US2357596A - Heel seat conforming machine - Google Patents

Description

Sept 5, 1944- K. w. MACDONALD I 2,357,596

HEEL SEAT CONFORMING MACHINE Sept 5, 1944g Filed March "f, 1942 5 sheets-sheet 2 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept. 5, 1944. K. w. MACDONALD HEEL SEAT CONFORMING MACHINE Filed Maron 7, 19212 4f /f/ ./f/f

l I y l J Sept- 5, 1944- K .'w..MAc :DoNALD 2,357,596

HEEL SEAT CONFORMIG MACHINE Filed March 7, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet -4 //Jr f Sept 5, 1944 K. w. MACDONALD 2,357,596

HEEL SEAT' CONFORMING MACHINE F'led March '7, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Sept. 5,- 1,944

HEEL SEAT CONFORMING MACHINE Kenneth W. Macdonald, Watertown, Mass., as-

signor to Compo Shoe Machinery Corporation, Boston, Mass., a corporation of Delaware Application March 7, 1942, Serial No. 433,739

24 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for treating the counter portions of shoes, and more particularly oi shoes having heels of the wood heel type wherein the top margin of the heel directly engages the shoe upper, so that the surface of the counter portion of the upper will merge gradually into the contour of the outer face of the heel, eliminating bulging of the shoe upper adjacent to the heel.

One object of the present invention is to provide for power actuation of the pressing means, previous machines for the purpose having been operator actuated either by hand or foot pressure, or both.

A further object is to provide improved pressure-applying mechanism.

Another object is to provide readily adjustable means for supporting and positioning a shoe correctly related to the pressing mechanism, ltaking account not only of size and style differences, but also whether the shoe is a right or left, the latter adjustment being substantially automatic.

A further object is to provide for treating the shoe either on the last or on a form after the last has been removed.

Another object is to improve the construction and control of the pressure mechanism.

Further objects and advantages will appear from a more com-plete description of embodiments of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a top plan view of the top plate removed of a twin machine embodying the invention, one pressing mechanism being shown in idle position and the other inV pressing position.

Figures 2, 3 and 4 are Vertical sectional views on correspondingly numbered lines of Figure 1, Figure 4 being fragmentary.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary View similar to a portion of Figure 1, but to a larger scale and showing certain parts by dotted lines-not shown in Figure 1.

Figure 6 is, a detail section on line 6 6. of Figure 5. I

Figure '7 is a perspective View of a key element.

Figure 8 is a plan view, partly broken away and in section of a pressure mechanism facing pad. Figure 9 is. a detail section on line 9-9 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary top planY of a shoe support provided with a shoe-receiving form in place of the last.

Figure 11 is a'vertical section on line H--I of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a wiring diagram of the electrical apparatus of the machine.

Referring first to the construction shownin Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, the machine comprises a machine base I provided with an elevated platform Z and side wall members 3 having suitable feet 4 (see Figure 2) by which the machine may be supported. Upon the platform 2 are secured the lower ends of uprights 5 which support at their upper ends a table 6. This table may be provided with a marginal upstanding. flange l which maysupport a suitable cover member 8 shown in Figures 2, 3, l 4 and 6, which may be secured in position by screws or other fastening means passing into the threaded holes Siv at the 'corners' of the wall portion l. This cover plate may extend over the major portion of the operating Vmechanism supported on the table 6.

Between the top of the table 6 and the cover plate 8 is mounted the shoe pressing mechanism, and as shown, two such identical mechanisms are employed, the machine being a twin machine. The forward edges of the table 6 and the cover plate B are matingly recessed as at IU and il Ito form openings into which the heel end portion of a shoe may be projected, and partially surrounding the shoe so projected is a shoe pressing mechanism adapted to engage the counter portion of the shoe, and to exert pressure thereon, more particularly adjacent to the shoe heel seat where the top edge of the heel isv designed to contact therewith.

