US2172372A - Shoe bottom ironing unit - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 12, 1939. 5. J. FINN SHOE BOTTOM IRONING UNIT Filed Jan. 17, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 12, 1939. 5. J. FINN 2,172,372

SHOE BOTTOM 1120mm UNIT Filed Jan. 17, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 WWW W,

Sept. 12, 1939. 5. J. FINN SHOE BOTTOM IBONING UNIT Filed Jan. 17, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 I I I I 4 I u I ll QFi'grZ) WI/E/FKTUH a 45L M W Sept. 12, 1939,

5. J. FINN 2,172,372

SHOE BOTTOM IRONING UNIT Fi led Jan. 17, 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Sept. 12, 1939. s. J. FINN 2,172,372

SHOE BOTTOM IRONING UNIT I Filed Jan. 1'7, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Sept. 12, 1939 FATENT OFFlCE SHOE BOTTOM IlK-DNING UNIT Sidney J. Finn, Beverly,

Shoe Machinery Corporation, Paterson,

a corporation of New Mass, assignor to United N. J Jersey Application January 17, 1938, Serial No. 185,347

30 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for pressing the bottoms of shoes and in some aspects has more particularly in view the provision of improved means for applying pressure and heat to the marginal portion of upper materials (hereinafter referred to inclusively as the upper) upon an insole before the outsole is applied tothe shoe.

In the manufacture of shoes in which the upper is laid inwardly over the insole in substantially parallel relation to the bottom of the shoe it is often the practice to subject the overlaid margin of the upper to heat and to pressure directed both heightwise of the shoe and inwardly from the edge of the shoe bottom to flatten the margin or" the upper evenly and to iron it smooth on the insole without any wrinkles or other surface irregularities before placing the outsole on the shoe. In thus treating the marginal portion of the upper it is desirable that substantially uniform pressure be applied to the margin along the opposite sides of the forepart, shank and heel-end portions of the shoe so that the outsole when applied to the shoe will lie uniformly close to the upper and insole along these different portions of the shoe bottom. Various features of the present invention are to be recognized in a novel organization of means for accomplishing that result. For the purpose in view the machine herein sh'own is provided with heated devices that are arranged to engage the bottom of the shoe along the opposite sides of the iorepart, shank and heel-end portions, respectively, and are relatively adjustable heightwise' of the shoe to accommodate shoes of different styles, that is, shoes the curvature of the bottom faces of which vary considerably heightwise of the shoe by reason of the fact that the shoes are mounted on lasts designed to accommodate heels of different heights. In the construction shown, the devices or units are arranged in pairs to operate respectively on the bottom of the iorepart, shank and heel-end portions of the shoe, the different pairs of units being connected together for relative rotation about different axes extending laterally-of the shoe and the units of each pair being also movable simultaneously inward toward each other in wiping engagement with the overlaid margin of the upper in response to resistance of the shoe to the pressure applied. As herein illustrated, each unit comprises a holder and ashoeengaging plate of resilient metal shaped to'conform substantially to the heightwise curvature of theportion of the shoe bottom engaged thereby, the different pairs of resilient plates being arranged to support a shoe'placed thereon bottom downward and the forepart and heel-engaging plates having portions curved similarly to and overlapping the shank-engaging plates to provide continuous engagement with the overlaid margin of the upper along the opposite sides of the bottom of the shoe from its toe to its heel-end portion. By relative adjustment of the forepart, shank and heel-end units heightwise of the shoe the contour lengthwise of the shoe defined by the shoe-engaging plates may be Varied in accordance with variations in the heightwise curvature of the bottoms of shoes of different styles, the different pairs of resilient plates being arranged to bend and conform themselves more closely to the contour of the shoe as the pressure is ap- 15 plied against the resistance of separate spring means of equal capacity the yielding of which is limited to permit relatively heavy pressure to be applied to the shoe.

The above and other features of the invention, including various novel details of constructions and combinations of parts, will now be more particularly described by reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of the upper left-hand portion of a machine in which the in vention is embodied, with parts broken away;

Fig. 2 is a view in left-hand side elevation of the portion of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the shoe bottom. pressing or ironing means and parts associated therewith;

Fig. 4 is. a view partly in left-hand side elevation and partly in section showing the ironing units for engaging the bottom of the forepart, 35 shank and heel-end portions of the shoe atone side only with the shoe under pressure in the machine;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the ironing units shown in Fig. 4 with the ironing members removed; and

Figs. 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views through the forepart and shank ironing units respectively, illustrating the positions of the parts at the end of the ironing operation.

The invention is illustrated as applied to a machine of the type disclosed in application for Letters Patent of the United States Serial No. 201,790, filed April 13, 1938, in the name of A. A. Lawson, although it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to organizations of that particular character. The machine is provided with a base 20 to which there is secured by screws 22 (Fig. 2) a bracket 2 for supporting a pair of vertical rods 26 which support adjustably near 55 their upper ends a crosshead (not herein shown) on which there is adjustably mounted for movements in directions lengthwise of the shoe a carrier having depending arms 28, one of which is shown in Fig. 4, carrying a laterally extending rod 38 on which there is mounted a shoe support or jack which is substantially like that fully shown and described in Letters Patent No. 2,095,245, granted on October 12, 1937, on an application of mine, this jack serving to support the shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face. The jack comprises a shoe rest 32 (Fig. 4) for engaging the shoe at the top of the forepart and a heel-end support 34 which engages the top of the cone of the last. In order to hold the shoe effectively against tipping movement laterally of the shoe as pressure is applied to its bottom face the heel support 34 includes the last pin 36 arranged to extend into thespindle hole in the heel end of the last. The shoe rest 32 comprises a leather covered pad 38 of rubber or other suitable material which is hollowed out laterally of the shoe and is mounted on a block 40 adjustably secured to a second block 42 mounted for sliding movements in directions lengthwise of the shoe on a rocking member 44. The member 44 is mounted on the rod 30 supported by the depending spaced arms 28 of the above-mentioned carrier, the rod 30 extending through an elongated slot 43 in the member 44. Pivotally mounted on the block 42 is a spring controlled latch 46 arranged to engage any one of a series of recesses 48 formed in the member 44 to hold the block 42 in adjusted position lengthwise of the shoe. Formed on the block 42 is a dovetail-shaped tongue 50 extending laterally of the shoe and arranged to enter a similarly shaped groove in the block 48. The block 40 is held in adjusted position laterally of the shoe on the block 42 by means of set screws 52 carried by the block 40 and arranged to engage the tongue 50, lock nuts 54 being provided for holding the set screws in looking engagement with the tongue. It will be readily seen that the above construction permits the shoe rest 32 to be adjusted in directions both lengthwise and widthwise of the shoe as required for shoes of different sizes and styles.

