Abstract: A numerically controlled motor provides a drive at a rate which is proportional to rotation of an independently driven shaft. In addition, the ratio of such rate to such rotation can be varied by a control circuit by which, in response to each pulse supplied by an encoder on said shaft, an incremental value, corresponding to an analogue signal supplied by a potentiometer to an A-D converter, which converts said signal to said value, is supplied to an accumulator, which sums the successively supplied increment values and, at a predetermined cumulative value, "overflows", such "overflow" supplying a drive signal to the n.c. motor. The potentiometer is manually set by an operator to vary the increment value and thus the frequency of "overflow" in relation to shaft rotation. The control circuit also enables "reverse" and "fast forward" drive to the motor independently of the shaft.

Abstract: A shoe support for supporting a shoe, bottom uppermost, with the bottom thereof exposed for an operation to be performed thereon, has a heel end support arrangement and toe end support means moveable relative thereto to accommodate shoes of different sizes. Associated with the toe end support means is a "shoe present" sensing device which, when actuated, initiates movement of the toe and support means. The shoe support also has a shoe length sensing device and an arrangement, associated with the heel and support arrangement and including an inductance sensor, for sensing whether the shoe is a left or right.

Abstract: A single-station combined toe and side lasting machine comprises pulling over instrumentalities 20, 22 for tensioning an upper over its last, toe lasting instrumentalities, including toe wipers 38, toe pad 48 and toe band 50, a heel support 56, two adhesive applying nozzles 28 and side lasting instrumentalities 114 constituted by two lasting rollers 176. In operation, with the upper tensioned, first the shoe is clamped by the toe lasting instrumentalities and heel support to allow adhesive to be applied progressively along opposite side portions from the toe to heel breast. Then the lasting rollers operate progressively from the ball region to the heel breast, and, when the rollers have cleared the ball region, the inwiping movement of the toe wipers is completed. The nozzles and side lasting rollers are mounted on a common carriage 26 which moved rectilinearly, supports 116 for the rollers being mounted for movement thereon about three perpendicular axes 82, 122, 140.

Abstract: A control system for a shoe upper conforming machine, more especially a pulling over and toe lasting machine, includes a computer control which supplies control signals sequentially, according to a programmed instruction, to actuating means for the various operating elements of the machine. In particular, the release of the grippers is controlled in relation to the movement of the wiper means.Furthermore, the power supply to the actuating means for effecting gripping and pulling is independent of that for the actuating means for wiping over and securing the lasting margin to the insole, the arrangement being such that the power supply to the latter is operatively connected only after the operation of the former is completed.