As shown best in Figures 1 and 5, each of these presser mechanisms comprises a series of blocks l5, |5a, |517 and 15o, there being a single block i'c centrally of the series and two of each of the blocks |5b, I5a and I5.y These blocks are of general wedge shape and the shorter side of each forms a pressing face. The blocks I-5 are the end blocks of the series, while next to them are the blocks 15a, and. back of the blocks lia are the blocks I5b on either side of the central block I.5c. These blocks are held in arcuate arrangement and for this purpose each may have a perforation therethrough as I-Gv, shown ini dot.- ted lines in Figure 5. through which extends a spiral spring l1. The ends of' this spring ll are anchored on pins I8 extending through thel end blocks l5. These blocks are further held with their adjacent inner edges in juxtaposition with each other by arcuate keys 20. As shown the top and bottom faces of. the'blocks are provided with arcuate sockets 2|, the sockets of each block being concentric with the adjacent side edge of the pressing face of the block. The keys are held in the sockets by the top and bottom plates comprising the cover plate 8 and the top of the table 6. These keys prevent relative displacement of adjacent blocks transverse to their pressing faces so that the side edges of these pressing faces 'are held into contact, although the blocks themselves may be separated somewhat at their rear edges as shown at the left in Figure 4, when the end blocks. I5 are pressed toward each other and toward the sides of a shoe in position to be treated. Preferably in order to prevent any possibility of the blocks Y marring the shoe upper at their side edges and to cause pressure to be applied to the shoe in a continuous curve, the pressing faces of the blocks act against the back face of a lining which may be of rubber faced with leather or other suitable facing material, the forward ends of the lining being preferably turned away'from each other and secured by any suitable means to the front walls of the end Vblocks I5. The lining 25 may be provided with an electric heating element 26 embedded therein, if desired.

When the shoe is in operative relation in the machine, the inner face of the lining 25 is disposed inwardly of the margin of the cut out portion II) so that the table and the top plate do not contact with the shoe.

The pressing mechanism is permitted a limited motion with respect to the table and to this end a pivot pin 38, which is anchored in a pair of Vspaced upper and lower rearward projections 3| and 32 of the central block |50, extends below the projection 32 and into a channel 33 in the top face of the table 6. This central block |5c is normally pressed forwardly toward the shoe support as by means of a spring 34 having its ends seated in sockets 35 and 36, the socket 35 being located in the projection 32 and the socket 36 being located in a block 31 secured to the top face of the table 6 as by means of screws 38. This central block I5c is therefore permitted a rearward motion from the position shown in Figure 2 and in the right hand portion of Figure l, by the rearward pressure of a shoe 46 supported by mechanism presently to be described, and which may be thrust rearwardly against the linin-g 25 forwardly of the central block I5c. On the pivot pin 30 between the projections 3| and 32 are pivoted, one above the other, a pair of arms 42 each carrying a roller 43 at its forward end which bears against the rear face of the corresponding block I5b, and as the central block I5c is pushed rearwardly by pressure of the shoe, these arms 42 impinge upon fixed stops 44 which causes a forward rocking motion of the arms 42, producing a corresponding pressure on the blocks I5b tending to rock them from the position shown in the right hand portion of Figure l, and in Figure 5, toward the position shown in the left hand portion of Figure l, separating the rear ends of these blocks I5b from the central `block I5c and tending to close in the blocks |517 to decrease the width of the opening into which the shoe end is thrust. As shown these fixed abutments 44 also have another purpose, these abutments being formed as pivot studs for a pair of levers 45.

As shown best in Figures 2 and 4, each of the pivot studs 44 extends downwardly through the table 6 to receive on a reduced diameter threaded extremity 46 thereof, a securing nut 41. The

upper ends of these studs are of reduced diameter as at 48 and project through mating holes 49 in the cover plate 8. Each of the levers 45 has pivoted at 50 at its forward end an equalizing lever 5| provided with rolls 52 at opposite extremities, the forward one of which bears against the back face of a forward block I5, and the other of which bears against the back face of the adjacent block I5a. By rocking these levers 45 about their studs 44 from the position shown in the right hand portion of Figure 1 to that shown in the left hand portion, the for- .ward ends of the series of pressure blocks are closed in toward the sides of a shoe in position therein as is clearly shown in these figures, the rear extremities of the blocks I5 and I5a being separated, while their forward edges remain in juxtaposition, being prevented from separating by the arcuate keys 20. Likewise the rear ends of the blocks |5a and I5b are separated as the series of blocks are closed in around the shoe end,

This rocking of the levers 45 to close the forward ends of the series of blocks about the shoe is produced, as shown, by forward motion of a wedge block having inclined side faces 56 which engage the peripheries of a pair of rollers 51 journaled on pins 58 at the rear ends of the levers 45. These levers 45 have rearward extensions which are connected together by a spring 6|, so as to hold the rollers against the sides of the wedge block 55, and guide elements 62 above and below the wedge block 55 hold the wedge block in the proper relation to the arms 45. Extending from the rear end of each of the wedge blocks 55 is a thrust rod 65 which extends through a slide block 66. Back of the slide block each-thrust rod 65 carries a collar 61, held in place as by a nut 68. A coil spring 69 surrounds the thrust rod 65 and reacts between the forward face of the slide block 66 and a collar 10 threaded onto the forward portion of the rod 65 and held in adjusted position as by means of a locking pin 1I. Forward motion of the slide block 66 thus acts through the spring 69 to produce a yielding forward pressure on the rod 65 and consequently upon the wedge block 55. Compression of the spring 69 permits the corresponding rod 65 to slide rearwardly through the block 66 as shown at the left hand portion of Figure 1.

