US3594838A - Lasting machines - Google Patents

Abstract

A shoemaking apparatus with a plurality of stations having instrumentalities for performing separate operations, including one for positioning an upper on a last, and a carrier guided for movement to present the last and positioned upper thereon, in succession, to the operating stations and having devices for clamping the positioned upper to the last and on the carrier, during movement of the carrier from station to station, and also during operation of the operating instrumentalities at each station.

Description

United States Patent James R. Stewart Salem;

Robert F. Gorini, Beverly, both of, Moss. [211 App]. No. 41,384

[72] inventors [22] Filed May 28, 1970 [45] Patented July 27, 1971 [73] Assignee USM Corporation Boston, Mass.

[54] LASTING MACHINES 17 Claims, 17 Drawing Figs.

[13. Cl 12/1 ....A43d 00/00 [50] FieldolSeardl l2/l,8.l,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,088,143 5/l963 Richter et al. 12/] A 3,089,162 5/1963 Richter et al. 12/1 A Primary Examiner-Patrick D. Lawson AttorneysRichard A. Wise, Richard B. Megley and Vincent A. White ABSTRACT: A shoemaking apparatus with a plurality of stations having instrumentalities for performing separate operations, including one for positioning an upper on a last, and a carrier guided for movement to present the last and positioned upper thereon, in succession, to the operating stations and having devices for clamping the positioned upper to the last and on the carrier, during movement of the carrier from station to station, and also during operation of the operating instrumentalities at each station.

PATENTED JUL2 71971 SHEET 01 0F 10 In 1/6 21 to m James 5. Stewart Robert 1760/7/22 L 7 By their Afar/26y PATENTEU JULZHH?! 3, 594 ,838

PATENTED JUL27 I97! sum on or 1o PATENTEI] mama EE 05 [1F 10 PATENTEUJULZYIHYI I 3,594, 38

sum as or 10 PATENTEB JUL 2 7 :9?!

sum 10 or 10 LASTING MACHINES Background of the Invention The invention relates to the manufacture of shoesand more particularly to a machine for performing various operations including the so-called lasting operation in which an upper assembled on a last is tensioned over and positioned on the last and its lasting margin is wiped inwardly over and secured to the bottom of the shoe.

Commonly the manufacture of shoes has been effected as a series of separate operations performed in a number of different machines such, for example, as pulling over operation in which the upper is tensioned over and positioned on its last and then secured by temporary fastenings; a side lasting operation in which the lasting margin of the pulled over upper is again tensioned, drawn inwardly over and secured to the shoe bottom along opposite sides of the shoe from about the breast line to the tip line; a toe lasting operation in which the lasting margin of the upper at the toe end of the shoe is wiped inwardly over and secured to the shoe bottom and a heel seat lasting operation in which the upper is shaped to the heel end of the last by the action of a heel band and then the lasting margin is wiped inwardly over and secured to the shoe bottom. Other operations are also performed to complete the shoe such, for example as a bottoming operation-in which unitary sole and heel members are applied to the shoe bottom by attaching or molding operations according to well-known techniques. Various types of machines have been proposed and are in use for perfonning each of these several operations, as will be well recognized by persons skilled in the art. Moreover, machines are available and in some cases are in use, wherein two, or even more, of these separate operations may be completed such, for example, as machines for combining the pulling over operation with toe lasting, with toe and forepart lasting, with toe, forepart and shank lasting or even with toe, forepart, shank and heel seat lasting. In some of the machines of the latter type, the shoe is supported in one position adjacent to upper tensioning and positioning instrumentalities and is then moved on its support to a different position adjacent to other lasting instrumentalities such, for example, as toe and/or heel wipers, or side lasting devices.

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel and improved apparatus for manufacturing shoes in which the several operations are performed separately and wherein the initial upper tensioning and positioning operation is under the control and the direction of the operator while the other operations are performed automatically, without requiring any attention by the operator. With this object in view and in accordance with features of this invention, there is provided a machine having a plurality of stations each having operating instrumentalities and including a station with operator controlled means for positioning the upper on its last, together with a carrier mounted for movement to present a shoe thereon successively to the different stations for sequential operations and having means for clamping the positioned upper against the last and for holding the shoe on the carrier during movement of the carrier and during the action of the operating instrumentalities at each of the stations. More particularly, the carrier has a support for the forepart of a shoe, a toe pad for clamping the shoe against this support together with a heel band and a toe band for clamping the upper against the last after it has been tensioned over and positioned on the last. There are provided at the upper positioning station means for moving the heel band, toe band and toe pad from inoperative to operative positions together with means for releasably holding them in said operative positions. The heel band is mounted for arcuate movement on the carrier for orientation relatively to the heel seat of a shoe thereon and, in accordance with another feature of the invention, power operated means are provided at the upper positioning station for effecting such arcuate movement of the heel band. The action of the power operated means is controlled by a sensing element responsive to contact with the bottom of the heel seat portion of the shoe. To assure that the shoe on each carrier is located in proper position relative to the operating instrumentalities at the several different stations, in accordance with still a further feature of the invention, there is provided at each station a locating vmember movable into engagement with cooperating means on each carrier thereby to locate the carrier and shoe thereon accurately relatively to the instrumentalities at that station.