The heel-end support 34 for engaging the top of the cone of the last is freely movable in directions widthwise of the shoe along guideways formed in a holder 56, a screw 58 in the holder being provided for limiting such movement of the heel-end support relatively to the holder. For permitting free swinging movements of the holder 56 in directions lengthwise and heightwise of the shoe, there are pivotally connected to the opposite sides of the holder equal links 60 the ends of which remote from the holder are pivotally connected to a pair of equal links 62 pivotally mounted one on each side of the member 44 on a pin 64 carried by this rocking member (Fig. 4). Normally the links 60, 62, are held in a substantially straightened condition by springs 66 only one of which is shown in Fig. 4 with the links 62 in engagement with the opposite end portions of a pin 68 carried by the member 44 and with the holder 56 in engagement with the loop-shaped end of a rod 10 projecting from one end of the member 44. As more fully disclosed in the above-mentioned Letters Patent No. 2,095,245, the rocking member 44 is held normally in a substantially horizontal position with the heel pin 38 substantially vertical by means of a chain 12 connected by a spring (not herein shown) to the above-mentioned crosshead.

impart upward movement to the slide '14 by power through fluid pressure means not herein shown since it is fully disclosed in the above-mentioned application Serial No. 201,790. Slidingly mounted on the rods 26 above the slide I4 is a casting 84 supported by a spring 86 which is arranged to yield in response to resistance of the shoe to the pressure applied. At its lower end the spring 86 engages a shoulder 88 formed within a central recess 80 in theslide I4 and at its upper end the spring engages a shoulder 92 within a recess 94 in the casting 84 in vertical alinement with the central recess 90. Initially the spring 86 is under slight tension and acts to hold the casting 84 in spaced relation to the slide I4 determined by the efiective length of a bolt 96 which is carried by the casting 84 and extends downwardly through an opening in the slide 14, the head 98 of the bolt engaging a shoulder I00 on the casting 84 and a nut I02 threaded on the opposite end of the bolt engaging a finished surface I04 on the slide 14.

The casting 84 serves to support shoe bottom pressing or ironing devices arranged to engage the bottom of the shoe along the opposite sides of its forepart, shank and heel-end portions. As.

more particularly hereinafter, described, the pressing devices are relatively adjustable height- Wise of the shoe to accommodate shoes of different styles and as herein illustrated the devices or units are arranged in pairs to act respectively on the bottom of the forepart, shank and heelend portions of the shoe. The ironing units for engaging the lasted margin of the upper at the opposite sides of the forepart, each comprising a holder I06 (Figs. 2, 3 and 4), are pivotally and slidably mounted upon a shaft I08 supported by upwardly extending arms I I0 and bosses II2 on the casting 84, the shaft extending through a boss II4 formed on each of the holders I06 (Fig. 1). Formed also on each of the holders I06 is a boss II 6 which is slotted to receive a bushing II8 on the shaft I08 and is counterbored to receive the head I20 of the bushing. Secured to each holder I06 by screws I22 (Fig. 6) is a thin shoe-engaging plate I24 of resilient metal and a relatively thick resilient metal plate I26 for supporting the plate I24, these plates being mounted in superposed contiguous relation and being shaped substantially to conform to the lengthwise curvature of the bottom of the forepart of a shoe. Extending outwardly fromthe inner edge of the plate I26 in directions substantially normal to the edge curvature of the forepart of a shoe are a plurality of slots I 28 which divide the plate into a series of fingers I 30 (Fig. 3). The outer edges of the plates I24, I26 engage a shoulder I32 on the holder I06 and secured to the holder by screws I34 is a member I36 having curved ribs I38, I 40 formed thereon for limiting the down-ward movement of the fingers I30, the rib I40 being arranged to engage the inner end portions of the spring fingers I 30 with the rib I38 in engagement with the downwardly bent fingers I30 at the toe end in locations beyond the outer. edge of the last bottom.

Each heel-end ironing unit comprises a holder I 42 (Fig. 4) slidably mounted upon a support I 44 holder I42 by screwsl52is a thin shoe-engaging plate I54 of resilient metal and a relatively thick resilient metal plate I56 which acts as a support for the plate I54, the plates I54 and I56 being substantially flat for engagement with the lasted margin of the upper along the sides of the heel-end portion of the shoe bottom. Extending outwardly from one edge of the plate I56 in directions substantially normal to the edge curvature of the heel end of the shoe are a plurality of slots I58 which divide the plate into a series of fingers I69 downward movement of which is limited by a forwardly extending plate I62 underlying the inner end portions of the fingers I69 and secured to the holder I42 by screws I64. At their outer edges the plates I54, I56 engage a shoulder I66 on the holder I42. Overlying the plate I52 and arranged to engage the lasted margin of the upper at the extreme rear end portion of the shoe is a thin flexible resilient plate I68 secured by screws I19 to an upwardly extending member I12. The member I12 is fastened to the end face of the pivoted support I44 by screws I14 (Fig. 1) which serve also to secure to the end face of the support an inverted substantially L-shaped member I16 (Fig. 4) the forwardly extending portion I18 of which is arranged to engage the holders I42 of the heelend ironing units in laterally extending slots I89 formed in the holders.

