US2972760A

US2972760A - Apparatus for covering shoe heels

Info

Publication number: US2972760A
Application number: US771267A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lipp Donald
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1958-11-03
Filing date: 1958-11-03
Publication date: 1961-02-28
Anticipated expiration: 1978-02-28

Description

Feb. 28, 1961 D, 1PP

APPARATUS FOR COVERING SHOE HEELS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 3, 1958 FIG.

INVENTOR.

DOA/Al. D l. /PP

FVlG. 2.

Feb. 28, 1961 D. L IPP 2,972,760

APPARATUS FOR COVERING SHOE HEELS Filed Nov. 5, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 A'r To QNExs Feb. 28, 1961 DQ LIPP 2,972,760

APPARATUS FOR COVERING SHOE HEELS Filed Nov. 3, 1958 A3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. v

FIGQH.

INV ENTOR.

.DONALD L PP ATToR/VE Y6 APPARArUsFoR cor/Ennio stron mints DonaldLipp, 192-10A 69th Ave., Apt. 1C,

Fresh Meadows, NSY. n

Filed Nov. 3, 1958, Ser. No. 771,267

15 Claims. (Cl. 1Z---49.1)k

This invention relates generally to a novel apparatus for use in the manufacture of shoes, and is especially concerned with the severing of a heel covering sheet in an intermediate stage of heel manufacture. As will become more apparent hereinafter, two separate areas of cutting are involved, one along the breast area of the heel, the other inthe top lift area.

As is Well known to those versed in the art, the body or core of a heel is smoothly covered by a flexible sheet adhesively secured along the back and sides of the body and extends forward therefrom beyond the front side or breast of the heel body. The forwardly extending cover portions are severed and secured in facing engagement with the breast of the heel body, preferably smoothly thereon, and a separate covering secured on the breast of the heel overlying the severed edge portions. Advantageously, the forwardly extending cover portions are severed to form serrations so as to lie smoothly on the concave surface of the heel breast without crimping or doubling or creating wrinkles on the sides of the heel. Also the forwardly extending cover portions in the top lift area are also advantageously/.cut for more accurate and proper engagement with the top lift area.

These procedures have heretofore been accomplished by hand, requiring considerable time and effort even by a highly skilled operator, and not infrequently resulting in imperfect work, usually evidenced by an uneven r unsmooth heel breast, wrinkles on the sides, overlap in the breast and cuts into the exposed surface along the breast.

It is therefore one object of the present invention ,to provide a highly improved apparatus for severing `the forwardly extending portions of a heel cover which greatly increases productivity, eliminates the need for skilled personnel, and which greatly enhances the quality of the work.

It is a further object ofthe present invention to provide apparatus of the type described which is extremely simple in construction and operation, entirely reliable, safe and extremelyy durable over a long useful life, 'and which can be manufactured and maintained at a reasonable cost.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following Specification' and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features .of

b construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements 'of parts and method steps which will be exemplified in the description hereinafter, and lof which the scope will be indicatedby the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a horizontal view showing the apparatus of arent ,Or

'

blocks

14 and 15.

Patented Feit. 278, 1961 2 v tially along the line 3-3 of Fig. l, somewhat enlarged for greater detail;

Fig.v 4 is a partial sectional elevational View taken substantially along the lined- 4 of Fig. 1, also somewhat enlarged;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 later stage in operation of the apparatus; y

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a heel before being .operated upon` according to the instant method;

Fig. 7 is a heel subsequent to being operated upon according to the instant method and apparatus;

Fig. 8 is a partial sectional elevational view similar to Fig. 4, but showing a slightly modified embodiment of the present invention; i

Fig. 9 is a sectional elevational view similar to Fig. 3, but showing the embodiment of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary front elevational view showing, in enlarged detail, an element of the device of Fig. 9; and

Fig. ll is a perspective view illustrating the method practised by the apparatus of Figs. 9 and l0.