The above and other objects and features of the invention will appear in the following detailed description of the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the claims.

Description of the Drawings In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a machine embodying the features of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation at a somewhat enlarged scale of a portion of the machine showing in full lines operating elements associated with one of the several operating stations with which the machine is provided; and in dotted lines a shoe carrier;

FIG. 3 isa view similar to FIG. 2 with some of the operating elements broken away and others omitted and showing the shoe carrier operating elements associated with the shoe carrier in full lines;

FIG. 4 is a plan view, at a still further enlarged scale, of the shoe carrier and its associated operating elements and also showing operating elements associated with the operating station shown in FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of that portion of the machine shown in FIG. 2, looking generally in the direction of the arrow V in FIG. 2 and with certain parts omitted, particularly at the upper portion thereof;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are detail views in perspective of a portion of the shoe carrierand one of its associated operating elements;

FIGS. 8, 9, I0 and I] are similar detail views in perspective of another portion of the shoe carrier and the other operating elements associated therewith; and

FIGS. 12-17 are a series of perspective views somewhat schematically illustrating the operating elements associated, respectively, with the operating station and the shoe carrier, the latter being omitted from FIG. 12, and illustrating the different portions assumed by these operating elements during a complete operating cycle.

Referring particularly to FIG. 1 as indicated above and in accordance, with this invention, the machine therein illustrated has a plurality of operating stations, herein designated by reference characters A, B, C, D, E And F. These several operating stations are supported on a fabricated frame construction, indicated generally by the reference character 30, and include an upper positioning station A, a toe wiping station B, two shank wiping stations C and D, a heel wiping station E and an unloading or shoe release station F. Also supported on the frame 30 are a pair of parallelly disposed elliptically shaped endless tracks 40, 40 and mounted for movement along these two tracks by means of antifriction wheels 42, 42 are plurality of shoe carriers each designated generally by the reference character 50, see also FIGS. 2 and 3.

The various wiping stations B, C, D And E are shown only generally to indicate typical operations that could be performed in the machine and are not shown or described in detail herein since their specific operations are not necessary to an understanding of the invention. Obviously many different well-known types of wiping mechanisms could be used in the various stations. Furthermore, other stations could be substituted or included in the machine such, for example, as for applying sole and heel units to the shoe bottom either by direct application or by injection molding. The important aspect to consider is that any number or type of stations for a wide variety of operations could be provided in the machine depending on the type of shoes desired without departing from the scope of the invention.

The shoe carriers are identical in construction and each comprises an upper member and a lower member 62, FIGS. 2 and 3. The upper member 60 is shaped as shown in FIGS. 4 and 13 and is secured to the lower portion 62 by means of screws 64, and also by a cross member 66. The lower member 62 is shaped as shown in FIG. 13 and carries a plate 68 for supporting the forepart of the bottom of a shoe (see also FIG. 3). The plate 68 is mounted for limited longitudinal movement in one direction against the resistance of a return spring 69. Mounted for arcuate movement on the carrier 50 by means of guideways 70 formed on upstanding legs of the lower carrier member 62 and tongues 72, formed integrally thereon is a cross piece 74, FIGS. 4, 6 and 7. Slidably mounted in this cross piece is a heel band supporting member 80. A constant tension spring 82 is arranged to hold the member yieldingly in the retracted position in which it is shown in FIGS. 1, 6, 13 and 14. A pivotally'mounted detent member 84 is adapted to engage one of a series of teeth 86, formed on the member 80, thus to hold it in the advanccd position in which it is shown in FIGS. 4, 7, 15, 16 and I7. Slidably mounted on the cross member 70 is a detent releasingmember 88. Pivotally mounted on the lower side of the member 80 is a cross arm carrying at its outer ends a pair of heel band supporting arms 92. Supported on these arms are the forward ends of a heel band assembly 94. This heel band assembly is of the universal type and has a yieldable operating face 96 adapted to embrace the heel end of either a right or a left shoe and to clamp the upper firmly against its last. At its rear end, the heel band assembly is supported by means of a boss extending downwardly from the cross bar and a pin 98 which is slidable in a bore formed in this boss, FIG. 6. A spring 100 tends to hold the cross arm 90 in the centered position shown.

