MACHINE FOR LASTING HEEL SEAT AND/OR SIDE PORTIONS OF SHOES

Abstract: In a machine for lasting heel seat and/or side portions of shoes, a gripper arrangement (400) is arranged at each side of the shoe support (20) for gripping and tensioning the shoe upper in a central region thereof. Each gripper arrangement (400) is initially positioned in relation to the shoe bottom under programmed control, both widthwise and heightwise of the shoe bottom, and in addition during the tensioning of the shoe upper movement of the gripper arrangement both inwardly and, if desired, toewardly can be achieved again under programmed control. The initial position of each gripper arrangement (400), furthermore, is determined according to the length of the shoe as measured and also according to whether the shoe is a left or a right.

Description: MACHINE FOR LASTING HEEL SEAT AND/OR SIDE PORTIONS OF SHOES This invention is concerned with a machine for lasting heel seat and/or side portions shoes comprising a shoe support for supporting a shoe to be lasted, comprising a shoe upper on a last and an insole on the last bottom, a pair of gripper arrangements, arranged one at each side of the shoe support, for gripping lasting marginal portions of a shoe supported by the shoe support in a central region thereof and, with the lasting marginal portions thus gripped, for tensioning the upper about its last in a direction extending heightwise of the last bottom, motor means for adjustably positioning each gripper arrangement in a direction extending transversely of the shoe bottom, clamping means for clamping the shoe upper after it has been tensioned as aforesaid, and lasting instrumentalities for wiping lasting marginal portions of the shoe upper over and pressing them against corresponding marginal portions of the insole of such shoe, said lasting marginal portions being secured to said marginal portions while thus pressed. One such machine is disclosed in EP-A-0 241300, being a machine for lasting heel seat and side portions of shoes, in which machine the motor means comprises pneumatically operated means by which the gripper arrangements can be pivoted about an axis and thus be moved in a direction extending transversely of the shoe bottom, while separate pneumatically operated means is also provided for effecting such pivotal movement, and thus inward, i.e. transverse, movement, of the gripper arrangements after the upper has been gripped, thus to cause the shoe upper to be "wrapped" about its last. Moreover, in said machine this latter movement of the gripper arrangements is controlled by manually operable adjustment knobs. It will of course be appreciated that the operator of such a machine will in the course of a working day have to last shoes of many different styles and sizes and, in order to achieve the optimum results from the machine, he should make the necessary adjustments of the transverse position of the gripper arrangements to accommodate to each such change in style and/or size. In practice, however, changing settings for different styles and sizes is viewed as tedious and time- consuming and in many instances the operator will make compromises, thereby detrimentally affecting the lasting results. It is thus the object of the present invention to provide an improved machine for lasting heel seat and/or side portions of shoes wherein the requirement of manually re-setting the machine for each size and/or style encountered in the course of a working day is minimised if not indeed eliminated. This object is achieved in accordance with the present invention, in a machine as set out in the first paragraph above, in that there are provided computer control means for supplying control signals to the motor means thus to position the gripper arrangements transversely of the shoe bottom, said means including a memory for storing a plurality of data sets, each such set containing positional data relating to the position of the gripper arrangements transversely of the shoe bottom appropriate to the style and/or size of the shoe, and selecting means for selecting one such set according to the style and/or size of the shoe to be operated upon, in response to which selection in the operation of the machine the computer control means supplies appropriate control signals to the adjustment means. It will thus be appreciated that using the machine in accordance with the invention it is now necessary only to provide the required data set once and store it in the memory of the computer control means and thereafter it is merely a question of accessing the relevant data set using the selecting means. The invention thus is particularly suited to a machine in which other style-related data is provided for setting up the various parameters of the lasting operation. Conveniently, moreover, in the operation of the machine in accordance with the invention the motor means first positions the gripper arrangements in an initial transverse position in accordance with the style and/or size of the shoe to be operated upon prior to gripping the shoe upper as aforesaid and thereafter, during the tensioning of the shoe upper, causes the gripper arrangements to move towards one another, thus to "wrap" the shoe upper about the last. In this way, it will be appreciated, under the control of the computer control means the motor means serves to effect the transverse movement of the gripper arrangements not only prior to gripping but also during tensioning. Preferably the motor means comprises two n.c. motors, one associated with each gripper arrangement. Whereas it can be envisaged that these n.c. motors could be used merely to position appropriate stop members or abutments in order to determine the position to which the gripper arrangements are moved, in the preferred embodiment the motors serve to drive the gripper arrangements transversely of the shoe bottom. In this way, the movement of the gripper arrangements is accurately controlled at all times during the operation of the machine. In the machine in accordance with the invention, preferably each gripper arrangement, together with its associated n.c. motor, is mounted on a support, which is itself mounted for movement between an operative position, in which the gripper arrangement is arranged in opposed relationship with the shoe bottom, and an out-of-the-way position, in which said arrangement does not impede access to the shoe support for loading/unloading shoes. More particularly, in a machine thus constructed and arranged the support is moved to a predetermined position, in which the gripper arrangement is thus moved to its operative position, while the motor means is independently operable to move the gripper arrangement to its desired transverse position according to the style and/or size of shoe to be operated upon. Moreover, preferably ancillary motor means is provided for effecting movement of each support between its operative and out-of-the-way positions. In one embodiment of machine in accordance with the invention, being a machine for lasting heel seat and side portions of shoes, the lasting instrumentalities comprise a heel seat lasting assembly, including a wiper assembly, and two side lasting assemblies arranged one at each side of the shoe support, the machine also comprising adhesive-applying means, including two nozzles also arranged one at each side of the shoe support, for progressively applying adhesive to the marginal portions of the insole along a predetermined path in advance of the operation of the side lasting assemblies. In such machine, furthermore, conveniently each support for a gripper arrangement also supports one of said nozzles for movement between an operative position, in which the nozzle is urged into engagement with