Referring now more particularly tothe drawings, and specifically to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, the instant apparatus includes a laterally extending, generally horizontally disposed bottom plate or base 10 which is adapted to be supported by any suitable means (not shown) vat convenient' hand height for an operator.

Secured fast on the upper surface of the base 10 and in facing engagement therewith is a bed plate 11, which is located in the laterally medialregion of the base 10, and may be forwardly and rearwardly coextensivewith the base. Fixed on the upper surface of the bed 11, as by

fasteners

12 and 13, respectively, are a pair of forwardly and rearwardly spaced, laterally elongate guide l That is, the front and rear guide blocks or rails 14- and 15 extend in substantial parallelism with each other, respectively along and coextensive with the front and rear edges of the bed 11.' As best seen in Fig. 3, the inner sides of the

rails

14 and 15, lthat is the rear Side 16 of the front rail 14, as the front side 17of the rear rail 15, are undercut and combine with the intermediate upper surface of the bed 11 to dene a dovetail-like laterally extending guideway channel or slot.

A front mounting block 20 is fixed on the upper side of the frontrail 14 medially thereof, as by fasteners 21, and extends rearward slightly beyond the front rail spacedly over the bed 11, as at'24. A rear mounting block 22 is fixed on the upper surface of the rear rail 15 medi- 'ally thereof, by fasteners 23 in substantial forward and rearward alignment with the mounting block 20, and ex-v tendsslightly forward beyond the rear rail spacedly 'over the bed 11 at 19. The rear mounting block 322is of substantially greater *vertical dimension the front mounting block 20.

Extending forwardly and rearwardly and bridging the space betweenfthe portions 24 and 19 of the

mounting blocks

20 and 22 is a breast rest or heel contoured supporting plate 25. As best seen in Fig. 3, the supporting plate 25 is of arcuate configuration, being bent to present a. convex surface 26 forwardly and upwardly, and a concave surface 27 downwardly-and rearwardly. Viewed otherwise, the rearward end region 28 of the supporting plate 25 is secured fast in facing engagement with the upper surface of the rear mounting block 22 by a fastener 29, and extends generally horizontally forward to a medial region 30 which curves downward and forward and' terminates in a generally vertically disposed forward end portion 31 secured in facing engagement with the rear surface of the front mounting block 20, as by a fastener 32.

In Fig. 1 it may be seen that the lateral dimension but illustrating a or height 'than' of the supporting plate 25, between the side edges 35, gradually increases in the forward direction. Thus, the upper surface 26 of the supporting plate 25 is contoured and configured for conforming surface engagement with the breast surface of a desired size and style heel, with the side edges 35 substantially ush with the sides of the heel body. Such conformance need not necessarily be perfectand for proper operation there even can be variance in size and style. As a matter of fact, the side edges -35 can even preferably be narrower than the sidesl of the heelbody. The undersurface 27 of the supporting plate 525 is serrated or grooved, as at 36 in the curved `region Vthe supporting plate 25, and each carries on its upper side a block 39 fixed to the adjacent slide by fasteners 40. kA generally vertically disposed cutting member or plate 41 is xed to the laterally inward face of each block 39, as

,by fasteners 42a, so that each slide 38, and its secured block 39 and vcutting member 41 are movable as a unit toward and away from the supporting plate 25. Further, the upper edge 42 of each upstanding cutting member 41, is movable with its respective assembly 33, 39 past the adjacent side edge 35 of the supporting plate 25 into position beneath the supporting plate with the upper edge in conforming engagement with the undersurface 27 of the supporting plate. Thus, the upper edge 42 of each cutting member 41 is serrated, as at 43, for conforming engagement in the serrations 36 of the nether supporting plate surface 27. It is now appreciated that the cutting members 41 will each coact with the supporting plate 25 to effect shearing and wiping of a material interposed therebetween upon inward movement of a cutting member. In addition, the cutting members 41 may be configured in the plan view as seen in Fig. 1 each similarly to the adjacent side edge 35 of the supporting plate 25 to thereby effect a substantially instantaneous shearing action. That is, each cutting member 41 is of a configuration similar to its adjacent side edge 35 `of the supporting plate 25 so that all shearing coaction therebetween occurs simultaneously.