Secured to the lower end of one of the tongues 72 is a pin (FIG. 6) which projects outwardly through the guideway 70 and through an arcuate slot 112 formed in a detent plate 114 which is fastened to the lower carrier member 62. Pivotally mounted on the pin 110 is a detent member which is yieldably urged, by means of a spring 122, into engagement with a series of teeth 124 formed on the detent plate 114. Formed integrally with this detent are a stud 126 and an operating arm 128, FIGS. 6 and 7. The cross piece 74 is also provided at its other end with a stud 130 similar to the stud 126, and the projecting through a clearance slot 132 in the lower carrier member 62, see FIGS. 13 and 17. As will appear below, power operated means are provided at the upper positioning station for engaging these two studs to elevate the cross piece 74 and the heelband supporting members 80 to an angular position corresponding to the plane of the heel seat portion of a shoe S supported on the carrier with the bottom of its forepart held against the plate 68. During such elevating movement, the detent 120 slips over the teeth 124 and thereafter engages these teeth to hold the parts in elevated position. Power means are also provided at the upper positioning station for engaging a downwardly turned portion on the member 80 thus to move the heel band assembly 94 from its retracted position to its advanced position in which it is held by the detent 84.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, see also FIGS. 12l7, a pair of arms 150, 152 are pivotally mounted on an upstanding portion 154 of the frame construction 30. Secured to these two arms is a U-shaped member 156 (see FIG. 12) having forwardly extending portions 158, 160 carrying blocks I62, 164 which are shaped to engage the studs 126, 130 mentioned above. Connected to each of the forwardly extending portions 158, 160 of the U-shaped member 156 there is the rod of a piston 172 contained within a cylinder 174, FIG. 3. As will be explained below, when operating fluidunder pressure, e.g., compressed air, is admitted'to the cylinder 174, beneath the piston therein, the arms 150, 152 will be swung in a clockwise direction, FIGS. 2 and 3, counterclockwise direction in FIGS. 12-17, causing the blocks 162, 164 to engage the studs 126,

130 and to elevate the cross piece 74 and the heel band carrying member 80. Mounted on the U-shaped member 156 is a control valve having an operating plunger 182 which is urged yieldingly to the positions shown in FIGS. 3 and 12 by means of a spring, not shown. The arrangement is such that when this plunger engages the bottom of the heel seat portion of a shoe on the carrier and is moved downwardly, a slight distance, the valve 180 acts to shut off the flow of operating fluid to the cylinders 174 and connects these cylinders to exhaust. This stops the swinging action of the arms 150, 152 and the upward angular movement of the heel band assembly and permits the arms 150, 152 to return to their original positions under the action of gravity. The valve 180 and its plunger 182 thus function as a sensing device for determining the angular position of the heel band relative to the plane of the heel seat portion of the shoe. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the valve 180 and its plunger 182 move upwardly through an opening 184 which is formed in the lower carrier member 62.

Supported at each side of the upstanding portion 154 of the frame 30 is an operating cylinder containing a piston, not shown, FIGS. 4 and 12'. Each of these pistons is connected to an elongated operating rod 192 which is guided in a bearing boss 194, associated with the frame portion 154, FIG. 4. These operating rods are joined at their forward ends by means of a cross member 196 and mounted on this cross'member is an upstanding abutment 198, FIGS. 4, 12---17. Pivotally mounted on this cross piece is an actuating lever 200, one arm of which is connected to a piston, not shown, contained within a cylinder 202, supported on the crossmember see FIG. 2. The arrangement is such that when operating fluid is admitted to the cylinder 202, beneath the piston therein, the lever 200 will be swung in a clockwise direction, FIG. 2, counterclockwise in FIGS. 12-17, thereby moving the heel band carrying member 80 to its advanced position, seen in FIG. 15, and causing the heel band 96 to engage the end of the shoe under a relatively light pressure (due to the relatively small size of the piston in the cylinder 202). Thereafter, as will soon be explained, when operating fluid is admitted to the cylinders 190, the upstanding abutment member 198 will be moved into engagement with the downwardly turned portion 140 of the heel band carrying member 80, thereby causing the heel band 96, as seen in FIG. 16, to engage the heel end of the shoe under a relatively heavy pressure thus to shape the upper to the heel end of its last and to clamp the upper against the heel end of its last, after it has been tensioned and positioned on the last by instrumentalities to be described and which are also associated with the upper positioning station. 7

For holding a shoe on the carrier with its forepart clamped firmly on the plate 68, a toe pad, indicated generally by the reference character 220 is provided, FIGS. 8-11, and for shaping the forepart of the upper, and for clamping it against the last, a flexible toe band 222 is provided. The toe pad and toe band are mounted on the upper carrier member 60 in the following manner. Slidably supported in bores 230 formed in the upper carrier member 60 are two rods 232 which extend forwardly from ear portions 234 of a block 236. A coil spring 238 is arranged to hold the block 236, together with the other parts which are carried thereby, in the retracted position in which they are shown in FIGS. 8 and 10. Mounted for vertical sliding movement in 'guideways formed in the block 236 is a toe band carrying block 240. A coil spring 242, FIG. 11, interposed between an upper surface of the block 236 and a rearwardly extending portion 244 of the block 240, yieldingly holds the latter in an elevated position, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10. The toe band construction is of a well-known type and includes a flexible resilient facing 250 mounted on a flexible backing member 252 which is carried by a pair of arms 254. These arms are pivotally supported on the lower portion of the block 240 and are yieldingly urged toward each other by means of a tension spring 256. Preferably, and as herein illustrated, the toe band is somewhat longer than usual and adapted to extend back along the opposite sides of the forepart of the shoe nearly to the ball line, see FIG. 4. The toe pad 220 is adjustably secured to the lower portion of a block 260 which is mounted for vertical sliding movement in a forwardly projecting portion 262 of the block 240, FIGS. 8-10. The block 260 has a cylindrical portion 264 which extends upwardly beyond the upper surface of the portion 262 of the block 240 and carried by this cylindrical portion is a cross piece and the block 240 yieldingly hold the block 260 in the toe pad 220 in the elevated position in which they are shown in FIGS. 8 and10.