the insole, and an out-of-the-way position, operation of the motor means being effective also to cause movement of the nozzle transversely of the shoe bottom in response to controls signals supplied by the computer control means in accordance with the selected data set, the arrangement being such that in the operation of the machine the gripper arrangements are first caused to grip and tension the shoe upper as aforesaid, whereafter, following the clamping of the shoe by the clamping means, the nozzles are caused to operate along their predetermined path. In such machine, furthermore, preferably the clamping means comprises a heel band arrangement for clamping the heel end portion of the shoe after the upper has been tensioned as aforesaid. In such a machine, it will be appreciated, therefore, the motor means is effective to move both the gripper arrangement and also the nozzle relative to the support in a direction extending transversely of the shoe bottom. In this way a single motor is sufficient to carry out this dual function, thereby saving not only on expense but also on space. The ancillary motor means for moving each support between its operative and out-of-the-way positions preferably comprises two motors, one associated with each support. Moreover, where the machine is a machine for lasting heel seat and side portions of shoes, preferably each motor comprises two piston-and-cylinder arrangements arranged in tandem, a first of said arrangements being actuated, while the second remains locked, to move the support to position the gripper arrangement in its operative position, and the second being actuated, while the first remains locked, to bring the nozzle into engagement with the insole. In the machine in accordance with the invention each gripper arrangement preferably comprises a gripper head comprising two jaws and means for opening and closing the jaws, and drive means mounted on the support for moving the gripper head heightwise of the shoe bottom between a retracted position and an advanced position determined by engagement of an abutment mounted on the support by a counter-abutment associated with the gripper head. In the operation of the machine, moreover, the ancillary motor means by which each support is moved to its operative position is also effective, after the upper has been gripped by the gripper arrangement, to draw the gripper arrangements heightwise of the shoe bottom in order to effect tensioning of the shoe upper gripped thereby. During such a drawing operation, moreover, the gripper heads remain in their advanced position and each gripper head and its associated drive means is thus moved bodily heightwise. Moreover, by moving the support, and thus the abutment mounted thereon, heightwise of the shoe bottom, the gripper head is moved with the support through the engagement of the abutment with the counter-abutment. In this way, the drawing force is not transmitted through the drive means for moving the gripper head, and thus the drive means need not be robust for the purpose. Although the shoe bottom will be brought to a height datum in the machine regardless of its size, nevertheless there may be variations in the dimensions of the lasting marginal portions of the upper, so that some flexibility in the positioning of the gripper heads may be required to ensure adequate gripping before tensioning. To this end, therefore, preferably the advanced position of the gripper head is adjustable by varying the position of at least one of the abutment and counter-abutment on its mounting. The positional data contained in each stored data set and relating to the transverse position of each gripper arrangement for a given style of shoe preferably relates to one "hand" of shoe, i.e. a left or a right. It would of course be possible to create a data set for a right shoe of each style and also another set for a left shoe, but such an approach would require twice as much storage space as would be required if one data set could be used for both left and right shoes. In accordance with the present invention, furthermore, conveniently the shoe support comprises a toe support movable in a direction extending transversely of the bottom of a shoe supported thereby thus to accommodate left and right shoes, and in response to the transverse position of the toe support being set for an opposite "hand" of shoe a signal is generated by the computer control means in response to which the control signals supplied to the motor means are modified whereby using the same positional data the transverse positions of the two gripper arrangements are transposed to accommodate the other hand of shoe to that to which the positional data relates. It will thus be appreciated that, using a machine with this provision, by effectively switching the data between the gripper arrangements according to whether the shoe is a left or a right, mirror-opposite positioning of the grippers can be achieved and thus the effective settings for the gripper arrangements will be the same regardless of whether the shoe is a left or a right. Whereas it would be possible for the position of the gripper arrangements, in a direction extending lengthwise of the shoe bottom, to be fixed or indeed to be manually adjusted, e.g. by varying the positions of stops or the like, in the machine in accordance with the present invention preferably the positional data in each stored data set for a given style of shoe also includes data relating to the desired lengthwise position of the gripper arrangements for that style and the machine conveniently comprises further motor means for adjustably positioning each gripper arrangement in said lengthwise direction under programmed control in accordance with such data and thus appropriately to the style of the shoe. It will further be appreciated that for a given style over the size range the lengthwise position of the gripper arrangements will usually need to be varied appropriately according to shoe length and, although it would be possible to provide a data set for each size of shoe within the range, it would be preferable to utilise one data set appropriate to the style to cover at least part, preferably the whole, of the range. To this end, therefore, in accordance with the present invention the machine further comprises means for measuring the length of a shoe supported by the shoe support and for supplying to the computer control means a signal having a value dependent upon the measured length of the shoe, and the computer control means has a grading programme by which, in response to the supply of said signal, the signals supplied to the further motor means for each gripper arrangement, and thus the lengthwise position of each gripper arrangement, are determined according to the positional data as stored but modified by the grading programme appropriately according to the value of said signal. Moreover, conveniently the further motor means comprises two motors, one associated with each gripper arrangement, whereby the lengthwise positions of the gripper arrangements can be adjusted independently of each other. In this way, the versatility of the machine is further enhanced. in addition to the length of the shoe varying according to shoe size, in general the transverse dimension of the shoe bottom in the region to be gripped by the gripper arrangements will also vary. The variation in shoe width may be proportionate to shoe length or, as is often practised in the manufacture of shoes, may be by the provision of different so- called "standard backs", each of which covers a range of sizes within the overall size range. Whichever variation is effected, however, conveniently in response to a signal being supplied to the computer control means having a value