US2171543A

US2171543A - Shoe upper treating method and apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2171543A
Application number: US105013A
Authority: US
Inventors: Milton L Dodge
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1936-10-10
Filing date: 1936-10-10
Publication date: 1939-09-05
Anticipated expiration: 1956-09-05

Description

Sept. 5, 1939. M. L. DODGE SHOE UPPER TREATING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Oct. 10, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 5, 1939. M. L. DODGE 2,171,543

SHOE UPPER TREATING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Oct. 10, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 40 Z! 6 if /Z Patented Sept. 5, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHOE UPPER TREATING METHOD AND APPARATUS 17 Claims.

This invention relates to the treating of shoe uppers, and more particularly to the shaping thereof against a'form over which the shoe is placed, the shaping being accomplished at least partly, by the action of a pair of side presser members, which press the sides of the shoe upper against the form.

Shoes of certain types are provided with continuous quarters extending about the heel ends of the shoes instead of the more common construction where the quarter comprises two side pieces joined together at the heel end of the shoe by a vertical seam. One of the more common types of shoes provided with a continuous quarter around the heel end is the so-called opera slipper".

If it be attempted to treat a shoe provided with such a continuous quarter around the heel by a pressing machine having the two separate outer pressing members or jaws movable bodily toward and from a shoe supporting form, these members, not fitting close together at the heel end, leave a portion of the shoe between them which is not pressed, and this portion is likely to be bulged outwardly between the presser members as these members engage and then press against the sides of the shoe upper and form an undesirable rib or wrinkle which detracts from the appearance of the finished shoe. Even if the quarter is provided with a back seam, the presser members do not exert such pressure at the extreme heel end of the shoe as to produce the desired thinning and hiding of the top edge of the lining which is produced along the sides of the shoe opening.

In accordance with the present invention, therefore, means are provided for pressing the shoe upper rim at its extreme heel end and preventing the formation of this undesirable rib or wrinkle when it might otherwise occur and while retaining the otherwise advantageous arrangement of opposed outside presser members. To this end, a continuous member is interposed between the outer members and the shoe, this member being of sheet form and continuous around the'heel end of the shoe and preferably of metal. Preferably, in order to exert the desired degree of forming pressure on the heel end, the outer presser members are brought together with a forward component of pressure against the flexible member and thus against the heel endof the shoe. It is also highly desirable to produce an upward wiping pressure to extend the outer layer of the shoe upper beyond the top edge of the lining so as to render the lining edge less conspicuous by reason of the pressing action, and this, as well as the elimination of lining wrinkles, may be further aided by heating the inside form.

For a more complete understanding of the 5 invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figures 1 and 2 areside and front elevations, respectively, of a machine constructed in accordance with this invention and particularly 10 suitable for operation on opera slippers.

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the re- .lation of certain of the parts of the machine, the slipper being shown in dash lines, and other parts of the machine being omitted.

Figure 4 is a detail section on line 4-4 of Figure 1, but showing the shoe in position.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, butv showing the parts in pressing positions.

Figure 6 is a detail section on line 66 of Figure 4.

Figure '7 is a detail perspective view similar to Figure 3, but showing parts suitable for use on a pump.

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figures 3 and 7, but showing 1.- further modification.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, at I is shown a suitable table or support to which may be secured a bracket 2 having a gooseneck portion 3. To the forward end of this gooseneck portion is secured a form 4 shaped to receive thereover a shoe to be pressed. As shown this form has side faces 5 positioned to have the side wall portions of the shoe upper pressed thereagainst, these side wall portions 5 being inclined inwardly and upwardly toward the free end of the gooseneck portion 3. The form shown in these figures is shaped particularly to receive the heel end portion of an opera slipper, the form being extended forwardly to a sufficient extent to permit engagement therewith of the entire length of the quarter or counter portion of the slipper, this terminating forwardly, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, at 6. The top margin of this quarter or counter portion is curved downwardly, as shown by dash lines I in Figure 3, and it engages outwardly of the rear end portions of the forward or vamp portion of the shoe upper as shown by dash lines at 8.