As will presently appear, power operated means are provided at the upper positioning station (a) for moving the block 236 from the retracted position shown in FIGS. 8 and to its advanced position as shown in FIGS. 9 and II, and (b) for moving the blocks 240 and 260 from the elevated and inoperative positions in which they are shown in FIGS. 8 and 10 to the lowered and operating positions in which they are shown in FIGS. 9 and 11. For holding the block 236 in its advanced position, against the action of the coil spring 238, a latch lever 270 (FIG. 11) is pivotally mounted on the upper carrier member 60. A spring 272 is arranged to urge this latch lever into an annular groove 274 formed in a pin 276, projecting from the block 236 and provided with a tapered head 278. A stop member 280 is provided for limiting the pivotal movement of the latch lever 270 in one direction.

The block 240, which carries the toe band, is held in its lowered and operative position by means of a latch lever 290, FIG. 11, which is pivotally mounted in a groove 292 formed in the upper portion of the block 236. Carried by the rearwardly projecting portion 244 of the block 240 is a headed stud 294. At its lower end this stud is beveled to provide a camming surface 296 and is formed with an annular groove 298 (FIG. 11). When the block 236 is moved downwardly to its operative position, FIG. 9, the latch lever 290 will be swung into the groove 298 by the action of a spring 300, thereby latching the toe band 222 in its operative position. Similarly, a detent member 310 is slidably mounted on the upper surface of the forwardly projecting portion 262 of the block 240. A spring, not shown, yieldingly urges this detent member into engagement with ratchet teeth fonned on one side of the cylindrical extension 264 of the block 260. These ratchet teeth are so shaped that the block 260 and toe pad 220 can be moved downwardly to their operating positions, but prevent upward movement of these parts, until the detent member is moved out of engagement with these teeth.

The block 236, together with the other parts which are carried thereby, are moved forwardly from the retracted positions in which they are shown in FIGS. 2, 8, I0 13 and 14 to operative positions, shown in FIGS. 4, by means of a wedge block 330, see also FIGS. l217, which is provided with an inclined camming groove 332. A cross head 334 which is slidably mounted on the upstanding portion 154 of the frame construction 30, carries a pin 336 which rides in this groove. The cross head 334 is actuated by a piston, not shown, contained within a cylinder 338, the arrangement being such that when the piston is caused to be moved downwardly within the cylinder 338, the wedge block will be moved to the right, thus moving the block 236 to the operative position shown in FIG. 4, against the resistance of the spring 238. The block 236 will now be held in its operative position by means of the latch lever 270, FIG. 11.

Pivotally mounted on the upper end of the frame portion 154 are two operating levers 350,352, FIGS. 2 and 3. One end of the lever 350 is connected to a piston, not shown, contained within a cylinder 354 which is supported on the frame portion 154, while the other end of this lever is formed with a striking plate 356. In a like manner, one end of the lever 352 is connected to a piston, not shown, contained within a cylinder 358, also supported on the frame portion 154, while the other end of this lever is formed with a striking plate 360. When operating fluid is admitted to the cylinder 354, beneath the piston therein, the lever 350 will be rocked in a counter clockwise direction, FIGS. 2 and 3, and its end 356 will engage the headed stud 294 thus moving the block 240 downwardly and bringing the toe band 222 into operative position, as shown in FIGS. 9, 16 and 17. The block downwardly and bringing the toe band 222 into operative position, as shown in FIGS. 9, 16 and 17. The block 240 and the toe band 222 will now be held in this position by the action of the latch lever 290. In a like manner, when operating fluid is admitted to the cylinder 358, beneath the piston therein, the lever 352 will be rocked in a counterclockwise direction, FIGS. 2, and 3, and its end 360 will engage the upper end of the cylindrical portion 264 of the block 260, thus moving this block downwardly and bringing the toe pad into operative position as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. The block 260 and toe pad will now be held in these positions by the action of the detent member 310.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that each of the several shoe carriers is provided with a support for the forepart of a shoe (plate 68); means for clamping the forepart of a shoe against this support (toe pad 220); means for clamping the tensioned and positioned upper against the last, at its heel end (heel band 94) and at the forepart thereof (toe band 222). Moreover, there are associated with the upper positioning station A, means for actuating the heel band (lever 200 and abutment 198), the toe or forepart band (lever 350) and the toe pad (lever 352), and also for releasably holding these parts in operative position as the carrier is moved to present the shoe thereon to the action of different lasting instrumentalities at the other operating station.

