Abstract: A shoe side or combined heel seat and side lasting machine has two cement applying nozzles movable from an initial position, adjacent one another, outwardly to a first position, determined by abutments associated one with each nozzle, which abutments guide the nozzles in a straight line in the shoe bottom waist region. In the combined machine version, such outward movement causes a V-shaped pattern of adhesive to be applied in the shoe bottom heel seat region. Selector means is also provided for causing, according to whether the shoe is a left or right, the abutment associated with the nozzle tracking along the inside edge of the shoe bottom, to move from its first to a second position when the nozzle reaches the shoe bottom joint region, while the other nozzle continues in a straight line, thus to facilitate adhesive application to marginal portions of the shoe bottom up to the ball region.

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.

Abstract: In a machine for cement lasting side portions and the heel seat of shoes, the side portions are lasted by lasting rolls and the heel seat by wiper plates. For applying adhesive, each lasting roll has an associated nozzle which applies adhesive progressively in advance of its associated lasting roll. Furthermore, when the lasting rolls reach the point of termination of side lasting, they remain in pressing engagement with the shoe bottom, but their rotation is terminated, and in this condition the nozzles continue to apply adhesive in the heel seat region. This may be achieved by merely discharging adhesive from the stationary nozzles and allowing it to run into the heel seat, or alternatively the nozzles may track bodily into the heel seat. Thereafter, the lasting rolls and nozzles are retracted and heel seat wiping can take place. The invention may also be incorporated in a machine in which the whole of the shoe bottom is lasted.

Abstract: In a pulling over and toe lasting machine, the pincers first grip the lasting margin above the wiping plane, whereafter the upper is tensioned about its last by upward movement of the last support, from an initial, lowered, position to a position in which the last bottom is in the wiping plane, and by downward movement of the pincers. The machine also comprises auxiliary means by which any wiper remaining in the wiping plane after the upper has been tensioned as aforesaid can be moved downwardly out of said plane so as not to impede the in-wiping movement of the wipers. When the auxiliary means is actuated, furthermore, the gripping force applied by the pincers to the upper is reduced to allow slippage of the upper in the pincers.

Abstract: A billet loader for an extrusion press having simple premeasured adjustment capabilities facilitating the sequential loading of different diameter billets into a billet container therewith without requiring difficult realignment adjustments. The billet loader comprises a head having a pair of angled support surfaces, with a third adjustable support arm therebetween, permitting simple adaptability to a plurality of billet diameters. The head also includes a shearable connection with its support arm to minimize damage in case of loader malfunction.

Abstract: A leather press in which two wedges are synchronously driven to raise a lower platen in the press from an open condition to a position adjacent an upper platen of the press. The lower platen is movably mounted on a support. The support and the wedges are in slidable engagement with one another to effect a preliminary closing of the press. A plurality of pressurizable members such as hydraulic pancake cylinders may be mounted between the movable platen and the support so that the platens are secondarily urged together by the application of hydraulic pressure, to apply the required working pressure, to a leather workpiece disposed between the platens. The hydraulic pancake cylinders are arranged to be disposed over a broad area of the lower platen to efficiently provide maximum pressure thereacross.

Abstract: A shoe side or combined heel seat and side lasting machine has two side lasting assemblies, each comprising wiping elements mounted for pivotal movement, independently of adjacent elements, about first and second axes extending respectively transversely and lengthwise of the last bottom. For providing a substantially continuous wiping surface, the first axis lies in the plane of the work-engaging surface of its associated element, along the longitudinal center line thereof, when said surface lies horizontally. Also each shoe lasting assembly can pivot bodily about an axis adjacent the edge of the work-engaging surface of the most heelwardly disposed element, in the plane of its work-engaging surface. Associated with each pair of wiping elements is a clamp pad, said pad being caused clampingly to engage the shoe, while the inwiping movement of the elements continues, by operation of a common piston-and-cylinder arrangement.

Abstract: Adjusting means for aligning the cutting plane of the knives and the surface of a perforated die plate of pelletizing apparatus including a ring having a wedge cross section adjustable between the mountings for the plate and the knives to vary the angular relation of said mountings.

Abstract: A cut-clinch mechanism of compact structure operates on variably spaced leads of components after their insertion to clinch them directionally at an angle selectable between 90.degree. plus or minus 45.degree. to the line connecting the lead-receiving holes of a circuit board. The leads are clinched in parallel for optimum component stability, and their lengths are adjustable by shims. The movable one of each of two pairs of cutting knives pivots about an axis parallel to the board and has a configuration to wipe the cut lead thereagainst while exerting only small force tending to lift the board. For control purposes the presence of the component lead to be clinched is ascertained by the lead completing a circuit between the cooperating knives; and completion of its clinching by means of the movable knife.

Abstract: A device for cement applying mechanisms in shoe lasting machines, wherein a safety valve is caused to prevent air from entering an air feed line in the cement feed when there is no shoe in the shoe machine and the shoe machine has been actuated, thereby preventing the machine operator from being injured by hot cement, and where nozzles may be effectively used with an air blast to controllably project hot cement onto portions of insoles some of which may not be immediately thereadjacent.

