Heel Clamping Patents (Class 12/125)
  • Patent number: 5228163
    Abstract: A circular member supports the shoe from which the pin is to be removed such that the high-heel of the shoe extends downwardly along the vertical axis. The circular member is pivotable about the horizontal axis. A grasper, which includes a gap defined by one movable jaw and one fixed jaw, and a rotary handle for closing and opening the gap, grasps the pin. The grasper is moved up and down by a piston and cylinder arrangement. Thus, when the grasper grasps the pin, and the piston and cylinder arrangement moves the grasper in the direction away from the shoe, the pin is removed from the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Inventor: Mehdi D. Arzaghi
  • Patent number: 4961240
    Abstract: The backpart of a shoe is moulded by a heel band (240) and at the same time the lasting marginal portions of the upper are wiped over and pressed by wiper plates (270) against corresponding marginal portions of the insole, bedding pressure being applied by the upthrust of the shoe support (10). The moulding and bedding times are independently settable, and at the end of the bedding time, and while mould clamping pressure is still being applied, the last pin (18) is retracted and the heel band (240) and wiper plates (270), still holding the shoe, are swung to an out-of-the-way position, the shoe being released, at the end of the moulding time, into a receptacle (346). Meanwhile the operating locatility is free for a further shoe to be loaded. A configuration of two such machines side-by-side with a common central receptacle (346) is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: British United Shoe Machinery Ltd.
    Inventor: Marinus E. Schuurmans
  • Patent number: 4939805
    Abstract: A heel laster to receive a footwear upper assembly and constructed to press, form and last the heel part of the footwear upper assembly. A structure is provided to secure the assembly to the laster; princers stretch the heel part of the upper about the heel region of the last; and a heel pad presses the upper against the last. Then a nozzle is moved and positioned by a mechanical structure along an appropriate adhesive path. The mechanical structure includes a tracer mechanism the includes an adjustable U-shaped cam track and a linkage connected to the nozzle at one end and to a cam follower at the other end thereof such that the cam follower is positioned within the cam track; a driver mechanism is connected to propel the cam follower along the track in the X-Y directions (the nozzle can move in the Z-direction as well to follow contours of the footwear). The heel pad is preferably an inflatable pad. The mechanical tracer mechanism, as a unit, has a predetermined and fixed position relative to the heel pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignee: International Show Machine Corporation
    Inventor: William Walega
  • Patent number: 4920594
    Abstract: The apparatus comprises a pulling over and toe lasting machine and a side and heel seat lasting machine. The pulling over and toe lasting machine comprises two linear potentiometers (102, 104) for monitoring the movement of the heel rest (26) both lengthwise and heightwise of a shoe, a left/right sensor (PrS2) and a proximity switch (PrS1) which senses when the wiper plates (20) reach a predetermined position in their inwiping movement and causes output value information from the potentiometers (102, 104) and left/right sensor (PrS2) to be "read". The side and heel seat lasting machine comprises two side lasting assemblies (36) tiltable in a direction lengthwise of the shoe, to accommodate to the spring of the last, and two adhesive-applying nozzles (40) arranged to track along opposite portions of the shoe. A further linear potentiometer (146) monitors the nozzle movement, and stepping motors (66) are provided for effecting tilting movement of the assemblies (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: British United Shoe Machinery Ltd.
    Inventors: James R. Flanders, Frank Bramley, Francis B. Sharp, Robert A. Newton, Graham J. Mansfield
  • Patent number: 4879778
    Abstract: A heel molder to form the heel part of a footwear upper assembly. The heel part includes a thermally-activated material that is deformable when heated above a threshold temperature; it is non-deformable below that threshold temperature; it is non-deformable at room temperature. The material preferentially includes a thermally-activated adhesive, that is, an adhesive that becomes tacky or sticky at or about the temperature at which the material becomes deformable. The heel molder receives the upper assembly, forms the same at the heel region while the material is above the threshold temperature, cools the material whereby the thermally-activated material--and the upper itself and liner--takes a permanent preformed set as a laminate for later operations. According to the present teaching, the thermally-activated material or counter, the upper and the lining of the upper typically form, when cooled, a laminate that retains its geometry for subsequent operations thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Assignee: International Shoe Machine Corporation
    Inventors: Michael M. Becka, William Walega
  • Patent number: 4709433
    Abstract: A machine to mold and flange the heel region of an upper whose heel region has been heated to soften the same. The heel region includes a thermal plastic material which softens when heated and is fairly rigid at and below room temperature. The machine includes a mold to receive the heated upper, the mold being cooled to reduce the temperature of the upper during the molding or forming operation. The machine further includes pincers to draw or stretch the upper about the mold, the direction of stretch being variable, a pad to wrap about the heel region of the upper and wipers. An equalizer mechanism centers the pad with respect to the mold to equalize pressure and the pad has a quick change mechanism associated therewith, as do the wipers. A height gage is provided to assure proper heightwise positioning of the upper on the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1987
    Assignee: International Shoe Machine Corporation
    Inventor: William Walega
  • Patent number: 4679269
    Abstract: A heel lasting machine to receive a footwear upper assembly that includes a last, an insole on the last bottom and an upper draped about the last with a margin extending upwardly from the insole, the last having a spindle hole. The machine includes two stations; each station includes a heel post or spindle having a last pin to insert into the spindle hole and a toe rest to receive the toe of the upper assembly. A single adhesive applicator applies adhesive to the heel region of the upwardly directed insole of both upper assemblies. All operations of the machine are computer controlled. A mechanism is provided to locate the nozzle of the adhesive applicator in its rest position relative to the heel region, despite variations in the placement of the spindle hole. A mechanism to assure a snug fit of the heel of the upper about the heel of the last is also provided. Once the upper is fitted about the last the upper assembly is pressed onto the toe rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1987