Also associated with the upper positioning station are a toe gripper 400 and two side grippers 402, 402 FIGS. 2-5, 12, 13 and 14. These grippers are power operated and are generally of the same construction as, and are operated by mechanism similar to that provided in, so-called pulling over machines which are well-known to those skilled in the art. Thus, the toe gripper is adapted to be closed by means of a piston, not shown, contained within a cylinder 410 which cylinder is, in turn, mounted for movement in a direction extending generally heightwise relatively to a shoe on the carrier 50, FIGS. 2 and 3, by means of another piston, not shown, contained within a cylinder 412, acting through a bell crank lever 414 and links 416 and 418. A third arm of the bell crank lever 414 is connected by means of a link 420 to a lever 422, pivotally mounted on the frame portion 154 and having an upwardly extending handle portion 424. As shown in FIG. 2 the cylinder 410 rides on a guide roller 426 and means are provided, including anadjusting knob 428, FIG. 1, for varying the position of this roller to adjust the angle of the toe gripper.

Each side gripper is adapted to be closed by means of a piston, not shown, contained within a cylinder 440, FIG. 5, and each of these cylinders is mounted for heightwise movement on a bracket member 442 by means of another piston, not shown, contained within a cylinder 444. Each of the bracket members 442 is mounted on a lever 450 which is pivotally mounted on a portion of the frame 30 and connected, by means of a link 452 to another piston, not shown, contained within a cylinder 454. Also connected to each of the bracket members 442, by means of a link 460, is a hand lever 462, see FIGS. 2 and 4. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the side gripper cylinders 440 each ride on a guide roller 470 and means are provided, including an adjusting knob 472, FIG. 1, for actuating these guide rollers thus to change the positions of the grippers 402 in directions extending widthwise of the shoe.

As indicated above, the herein illustrated machine has six operating stations, only one of which, i.e., the upper positioning station, is shown in detail. The other stations are only illustrated generally to show their positions relative to the upper positioning station. There are also six shoe carriers 50 and it is contemplated that these carriers may be connected together in uniformly spaced relation, for example, by means of a chain, not shown, for indexing movements to present such carriers, successively, first to the upper positioning station A and then to the other five stations B, C, D, E, and F in succession. For accurately locating each carrier relatively to the operating instrumentalities at each of the respective operating stations, a locating mechanism is provided at each operating station.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 2, 3 and I2, there is slidably mounted for vertical movement within a guide member 500, forming part of the machine frame construction, a plunger 502 having a conical upper end 504. Carried by this plunger is a three-armed frame member 510, one arm of which is secured to the upper end of the plunger. Each of the other two arms 512, 514 has an upwardly extending cylindrical portion and these cylindrical portions, respectively, are provided with conical ends 516, 518. Formed on the underneath side of each of lower carrier member 62 are three conical recesses 520 (FIG. 3). The plunger 502 is connected to a piston, not shown, contained within a cylinder 530. After the several carriers 50 have been indexed and presented to the next succeeding operating station, operating fluid is admitted to the several cylinders 530 causing the pistons therein to elevate the several locating frame members 510 to a predetermined heightwise position. When in their elevated positions, the conical ends 504, 516 and 518 of each member 510 enter the conical recesses 520 of its associated shoe carrier and lift the carrier slightly, just enough to take the eight 'of the carrier off of its antifriction wheels 42, 42. Also, as a result of the interaction of the conical ends 504, 516 and 518 and the conical recesses 520, each carrier will be accurately located relatively to the operating instrumentalities of the particular operating station to which it has just been moved. During the operation of the instrumentalities at the different operating stations, the earriers are thus supported by the locating frame members 510, see FIGS. 3, l3 and 17. At the completion of these operations and just before the next indexing movements of the carriers, the locating frame members 510 are moved downwardly to their retracted and inoperative position as shown in FIG. 2.

Secured to the locating frame member 510 is a guide block 540 (FIG. 3) in which there is slidably mounted a toe gauge 542, and a cylinder 544. The toe gauge is connected to a piston, not shown. When operating fluid is admitted to the cylinder 544, beneath the piston therein, the toe gauge 542 will be elevated to the operative position in which it is shown in FIG. 3. On the other hand, the admission of operating fluid to the cylinder above this piston will cause the toe gauge to be retracted to the inoperative position in which it is shown in FIG. 12.

The control of the operation of the several active actuating pistons, not shown, which have been referred to in the foregoing description is effected by means of a conventional fluid pressure operating system including various control and sequence valves, not shown, and operator actuated control devices, arranged in a manner well known to those skilled in the art and operating in a manner to be described. The operator actuated control devices include four control buttons 600, 602, 604 and 606 conveniently mounted on a control panel 608 supported at the front of the machine, FIG. 1, and a foot treadle 610.