dependent upon the length of the shoe, the position of each gripper arrangement, in a direction extending transversely of the shoe bottom, may also be varied in accordance with the value of such signal. The above and other of the various objects and the several aspects of the present invention will become clearer from the following detailed description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of one machine in accordance with the invention. It will of course be appreciated that this machine has been selected for description merely by way of exemplification of the invention and not by way of limitation thereof. In the accompanying drawings:- Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the machine in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a fragmentary side view showing details of a shoe support of the machine; Figure 3 is a view along the arrow III in Figure 2, showing details of a toe support of said shoe support; Figure 4 is a fragmentary side view illustrating a carriage for adhesive-applying means and a side lasting assembly of the machine in accordance with the invention; Figure 5 is an isometric view of a support, forming part of the machine shown in Fig. 1, for a gripper arrangement and also for a nozzle of adhesive-applying means of the machine; Figure 6 is a front elevational view, taken in a direction along which the adhesive-applying means of the machine traverses the shoe upper, and showing details of the parts shown in Fig. 5; Figure 7 is a circuit diagram showing details of a pneumatic control system for the gripper arrangements of the machine; and Figures 8 and 9 are diagrammatic views of a display for facilitating the setting of various parameters of the components of the machine. The machine now to be described is a so-called heel seat and side lasting machine and is generally similar, except as hereinafter described, to the machine described in EP-A-0 511812. Thus, in the operation of said machine heel seat and side portions of a shoe upper, which is carried on a last having an insole on the last bottom and which has already been lasted in the toe region thereof, are lasted; more particularly the lasting of the side portions is first initiated, from the region of the heel breast line toewardly, and thereafter the lasting of the seat portion is effected. The machine comprises a shoe support generally designated 20 (Figure 2) for supporting, bottom up, a shoe the toe end portion of which has already been lasted, for side and seat lasting operations to be performed thereon. To this end, the shoe support 20 comprises a jackpost 22 including a last pin 24 which is capable of limited sliding movement, transversely of the longitudinal centre line of the shoe, in a slide 26 which itself is mounted for arcuate sliding movement, generally in the lengthwise direction of the shoe bottom, on a further slide 28 supported by the jackpost 22. In this way it is possible for the heel seat region of the shoe bottom to be correctly levelled in relation to a wiping plane, to be referred to hereinafter, of the machine. More particularly, the jackpost 22 comprises a post 116 on which the slide 28 is mounted for arcuate movement, as referred to above. The post 116 is slidable, in a direction heightwise of the bottom of a shoe supported by it, in a mounting in the form of a casting 118 which is mounted for limited pivotal movement about an axis extending widthwise of such shoe. The last post 116 is mounted for heightwise movement under the control of a piston- and-cylinder arrangement (not shown) . Such movement, furthermore, is monitored by a linear potentiometer (also not shown) opposite ends of which are secured respectively to the post 116 and casting 118. The shoe support 20 also comprises a toe support generally designated 30 (Figures 2 and 3) which comprises two blocks 32 having inwardly facing inclined surfaces which together form a generally V-shaped support surface for the toe end of the shoe. The blocks 32 are supported on a linkage comprising two levers 34, for pivotal movement towards or away from each other, a link 33 extending between the levers 34 thus to cause them to move equidistantly. The levers 34 are mounted for pivotal movement, each on its own pivot 36, on a support block 38. Extending between lower, bifurcated, ends 34a of the levers 34 is a piston-and-cylinder arrangement 40 by which the lower ends of the levers are drawn together or moved apart, thus effecting movement of the blocks 32 away from or towards one another. A shaft 42 is also mounted between the lower ends of the levers 34, being fixedly mounted to one of said ends and slidably accommodated in a block fixed to the bifurcated lower end 34a of the other. This shaft 42 forms part of a pneumatically operated bar-lock arrangement generally designated 44, by which the blocks 32 may be locked in adjusted position. For determining the heightwise position of the toe end of a shoe in relation to the blocks 38 an abutment plate 54 is provided, pivotally mounted on an upstanding bracket 56 on the support block 38. The plate 54 is spring-urged into an operative position in which an inclined face of a lip 54a , can be engaged by the tip of the toe portion of a shoe placed on the jack post, said lip thus providing a toe height datum for such shoe. As will be described hereinafter, there is associated with the plate 54 an inductance switch 58 which, when the plate is pivoted by engagement with the shoe, provides a signal in response to which the blocks 32 are caused to move towards one another and thus to urge the shoe upwardly against said lip 54a. The support block 38 is mounted for heightwise adjusting movement in the shoe support 20, and to this end is supported on a slide rod 46 which is mounted for vertical sliding movement in a further support block 48. The slide rod 46 threadedly receives at its lower end a ball screw 50 which in turn is connected to the output of a stepping motor 52 carried on the underside of the further support block 48. Thus, actuation of the stepping motor 52 is effective to cause heightwise movement of the support block, and thus of the blocks 32 and plate 54, to take place. In this way the heightwise position of the toe support can be determined according to the style of shoe being operated upon. The further support block 48 is mounted for sliding movement, transversely of the shoe bottom, on a shaft 60, a rectangular bar (not shown) being provided parallel to the shaft 60 and spaced therefrom, in order to "steady" the further support block 48 as it slides along the shaft 60. The shaft 60 and bar are mounted in a carriage 64 of the toe support 30, as will be referred to hereinafter. For effecting sliding movement of the further support block 48 along the shaft 60, and thus effecting sliding movement of the blocks 32 as a unit widthwise of the shoe to be supported thereby - this facility being provided for enabling the toe ends of left and right shoes to be supported in the machine with the longitudinal centre line of their heel seat correctly positioned in relation to a longitudinal centre line of the shoe support (and thus of an operating locality of the machine of which the shoe support may form part) - a further piston- and-cylinder arrangement 66 is provided. For limiting such transverse movement of the further support block 48, furthermore, two abutments in the form of lugs 68 (one only shown in Figure 2) are mounted for sliding movement in a channel 70, by which the lugs are restrained from any rotational movement. The lugs are themselves mounted on a threaded rod (not shown), one half of the thread being a left- hand and the other a right-hand so that upon rotation of said rod the lugs 68 are moved towards or away from one