To the forward face of the gooseneck portion 3 is shown pivotally mounted thereon at 10, an arm I I having at its upper end an abutment portion I2 positioned back of the heel end of the form. It may be held in proper adjusted position by any suitable means such as the threaded rods l3 pivoted to the arm and gooseneck portion, respectively, and connected by a turnbuckle It. This arm ll acts to support a flexible sheet material presser member 20 of substantial width to engage over a substantial area of the shoe upper. This member may well be of sheet metal, it having been found that metal in direct contact with the shoe upper is much more effective than softer material such as leather, rubber, or the like, in removin upper wrinkles, particularly in kid shoes, and is of such shape normally that its forward end portions tend to spring away. from the sides of the form as shown in Figure 4. Intermediate of the ends it extends continuously about the rear or heel end of the form, and the lower portion of its rear wall may be secured, as by screws 22, to the abutment l2. For a purpose which will later appear, the upper portion of this resilient pressing element is spaced from the abutment l2 and the forward wall of this abutment adjacent to the presser member is beveled to form the inclined faces 23. The presser member 20, in the nonpressing positions of the parts, is spaced suficiently from both the sides and heel end of the form to permit a shoe to be placed over the form or removed therefrom and within this presser member.

Cooperating with the presser member 20 to press this shoe'upper against the form are two side presser members or jaws 25 having their inner faces generally complemental to the opposed faces of the form. These jaws or members are carried at the upper ends of a pair of arms 26 pivoted at 21 on axes substantially parallel to the lengthwise axis of the form. 'The lower ends of the arms 26 are joined by the two toggle links 28 to which they may be connected by adjustable pivots 29, thereby to determine the pressure of the side jaws against the presser member 20, the shoe upper and the form, when the parts are in pressing positions. The toggle links 28 are shown as pivoted together, as at 29, and this'pivot is attached to the upper end of a rod 30 slidable through a guide member' 3| on the forward face of the bracket 2. This rod 30 is connected through links 32 to a lever 33 fulcrumed at 34 to the lower end of the bracket 2. By manipulation ofa handle 35 on the upper end of this lever 33, the toggle links may be swung to made position to bring the side jaws 25 against the presser member 20 and force it into wrapping contact against the shoe upper to press the shoe upper against the form. Preferably the rear end portions of the side presser members 25 are curved inwardly as at 40 so that they will come substantially together when they are in pressing relation as shown in Figure 5, the presser member 20 acting to bridge any slight gap between them. This formation of the rear ends of the presser members relieves the member 20, which may be of relatively thin metal, from any rearward component of force from the form, and in order to press the member 20 firmly against the end of a shoe upper, particularly along its upper margin, the extreme ends of the presser members 25 are beveled oif at 4| to cooperate with the inclined faces 23 of the abutment, and force the side presser jaws and the upper portion of the member 20 forwardly against the form. This serves to take up any lost motion in the parts and insures a close engagement of the shoe upper to the form around its heel end, and more especially adjacent to its top margin.

The cooperating inclined faces 5 of the form and those of the side presser jaws 25 and the presser member 20 cause the form to be wedged downwardly, the g'ooseneck 3 yielding under this pressure slightly, so as to produce an upward wiping component of pressure of the member 20 against the outer face of the upper which tends to extend the top margin of the outer upper lamination over the edge of the lining so that the lining becomes less conspicuous than before the pressing action. This action may be enhanced by heating the form, for this purpose the presser member being pro-- vided with a socket portion 50 to receive an electric or other suitable heating element 5| as shown in Figure 6. It will be noted by reference to this figure, that the member 20 is secured to the abutment member only along its lower edge, the upper portion of the member 20 being spaced from the abutment l2 and being free to'be pressed forwardly against the rear end of the shoe upper by the rear extremities of the side presser members 25 which pass into this space and force the top portion of the member 20 forwardly relative to the form.

The presser member 20, as shown in Figure 6, is preferably extended sufficiently far forwardly so as to engage the entire length of the counter portion of the opera slipper. Where shoes of other types are employed in which the side walls extend to the throat of the shoe, it is preferable to extend the form, the sheet material member, and the side presser members forwardly so that the full lengthwise extent of the shoe upper margin may be pressed. A sheet material presser member so formed is shown in Figure 7. When desired, however, this member may be shortened and have its forward ends beveled to a thin edge as shown at 55 in Figure 8, this presser member then being only for the purpose of pressing the heel end of the shoe and for bridging any space between the rear ends of the side presser members as they approach final pressing positions. Care must be taken, however, with this shortened bridging meniber so that no mark may be made on the shoe upper at the forward extremity of this bridging member, and for this reason the preferable construction is to extend the sides of this member forwardly to the full pressing extent, thus to insure the pressing of the side wall of the shoe at least along its upper margin for the full length wherepressing treatment is desired. Particularly where a shoe is provided with an outside heel seam stay, the shortened presser member as shown in Figure 8 may be quite satisfactory.

