US3448472A - Combined shoe heel shaping and lasting machine - Google Patents

Description

June 10, 1969 A. WEINSCHENK COMBINED SHOE HEEL SHAPING AND LASTING MACHINE Filed May 22, 1967 Sheet \K n REWK L y e m n W M n m.! ucc w M B t r 3 lb A June 10, 1969 A. WEINSCHENK COMBINED SHOE HEEL SHAPING AND LASTING MACHINE Sheet Filed May 22, 1967 FiG. 2

A I bet-L .INVENTORI flttoi-neys June 10, 1969 A. WEINSCHENK COMBINED SHOE HEEL SHAPING AND LASTING MACHINE Sheet Filed May 22, 1967 INVENTOR: fl/Aed weinsclwenk June 10, 1969 A. WEINSCHENK 3,448,472

COMBINED SHOE HEEL SHAPING AND LASTING MACHINE Filed May 22, 1967 Sheet 4 of 5 lNVENTOR.

Alber-E We insch enk e? fia ol-neys June 10, 1969 A. WEINSCHENK 3,448,472

COMBINED SHOE HEEL SHAPING AND LASTING MACHINE Filed May 22, 1967 Sheet 5 of 5 INVENTOR Z Alba-4i weinschenk United States Patent H Int. Cl. A43d 21/12, 23/00, 11/12 US. Cl. 12-10.1 18 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE In a shoe heel shaping and lasting machine, the shoe last is mounted on a last jack which is rotatable between a first position in which the heel of the shoe last faces toward the operators side of the lasting machine and a second position in which the heel of the shoe last faces away from the operators side of the lasting machine. In the first position of the shoe last, the upper portion of a shoe which is mounted on the last can be quickly and easily adjusted to center the upper portion of the shoe for a heel shaping and lasting operation which is performed in the second position of the shoe last. In the first position, the longitudinal axis of the shoe last preferably forms an angle of between 20 degrees and 50 degrees with the horizontal, and in its second position, the longitudial axis of the shoe last preferably forms an angle of between degrees and 45 degrees with the vertical, with the heel of the shoe last facing upwardly.

Background of the invention In a shoe manufacturing process, the heel shaping operation is of particular importance. The objective of this operation is to impart to the heel portion of the shoe upper the exact shape of the shoe last. As a prerequisite thereof, the heel stiffening member must also conform exactly to the shape of the last. Since the heel portion differs in the lasts employed for the manufacture of differing shoe models, the heel stiffening member receives its final shape suitably only during the course of the shoe production. In this connection, thermoplastic heel stiffening members have proven to be particularly advantageous. Such stiffening members can be softened by heating before they are inserted between the upper material and the upper lining, whereupon they can be deformed on the heel shaping machine by the use of pressure and heat so as to conform exactly to the shape of the last. The heel shaping proper is effected by the socalled heel forming pad of the heel shaping machine. This heel forming pad, which can consist of a resiliently elastic material, for example polyurethane, has an approximately U-shaped form and can be pushed from the rear over the lasted upper and pressed against the heel portion thereof, so that due to the pressure exerted by the pad on the upper, the stiffening member is shaped in correspondence with the contour of the last. After the shaping step, and after cooling, the stiffening member and thus also the heel portion of the upper retains the shape imparted thereto.

Since the softened condition of the stiffening member lasts only a very short time, and since the stiffening member must already have been inserted between the upper material and the lining when the upper is lasted,

it is necessary to shape and last the heel of the upper before the toe lasting step is carried out. Thus, the shoe is worked from the rear toward the front. In this connection, care must be taken that after the grippers engaging the front portion of the upper, which grippers pull the upper forwardly, i.e., toward the tip of the last, have been operative, and before the heel shaping pad is attached, the heel seam of the upper is positioned exactly in the center, i.e., on the vertical line of the last. In general, it is necessary, after pulling the upper forwardly by means of the pulling grippers, to execute a manual correction, in such a manner that, by shifting the upper on the last, the heel seam is placed in the right position. This correction, which must be carried out manually by the person operating the machine, should be executed simply and rapidly.