another. The rod is itself supported in the carriage 64 and is driven by a stepping motor 74 itself also mounted on the carriage 64. By appropriate signals to the stepping motor 74, therefore, it will be appreciated, the lugs 68 may be positioned in a desired relationship with one another according to the size (more particularly the width) of the toe end of the shoe to be supported by the blocks 32. Cooperating with the lugs 68, furthermore, is a pin 76 which is carried on the further support block 48. It will thus be appreciated that, by engagement of the pin 76 with one or other of the lugs 68, the position of the support block 48, and thus of the blocks 32, transversely of the shoe bottom, can be established. For setting the support block 48, and thus the toe support 30, transversely to receive a left or a right shoe, as is conventional in lasting machines the block is moved at the end of each cycle of operation from one end position to the other; that is to say, the machine is switched to operate alternately on left and right shoes. The switching of the position of the block is effected by operation of the piston- and-cylinder arrangement 66 in response to an appropriate signal being supplied at the end of the previous operating cycle. Also as is conventional in lasting machines, an operator-actuatable knee switch 77 is provided at the front of the machine, actuation of which is effective to switch the position of the block 48, and thus of the toe support 30. In this way, it is possible to use the machine for operating on the same "hand" of shoe in successive lasting operations. The carriage 64 is supported at one side by a slide rod 78 and at the other by a rectangular bar 80 which extends in a direction lengthwise of a shoe supported by the last pin 24. The carriage 64 can thus slide in said lengthwise direction relative to the jackpost 22 for accommodating shoes of different length. To effect such sliding movement a piston- and-cylinder arrangement 82 is provided secured at one end to a frame portion 83 of the shoe support 20 and at its other to the carriage 64. A linear potentiometer 84 is also provided, secured at one end to the frame portion 83 and at its other to the carriage 64, thus to provide a signal corresponding to the position of the toe support in relation to the jackpost 22, whereby the length of a shoe to be operated upon can be "measured". The shoe support 20 also comprises a shoe heel end positioning mechanism generally designated 86 (Figure 2) comprising a casting 87 which is carried on a frame portion 88 mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot 90 carried on the frame of the shoe support 20. The shoe heel end positioning mechanism 86 is thus mounted for pivotal movement between an operative position and an out-of-the-way position. For effecting such pivotal movement, furthermore, two piston- and-cyunder arrangements 92 are provided, connected one to each side of the frame portion 88 and mounted on a stationary portion of the frame of the shoe support 20. Supported by the casting 87 is a plate member 94 which can be engaged by the backseam region of a shoe placed on the jackpost 22 to provide a lengthwise datum for such shoe in the shoe support 20. The plate 94 is spring-urged in a direction towards the jackpost 22 about a pivot 96. When engaged by a shoe, the plate is urged in a direction away from the jackpost (clockwise, viewing Figure 2) and thus actuates an inductance switch 98 in response to actuation of which a control signal is supplied, as will be referred to hereinafter. Also mounted on the casting 87 are two so-called seat clamp members 100, each for pivotal movement about a pivot 102 on the casting. A rearward end of one of the members 100, furthermore, is connected to a piston-and-cylinder arrangement 104, and the clamp members 100 are interconnected by a connecting rod 106 whereby they are moved equidistantly towards or away from one another. The effect of moving the clamp members 100 equidistantly towards the heel end of the shoe is to centralize the heel seat of the shoe, that is to say to locate the longitudinal centre line of the heel seat of the shoe coincident with the longitudinal centre line of the shoe support. The clamp members 100 each support a clamp pad 108 which is shaped to conform to the region of the feather edge of the shoe in the vicinity of the heel breast line. The shoe support 20 is provided, in addition to the seat clamp members 100, with clamping means in the form of two side clamp members 184, mounted, one at each side of the shoe support, for movement into and out of engagement with a shoe supported by the shoe support under the action of piston-and- cylinder arrangements 186. The side clamp members 184, as will be explained later, cooperate with the toe support 30 to maintain the shoe firmly in the shoe support when the shoe is not being clamped by the seat clamp members 100, which of course form part of the shoe heel end positioning mechanism. Also mounted on the casting 87 is a heel seat height gauge device 110. This device 110 is carried on a lever 112 pivotally mounted on the casting 87, a piston-and-cylinder arrangement 114 being carried on the underside of the casting 87 for effecting such pivotal movement. The device 110 is of the photoelectric switch ("range finder") type by which the distance of an object spaced from it can be detected. Such devices are conventional and readily commercially available. In addition to the heel end positioning mechanism, the machine now being described also comprises a heel band mechanism (not shown, but generally designated 150 in the aforementioned EP specification) comprising a conventional heel band which can be brought into engagement with the heel end of a shoe supported by the shoe support; it will of course be appreciated that in order for this mechanism to engage the heel end of a shoe, it will first be necessary to remove the shoe heel end positioning mechanism from engagement with said heel end, for which purpose said latter mechanism is mounted for movement into and out of its operative position. While the shoe is not clamped by either the heel end positioning mechanism or the heel band mechanism, of course, the side clamp members 184 retain the upper clamped against the last and also hold the lasted shoe against any rocking on the last post 116. The machine also comprises adhesive-applying means generally designated 190 (Figs. 5 and 6), said means comprising two nozzles 192 with each of which is associated a melt chamber 194 and a feed mechanism generally designated 196 by which adhesive in rod form can be fed to the melt chambers 194. The feed mechanism 196 in each case is generally as described in EP-A-0335566 and will not be further described here. The nozzles 192 follow independent paths along marginal portions of opposite sides of the shoe insole, each path being under programmed control. The two nozzles are similarly mounted (but on a mirror-opposite basis) and only one will now be described with reference to the drawings. Extending along the outside of the main machine frame at each side thereof is a set of parallel slide rods 198, each set comprising two such rods. Mounted for movement, in a direction extending lengthwise of the bottom of a shoe supported by the shoe support 20, along each set of slide rods 198 is a carriage 200 (Fig. 4), each carriage being driven along such set by means of a stepping motor 202 (one only shown in Fig. 4). Each motor 202 drives a drive pulley 205 arranged at the front of the machine, one such pulley being arranged at each side of the machine frame. Around each pulley is entrained a timing belt 206 which is connected to the carriage 200. Mounted on a bracket 208 (Figs. 1 and 6) upstanding