The shank ironing units each comprises a holder I82 (Fig. 5) having formed thereon bosses I84, I86 bored to receive pivot pins I85, I81 (Fig. 2) carried by bosses I88, I99 formed respectively on the holders I96, I42 of the forepart and heelend ironing units, the bosses I88, I99 being counterbored to receive the heads of the pivot pins and set screws I92, I94 being provided for holding the pins I85, I81 against endwise movement in the bosses. Formed on each holder I82 are curved surfaces I96, I98 (Figs. 4 and 5) arranged to engage similarly curved seats 299, 292 formed respectively on the holders I96 and I42, the curved surface I96 and its seat 299' being concentric with the axis of the pin I85 and curved surface I98 and its seat 292 being concentric with the axis of the pin- I81. The holder I82 has also formed thereon a plurality of flat surfaces 294 (Fig. 4) on which rest a plurality of U-shaped springs 286 the inner end portions of which are held in spaced relation by pins 298 (Fig. 7) extending upwardly from the holder I82 and through the lower arms of the U-shaped springs 296. Surrounding each of the pins 298 between the lower and upper arms of each of the U- shaped springs is a compression spring 2I9. At their outer closed ends the U-shaped springs are held in spaced relation by fingers 2I2 formed on a member 2 I4 secured to the holder I82 by screws 2I6. Overlying the U-shaped springs 296 is a thin shoe-engaging plate 2I8 of resilient metal shaped to conform substantially to the lengthwise curvature of the shank portion of the shoe. The plate 2l8 is fastened by rivets 229 to the inwardly extending arms 222 of a spring clip 224 having an upwardly bent central portion 226 through which extends a shouldered screw 228 threaded into the holder I82 (Fig. 7) Near its inner end each U-shaped spring 206 has projecting upwardly from its lower arm a shouldered pin 239 riveted to the lower arm and arranged by engagement with the upper arm of the U-shaped spring to limit downward bending of the inner portion of the shoe-engaging plate 2l8.

In the illustrated construction, the shoe-engaging plate I24 of each forepart unit extends somewhat heelwardly of the junction of the forepart and shank portions of the shoe, the heelwardly extending portion 232 (Fig. 3) of the plate I24 being curved similarly to and overlying the shank ironing plate 2l8. Overlying the shank ironing plate 2I8 at its rear end is the toewardly projecting portion 234 of the heelend ironing plate I54, this projecting portion being also curved similarly to the shank ironing plate. As herein shown, the forepart, shank and heel-end ironing units for engaging the lasted margin of the upper at the opposite sides of the shoe bottom are mounted on the casting 84 between side plates 236 each of which is provided at its forward end with a depending portion 238 (Fig 2) which is slotted to receive the bushing H8 and is counterbored to receive a head 249 formed on the outer end of the bushing Extending through an elongated slot 242 in each side plate 236 is a shouldered screw 244 threaded into the holder I42 of the heel-end ironing unit, a washer 246 being provided between the head of the screw and the side plate. By reason of their overlapping relation the ironing plates I24, 2I8 and I54 of the forepart, shank and heel-end units are arranged to engage the lasted margin of the upper along the opposite sides of the shoe bottom continuously from its toe to its heel-end portion, the flexible plate 168 engaging the lasted margin of the upper at the extreme rear end portion of the shoe. The ironing plates I24, 2I8 and I54 are long enough to accommodate shoes of different sizes and preferably the ironing plates I24 of the forepart units are shaped to conform nearly to the lateral curvature of the bottom of the forepart of the'shoe.

