Patent GB-981214-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in apparatus for performing operations on shoe components
Inventor: RALPHS GEORGE TREVOR
IPC: A43D87/00
Filed: 1959-11-30
Abstract: 981,214. Trimming &c. shoe soles. RALPH ENGINEERING CO. Ltd. Feb. 20, 1961 [Nov. 30, 1959; May 18, 1960], Nos. 40606/59 and 17614/60. Heading B4B. In a machine for performing edge trimming or contouring operations on a shoe sole in which a sole is advanced by a feed wheel edgewise into engagement with a rotary tool and its angular relationship to the tool is controlled by an edge guide, means are provided for sensing the approach towards the tool of a sharply curved contour on the workpiece and for effecting prompt release of the feed of the workpiece on the approach of said contour to near the tool. The machine comprises two operating heads 2, 3, Fig. 1, each having a rotary feed-wheel 5, or 5<SP>1</SP>, a rotary tool 8, or 8<SP>1</SP>, and an edge guide 9, or 9<SP>1</SP> The workpiece is supported by a table 4 common to both heads 2, 3, the table being adjustable vertically by means of a manuallyoperable screw 19 engaging a nut 20 which is operatively connected to two pairs of rotatable cams 25, 28 bearing against plates 4a on the underside of the table, the degree of adjustment of the table being indicated by a pointer 32 movable over a scale 33. Each feed wheel is carried by an arm 10, or 10<SP>1</SP>, pivoted at 11, or 11<SP>1</SP>, to a bracket 12 or 12<SP>1</SP>, each arm being connected at 13 or 13<SP>1</SP>, Fig. 2, to a solenoid 14, or 14<SP>1</SP>, which is operable to raise the arm against the action of a return spring 15 or 15<SP>1</SP>. Each edge guide 9, or 9<SP>1</SP>, is carried by a lever 42, or 42<SP>1</SP>, Fig. 4, pivoted to a bar 44, or 44<SP>1</SP>, and engaging a switch-operating rod 45 associated with a microswitch such as FSW<SP>1</SP>. The bar 44 is adjustable by means of a handle 44b the degree of adjustment being indicated by a pointer 44d movable over a scale 44c. Each feed-wheel may be faced with a work-engaging ring or disc of synthetic rubber-like composition to exert the required gripping action on the workpiece without marking the surface thereof. Edge brushing means are provided comprising two pivotally-mounted cylindrical brushes 36 and two pairs of nip rollers 40, 41 through which the workpieces can be passed to guide them to pass between the brushes. In operation, when the heel end H, Fig. 4, of a workpiece S is presented to the machine and brought against either of the edge guides, that edge guide is deflected to open the associated switch such as FSW<SP>1</SP> thereby to cause deenergization of the associated switch such as FSW<SP>1</SP> thereby to cause de-energization of the associated solenoid thereby allowing the spring 15 or 15<SP>1</SP> to depress the associated feed-wheel to grip and feed the workpiece against the tool; the feed is continued until the toe end T of the workpiece travels clear of the edge guide whereupon the latter returns by spring action of the switch which closes to energize the solenoid by which the feed wheel is raised clear of the workpiece. Preferably, an electric timer 53, or 53<SP>1</SP>, is operatively connected between the solenoid 14, or 14<SP>1</SP> and the switch such as F5W<SP>1</SP>. Each head 2, 3 has associated therewith a foot pedal 16 or 16<SP>1</SP> for controlling energization of the associated solenoid and switch means MAS or MAS<SP>1</SP> operable to bring the solenoid alternatively under the automatic control of the edge guide or under the control of the foot pedal.