The above noted correction can not, however, be executed simply and rapidly in the conventional combined heel shaping and heel lasting machines. In these machines, the shoe last, which is seated on a last jack, is arranged so that the heel seam and the front portion of the upper at which the pulling and correction grippers are effective are not in the line of sight of the operator standing in front of the machine. Therefore, the correction of the position of the heel seam is made difficult. Moreover, such difliculty can not be overcome by providing a mirror for reflecting the heel seam to the operators eye as is done in conventional heel shaping and heel lasting machines. This deficiency of the conventional heel shaping and heel lasting machines is caused by the requirement, which is quite correct per se, that the last be positioned on the last support in such a manner that the mortising process in the heel portion can be observed by the person operating the machine so that it can be perceived in time whether any corrections must be made. Thus, in the heel section, the last bottom must be in the line of sight of the operator, as is the case generally in the heel lasting machines which are commercially available. This requirement has heretofore been considered unreconcilable with another requirement, namely to position the last, for the purpose of easily correcting the position of the heel seam, in such a manner that, as is customary in toe lasting machines, the heel seam and the front portion of the upper are positioned in the line of sight of the operator. This requirement was based on the consideration that the working habits of the operating personnel with respect to toe lasting machines should be taken into account. A change in such work habits would surely entail a decrease in efficiency.

Therefore, the usual procedure in the past has been to perform the heel shaping and glue-lasting of the heel on two different machines. This, however, involved a corresponding excessive expenditure in equipment and work.

Summary of the invention It is the object of this invention to provide a combined heel shaping and heel lasting machine, particularly a heel glue-lasting machine, having means for correcting the position of the heel seam wherein the two above-mentioned conflicting requirements can be reconciled with each other.

This object is attained, according to the invention, by making the last jack pivotable between a first position, called the correcting position in the following description, wherein the heel of the last faces toward the operators side of the machine and the last forms an angle with the horizontal of from 10 degrees to 60 degrees, preferably between 20 degrees and 50 degrees, and upwardly into a second position, called the lasting position in the following description, wherein the last faces away from the operators side of the machine and forms an angle with the vertical of more than.() degrees and at most 90 degrees, preferably between 10 degrees and 45 degrees, with the heel of the last extending upwardly. Since the last is positioned at a right angle with respect to the last jack, the latter forms an angle with the horizontal, in the correcting position, of between 100 degrees and 150 degrees, preferably between 110 degrees and 140 degrees and, in the lasting position, forms an angle with the vertical of more than 90 degrees and at most 180 degrees, preferably between 100 degrees and 135 degrees.

By means of the above-described adjustability of the last jack, in the correcting position of this invention, the heel seam and the front panel of the shoe upper are in the line of sight of an operator standing in front of the operators side of the machine, in the lasting position, the last bottom is positioned in the operators line of sight.

Brief description of the drawings FIGURE 1 is a lateral view, partially in section, of one embodiment of this invention with a last in the correcting position, the side wall of the machine housing being partially cut-away to give a direct view of the essential parts of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a lateral view of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1 with the last in the lasting position.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the lasting portion of the embodiment shown in FIG- URES 1 and 2.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged lateral view of a modified form of gripper mounting for the embodiment shown in FIGURES 1 and 2.

FIGURE 5 is a top view of the mechanism shown in FIGURE 4 on a reduced scale, the parts identical with the embodiment of FIGURES l to 3 being omitted for the sake of clarity.

FIGURE 6 is a lateral view taken in the direction of the arrow in FIGURE 5.

Description of the preferred embodiments Referring to FIGURES 1 to 3, a shoe last 1 with the upper portion 2 of a shoe pulled thereover is mounted on a supporting member designated in its entirety by reference numeral 3 and provided with a mounting pin 5 engaging a bore of the last '1. When the upper 2 is pulled over the last 1, the stiffening member essential for the shaping of the heel has already been inserted between the upper and the lining of upper 2. The supporting member 3 is seated on a last jack 6, which is shown in FIGURE 3 in its neutral position, from which it can be moved, as will be described in detail below, in the downward direction, i.e., toward the last stop abutment 7.