Forward and backward motion of each of the blocks 66 is produced through apair of links 15 pivoted at their rear ends t0 opposite sides of the slide block 66 and at their forward ends between jaws 11 of a pair of rock arms 18 fixed to a rock shaft 19. Each of the rock shafts 19 is fixed to a bell crank lever 80. One arm 8| of each of these bell crank levers is pivoted between the sides of a yoke 82 which is connected through an adjustable turnbuckle connection 83 with the strap 84 of an eccentric 85 fixed to an actuating shaft 86. This actuating shaft extends crosswise of the machine to both of the pressure actuating mechanisms, but the two eccentrics 85 are positioned apart so that as one of the yokes 82 is raised, the other is'lowered so that when one of the presser mechanisms is closed about the shoe end, the other is opened.

This shaft 86 is rotated vby a motor 90 which is shown as arranged with its axis extending from front to back of the machine, and it is connected through any suitable form of reduction gearing, the casin-g for which is indicated at 9|, to the shaft 86. The motor and reduction gearassises -Tl-ie shoe may be supported on the last, if'

desired, or on a separate form if the last has been removed. 'l-n Figures -l, f2, 3 and 4 the shoe is shown as supported on the last, while in vligu'res '10 and `-1'1 a separate form for supporting fthe shoe is illustrated. When the shoe is sup ported on the last, the shoe support consists of Va slide |300 guided between a pair of ways '|'0| fformed in the table '6 and extending forwardly 'at opposite sides o vthe vopening of the table Aabove which each of the pressing mechanisms is positioned. Cover strips |02 `over-lying the ways |`0| 'serve to hold each slide |00 in position. 'The forward end of each slide 'is provided with a pair of spaced ears |03 between which is pivoted the forward end of `a Alink |04 adjustablein length 'by means of a turnbuckle |05, the rear end kof this link being of reduced diameter to .form a fshoulder |06, this shoulder lbearing against the forward face of a perforated pivot 5I0`| connecting the forked extremities of the arm |08'oi` the lbell crank lever 80. A spring |I0 reacts between 'acollar II surrounding lthe rod TIM, and bearing against the oppositeface of the pivot I`|`and against a pair of check nuts -I I2 threaded upon the rear extremity of the rod |04, provides a yielding connection between the bell crank lever V|30 Vand the slide |00. Thus as the bell crank lever isfrocked in a direction to 'move the slide |00 rearwardly, it also acts to move the block' andthe wedge block l55 vforwardly so that when the jshoe end has been inserted between the 'sides ofthe pressing YInechanismby rearward motion of the slide |00., the pressing mechanism is closed in about the rear and sides of the lshoe upper, 'both these actions being eiec'ted through yielding connections. It will be noted that rocking the bell crank lever 80 in closing direction moves the shoe rearwardly and l`the center blok I5'c of the `pressing mechanism forwardly, and that vit also closes in the sides of the pressing mecha.. 'nism against the shoe. By adjustment of the turnbuckle 93, therefore, the pressure exerted on both the back and sides of the shoe maybe increased or decreased together. This one adjustment thus controls the two pressures which may be kept constant.

