US2696622A - Machine for making shoes - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 14, 1954 w. A. GROSSMAN 2,696,622

MACHINE FOR MAKING SHOES Filed Feb 2, 1953 a Shets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. \A/// L/A/ AQRU EMAN ATTORNEY Dec. 14, 1954 w. A. GROSSMAN 2,696,622

MACHINE FOR MAKING SHOES Filed Feb. 2, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 11 VIII"... zi-

PI !j 10 INVENTOR.

WILL /AM A. EROS EMA/\l 1 2T TORNEY 1954 w. A. GROSSMAN MACHINE FOR MAKING SHOES 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 2, 1955 INVENTOR. EQUQJ-MAN W/LL/A/V/ A.

ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofifice 2,696,622 Patented Dec. 14, 1954 MACHINE FOR MAKING SHOES William A. Grossman, Reading, Pa., assignor of fifty per cent to Leroy J. Harbach, Reading, Pa.

Application February 2, 1953, Serial No. 334,638 Claims. (Cl. 127.3)

This invention relates to the manufacture of boots and shoes, and has particular reference to a machine for lasting pre -welted shoes, that is, shoes in the manufacture of Wl'llCl'l a welt is stitched to the margin of the upper before the upper is lasted.

The present application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial Number 76,815 filed February 16, 1949, entitled Machine for Making Prewelt Shoes, now Patent No. 2,679,058.

In many conventional types of lasting machines, one or more clamping plates are used to tightly embrace the upper while the sole is attached thereto. An outstanding disadvantage of such clamping plates is that they are usually cumbersome and complicated in construction. Furthermore, they are generally adaptable for lasting only one size of shoe, and when a different size of shoe is to be lasted, the clamps must be changed and considerable difficulty and time is consumed for the change-over, therefore adding considerably to the cost of manufacture. Additionally, a high degree of skill is required of the operator, such as in setting up the machine and in the control of the proper degree of clamping pressure to be applied for the lasting operation.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel lasting machine for shoes, particularly pre-welted shoes, which is devoid of the above named disadvantages of common types of machines.

A more specific object of this invention is to provide a shoe lasting machine having toe-forming and heel-forming plates which are simple and inexpensive in construction and which provide a very useful flat and firm support for the welt to permit hammering of the sole when it is provided with the usual cement and laid in position, extending over the welt.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a shoe lasting machine, forming plate means which are quickly replaceable to accommodate different sizes of shoes'and which, even without replacement, will accommodate shoes of slightly different sizes within a given range.

A further specific object of the invention is to provide a relatively simple and inexpensive shoe lasting machine having a horseshoe-shaped heel and shank forming plate of spring material for accommodating different heel sizes and a cooperable toe-forming and welt-supporting plate which is readily reversible or replaceable to accommodate right or left shoes or shoes of different sizes.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a study of the following specification when considered in COIIJUHCtlOIl with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a shoe or lasting means involving the principles of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken substantially along line IIII of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view looking from the right hand end as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a top view of the heel-and-shank-forming plate shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the toe-forming plate shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a wire used for pulling the shoe toward the last;

Figs. 7a, 7b and 70 show the toe-forming plate, last mounted shoe, and heel-and-shank forming plate in associated relationship to more clearly show their interfitting and co-operative relationship;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line VIIIVIII of Fig. 7b;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line IXIX of Fig. 7b;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view which is the same as Fig. 8 except that the wire loop is withdrawn and the toe-forming plate 11 is in engagement, and

Fig. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the adjustable heel lock and support member.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing, numeral 1 denotes a base having rigidly mounted thereon a last stand 2 which supports a post 3, the top end of which fits into a socket of a shoe last 4.

As shown more clearly in Fig. 8, the shoe upper 5 has a welt 6 stitched onto its outer edge which is pulled over the last 4 by pincers. A cork filler 7 is cemented to an insole 8 laid on the last. If desired, however, the insole 8 may be omitted.

One of the novel features of the invention resides in the specific construction of heel-and-shank-forming plate 9 shown in Fig. 4 having a flat, horizontal ledge portion 9a shaped in accordance with the contour of the heel and shank portions of the shoe so as to snugly embrace them, and a vertically extending flange portion 9b which is spaced from the shoe upper or last. The heel-and-shank forming plate 9 is thus shaped like a horseshoe and is made of spring metal so that it will be somewhat expansible so as to accommodate slightly different sizes of heels. Ears or knob-like projections 90, may be provided to serve as handles for manually grasping and pulling the plate away from the shoe after the heel and shank are formed. Spring fingers 9d are bolted to threaded studs extending inwardly of projections 90, 9c under ledge portion 9a so as to frictionally embrace the heel and shank portion of the shoe as plate 9 is slipped thereon. Projections 9c, 90 may be omitted, if desired.

