Abstract: Applicator nozzles for applying a band of liquid composition e.g. hot melt adhesive to a workpiece using a hand-held applicator have been unsuitable for some purposes. By this invention a nozzle is provided comprising a resiliently flexible applicator portion terminating in a spreading lip of triangular section, bounding a depression and having an orifice e.g. cruciform in shape, opening into the depression, through which orifice material to be applied is supplied to provide a reservoir of composition in the depression. In a preferred nozzle the lip is defined by a frusto-conical outer surface and a surface of the depression meeting at an effectively circular spreading edge portion. In use the nozzle is placed on a workpiece the reservoir of composition forming a pool on the workpiece, the nozzle axis being tilted so that only a trailing edge of the lip contacts the workpiece as composition is applied.

Abstract: A V-shaped shell comprising a replaceable tip for a mold apparatus utilizable for squeezing a shoe upper against a female mold. The V-shaped shell comprises generally planar members meeting at a curvilinear apex, each planar member having a raised periphery which tapers inwardly towards the surface of the planar member, to define a pre-arranged volume for the tapered distribution of stiffening resin applied between the inner liner and outer layer of a shoe upper.

Abstract: A conditioning apparatus for a rotating annular belt at a powder reinforcing machine, wherein an arrangement of arms are pivotably secured to a frame portion of the machine, to scrape the belt as it intermittently rotates, to deposit a release fluid onto the width of the belt as it rotates, and to spread the fluid evenly across the belt if fluid puddles up thereon due to the intermittent nature of the belts rotation. The arm for releasing fluid onto the belt has a felt portion which receives fluid from a conduit in communication with a reservoir for the fluid. All the arms are pivotably attached to the frame portion of the machine, adjacent the annular belt, and all are lockable in an upright position to facilitate repair or replacement of any components thereof.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a support for a shoe part which is to have adhesive on a surface thereof activated by heat, and a heating member arranged to emit infra-red radiation to heat the shoe part. The heating member is mounted for movement between an operative position thereof in which the heating member is in opposed relationship with the support so that the shoe part can be heated, and an inoperative position in which the heating member is substantially enclosed by infra-red radiation reflecting screens.

Abstract: A machine for punching and nibbling a piece of sheet material, preferably metal, for subsequent manufacture into a pallet, said machine comprising a pair of dies disposable on each side of the sheet material, a punch shaft being pushable through one die, then through the sheet material, then through the other die, which punch shaft also begins a nibbling operation on the return stroke, because of a shoulder cut into the shaft itself. The punch shaft is empowered by a pressurizable cylinder and an electric motor on the initial punch stroke, and just the electric motor during the reciprocable nibbling function.

Abstract: The rod feed apparatus is made up of a number of telescoping tubes. A first tube (16) is fixed in the apparatus frame and has a connection (46) for a flexible pipe by which it is connected to a melt chamber. A guide tube (36) has a sliding fit with and can slide in the tube (16), the guide tube being secured to a lead-in tube (32) which is clamped inside a support tube (18), the support tube (18) being arranged to slide on the outside of the first tube (16). Rod adhesive is supplied through the lead-in tube (34), into the guide tube (36) and then to the first tube (16). The guide tube is thin-walled so that effectively the rod has a sliding fit with the internal bore of each of the three tubes referred to. For feeding the rod, a jaw (38) projects through slots in the support tube (18) and lead-in tube (32) and is mounted for movement with the various tubes (18, 32, 36).

Abstract: A method of positioning two workpiece portions for stitching together along a desired stitching path.A pallet is provided for positioning workpiece components (e.g. a vamp V and quarter portions RQ, LQ of a shoe upper) in position for stitching the portions together, where, when the various components are in a flat condition, the regions (corresponding to the desired stitching paths) of the various components are not in overlapping relationship; that is to say, the pallet enables distortion of at least one of the components in order to bring the regions of the various components into such overlapping relationship. This is achieved by locating e.g. the quarter portions RQ, LQ in a flat condition in relation to a slot (14) of the pallet, which slot corresponds with the desired stitching path, and thereafter positioning the other component, e.g.

Abstract: A method of treating shoe parts having a coating of a moisture-curable composition utilizes an apparatus in which a support (16) for an article, e.g. a lasted shoe S, can be supported within a chamber (30) in which the support can be enclosed. The chamber (30) is supplied with heat and moisture. More especially, the article is subjected to infra-red radiation from a heater (44) and steam is supplied to the chamber (30) such that the humidity of the atmosphere within the chamber (30) is maintained during the operating cycle at a dew point of between 50.degree. and 60.degree. C. The surface temperature of the heater (44) is between 250.degree. and 420.degree. C., preferably between 300.degree. and 380.degree. C., and the article is subjected to infra-red radiation for a period of between 5 and 25 seconds, preferably 10 seconds. Because the chamber (30) is enclosed, steam is supplied for only the first 5 seconds of the heating period.

Abstract: A clamp-type heater for heating shoe upper portions prior to molding them comprises an inner metal form (18) and a co-operating outer band (26) of silicone rubber material. The form (18) is heated e.g. by a cartridge heater while the band (26) is heated by a radiant heater (36) arranged about its outer surface. When the inner form (18) carries a shoe upper portion into the band (26), the latter wraps round the portion and clamps it about the form to ensure efficient heat transfer. The temperature of the outer band (26) is sensed by a thermistor (46) which is accommodated in a tube (48) secured by adhesive to the outer surface of the outer band. More particularly, the tube (48) is secured to the band (26) by a line contact and its longitudinal axis extends perpendicular to the direction in which the band is stretched during the operation of the device.