In order to accommodate shoes of different styles, that is, shoemounted upon lasts designed to accommodate heels of different heights, means is provided, which will now be described, for relatively adjusting the forepart, shank and heel-end units hei-ghtwise of the shoe to vary the lengthwise contour of the ironing plates I24, 2 I8 and I54 in accordance with variations in the lengthwise curvature of the bottom faces of shoes of different styles. As shown, particularly in Fig. 2, the holder I96 of one of the forepart ironing units is provided with a circular seat for the ball-shaped upper end of a rod 248 which is threaded into a sleeve 259 recessed to receive a projection 252 formed on a rod 254 (Fig. 2) which extends downwardly through an enlarged opening 256 in a laterally extending shaft 258 supported by depending ears 269 on the casting 84. The ball-shaped end of the rod 248 is held in engagement with its seat by means of a' plate 262 secured to the holder I96 by screws 264 (Fig. 4). The rod 254 is pinned to the sleeve 259 (Fig. 2) and has a curved shouldered portion 266 engaging a similarly shaped seat formed on the shaft 258. Pinned to the rod 254 is a collar 268 engaging a flat surface 219 on the shaft 258. Surrounding the rod 254 between a flange 212 formed on a hand wheel 214 pinned to the lower end of the rod and the flat surface 219 is a compression spring 216 which acts to hold the rod 254 frictionally against free turning movement. Formed on the holder I 96 to which the rod 248 is connected are laterally extending projections 218 (Fig. 5) arranged to engage finished surfaces on the bottom face of the holder I96 of the forepart ironing unit that engages the lasted margin of the upper at the opposite side of the shoe bottom. It will be evident that-by rotation of the hand wheel 214 the forepart holders I86 may be swung about the axis of the shaft I88 to lower or raise the pivot pins I85. As the pivot pins I85 are thus raised or lowered the forepart and shank holders I86, I82 are rotated relatively to one another about the axis of the pins I85 to vary the angle between the ironing plates I24 of the forepart units and the ironing plates 2I8 of the shank units and thus to vary the contour defined by the plates I24, 2I8 and I54 lengthwise of the shoe in accordance with variations in the heightwise curvature of the bottoms of shoesmounted upon lasts designed to accommodate heels of different heights. For the convenience of the operator there is pivotally connected to the casting 84 a pointer 288 (Fig. 2) which is arranged to cooperate with a scale 282 on an arc-shaped member 284 fastened to the casting 84 and to indicate the different adjusted positions of the forepart ironing units in operating upon shoes mounted upon lasts designed to carry heels of different heights, the pointer being swung as the forepart units are adjusted by means of an arm 286 connected to one of the holders I86 by 'a screw 288 extending through an elongated slot 298 in the arm. It will be understood that as the forepart units are thus adjusted the shank and heel-end units may move lengthwise of the shoe by reason of theslotted connection between the holders I42 of the heel-end units and the member I16. In order that the shank and heelend ironing units may be adjusted relatively to the forepart units as may be necessary in operating upon shoes designed to carry comparatively high heels, there is connected to the support I44, on which rest the heel-end ironing units, a rod 292 (Figs. 1 and 2) which extends downwardly through a central bore in a shaft 294 supported by depending ears 296 on the casting 84. The rod 292 is threaded into a yoke 298 which extends through an enlarged opening in the plate I48 and is pivotally connected at 295 to the support I44. The rod 292 is held against endwise movement relatively to the shaft 294 by means of a collar 388 formed on the rod and engaging a flat surface 382 on the shaft and a collar 384 pinned to the rod and engaging a fiat surface 386 formed on the opposide side of the shaft. Pinned to the lower end portion of the rod 292 is a hand wheel 388 for turning it and surrounding the rod between a flange 3I8 on the hand wheel and the fiat surface 386 on the shaft 294 is a compression spring 3I2 which tends frictionally to hold the hand wheel against turning movement. It will be understood that by turning the hand wheel 388 the support I44 may be swung about its pivot to vary the angle between the heel-end ironing plates I54 and the shank-ironing plates 2I8. As the support I44 is thus swung the pivot pins I81 are raised or lowered to move the shank ironing units relatively to the forepart ironing units to give the ironing plates I 24, 2I8 and I54 the required pronounced longitudinal contour. A pointer 3I5 secured to the plate I48 by screws 3I1 (Figs. 2 and 4) and cooperating with a scale 3I9 on the member I16 indicates different adjusted positions of the heel-end ironing units.

Each side plate. 236 is formed integral with a pair of slides 3I4 (Figs. 1 and 3) mounted in guideways 3I6 formed in the casting 84, each slide being held in its guideway by a cover plate 3I8 fastened to the casting 84 by screws 328. arranged. to engage each slide 3I4 in a recess men 322 formed in the slide is the rounded upper end of one arm 324 of a bell-crank lever 326,the

units are held in their outermost positions by the side plates 236 and the above-described connections to the slide 14. As thus positioned, the ironing plates I24, 2I8 and I54 are arranged to receive and support a previously lasted shoe presented initially by the operator bottom downward by engagement with the overlaid marginal portion of the upper along the opposite sides of the shoe from the toe end to the heel end of the shoe, with the extreme rear end portion of the shoe'in engagement with the plate I68. It will be understood that the lastrand shoe will have been previously mounted on the heel pin 36 and that the holder 56 will have been moved with the last and shoe as'theshoe is placed initially on the ironing plates I24, 2I8 and I54. It will be understood also that in the upward movement of the slide 14 the shoe and the holder 56 are first moved into engagement respectively with the shoe rest 32 and with an abutment 338 formed on the member 44 before any substantial amount of pressure is applied to the bottom of the shoe and that the member 44 may rock more or less about the axis of the pin 38 to move the shoe rest 32 into engagement with the shoe or the abutment 338 into engagement with the holder 56 as may be necessary to accommodate lasts of different heights. With the shoe rest 32 in engagement with the shoe and the abutment 338 in engagement with the holder 56, the pivoted member 44 is moved upwardly with the last and shoe until its curved upper edge (not herein shown) engages a correspondingly curved seat on the previously-mentioned carrier. Thereafter the mem-' ber 44 is held against further upward movement and is also held frictionally against further rocking movement and in response to the pressure of the shoe upon them the plates I24, 2I8, I54 and I68 are fiexed to conform more closely to the contour of the shoe bottom and yield downwardly against the resistance of the spring fingers I38, the U-shaped springs I68. Downward yield the U-shaped springs 286 and the spring fingers I68, respectively, is limited by the curved ribs I38, I46, the pins 238 and theplates I62, to permit relatively heavy pressure to be applied to the shoe through the spring fingers shaped springs 286. Preferably the spring fingers I38, the U-shaped springs 286 and the spring fingers I68 are of substantially the same capacity so that substantially uniform pressure is applied along the opposite sides of the shoe bottom. In the continued upward movement of the slide 14 the. pressure of the plates I24, 2I8 and I54 on the overlaid margin of the upper is progressively increased as the spring 86 is compressed until abutments 338 on the slide 14 engage abutments 348 on the casting 84. Thereafter relatively heavy pressure is applied to the shoe in the continued upward movement of the slide 14 as fluid is supplied to the cylinder 82 to raise the piston 88. As the spring 86 begins to yield in the upward in response to the pressure of the ironing plates, the links 328 act to swing the bell-crank levers 326 in directions to move the side plates 236and the forepart, shank, and heelend ironing units at the opposite sides of the 286 and the spring fingers of the spring fingers I38;

I38, I68 and the U-.

movement of the slide 14 shoe on the shoe toward each other, the ironing plates I 24,.

2I8 and I54 being thus moved bodily inward to iron the overlaid margin of the upper along the sides of the forepart, shank, and heel-end portions of the shoe.