A toe-forming and welt bracing plate 11 is reciprocably mounted so as to be movable towards or away from the toe portion of the shoe or last. Plate 11 is slidably mounted in grooves at the top of a reciprocable stand or carriage 13. The bottom of carriage 13 has outstanding flanges which slidably engage track portions 14 rigidly mounted on base 1. Springs 15, 15 are provided for normally urging the stand and plate 11 to the toe-engaging position. One end of each spring is secured to a crossbar 16, fixed to the carriage 13, and the other end is secured to a post 17 fixed on base 1.

One end of a manually operable lever 12 is pivotally mounted on a support 18 fixed to base 1. A link 21 connects lever 12 to carriage 13. Thus, manual movement of lever 12 from the full to the dotted line position in Fig. 1 will move the carriage to the left and will tension springs 15. Release of the lever will allow springs 15 to return carriage l3 and its plate 11 to the toe engaging position.

Plate 11 may have two different cut-out portions representing the toe portions of right and left shoes. By reversing the plate 11 on carriage 13, the respective cutout portions may be selectively engaged with the toe portion of a right or left shoe being lasted or, if desired, the cut out portions may be of different sizes for making diferent sizes of shoes. The cut-out portions preferably have knife edges that readily extend into the crease between the welt and upper.

In operation, when the last is slipped into the prewelted upper and supported on the post 3, the heel and shank forming plate 9 is pushed into embracing engagement with the heel and shank portions of the shoe, as shown more clearly in Fig. 9 thereby allowing the welt to lie flat on ledge portion 9a which forms a flat, firm rest therefor. At this time lever 12 is in the dotted line position and plate 11 is in the retracted position with respect to the toe portion of the shoe. It will be particularly noted that no force or pressure is applied to plate 9, and no lock or catch is needed to hold it in position.

After the quarter part of the shoe is formed and while plate 11 is still in the retracted position relative the toe portion of the last or upper, a loop of wire 10 is slipped between the welt and upper end the toe portion thereof is pulled toward the last and against the margin of cork insole 7 as shown in Fig. 7b. Loop 10 may be pulled by a strap operated by a treadle (not shown) in a conventional manner.

Lever 12 is then lifted and unlocked from its catch or notch 25. Plate 11 is thus released, allowing springs 15- to draw and hold it firmly in place against the toe of the upper and close to plate 9 so as to form the toe portion. of the shoe and to provide a firm, fiat support for the entire welt, while the upper is lasted. The sole or mid-sole is then cemented to the upper and pounded fast. A vertical partition 13a which is integrally supported on base 1 and which has a cut out portion surrounding link 21 serves as a brace or support for plate 11 during such pounding.