    Assignee: International Shoe Machine Corporation
    Inventors: Michael M. Becka, Walter Vornberger
  • Patent number: 4654914
    Abstract: A side and heel lasting machine that serves to adhere the upstanding unwiped side and heel margin of a shoe upper assembly, which assembly includes a last with an insole on the last bottom and an upper draped about the last. The toe portion of the upper assembly has previously been wiped to the periphery region of the assembly insole. A pair of pincers, one disposed at each side of the upper of the assembly, grasps the upstanding unwiped margin and draws it upwardly, inwardly and forwardly (i.e., towards the toe thereof) to fit it snugly about the last. Lasting pads are employed to keep the unwiped margin in position during application of adhesive from nozzles that are spring loaded to press outwardly and track the upstanding unwiped margin when adhesive is applied in the region between the insole and the margin. The upstanding side and heel margin is then wiped onto the insole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: International Shoe Machine Corporation
    Inventor: Alan L. Leeper
  • Patent number: 4602398
    Abstract: A machine for lasting the heel of a shoe comprising a shoe last support including an axially displaceable column having a free end. The support is displaceable from a first retracted position to an advanced position and a shoe last is mounted on the free end of the column for limited rocking movement relative thereto to permit realignment of the shoe last. The column may be elevated from a lower position, and when so elevated, strikes the inner edge portion of the heel band wiper plate which has been displaced to a selected position in interference with an edge portion of the shoe last. Such upward movement of the shoe last will be, accordingly, stopped by the interfering edge portion of the heel band wiper plate and the shoe last will be automatically aligned into uniform engagement therewith. The column is locked at the stopped position and a heel band forcefully engages the stopped and aligned shoe last to maintain the shoe last at that position in that alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1986
    Assignee: USM Corporation
    Inventor: Gerhard Giebel
  • Patent number: 4491997
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1985
    Assignee: USM Corporation
    Inventor: Frank C. Price
  • Patent number: 4485512
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1984
    Assignee: USM Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Flanders, Robert A. Newton, William H. Berrill
  • Patent number: 4400839
    Abstract: In tack seat lasting machines, operator skill is often required because of irregularities in last manufacture, especially in drilling the last pin hole. Thus, automatic presentation is difficult. In accordance with the invention the last pin (32') is mounted for limited rocking movement about an axis extending lengthwise of the shoe bottom, and shoe centralizing means (424) engages edges of the shoe, at opposite sides of the last pin, to ensure alignment with a longitudinal center line of the machine. The centralized shoe is then clamped by a holddown (406), the centralizing means released, and the shoe heel end clamped by a heel band (520) which, by equalized pressure being applied to both "legs" thereof, holds, the shoe in position as presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1983
    Assignee: USM Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Hartshorn, Ivor J. R. le Vesconte, Brian J. M. Murphy, Richard E. Storer
  • Patent number: 4360938
    Abstract: In tack seat lasting machines, variation of the tack (nail) pattern is achieved by varying the wiper inwiping movement, itself dependent upon their lengthwise movement. Such variation also alters the "back tack" position (i.e. relationship between the heel band backseam region and corresponding region of the wipers). In accordance with the invention, the nail pattern is varied by an operator-set reference potentiometer (198) by matching with its signal that of a linear potentiometer (190) which controls operation of wiper-operating motor (72, 74). The back tack position is controlled by a motor (105) according to an operator setting of a reference potentiometer (208). The combined signal from the reference potentiometers (198, 208) is compared with a control signal of a linear potentiometer (202) associated with the heel band, the motor (105) being operated until the compared signals match.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1982
    Assignee: USM Corporation
    Inventors: Brian J. M. Murphy, Leslie A. Withers, Malcolm Salway-Waller
  • Patent number: 4322863
    Abstract: In a tack seat lasting machine the wipers are moved lenthwise of the shoe and inwardly thereof under the action of a single piston-and-cylinder arrangement. For setting the appropriate "nail pattern", the action of said piston-and-cylinder arrangement is terminated by adjustable stroke limiting means, comprising a valve actuated by an abutment, the valve moving with the wipers and the abutment being adjustably positioned in the path of the valve. A further abutment, spaced from the first-mentioned abutment, controls the rest position of the wipers. The wipers are arranged symmetrically centrally of the machine, and the heel band is capable of clamping a shoe in the position in which it is presented by the operator, thereby avoiding the need to adjust the wiper for lefts and rights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1982
    Assignee: USM Corporation
    Inventor: Gerhard Giebel
  • Patent number: 4150454
    Abstract: A machine that molds an upper to the shape of a male mold by a female mold that presses the upper against the male mold and that flanges the margin of the upper by wipers that are mounted to the female mold for inward movement with respect to the female mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1979
    Assignee: International Shoe Machine Corporation
    Inventor: Michael M. Becka
  • Patent number: 3934294
    Abstract: A lasting machine having heel wipers, a support for supporting bottom-up a shoe assembly formed of a last having an upper mounted thereon and an insole located on its bottom in position to enable the heel wipers to wipe the heel portion of the upper margin against the insole, and side lasting instrumentalities so located as to wipe the side portions of the upper margin against the insole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1974
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1976
    Assignee: International Shoe Machine Corporation
    Inventor: Walter Vornberger
  • Patent number: RE28824
    Abstract: A heel lasting machine for wiping the heel portion of the margin of an upper mounted on a last against an insole secured to the last bottom by wipers that are yieldably mounted and that are constrained against yieldable movement at the beginning of the wiping operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1976
    Assignees: Jacob S. Kamborian, deceased, by Lisbeth N. Godley, executrix, by Michael M. Becka, executors Kamborian, Jr.
    Inventor: Allen C. Harriman