One factor in the effective action of the sheet metal presser member in removing wrinkles is that it becomes heated from the heated inner form, and this acts as a heated ironing element for the outside of the shoe upper.

From the foregoing description of certain embodiments of this invention, it should be evident to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A shoe upper forming machine comprising a form over which a shoe may be placed and presenting a surface for engagement by the shoe upper, an element positioned to extend about the heelend of the shoe upper in a single layer, outer pressing members having their inner faces generally complemental to the opposed faces of said form, and means for moving said outer pressing members and form relatively to cause said pressing members to engage said element and close said element against the shoe upper and press the shoe upper against said form.

2. A shoe upper forming machine comprising a form over which a shoe may be placed and presenting a surface for engagement with the shoe upper, outer presser members having their inner faces generally complemental to the opposed faces of *said form and movable-from and toward opposite sides of said form to press the shoe upper thereagainst, and a sheet material member extending in a single layer about the heel end of the shoe upper and bridging the space between said members as they are brought into pressing position.

3. A shoe upper forming machine comprising a form over which a 'shoe may be placed and presenting a surface for engagement with the shoe upper, outer presser members having their inner faces generally complemental to the opposed faces of said form and movable from and toward opposite sides of said form to press the shoe upper thereagainst, and a metallic member extending about the heelend of the shoe upper and bridging the space between said presser members as they are brought into pressing position and engaged on its outer face thereby.

4. A shoe upper forming machine comprising a form over which a shoe may be placed and presenting a surface for engagement with the shoe upper, outer presser members movable from and toward oppositev sides of said form to press the shoe upper thereagainst, and a member ex tending about the heel end of the shoe upper and bridging the space between said presser members as they are brought into pressing position, said machine having means pressing said lastmentioned member against the heel end of the shoe upper while said outer presser members are in pressing positions.

5. A shoe upper forming machine comprising a form over which a shoe may be placed and presenting a surface for engagement with the shoe upper, a pair of outer presser members movable from and toward opposite sides of said form to press the shoe upper thereagainst, and a pressing member extending about the heel end of the shoe on said form and bridging the space between said. outer presser members when said presser members are in pressing position, said presser members having in-turned heel end portions engageable with the outer face of said heel end pressing member when in pressing positions.

6. A shoe upper forming machine comprising a form over which a shoe may be placed and presenting a surface for engagement with the shoe upper, a pair of outer presser members movable from and toward opposite sides of said form to press the shoe upper thereagainst, a pressing member extending about the heel end of the shoe on said form and bridging the space between said outer presser members when said presser members are in'pressing position, said presser members having in-turned heel end portions engageable with the outer face of said heel end pressing member when in pressing positions, and means for pressing said outer presser members forwardly relative to said form when in pressing positions to cause said heel end pressing member to press the heel end of the shoe upper forwardly against said form.

'7. A shoe upper forming machine comprising a form over which a shoe may be placed and presenting a surface for engagement with the shoe upper, a pair of outer presser members movable from and toward opposite sides of said form to press the shoe upper thereagainst, a pressing member extending about the heel end of the shoe on said form and bridging the space between said outer presser members when said presser members are in pressing position, said presser members having in-turned heel end portions engageable with the outer face of said heel end pressing member when in pressing positions, and an abutment positioned at the heel end of said form and provided with inclined faces contacted by inclined end faces of said outer presser members as said outer presser members approach pressing positions to force said outer pressing members and said heel end presser member forwardly relative to said form and press the heel end of said upper against said form.

8. A shoe upper forming machine comprising a form over which a shoe may be placed and presenting a surface forengagement with the shoe upper, a pair of outer presser members movable from and toward opposite sides of said form to press the shoe upper thereagainst, a pressing member extending about the heel end of the shoe on said form and bridging the space between said outer presser members when said presser members are in pressing position, said presser members having in-turned heel end portions engageable with the outer face of said heel end pressing member when in pressing positions, and an abutment positioned at the heel end of said form and provided with inclined faces contacted by inclined end faces of said outer presser members as said outer presser members approach pressing positions to force said outer presser members and said heel end pressing member forwardly relative to said form and press the heel end of said upper against said form, said heel end pressing member being supported by said abutment.