At the beginning of each operating cycle of the machine, the several shoe carriers 50 will be positioned adjacent to their respective operating stations, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Referring particularly to FIG. 13, the several latches and detents 84, 120, 270, 290 and 310, associated with the carrier at this operating station, (upper positioning station A) will have been released at the unloading station F so that the heel band 94, toe pad 220 and the toe band 222 will be retracted to their in operative positions. In response to the actuation of the control button 600, the locating frame member 510 will be elevated, thereby locating the carrier 50 accurately relatively to the operating instrumentalities 400, 402 and 402 at this station. At other stations, location would be relative to other instrumentalities such as wipers. Also, the toe gauge 542 will be moved upwardly to its operative positions and the toe and side grippers 400, 402 and 402 will be elevated to their operative positions in which they are shown in FIGS. 2 and 5.

The operator now places a shoe S, comprising an upper U loosely assembled on a last L (FIG. 13) on the carrier with the forepart of its bottom resting flatly on the supporting plate 68 and with the toe end of the last in engagement with the toe gauge 542 (FIG. 3). After inserting the lasting margin of the upper into the open jaws of the toe and side grippers 400, 402 and 402, and while still holding the shoe in this position and with its longitudinal axis generally parallel with the center line of the carrier, see FIG. 4, he partially depresses the foot treadle 610. As a result of this partial depression of the foot trea dle, the toe gripper jaws close on the lasting margin of the upper. If the operator is satisfied that the upper is properly positioned in the toe gripper, he then fully depresses the treadle otherwise he releases the treadle to open the gripper jaws, permitting him to relocate the upper therein.

Upon full depression of the treadle the following actions occur. The side grippers close on the upper and then all the grippers are moved downwardly by their associated pistons, thereby to tension the upper U over and to shape it to the last L, the arrangement preferably being such that the toe gripper pull is applied slightly beforethe side gripper pull. With the upper tensioned over the last (FIG. 14) operating fluid is first admitted to the cylinders 174 causing the arms 150, 152 to be swung in a counterclockwise direction from FIGS. 2 and 3. During this swinging movement of these arms, the blocks 158 engage the studs 126, I30 and lift the cross member 74, together with the heel band assembly 94. This swinging movement of the arms 150, I52 and the lifting of the heel band assembly continue until the plunger I82 engages the heel seat portion of the bottom of the shoe and actuates the control valve 180. The heel band carrying member is then in a position properly to orient the heel band relatively to the plane of the heel seat portion of the shoe and the parts are held in this position by the detent 120. Actuation of the control valve 180' also causes operating fluid to be admitted to the cylinder 202, swinging the lever 200 to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 3, thereby moving the heel band carrying member 80 to the right to the dotted line position shown (see also FIG. 15). The heel band assembly 94 then initially engages the heel end of the shoe under a relativelylight pressure which is, however, sufficient to swing the heel end of the shoe to the right or to the left, as required, to center it relatively to the line of the carrier.

The operator visually inspects the position of the tensioned upper on the last and, if correction is required, he manipulates the toe and/or side grippers by means of hand levers 424, 462 in the usual manner to reposition the upper on the last. When satisfied that the tensioned upper is properly positioned, the operator actuates the control button 604. As a result thereof, operating fluid is first admitted to the cylinder 338, thereby causing the wedge block 330 to be moved to the position in which it is shown in FIG. 4, thus moving the block 236 to the position shown in this FIG. and bringing the toe band 222 in directly over the forepart ofthe shoe 5. Next, operating fluid is admitted to the cylinder 354. The lever 350 is swung in a counterclockwise direction, FIGS. 2 and 3, so that its end 356 engages the headed stud 294 and pushes the block 240 downwardly, thereby causing the toe band 222 to clamp the tensioned upper U firmly against the forepart of the last L, see FIG. I6.

As the toe band is thus operated, the toe gauge is pushed downwardly out of the way and the toe and side grippers are released and moved downwardly to their inoperative positions. Immediately thereafter, operating fluid is admitted to the cylinder 358 so that the lever 352 is swung in a counterclockwisev direction, FIGS. 2 and 3, thereby causing its end 360 to engage the upper end of the cylindrical portion of the block 260 and to push this block downwardly, thereby causing the toe pad 220 to engage the toe end of the shoe and to clamp it firmly against the supporting plate 68, FIG. 16.

Finally, operating fluid is admitted to cylinders 190. As a result, the vertically extending abutment 198 is moved into engagement with the downwardly turned end portion of the heel band assembly carrying member 80, and the heel band assembly is moved further to the right to the solid line position shown in FIG. 3. This causes the heel band 96 to clamp the tensioned upper firmly against the heel end portion of the last.

The shoe is now held against the supporting plate 68 by the toe pad and is in effect clamped between the toe band 222 and the heel band 96.

