US2468927A - Art of manufacturing shoe counters - Google Patents

Description

H. GARYAIT May 3, `1949.

ART OF MANUFACTURING SHOE COUNTERSl 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. s, 194e H. GARYAIT ART 0F MANUFACTURING SHOE COUNTERS May 3, 1949.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 5, 1946 INVENTOR.

H. GARYAIT ART OF MANUFACTURING SHOE COUNTERS May 3, 1949.

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5 sheets-she-et' 4 y INVENToge.

H. GARYAIT ART OF MANUFACTURING SKHOE COUNTERS May 3, 1949.

Filed Aug. 5, 1'946 lMay 3, 1949. H. GARYAIT ART oF MANUFACTURING vsHoE ooUNTERs Filed Aug. 5, 194e 5 sheets-sheet 5 vlo .Illlllhhf @milf 'INI' .,HH" Mlm" INVENTOR. .g BY 'y gwg'ew Awww/591s.

Patented May 3, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ART OF MANUFACTURING SHOE COUNTERS Henry Garyait, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Van Horne Kaestner Leather Co., Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application August 3, 1946, Serial No. 688,217

Claims.

able diiliculties. It has been customary in the past, to punch groups of the counter blanks from a stack; of sheets, and 'to thereafter subject the blanks in succession to a series of manual and automaticl operations, some of which were relatively slow and tedious, and others of which while being accomplished automatically were relatively ineffective, and all of which cooperated to prevent rapid and efficient nal counter production.

With the prior methods after the vcounter .blanks had been tempered and'were subsequently skived along their edges, they were individually manually bent into generally U-shape beforel they were inserted in succession in the forming presses. This manual bending operation was so slow that it materially retarded quantity production; and it was also .prior uniform practice to heat the counters while in the final forming presses and during application of the inturne'd anges to the lower skived edges thereof. It has been found thatV this heating when applied to composition counters having `thin skived edges, produced manydefective counters and would frequently cause the flanges and thin edges to break and tear while the finished counters were being applied to theshoes, thus causing further' delay inv the manufacture of shoes and often. resulting in defectivenal footwear. Then too, the final presses heretofore employed in the shoe counter manufacturing industry, were provided with lpressing jaws operated by complicated toggle mechanisms which vfunctioned, in a rela-- tively ineffective manner and Adidy not producel entirely satisfactory results; andthe various diculties were valso enhanced when longer and wider counters carne into; vogue... Because of all of these diiiiculties, it was impossible with the prior semi-automatic methods of manufacturing counters, to raise the production speed. above twenty counters per-'minute 4on any one manufacturing line, and this could only be accomplished by a skilled operator working under extreme pressure.

It is therefore a more specic object of the present invention to provide an improved mode of manufacturing shoe counters whereby all of the above mentioned difficulties and o-bjections are eliminated.

Another specic object of this invention is to provide an efficient and dependable method of` automatically producing a succession of perfect shoe counters at high speed and with minimum manual effort or handling.

A Vfurther specicobject of my invention is to provide an improved method of treating and distorting composition counter blanks of -diverse sizes and shapes so that uniform and perfect counters may be produced in rapid succession, without necessity of applying artilcal heat during flal Dressing of the blanks and formation of the flanges.

Still another specific object of the invention is to provide improved apparatus for effecting commercial exploitation of my new method of counter production.

A further specic object of my invention is to provide provide improved instrumentalities for initially bending the successive counter blanks into U-shape, for applying the initially bent blanks to pressing mechanism, and for finally properly shaping the counters without undesirably weakening the structures.

An additional specific object of this invention is to provide `an improved shoe counter production system whereby counters of various styles may be rapidly produced at minimum cost and in a. most efficient manner.

These and other specific objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description.

A clear conception of the several steps involved in my new mode of manufacturing counters and of the general construction and operation of apparatus for automatically exploiting the method, may be had by referring to the drawings accompanying Vand form-ing a part of this specification wherein like reference -characters designate the same or similar parts in the various views.