from the carriage 200, for movement about a pivot 209 (Figs. 5 and 6), is a lever 210 on which in turn a carrier block 212 is supported. The carrier block 212 supports a stepping motor 214 by which a slide plate 222 mounted on the underside of the block 212 can be moved transversely of the bottom of a shoe supported by the shoe support 20. (The motors 214 constitute motor means and the motors 202 further motor means of the machine in accordance with the invention.) The slide plate 222 supports at its inward end a bracket 223 on which the melt chamber 194 and nozzle 192 are mounted. Thus, under the action of its associated stepping motors 202, 214, each nozzle can be caused to track in X and Y directions relative to the shoe bottom under programmed control. For moving each nozzle 192 between an operative position, in which it is in contact with the shoe bottom, and an out-of-the-way position, furthermore, a piston-and-cylinder arrangement generally designated 226 is mounted on the bracket 208 and acts on the lever 210; the piston-and-cylinder arrangement 226, which constitutes ancillary motor means of the machine in accordance with the invention, will be referred to hereinafter. Also mounted on each carriage 200 is a side lasting assembly generally designated 230 (Fig. 1), each such assembly comprising a lasting roller 232 (one only shown in Fig. 1) which is driven through a system of belts and pulleys by a motor 238 supported on a plate 240 which is carried on the carriage 200. Provision is made, as described in greater detail in EP-A-0 511812, for varying the angle of tilt of the lasting roller to accommodate to the widthwise contour of the shoe bottom being operated upon, as well as for effecting movement of the lasting rollers widthwise of the shoe bottom and heightwise thereof. Such detail is not concerned with the present invention, and consequently no further details are given herein. Whereas in general the inwiping force applied to lasting marginal portions of a shoe upper by the lasting rollers 232 is considered sufficient to conform the shoe upper snugly to the shape of its last, in some circumstances it may be considered desirable to provide means for gripping and tensioning the shoe upper in a central region thereof in order to ensure a snug conformance of the topline region of the shoe to the shoe last; such grippers may be positioned to operate in the breast line region of a shoe or more forwardly in the waist region thereof. To this end, therefore, the machine comprises two gripper arrangements generally designated 400 (one only of which is shown in detail in Figs. 5 and 6), one mounted on each side of the shoe support 20. More specifically, each nozzle support, comprising the slide plate 222 and bracket 223, also supports one of the gripper arrangements 400, to which end each bracket 223 has an outwardly flanged portion provided with two arcuate slots 402 receiving clamp bolts 404 by which a mounting 406 for the gripper arrangement 400 can be clamped in position by means of a clamp plate 408. The mounting 406 supports a carrier rod 410 on which is carried a fixed jaw 412, a movable jaw 414 and a piston-and-cylinder arrangement 416, constituting a motor for opening and closing the movable jaw. The rod 410, furthermore, is slidably carried in a sleeve 418 supported by the mounting 406, and for effecting sliding movement of the gripper arrangement a piston-and-cylinder arrangement 420 is provided, also carried on the mounting 406, the piston rod thereof being connected to a block 422 at one end of the piston-and-cylinder arrangement 416. For limiting the heightwise sliding movement of the rod 410, and thus of the gripper arrangement 400, towards and away from the shoe bottom, moreover, a further sleeve terminating in a stop nut 424 is threadedly engaged in the sleeve 418 and has a central bore through which the rod 410 passes, the height of the nut 424 being adjusted by rotation. In addition, a lock nut 426 is provided for securing the threaded sleeve in its adjusted position. For cooperating with the stop nut 424, furthermore, the upper end of the rod 410 is provided with a headed portion 428. In the operation of the machine, therefore, upon actuation of the piston-and-cylinder arrangement 420 the jaws 412,414 and the motor 416 (together constituting a gripper head) are moved downwardly to a limit determined by engagement of the head 428 against the stop nut 424. The piston-and-cylinder arrangement 226 associated with the lever 210, moreover, also serves to move the associated gripper arrangement 400 between an operative position, in which it is in an opposed relationship with the shoe bottom, as shown in full line in Fig. 6, and an out-of-the-way position. For this purpose, and as illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 7, the piston-and-cylinder arrangement 226 comprises two cylinders 430,432 arranged in tandem. More particularly, the piston rods of the cylinders are connected together and a first (430) of the cylinders is connected by a link 434 to the lever 210, while the other cylinder 432 is mounted on the bracket 208. When both pistons are retracted (as shown in Fig. 7), the nozzle 192 and its associated gripper arrangement 400 are in an out-of-the- way position. When, on the other hand, the cylinder 432 is actuated the parts are brought to their position shown in full line in Fig. 6, in which it will be seen that the nozzle 192 extends lower than the gripper head 412,414,416. When, furthermore, both cylinders 430,432 are actuated, the nozzles 192 are urged into engagement with the shoe bottom. The machine further comprises a heel seat lasting assembly (not shown, but generally designated 170 in the EP-0- 511812). This assembly is of generally conventional construction and comprises a pair of wiper plates movable in a so-called wiping plane. Again details of this assembly are not of the essence of the present invention and consequently no further details will be given herein. The machine in accordance with the invention also comprises computer control means by which the various operations of the components of the machine can be controlled. Thus, the sequencing of operations and various settings of the machine are susceptible of control using programmed instructions appropriate e.g. to the style and/or size of the shoe being operated upon. Thus, in the case of control of the gripper arrangements 400, the stepping motors 202 and also the stepping motors 214 are operated under programmed control to bring the support for each gripper arrangement 400 into the desired position transversely of the shoe bottom and also lengthwise thereof. Moreover, if desired, during the actual tensioning of the upper by the reverse actuation of the cylinders 430, the stepping motors 214 may be actuated further to move the gripper arrangements inwardly, thus to cause the shoe upper to be "wrapped" snugly around its last. In addition, by operating the stepping motor 202, a toeward drafting effect may also be applied to the gripper arrangements at this time. Similarly the tracking of the nozzles 192 along a predetermined path to apply adhesive to the marginal portions of the insole is controlled in accordance with a programmed instruction by which again the operation of said stepping motors is controlled to effect appropriate relative movement between the nozzles and the shoe support. The computer control means of the machine has associated therewith, as was also the case with the machine described in EP-A-0511812, a memory in which a plurality of data sets can be stored, each such set containing programme information specifically tailored to the particular style and/or size of shoe to be operated upon, e.g. positional data relating to the