Patent GB-191011480-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to Laying and Leveling Machines for Acting on the Soles of Boots and Shoes.
Inventor: PLANT THOMAS GUSTAVE
IPC: A43D35/00
Filed: 1910-05-09
Granted: 1911-07-10
Abstract: 11,480. Plant, T. G. May 9. Sole-levelling.-A solelevelling machine of the oscillating j a c k a n d former type is constructed so that the position of the shoe may be changed during the movement of the former, to vary the effective levelling action on different parts of the sole. The machine is preferably of the " twin " type, and is provided with a treadlecontrolled ratchet stopping and starting mechanism, which is acted upon automatically to stop the machine after one cycle of operations has been made. The shoe jack is carried by an adjustable table 66, Fig. 2, which is raised and lowered by mechanism actuated from a cam gear 58 and acting through a spring 80. The table is formed with slideways 85, 86, Fig. 9, for a jack carrier 90, Fig. 2, which is reciprocated through links 91, 92 by a cam groove in the gear 58. The carrier 90, Fig. 2, supports a cradle 97, which carries the usual toe and heel supports and their adjusting and locking mechanisms. The connexions between the ends ot the cradle and the carrier 90 comprise double slides 117, 118, Fig. 7<a>, which can be moved to vary the line of support of the jack, without, however, causing any bodily movement of the cradle transversely of the carrier. The movement of the slides is effected by levers 127, Figs. 7<a> and 9, which are controlled by a cam groove 129, Fig. 9, in a plate 130. This groove is designed to cause the line of support of the jack to be shifted so as to vary the distribution of pressure of the former to one side or other of the median line of the shoe sole. In order, however, that the sole edge may be properly levelled regardless of this distribution of the pressure, the cam plate 130 is given a laterally vibrating movement on the table 66 through links 148, 150, 154, Fig. 2, and a plate 157 from a cam on the main shaft 7. The rear end of the lever 154 carries a roller which engages a slot in the plate 157, and the position of this roller determines the amplitude of the vibrations of the plate 130. This position is controlled by the cam gear 58, the groove in which may be shaped so that the vibrating movement is imparted to the plate during the forward stroke only of the former, or during both its forward and return strokes. The former 206, Figs. 2 and 10, is removably secured to a segment 199 adapted to move in guides in a carrier 197, which is mounted on a shaft 189. This shaft is actuated by rack and bevel gearing from the jack carrier 90, so that, as the table 66 rises and falls, the former is moved longitudinally and progressively over the shoe sole. At the ends of the former are projecting catch arms 211, 212, Figs. 10 and 12, which are adapted to be engaged by spring - controlled fingers 213, 214 secured to shafts 215, 219 mounted in the former-carrier 197. These fingers are normally held out of engagement with the arms 211, 212 by cam faces on the hangers in which the shaft 189 is mounted, the arrangement being such that, as the former engages the heel end of the shoe, the finger 213 is released and engages the arm 211 to lock the heel end of the former to the carrier 197. As the former passes over the shank, this catch is tripped, and, when it approaches the toe of the shoe, the other catch finger 214 is engaged by its arm 212 to lock the toe end of the former to the carrier 197. The former is thus free to rock longitudinally forwards as it reaches the ball of the shoe, and to pass over this portion with increased speed; the jack carrier 90 is also given a more rapid movement at this point in the levelling operation. In some cases, the former is given a longitudinal rubbing movement to polish the sole. This movement is imparted to the former through the carrier 197 when an upper and independently-driven shaft 182, Fig. 2, is thrown into gear, and because of the latch connexions already described, it is only effective at the toe and heel. The shoe may be jacked automatically by connexion with a treadle 49, Fig. 2, or by hand, but in either case it is unjacked automatically by a catch 238, Fig. 9, which trips the jacking lever 102, Fig. 2, as the jack moves outwards after the levelling is completed. During this outward movement, a locking-lever is forced into engagement with the saddle 97 to prevent the jack from tilting or swinging on its supports. The timing and arrangement of the machine is such that when the jack carrier has been moved rearwards and then forwards again to cause progressive action of the former from the heel to the toe, and then from the toe to the heel, the carrier receives an additional backward movement to cause the former to progress over the shank portion of the shoe to the incline leading to the break of the ball, at which point the jack and former separate directly. The jack may be provided with a hold-down 104, Fig. 2, for the heel of the shoe. A recess 250, Fig. 12 is formed in the former to engage this hold-down and to force it against the heel during the levelling operation. Specification 11,841/10 is referred to.