Fig. l is a perspective View 'of a typical shoe counter producing machine embodying my invention and adaptedto rcommercially exploit my new method Aof manufacturing counters;

Fig. 2 `is a somewhat enlarged perspective view of .-a portion of 4the ysame commercial machine, look-ing in a direction opposite to the View point ofEig. l;

Fig. 3 is a further enlarged part sectional side elevation of the improved mechanism for producing the successive counters in rapid succession from the fiat blanks, showing the final counter anging and ironing device in inactive position;

Fig. 4 is a similarly enlarged fragmentary section taken through the mechanism of Fig. 3 and showing the nal Hanger and flange ironer in action;

Fig. 5 is a likewise enlarged end view of the mechanism for initially bending the successive flat blanks into U-shape, showing the forming elements retracted, and a at counter blank being positioned therebetween;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to that of Fig. 5, but showing the U-shape initial forming elements in action;

Fig. '7 is a similarly enlarged end view of the final counter forming mechanism, but having the final ilanging and ironing device omitted; and

Fig. 8 is a further enlarged perspective view of a finally formed counter produced by the present improved method.

While the structural improvements have been illustrated as having been embodied in a commercial electric motor driven and fluid pressure actuated mechanism adapted to automatically exploit the new method of shoe counter production, it is not my desire or intention to unnecessarily restrict the scope or utility of the invention by virtue of this limited disclosure, since other specific mechanisms involving similar principles of operation may obviously be employed by those skilled in the art in order to carry on the improved counter production method involved in my invention.

In accordance with my improved method of shoe counter production, each of the successive flat blanks after having .been properly die-cut and skived, is initially bent into U-shape, whereupon the upper major portion of the blank is pressed or molded into final heel tting form, after which the lower edge is distorted inwardly and ironed to provide a permanent bottom flange. All of these steps are performed while the blanks are cold, that is, without the application of any artiflcal heat, and the improved mechanism shown in the drawings is adapted to carry-on this improved method both rapidly and automatically so as to produce successive perfect shoe counters at minimum cost.

Referring to the drawings, the improved cornmercial shoe counter manufacturing machine shown therein, comprises in general a composite main frame IIJ providing a support for the various counter producing elements and mechanisms; a die assemblage of well known construction II carried by the frame I and being operable to cut successive flat counter blanks l2 from sheet stock I3 fed rapidly through the assemblage; a blank skiver I4 also of well known construction mounted upon the frame Ill and being driven by an electric motor I5 to skive the peripheral edges of the successive blanks delivered thereto from the cutting assemblage lI in the usual manner; a laterally movable transfer plate I8 slidably mounted upon a carrier which is shiftable along rails I'I mounted upon the frame IIJ remote from the skiver I4; a motor driven endless belt conveyor I8 for delivering the successive skived blanks I2 from the skiver I4 and for dipositing them in inverted position upon the transfer plate carrier in advance of the plate I6; an initial iiuid pressure actuated bender or pre-former I9 movable with the transfer plate carrier and being cooperable with the inverted blanks I2 deposited upon spaced pins 23 which are also movable with the carrier, to preliminarily bend the successive blanks I2 fed forward by the plate I6 into U-shape; a set of fluid pressure actuated final molding dies 20 cooperating with a pivotally suspended molding plug 2| to finally form the upper walls 22 of the successive counters and to subsequently firmly hold the molded blanks I2; a fluid pressure actuated anging slide 24 cooperating with a roller 25 to wipe and iron the lower counter flanges 26 upon the blanks I2 while they are being held firmly between the dies 2U and the plug 2l, and to thereby completely form the successive counters; and a fluid pressure actuated ejector 21 cooperable with the outwardly swingable plug 2I to rapidly deliver the completed counters from the machine.

As shown the main frame Ill is sturdily constructed of structural steel, and the die assembly II and skiver I4 are mounted upon the upper forward portion of this frame, while the counter forming elements are mounted upon the rear frame portion and the electric driving motor I5 is supported within the frame I0 as illustrated in Fig. 1. The operation of the motor I5 is controlled by a switch 28 also mounted upon the front portion of the frame I0, and a cam shaft 29 is journalled for rotation by the motor I5 through an ordinary chain drive 30, in .bearings carried in the lower frame portion, and extends throughout the major length of the frame. The cam shaft 29 carries a series of six revolving cams 3|, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 the first five of Iwhich are properly timed to actuate corresponding fluid pressure supply valves 31, 38, 39, 40, 4I, and the sixth cam 35 of which coacts with the ejector 21 through a lever 42 at predetermined times and for a predetermined duration; and these valves are adapted to control the delivery of fluid such as liquid or air un-der pressure from any suitable source of supply to power cylinder 44, 45, 46, 41, 48 so as to actuate the die assembly II, the counter pre-former I9, the transfer plate I6 and its carrier flanging slide 24, and the ironing rollers 25, and the final molding dies 20, respectively. This fluid under pressure may be conducted to the several power cylinders 44, 45, 46, 4l, 48 through piping and flexible conduits as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and the spent iiuid may be exhausted into a receiving tank or the atmosphere in a well known manner.