In order that the ironing plates I24 of the forepart units will act on the overlaid margin of the upper around the toe end of the shoe the inner edges of the plates when the forepart units are at their outermost positions are substantially parallel to the longitudinal median line of the forepart of the shoe and are cut away rearwardly of the toe portion of the shoe topermit the toeend portions of the plates I24 to move into engagement with each other as they complete their inward movements. Secured to the holder I06 of one of the forepart units by means of the screws I22 is a thin flexible resilient plate 342 (Fig. 3) which extends inwardly between the toe portion of the ironing plate I24 andits supporting plate I26 at one side of the shoe, the inner end portion of the plate 342 extending also be tween the toe portion of the ironing plate I24 and its supporting plate I26 at the opposite side of the shoe when the iorepart units are in their outermost positions. The plate 342 bridges the gap between the inner edges of the toe end portions of the ironing plates I24, thus aifording substantial insurance that the overlaid margin of the upper at the extreme toe end will not be pinched between the ironing plates I24 as the toe end portions of these plates are .brought together at the completion of their inward movements. Marking of the upper by the inwardly moving plates I54 at the extreme heel-end portion of the shoe is prevented by the plate I68 which as shown in Fig. 3 is supported at each side of the shoe at its forward end by a spring clip 344 fastened to the holder I42 by one of the screws I52. In order to eliminate any possibility of marking the upper at the opposite sides of the shoe by the inwardly moving plates I24 and I54, the forward edge faces of the projections 232 on the plates I24 and the rear edge faces of the projections 234 on the plates I54 as well as the forward edge faces of the plate I68 are inclined at an angle to the direction of inward movement of the ironing plates.

In order to assist in ironing the overlasted margin of the upper free from Wrinkles and setting it in lasted position, the machine herein shown is provided with means for maintaining the ironing plates in a heated condition. For this purpose there is secured to each of the holders I06, I82 and I42 at one side of the shoe, an electrical heating device 346 (Figs. 4 and 5) that extends inwardly beneath the ironing plates of the unit and also beneath the ironing plates of the corresponding unit at the opposite side of the shoe, the devices 346 being connected by suitable electrical connections to any convenient source of electrical energy for heating them. The ironing members of each unit are heated partly by radiation and partly by heat conducted to-them from the holders I06, I82 and I42.

It will be understood that in the use of the machine for pressing or ironing the bottoms of shoes of different styles the contour of the ironing plates I24, 2I8 and I54 lengthwise of the shoe may be varied in accordance with variations in the heightwise curvature of the bottoms of shoes of different styles by movement'of the hand wheels 214 and 308 to raise or lower the pivot pins I85 and I81 and thus to rotate the holders I06, I82 and I42 relatively to one another about the axes of the pins I85 and I81 which, as previously pointed out, are located substantially at the junction of the forepart and shank portions and at the junction of the shank and heel-end portions of the shoe. In the operation of the machine the operator, after adjusting the ironing plates I24,

2! and I54 for the style of shoe to be operated upon, mounts a last and shoe on the heel pin 36, swings the holder 56 toward the shoe rest 32 and also moves it heightwise of the shoe to carry the shoe bottom downward into engagement with the ironing plates which serve to locate the shoe properly lengthwise in the machine, the operator positioning the shoe on the ironing plates in proper relation widthwise of the machine. In the upward movement of the slide I4 after the last and shoe and the holder 56 have been moved into engagement with the shoe rest 32 and the abutment 330 and the member 44 has been locked against rocking movement, the ironing plates I24, 2I0 and I54 at each side of the shoe are flexed to conform more closely to the contour of the shoe bottom in response to pressure of the shoe upon them and yield downwardly against the resistance of the spring fingers I30, the U-shaped springs 206, and the spring fingers I60, until the fingers I30 engage the curved ribs I38, I40, the upper arms of the U-shaped springs 206 engage the pins 230 and the fingers I60 engage the plates I62. It will be understood that the plate I68 yields downwardly with the plates I54 in response to.

pressure of the shoe upon it and that the plate 342 is flexed to conform to the contour of the plates I24 and also yields downwardly with the plates I24. Thereafter, or it may be during the downward yielding of the spring fingers I30 and I60 and the upper arms of the U-shaped springs 206, the different pairs of heated ironing plates at the opposite sides of the shoe are moved bodily inward over the shoe bottom in wiping engagement with the overlaid margin of the upper in response to the swinging of the bell-crank levers 326 and as they are thus moved inwardly their pressure on the lasted margin of the upper is progressively increased as above described. As the ironing plates move inwardly over the shoe bottom they act to tighten the upper over the bottom face of the insole along the sides of the forepart, shank and heel-end portions of the shoe and by applying progressively increasing pressure heightwise of the shoe .to the overlaid margin of the upper while subjecting it to the shrinking action of heat, they act to flatten the margin of the upper evenly and to iron it smoothly on the insole, thus preparing the bottom of the shoe in the best possible manner for the reception of the outsole in a position close to the upper and insole. As more fully explained in the above-mentioned application Serial No. 201,790, as the ironing members complete their inward movements the overlaid margin of the upper is subjected to further pressure by upward movement of the piston 80, after which the shoe is held under pressure by the movement of a valve into position to look fluid under pressure in the cylinder 82. Thereafter the fluid is exhausted from the cylinder 82 and the slide I4 and the casting 84 by their own weight slide downwardly on the rods 26, thereby releasing the shoe from pressure, the bell-crank levers 326 being swung in directions to move the ironing units away from each other by the expanding of the spring 86. The slide I4 moves downwardlly upon the rods 26 until a flange 348 (Fig. l) on the slide engages the upper surface 350 of the cylinder 82, springs 352 surrounding links 354 pivotally connected to the bracket 24 one at each side of the cylinder 82 yielding somewhat under the weight of the .parts to permit this. The springs 352 bear at their lower ends against Washers B engaging finished surfaces 358 on the'bracket 24, washers 360 being provided between the upper ends of the springs land the, bracket 14. The links 354 are provided with elongated slots 362 through which extend pins 364 carried by the slide 14, the pins 364 engaging the links at the upper ends of the slots 362 to limit upward movement of the slide 14 and the piston 80 if the machine is operated with no shoe in the machine. e V

