Abstract: A machine is disclosed for depositing powder in a selected configuration, fusing the deposited powder into a laminate and pressing the fused laminate against a shoe substrate to adhere the fused laminate to the shoe substrate. A shoe substrate to which a fused laminate is to be adhered, supported on a surface and a guide assists an operator in the accurate placement of the shoe substrate on the surface. The guide has a pair of locating surfaces which can be conjointly, horizontally displaced in a first direction toward or away from each other, and independently adjusted horizontally in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A machine for applying a configuration of reinforcement/stiffening or decorative material in powder form to a receiving surface, for subsequent fusing, cooling and pressing to a substrate such as a shoe upper. The machine comprises a deposition station, a heating station and a press station. A tensioned receiving belt receives the configuration of powder through a cut-out in the bottom of a swept screen frame. The receiving belt is supported from beneath during the deposition activity to control the thickness of the powder deposit. The receiving belt is shuttled in a displaceable frame in a series of steps to the successive stations for melting the powder and subsequent cooling and adhesion of the melted powder to the substrate such as an unreinforced shoe upper.

Abstract: A machine for applying a configuration of reinforcement/stiffening or decorative material in powder form to a receiving surface, for subsequent fusing, cooling and pressing to a substrate such as a shoe upper. The machine comprises a deposition station, a heating station and a press station. A tensioned receiving belt receives the configuration of powder through a cut-out in the bottom of a swept screen frame. The receiving belt is supported from beneath during the deposition activity to control the thickness of the powder deposit. The receiving belt is shuttled in a displaceable frame in a series of steps to the successive stations for melting the powder and subsequent cooling and adhesion of the melted powder to the substrate such as an unreinforced shoe upper.

Abstract: A machine for applying a configuration of reinforcement/stiffening or decorative material in powder form to a receiving surface, for subsequent fusing, cooling and pressing to a substrate such as a shoe upper. The machine comprises a deposition station, a heating station and a press station. A tensioned receiving belt receives the configuration of powder through a cut-out in the bottom of a swept screen frame. The receiving belt is supported from beneath during the deposition activity to control the thickness of the powder deposit. The receiving belt is shuttled in a displaceable frame in a series of steps to the successive stations for melting the powder and subsequent cooling and adhesion of the melted powder to the substrate such as an unreinforced shoe upper.

Abstract: A method of applying a configuration of reinforcing/stiffening material in powder form to a receiving surface, for subsequent fusing, cooling and pressing to a shoe upper. The method comprises the utilization of a deposition station, a heating station and a press station. A tension receiving belt receives the configuration of powder through a cut-out in the bottom of a swept container. The receiving belt is supported from beneath during the deposition activity. The receiving belt is shuttled in timed steps to the successive stations for melting the powder and subsequent adhesion of the melted powder to an unreinforced shoe upper in a displaceable frame.

Abstract: A method of sequentially manufacturing a plurality of reinforced substrates such as shoe uppers, by applying a powder through a stencil by automatic means in a rotary machine, where the powder is first applied in a three-dimensional configuration to an annular surface, which is rotated to an arcuate heating station, then to a join and cool station after the powder has fused. The fused powder has a shoe upper pressed thereagainst by a rotary transfer cube which successively applies the uppers seriatum to the fused configuration of powder as they are presented therebeneath.

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: 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: A machine for sequentially manufacturing a plurality of reinforced substrates such as shoe uppers, comprising a powder deposition station wherein a stencil assembly applies powder onto an annular receiving belt, the powder being applied in a three-dimensional configuration because of peripheral spacer means arranged on the cut-out between the stencil and the receiving surface. The annular receiving surface is empowered to rotate to an arcuate heating station where the powder is fused by heating elements arranged thereabove and therebelow. The fused powder is then moved to a join and cool station where a substrate is pressed against the fused powder by a transfer means causing it to press against a chill plate therebeneath.

Abstract: A fabric tensioning mechanism for pulling taut a flexible material arranged in a support frame, which frame is controllably movable in X-Y directions in a sewing machine setup. The fabric tensioning device is particularly useful to tension flimsy materials. A tensioning mechanism comprises several pivotable clamps arranged opposed one another across the support frame. The clamps are pivotable on the frame, and at least one clamp is movable with respect to the frame toward and away from its opposing clamp a regulatable distance to effect regulatable tension within any material pulled therebetween.

Abstract: For applying adhesive, for lasting shoes from the toe end at least over ball region of the shoe, an imprinter plate and nozzles are used, the region in which adhesive is applied by the imprinter plate extending from the toe end of the shoe and lying within, but being substantially smaller than, the region inwiped by the toe wiper plates. The nozzles, which can be guided by computer control means according to the particular style and size of shoe, are thus also used to apply adhesive to the heelward part of the region inwiped by the wiper plates as well as beyond such region. The invention is thus applicable to both combined toe and side lasting operations as well to extended forepart lasting over the ball region of the shoe.

Abstract: Presser-foot apparatus is disclosed which is capable of automatically adjusting to various levels of sewing. The presser-foot is slidably held within a housing affixed to a needle bar. The presser-foot is biased against the housing so as to move in conjunction therewith until contact is made with the workpiece. The presser-foot exerts a steady, unvarying pressure on the workpiece while the needle associated therewith continues downwardly. The presser-foot is ultimately lifted from the workpiece during the upward retraction of the needle from the workpiece.

Abstract: A machine for pulling and lasting a shoe upper has a lasting wiper comprised of adjustable segments, to permit one set of wipers to last a complete range of shoe sizes and shapes. The wiper segments are all adjustable about a common pivot point, and are held secure with respect to one another and to a common carrier. Each wiper segment is of arcuate configuration, which locks with its adjacent wiper segment, as well as at both transverse ends thereof with the carrier.