Patent GB-556116-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to the formation of shaped articles, for example wooden shoe bottom elements, from blanks
IPC: B27M3/20
Filed: 1942-03-17
Abstract: 556,116. Shaping wood by cutting. BRITISH UNITED SHOE MACHINERY CO., Ltd., RICKS, F., KEALL, F. B., and PRATT, J. W. March 17, 1942, No. 3487. [Classes 145 (i) and 145 (ii)] A machine for forming wooden soles for shoes comprises means for moving a blank into contact with, and transversely to, a cutter to shape the edge of the blank. The upper and lower surfaces of the blank are each shaped by a band-sawing machine. The machine for shaping the lower surface comprises a table 3, Fig. 1, formed with two slots 7, 9 which are engaged by rollers 27 carried by a blank-holding device 15. This consists of a rectangular block on which a wooden blank B is clamped between a spring- pressed jaw 51 and a fixed positioning-gauge 39. The block 15 can be moved to and fro along the table 3 by means of handles 33, and in its movement the block carries the blank past a band saw 1. The slots 7, 9 guide the blank in such a way that a cut 97 is made on the face of the blank to the shape required for the bottom of a wooden sole. A bifurcated extension 37 of the gauge 39 serves as a guard to the saw blade 1 while a blank is being placed on or removed from the block. After removal from the machine, the blank is placed in a machine of similar construction for the formation of the upper surface of the sole. In some cases, one machine may be used for shaping both surfaces. The edges of the blank are shaped by rotating toothed cutters which are driven by a motor 123, Fig. 4, and are arranged in the manner described in Specification 463,653. The blank B is secured on a "jack" which is suspended by rollers 141, Figs. 4-6, from a pair of horizontal rails 125, 127 and is free to be swung to and from a pair of cutters 115, 117 and laterally in relation to them. The rails 125, 127 are inclined to one another, and this inclination causes the jack to turn as it is moved across the cutters and assists in guiding the blank when the rounded ends of the sole are being shaped. The jack comprises a pair of parallel tubes 159 with crossheads 161, 163 between which the blank B is clamped by supports 175, 201. The support 175 is rotatable about vertical axis and is retained in either of two positions by a resilient catch 197. A template 189 detachably secured to the underside of the support 175 engages one or the other of two members 191, Fig. 4, and ensures the correct movement of the blank B as it is moved across the cutters. The upper support 201 is also rotatable about a vertical shaft 199 by which it is moved to and from the support 175 to clamp or release a blank. This longitudinal movement of the shaft 199 is effected by a toggle joint operated by a hand lever 235. Spikes 225 resiliently engage the blank B and hold it against the support 175. A shaft 255, rotatable by a handle 257, enables the supports 175, 201, to be rotated to present opposite sides of the blank to the cutters, the supports being retained in either of two positions by a spring plunger 241. Handles 273 enable the operator to move the jack relatively to the cutters during the operation of the machine. The positioning of a blank correctly between the supports 175, 201 is assisted by gauges 285, Fig. 4, which are pivoted on a cross shaft and are swung down into operative position when the toggle lever 235 is lifted to raise the support 201. When the lever is lowered to close the supports it swings the gauges out of their operative position. The cutters are shielded by guards 295, Fig. 6, which are drawn in front of the cutters by a spring 309 when the jack is moved away from the cutters.