Mounted on the extreme lateral portions of the base are a pair of air actuable cylinder and piston assemblies 45 each having a rod 46 extending laterally inward vand rigidly or pivotally connected to the adjacent block 39. Upon air actuation of the cylinder and piston assemblies 45, the slides 38 and their associated cutting members 41 are caused to move toward and away from the supporting plate 25 into and out of shearing coaction with the latter. A pair of air conduits 47 and 48 are respectively connected to the outer and inner ends of each cylinder assembly 45 and extends therefrom into air communication with a manually or automatically actuable Vcontrol valve 49.

In Fig. 2 it may be observed that eac-h control valve 49 includes a cylinder Sti and an axially reciprocable rod 51 carrying a pair of spaced pistons 52 and 53 in the cylinder. Suitable resilient means, such as a spring 54 yieldably urges the pistons 52 and 53 in the direction of their reciprocation, while a manually or automatically actuable lever 55 is operatively connected to the rod 51 to eiect piston movement in the opposite direction of their reciprocation. At opposite end regions of the cylinder 5t) are provided exhaust ports 56 and 57, respectively adjacent to thel pistons 52 and 53, while an inlet conduit 58 is connected to a medial region of the cylinder 50 between the pistons 52 and 53. The conduit 47 is connected to the cylinder 5i) between the exhaust port 56 and inlet conduit 58, while the conduit 48 is connected to the cylinder 50 between the exhaust port 57 and the inlet conduit. Thus, in one extreme position lof movement of the pistons 52 and 53, say the-solid line position of Fig. 2, one exhaust port 57 is closed by its adjacent piston 53 and the adjacent conduit 48 is placed in communication with the inlet conduit 58, while the other exhaust port 56 is placed in communication with the conduit 47. As the conduit 48 is connected to the laterally inner end of its cylinder assembly y45, pressure is applied through the latter to effect withdrawal of the associated piston 46 and cutter member 41 away from the supporting plate 25. Conversely, in the opposite extreme position of movement of the piston rod 46 and cutter member 41 away from the supporting plate 25. Conversely, in the opposite extreme position of movement of the piston rod 51, as shown in dot-and-dash outline',`the air pressure is applied to the cylinder assembly 45 through the conduit 47 to move the piston rod 46 and associated cutter 41 laterally inward to its limiting position of movement .toward the supporting plate.

Mounted on the rear side of the block 22 is an upstanding support or standard 60, which is reinforced by a brace 61. On the forward side of the standard 60, adjacent to the upper end thereof, is mounted a vertically disposed cylinder 62 through which is vertically reciprocable a piston rod 63 carrying a piston 64 interiorly of the cylinder. A coil compression spring 65 may be circumposed about the piston rod 63 having its opposite ends in bearing engagement with the piston 64 and the upper end of the cylinder `62 to resiliently urge the piston rod vertically downward.

On the lower end of the piston rod 63, generally directly over the horizontal rearward portion 28 of the supporting plate 25, is a vertically disposed housing 67, which is rigidly carried by the piston rod. A slide member 68 is vertically slidable within the housing 67 having its lower end projecting through the bottom of the housing and retained in the housing by a pair of laterally outwardly projecting lugs 69. The lower end surface 70 of the slide member 68 is slightly convex for conforming engagement with a heel, as will appear presently. A coil compression spring 71, or other suitable resilient means, yieldably urges the slide member to its lowermost position relative to the housing 67.