The slide |00 is provided with alast pin |`5 to receive the vpin hole ofthe last and this pin is vertically adjustable so as 'to present theshoe at the proper height for treatment by the mecha- 'nism at the rear end of the shoe. 'This last'pin ||5, therefore, is formed as vthe upper portion of an enlarged diameter post IISvertically slidable in a socket I Il in a cross member 2| I8 ofthe slide |00. This post ||6 is internally threaded vand receives'therein the upper threaded 'extremity of a shaft vI |9 'journaledin the lower portion of the cross 'member V|`|8 and'to the lower end of which is iixed a spiral gear |20. This `gear lai() the slide |00 and carries on its forward reduced diameter extremity an actuating hand wheel |24. By the turning of this hand wheel, it is evident that the Vlast pin |15 may be raised or lowered as desired. *The toe portion of the shoe is supported by a pad A|25 freely slidable laterally as by :a 'T head and slot -on the upper end of a vertically adjust-'- able post 'I2-6. This post '|26 is mounted for vertical motion in a slide |21 movable from and toward the cross member I 1|8 which carries the last pin post. The post "|26 is held against an'- gular motion, as by means oi a key screw |28 working in a suitable slot in ithe post II2'6 and it is vertically adjustable by rotation 'of a `threaded shaft |29 lengagingV in a threaded socket |290 in the post and having fa hand wheel `|2594 secured to yits lower end,v the arrangement being generally similar to that for adjustingy the last pin post H6. The slide |721 is adjustable for- 'wardly and rearwardly by means of ka screw shaft v'I`2"|0 journaled in the 4slide |00 and engaging an internally threaded portion `of the slide l\'|"2|.

'The forward and rearward adjustment of the post |126 provides -f'or different sizes and sty-les 'of last so asr to bring the pad l| 25 to `the proper distance from the last pin opening, and the 'pa-d |25 being freely -sl-idable laterally, permits application of either right or left hand laststo either 'shoe support as may 'be desired. The inidependent vertical 'adjustments fof `the l-ast pin and the toe support *|25 permit height adjustment -of the shoe and also angular adjustment about a horizontal axis, *tilting the shoe 2forwardly or -backwardly so vthat the 'sole face of fthe'shoe, which is in inverted posit-ion'may b'e adjusted A'forvarious sizes and styles ,of shoe'to Ibring-the marginal part of the heel seatportion of the shoe into Vproper relation to the Vpressing mechanism when the shoe is inpressing position.

The proper position of thev shoe 'is determined by a gage |30. This gage is vfulcrumed at lISI on 'an arm =I32 pivoted v'at |33 to a fixedpoint, -as on one of the cover plates -|02. This lgage Yhas fa pairof gaging portionsy or elements '|34 and |35 spaced lengthwise ofthe shoe and when the 4shoe lis in its forward position and properly adjusted vas to height and angularity, both -gaging-por-tions lengage Athe shoe at the juncture vof the heel as shownat the right hand portion of 'iFigureL This gage is pressed 'toward the shoe as by y-a spring '|36 Awhich engages the journal 131 of- 'a `cam roller |538 lcarried bythe arm'I'32. When the `shoe `is moved rearwardly into pressing position, the `cam roller |38 vrides up on aiixed `cam plate |39, this swinging the arm |532 and z'withdrawing the gage from the shoe as shown-at Vthe left ofFigure 1.

The lpressing mechanism contoured to properly engage the shoe heel portion, presses'the 7shoe,

particularly adjacent -to the heel seat, into subf'stantially smooth contour with the adjacent ia'ce of the shoe heel.

'If the shoefhas been removed from the las'tbe- "fore the operation to be 'performed by 'thisema- `chine has beenfelected, vthe shoe may :be placed `over a-heel shaped `form such as fis shown inliglures "10 and 11. Such ahee'l l'shapediform is fin'- 4`dicated at 4|40 and it maybe of metal and-pro lend portion |43, the top of -whihforms `a st0p=to -llimitthe downward motion offtherear end of the block |40, and across the slot between the forked portions extends a lateral pivot |44. 'I'his post |45 is vertically slidable in a socket |46 in the cross frame member |41 of the sliding carriage |48, and it is internally threaded for engagement with external threads of a shaft |49 projecting into the socket |46 and carrying at its lower end a spiral gear |50 which meshes with a similar gear on a horizontal shaft |52 carried by the slide |48. This shaft |52 is provided at the forward face of the slide with a hand wheel |53 by which it may be turned, thus to adjust vertically the post |45 and the rear end of the form |40. The forward end of the form |40 has pivoted thereto at |55 the rear end of a link |56 which rides in a slot |51 in the form. The lower forward end of this link is pivoted within a slot |58 of a slide |59 mounted between ways |60 of the slide |48. A screw shaft |6| journaled in the slide |48 is threaded into a socket |62 of the slide |59 and is provided at its forward end on the forward face of the slide |48 with a hand wheel |65. The -adjustment of the slide |59 by turning the hand wheel |65 acts to raise and lower the front portion of the form |40 and to determine the angularity of this form about the pivot |44, thus providing for both the vertical4 and angular adjustment of the shoe so that the shoe, regardless of its style and size, may be properly positioned relative to the pressing mechanism so that when it is moved back into operative relation thereto the pressing mechanism will properly act thereon.