For moving last jack 6, two hydraulic units are provided mounted to a main support member 9 which is pivotable about an axle 8. The hydraulic unit formed by the cylinder 10 and the piston 11 serves for moving the last jack out of its basic position, i.e., the position of the jack in the correcting position of the last (FIGURE 1). As can be seen from FIGURE 3, two bearing surfaces 12 and 13 are provided for the piston 11, which surfaces differ noticeably in size from each other. The smaller bearing surface 12 has the hydraulic fluid supplied thereto from a conduit 14 by way of inlet 15 and central bore 16 of the cylinder 10. The larger bearing surface 13 receives the hydraulic fluid from the conduit 17 by way of the inlet 18. The feed of hydraulic fluid via the inlets 15 or 18 is controlled by a valve which is not shown in the drawings. The force with which the last jack is extended is dependent upon which bearing surface of the piston is under the effect of the hydraulic fluid. As will be described in detail below in connection with the mode of operation of the machine, the hydraulic fluid is applied against the smaller surface 12 in the first moving stage of the jack.

The piston 11, during the extending movement, presses against element 19 which is positively coupled to last jack 6, thereby moving the last jack downwardly toward the last stop 7.

A second hydraulic device with a cylinder 20 and a piston 21, likewise mounted to the main support member 9, serves for returning the jack to its basic position and for arresting it in this position. The cylinder 20 receives hydraulic fluid by way of the inlet 22. During the extending movement, the piston 21 presses upon an abutment 23 provided at element 24, which is mounted to the end of the jack 6. A connecting piece 25 is connected with element 24 by means of a threaded coupling 26. The screws of coupling 26 extend through a longitudinal slot 27 so that connecting piece 25, after the screws have been loosened, is displaced with respect to element 24 and can be fixed in a new position after tightening of the screws. By this means, the supporting arm, which is designated in its entirety by reference numeral 28, for the two pulling grippers 29 provided beside the last and the holding means for the last tip, which has the shape of a roller and is designated by reference numeral 30, can be adjusted. The connecting piece 25 establishies the connection between the supporting arm 28 and the last jack 6; the supporting arm 28 being joined to the connecting piece by means of a pin 31.

In order to pivot the supporting arm 28 outwardly, a hydraulic device is arranged in the element 19 which is fixedly connected with the jack 6. This hydraulic device comprises the cylinder 3-2 and the piston 33. The hydraulic fluid is fed via an inlet 34. As can be seen from FIGURE 3, the piston 33, upon being extended, presses on the supporting arm 28, which is thereby pivoted from its normal position downwardly. The supporting arm 28 is guided in a slot of a plate 36 connected with the element 19. The lower rim of slot 35 serves as an abutment for limiting the distance which can be traversed by supporting arm 28 under the action of piston 33. If the hydraulic pressure is removed from the cylinder 32 and piston 33, then the supporting arm 28 is returned to its original position by the spring 37. One end of spring 37 engages element 19, and the other end thereof engages supporting arm 28.

In order to alter the normal position of supporting arm 28, a set screw 38 is provided held in a bearing 40 which is connected with the element 19 and is provided with a threaded bore 39.

Supporting 'arm 28 has an axial bore 41 at its end facing the last, and a threaded bolt 42 is inserted into bore 41, which bolt forms an extension of supporting arm 28 and has the effect of a spindle, in cooperation with an adjusting nut 43. In order to prevent an axial displacement of nut 43, the latter is fixedly attached to the supporting arm 28. By means of adjusting nut 43, provided with handles 44, for easier manipulation thereof, the pulling grippers 29 connected with the threaded bolt 42 can be adjusted, as will be described in detail below.

A crosspiece 45 having the effect of a two-armed lever and the shape of a gripper-supporting bearing is attached to the front end of the bolt 42. One spring 46 presses upon each of the arms of crosspiece 45, the other end of spring 46 resting against an abutment 47 fixedly connected to bolt 42. At each arm of the gripper-supporting bearing 45, a bearing 48 for a bolt 49 is connected to be pivotable with respect to bearing 45. A pulling gripper 29 is suspended from the bolt 49. By moving bolt 49 within bearing 48, the height of the pulling gripper with respect to the bottom of the last can be adjusted. By pivoting the bearing 48, it is possible to position the grippers 29 beside the last in any lateral position required by the shape of the last bottom. By means of the bearings 48, the grippers 29 can be adjusted in an in-line or lateral manner with respect to the sides of the last. This adjustment can be carried out by means of the regulating screw 112 provided for each bearing 48, which screw is mounted on hearing 48.