The die assemblage I I which is operable by the power cylinder 44 and the actuation of which is controlled by the motor driven cam 3|, may be of any desired well known construction adapted to rapidly punch successive flat counter blanks I2 from strips I3 of fibre or leather, and these blanks may be transferred in any suitable manner and in succession to the skiver I4. The skiver I4 which is driven by the motor I5 through a chain drive 50, is of well known construction and has cutting elements `5I adapted to skive or chamfer the peripheral edges of the successive blanks passing longitudinally past the cutters and is also adapted to rapidly deliver the at blanks I2 onto the endless conveyor belt I8 over an inclined chute 52. The endless belt conveyor I8 is also driven by the electric motor I5 through a chain drive 53 in a well known manner and is adapted to quickly advance the flat skived blanks I2 in succession toward the forming mechanism and coacts at its extreme end bend with an auxiliary belt 54 embracing this end bend to invert and to deposit these blanks in inverted flat conencarnar dition onto the plate carrier in advance of the transversely movable .feed pla-te 16, The die .assemblage II, skiver I4, conveyor I8, and the manner in which these elements are normally driven, las well as their normal mode of use, are all well known to those familiar with ,the art of shoe counter manufacture, and their details of construction are subject to wide Variation of de- Slgll.

As illustrated in Figs, 2 `and 3, the laterally movable iiuid pressure actuated blank transfer Plate I8 is slidably supported upon a supporting carrier or carriage 55 having upper and `lower supporting ,and retaining rollers or wheels 56, 51

respectively which coact with the plate guiding rai-1s I1. The plate IS is connected to the cylindrcal casing of the fluid pressure actuated power `,cylinder 46, by means of a lever 58, a pair of links 5.9, and a lug 58, and the lug 60 is slidable in a central slot 6I formed in the carriage 55 while the opposite side edges of the plate I 8 .coacts with guides 52 secured to the carriage. The opposite sides of the carriage 55 are likewise connected to the piston rod of the power cylinder '46 by `means of a cross-head 53, a pair of levers 64, and links 55; and when fluid under pressure is applied to the displacement chamber at the right of the servo-motor piston as viewed in Fig. 3, the plate I will be moved toward the right and the carriage 55 will be simultaneously moved toward the left, Whereas subsequent admission of fluid under pressure to the other displacement chamber will move the plate ,I6 and carriage 5'5 in the opposite directions.

The pre-former I9 and the pins 23 which are associated therewith, as well as the power cylinder 45, are all mounted upon and are movable along the rails I1 with the carriage 55, as clearly shown in Figs. 2, 3, 5 and 6. This pre-former i9 .comprises an upper backing plate 61 having a shaping plug 88 secured to the front face thereof and pierced by the upper pin 23; and a lower saddle die 59 movable upwardly along a guide slot 1 0 formed in a lower backing and power cylinder suspension plate 1I, by the power occurrence 45, and being cooperable with the blanksresting upon the three lower flat blank supporting pins 23 and with the plug 88 to initially bend each of the successive blanks i2 into U-shape when these blanks have been positioned upon the lower pins 23 by the feed plate I 6. The three lower pins 23 thus provide a temporary support for the successive nat blanks I2 as illustrated in Fig. 5, and the saddle die v653 is operable .by the power piston to lift .each counter blank away from these pins and to wrap the blank around the plug `68 as depicted in Fig. 6. The lower pins 25 must therefore be located with their uppermost portions in horizontal alinement with the upper surface of the carriage 55, and all of the pins 23 are retractable against coil springs 12 located in guide sockets formed in the plate 61 and carriage 55 when the carriage moves forwardly to eject the U-shaped blanks l2. The plates 61, 1I are rmly secured to the forward end of the carriage by 'bolt 13 shown in Figs. 5 and 6, and the power cylinder 45 is rmly attached to the rear of the lower plate 1 I.