Abstract: An arrangement of articulated grippers for holding a substrate such as a shoe upper to be treated with a reinforcing substance onto a rotatable cube for pressing against a carrier belt of a reinforcing machine. The gripper comprise arms arranged on two sides of a biased plate, each arm being pivotable about a pintle, the arms each having an end which has a wheel in rolling contact with an extension of the biased plate, the other end of each arm having a pivotable flange which is contactable with the outer surface of a substrate loaded onto the biased plate, so as to hold that substrate thereon as the cube rotates during subsequent machine operation.

Abstract: The method of aligning and loading a substrate onto a powder reinforcement machine wherein a guide pin arrangement is adjusted with respect to settings on a portion of the machine frame and then adjusted distancewise from the machine frame, the guide pins themselves then adjusted with respect to the guide pin support, to facilitate alignment of substrates on the machine, the settings being repeatable for differently contoured substrates if desirable. The guide pin support being shiftable for removal from the path of a substrate transport cube, permitting rapid alignment of successive substrates of a particular configuration.

Abstract: A metal plate is heated to bring a heating surface thereof to a temperature of between 450.degree. C. and 300.degree. C. The shoe part to be heated is brought into opposed relationship with and close proximity to the heating surface. This method avoids color sensitivity problems and the necessity to adjust heaters to the shape of the shoe part. Apparatus for carrying out the method may have a support for a shoe on one side of the metal plate and a support for a sole to be attached to the shoe on the other side thereof.

Abstract: The horn comprises a body portion, a detachable and hence replaceable end portion, and a securing member securing the end portion to the body portion. The securing member has a first threaded portion received in a tapped hole in the body portion and a second threaded portion received in a tapped hole in the end portion. By rotation of the first threaded portion in its tapped hole, the orientation of the end portion, when it is in tight contact with the body portion, can be corrected. A method of detachably securing an end portion to a body portion of a horn is also claimed.

Abstract: In a pulling over and toe lasting machine the construction of the gripper assemblies (12) and their mountings is simplified firstly to enable the assemblies to be standardized and secondly, by means of a simple manual operation, readily to be located and oriented in relation to the shoe support means (10) in accordance with the shoe style to be operated upon. Furthermore, the most heelwardly disposed gripper assemblies (No. 2 gripper assemblies) are mounted each on a slide-way inclined at about 17.degree. to the longitudinal center line of the machine, and a single mechanism firstly allows their positions along the slide-ways to be simultaneously adjusted and secondly, by means of a fluid pressure operated piston-and-cylinder arrangement, allows them to effect a heelward pull on an upper gripped thereby.

Abstract: An insole support plate disposed on the last post, the insole support plate having a toggle mechanism which permits the support plate to be moved heelwardly an adjustable amount of distance, said support plate and toggle mechanism being arranged on a frame which is pivotable with respect to the last post to facilitate loading of an upper on a last by an operator of a shoe lasting machine.

Abstract: In a tack seat lasting machine the wiper plates (90) first effect an "advancing+inwiping" movement and thereafter an "inwiping only" movement, while a central wiping member (76), about which the wiper plates pivot, advances only. To achieve this motion, the member (76) is supported by an arcuate projection (78) which is accommodated in grooves (83) formed in the wiper carriers (88), the center of curvature of the projection and grooves coinciding with the axis of the wiper plates. Thus, the central wiping member is always brought to the same "back tack" position (but the shoe can be adjustably positioned relative thereto by varying the fore-and-aft position of the heel band (20)). The nail pattern is adjustable, without affecting the back tack position, by limiting the stroke of the cylinder controlling the operation of the wiper assembly.

Abstract: A double eccentric wave generator assembly for a harmonic drive type transmission having a circular spline and a flexible spline coaxially mounted each having matable gear teeth, a deflection means mounted within said flexspline, said deflection means comprising a pair of wave generating discs journalled on eccentric hubs on a sleeve. The discs are non-parallel with one another so as to present an outer periphery which is parallel to the flexspline when it is coned during deflection thereof. A third disc is disposed on the sleeve to provide shape control to the flexspline during rotation thereof.

Abstract: A heel attaching machine is provided with an abutment mounted on a pneumatic piston and cylinder unit. After a shoe upper and heel have been positioned on the nailing stand of the machine, the abutment is moved upwards into engagement with the shank region of the insole of the shoe. The abutment then serves to prevent the upper from tipping about the edge of the nailing stand during insertion of the heel attaching nails.

Abstract: In a heel seat lasting machine (or combined side and seat lasting machine) the shoe is located lengthwise and heightwise in relation to the heel seat lasting instrumentalities (18) by first locating it lengthwise by the heel band (16), retracting it through a predetermined distance to separate it from the heel band, locating it heightwise against a holddown (20), and returning it to its lengthwise location, moving the holddown therewith during the return movement.

Abstract: A profile for use in the manufacture of frames for windows and the like comprises a core (1) of generally rectangular cross section of laminated plywood or cement-bonded fibrous material with a cladding (3) of plastics material, for example polyvinylchloride or polycarbonate, extruded therearound. The extruded cladding (3) provides, extending along the length of the profile, a glass (or other) panel retaining member (9) which is inclined inwardly (preferably at 45.degree. or substantially so) over a surface of the profile, and an undercut rib 11 spaced from the member (9). In manufacturing frames from the profile the latter is cut into appropriate lengths by saw cuts (31-39) extending at 45.degree.