The means shown for heating the form |40 consists of an electric heating unit which may be inserted into a socket |1| therein, its conductor wires leading to a pronged plug |12, the prongs of which may be inserted into a socket member |13. This socket member |13 has leading thereto a suitable conducting cord |14 which may be plugged into an electrical control box shown somewhat diagrammatically at |80. 'Ihis main slide |48 is provided with a rearwardly extending forked portion |85 for securement to the rod |04 shown in Figures 2 and 4 and may be used interchangeably with the last supporting slide |00 shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4.

In Figure 12 is shown diagrammatically the electrical control mechanism. At |90 (Figures 1, 2 and 12) is shown a treadle fulcrumed at |9| and normally held elevated as by a spring |92. This treadle, when depressed, closes a switch arm |93, this switch arm being in series through a' lead |94 with a switch arm |95 actuated by a cam |96 mounted on the shaft 86. This cam has two arcuate portions |91 and |98 of unequal dlameters, each extending substantially one half of the circumference of the cam. A cam follower |99 normally held pressed against the periphery of the cam, as by a spring 200 and attached to the switch arm |95, causes the switch arm to close and so maintain a connection to the contact`20| while the cam follower is riding on the portion from the supply line 2|0, the main switch 2|`| having been closed, through the switch' closing operate until the cam coil 2|4 of the main motor control switch 2|5, through the lead 2|6, switch |93 and lead |94to the switch arm |95. When the switch arm |95 connects with the contact 20| and the switch 205 connects with contact 201, the circuit is completed through the lead 2|8 to the opposite line 220. Thus the motor controlled switch 2|5 is closed, starting the motor 90. 'I'his motor continues to |96 reaches the point where the follower |99 rides up onto the portion |91 of the cam which opens the circuit at the contact 20|, causing the motor switch magnet to be de-energized, whereupon the switch 2|5 opens and the motor stops. In this position the shoe, which was previously treated by its pressing mechanism, has been released and drawn forwardly into shoe loading and unloading position, and that shoe which was previously in loading and unloading position has been moved backward into cooperative relation to its pressing mechanism and this pressing mechanism has been brought into pressing engagement with the shoe upper. The operator then moves the switch 205 to its opposite position, opening the contact at 201 and closing the contact at 206, and as the contact 202 is now closed by the switch arm |99, the circuit is again completed through the motor switch coil 2|4 so that the motor is again started and operates until the cam portion |98 becomes again eiective, whereupon the circuit is opened by opening the contact at 202. The motor then stops and can be, restarted when the treadle is down only by throwing the switch 295 to its other position to close the contact at 201. The switches 205 and are thus double throw switches and both have to be in denite relationship to each other to complete the circuit to maintain the motor in operation. The switch |95 which may be of the well known spring ratchet type is thrown from one to the other of its positions automatically at the end of each half revolution of the shaft 86, and it is then necessary to throw the manually operated switch 205 to again start the motor.

The heating element of the pad linings for the two presser mechanisms may derive their supply of current from the lines 2|0 and 220, being arranged in series and with an adjustable resistor 225, and when the metal form shown in Figures 10 and 11 is to be employed, the heaters for the two forms may also be plugged in parallel with the heating elements 26 at the plug connection 226 shown diagrammatically in Figure 12.

In operation, a shoe to be treated is placed on the shoe supporting slide which is forwardly presented, and adjusted for proper height and angularity as shown by the gage. The motor is then started, this causing the shoe so placed and adjusted to be moved rearwardly into pressing position and the presser mechanism is closed about it, while the other pressing mechanism is opened and the supporting slide is moved forwardly to unloading position and the machine stops. A shoe to be treated is then placed on this forward support and the machine again started, moving the shoe to be treated into pressing position and returning the shoe last treated to the loading and unloading position for removal from the machine.

From the foregoing description of certain embodiments of this invention, it should be evident to those skilled in the art that various changes and modiiications might be made without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. Shoe upper pressing means comprising spaced :top andbottom .plates having mating edge recesses Vwithin which a shoe end may be inserted, a plurality of pressure blocks arranged in series .and slidable between said top and bottom plates 'and having pressing faces, means for retaining said blocks with their pressing faces Vdisposed in juxtaposition, said blocks having arcuate recesses struck about centers at adjacent edges of said front faces, and annular segmental keys in the recesses bridging adjacent blocks.

