Abstract: A method of and apparatus for reducing the thickness of (or skiving) regions of sheet material workpieces, e.g. shoe upper components, involves feeding a workpiece 14 to a band knife (4) and, in advance of said knife, applying pressure to the workpiece 14, using a row of pressure-applying elements (18) to deform a region of the workpiece in relation to the cutting plane (20) of the knife. By controlling the elements (18) to operate in successive sequences of combinations, regions of the workpiece (14) are successively skived as the workpiece (14) passes the knife (4). The operation of the elements (18) is controlled by a computer (CPU), having a memory in which workpiece information data, relating to certain workpiece parameters, as well as in accordance with shape, positional and orientational data is stored. Such data may be generated using optical recognition workpiece means (100,120,140,160).

Abstract: For controlling the progressive operation of a tool along a predetermined path, wherein at least one operating parameter relating to the operation of the tool can be varied during the progressive operation thereof, a limited number of values for said at least one parameter is pre-set, each value being provided with an identification by which, in a path-determining mode, at each of a plurality of selected points along said path (defined by coordinate axis values for said path) one such value can be selected, the coordinate axis values together with the selected identification being stored for subsequent recall. By way of example, the operating parameter(s) may be the speed of rotation of and/or the pressure applied to a tool of a shoe bottom roughing machine using the speed of rotation of a rotary brush assembly forming part of an adhesive-applying tool assembly and/or the flow rate of adhesive supplied to the adhesive-applying tool in an adhesive-applying machine.

Abstract: A drive arrangement comprises an a.c. induction motor (M1) having a rotary output shaft, and a drive control (FIG. 2), by which the speed of rotation of the shaft is controlled. The drive control comprises a signalling arrangement (e.g. a transducer (T) supplying an analogue signal converted by an analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) or a direct digital signalling arrangement) for supplying a digital signal having a value corresponding to the desired speed of rotation of the motor shaft, together with a processor (CPU) which receives the digital signal and at least one other input and processes the digital signal in accordance therewith. The processor supplies a corresponding, but modified, digital output signal to a digital-to-analogue converter (DAC) which converts the digital output signal to an analogue control signal and supplies it to an inverter which, in response thereto, drives the a.c. induction motor.

Abstract: The machine comprises a shoe support (20) for e.g. a heel seat and side lasting machine has a last pin (24) on which a shoe may be positioned, bottom up, having a shoe heel end positioning mechanism (86) including a heel height gauge device (110) for locating the heel end of the shoe to lengthwise and heightwise datums, and a toe support (30), including an abutment (54) for setting a toe height datum (54a), each of said datums being adjustable according to the style of shoe being operated upon. The machine also includes a heel band mechanism (150), the arrangement being that the shoe heel end positioning mechanism (86) is moved to an out-of-the-way position after the shoe has been positioned, thus allowing the heel band mechanism (150) to move into shoe engagement. The shoe is held by auxiliary clamp means (184) during this changeover.

Abstract: The machine comprises a shoe support (20), two side lasting assemblies (230) and a heel seat wiper mechansim (170), the shoe support comprising a last pin (24), a toe support (30) and a heel band mechanism (150). The heel band mechanism is mounted for rotation about an axis (158) whereby a shoe clamped thereby, after a lasting operation has been completed, can be removed from the operating locality of the machine onto a shoe-receiving platform (330) on to which the heel band mechanism then releases the shoe. The shoe support 30) also includes a shoe heel end positioning mechanism (86) by which a next shoe to be operated upon can be located at the operating locality of the machine during the removal of the shoe which has been lasted.

Abstract: For applying adhesive to a shoe bottom an applicator (708) is provided which comprises a plurality of fingers (732) spring-urged towards the work and end portions thereof providing an adhesive-applying surface (736) to which adhesive is supplied via tubes (738) to outlets in said end portions. The applicator is capable of rotation about an axis which passes through the adhesive-applying surface (736) and in addition, the applicator can tilt about a further axis (P) which intersects said axis of rotation at the adhesive-applying surface. Drive means is also provided for effecting relative lengthwise, heightwise and widthwise movement between a shoe support (18) and a tool holder (670) by which the applicator is supported. For controlling the flow of adhesive a valve (744) is provided which is pneumatically operated and also has a suck-back feature.

Abstract: A workpiece is supported by work support means (40; 40'; 40"; 44'; 142, 144) for movement in a first direction by co-operating workpiece clamping and feeding means (46; 142, 144), both said means being supported on a carriage (16) for movement in a second direction normal to the first to move a workpiece relative to a sewing machine head. Both of said means are arranged on both sides of an elongated aperture (42) extending in the second direction in alignment with a needle penetration point (N). Stepping motors (24; 60) are provided for moving the carriage (16) and operating the workpiece clamping and feeding means (46; 142, 144) under programmed control. A camera (70) is also provided aligned with the aperture 42, for detecting the peripheral outline of a workpiece fed therebeneath.

Abstract: A reinforcing material comprises an E-polycaprolactone binder in admixture with a filler. Said filler is pulverized fuel ash, and said mixture comprises from 50 to 95% by weight of polycaprolactone, from 5 to 45% by weight of pulverized fuel ash and from 0 to 20% by weight of other fillers and/or diluents.The reinforcing material is particularly suitable for the reinforcing and stiffening of materials for use in the manufacture of shoes.