The cylinder 62 and its piston 64 are operated by a valve generally designated 74 including a cylinder 75 containing an axially slidable rod 76 which carries a pair of spaced

pistons

77 and 78. The rod and

piston assembly

76, 77 and 78 is resiliently urged to one extreme position of its movement by a spring 79, or other suitable means, and a manually or foot actuable or automatically actuable lever 80 is operatively connected to the rod 76 for affecting shifting movement of the latter in the opposite direction of its movement. An air inlet conduit 81 is connected between the air inlet conduit 58 and an intermediate region of the cylinder 75, While an exhaust port 82 is provided in the cylinder at a location spaced from the conduit 81. At a location between vthe inlet conduit 81 and the exhaust port 82, a conduit 83 has one end connected to the cylinder and has its other end connected to the cylinder 62 below the piston 64. In the illustrated position of the valve 74, the piston 77 closes the exhaust port 82, and the inlet conduit 81 communicates through the cylinder 75 and conduit 83 with the cylinder 62 beneath the piston 64 to urge the latter to its uppermost` position, thus withdrawing the rod 63 and its yieldable clamping member 68 upward away from the supporting plate 25. However, upon actuation of the lever 80, the inlet conduit 81 may be closed by the piston 77 and the cylinder 62, through the conduit 83 and cylinder 75 may exhaust through the port 82, thereby permitting downward movement of the piston 64 under the force exerted by spring 65, and consequent movement of the clamping member 68 toward the supporting plate 25.

In Fig. 6 is shown a heel, generally designated 90, in an intermediate stage of manufacture. A heel body 91 may be of any desired construction, conventionally having a concave front surface or breast 92. A exible covering or sheet 93 is adhesively secured to the heel body 91, being wrapped `about the back and sides of the heel body in facing engagement therewith.V The covering sheet 93 extends forward from the sides of the heel body beyond the breast 92, there defining forward extension or marginal portions 94 on opposite sides yof thebreast. Before applying a covering material to the breast 92 of the heel body 91, it is essential that the forward extensions or marginal portions 94 of the covering sheet 93 be reduced to a minimum size and pinked or serrated so as to lie absolutely flat against the breast'surface 92 without bunching or causing wrinkling on the sides.

By the method and apparatus of the present invention, it is only necessary to place the heel 90 on the supporting plate 2S with the outer surface 26 of the supporting plate in conforming supporting engagement with lthe `breast surface 92 of the heel body, as best seen in Fig. 3.V The to lower the rod 63 and clamping member 68, the` latter firmly and yieldably engaging the back side ofthe heel above the generally horizontal portion 28v of the supporting plate to retain the heel in position on the plate.

The valves 49 may then be actuated to the dot-anddash outline position shown in Fig. 2, which will effect inward movement of the cutting members 41 toward the supporting plate 25 into shearing coaction with the undersurface of the latter, as best seen in Fig. 5. The excess marginal portions are thereby removed, as at 95 to produce the heel 90a of Fig. 7. In such heel, the marginal portions 94a of the covering sheet 93a have been reduced to the proper size and formed with serrations,1 kas at 96 along the arcuate region of the breast surface 92-'to insure proper facing engagement of the marginal portions with the body breast surface. 1

While the device of the present invention has been illustrated and described as being manually operated,as in the feeding of a heel 90 into positionon the supporting plate 25, and in operation of the foot valve ,'74 and hand valve 49, it is appreciated that such feeding and valve operation may be performed automatically, without human manipulation, if desired. The entire device can be operated with the clamping means as shown, or held by hand. it is desirable for a beginner operator to Vuse the yclamping means to learn locating of the Yheelon the suptus of the instant invention are capable of employment 1 in conjunction with a wide variety of styles and sizes o f heels, itbeingonly necessary to remove and replace the supporting plate 25 and the cutting member 41 vfor use with a heel of different breast surface configuration if the work is not performed satisfactory withthe dies described. There does not have to be Aperfectconformance as, a finished covering goes over the heel breast. l K

In the embodiment of Fig. 8, the cross heads orslides 33 are mounted on the base member 10, each slide carry,

tending closely along therespective side surfaces 93a of the supporting member. i l .Further by way of distinction, each of the blocks 39 carries a cutting. member 41a, which cutting members differ 'from the hereinbefore described cutting members 41 by the provision of an inwardly extending knife edge or die cutting blade 44a along its upper edge configure for conforming die cutting engagement with the adjacent side surface 93a-of the supporting member 25u. Thus, upon inward movement of each

assembly

38, 39 and 41a, its associated cutting edge 44a moves'into die cutting coaction with the adjacent supporting member surface 93u for severing a portion of the adjacent covering extension 94.