The operator then actuatcs the control button 606, causing operating fluid to be admitted to the opposite ends of the several operating cylinders previously mentioned and other operating cylinders to be connected to exhaust. As a result of this, the block 330 is retracted (cylinder 338); levers 350, 352 are swung upwardly (cylinders 354, 358) to their inoperative positions, FIG. 3; lever 200 and abutment 198 are retracted (cylinders 190 and 192) the arms 150, 152 are swung downwardly (cylinders 174) and the carrier locating frame member 510 is lowered (530) thereby releasing the carrier 50 together with the shoe thereon for movement along the tracks 40, 40. The several latch members and detents 84, 120, 270, 290 and 310 now hold the toe band, heel band assembly 94 and toe pad 220 in their operative positions as the carrier proceeds to the next operating station where the shoe is presented to different operating instrumentalities associated therewith. As each carrier is presented to the unloading station F these several latches and detent members are released, either by the operator or automatically, thus permitting the toe band 222, toe pad 220 and heel hand assembly 94 to be retracted and to their inoperative positions, as shown in FIG. 13, by the springs associated therewith so that thc lasted shoe may be removed. Upon removal of the lasted shoc at the unloading station, indexing movements of the several shoe carriers will be efiected, thus presenting the just unloaded carrier to the upper positioning station A.

Having described the invention, what we claim as new and desired to protect by US. Letters Patent is:

1. A machine for lasting shoes having a plurality of operating stations each provided with instrumentalities for performing a separate lasting operation on a shoe and a station provided with means for tensioning an upper over, and for positioning it on, its last, a carrier for a shoe comprising an upper and an insole assembled on a last, and means for guiding the carrier for movement from said upper tensioning and positioning station to present the shoe, successively, to said other stations, said carrier having means for clamping a tensioned and positioned upper to the last and for holding the shoe on the carrier during movement of the carrier and during the action of the lasting instrumentalities at said other stations.

2. A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein means are associated with each station for locating a carrier to present the shoe thereon in proper position relative to its lasting instrumentalities.

3. A machine as set forth in claim I wherein the means for tensioning and positioning the upper comprises a toe gripper and side grippers, power means for operating the grippers to tension the upper over its last and manually operable means for controlling the action of said grippers to position the upper on the last.

4 A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for clamping the tensioned and positioned upper to its last comprise a toe band and a heel band and wherein the means for holding the shoe on the carrier comprises a toe pad, and wherein means are provided at the upper tensioning and positioning station for moving the toe band and the heel band to operative positions after the upper has been tensioned and positioned and for thereafter moving the toe pad to operative position.

5. A machine as set forth in claim 4 wherein means are provided on the carrier for holding said toe band, heel band and toe pad in operative positions during movement of the carrier and during the action of the lasting instrumentalities at said other stations.

6. A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for clamping the tensioned and positioned upper to its last comprises a toe band and the means for holding the shoe on the carrier comprise a toe pad and wherein means are provided at the upper tensioning and positioning station for moving the toe band to operative position after the upper has been tensioned and positioned and for thereafter moving the toe pad to operative position.

7. A machine as set forth in claim 6 wherein the toe band is mounted on the carrier for movements lengthwise and heightwise of the shoe thereon and wherein the means for operating the toe band include power operated members at the upper tensioning and locating station for effecting said lengthwise and heightwise movements of the toe band to cause it to wipe the tensioned upper heightwise of the last and to clamp the upper to the last.

8. A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein means are provided for engaging the toe end of the last to locate the shoe in a lengthwise direction on the carrier.

9. A machine as set'forth in claim 8 wherein the means for locating the shoe on the carrier includes a retractable toe gauge 10. A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for clamping the tensioned and positioned upper to the last comprise a heel band and the means for holding the shoe on the carrier comprises a toe pad and wherein means are provided at the upper tensioning and positioning station for moving the heel band to operative position after the upper has been ten sioned and positioned and for thereafter moving the toe pad to operative position.

11. A machine as set forth in claim 10 wherein the heel band is mounted on the carrier for arcuate movement and wherein means are provided at the upper tensioning and positioning station for effecting such arcuate movement of the heel band to orient the heel band relatively to the bottom of the heel end of a shoe.

12. A machine as set forth in claim 11 wherein said means for effecting arcuate movement of the heel band comprises power operated means together with means for controlling the action of said power operated means including a sensing member for engaging the heel end of the bottom of the shoe.

13. In a machine for manufacturing shoes a carrier for transporting a shoe from upper tensioning and positioning instrumentalities to present the shoe successively to the action of other separate instrumentalities for operating on the shoe comprising a frame member provided with a support for the forepart of the bottom of a shoe, a heel b'and movable to operative position for clamping the upper of the shoe to the heel end of its last, means for releasably holding the heel band in said operative position, a toe band movable to operative position for clamping the upper to the forepart of the last, means for releasably holding the toe band in operative position, a toe pad movable to operative position for clamping the shoe against said support and means for releasably holding the toe pad in operative position.

14. A machine according to claim 13 wherein the heel band is mounted on the carrier for arcuate movement to orient the heel band relating to the bottom of the heel end of a shoe on the carrier.

15. A machine according to claim 13 wherein the toe band is mounted on the carrier for movements lengthwise and heightwise of a shoe thereon to bring the toe band to its 0perative position.

