from the drum 'during'a predetermined arc of travel of the same thereby permitting sole blanks to be inserted in the machine. v a

8. In a splitting machine, a rotatable cutter, a rotatable matrix drum" for supporting a sole blank, a member I operatively connected to the drum and constructed and arranged to feed the sole blank upon the drum past the cutter, a presser member for progressively forcing the sole blankagainst the drum as it is moved past the cutter to distort the blank'transversely in accordance with the shape of the drum, means for continuously rotating the drum, resilient means for constantly urgingthe feed memberand the presser member toward the drum, and mechanism for moving the feed member and the presser member away from the drum against the action of said resilient means during a predetermined arc of travel of the drum thereby permitting another sole blank to be inserted in the machine. 7

9. In a splitting machine, a rotatable saw, a rotatable matrix drum, a rotatable feed member, mechanism constructed and arranged operatively to connect the feed member and the drum and to maintain the feed member and the drum in timed relation, means for rotating the drum and the feed member, and means constructed and arranged to swing the feed member as a unit with relation to the drum during a predetermined arc of rotation of the drum to permit work to be positioned in the machine.

10. In a splitting machine, a plurality of bearings, a hollow pulley mounted for rotation upon the bearing's, a band saw mounted upon the pulley; means for distorting a sole blank and feeding it past the saw, and a tray positioned within the pulley for receiving a portion of the sole blank split by the saw.

11. In a splitting machine, a band saw having a cutting section which is movable in a circular are, means for effecting relative displacement of the central portion of the forepart of a sole blank on the one hand and the marginal portion of the forepart of the sole blank on the other hand, and

, mechanism for feeding the distorted sole blank past said cutting section of the saw to split from the blank a skeleton insole and outsole, the combined thicknesses of the marginal portions of the insole and the outsole being less than the thickness of the sole blank.

12. In a splitting machine, a band saw having a cutting section which is movable in a circular arc, a matrix constructed and arranged for rotation, means comprising said matrix for-eifecting relative displacement of the central portion of the forepart of the sole blank on the one hand and the marginal portion of the forepart of the sole blank on the other hand, and mechanism for feeding the distorted sole blank past said cutting section of the saw to split a skeleton insole and an outsole from the sole blank and simultaneously therewith to remove a layer of sole material from the blank.

13. In a splitting machine, a pulley, a band saw mounted upon the pulley, a work-supporting matrix, a member for feeding work upon the matrix past the saw, said member being operatively connected to the matrix, a member for progressively forcing the work against the matrix as the same is fed past the saw, a frame for supporting the pulley the feed and presser members and the matrix, and means for tilting the frame with relation to the band saw to insure that the cutting edge of the saw shall remain in a plane during the trimming operation.

14. In a splitting machine, a rotatable cutter, a rotatable matrix drum for supporting a sole blank, a member operatively connected to the drum and constructed and arranged to feed the blank upon the drum past the cutter, a presser foot for progressively distorting the sole blank as it is moved past the cutter in accordance with the shape of the drum, means for continuously rotating the drum, resilient means for urging the feed member and the presser foot toward the drum, mechanism constructed and arranged to move the feed member and the presser foot away from the drum against the action of said resilient means during a predetermined arc of travel of the drum thereby permittingthe sole blank to be inserted in the machine,- a gage for positioning the sole blank circumferentially of the drum, and means for moving the gage into and out of operative position in accordance with the position of the feed member and the presser foot.

15. In a splitting machine, a cutter, a matrix member provided with a sole-supporting face having a cavity formed therein, a pivotally mounted feed member, and a presser member for forcing a sole blank against said face and into said cavity as the feed member forces the sole past the cutter thereby to split a skeleton insole and an outsole from the blank, said feed mem ber comprising two circumferentially disposed series of teeth arranged in close proximity to each other and two circumferentially disposed series of teeth which are spaced a considerable distance apart.

16. In a splitting machine, a rotatable cutter,

, blank mounted upon the drum past the cutter,

a presser member for progressively forcing the sole blank against the drum to distort the blank as it is presented to the cutter, resilient means for yieldingly forcing the feed member and the presser fingers into operative positions adjacent to the drum, a stop for limiting movement of the feed member and the presser fingers toward the drum, and cam-operated means connected to the drum for forcing the feed member and the presser fingers away from the drum against the action of said resilient means during a portion of the travel of the matrix in order to permit the sole blank to be inserted in the machine.