Figure 11 shows an adjustable heel lock assembly comprising a substantially channel shaped pivotal support 27 of sheet metal, having an integral channel portion 28 provided with registering holes 29 through which a pivot bolt may extend, which pivot bolt is secured to the base 12. Thus the entire assembly may be pivoted about the vertical axis of the pivot bolt through an angle of 90 degrees so as to selectively move the heel supporting member or lock 30 either into supporting position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, or away from said position in substantially right angular relationship. The operator may use a hammer for so pivoting support 27. The heel lock. element 30 is substantially L-shaped and rests on the top edge of the rear cover plate (not shown) of support 27 A portion of plate 9 is shown in dotted lines, a portion 30b is adapted to form a rest for the heel-and-shank forming plate 9, and a flanged portion 3% forms a lateral stop or abutment for such plate. On the left wall portion of. support 27 (not shown) as viewed in Figure 11, there is rigidly mounted a stud having a threaded end portion 31 projecting through a vertical slot in portion 300 and onto which is screwed a wing nut 34. Upon tightening of the, wing nut a washer 32 and collar 33 are pushed inwardly so as to push portion 390 of the heel lock to the left, therefore in closer engagement with plate 9. A vertical adjustment of heel lock element 30 is provided by turning a screw threaded stud or stop 35 and locking it with nut 36 which stop will limit raising of the adjustable heel lock element 30. Stud 35 is screw threaded to and projects below the top portion of support 27 so as to bear against the top of heel lock 30 and the latter pivotally rests on the left wall portion of support 27 (not shown). Thus, portion 30b is adjusted somewhat along an arcuate path. Once the proper height and closeness of portions 30a and 30b are obtained no further adjustment need be made and the heel lock element is merely pivotally moved into or out of engagement with plate 9 as desired. It will be noted that the heel lock element 30 will provide a firm support for the heel-and-shank forming plate 9 so that when the sole is pounded, a rigid support will be provided. Latch 39 mounted on the base will hold down the heel lock by hearing against the base plate at the bottom of support 27. The toe-forming plate 11 is then withdrawn from the upper by moving lever 12 from the full to the dotted line position of Fig. 1 against the action of springs 15 and the lever may be again locked in the latter position by dropping it behind a notch formed at the end of a side plate 19. The wire loop 10 is then removed. The heel-and-shank-forming plate 9 is then retracted from the lasted quarter of the shoe. llate 11 is thus retracted and the completed shoe is removed from the last. It will be particularly noted that there is no external pressure applied to the plate 11 for lasting the fore part of the shoe, also that the fore part is formed somewhat independently of the heel and shank portion. Thus any small non alignment between the two will be unnoticeable and will not result in out of line welt marking, ripples or other imperfect marking of the shoe.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided an efficient shoe lasting machine which greatly simplifies the prewelt lasting operation, eliminates the necessity of an experienced laster, and avoids the need of elevation adjusting mechanisms and similar adjusting means which are commonly required; furthermore, I have provided novel and useful toe, heel and shank forming plates which are simple in design and provide a firm support for the entire welt so as to permit pounding of the sole and attachment thereof to the upper, which plates are of a construction so as to accommodate dilferent sizes of shoes within a given size range (or left and right shoes) and which are mounted so as to be readily replaced by other plates for substantially differently sized shoes without the necessity of tightening nuts, bolts or the like.

While I have illustrated and described a certain specific embodiment of my invention, it will be apparent that this is by way of illustration only, and that various changes and modifications may be made within the contemplation of my invention and within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A shoe making machine comprising aone piece reciprocably mounted flat plate having an arcuate cutout portion for snugly surrounding the toe portion of, a shoe, a substantially horse shoe shaped member for snugly surrounding the remaining heel portion of the shoe and including spring clips for yieldingly grasping said heel portion, and a heel lock member pivotally mounted on a vertical axis so as to be selectively movable into position to directly support and form an end stop for said horse shoe shaped member, or out of said position to permit withdrawal of said horseshoe shaped member.

2. A shoe making machine as recited in claim 1 wherein said heel lock member includes a horizontal supporting flange, and a vertical flange serving as a lateral stop for said horse shoe shaped member, and means for limiting the height of said horizontal supporting flange. and for adjusting the horizontal position of said vertical flange.

3. In a shoe making machine, a base having a shoe last stand rigidly secured thereto, a carriage slidably mounted on said base for horizontal movement toward and away from said stand, a one-piece toe forming plate detachably mounted on said carriage, spring means for normally urging said carriage and plate'into toe engaging relationship with a toe portion of a shoe mounted on said last stand, a lever pivotally mounted on said base for retracting said carriage against the action of Said spring means, latch means for holding said lever in the retracted position, a substantially U-shaped heel-and-shank forming plate including a resilient portion for snugly embracing the heel-and-shank portion of the shoe, together with said toe forming plate forming a continuous support for the entire periphery of a welt attached to the marginal portion of the shoe upper to facilitate pounding and attachment of a sole to the upper, and a heel lock pivotally mounted on a vertical axis extending from said base and selectively movable into and out of supporting engagement with said heel-and-shank forming plate to provide a rigid support therefor during said pounding.

4. A shoe making machine as recited in claim 3 wherein said heel lock includes adjustable means for adjustably limiting the height thereof, and includes a substantially vertical flanged portion adjustable horizontally to serve as a lateral stop for the heel of the shoe.

5. A shoe making machine as recited in claim 3 wherein said heel lock comprises an assembly including a heel lock element having a horizontal flanged portion for directly supporting said heel-and-shank forming plate and having a vertical flanged portion to serve as a lateral stop for the heel of the shoe, and including a downwardly extending flanged portion extending into said assembly, and adjustably limiting means for adjusting the vertical position of said horizontal flanged portion and the hori- I zontal position of said vertical flanged portion.

No references cited.

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