Abstract: Mechanism for soldering seams, especially the side seams of moving "tin" can bodies, comprises means for guiding each seam along a path, an applicator rotatable counter to the direction of can seam travel and having one portion immersed in molten solder and another solder wettable portion not so immersed, the other portion including a solder applying rim in substantially tangential relation to a locality of the seam joint in the path, and means for maintaining an atmosphere of inert gas about the non-immersed applicator portion and the mentioned locality to avoid oxidation of the solder as applied at the joint and also while carried thereto by the applicator.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting the journal of a mill roll in a journal box carrying a bearing assembly in which the journal is disposed. The bearing assembly comprises a hydrostatic bearing interacting with a bearing sleeve which perform the dual function of retaining an arrangement of roller bearings during mill operation, and provide radial support for the roll during a resurfacing operation.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for moistening and conditioning sheet materials for example leathers and similar materials. The apparatus comprises two endless moisture-absorbent conveyor belts which come together, in the operation of the apparatus, between a pair of opposed flat presser surfaces. The apparatus comprises means for moistening the conveyor belts and for heating at least one of the flat surfaces. The apparatus also comprises means for moving the flat surfaces apart to permit introduction of material carried between the conveyor belts into the region between the flat surfaces and together to press the material on the belt. By reason of this pressure an intensive heat transfer occurs from the flat surfaces to the conveyor belt whereby the water in the conveyor belt is evaporated and transferred into the leather. The apparatus further comprises drive means whereby the belts are moved to transport the leather or other sheet material only while the flat surfaces are spaced apart.

Abstract: A one piece resilient fastener is provided for retaining an edge portion of a fabric or other sheet material in clamping engagement between a panel and a trim plate. The invention in its preferred embodiment, is employed in combination with an automobile carpet and serves to retain the carpet in proper location on the automobile floor panel prior to installation of the scuff-plate and to provide a spacer member between the plate and panel after the plate is installed.

Abstract: A lathe arrangement to turn down or grind worn tread surfaces of railroad wheels to a prescribed profile, the lathe arrangement including a wheel securing apparatus. The wheel securing apparatus comprises a plurality of driver arms pivotally supported on a rotatable face plate. Means are provided to move the driver arms radially so that they may engage the front face of the rim of any diameter railroad wheel. The means to move the driver arms includes a movable mechanical linkage connected to each driver arm to permit their synchronous radial movement.

Abstract: De-fleshing apparatus comprises two fleshing machines arranged face-to-face, with a transfer conveyor between the machines. The conveyor is reversibly driven, and is arranged so that by movement in one direction a hide is transported from a first of the two machines to the second machine, half the hide having been de-fleshed in the first machine, and by movement in the opposite direction the hide is transported from the second machine as the other half of the hide is de-fleshed in the second movement. Each machine comprises a feed roller arranged to assist in drawing the hide through the machine while a cutter operates to de-flesh the hide, and the conveyor comprises an endless band which is mounted on the two feed rollers and driven thereby along its length in each direction.

Abstract: A calender roll is arranged to automatically have the pressure relieved between a pair of pressure rolls when a splice is detected in a moving web. The splice in the web is detected a known distance upstream of the pressure rolls. A counter, related to web travel distance, is activated to cause the temporary relief in the pressure between the rolls as the splice travels therebetween, preventing any damage that would otherwise occur to the moving web and avoiding any production slowdown.

Abstract: A pad box for conforming the bottom of a shoe to that of a last comprises shoe bottom engaging material, a forepart supporting member and a waist supporting member both engageable with the material, the members being pivotally interconnected, means for adjusting the angle between the members, and a further adjusting means by which both members may be jointly tilted without altering a selected angle of adjustment between the members. Additionally, the pad box preferably includes a means for varying the effective length of the waist engaging member.

Abstract: Mechanism is provided whereby, at the option of an operator, a cementing machine may conveniently be converted from an edge folding arrangement to an edge binding arrangement, or vice versa. Instead of requiring services of a mechanic for the purpose, the operator simply mounts the appropriate finger and gauge block and positions a locking lever for the desired mode of operation.The invention is particularly suitable for operating on uppers of shoes but its utility is applicable to other flexible sheet workpieces.

Abstract: Intermediate a component inserting machine and its lead clinching mechanism, a turret-type work support carries one or more detachable circuit boards and is rotatable about a vertical axis as well as movable in their general plane under the control of programmed power means. The latter is effective to cause a pivot means on the support and a cooperative surface or stop means to shift the support and its boards angularly at predetermined times and to a predetermined extent. Accordingly, without need to angularly reposition the inserter or clinching means, the automatically positioned work support enables the boards to receive components in various predetermined angular relations (most commonly at right angles), and boards may be loaded and unloaded on the turret while other boards thereon are concurrently having components mounted therein.The arrangement avoids the hazard present when boards are manually repositioned, and generally enhances productivity.