Once the pulling grippers 29 have gripped the upper 2, either one or the other longitudinal side of the upper can be pulled toward the toe of the last by pivoting the gripper-support bearing 45, thus correcting the position of the heel seam. After the last has been removed from the machine, the gripper-support bearing 45 is returned to its neutral position by the moment of rotation exerted by the spring 46 which is compressed to a larger degree.

The holding means 30 for the last tip, which is shaped as a roller, is attached to the front face of the threaded bolt 42.

In a lug 51 connected with the supporting arm 28 by the threaded connection 50, a rod 52 is displaceably mounted. A rod 54 arcuately bent over a right angle and engaging underneath the last bottom is fastened to the front end of the rod 52 by means of a connecting link 53. The rod 54 can be locked in predetermined positions in the connecting link 53.

A rocket 57, which can be swung out about an axial bolt 56, is attached to the end of the rod 54 by a bearing block 55 positioned beneath the bottom of the last. Rocker 57 contacts the bottom of the last by means of rollers 58 and 59. Rocker 57 can be pivoted in a plane parallel to the central plane of the last and is positioned in such a manner that rollers 58 and 59 contact the bottom of the last on both sides of the point A (FIGURE 3) at which the direction of curvature of the last bottom changes. This provides a firm mounting for the last, preventing the latter from sliding off the pin 5 of the last support 3. By means of the rocker 57, the position of which can be adapted to the respective camber, the last is likewise maintained in a flush contact with the last support 3, thereby ensuring the correct position of the last during the lasting of the heel.

The rocker 57 is pressed against the last bottom by a spring 60 attached on the rod 52. Spring 60 rests with one of its ends against block 51 and with its other end against an element 61 mounted on rod 52. Due to the effect of spring 60, the rod 52 is pressed upward in FIG- URE 3. A hydraulic device is mounted on the supporting arm 28 for lifting the rocker 57 off the last bottom, the cylinder of this hydraulic device being designated by the reference numeral 62 and the piston being designated by the reference numeral 63. The cylinder 62 is supplied with hydraulic fluid from line 64 via inlet 65. The piston 63 presses against the abutment 61 for the spring 60. If, now, the cylinder 62 has hydraulic fluid applied thereto, then the rod 52 in FIGURE 3 is displaced downwardly, and the rocker 57 is lifted off the bottom of the last. The last can then be removed from the machine.

The parts of the machine which are essential for the invention are suspended on the main support element 9, which is pivotally connected to an axle 8 mounted in the side walls 66 of the machine. The main support element 9 has an approximately U-shaped configuration. In the space between the legs of the U-space, the last jack 6, the supporting arm 28, and the rod 52, as well as the parts directly pertaining to this rod, are accommodated.

By means of the main support element 9, the parts of the machine essential to the invention can be shifted between the positions illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2. For the pivoting of the main support element 9, which has to be conducted in each particular case, a hydraulic unit is provided having a piston 67 which can be activated by hydraulic fluid from both sides, the piston 67 being disposed in a cylinder 68 (FIGURE 1). The hydraulic unit 67, 68 is mounted in the machine frame, designated in its entirety by the reference numeral 81, by means of a mounting lug pivotable about an axle pin 69, which lug is provided at the lower end of the cylinder 68. The free end of the piston rod 70 is joined to the main support element 9 by means of a bolt 71 (FIGURE 2). The

cylinder 68 can be supplied with hydraulic fluid, regulated by a valve, which is not shown in the drawings, by