While the cutting members 41a of Fig. 8 are illustrated at different distances from the supporting member 25a, one engaging the latter vand the other spaced from the supporting member, it is understood that the cutting members preferably move symmetrically for simultaneous cutting engagement-with the sheet material covering 93, but are shown in the different positions for purposes of clarity of illustration.

In addition to the marginal extensions 94 of the heel body covering sheet 93, the covering sheet extends longitudinally beyond the lower heel end, as at 100, see Figs. 9 and l1, along the back and sides of the heel body, being generally of U-shaped configuration in transverse cross section.

A spring biased backing member 101 is mounted on the rearward, generally horizontal portion of the upper supporting membersurface 26a, being carried on the forward end of a forwardly and rearwardly extending, generally horizontally disposed rod 102. longitudinally slidable in

upstanding bearings

103 and 104. The backing member 101 is of a configuration adapted tovconformably engage beneath the lower end extension or marginal portion of the cover sheet 93, and in fiat facing engagement with the upper supporting member surface. 26a, so as to be non-rotatable relative to the s upporting member. An upstanding ar1n105 is carried by the rod 102, extending upward and forward therefrom, and fixed thereto for forward and rearward shifting movement with the back member 101. Suitable resilient means may be employed tourge the unitary arm105, rod 102 and backing member 101 forward, to a limiting position, say lby `engagement of the arm with the bearing 103. For. this purpose, coil'compression spring, as at 1,06.may be circumposed about thev rod V102 between the'arm 105 and 'bearing member 104, and in bearing engagement withrthe arm and bearing member to yieldably urge the unitary assembly forward.

Extending vertically through the upper end of the arm 105., directly'over the backing member 101, is a rod 110, which has an enlarged head on its upper end above the yupper arm end, and' a cutting member 112 on its lower end, below the upper arm end. The rod 110, together with its head 111 and cutting member 112 are vertically slidably mounted in the uppervend of the arm g` and,a coil compression spring'113 is circumposed about the rod having its opposite ends in engagement withthe head 111 and upper mounting portion ofthe arm 105 'resiliently' urge the rod vertically upward. The cutting member1'12, as best seenin Figs` 9 and l0, is of a generally downwardly opening and slightly outwardly iiaring U-shaped configuration, and is provided on its inaora-'reo `tion'is illustrated in the drawings, such 'asft'o' define a notch 115 in the remaining cover sheet portion to facilitate inward folding thereof. Downward movement of the unitary assembly 11i), 111 and 112 may be effected by downward movement of the hammer or striker 116 against the head 111, and the assembly will return upward under the force of spring 113.

From the foregoing it is seen that the method and apparatus of the present invention enable an operator to more quickly, elciently, and perfectly perform the heel cover severing operation, and that 'the instant method and apparatus fully accomplish their intended objects and are well adapted to meet practical conditions of commercial use. I p `There have been described two separate facets of cutting, namely breast lift cutting and top lift cutting. These cutting operations can be performed at the same time. Knife die 114 can be a male dieinstead of a knife die and be utilized on breast severing male and female dies set-up. The breast cutting means can likewise be a knife -die or male and female set-up, If desired, continuations of such die arrangements may be utilized.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. Apparatus for severing a covering sheet applied to a heel body, said apparatus comprising a supporting plate having one face engageable with the breast of a heel body with the covering sheet extending on opposite sides of the supporting plate beyond the other face thereof, and cutter members movable past said opposite sides of said supporting plate in shearing coaction with said other face thereof to sever the extending portions of said covering sheet.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in combination with clamping means movable toward and away from said one face of said supporting plate for releasably clamping a heel in position on said plate. p

3. Apparatus according to claim l, said other face of said supporting plate being serrated, and said cutter members being serrated for conforming engagement with said other face of said supporting plate to provide serrations along the severed edges of said covering sheet.