transverse and the lengthwise positions of the gripper arrangements 400. In this way, instead of the operator having to set the gripper arrangements for each style of shoe to be operated upon, by selecting the particular style as identified not only are all the machine settings, including those relating to the lasting operation proper and the path of adhesive application, set, but also the particular data set may also contain information concerning the positioning of each gripper arrangement 400 for the gripping and tensioning operation thereof to be effected. For selecting the desired data set selecting means (Fig. 8) is provided in the form of a control panel 498 including a display 500 on which various menus or 'screens' can be displayed. In the case of style selection the appropriate screen has at its top right-hand corner a highlighted location 520 in which is displayed the current shoe style to which the machine is set. Using increment/decrement buttons 506, 508 a list of styles for which data sets are stored can be scrolled through the location 520. When the desired style is thus highlighted a "select" button 504 is activated and the selection of the desired data set is thus made. When a shoe is to be lasted, the operator places the shoe, which has already been toe-lasted, on the last pin 24, having ascertained that the toe support 30 is positioned appropriately for the "hand" of the shoe, i.e. whether it is a left or right. He then urges the shoe towards the plate member 94, thus causing the slide 28, together with the last pin, to slide in the shoe-lengthwise direction; in addition the jackpost 22 may also move towards the plate member 94. Upon contact of the backsearn of the shoe with said member 94, the inductance switch 98 is actuated and a signal is thus supplied to the computer control means, in response to which firstly the heel seat height gauge device 110 is caused to move from an out-of-the-way position into its operative position and in addition pressure fluid is supplied to the piston-and-cylinder arrangement 82 to cause the carriage 64, and thus the toe support 30, to move towards the jackpost 22. At the stage, furthermore, the blocks 32 are spaced apart. As the toe support 30 reaches the toe end of the shoe, sides of the toe end are engaged by the blocks 32 and the tip of the toe end of the shoe is engaged beneath the lip 54a of the abutment plate 54, whereupon the latter is rocked anti¬ clockwise (viewing Figure 2) and a signal is supplied to the computer control means in response to the consequent actuation of the inductance switch 58. In response to this signal the blocks 32 are caused to move simultaneously towards one another and also the post 116 of the jackpost is caused to rise in response to the application of pressure fluid to piston-and-cylinder arrangement 122. The upward movement of the jackpost, which can thus take place without the shoe being forced against the plate 94 and thus being dislodged on its last, is monitored by the device 110 which cooperates with the linear potentiometer 124 to bring the insole on the shoe bottom to the height datum of the shoe support. This height datum is determined in relation to the previously mentioned wiping plane of the machine. The inward movement of the blocks 32 serves, by reason of the inclined surfaces thereof, to force the shoe toe against the under-side of the lip 54a thereby establishing the toe of the shoe at the desired toe height datum, and at the same time serves to centralise the toe end of the shoe. With the shoe thus positioned its length can then be "measured" by the linear potentiometer 84 in readiness for the subsequent lasting operation. With a shoe thus held in the shoe support 20, firstly the gripper arrangements are positioned in the desired relationship along the length of the shoe by moving the carriages 200, under the action of the stepping motors 202, such movement thus effecting movement of the support for each gripper arrangement 400. In order, furthermore, to ensure that the gripper head is aligned with the shoe upper in the region where it is to grip, the stepping motors 214 are actuated appropriately in order to move each gripper arrangement transversely of the shoe bottom. In this way the transverse position of the gripper arrangements 400 can be accurately set. In addition, each piston-and-cylinder arrangement 226 is actuated in order to bring its associated gripper arrangement into its operative position in opposed relationship with the shoe bottom, this being effected by energising solenoid valve SV1 (Fig. 7), thus allowing air under mains pressure to pass to the cylinders 430. At this time the cylinders 432 are locked in the position shown by air under pressure regulated by regulator valve RV2 supplied to the cylinders via solenoid valves SV5 and SV6. With the gripper arrangements in their operative position each cylinder 420 is actuated, by energising solenoid valve SV3, to advance the gripper head, to the position shown in dotted line in Fig. 7, but with the jaws still in open condition at this stage. With the lasting marginal portions disposed between the gripper jaws, in response to operation of an actuator button (not shown) by the operator the jaws are then closed by energising solenoid valve SV4, thus actuating the cylinders 416, and thereafter the solenoid valve SV2 is energised while valve SV1 is de-energised, whereby air under pressure regulated by regulator valve RV1 is admitted to the cylinders 430 to actuate them in a reverse direction in order to raise the gripper arrangements bodily thus to effect tensioning of the upper gripped as aforesaid. At this stage the stepping motors 214 may, if desired, also be actuated to move the gripper arrangements 400 inwardly towards one another thus to 'wrap' the upper of the shoe about its last. While the upper is held tensioned, the seat clamp members 100 and also the side clamp members 184 are actuated to clamp the shoe upper against its last. Thereafter solenoid valves SV3 and SV4 are de-energised and solenoid valve SV1 is energised, whereby the gripper jaws 412,414 are opened by reverse actuation of the cylinder 416, and the gripper arrangements are retracted, by reverse actuation of cylinders 420, away from the shoe. Energising solenoid SV1 effects actuation of cylinders 430, thus to return the gripper arrangements, and more particularly the nozzles 192, into opposed relationship with the shoe bottom. At the same time, where the gripper arrangements 400 have been moved inwardly in a wrapping action, as described above, they are now returned outwardly to position the nozzles 192 appropriately for the adhesive-applying operation. Movement of the seat clamp members 100 inward serves to engage the shoe upper with the pad 108 thus to clamp the shoe at the level of the featherline in the region of the heel breast line thereof and centralise it. At this stage the device 110 is then retracted. Thereafter the bar lock arrangement 44 is applied, locking the blocks 32 of the toe support 30 in position. Following this tensioning operation and clamping of the heel end of the shoe, the solenoid valve SV5 is energised to allow air under pressure regulated by regulator valve RV2 to be admitted to cylinders 432, while cylinders 430 are locked in position by air under mains pressure via the valves, SV1, SV2. In this way the nozzles 192 are brought into engagement with the insole. Because of the weight of the various integers supported by the nozzle supports 222,223, the tendency will be for the nozzles 192 to be urged downwards. Following energisation of solenoid valve SV5, therefore, after a small delay solenoid valve SV6 is energised thus switching the air supply from SV5 to the other side of cylinders 432. The air