Way of the conduit 72 and the inlet 73 or by way of the position (FIGURE 2), hydraulic fluid is supplied to the hydraulic unit '67, 68 from the conduit 74, whereby the piston rod 70 is retracted, with a corresponding pivoting of the main support element 9. The pivoting motion can be reversed, in the course of an operating step of the machine to be described in detail below, by placing the hydraulic unit 67, 68 under pressure by hydraulic fluid from the conduit 72. For fixing the main support element 9 in the lasting position of the last, a hydraulic device is provided which is mounted at the machine frame and comprises a cylinder 76, a piston 77, and a return spring 78 incorporated into the cylinder 76 (FIGURE 3). This hydraulic device is supplied with hydraulic fluid from conduit 79 by way of inlet 80. When the piston 77 is under hydraulic pressure in the lasting position of the last, the piston 77 presses against the main support element 9. If the hydraulic pressure is released, the fixed position is eliminated due to the return of the piston 77 under the influence of spring 78.

Reference numeral 82 designates the heated heel shaping pad for shaping the heel of the upper in the lasting position, and reference numeral 83 denotes the scissors for lasting the heel.

The mode of operation of the machine will now be described. Upon placing the lasted upper, which already contains a pre-softened stiffening element, onto the last support 3, the main support element 9, the last jack 6, and the supporting arm 28, as well as the pulling grippers 29, have the position illustrated in FIGURE 1, wherein the retracted (basic) position of the last jack 6 is fixed by placing the hydraulic device 20, 21 under the pressure of hydraulic fluid. Since the hydraulic unit 62, 63 is likewise under hydraulic pressure, the insertion of the last into the machine is not impeded by the rocker 57.

By means of the adjusting nut 43, the roller 30 can be brought into contact with the last. An actuation of the adjusting nut 43 is generally required only when exchanging the last model. The same holds true for any additional adjustment of the pulling grippers 29' by displacing the bolt 49 in the bearing 48; the respective adjustment of the roller 30 and of the pulling grippers 29 is dependent to a great extent upon the camber of the last. The grippers 29 can furthermore be adjusted at a larger or smaller spacing from the tip of the shoe with the actuation of the set screw 38 by altering the basic position of the supporting arm 28 (that is, the position assumed by the supporting arm before the hydraulic cylinder 32, 33 is under pressure of hydraulic fluid). An additional adjustment to be executed in certain cases consists in displacing the pivot point 31 of the supporting arm 28 after slackening the screws 26 and shifting the connecting piece 25. By this means, the pulling direction with respect to the bottom of the last can be varied when the upper is later pulled forward.

Once the above-mentioned adjustments, as far as required, have been executed, the pressure upon the hydraulic device 62, 63 is terminated. 'Under the effect of the spring 60, the rocker 57 is brought into engagement with the last bottom so that the last is securely pressed againts the last support 3.

Next, the grippers .29 close upon the gripper claws under the effect of a hydraulic device which is not shown in the drawing. During this step, the rim 2' of the upper, which forms the future lasting margin of the upper, and which extends beyond the bottom of the last, is caught by the grippers and is tightly clamped between the gripper claws.

The hydraulic device 32, 33 is then put under pressure by hydraulic fluid. This pivots the supporting arm 28 about the bolt 31 toward the tip of the last. The grippers 29 are entrained and pull the upper forwardly on the last, i.e., toward the toe of the last. After the pulling-forward step is terminated, the position of the heel seam holding the two longitudinal portions of the upper together is corrected, if necessary, in such a manner that this seam extends exactly along the vertex line of the last. This correction is conducted by correspondingly pivoting the gripper-support bearing 45 about the threaded bolt 42. By this means, either the outer or the inner side of the upper is pulled more strongly toward the tip of the last. During the correction of the heel and/ or the heel seam are positioned exactly in the line of sight of the operator standing in front of the operating side of the machine, which considerably facilitates the correcting operation. Once this step is finished, the hydraulic device 67, 68 is put under pressure by hydraulic fluid from conduit 74, which pivots the main support element 9 about the axle 8 from the position illustrated in FIGURE 1 to the position shown in FIGURE 2. In order not to impede this pivoting motion, the stop 7 and the heel shaping pad 82 are still in the position shown in FIGURE 1. However, as soon as the main support element 9 has reached its terminal position, the stop 7 is brought into the position seen in FIGURES 2 and 3, in a conventional manner, which limits the movement of the last jack 6 now being extended by hydraulic fluid from conduit 14 to the hydraulic device 10, '11. The last jack 6 is arrested as soon as the last abuts the stop 7. The last bottom is now on the level of the plane wherein subsequently the heel lasting scissors 83 are pivoted. In the meantime, the main support element '9 was fixed in its terminal position by placing the hydraulic device 76 to 78 under hydraulic pressure. The heated heel shaping pad 82 is now placed against the last and pressed firmly thereagainst. Thereafter, the heated scissors 83 commence their inward pivoting in a conventional manner, which scissors fold the upper edge 2 over onto the last bottom, or onto the insole stitched thereon and press the edge thereagainst. If the insole was previously provided with an adhesive in the marginal zone, then the lasting margin 2 is glued to the insole.