17. In a splitting machine, a rotatable saw, a matrix drum rotatable about an axis arranged in parallel relation to the plane of the cutting edge of the saw and having a peripheral face positioned adjacent to the cutting edge of the saw, a member operatively connected to the drum and constructed and arranged to feed a sole blank supported by the drum past the saw, a presser member for progressively forcing a sole blank against the drum to distort the blank as it is presented to'the saw, resilient means for yieldingly forcing the feed member and the presser member into operative position adjacent to the drum, a stop for limiting movement of the feed member and the presser member toward the drum, and means operatively connected to the drum for forcing the feed member and the press- I er member away from the matrix drum against the action of said resilient means thereby permitting the sole blank to be inserted in themachine.

18. In a machine for splitting a skeleton insole and outsole from a sole blank, a rotary saw, a sole-blank supporting matrix movable past the saw, a gage constructed and arranged to be engaged by the forward end of the sole blank for positioning the same lengthwise upon the matrix, a feed member for moving the sole blank upon the matrix past the saw, a presser member for progressively forcing the sole blank against the matrix as it is fed past the saw, means for moving the feed member and the presser member away from the matrix during a portion of the travel of the matrix, means constructed and arranged to move the gage into operative position when the feed member and the presser member are moved away from the matrix and to move the gage away from the matrix as the presser member and the feed member are moved into operative relation with the sole blank upon the matrix, and a gage for centralizing the sole blank in the machine.

19. In a machine for splitting skeleton insoles and outsoles from sole blanks, a rotary pulley, a

band saw mounted upon the pulley, a matrix.

drum for supporting a sole blank, a feed member comprising a plurality of sharp teeth operatively connected to the drum and constructed and arranged to feed the sole blank past the cutting edge of the saw, a presser member for forcing the blank progressively against the drum as it is fed past the cutting edge of the saw, means for operating the feed member and the drum, mechanism for urging the feed member and the presser member toward the drum, a stop for limiting movement of the feed membrrand the presser member toward the drum-,'and mechanism for positively moving the feed meinber and the presser memberlaway fromwthe drum during a predeterminedportionof thetravel of the feed member and thedrum thereby permitting the sole blank to beinserted in the machine during said predetermined portion of travel.

20. In a splitting machine, a rotatable saw, a rotatable matrix drum for supporting a sole blank, a rotatable feed member operatively connected to the drum, mechanism for rotating the drum and the feed member to cause the sole blank to be split by said saw, a presser member for progressively forcing the sole against the drum as the same is rotated to distort the sole blank as it is split in accordance with the shape of the drum, and mechanism for moving the feed member and the presser member away from the drum for a predetermined period whereby to permit the sole blank which is to be split to be inserted in the machine.

21. In a splitting machine, a rotatable saw, a rotatable matrix drum for supporting a sole blank, a rotatable member operatively connected to the drum, mechanism for rotating the drum and the feed member to cause the sole blank to be split by said saw, a presser member for progressively forcing the sole against the drum as the same is rotated to distort the sole blank in accordance with the shape of the drum, a movable gage for positioning the sole blank lengthwise in the machine, mechanism for moving the feed member and the presser member away from the drum for a predetermined period whereby to permit a sole blank which is to be split to be inserted in the machine against said gage, and means for moving said gage into an operative position adjacent to the saw as well as away from the saw, said last-named means beingoperated in timed relation with the matrix drum and the feed member.

22. In a splitting machine, a rotatable saw, a

matrix drum rotatable about an axis disposed in parallel relation to the plane of rotation of the saw and having a peripheral face positioned adjacent to the cutting edge of the saw, a member operatively connected to the drum and constructed and arranged to feed a sole blank mounted upon the drum against the saw, a presser member for progressively forcing the sole blank against the drum to distort said blank as it is fed against the saw in accordance with the shape of the drum, and cam-operated means movable in timed relation with the drum for forcing the feed member and the presser member away from the drum in order to permit the sole blank to be inserted in the machine.

23. In a splitting machine, a cutter having a curved cutting edge, a support for a work piece, a member for feeding the work piece against the cutter, resilient means cooperating with said support for flexing the work piece as it is forced by said member against the cutter, a gage for positioning the work piece with relation to the cutter, said gage being movable between its operative position in front of the cutter and its inoperative position away from the cutter, and mechanism operative in response to movement of said feeding member for moving the gage between its operative and inoperative positions.

24. In a splitting machine, a rotatable cutter, a support for a work piece, a rotatable feed member, said feed member being mounted for movement between its operative position adjacent to positioning the 'work position away from the cutter, and mechanism operative in response to said movement of the feeding member toward and away from the support for moving the gage between its operative and inoperative positions.

LEWIS J. BAZZONI.