Abstract: Stiffening method in which the strength, stiffness and application properties of thermoplastic synthetic polymer resin stiffening material are improved through combination with the resin of controlled proportions of glass microspheres and the composition is applied as a layer in molten condition on the portion of a shoe upper to be stiffened and is hardened by cooling.

Abstract: An apparatus for lasting footwear, including a rotatable roll that is articulated on a spherical joint to permit the roll to adapt to and last any curvature it encounters on the insole of any shoe assembly it is operating upon.

Abstract: The apparatus of this invention is for use in a grinding machine and consists of a mechanism constructed for rotatably mounting the wheelhead support structure of the grinding wheel for movement about an axis eccentric from the axis of the grinding wheel. A lever fixed to the wheelhead structure transmits motion from a lead screw to pivot the wheelhead about its axis, thereby moving the wheel in a manner to provide infeed for the grinding machine. The drive motor for the grinding wheel is separately mounted for coupled movement therewith.

Abstract: The method for stiffening a flexible workpiece such as the toe portion of a shoe in which a layer of fast crystallizing linear synthetic polymer resin is deposited in molten condition on a transfer surface member which is at a temperature and has a heat take up capability to bring the resin at its surface to a temperature for rapid crystallization of the resin, the resin layer is pressed between the transfer surface member and the surface of the workpiece within a time after deposition of the resin on the transfer surface member during which at least the exposed surface of the resin layer remains molten for wetting adhesive engagement with the surface of the workpiece and the transfer surface member is separated from the resin layer at a time when at least a surface film of crystallized resin has formed adjacent said transfer surface member.

Abstract: A blind riveting tool of the type including a reuseable mandrel carrying a plurality of rivets to be successively set thereby. The rivets are advanced along the mandrel by causing air to flow through a sleeve to urge a leading one of the rivets beyond abutment members at the end of the tool. A catch having a finger is provided for urging the next to leading rivet and those behind it rearwardly so that the abutment members can close to embrace the mandrel behind the leading rivet without interference from the next one. The arrangement also facilitates reloading of the tool with another or the same reuseable mandrel when a new group of rivets is to be installed.

Abstract: Electronic components, such as DIP's, which have at least one row of generally right angular or generally linear leads projecting from their bodies, are dispensed from their respective columns in a magazine of the machine, one by one, and as predeterminedly selected by a picker controlled by computer means. Due to occasional obstructive slight irregularities in the formation of the bodies and/or their leads, means is provided to insure exact registration of each selected component with a component inserting mechanism. Improved means for rapid, reliable release and transfer of the successive selected components from the magazine, and between the delivery ends of its respective columns and, a lead conditioning means at the locality of such registration, enable efficient coordination with the inserting mechanism whereby continuous output at a higher rate is attainable.

Abstract: An improved machine and method for stiffening a selected portion of a sheet-like member generally flattens that portion, next deposits on a chill plate matrix an adhesive hot melt deposit of mostly uniform thickness except for a margin of added thickness for slower hardening, and then causes the matrix with impact to press all of the adhesive, while the added thickness margin is still softer than the uniform adhesive thickness, against the flattened portion of the member, thus transferring the adhesive to that portion, the added thickness margin being exuded laterally and hence taperingly reduced to provide diminishing stiffness toward an edge merging with the member.The machine and method have particular advantage in stiffening a toe portion of a shoe upper, rendering the instep margin of the vamp or a toe piece free of irregularity, and assuring ultimate comfort for wearing in an assembled shoe.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for applying locking patches of resilient, heat softenable resin to internally threaded articles having openings at both ends, in which the threaded portions of the articles, heated to a temperature above the softening point of the resin to be applied, are moved on a conveyor as a uniform succession at a uniform continuous speed in a path for application of particles of the resin with the openings at the ends of the articles substantially uncovered, a stream of resin particles entrained in a gaseous jet is directed by a resin particle stream guide through the openings in successive moving articles against threaded areas of the articles where the particles adhere and melt to form locking patches, flow of the gaseous jet is controlled relative to movement of a repeating feature of the articles on the conveyor to supply the stream of resin particles when the stream guide is in, and to interrupt the stream of particles when it is out of particle applying relation to the articles, and a sucti

Abstract: A pull-to-set mandrel riveting tool is provided with mandrel-pulling jaws releasable from mandrel gripping relation, and a pivoted nosepiece assembly including openable rivet abutting means is thereupon movable to carry the mandrel to an out-of-the-way position wherein a rivet to be set can be loaded on the stem of the reusable mandrel. The tool is preferably operable by fluid pressure means, and a stop means is provided for insuring proper longitudinal re-positioning of the mandrel relative to mandrel pulling means. The construction facilitates manual or automatic loading of successive rivets on the mandrel.

Abstract: An extruder having a screw rotatable in a chamber provided with an annularly perforated end wall through which plastic material is extruded, the end of the screw being provided with a collar urged against the central portion of the wall to exclude the material therebetween.