The nal fluid pressure actuated counter molding and anging mechanisms are located at the rear of the unit adjacent to the pre-former, and are clearly shown in Figs. l, 2, 3, 4 and 7. The two final molding dies 20 are guided for inclined upward movement toward the molding plug 2 I along iixed guideways 15 rmly secured to the main .frame III, and .carrypins 'I6 coacting with inclined guide Slots 11 v formed in a fixed backing plate 8|. They dies are movable by means of a sturdy U.-shaped yoke 18 operable by the power cylinder 48 and having rollers 19 engaging the lower nat surfaces of the .dies 28. The yoke 18 also carries a `kick-back plate 14 shown in Fig. l and which is cooperable with the pins 15, and the yoke is guided for vertical movement along parallel beams of .the frame l0 by other rollers .88, being rmly attached to the piston rod of the power cylinder 48 as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 7. The yoke 1B furthermore slidably coacts with the rigid backing plate 8l in which the slots 11 are formed and which normally conceals the rollers 1S, 88and the guideways 15. The molding plug 2| vis pivotally suspended from the top of the plate 8| by a pin .82 so as to permit the plug 2l to be swung away from the plate 8| during nal ejection of the finished shoe counters, as depicted in Figs. 2 and '1. The molding surfaces of the dies 20 and of the plug 2| should be shaped to accurately form the upper heel embracing walls 22 of the particular counters being manufactured, and .these elements may be readily removed and replaced by others whenever diierent shaped counters are to .be produced. The iinal molding plug 2l isso located that the successive pre-formed blanks l2 delivered by the forwardly advancing .carriage y55 will properly enter the iinal molding zone.

The ud pressure actuated ange forming slide 2d and ironing roller 25, which are adapted to produce the inwardly directed lower flanges 26 of the successive counters, while the blanks I2 are still being held firmly between the molding plug 2l and the dies 20, are mounted for verticalv movement across the molding zone, by elongated parallel guides 84secured to the frame I5 by bolts 85, see Figs. l, 2, 3, 4 and 7. The slide 2li is movable along these guides 8d by the power cylinder 41, the cylindrical casing of which is swingably supported upon the frame l5 by a pivot pin 86, andthe piston rod of which is connected by a cross-head 81 to the medical portions oi spaced levers 8B one end of each of which is swingable about a xed pivot 89 and the opposite end of each .of which is pivotally connected to the slide 2li by a link 98, see Fig. 3. The flanging slide 24 is provided with a central tapered and laterally curved recess 92 which is adapted to engage the projecting lower edge portion of each blank I2 when the slide is elevated along the guides 84 and the blank is iirmly held between the plug 2l and the dies 25, and to thereby turn the ange 28 inwardly, as shown in Fig. Ll. The ironing roller 25 which is carried directly by the slide 24 beneath the recess v92, is adapted to press and iron the initially inturned anges thus produced by the recess 92 into flnal permanent formation soy yas to `complete the counter as illustrated in Fig. 8; and it is noteworthy that all of these operations are performed without artiiicially heating the blanks l2.

The fluid pressure actuated ejector 21 for swinging the molding plug 2l about its suspension pivot 82 away from the backing plate 8E in order to eject the nnished counters from within the molding zone iS shown in Figs. l, 3 and 7, and comprises a reciprocable pusher bar passing through an opening in the plate 8l and coacting with the mid-portion of the plug 2l, This bar ejector 21 is periodically operable to swing the plug 2l away from the vplate 8l, whenever a counter has been completed and the dies 20 have been retracted, by means of the revolving cam 36 which coacts with one end of the lever 42 and the medial portion of which is swingable upon a pivot 93 while its opposite end is connected by a link 94 to the swinging end of an arm 95 secured to a pivot shaft 96. The pivot shaft 96 is mounted to oscillate in brackets 91 rmly secured to the main frame I6, and a lever 98 attached to the mid-portion of the pivot shaft 96 has its swinging end pivotally connected to the outer end of the ejector bar 21. A tension spring 99 has one end connected to the frame I While its opposite end is attached to the outer swinging end of the cam actuated lever 42; so that whenever the cam 36 disengages the lever 42 after a counter has been ejected from within the molding zone and has dropped off of the plug 2|, the spring 99 will quickly retract the ejector 21 and return the plug 2I to active position within the molding Zone.

