Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a shoe stiffener directly on a selected surface of a shoe assembly (such as a shoe shank on the bottom of an insole) from a strip of initially flexible, uncured thermosetting material encased in a sleeve. The apparatus supports a shoe assembly, bottom up, to expose the insole bottom to a radiant heater. Means are provided for automatically locating a strip of the shank material on the insole bottom and for raising the shoe assembly, together with the insole strip, into engagement with a means for urging the shank strip against and into conformity with the contour of the insole bottom. A radiant heater then is operated to activate the shank strip. The ball and heel ends of the shank strip are pressed firmly toward the insole by heat absorbing presser pads which cause the ends of the shank strip to be tapered and to promote secure bonding of the ends of the shank strip to the insole bottom.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a shoe stiffener directly on a selected surface of a shoe assembly (such as a shoe shank on the bottom of an insole) from a strip of initially flexible, uncured thermosetting material encased in a sleeve. The apparatus supports a shoe assembly, bottom up, to expose the insole bottom to a radiant heater. Means are provided for automatically locating a strip of the shank material on the insole bottom and for raising the shoe assembly, together with the insole strip, into engagement with a means for urging the shank strip against and into conformity with the contour of the insole bottom. A radiant heater then is operated to activate the shank strip. The ball and heel ends of the shank strip are pressed firmly toward the insole by heat absorbing presser pads which cause the ends of the shank strip to be tapered and to promote secure bonding of the ends of the shank strip to the insole bottom.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a shoe shank directly on the bottom of a shoe insole from a strip of initially flexible, uncured thermosetting material includes a radiant heater and resilient means for engaging the shank strip to orient, retain and resiliently urge the shank strip against the insole bottom while the radiant heater activates the shank strip.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a shoe shank directly on the bottom of a shoe insole from a strip of initially flexible, uncured thermosetting material encased in a sleeve. The machine includes a shoe jack for supporting the shoe assembly, bottom up, to expose the insole bottom to a radiant heater. Means are provided for automatically locating and placing a strip of shank material on the insole bottom and for raising the shoe assembly, together with the insole strip into engagement with a means for urging the shank strip against and into conformity with the contour of the insole bottom while the radiant heater is operated to activate the shank strip.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a shoe shank directly on the bottom of a shoe insole from a strip of initially flexible, uncured thermosetting material includes a radiant heater and resilient means for engaging the shank strip to orient, retain and resiliently urge the shank strip against the insole bottom while the radiant heater activates the shank strip.