In the inwardly pivoted position of the scissors 83, the stop 7 is retracted into the position shown in FIGURE 1, and then hydraulic fluid is fed to the hydraulic device 10, -11 from conduit 17. Consequently, the last is placed upon the scissors under a strong pressure, contributing to a permanent adhesive connection of the lasting margin with the insole and to the formation of a sharp edge between the lasting margin and the sides of the upper.

After the lasting operation is finished, conducted so that it was easily visible to the operator standing in front of the operators side of the machine, whereby any necessary corrections at the lasting margin could be executed, the scissors open up and the pulling grippers are likewise opened; the heel shaping pad is restored to its starting position; and the hydraulic device 62, 63 is supplied with hydraulic fluid. After the rocker 57 has lifted off the last bottom, the last is removed from the last support 3. In order to return the machine hereafter to its starting position, in order to insert a new lasted upper, the pressure is removed from the hydraulic device 76 to 78, and the hydraulic device 67, 68 is supplied with hydraulic fluid via conduit 72. At the same time, the last jack 6 is also returned to its original position by placing the hydraulic device 20, 21 under pressure with hydraulic fluid. Thereafter, the machine is ready to receive a new lasted upper.

Since the parts of the machine pertaining to the invention are suitably operated hydraulically, the entire operation of the machine can likewise be controlled hydraulically with the use of appropriate switching valves actuated by hand levers and/or foot pedals. In order to increase the efficiency of the machine, the individual movements should overlap as far as possible.

The embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 4-6 difiers from the above-described machine substantially in that there is provided, in addition to the forward pulling feature, a device for overriding the upper. By means of such an additional device, the alignment of the entire upper, i.e., including the front portion thereof, on the last is made possible. Such an alignment, effected by the overriding and forward-pulling devices, conducted in connection with the upper can prevent the formation of distortions, creases, and accumulations of material in the ankle zone of the upper.'Such undesired occurrences, as encountered when employing the conventional combined heel shaping and glue-lasting machine, can lead to rather grave difliculties during the subsequent operating steps of lasting the toe, sides, and ball portion of the upper.

In the embodiment of FIGURES 4-6, a crosspiece 45 effective as a two-armed lever is again provided on the threaded bolt 42 forming an extension of the supporting arm 28. Crosspiece 45 has an extension 45' facing the front, with a downwardly directed leg 45". A support 111 is mounted on the leg 45 to be pivotable about the pin 85, this support being intended for the toe gripper designated by 84 in its entirety. The construction of crosspiece 45 and of the gripper support can best be seen from FIGURE 4. The basic position of the toe gripper 84 can be regulated by means of an adjusting screw 86, which screw is provided in a thread of an abutment plate 87 of the leg 45" at the front side. The gripper support is constantly pressed against the front face of the adjusting screw 86 by the compression spring 88 resting with one of its ends against the gripper support 111 and with its other end against the lug 45' of the crosspiece 45.