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters'Patent of the United States'is:

1. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with means for support ing a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face, of means for applying pressure to the bottom of the shoe after lasting but before anjoutsole is applied to the shoe comprising heated devices arranged to engage the bottom of the shoe along the opposite sides of its forepart, shank and heel-end portions respectively, said devices being relatively adjustable heightwise of the shoe to accommodate shoes of different styles.

'2. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with means for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face, of means for applying pressure to the bottom of the shoe after lasting but before an outsole is applied to the shoe comprising different pairs of devices arranged to engage the bottom of the shoe along the opposite sides of its forepart, shank and heel-end portions respectively, said different pairs of devices being relatively adjustable heightwise of the shoe to accommodate shoes of different styles, and means for moving said different pairs of devices inwardly over the bottom of the shoe in wiping engage ment with the shoe bottom in response to resistance of the shoe to the pressure applied.

3. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with means for support inga shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face, of means for applying pressure to the bottom of the shoe after lasting but before an outsole is applied to the shoe comprising different pressing members of resilient metal arranged to support a shoe placed initially thereon bottom downward by engagement with the bottom of the shoe along the opposite sides of its forepart, shank and heel-end portions respectively, said different pressing members being relatively adjustable heightwise of the shoe to accommodate shoes of different styles, and each being flexibly conformable to the contour of the portion of the shoe bottom engaged thereby in response to pressure of the shoe thereon.

4. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the'combination with means for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face, of means for applying pressure to the bottom of the shoe after lasting but before an 'outsole is applied to the shoe comprising different members of resilient metal arranged to engage the bottom of the shoe along the opposite sides of its forepart, shank and heel-end portions respectively, the members acting on the forepart, shank and heel-end portionsof the bottom of the shoe being mounted in overlapping relation lengthwise of the shoe, and said different members being relatively adjustable heightwise of the shoe to accommodate shoes of different styles.

5. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes; the combination with means for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face, of means for applying pressure to the bottom of the shoe after lasting but before an outsole is'applied to the shoe comprising different pairs of resilient metal plates arranged to support a shoe placed initially thereon bottom downward by engagement with the bottom of the shoe along the opposite sides of its forepart, shank and heel-end portions respectively, said different pairs of plates being relatively adjustable heightwise of the shoe to accommodate shoes of different styles, means for moving said different pairs of plates inwardly toward each other in response it;

6. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with means for support-i ing a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face, of means for applying pressure to the bottom of the shoe after lasting but before an outsole is applied to the shoe comprising different pairs of members movable inwardly toward each other in wiping'contact with the lasted margin of the upper at the opposite sides of the forepart/shank and heel-end portions of the shoe bottom respectively, the members of each pair being shaped substantially to conform to the heightwise curvature of the portion of the shoe bottom engaged thereby, and said forepart and heel-end engaging members having portions overlapping said shank-engaging members to provide continuous engagement with the lasted margin of the upper at each side of the shoe substantially from its toe to its heel-end portion, and means for heating said members.

7. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of='-"'- shoes, the combination with means for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face, of means for applying pressure to the bottom of the shoe after lasting but before an outsole is applied to the shoe comprising (iiiferent pairs of resilient metal plates arranged to engage the bottom of the shoe along the opposite sides of its forepart, shank and heel-end portions respectively, the metal plates at each side of the shoe being mounted in overlapping relation and each being flexibly conformable to the contour of the shoe in response to pressure of the shoe thereon, means for heating said different pairsof metal plates, and means for moving them simultaneously inward toward each shoe at the opposite sides of its forepart, shank" and heel-end portions respectively, said different pairs of plates being shaped respectively to conform substantially to the heightwise curvatures of the forepart, shank and heel-end portions of the bottom of a shoejand members connected to gether for tipping movements about axes extending laterally of the shoefor relatively adjusting said different pairs of plates heightwise of the shoeto vary their contour lengthwise of the shoe in accordance with variations in the heightwise curvature of the bottoms of shoes of different styles.

9. In a machine for applying pressure to the bottom of a shoe after lasting but before an outsole is applied to the shoe, the combination with means for supporting a'shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face, of pressure-applying means comprising metal plates arranged to engage the bottom of the shoe at the opposite sides of its forepart, shank and heel-end portions respectively, and means for tipping the forepart plates about an axis extending laterally of the shoe and for effecting simultaneously a movement of adjustment of said shank-engaging plates to vary the angle between said forepart and shank-engaging plates to accommodate shoes of different styles.

10. In a machine for applying pressure to the bottom of a shoe after lasting but before an outsole is applied to the shoe, the combination with means for supporting a shoe against pressure ap plied on its bottom face, of pressure applying means comprising different pairs of resilient metal plates arranged to engage the bottom of the shoe at the opposite sides of the forepart, shank and heel-end portions respectively, said different pairs of plates being shaped respectively to conform substantially to the heightwise curvatures of the forepart, shank and heel-end portions of the bottom of a shoe, means for tipping the forepart plates about an axis extending laterally of the shoe and for effecting simultaneously a movement of adjustment of said shank-engaging plates to vary the angle between said forepart and shank-engaging plates to accommodate shoes of different styles, and a scale for indicating different adjusted positions of said forepart and shankengaging plates in operating upon shoes of different styles.