2. Shoe upper pressing means comprising a supporting plate recessed in one edge to receive the end portion of a shoe, seven pressure blocks -on said plate, means holding said blocks with pressing faces arranged edge to edge in an arcuate series for closing and opening motion about a shoe end positioned in said recess, a pair of levers fulcrumed back of said blocks at either side of the center of said series, -equalizing arms fulcrumed on said levers for operative engagement at opposite ends with the two blocks one at each end of said series and the others next adjacent t0 said end blocks, lever arms fulcrumed on the central block of said series and having ends in operative engagement with the next adjacent blocks to said central block, a wedge member en- -gageable between rearwardly extending arms of said levers for forcing the forward ends of said levers toward each other on the forward motion of said wedge member, a fixed abutment back of said central block, and a spring reacting between the rear face of said central block and said' abut'- ment, said pressing means including abutments l against which said lever arms engage when said central block is pushed rearwardly to rock said next adjacent blocks toward each other and against the end of a shoe pressed rearwardly against said central block.

3. Shoe upper pressing means comprising a supporting plate recessed in one edge to receive the end portion of a shoe, seven pressure blocks on said plate, means holding said blocks with pressing faces arranged edge to edge in an arcuate series for closing and opening motionv about a shoe end positioned in said recess, a pair of levers fulcrumed back of said blocks at either side of the center of said series, equalizing arms fulcrumed on said levers for operative engagement at opposite ends with the two blocks one at each end of said series and the others next adjacent to said end blocks, lever arms fulcrumed on the central block' of said series and having ends in operative engagement with the next adjacent blocks to said central block, a wedge member engageable between rearwardly extending arms of said levers for forcing the forward ends of said levers toward each other on the forward motion of said wedge member, a fixed abutment back of'said vcentral block, a spring reacting between the rear face of said central block and said abutment, said pressing means including abutments against which said lever arms engage when said central block is pushed rearwardly to rock said next adjacent blocks toward each other and against the end of a shoe pressed rearwardly against said central block, means for supportinga shoe with itsA heel end partly enclosed by said series of blocks, and means for` forcing said shoe rearwardly against said central block.

Y4. Shoe upper pressing means comprising a supporting plate recessed in one edge to receive the end portion of a shoe, seven pressure blocks on said plate, means holding said blocks with pressing faces arranged edge to edge in an arcuate series for closing and opening motion about a shoer end positioned in said recess, a pair of levers fulcrumed back'of said blocks at either side of the center of said series, equalizing arms fulcrumed on said levers for operative engagement at opposite ends with the two blocks one at each end of said series and the others next adjacent to said end blocks, lever arms fulcrumed on the central block of said series and having ends in operative engagement with the next adjacent blocks to said central block, a wedge member engageable between rearwardly extending arms of said levers for forcing the forward ends of said levers toward each other on the forward motion of `said wedge member, a fixed abutment back of said central block, a spring reacting between the rear face of said central block and said abutment, said pressing means including abutments against which said lever arms engage when said central block is pushed rearwardly to rock said next adjacent blocks toward each other and against the end of a shoe pressed rearwardly against said central block, means for supporting a shoe with its heel end partly enclosed by said series of blocks, and means for forcing said shoe rearwardly against sai-d central block and for swinging said levers to lbring said blocks controlled by said equalizing arms into pressing engagement with side portions of said heel end.

5. A machine of the class described, comprising a supporting plate having a recess in one edge within which an end portion of a shoe may be extended, said supporting plate having a giudeway at opposite sides of said recess, a slide movable along said guideway, means carried by said slide for supporting a shoe for motion to project one end of said shoe into said recess or to retract said shoe therefrom, shoe pressing mechanism slidably mounted on said plate with a portion intermediate to its ends in position to be engaged when the shoe is moved into said recess, means actuable to move the end portions of said mechanism toward and from each other to press against the-sides of said shoe end portion or to relieve pressure thereon, and means for moving said slide and said end portions in timed relation.

6. A machine of the class described, comprising a supporting plate having a recess in one edge within which anend portion of a shoe may be extended, said supporting plate having a guideway at opposite sides of said recess, a slide movable along said guideway, means carried by said slide for supporting a shoe for motion to project one end of said shoe into said recess or to retract said shoe therefrom, shoe pressing mechanism slidably mounted on said plate with a ,portion intermediate to its ends in position to be engaged with the shoe is moved into said recess, means actuatable to move the end portions of said mechanism toward and from each other to press against the sides of said shoe end portion or to relieve pressure thereon, a movable member, connections from said movable member to said slide and to said end portions for moving said slide and end portions in timed relation, and means actuable to move said member.