A hydraulic device is provided in the leg 45". Two pistons 89, 90 are housed in the hydraulic cylinder, which can be supplied with pressure medium from the conduit 91. A compression spring 92 is effective upon the piston 89 facing the toe gripper 84, which spring is so constructed, in comparison with the compression spring 88, that, upon the feeding of hydraulic fluid from the conduit 91, first the piston 89 is displaced and the gripper 84 engaging the upper edge 2 is placed into its closed position. Only thereafter, and upon a further pressure increase in the hydraulic cylinder, the piston 90 is likewise displaced, which latter piston has a roller 93 at the end extending out of the cylinder. By means of roller 93, the piston 90 presses upon an inclined surface 94 formed at the extension 45 of the crosspiece 45. Thereby, the gripper support 111 is pivoted in the counterclockwise direction about the bolt 4, against the force of the spring 88. Consequently, the toe gripper 84 pulls the upper on the last forwardly. Thus, the toe gripper exerts the same effect as the pulling grippers 29 provided in the embodiment of FIGURES 1-3 laterally beside the upper. When, during the operation of the machine, after the lasting of the heel, the pressure in line 91 is reduced, then the toe gripper, as can readily be seen, returns to its original position and then frees the upper margin 2'.

On each arm of the gripper-supporting bearing 45, a fishplate 95 is mounted, extending to the last beyond the last bottom (see, in particular, FIGURE 6). The fishplates 95 carry the last support 96 comparable with respect to its effect to the rocker 57 illustrated in the embodiment of FIGURES 1-3. At this last support, two arms 97 are mounted, each of which projects beyond one side of the last; these arms 97 can be pivoted about a pin 98 provided in the last support, at right angles to the last bottom. The arms 97 serve as carriers for the lateral grippers, designated by 109 in their entirety which can be adjusted by means of the clamp handle 99 to the respective shape and size of the last.

For closing the lateral grippers 109, a hydraulic device having a cylinder 100 and a piston 101 is provided, which piston can be moved against the force of a spring 103 when put under pressure by hydraulic fluid from line 102. The piston moves the externally positioned gripper jaw 109' toward the internally provided jaw 109" fixedly mounted at the arm 97. After the gripper jaws have been closed, the edge 2' of the upper is clamped therebetween.

Thereafter, the overriding of the upper can be commenced. For this purpose, a hydraulic device with a cylinder 104 and a piston 105 is mounted to each fishplate 95. The cylinder has hydraulic fluid supplied thereto from conduit 106. By placing the piston 105 under pressure, the latter presses against the supporting arm 97 pertaining thereto which thus is pivoted away from the bottom of the last, entraining the (closed) lateral grippers, about the pin 98. Thereby, an overriding pull is exerted upon the lasted upper 2.

After the overriding operation has been completed, the seating of the upper 2 on the last 1 can be corrected by actuating the hand levers 107 fastened to the supporting arms 97, by again pivoting the crosspiece 45 about the pin 42. The adjusting nut 83 seated on the pin 42 makes it possible again to change the adjustment of the entire group of grippers with respect to the last bottom and in ependence upon the camber of the last.

After lasting of the heel, the hydraulic pressure in conduits 102 and 106 is removed. Thereby, the grippers 109 are opened and supporting arms 97 and thus also the lateral grippers 109 seated thereon are returned to the starting position, on account of the tension spring 108 effective at the supporting arms, which spring is suspended with its other end on a pin 110 connected with the hydraulic device 104, 105. In this connection, the piston 105 is pushed back within the cylinder 104.

What is claimed is:

1. In a shoe heel shaping and lasting machine, the improvement comprising, in combination:

(a) a last jack for receiving a shoe last containing the upper portion of a shoe;

(b) means mounting said last jack for rotation between a first position in which the heel of such shoe last faces toward the operators side of the lasting machine and a second position in which the heel of such shoe last faces away from the operators side of the lasting machine, the longitudinal axis of such shoe last forming an angle of between degrees and 60 degrees with the horizontal in the first position of said last jack and forming an angle of less than 90 degrees with the vertical in the second position of said last jack with the heel of such shoe last facing upwardly; and (c) means for shaping and lasting the heel of such upper portion of a shoe in the second position of said last jack.