pressure is so regulated as to provide a balancing pressure against such weight. Once the nozzles have been brought into contact with the insole the shoe support 20 may then be moved to bring the nozzles to a start position for the application of adhesive to marginal portions of the insole, generally as described in EP-A-0 511812. It will of course be appreciated that this invention is applicable both to machines in which the heel seat is lasted using adhesive, in which case the nozzles are moved into the heel seat for the application of adhesive in that region and thereafter along the side portions, and also to machines in which the heel seat is secured by fasteners (tacks), in which case of course the adhesive application to the side portions may be initiated in the region of the breast line of the shoe. For determining the operative positions of the gripper arrangements 400, the computer control means is programmed appropriately, again using the display 500 (Fig. 8) on which various menus can be displayed in the form of icons. Fig. 9 indicates the screen provided for setting the operative position of each gripper arrangement 400 in directions extending both lengthwise and transversely of the shoe bottom. More particularly, the left-hand icon 502 (viewing Fig. 9), when selected by operation of "select" button 504, can be used to select whether the grippers are to be used (Value 1) or disabled (Value 0) using either of the increment/decriment buttons 506,508. Operation thereafter of button 504 then highlights the second icon 510, and more particularly a left- hand side thereof by which the position of the left-hand gripper arrangement transversely of the shoe bottom can be set to a numerical value, in the particular instance here "3". This value represents a distance by which the gripper arrangement will be moved inwardly from a preset datum position for the gripper arrangement, each increment representing 2mm in respect of a "model" shoe. Operation again of button 504 then highlights the right-hand side of the icon 510 where the same operation can then be carried out, using the increment/decrement buttons 506,508, for the position of the right-hand gripper arrangement 400 transversely of the shoe bottom. When these two positions have been satisfactorily selected, operation of button 504 then highlights icon 512 by which the lengthwise position of the gripper arrangements 400 relative to the shoe bottom can be set by selection again of a numerical value; in this case the value is "8". This value represents the distance by which the gripper arrangements are to be positioned heelwardly of a datum position which is pre-set in the machine each increment representing 5mm in respect of a "model" shoe. Although in the machine described herein, the lengthwise positions of the two gripper arrangements 400 are set in common with one another, it would of course also be possible for the two lengthwise positions to be independently set in the same way as the setting of the transverse positions thereof; that is to say, two separate settings are made one for the left-hand gripper arrangement and the other for the right-hand. With the lengthwise position(s) of the gripper arrangements thus set, operation of button 504 then highlights the fourth icon 514, by means of which the period during which the tensioning of the upper takes place by the action of the gripper arrangements 400 can be set. In this case again the setting is to a numerical value, each increment representing 0.1 seconds. With all the parameters set as desired, the operator then operates a "teach" button 516 and the information thus selected is then stored as part of a data set for the particular style of shoe being digitised. In digitising the aforementioned parameters the various datum positions of a shoe are considered to relate to a right shoe of a size in the middle of the range, e.g. size 8 for a men's and size 5 for ladies'; such a shoe is referred to in this specification as a "model" shoe. Preferably, moreover, the first shoe of a new style to be operated upon, ideally a right shoe of a mid-range size, should be treated as the "model" shoe, in which case the shoe is located in the shoe support, its lengthwise dimension is measured and all other settings are made in relation to it. When, in the operating mode of the machine, a shoe of the particular size is then treated, if it is a right-hand shoe all the digitised parameters as stored in the data set will be applied to that shoe. The computer control means of the machine, however, also has a selector programme for left/right whereby in the event that the machine, more particularly the toe support 30, is set for a left shoe, the digitised values for controlling the operation of the associated motor 214, and thus the transverse position of the left-hand nozzle/gripper arrangement support 222/223 will be transposed to the motor 214 for the right-hand support 222/223 and vice versa; assuming that the longitudinal centre line of the shoe support represents a null position, then the transposed valued need only be switched to the drive to the other motor 214 and of course the positive and negative state of such value be switched also. In this way, the same parameters for such support will be maintained as digitised for each of the outside of the shoe bottom and the inside thereof, regardless of whether the shoe is a left or a right. In addition, the computer control means has a grading programme by which the nozzle path can be graded according to the length of the shoe as measured using the linear potentiometer 84. Furthermore, the grading programme serves to vary according to the measured shoe length both the position of each gripper arrangement 400 lengthwise of the shoe and also the value of each increment of adjustment, when made using the display 500, and more particularly the icon 512, as discussed above. Moreover, if desired, the transverse positions of the gripper arrangements 400 when in their operative position may also be varied according to the shoe length as measured using the linear potentiometer 84. In this regard, it will be appreciated that in many instances a "standard" dimension of width of the heel end of the shoe will be retained for a number of sizes within a style, and any variation of the transverse position will thus be dependent upon whether "standard backs" are used. In the event that such standards are used, then it will not be a question of grading the width but rather selecting an appropriate width according to shoe size. Whether variation is by grading or selection, however, the increments by which the transverse position can be varied, using the display 500 and in particular the icon 510, will be made proportionately according to the variation in the datum position. Whereas in the machine described above stepping motors have been used for effecting the various programmed movements, it will of course be appreciated that any suitable n.c. motor would be suitable, e.g. a d.c. servo motor. Also, whereas in the machine described above adhesive is applied to marginal portions of the insole, in other machines in accordance with the invention the adhesive may be applied to the upstanding lasting margin of the shoe upper, or, if the upper is held sealingly against the insole edge, in the angle formed between the upper and the insole. Moreover, whereas the machine described above makes use of an adhesive bonding system for securing lasting marginal portions of a shoe upper to corresponding marginal portions of shoe insoles, the invention is also applicable in its broader aspects to machines in which such securement is achieved using tacks or other metallic fasteners either instead of a bonding system or indeed in addition thereto.