All of the mechanisms hereinabove described are provided with suitable adjustments and interchangeable parts, in order to insure automatic and reliable operation when producing shoe counters of different sizes and shapes, and since all parts are mounted upon the common main frame Ill, the machine may be transported and installed as a single relatively compact unit. When the unit has been properly adjusted and connected to sources of electric power and fluid under pressure, it may be placed in commercial i operation to automatically carry on my improved method, by merely actuating the switch 28 to operate the electric motor I5, and by thereafter constantly feeding sheet stock I3 to the fluid pressure actuated punch and die assembly II. The motor I5 simultaneously drives the skiver I4 through the chain drive 50, the belt conveyor I8 through the chain drive 53, and the cam shaft 29 through the chain drive 30, all in a well known manner, and the rotating cam shaft 29 constantly revolves the cams 3l, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36.

The revolving cam 3I actuates the valve mechanism 31 which controls the operation of the initial blanking punch and die assembly I I by the fluid pressure actuated servomotor 44. As the stock I3 is fed through the die assembly II the rough cut blanks I2 are produced in rapid succession and they may thereafter be transferred to the skiver I4 in any convenient manner. The skiver I4 which is being actuated by the chain drive 59, quickly skives or tapers the peripheral edges of the successive blanks I2 in a well known manner and delivers the skived blanks to the upper stretch of the belt conveyor I8, which is constantly travelling toward the rear of the unit. The conveyor I6 is driven by the chain drive 53, and as the successive skived flat blanks I2 reach the end of the upper conveyor stretch, they are inverted, lowered and returned to the upper surface of the transversely movable carriage 55, by the auxiliary conveyor 54 which coacts with the rear bend of the main conveyor I8 to carry the successive blanks about this bend.

W'hen each of the successive skived at blanks I2 is dropped onto the carriage 55, the feed plate I6 is retracted sufficiently so as not to interfere with the descending blank, and the movements of the carriage and plate are effected by the power cylinder 46 which is controlled by the valve 39 actuated by the revolving cam 33. Immediately after a flat blank I2 has been thus deposited upon the carriage 55, the feed plate I6 is moved toward the left as viewed in Fig. 3, and the carriage 55 is simultaneously shifted toward the right along the rails I1, by the admission of fluid to the left displacement chamber of the power cylinder 46, thus causing the flat counter blank to be shifted to the left onto the lower pins 23. While thus positioned, the cam 32 coacts with the valve 36 to admit fluid to the lower displacement chamber of the power cylinder 45 carried by the lower plate 1I, thus quickly ele- Vating the saddle die 69 and initially bending the blank I2 into U-shape about the plug 69 carried by the upper plate 61, as in Fig. 6.

This pre-formation of each blank I2 into U-shape, is accomplished by applying pressure to the lower straight edge portion only of the blank, and while the upper major portion thereof projects outwardly to the left, beyond the die 69 and plug 98; and promptly after the initial bending has been effected, fluid is admitted to the right displacement chamber of the power cylinder 46 as viewed in Fig. 3, thereby retracting the feed plate toward the right and moving the carriage 55 toward the left along the rails I1. This movement of the plate and carriage retracts the plate sufficiently to permit the next succeeding flat blank I2 to be deposited upon the carriage deck, and also transfers the initially bent blank which is being held between the saddle die 69 and the plug 98 into the final molding zone between the dies 29 and the plug 2I. During this transfer motion of the carriage 55 toward the left, the pins 23 are pushed back against the springs l2 and fluid is also admitted to the upper displacement chamber of the power cylinder 45 so as to lower the saddle die 69 and to thereby release the U-shaped blank I2.