7. A machine of the class described, comprising a supporting plate having a recess in one edge within which an end portion of a shoe may be extended, said supporting plate having a guideway at opposite sidesof said recess, a slide movable along said guideway, means carried by said slide for supporting a shoe for motion to project one end of said shoe into said recess or to retract lsaid shoe therefrom, shoe pressing mechanism slidably mounted on said plate with a portion intermediate toits ends in position to be engaged when the shoe is moved into said recess, means actuable to move the end portions of said mechanism toward and from each other to press against the sides of said shoe end portion or to relieve pressure thereon, a bell crank lever, connections from one arm of said bell crank lever to said slide, connections from the other arm of said bell crank lever to said end portions, and means actuable to rock said bell crank lever.

8. A shoe support, comprising a base, a last pin vertically adjustable with respect to said base, a toe support mounted for motion from and toward said last pin and vertically adjustable, and means actuable from one end portion of said base for adjusting said last pin and toe support vertically and said toe support from and toward said last pin.

9. A shoe support comprising a base, a vertically adjustable post carried by said base, a pin pivoted to the upper end of said post for rocking motion lengthwise of said support, a form over which a shoe may be placed and having a socket to receive said pin, a slide adjustable longitudinally with respect to said base toward and from said post, and a link pivotally connected at po- `posite ends to said slide and form, respectively.

10. A shoe support comprising a base, a vertically adjustable post carried by said base, a pin pivoted to the upper end of said post for rocking motion lengthwise of said support, a form over which a shoe may be placed and having a socket to receive said pin, a slide adjustable longitudinally with respect to said base toward and from said 4post, a link pivotally connected at opposite ends to said slide and form, respectively` and means located at the forward end of said support for adjusting said post vertically.

l1. A shoe support comprising a base, a vertically adjustable post carried by said base, a pin pivoted to the upper end of said post for rocking motion lengthwise of said support, a form over which a shoe may be placed and having a socket to receive said pin, a slide adjustable longitudinally with respect to said base toward and from said post, a link pivotally connected at opposite ends to said slide and form, respectively,

said form having a socket for receiving a heating element open from beneath between said link and said pin-receiving socket, and a heating element in said element-receiving socket.

l2. rihe combination with a shoe treating mechanism, of a shoe support movable to and from a position to present a shoe on said support into treating relation to said mechanism, said shoe support being adjustable, and a gage positioned with relation to said support when said support is out of treating relation to said mechanism to determine a position of said shoe with reference to said support correct for the treating operation when said shoe support is in said position and to which said shoe may be brought by movement of said support.

13. The combination with a shoe treating mechanism. of a shoe support movable to and from a position to present a shoe on said support into treating relation to said mechanism, said shoe support being adjustable, a gage positioned with relation to said support when said support is out of treating relation to said mechanism to determine a position of said shoe with reference to said support correct for the treating operation when said shoe support is in said position and to which said shoe may be brought by movement of said support, and means actuated by the motion of said support to said position for retracting said gage from gaging position.

14. The combination with a shoe treating mechanism, of means for supporting a shoe in treating relation to said mechanism, said shoe supporting means including spaced shoe supporting elements adjustable independently to de- 'termine the angular position lengthwise and the placing of said shoe with respect to said supporting means, and a gage having a pair of shoe engaging portions spaced lengthwise of the shoe and acting to denne the proper angular position and placing of the shoe for the treating operation.

15. The combination with a shoe treating mechanism, of means for supporting a shoe in treating relation to said mechanism, said shoe supporting means including spaced shoe supporting elements adjustable independently to determine the angular position lengthwise and the placing of said shoe with respect to said supporting means, a gage having a pair of shoe engaging portions spaced lengthwise of the shoe and acting to dene the proper angular position and placing of the shoe for the treating operation,

said gage being positioned to cooperate with the shoe when said shoe supporting means is out of said position and in a shoe loading and unloading position, and means actuated by the motion of said supporting means toward said treating position to move said gage away from the shoe.

16. The combination with a shoe treating mechanism, of means for supporting a shoe in treating relation to said mechanism, said shoe supporting means including spaced shoe supporting elements adjustable independently to determine the angular position lengthwise and the placing of said shoe with respect to said supporting means, a gage having a pair of shoe engaging portions spaced lengthwise of the shoe and acting to denne the proper angular position and placing of the shoe for the treating operation, said gage being positioned to cooperate with the shoe when said shoe supporting means is out of said position and in a shoe loading and un loading position, a pivoted arm supporting said gage, and cooperating cam elements one iixed and one on said pivoted arm positioned to swingr said arm in a direction to retract said gage from said shoe as said supporting means ismoved to shoe treating position.

