Patent GB-458673-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to the moulding of shoe uppers and apparatus suitable for use therein
IPC: A43D8/04
Filed: 1935-05-22
Abstract: 458,673. Boots and shoes. BRITISH UNITED SHOE MACHINERY CO., Ltd., Belgrave Road, Leicester.-(United Shoe Machinery Corporation; 140, Federal Street, Boston, U.S.A.) May 22, 1935, No. 14882. [Classes 17 (i) and 17 (ii)] Uppers.-A closed and lined shoe upper which has inactive cement between the layers thereof has its fore-part moulded, at least transversely of the upper, substantially to final form by heat and pressure thereby activating the cement to secure the layers together and facilitating the subsequent lasting. The process is especially useful for uppers of the kind described in Specification 405,290, the lining being a napped fabric having minute discrete particles of thermoplastic adhesive on the outer end portions of the nap adjacent to the leather upper. The moulding machine comprises a form over which the fore-part of the upper is positioned, a flexible presser member, and means for wrapping this member about the form and releasing the pressure after it has been applied for a predetermined period. The machine is duplex so that work can be changed on one form while that on the other form is being subjected to heat and pressure. A form 14 heated by electric resistances 18 co-operates with a presser member comprising an outer shell 34 of thin steel, a layer 42 of rubber, and inner layer 44 of felt lined with fabric, the whole being secured by screws 36 to side presser members 38 pivoted to levers 48 each pivoted at one end to a head 54, the other ends of the levers being urged towards each other by a spring 64. The forward central part of the presser member is cut away, this part corresponding to the instep portion of the upper. Strips of adhesive tape maintain the central parts of the lining 42, 44 in position. The head 54 is carried by a lever pivoted on a rod 166 and raised and lowered by a link 144, a spring 152 providing yield when the presser is moved downward to operative position. The link 144 is actuated by a lever 142 connected by a link 136 to a lever 132 pivoted at 134 and provided with a roll 130 engaging a path cam 128. To drive the cam shaft first in one direction and then in the reverse direction for actuating the presser, an electric motor drives a pulley 74 on a shaft having a pinion 78 driving a gear wheel 80 in one direction and a pinion 90 driving a second gear wheel 84 in the reverse direction through an idle pinion 86. A sliding pinion 120, with clutch members at both ends, drives the cam-shaft alternately in opposite directions according as it is moved endwise by an arm 172 actuated by a push rod 180. This push rod is slotted to engage the pivot 183 of a toggle linkage 184, 186 urged to the broken position by springs 192. The pushrod is linked to a lever 200 co-operating with a latch 206 actuated by a treadle 216, the arrangement being that in the position shown, the member 120 is in mid-position with neither clutch in engagement. On actuation of the treadle, the latch 206 is freed from the lever 200, allowing the springs 192 to move the rod 180 to the right and clutch the pinion 120 to the gear wheel 80, the cam 128 commencing to rotate clockwise. As the roll 130 moves out towards the circumference of the cam wheel the presser member is wrapped round the upper and, when the roll reaches the concentric part of the path, the presser member is held firmly in position. When a contact member 226 on the cam wheel reaches the upper toggle link 184 this link is moved clockwise until the clutch 120 is moved endwise to reverse the direction of rotation of the cam, which rotation proceeds until the cam wheel returns to starting position. At this point the member 226 again reverses the toggle linkage, but the latch 206 prevents the movement of the push-rod 180 beyond that corresponding to the free position of the clutch. The work may then be changed. To lessen the shock of clutch engagement, the members engaged by the clutch members 120 are provided with yielding means comprising lugs integral with the gear wheel alternating with vanes secured to the clutch members and springs interposed between each lug and vane. The lever 132 has an extension 256 actuating a brake band to prevent over-run when a clutch is released. The presser member may be released at any time by a handle 260 arranged to swing anti-clockwise the lower links of toggle members supporting the shaft 166.