Upon transfer of each U--shaped blank I2 to the final molding zone, the revolving cam 35 coacts with the valve 4I to admit uid to the lower displacement chamber of the power cylinder 49, and to thereby elevate the yoke 18, thus moving the two final molding dies upwardly and inwardly toward the plug 2 I. This action finally molds the upper counter wall 22 and is accomplished while the lower edge portion of the blank I2 is projecting to the left away from the molding zone, as shown in Fig. 4. After final molding of the wall 22 ha-s been effected and while each blank i2 is still being held firmly between the dies 29 and the plug 2|, the revolving cam 34 actuates the valve 4!! to admit fluid to the lower displacement chamber of the power cylinder 41, thereby moving the slide 24 and the roller 25 upyardly along the guides 84 and forming the base flange 25 of the counter by first folding this fiange inwardly and subsequently ironing the same into permanent formation. When each ange 26 has been thus formed, fluid is quickly admitted to the upper displacement chamber of the power cylinder 41; and as the slide 24 descends from the final molding zone, fluid is also promptly admitted to the upper displacement chamber of the power cylinder 48 so as to lower the dies 29 with the aid of the kick-back plate 14 coasting with the pins 16, and to thereby release the completed counter.

Immediately following each such release of a nished counter, the counter spreads slightly, and the revolving cam 36 engages the lever 42 and thereby causes the ejector 21 to become effective to swing the molding plug 2! and the slightly distended counter outwardly away from its backing plate BI, and to tension the spring 99. The nished slightly distended counter then drops by gravity away from the plug 2I and is ready for use, and the successive completed counters may be removed from the unit in any desired'manne'r as with anl ordinary inclined 'discharge chute, and when the cam 36` disengages the lever 42 'after each final counter ejection, the tensioned spring 99' quickly returns the ejector 21 and the plug 2! to proper position preparatory to nal molding and ejection of the next blank l2. All of these several steps are performed automatically and in rapid succession, and the several cams and valves are constructed and timed to insure proper performance of the power cylinder at all times.

It will be noted from the foregoing description of the normal operation of the mechanisms, that the improved method of producing the counters, involves a series of steps which are positively repeated to produce successive perfect and similarly shaped counters, without necessity of applying artificial heat or otherwise treating the blanks IZ, except to properly form the same. The 'improved machine operable to rapidly exploit the method and to produce from thirty to forty completed counters per minute, and the omission of artificial heat prevents possible burning or scorching of. the counters especially when utilizing fibre stock i3. It has also been found that counters produced by the present improved method, are stronger and definitely retain their shape for a longer period of time than those produced with the much slower present commercial methods, and variousstyles and sizes of coun- 1,

ters may be readily produced by merely replacing a few parts of the assemblage and by following the same line of procedure.

From the foregoing detaileddescription of the construction and operation of the commercial machine, it -should also be apparent that my invention not only provides Van improved method of rapidly and automatically manufacturing successive perfect shoe counters, but also provides improved mechanism for expediting exploitation of the new method. The improved method and apparatus permit the production of diverse styles, shapes and sizes of shoe counters at moderate c ost and in rapid succession; and the improved mechanism is relatively simple and positive in action and has proven highly successful in actual use. While the initial formation of the flat blanks l2 and the skiving of the edges thereof are old and well known procedure, the initial bending of the blanks l2 into U-shape, the final molding of the walls '22, and the formation of the flanges 25 are important features of this invention and contribute to the success of my new method. The mechanism performs the successive operations smoothly and without excessive attention, and the unitary construction of the machine permits the same to be readily transported 4and installed in limited spaces.

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit this invention to the exact steps of the method or to the precise details of construction of the apparatus, herein shown and described, for various modifications within the scope of the appended claims, may occur to per-sons skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. In combination, a reciprocable carriage having thereon a forming plug for bending flat shoe counter blanks into definite U-shape, a swingable die formed to receive the U-shaped blanks in succession directly from said initial bending plug and to position the same within a pressing zone, means for pressing the upper portions of the successive blanks into nal shape within said zone, means for finally rolling a flange upon the lower l0 portions of the successive blanks while confined within said zone, and means for swinging said die out of said zone to eject the counters'there-from.

2. In combination, a movable carriage having thereon a set of forming elements for bending a iiat shoe counter blank into a definite U-shape, means for moving said carriage to remove the U-shaped blank from said initial bending means and for positioning the same within a pressing zone, elements for pressing the upper portion of the blank into final shape Within said zone, means for rolling the lower portion of the blank inwardly while the pressing pressure is still applied, and means for moving a portion of said pressing means out of said zone to thereby eject the counter.

3. In combination, means forming a counter pressing zone, a final forming plug swingable mounted within said zone, an initial forming plug movable toward said zone for pre-bending and applying a pre-bent counter blank to said nal plug while disposed within said zone, pressure applying blocks movable upwardly and inwardly toward said plug to finally form the blank positioned within said zone by said plug, and means for swinging said plug out of said zone to eject the counter therefrom.