Abstract: A clamp heater for heating shoe upper portions prior to molding them comprises an inner metal form and a cooperating outer band constructed of silicone rubber. The inner metal form has a cartridge heater accommodated therein. The outer band is heated by a radiant heater arranged about its outer surface. When the inner form carries a shoe upper portion into the outer band, the outer band wraps around the shoe upper portion and clamps it about the inner form, to ensure efficient heat transfer. To protect the outer band from heat damage, a temperature control device in the form of a thermostat is provided. The inner form also has a temperature control device therein. To ensure adequate heat is available in the operation of the clamp, when the inner form is moved to carry the shoe upper portion into the outer band, the temperature controls are both overridden and the heaters are rendered operative.

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.

Abstract: Electronic wheel-type area measuring machine has manual or automatic operating means, arranged to emit, at a predetermined point in the machine cycle, a test start signal, the operating means includes test means, which upon receipt of the test start signal, feeds signals to computing means of the machine until the computing means registers a predetermined number whereupon a stop signal is emitted. The test means has duplicate computing means which also receives the test signals until the stop signal is emitted, whereupon the number of signals received by the duplicate computing means is compared with the predetermined number and an alarm signal is given if the number recorded by the duplicate computer means differs by more than a predetermined tolerance from the predetermined number. The counter check system also preferably provides a visual test on a visual test display unit and an output printer.

Abstract: Wheel type electronic sheet material area measuring machine has means arranged to emit a test start signal, which may be manually operated or automatically operated at a particular stage in the machine cycle, and test means actuated by the signal which cause all of the detecting means of the machine to emit a signal normally indicating presence of sheet material for a predetermined period of such a length that, in the normal operation of the machine, the signalling means of each wheel should generate at least one pulse. Should a pulse not be received from one of the wheels in the allowed time, a signal is given indicating that the machine is faulty. The invention includes means to indicate which of the arm and wheel assemblies is faulty.

Abstract: A roller die apparatus includes a pair of cylinder rolls which are rotatably and obliquely yieldably mounted on a frame disposed on the output end of a plastic extruding machine. The rolls are biasedly restrained in the frame to permit the obtusely directed movement thereof with respect to the direction of extruded plastic flow. This non-orthogonal movement of the cylindrical roller members facilitates adjustment and cleaning thereof.

Abstract: Wheel type electronic sheet material area measuring machine comprises means for emitting a test start signal, operated either manually or automatically at a particular point in the machine cycle, and test means actuated by the test start signal to cause material detecting means associated with each wheel to emit a signal normally indicating presence of sheet material for a predetermined length of travel of a conveyor surface on which the material is normally supported, the wheels running on the conveyor surface. Thus each of the signalling means associated with the wheels should, if the machine is operating correctly, emit a number of test signals. The signals emitted by the signalling means of each wheel of a group of wheels are added and compared with an acceptable range of numbers of test signals which would be emitted in respect of that group if the machine is functioning within the predetermined tolerances.

Abstract: An outer molding band for a shoe upper backpart portion molding machine comprises two support portions, each carrying a block of relatively hard rubber, each block in turn carrying a molding cushion which is shaped to the shape of an inner mold. A cover, which acts as a diaphragm, to which air may be admitted, is arranged between the diaphragm and the support portion, to press the block, and thus the mold cushion carried therewith, against the inner form. The two support portions are pivotable inwardly to a position in which the mold cushions supported thereby engage the inner mold, or a shoe upper placed over the inner mold, and where air may be admitted as aforementioned, to apply a molding pressure to that shoe upper.

Abstract: A flexible band for wrapping about a shoe contour. The band comprises an inner and an outer steel band with a resilient insert arranged therebetween. The inner and outer bands each comprise a toe portion and two side portions. The portions of the inner band overlap, and the portions of the outer band do not overlap. The flexible band also includes an innermost shoe-engaging member attached to the steel bands. The shoe-engaging member has a low friction portion at its toe section and a high friction portion on each side. The present construction permits a longer utility to the band while providing improved flexibility therewith.

Abstract: A shoe pulling and lasting machine having an arrangement of side grippers which are each provided with a tensioning device by which an operator can vary the tension in the upper of the shoe being lasted. Each tensioning device is operated through a wedging member, an eccentrically mounted block, which also provides a self-locking facility for the tensioning device.

Abstract: A mold for forming an article having a complex shape such as a unitary sole and heel tread member for a shoe and method of making same wherein the article to be cast is formed from a material which is injected into the mold in a hot fluid form. The mold for such an article comprises an upper and a lower mold member, which together define a complete shoe sole mold cavity. Each upper or lower mold member may consist of several intermating sections. The lower mold however, comprises a cavity having sufficient depth around its periphery to permit insertion of an inverted decorative welt plus a second decorative piece placed against the wall of the cavity. The upper mold has a cavity which basically defines the tread of the sole, and the two molds interface to provide a tight seal during the shoe sole molding operation.