11. In a machine for applying pressure to the bottom of a shoe after lasting but before an outsole is applied to the shoe, the combination with means for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face, of pressure-applying means comprising different pairs of resilient metal plates arranged to engage the bottom of the shoe at the opposite sides of its forepart, shank and heel-end portions respectively, said different pairs of plates being shaped respectively to conform substantially to the heightwise curvatures of the forepart, shank and heel-end portions of the bottom of a shoe, and means for relatively rotating the forepart and shank-engaging plates about an axis extending laterally of the shoe to vary the contour defined by said plates lengthwise of the shoe in accordance with variations in the heightwise curvature of the bottoms of shoes mounted on lasts designed to accommodate heels of different heights.

12. In a machine for applying pressure to the bottom of a shoe after lasting but before an outsole is applied to the shoe, the combination with means for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face, of pressure-applying means comprising resilient metal plates arranged to engage the bottom of the shoe at the opposite sidesof its forepart, shank and heel-end portions respectively, and means for relatively rotating said different pairs of plates about different axes extending laterally of the shoe and located substantially at the junction of the forepart and shank portions and at the junction of the shank and heel-end portions'of the shoe to vary the contour defined by said plates lengthwise of the shoe in accordance with variations in the heightwise curvature of the bottoms of shoes of different styles.

13. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with means for supporting a shoe against pressure applied onv its bottom face, of means for applying pressure to the bottom of the shoe after lasting but before an outsole is applied to the shoe comprising a support, different pairs of resilient metal plates mounted on said support and arranged to engage the bottom of the shoe along the opposite sides of its forepart, shank and heel-end portions respectively, said plate support and the shoe support being relatively movable heightwise of the shoe, and separate means yieldable in response to such relative movement for forcing each of saidresillent plates into conformity to the contour of the portion of the shoe bottom engaged thereby.

14. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with means for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face, of means for applying pressure to the bottom of the shoe after lasting but before an outsole is applied to the shoe comprising different pairs of resilient metal plates arranged to support ashoe placed initially thereon bottom downward by ens gagement with the bottom of the shoe along the opposite sides of its forepart, shank and heel-end portions respectively, a support common to all of said plates movable heightwise of the shoe, and separate means yieldable in response to the heightwise movement of said support for pressing each of said resilient plates into conformity to the contour of the portion of the shoe bottom engaged thereby.

15. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with means for supporting a shoe against pressure aplied on its bottom face, of means for applying pressure to the bottom of the shoe after lasting but before an outsole is applied to the shoe comprising different pairs of resilient metal plates arranged to engage the bottom of the shoe at the opposite sides of its forepart, shank and heel-end portions respectively, a movable support common to all of said plates, separate means yieldable heightwise of the shoe in response to the movement of said support for pressing each of said resilient plates into conformity to the contour of the portion of the shoe 1 bottom engaged thereby, and means for limiting the yielding movements of said separate means.

16. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with means for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face,

of means for applying pressure to the bottom of the shoe after lasting but before an outsole is applied to the shoe comprising different pairs of resilient metal plates arranged to support a shoe placed initially thereon bottom downward by engagement with the bottom of the shoe along the opposite sides of its forepart, shank and heel-end portions respectively, a movable support on which said plates are mounted for relative adjustment heightwise of the shoe to accommodate shoes of different styles, means acting on each of said plates to press it into conformity to the contour of the bottom of the shoe in response to movement of said support, mechanism for moving the different pairs of plates inwardly toward each other in wiping engagement with the shoe bottom, and means for progressively increasing the pressure of said plates on the bottom-of the shoe during their inward movements.

17. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with means for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face, of means for applying pressure to the bottom of the shoe after lasting but before an outsole is applied to the shoe comprising different pairs of flexible shoe-engaging plates arranged to engage the bottom of the shoe at the opposite sides of its forepart, shank and heel-rend portions, respectively, the plates of each pair being shaped substantially to'conform to the heightwise curvature of the portion of the shoe bottom engaged thereby, and different pairs of holders for supporting said different pairs of plates, said different pairs of holders being relatively adjustable heightwise of the shoe to position the plates for use in operating upon shoes of different styles.

18. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with means for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face, of means for applying pressure to the bottom of the shoe comprising differentpairs of resilient metal plates arranged to support a shoe placed thereon bottom downward by engagement with the bottom of the shoe along the opposite sides of its forepart, shank and heel-end portions respectively, said plates each being flexibly conformable to the contour of the shoe in response to pressure of the shoe thereon, and different pairs of holders for supporting said different pairs of plates, said holders being connected together for relative rotation about different axes extending laterally of the shoe to position the plates for use in operating upon shoes of different styles.

19. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of 7 shoes, the combination with means for supporting a shoe against pressure app-lied on its bottom face, of means for applying pressure to the bottom of the shoe after lasting but before an outsole is applied to the shoe comprising different pairs of resilient metal plates arranged to engage the bottom of the shoe at the opposite sides of its forepart, shank and heel-end portions, respectively,

the plates of each pair being shaped substantially to conform to the heightwise curvature of the portion of the shoe bottom engaged thereby, and different pairs of holders for supporting said plates, said different pairs of holders being connected together for relative movement about different axes extending laterally of the shoe and located substantially at the junction of the forepart and shank portions and at the junction of the shank and heel-end portions of the shoe to position the plates for use in operating on shoes mounted upon lasts designed to accommodate heels of different heights.

20. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with means for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face, of means for applying pressure to the bottom of the shoe after lasting but before an outsole is applied to the shoe comprising different pairs of resilient metal plates arranged to engage the bottom of the shoe at the opposite sides of its forepart, shank and heel-end portions respectively, the plates of each pair being shaped substantially to conform to the heightwise curvature of the portion of the shoe bottom engaged thereby,

different pairs of holders for said plates, said diflerent pairs of holders being connected to-- gather for relative rotation about different axes extending laterally of the shoe to position the plates for use in operating upon shoes of different styles, a support on which said' holders are mounted for movements in directions laterally of "the shoe, and mechanism for moving the holders at the opposite sides of the shoe simultaneously toward each other to impart bodily inward movements to said plates in response to resistance of the shoe to the pressure applied.