4. In combination,A means forming a counter forming zone, a plug for distorting flat blanks into U-shape near and being movable toward said zone, another plug within said zone, a reciprocable carriage for transferring U-shaped blanks from said first plug to the second plug while the latter is confined within said zone, means cooperating with said second plug to press said blanks into nal shape within said zone, rollers coacting with said second plug to form flangesv upon the counters confined within said zone, and means for swinging said second plug out of said zone to eject the finished counters from said Zone.

5. In combination, a frame having thereon a nal counter forming zone, a reciprocable plug for initially bending counter blanks and being movable to position counter blanks within said zone, a final molding plug pivotally suspended within said zone, means cooperating with said final plug to press said blanks into predetermined shape Within said zone, and means for swinging said final plug out of said zone to eject the nished counters from said zone when said cooperating pressing means are inactive and said initial plug has been moved away from the zone.

6. A shoe counter former, comprising, means providing a final forming zone, a carriage movable toward said zone, a plug and die carried by said carriage for initially bending the successive counter blanks into U-shape, means for delivering the successive blanks into position to be acted upon by said plug and die, a second plug movably mounted within said final forming zone, means for moving said carriage to deliver the successive initially bent counters into said zone and onto said second plug, dies and rollers cooperable with said second plug to finally form the counters, and means for moving said second plug out of said zone to eject the finished counters.

7. A shoe counter former, comprising, means providing a final forming zone, a carriage movable toward said zone, a plug and die movable with said carriage and being cooperable to initially bend the successive counter blanks into U- shape, means mounted on said carriage for delivering the successive flat blanks into position to vbe acted upon by said plug and die, a second plug pivotally suspended within said final forming zone, means for moving said carriage to deliver the successive initially bent counters into said zone and onto said second plug, dies cooperable with said second plug to finally shape the upper portions of the counters, means cooperable with said second plug to roll a flange upon the lower portion of each counter, and means for swinging said second plug out of said zone to eject the nal counters.

8. A shoe counter former, comprising, means forming a nal counter shaping zone, a carriage movable toward said zone, a plug and die mounted upon said carriage and being cooperable to initially bend the successive counter blanks into U- shape and to thereafter clamp each blank along its lower edge, means mounted upon said carriage for delivering the successive blanks to the plug and die assembly, a second plug movably mounted within said final shaping zone, means for moving said carriage to project the upper portions of the successive U-shaped counters into said Zone, dies and rollers cooperable with said second plug to finally shape the successive counters within said zone, and means for moving said second plug to eject the nished counters from said zone.

9. A shoe counter former, comprising, means forming a nal counter shaping zone, a carriage .l

movable toward said zone, a plug and die mounted upon said carriage and being cooperable to initially bend the successive counter blanks into U-shape and to thereafter clamp each blank along its lower edge, means mounted upon said carriage for delivering the successive blanks to the plug and die assembly, a second plug pivotally suspended within said final shaping zone, means for moving said carriage to deliver the upper portions of the successive U-shaped counters into said zone and about said pivoted plug, dies cooperable with said second plug to shape the upper counter portions and to hold the counters within said zone, means for flanging the lower` portions of the held counters, and means for swinging said second plug out of said zone to eject the nished counters.

10. The method of manufacturing shoe counters, which comprises, initially bending each flat and peripherally skived counter blank into U- shape while moving the same horizontally into a final forming zone, molding the major portion of each U-shaped blank into final form within said zone and thereafter rmly holding each blank at the nally shaped portion thereof while the skived bottom edge of the blank protrudes from the zone, rolling the projecting edge of the held blank in the form of an inwardly directed nange, and positively ej ecting the nished counters from said zone by swinging the final forming means outwardly and upwardly away from the zone,

HENRY GARYAIT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 513,242 Moore Jan. 23, 1894 1,138,123 Lancey May 4, 1915 1,471,261 Heath Oct. 16, 1923 1,856,296 Spadafora May 3, 1932 1,874,703 Jacquemin Aug. 30, 1932 2,152,838 Castonquay Apr. 4, 1939 2,185,937 Bailey Jan. 2, 1940

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