16. A machine for use in the manufacture of shoes having a plurality of operating stations each provided with instrumentalitics for performing a separate operation on a shoe and a station provided with means for positioning an upper on a last, a carrier for the last and positioned upper, and means for guiding the carrier for movement from said upper positioning station to present the shoe successively to said other stations, said carrier having means for clamping the positioned upper to the last and for holding the last and upper on the carrier during movement of the carrier and during the action of the instrumentalities at said other stations.

17. A machine according to claim 16 wherein means are associated with each station for locating the carrier to present the shoe thereon in proper position relative to its operating instrumentalities.

Claims (17)

1. A machine for lasting shoes having a plurality of operating stations each provided with instrumentalities for performing a separate lasting operation on a shoe and a station provided with means for tensioning an upper over, and for positioning it on, its last, a carrier for a shoe comprising an upper and an insole assembled on a last, and means for guiding the carrier for movement from said upper tensioning and positioning station to present the shoe, successively, to said other stations, said carrier having means for clamping a tensioned and positioned upper to the last and for holding the shoe on the carrier during movement of the carrier and during the action of the lasting instrumentalities at said other stations.

2. A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein means are associated with each station for locating a carrier to present the shoe thereon in proper position relative to its lasting instrumentalities.

3. A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for tensioning and positioning the upper comprises a toe gripper and side grippers, power means for operating the grippers to tension the upper over its last and manually operable means for controlling the action of said grippers to position the upper on the last.

4. A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for clamping the tensioned and positioned upper to its last comprise a toe band and a heel band and wherein the means for holding the shoe on the carrier comprises a toe pad, and wherein means are provided at the upper tensioning and positioning station for moving the toe band and the heel band to operative positions after the upper has been tensioned and positioned and for thereafter moving the toe pad to operative position.

5. A machine as set forth in claim 4 wherein means are provided on the carrier for holding said toe band, heel band and toe pad in operative positions during movement of the carrier and during the action of the lasting instrumentalities at said other stations.

6. A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for clamping the tensioned and positioned upper to its last comprises a toe band and the means for holding the shoe on the carrier comprise a toe pad and wherein means are provided at the upper tensioning and positioning station for moving the toe band to operative position after the upper has been tensioned and positioned and for thereafter moving the toe pad to operative position.

7. A machine as set forth in claim 6 wherein the toe band is mounted on the carrier for movements lengthwise and heightwise of the shoe thereon and wherein the means for operating the toe band include power operated members at the upper tensioning and locating station for effecting said lengthwise and heightwise movements of the toe band to caUse it to wipe the tensioned upper heightwise of the last and to clamp the upper to the last.

8. A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein means are provided for engaging the toe end of the last to locate the shoe in a lengthwise direction on the carrier.

9. A machine as set forth in claim 8 wherein the means for locating the shoe on the carrier includes a retractable toe gauge.

10. A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for clamping the tensioned and positioned upper to the last comprise a heel band and the means for holding the shoe on the carrier comprises a toe pad and wherein means are provided at the upper tensioning and positioning station for moving the heel band to operative position after the upper has been tensioned and positioned and for thereafter moving the toe pad to operative position.

11. A machine as set forth in claim 10 wherein the heel band is mounted on the carrier for arcuate movement and wherein means are provided at the upper tensioning and positioning station for effecting such arcuate movement of the heel band to orient the heel band relatively to the bottom of the heel end of a shoe.

12. A machine as set forth in claim 11 wherein said means for effecting arcuate movement of the heel band comprises power operated means together with means for controlling the action of said power operated means including a sensing member for engaging the heel end of the bottom of the shoe.

13. In a machine for manufacturing shoes a carrier for transporting a shoe from upper tensioning and positioning instrumentalities to present the shoe successively to the action of other separate instrumentalities for operating on the shoe comprising a frame member provided with a support for the forepart of the bottom of a shoe, a heel band movable to operative position for clamping the upper of the shoe to the heel end of its last, means for releasably holding the heel band in said operative position, a toe band movable to operative position for clamping the upper to the forepart of the last, means for releasably holding the toe band in operative position, a toe pad movable to operative position for clamping the shoe against said support and means for releasably holding the toe pad in operative position.

14. A machine according to claim 13 wherein the heel band is mounted on the carrier for arcuate movement to orient the heel band relating to the bottom of the heel end of a shoe on the carrier.

15. A machine according to claim 13 wherein the toe band is mounted on the carrier for movements lengthwise and heightwise of a shoe thereon to bring the toe band to its operative position.

16. A machine for use in the manufacture of shoes having a plurality of operating stations each provided with instrumentalities for performing a separate operation on a shoe and a station provided with means for positioning an upper on a last, a carrier for the last and positioned upper, and means for guiding the carrier for movement from said upper positioning station to present the shoe successively to said other stations, said carrier having means for clamping the positioned upper to the last and for holding the last and upper on the carrier during movement of the carrier and during the action of the instrumentalities at said other stations.

17. A machine according to claim 16 wherein means are associated with each station for locating the carrier to present the shoe thereon in proper position relative to its operating instrumentalities.

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