Patent GB-1225021-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to shoe upper conforming machines
Inventor: GOWER PHILIP BULLIVANT
IPC: A43D21/00
Filed: 1968-02-16
Abstract: 1,225,021. Boots &c. BRITISH UNITED SHOE MACHINERY CO. Ltd. 14 Feb., 1969 [16 Feb., 1968], No. 7606/68. Heading A3B. A joint lasting machine includes a last support which moves the last from a loading station to an operative station where it is automatically positioned relative to joint grippers and wiper mechanisms, the grippers having means for controlling the depth of the lasting margin held betwen the gripper jaws. The machine has automatic electrical and pneumatic control circuits and operates as follows:- the operator places a last 64 having an insole and an upper which has been pulled over the last in the forepart and heel region on a last pin 24 (Fig. 1) and pushes a start button (not shown). Cylinder A (Figs. 1, 2) then operates to tilt levers 34 to operate a clamping mechanism (not shown) which clamps the sides of a last plate 62 to align the last 64 in a longitudinal direction and to hold it in this direction. Cylinder W, which is connected to a bar 66 by piston rod 69, tie 71 and rod 73, then moves the bar 66 to a forward position and cylinder B is operated to move a block 12, which carries the last suport, along guide rods 8 to a position in which the last 64 is directly below the bar 66. Cylinders Y and C are then operated to raise the last support until the joint region and heel end of the last 64 contact the bottom edge 72 of the bar 66. Cylinder B then moves the last support further into the machine until the joint region of the insole contacts a sensing finger 99 (Fig. 2) which stops the cylinder B. Cylinder F acting through bell crank 140 then raises a toe pad 112. The last 64 is now clamped in its correct position relative to the grippers and wiper mechanism. A cylinder N (Fig. 4) is then operated to move latches 190 to allow plates 186 to drop. The plates 186 are connected via rods 204, blocks 206, brackets 270 and channel members 274 to grippers 272 (Fig. 3) thus allowing the fixed jaw members 276 and insole hold downs 350 to drop into contact with the insole. Cylinders G and H (Fig. 4) are then operated and are connected by levers 210 to the gripper supporting assemblies which rotate so that the grippers 272 move outwardly over the insole until the fixed jaw 276 drops over the edge of the insole thus terminating its outward movement. The gripper 272 at the inside of the shoe reaches the edge first and causes cylinder U to move either spacer 256 or 258 into position on the gripper mechanism operating on the outside of the shoe depending on whether the shoe is a left or right shoe. The spacers 256 or 258 limit the pull exerted by the grippers and automatically operate on whichever gripper is at the outside of the shoe. Cylinders J and K (K only shown in Fig. 9) then operate to swing bell crank levers 358, 360 to move an upper locating member 364 which positions the lasting margin against the fixed jaw 276 as shown in Fig. 9. Both sides of double acting cylinders L and M are then opened to exhaust which allows springs 332 to move piston rods 318, 316 to move gripper jaws 280 against the fixed jaws 276 and lightly grip the upper. Cylinders D and E are then operated to raise the gripper assemblies but as the grippers are operated by spring pressure only the lasting margin slips between the gripper jaws as they are raised until a sensing finger 284 rides over the top of the lasting margin to actuate a microswitch which causes cylinders L and M to be operated and exert full gripping pressure. Further movement of cylinders D and E pulls the upper tautly above the last. When the upper has been correctly pulled over above the last cylinder P (Fig. 12) is operated and acting through links 218 and levers 214, causes plates 224 to pivot above shafts 166. The plates 224 carry side clamps 228 (Figs. 12, 13) which swing inwardly to clamp the upper to the last and when the upper has been clamped the grippers release the upper and move upwardly to an out of the way position where they are held by the latches 190. Cylinders S and T are then operated to move wiper fingers 238 inwardly across the lasting margin, the fingers 238 being pressed resiliently against the margin by rubber blocks 242. As the wipers 238 move inwardly sensers 248 on the wipers contact abutments 352 on the insole hold downs 350 and actuate cylinders Q and R (Fig. 3) to raise the hold downs 350 to an out of the way position as shown in Fig. 13. After a pre-determined time lag the various parts then return to their initial positions. In a modification (not shown) for use with lasts without a last plate 62 the last is aligned lengthwise in the machine by a pair of cylinders positioned at either side of the last and the last is held in position by a clamp which presses against the heel end of the last, the clamp being operated by cylinder A.