21. In a machine for applying pressure to the bottoms of shoes after lasting, the combination with means for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face, of pressure-applying means comprising different pairs of pressing units arranged to engage the bottom of the shoe at the opposite sides of its forepart, shank and heel-end portions respectively, each of said units comprising a holder and a shoe-engaging plate of resilient metal shaped to conform substantially to the heightwise curvature of the portion of the shoe bottom engaged thereby, means for tipping said forepart units about an axis extending laterally of the shoe, and connections between said forepart units and said shankengaging units for adjusting theshank-engaging units heightwise of the shoe in response to the tipping of said forepart units to vary the contour defined by said shoe-engaging plates lengthwise of the shoe in accordance with variations in pairs of pressing units arranged to engage the bottom of the shoe at the opposite sides of its forepart, shank and heel-end portions respectively, said units each comprising a holder and a shoe-engaging plate of resilient metal shaped to conform substantially to the heightwise curvature of the portion of the shoe bottom engaged thereby, pivot pins extending laterally of the shoe and located substantially at the junction of the forepart and shank portions of the shoe for connecting theholders of said forepart and V shank pressing units, and means for raising or lowering said pivot pins to vary the contour lengthwise of the shoe defined by said shoe-engaging plates.

23. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination with means for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face, of means for applying pressure to the bottom of the shoe after lasting but before an outsole is applied to the shoe comprising different pairs of pressing units arranged to' engage the bottom of the shoe at the opposite sides of its forepart, shank and heel-end portions respectively, said units each comprising aholder and a shoe-engaging plate of resilient metal shaped to conform substantially to the heightwise curvature of the portion of the shoe bottom engaged thereby, said different pairs of holders being connected together by pivot pins extending laterally of the shoe and located substantially at the' junction of the forepart and shank portions and at the junction of the shank and heel-end portions of the shoe, and means for raising or lowering said different pairs of pivot pins independently of each other to vary the contour lengthwise of the shoe defined by said shoe-engaging plates.

24. In means for ironing the bottoms of shoes,

different pairs of ironing units movable toward each other laterally of a shoe to iron the bottom of the forepart, shank and heel-end portions'of 15 the shoe respectively, each unit comprising a heated shoe-engaging plate flexibly conformable to the contour of the portion of the bottom of the shoe engaged thereby in response to pressure of the shoe thereon, and a movable support common to all of said units.

25. In means for ironing the bottoms of shoes, different pairs of ironing units arranged to operate respectively at the opposite sides of the forepart, shank and heel-end portions of the bottom of a shoe, and means for moving said different pairs of units inwardly toward each other in response to pressure of the shoe thereon, each of said units comprising a shoe-engaging plate flexibly conformable to the contour of the shoe.

26. In means for ironing the bottoms of shoes, different pairs of ironing units arranged to operate respectively at the opposite sides of the forepart, shank and heel-end portions of the bottom of .a shoe, said difierent pairs of units being relatively adjustable heightwlse of the shoe to accommodate shoes of different styles, and means for moving said different pairs of units inwardly toward each other in response to pressure of the shoe thereon, each of said units comprising a heated shoe-engaging plate flexibly conformable to the contour of the shoe.

27. In means for ironing the bottoms of shoes, ironing units movable toward each other laterally of a shoe to iron the overlaid marginal portion of the upper along the oposite sides of the bottom of the forepart of the shoe, said units each comprising flexible plates mounted in superposed contiguous relation with one of said plates in position to engage the overlaid margin of the upper and the other one of said plates having a plurality of inwardly extending spring fingers for supporting said shoe-engaging plate, said shoe-engaging plates having toe-engaging portions provided with substantially straight inner edges arranged to contact with each other to limit their inward movements, and another flexible plate movable widthwise of the shoe with one of said shoe-engaging plates and arranged to bridge the space between the inner edges of the toe-engaging portions of said shoe-engaging plates and to engage the corresponding marginal portion of the upper during the inward movement of said shoe-engaging plates.

28. In means for ironing the bottoms of shoes, ironing units movable toward each other laterally of a shoe to iron the overlaid marginal portion of the upper along the opposite sides of the bottom of the shoe, said units each comprising a relatively thin shoe-engaging plate of resilient metal and a plurality of heavy spring fingers for supporting said shoe-engaging plate, said spring fingers being yieldable heightwise of the shoe to force said shoe-engaging plates into conformity to the contour of the shoe in response to pressure of the shoe on said shoe-engaging plates.

29. In means for ironing the bottoms of shoes, ironing units movable toward each other laterally of a shoe to iron the overlaid margin of the upper along the opposite sides of the bottom of the shoe, said units each comprising a relatively thin shoe-engaging plate of resilient metal and a plurality of substantially U-shaped springs for supporting said shoe-engaging plate, said U- shaped springs being yieldable independently of one another to force the shoe-engaging plate into conformity to the contour of the shoe in response to pressure of the shoe on said shoe-engaging plate.

30. In means for ironing the bottoms of shoes, ironing units movable toward each other laterally of a shoe to iron the overlaid margin of the upper along the opposite sides of the bottom of the shoe, said units each comprising a shoe-engaging plate of resilient metal, a plurality of substantially U-shaped springs for forcing said shoe-engaging plate into conformity to the contour of the shoe in response to pressure of the shoe on said shoe-engaging plate, and a plurality of compression springs acting through said U-shaped springs to increase the pressure of said shoe-engaging plate on the shoe.

SIDNEY J. FINN.

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