Claims: Claims t 1. Machine for lasting heel seat and/or side portions of shoes comprising a shoe support (20) for supporting a shoe to be lasted, comprising a shoe upper on a last and an insole on the last bottom, a pair of gripper arrangements (400), arranged one at each side of the shoe support (20), for gripping lasting marginal portions of a shoe supported by the shoe support in a central region thereof and, with the lasting marginal portions thus gripped, for tensioning the upper about its last in a direction extending heightwise of the last bottom, motor means (214) for adjustably positioning each gripper arrangement (400) in a direction extending transversely of the shoe bottom, clamping means (100, 184) for clamping the shoe upper after it has been tensioned as aforesaid, and lasting instrumentalities (230) for wiping lasting marginal portions of the shoe upper over and pressing them against corresponding marginal portions of the insole of such shoe, said lasting marginal portions being secured to said marginal portions while thus pressed, said machine being characterised by computer control means for supplying control signals to the motor means thus to position the gripper arrangements (400) transversely of the shoe bottom, said means including a memory for storing a plurality of data sets, each such set containing positional data relating to the position of the gripper arrangements transversely of the shoe bottom appropriate to the style and/or size of the shoe, and selecting means (500, 504, 506, 508, 520) for selecting one such set according to the style and/or size of the shoe to be operated upon, in response to which selection in the operation of the machine the computer control means supplies appropriate control signals to the motor means (214). 2. Machine according to Claim 1 characterised in that the motor means (214) comprises two n.c. motors (214), one associated with each gripper arrangement (400). 3. Machine according to Claim 2 characterised in that each gripper arrangement (400), together with its associated n.c. motor (214), is mounted on a support (222, 223), which is itself mounted for movement between an operative position, in which the gripper arrangement (400) is arranged in opposed relationship with the shoe bottom, and an out-of-the-way position, in which said arrangement (400) does not impede access to the shoe support (20) for loading/unloading shoes. 4. Machine according to Claim 3 characterised in that ancillary motor means (226) is provided for effecting movement of each support (222, 223) between its operative and out-of- the-way positions. 5. Machine according to Claim 3 for lasting heel seat and side portions of shoes, wherein the lasting instrumentalities comprise a heel seat lasting assembly, including a wiper assembly, and two side lasting assemblies (230) arranged one at each side of the shoe support (20), the machine also comprising adhesive-applying means (190), including two nozzles (192) also arranged one at each side of the shoe support (20), for progressively applying adhesive to the marginal portions of the insole along a predetermined path prior to the operation of the side lasting assemblies (230), characterised in that each support (222, 223) also supports one of said nozzles (192) for movement between an operative position, in which the nozzle (192) is urged into engagement with the insole, and an out-of-the-way position, operation of the motor means (214) being effective also to cause movement of the nozzle (192) transversely of the shoe bottom in response to control signals supplied by the computer control means in accordance with the selected data set, and further in that in the operation of the machine the gripper arrangements (400) are first caused to grip and tension the shoe upper as aforesaid, whereafter, following the clamping of the shoe by the clamping means, the nozzles (192) are caused to operate along their predetermined path. 6. Machine according to Claim 3 characterised in that each gripper arrangement (400) comprises a gripper head (412, 414, 416) comprising two jaws (412, 414) and means (416) for opening and closing the jaws, and drive means (420) mounted on the support (222,223) for moving the gripper head (412, 414, 416) heightwise of the shoe bottom between a retracted position and an advanced position determined by engagement of an abutment (424) mounted on the support (222,223) by a counter-abutment (428) associated with the gripper head (412, 414, 416). 7. Machine according to Claim 6 characterised in that the advanced position of the gripper head (412, 414, 416) is adjustable by varying the position of at least one of the abutment (424) and counter-abutment (428) on its mounting (418, 410). 8. Machine according to Claim 1 characterised in that the shoe support (20) comprises a toe support (30) movable in a direction extending transversely of the bottom of a shoe supported thereby thus to accommodate left and right shoes, in that for a given style of shoe the positional data contained in each stored data set and relating to the transverse position of the gripper arrangements (400) relates to one "hand" of shoe, and in that in response to the transverse position of the toe support (30) being set for an opposite "hand" of shoe a signal is generated by the computer control means in response to which the control signals supplied to the motor means (214) are modified whereby using the same positional data the transverse positions of the two gripper arrangements (400) are transposed to accommodate the other hand of shoe. 9. Machine according to Claim 1 characterised by means (84) for measuring the length of a shoe supported by the shoe support (20) and for supplying to the computer control means a signal having a value dependent upon the measured length of the shoe, and further motor means (202) for adjustably positioning each gripper arrangement (400) in a direction extending lengthwise of the shoe bottom, and further characterised in that the computer control means supplies signals to the further motor means (202) to effect lengthwise movement of the gripper arrangements (400), each data set stored thereby containing also positional data relating to the lengthwise position of each of the gripper arrangements (400) appropriate to the style and/or size of the shoe, and in that the computer control means also has a grading programme by which, in response to the supply of said signal, the signals supplied to the further motor means (202) for each gripper arrangement (400), and thus the lengthwise position of each gripper arrangement, are determined according to the positional data as stored but modified by the grading programme appropriately according to the value of said signal. 10. Machine according to Claim 9 characterised in that the further motor means (202) comprises two motors (202), one associated with each gripper arrangement (400), whereby the lengthwise positions of the gripper arrangements can be adjusted independently of each other.

Inventors: ADAMS ERNEST WILLIAM JAMES, JEFFREY DAVID ARTHUR, ADAMS, ERNEST, WILLIAM, JAMES, JEFFREY, DAVID, ARTHUR
Applicants: ADAMS ERNEST WILLIAM JAMES, BRITISH UNITED SHOE MACHINERY, JEFFREY DAVID ARTHUR, ADAMS, ERNEST, WILLIAM, JAMES, BRITISH UNITED SHOE MACHINERY LIMITED, JEFFREY, DAVID, ARTHUR
Application year: 1995
Main classification: A43D21
IPC codes: A43D21, A43D119