Patent GB-531198-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to shoe-upper shaping machines
IPC: A43D21/12
Filed: 1939-06-30
Abstract: 531,198. Lasting machines. BRITISH UNITED SHOE MACHINERY CO., Ltd. (United Shoe Machinery Corporation). June 30, 1939, No. 19030. [Class 17 (i)] A machine for shaping to a last an upper of the kind described in Specification 470,687, that is, pre-welted, the welt having an outwardly extending flange for attaching to an outsole, an inwardly extending flange for attaching to an insole, and, preferably, two parallel flaps or extensions between which the bottom margin of an upper is secured. A gripper arrangement engages the outsole attaching flange and holds the upper under tension applied to it during the shaping. A pair of forepart engaging plates press the upper against the sides of the last around the toe end portion, the plates being mounted for swinging movement about a common axis at the toe end. Wipers smooth the insole attaching flange over the edge of the insole, the contacting parts having been previously cemented. The upper is stretched lengthwise to receive the forepart of the last by movement of the work support. The last is mounted on a pin 36 pivoted between parallel L-shaped members 44 guided by links 46, 48 and urged upwardly by a spring 50. The links are carried by a work support 34 pivoted at 42. The outsole attaching flange 56 is positioned under a toe end gripper 58 and similar grippers at the sides of the toe. The toe end of the last is then positioned against a T-shaped plate 64 overlying the toe end gripper to position the last endwise. The lengthwise tensioning of the upper is performed by a cam-actuated bell-crank lever 70 having a swivel-block 76 actuating a rod 80 swinging the work support 34 by a friction clamp. The upper end of the rod 80 carries a pin 118 moving in a slot in arms 84 pivoted at 42 and pivotally carrying gripping members 96, 98 having heels 124, 125 adapted to grip a flange 86 of the worksupport between themselves and a plate 92 secured to the arms 84. As the lever 70 turns anti-clockwise the member 96 grips the arms 84 and support and moves the last heelwardly to stretch the upper. The fore-part of the last is then forced downwardly into the fore-part of the upper. The bell-crank lever then swings clockwise, the member 98 having been brought into gripping engagement with the flange 86 during the previous movement of the lever by a spring 126 secured to a pivoted arm 130 carrying a roll engaging the tail of the member 98. The operation of the member 98 is controlled by a roll 144 on a bell-crank lever 140 actuated by the lever 70. The toe-ward movement of the worksupport forces the toe-end of the upper against fore-part embracing plates 236, movement of the lever 70 after firm contact has been made being allowed by a spring 138 on the rod 80. The T-shaped plate 64 moves the toe end of the upper rearwardly firmly against the plates 236 before the gripper 56 descends. Plates 238 secured to the plates 236 form an indentation or crease line at the apex of the angle formed between the outsole-attaching flange and the outer of the flanges secured to the upper. The plate 64 first moves forwardly, then downwardly into the toe end of the upper, then rearwardly to force the welt into position while the toe gripper closes on the welt, then upwardly out of the upper and rearwardly to its position of rest, where it serves as a gauge to position the last lengthwise. Its movements are cam-actuated, by levers 148, 176, yield in the connections being provided by springs 170, 190. The fore-part of the last is pressed into the upper by a presser foot 194 urged upwardly by a spring 216 and pressed downwardly by a cam-actuated lever 228. The foot is reversible for right and left shoes, is normally in a forward, out of the way position, but is manually swung about its shaft 204 to operative position determined by a stop 214 and a finger 210 on the shaft. The plates 236 are reversible for the other shoe of a pair, and are closed about the toe by power. For closing the toe-gripper on the outsole attaching face of the welt, a spring 318 is allowed to depress a lever 324 linked to the gripper by the descent of a cam-actuated table 356. The grippers at the sides of the toe are similarly actuated. The table also actuates the wipers 368 which smooth the insole attaching flange over the edge of the insole. When these wipers have been advanced they are held in that position by latches 394. The two side wipers are provided with grippers 410 for holding the insole attaching flange away from the last as this is moved downwardly into the upper. They are L-shaped plates urged towards the wipers by springs and actuated manually. In operation, an upper having a welt provided with outsole and insole attaching flanges is positioned with the outsole attaching flange on the plates 238. The operator then depresses a clutch treadle to start the machine, and the plate 64 is moved forwardly and downwardly to enter the toe end of the upper. It is then moved rearwardly to press the toe end of the upper against the plates 236, and holds it there while the grippers close on the welt. The plate 64 is then moved upwardly and forwardly out of the upper, and then rearwardly and downwardly. The machine then stops to allow the operator to insert a last and swing the presser foot over its forepart, when the clutch treadle is again depressed. The forepart of the last is forced into the upper, the work support simultaneously moving to tension the upper lengthwise. The forepart embracing plates 236 close on the upper, the T-shaped plate and wipers advance to wipe the insole attaching flange. The grippers and wipers and the plate 64 are then retracted and all parts return to starting position.