Abstract: The invention relates to an instrument for use in computer guided surgery. The instrument includes a shaft and a reference element adapter, wherein the reference element adapter is directly couplable to the shaft and rotatable about the shaft. A selectively operable mechanical retainer provides retention of the reference element adapter to an instrument shaft adapting interface of the instrument shaft. The instrument also includes a reference element orientating mechanism arranged at an interface between the instrument shaft adapting interface and the reference element adaptor. The reference element orienting mechanism is capable of fixing at least one angular position of the reference element. The instrument also includes a grip piece interface on the instrument shaft, and a grip piece is selectively couplable to the grip piece interface.

Abstract: A shoe mold set includes a mold, a movable block and an adjustment unit. The mold is connected to the movable block, and both are slidably between two rail members of the replacement unit. The replacement unit is connected with the adjustment unit which is adjustably located between the top board and the bottom board of the replacement unit. The mold is micro-adjustable by operation of the adjustment unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for the lasting of shoe uppers or shoes onto shoe lasts, and for the removal of the completed shoes from the shoe lasts, includes a two-part shoe last having a front toe part and a heel part, a fixing device for removably mounting the front toe part on the frame, and a coupling device for movably and releasably mounting the heel part of the frame, the coupling and/or fixing device including pivotable clamping bars, and a height-adjustable mechanism for moving the heel part and its coupling from a rest position toward the front toe part, and back to such rest position.

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: 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: Working devices of shoe manufacturing machines are adjusted according to the size of the shoe and also whether a right or left shoe is concerned by first identifying these items and by transmitting this information to a device which automatically adjusts the working devices to the proper position.

Abstract: A shoe sensing mechanism for setting a machine according to the size of a shoe and whether the shoe to be worked on is left or right.