4. Apparatus for severing a covering sheet applied to a heel body, said apparatus comprising a fixed supporting plate configured to have one face conformably engageable with the breast of a heel body with the covering sheet disposed on opposite sides of the supporting plate extending beyond the other face thereof, and Va pair of cutter members mounted on opposite sides of said supporting plate for reciprocation past the respective adjacent side edge of said supporting plate into and out of shearing coaction with said other face of said supporting plate to sever the extending portions of said covering sheet.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, said supporting plate having said one face laterally coextensive with the breast of the heel body for extension of said covering sheet closely adjacent to the side edges of said supporting plate.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4, in combination With a clamping member selectively movable toward and away from said one face of said supporting plate for clamping and releasing a heel from said position,

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, in combination with independently manually actuable means for effecting reciprocation of each of said cover members, an additional foot actuable means for selectively effecting movement of said clamping member.

8. Apparatus for severing a cover sheetapplied to the heel body, said apparatus comprising a generally hori- 'Zontalbase la supporting plate fixedly Ymounted on said base in spaced relation thereabove having a convex surface facinggenerally upwardly and forwardly andhaving concave` surface facing generally downwardly and rearwardly, a pair of slides mounted on said base on opposite sides of said supporting plate and each movable to-` ward and away from the latter, a cutting member carried by each of ysaid slides for movement therewith into and out of position'beneath said supporting plate past the adjacent side edgel of said supporting plate in shearing coaction with said other surface thereof, means for selectively effecting movement of said cutter members into and out of said shearing coaction with said supporting plates, and a clamping member arranged over said supportingl plate and mounted on said base for up-and down movement toward and away from said supporting plate.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, said means for effecting cutter member movement being independently manually actuable, and independently foot actuable means for effecting movement of said clamping member.

10. Apparatus for severing a covering sheet applied to a heel body, said `apparatus comprising a fixed supporting member configured to have one face conformably engageable with the breast of a heel body with the covering sheet disposed on opposite sides of the supporting member, and a pair of cutting members mounted on opposite sides of said supporting member for reciprocation into and out of cutting coaction with said supporting member to sever the extending marginal sheet material portions.

1l. Apparatus according to claim l0, said cutting members comprising die cutters movable into and out of die cutting engagement with respective sides of said supporting member.

12. Apparatus for severing a covering sheet applied to a heel body, said apparatus comprising a fixed supporting member configured to have one face conformably engageable with the breast of a heel body with the covering sheet disposed on opposite sides of the supporting plate and extending beyond the end of the lower heel end, a backing member removably seated on said one face of said supporting member engageable beneath the downwardly extending covering sheet portion of a heel positioned on said supporting member, and a cutting member mounted for movement toward and away from said one face of said supporting member and said backing member for movement into and out of cutting engagement with the extending portion of said covering sheet engaged over said backing member.

13. Apparatus for trimming heel covers comprising a base, a plurality fof die members comprising a central die member stationarily mounted onv said base and having a heel-engaging face substantially conforming to the breast of a heel and two side diemernbers mounted on said base at opposite sides of said central die member for movement toward and away from said central die member between a cutting position and a retracted position, said die members having cooperating cutting edges to cut both sides of said heel cover between said central die member and said side die members along a line spaced forwardly of the breast of a heel positioned on said heel-engaging face, and power means for moving said side die members toward and away from said central die member between said retracted position and said cutting position.

14. Apparatus according to the base claim 14, in which said cutting edges include zig-zag portions to cut said heel cover along zig-zag lines.

15. Apparatus according to the base claim 14, in which said power means comprise a pneumatic power unit for each of said side die members.

(References on following page) References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Krohn et al. July 11, 1916 Kershaw May 27, 1930 Nutt May 12, 1931 Brostrom Dec. 1, 1931 10 Nutt et al. Dec. 15, 1931 Brostrom Feb. 13, 1934 Bazzoni Feb. 4, 1936 Tetlow Mar. 3, 1936 Bazzoni July 18, 1939 Lovejoy ...2--.. May 15. 1945