1'7. A machine of the class described, comprising a shoe pressing mechanism, a shoe support mounted for motion to present a shoe thereon and having a heel into and out of operative relation to said pressing mechanism, means for actuating said pressing mechanism to close in amout an end portion of the shoe in said operative relation and pressthe counter portion of said shoe into substantial continuity with the adjacent surface of the heel, a lever, connections from opposite arms of said lever to said support and actuating means such that swinging of said lever in one direction moves said support into position where a shoe thereon is in operative relation to said p-ressing mechanism and actuates said mechanism to close in about the shoe, and swinging of said lever in the opposite direction opens said pressing mechanism and removes the shoe from operative relation to said mechanism, and means for rocking said lever.

18. A machine of the class described, comp-rising a shoe pressing mechanism, a shoe support mounted for motion, to present a shoe thereon and having a heel into and out of operative relation to said pressing mechanism, means for actuating said pressing mechanism to close in about an end portion of the shoe in said operative relation and press the counter portion of said shoe into substantial continuity with the adjacent surface of the heel, a lever, connections from opposite arms of said lever to said support and actuating means such that swinging of said lever in one direction moves said support into position Where a shoe thereon is in operative relation to said pressing mechanism and actuates said mechanism to close in about the shoe, and swinging of said lever in the opposite direction opens said pressing mechanism and removes the shoe from voperative relation to said mechanism, and means for rocking said lever,certain of said connections including yielding means.

19. In combination, a pair of mechanisms for operating on shoes, a pair of shoe supports each movable toward and from one of said mechanisms, a rotary shaft, connections from said shaft to said supports causing the rotation of said shaft through successive half revolutions to move one of said supports toward its mechanism and the other of said supports away from its mechanism during one half revolution and said one support away from its mechanism and said other support toward its mechanism during the other half revolution, means for rotating said shaft by such half revolutions, and automatically acting means for stopping the rotation of said shaft at the end of each half revolution.

20. In combination, a pair of-mechanisms for operating on shoes, a pair of shoe supports each movable toward and from one of said mechanisms, a rotary shaft, connections from said shaft to said supports causing the rotation of said shaft through successive half revolutions to move one of said supports toward its mechanism and the other of said supports away from its mechanism during one half revolution and said one support away from its mechanism and said other support toward its mechanism during the other half revolution, a motor for driving said shaft, a double throw switch for starting said motor,

and a double throw switch controlled by the rotation of said shaft for stopping said motor at the end of each half revolution of said shaft.

21. A machine of the class described, comprising means for supporting a shoe having a heel, means for simultaneously pressing from end to end the outside of the counter portion of a shoe on said supporting means into substantial continuity with the adjacent face portion of the heel of such shoe, a source of power, operative connections between said source and said pressing means for actuating said pressingl means by power from said source, and operator actuated means controlling the supply of power from said source to said pressing means.

22. A machine of the class described, comprising means for supporting a shoe having a heel, means for simultaneously pressing from end to end the outside of the counter portion of a, shoe on said supporting means into substantial continuity with the adjacent face portion of the heel of such shoe, a shaft, power means for rotating said shaft, and operative connections between said shaft and pressing means causing rotation of said shaft to actuate said pressing means.

23. lA machine of the class described, comprising shoe supporting means, means for pressing the back portion of the counter of a shoe supported on said supporting means, means for pressing the side portions of said counter, a rotary power shaft and single adjustable means through which power is applied from said shaft for said pressing means controlling by its adjustment the amount of pressure exerted by both of said pressing means.

24. A machine of the class described, comprising shoe supporting means, means for pressing the back portion of the counter of a shoe supported on said supporting means, means for pressing the side portions of said counter, and single adjustable means through which power is applied for said presser means, said' single adjustable means including mechanism insuring constant relation between the pressures exerted by said back and side pressing means.

KENNETH W. MACDONALD.

CERTiFICATE oF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,557,596. september 5, 19m.

KENNETH w. MACDONALD.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring Correction as follows: Page 5, second column, line 5'? claim 6, for "with" read --when; page 6, second co1- umn, line 58, Claim 1T for "amout" read about; page 7, second column, line 51,01aim 25, after the word "shaft" insert a comma; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

signed and sealed this 51st day of october, A. D. 191m.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

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