2. In a shoe heel shaping and lasting machine, the improvement comprising, in combination:

(a) a last jack for receiving a shoe last containing the upper portion of a shoe;

(b) means mounting said last jack for rotation between a first position in which the heel of such shoe last faces toward the operators side of the lasting machine and a second position in which the heel of such shoe last faces away from the operators side of the lasting machine the longitudinal axis of such shoe last forming an angle of between degrees and 50 degrees with the horizontal in the first position of said last jack and forming an angle of between 10 degrees and 45 degrees with the vertical in the second position of said last jack with the heel of such shoe last facing upwardly; and

(0) means for shaping and lasting the heel of such upper portion of a shoe in the second position of said last jack.

3. The improvement defined in claim 1 wherein said last jack is supported on a support member which is pivotable about an axle, and further comprising a first hydraulically operated drive device coupled to said support member for rotating said last jack between said first and said second positions thereof.

4. The improvement defined in claim 3 and further comprising second hydraulic drive means mounted on said sup port member for moving said last jack longitudinally.

5. The improvement defined in claim 4 wherein said second hydraulic drive means contains two pressure bearing surfaces which dilfer appreciably in size from each other.

6. In a shoe heel shaping and lasting machine, the improvement comprising, in combination:

(a) a last jack for receiving a shoe last containing the upper portion of a shoe;

(b) means mounting said last jack for rotation between a first position in which the heel of such shoe last faces toward the operators side of the lasting machine and a second position in which the heel of such shoe last faces away from the operators side of the lasting machine;

(c) means for shaping and lasting the heel of such upper portion of a shoe in the second position of said last jack;

(d) a supporting arm attached to said last jack, said supporting arm being movable parallel to the central plane of the shoe last;

(e) gripper means coupled to said supporting arm; and

(f) third hydraulic drive means for moving said supporting arm toward the tip of the shoe last.

7. The improvement defined in claim 6 wherein said supporting arm is pivoted with respect to said last jack and wherein the axis of the pivotal connection between said supporting arm and last jack is adjustable.

8. The improvement defined in claim 7 and further comprising an extension member adjustably connected to the end of said supporting arm, said gripper means being coupled to said extension member.

9. The improvement defined in claim 8 wherein a gripper-supporting member is attached to said extension member and wherein said gripper means are coupled to said gripper-supporting member.

10. The improvement defined in claim 3 and further comprising means coupled to said support member for contacting the bottom of said last.

11. The improvement defined in claim 10 wherein said means for contacting the bottom of said last is shaped like a rocker and is pivotable in a plane parallel to the central plane of the last, the arms of the rocker shaped member engaging the last bottom on both sides of the point at which the direction of curvature of :the last bottom changes between the ankle and the ball portions thereof.

12. The improvement defined in claim 11 wherein said means for contacting the bottom of said last is attached to a rod member which is movable toward and away from the bottom of said last, and further comprising fourth hydraulic drive means for moving said rod member.

13. The improvement defined in claim 6 wherein said support member comprises a U-shaped frame and wherein said last jack and said supporting arm are positioned between the arms of said U-shaped frame.

14. The improvement defined in claim 8 wherein two overriding grippers are attached :to said extension member in lateral position beside said last and wherein a pulling gripper is attached to said extension member in front of the tip of said last.

15. The improvement defined in claim 14 and further comprising a gripper support member coupled to said extension member, said grippers being coupled to said gripper support member.

16. The improvement defined in claim 15 and further comprising a last support attached to said gripper support member, said overriding grippers being pivotally mounted to said gripper support member to be pivotable in a plane at right angles to the central plane of the last.

17. The improvement defined in claim 15 wherein said gripper support member has a projection directed to- 11 12 ward the tip of the last, and further comprising a toe References Cited gripper pivotally mounted on said projection to be pivot- UNITED STATES PATENTS able in a plane parallel to the central plane of the last.

18. The improvement defined in claim 17 and further 2'034O38 3/1936 Holmglien comprising a fifth hydraulic drive means for moving 5 5225 35 i said toe gripper away from the tip of said last and for 3O87176 4/1963 Deschenes 12 12 5 closing said toe gripper, said fifth hydraulic drive means containing two pistons, one of said pistons being effec- PATRICK LAWSON, Primary Examiner. tive for closing said toe gripper and the other of said two pistons being effective for moving said toe gripper away 10 US, Cl, X R

from the tip of said last. 12-126

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