9. A shoe upper forming machine comprising a form over which a shoe may be placed and presenting a surface for engagement with the shoe upper, a sheet material member extending in a single layer along opposite sides and continuously around the heel end of said form outwardly of the upper of a shoe placed on said form, and side presser members having their inner facesgenerally complemental to the opposed faces of said form and engageable with the outside of said sheet material member and actuated to close said sheet material member toward and press the shoe upper against said form.

10. A shoe upper forming machine comprising a form over which a shoe may be placed and presenting a surface for engagement with the shoe upper adjacent to its top margin, a flexible member extending around the back of the heel portion of a shoe on said form and along opposite sides thereof and normally spaced from said form sufficiently to permit a shoe to be placed on or removed from said form, supporting means for said flexible member secured thereto remote from the top edge line of the shoe upper and spaced therefrom opposite to said top edge line, and side presser members on the opposite sides of said form and movable theretoward to press the forward portions of said flexible member toward said form to press the shoe upper thereagainst, said side presser members having portions entering said space as they are moved toward pressing positions and forcing the adjacent portion of said flexible member against the heel end of the shoe adjacent to its upper edge.

11. A shoe upper forming machine comprising a form over which a shoe may be placed and presenting a surface for engagement with the shoe upper adjacent to its top margin, a flexible member extending around the back of the heel portion of ashoe on said form and along opposite sides thereof and normally spaced from said form sufficiently to permit a shoe to be placed on or removed from said form, supporting means for said flexible member secured thereto remote from the top edge line of the shoe upper and spaced therefrom opposite to said top edge line, and side presser members on the opposite sides of said form and movable theretoward to press the forward portions of said flexible member toward said form to press the shoe upper thereagainst, said side presser members having portions entering said space as they are moved toward pressing positions and forcing the adjacent portion of said flexible member against the heel end of the shoe adjacent to its upper edge, said support and side presser members having beveled faces cooperating as said side presser members approach pressing positions to force said side presser members forwardly with respect to said form. 12. A shoe upper forming machine comprising a support having a gooseneck bracket portion, a form secured to the end of said portion and over which the upper of a shoe may be placed and presenting opposite side faces in-turned toward their upper edge and toward said goo'seneck portion, and against which the sides of the shoe upper may be pressed, an arm pivoted to an intermediate part of said gooseneck portion and having its free end portion presented back of the heel end of said form, a resilient sheet material presser member secured intermediate to its ends to said free end portion and extending along the sides of said form and normally spaced therefrom to permit a shoe to be placed on or removed from said form, a pair of side presser members mounted for motion from and toward the sides of said form and to press said sheet material presser member against a shoe on said form, said side presser members having inclined faces cooperating with said in-turned faces to flex said gooseneck portion in a direction tocause an upward pressing component on the outer face of said shoe upper when the side presser members are brought into pressing positions.

13. A shoe upper forming machine comprising a heated form over which a shoe may be placed and presenting a surface for engagement by the shoe upper, a sheet metal element positioned to extend about the heel end of the shoe upper. and mean actuable to wrap said element into contact with the upper of a shoe on said form for a substantial width along the top margin of the upper, and to press the shoe upper against said form.

14. A shoe upper forming machine comprising a form over which a shoe may be placed, and presenting a surface for engagement with the shoe upper, and means for pressing the upper against said form including a pair of separate side presser members mounted to move bodily toward each other, said members being curved inwardly to engage about the heel end of the shoe and when in pressing position substantially in contact with each other.

15. The method which comprises compressing and turning inwardly in a single operation the top margin of a shoe upper on each side and around the heel end and with an upward wiping component exerted on the outer face of a shoe upper.

16. A shoe upper forming machine comprising a form over which a shoe may be placed and presenting a surface for engagement with the shoe upper, outer presser members movable from and toward opposite sides of said form, and a member extending about the heel end of said form, said outer presser members and extending member having contacting faces cooperating when said outer presser members are moved toward said form to move said extending member toward said form.

17. A shoe upper forming machine comprising a form over which a shoe may be placed and presenting a surface for engagement with the shoe upper, outer presser members movable from and toward opposite sides of said form, a member extending about the heel end of said form, an abutment positioned at the heel end of said form, said abutment and outer presser members having parts cooperating as said presser members are moved toward said form to press said extending member forwardly toward-the heel end of said form and press the heel end of a shoe upper placed on said form.

MILTON L. DODGE.