Abstract: A shoe support (18') for use e.g. in a machine for operating progressively on side wall portions of a lasted shoe upper comprises a last pin (722') and a toe support (792) both of which are movable heightwise to bring a shoe supported thereby to a heel seat height datum and toe end height datum as determined respectively by a toe abutment (806) and a holddown (450') which engages the insole in the heel seat region of the shoe. Heel end centralising means (390) and toe end centralising means (822') are also provided. More particularly toe centralising fingers (822') are provided with collars (882) mounted for equidistant heightwise movement to engage the lasting marginal portions of the shoe in the forepart region and thus level the shoe bottom about the heel-to-toe line determined by the holddown and toe abutment. In addition the last pin can rock about a lengthwise axis and is locked in "rocked" position by a wedging system (862, 866).

Abstract: The speed of rotation of a side wall roughing tool (250) can be varied in accordances with the speed of relative movement between the tool (250) and side wall portions of the shoe being roughed (the traverse speed of the tool). To this end, a flow control arrangement (F) is provided including a plurality of flow control valves (CV1, CV2), the arrangement being such that, with the rate of flow through each such valve set, the operator can select one or other to be switched into the hydraulic circuit by which a hydraulic motor (232) is driven, said motor effecting rotation of the tool. The selection of one or other flow control valve (CV1, CV2) is made by the operator during the digitishing of the path of the tool relative to the shoe and such information is stored together with the programmed instruction, in the form of digitised corrdiante axis values, for said path.

Abstract: A cushion insole/insock material having a compression stiffness, resilience and energy absorption to provide comfort in conventional or sports footware. The material is a non-woven, low density felt made from fibres and imrpegnated with a rubbery impregnant.

Abstract: A shoe support (18) for use in a machine for operating progressively onside wall portions of a lasted shoe upper comprises a last pin (722) and a toe support (792) both of which are movable heightwise to bring a shoe supported thereby to a heel seat height datum and toe end height datum as determined respectively by a holddown (450) and toe abutment (806). Heel end centralizing means (390) and toe end centralizing means (822) are also provided.

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.

Abstract: A machine for progressively roughing marginal portions of shoe bottoms comprising a shoe support (18) having toe support means (470) and a heel support arrangement including two sets of clamps (390, 392), one set (392) of which serves also as sensing means for sensing, by engagement with an off-set portion of the shoe last whether the shoe thus supported is a left or a right. An inductance sensing device (610) associated with the second set of clamps (392) supplies a signal to control means of the machine, the signal being dependent upon whether the shoe is a left or a right. The control means ensures that, in the operation of the machine, a roughing operation is carried out on the shoe bottom in such a manner that the inside waist region of the shoe bottom is traversed always in the same directiion, regardless of whether the shoe is a left or a right (and of course similarly the outside waist region is consistently operated upon).

Abstract: Two embodiments of the invention are described, namely a machine for performing an adhesive-applying operation progressively along marginal portions of the bottoms of lasted shoes and a machine for performing a roughing operation progressively along side wall portions of lasted shoes, each machine comprising a tool holder (670) for supporting a tool (20) for operating along three axes (X-, Y- and Z-axes) upon a workpiece surface, e.g. marginal portions of a shoe bottom. In addition the tool holder (670) is capable of pivoting in two directions, widthwise and lengthwise of the shoe bottom, about a point (P), but without displacment of said point in relation to the shoe support by reason of such pivotal movement. The movement along the various axes and the pivotal movement are all controlled by n.c. motors, e.g. stepping motors ((84), (144), (122), 698, 700), and operator-actuatable means is provided for enabling the path of such tool, including such pivotal movement, to the digitized under operator control.

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).

Abstract: A nozzle having a flexible blade member with a flat adhesive-receiving surface in combination with a rotary transfer roll and side wall elements forms a reservoir for adhesive "upstream" (in the direction of roll rotation) of the line of contact of a straight edge of the surface with the roll surface, the arrangement being such that a layer of the adhesive, doctored by blade member to control its thickness and with its width controlled by the wall elements, is applied to the roll surface and carried thereby to the operating locality. An adhesive supply system is also provided for supplying adhesive to the reservoir, said system including a melting device for adhesive in solid form and pressure control means for controlling the pressure under which the adhesive is supplied.

Abstract: The machine comprises a shoe support (10) and two side lasting instrumentalities (20), each of which comprises a fluid bag assembly (40) which, in a tilted position (determined by an abutment 44), is moved into engagement with a shoe, whereafter, by continued inward movement, the bag assemblies (40) are caused to pivot (or roll) upwardly and over the shoe bottom edge, thus to urge the shoe upper around the feather edge of the last and against the insole. The bag assemblies are inflatable, a higher air pressure being applied, so as to apply bedding pressure to the lasting margin, after the assemblies (40) have moved fully inwardly.

Abstract: A system for identifying workpieces by scanning them and "reading" details of their configuration is adapted for applying a desired pattern of material in liquid form (e.g. ink) or in powder form (e.g. toner material or a hot melt adhesive) to the workpieces regardless of their location and orientation on a workpiece support (18, 118). This is achieved by the pattern data (relating to the desired pattern) selected from a store being modified in accordance with positional data (relating to the location and orientation obtained during scanning FIG. 2). When the applied material is liquid and dispensed from such as a suitable tool such as a pen (152) or other liquid applicator. When the ink is in powder form, a suitable tool is an electrostatic printer (36) e.g. an ionographic printer.