Abstract: A heel nailing machine having a holddown for the heel which clamps the heel against movement during attachment. The holddown is then moved upwards to lift the heel and attached shoe off the stand. The holddown then swings to one side and the shoe is released. The shoe is thus automatically ejected from the machine.

Abstract: Novel rotary processors including sealing means to control leakage of pressure and/or material between processing passages which are maintained at significantly different pressure levels. The processors comprise a rotatable element carrying a plurality of annular channels and a stationary element providing a coaxial closure surface operationally arranged with the channels to provide enclosed processing passages. Each passage includes inlet means, outlet means and a channel blocking member all associated with the stationary element and arranged and adapted so that material fed to the inlet can be carried forward by the rotatable channel walls to the blocking member for discharge from the passage. The passages are interconnected by material transfer grooves formed in the closure surface.

Abstract: A machine for sequentially manufacturing a plurality of reinforced substrates such as shoe uppers, comprising a powder deposition station wherein a stencil assembly applies powder onto an annular receiving belt, the powder being applied in a three-dimensional configuration because of peripheral spacer means arranged on the cut-out between the stencil and the receiving surface. The annular receiving surface is empowered to rotate to an arcuate heating station where the powder is fused by heating elements arranged thereabove and therebelow. The fused powder is then moved to a join and cool station where a substrate is pressed against the fused powder by a transfer means causing it to press against a chill plate therebeneath.

Abstract: A sewing machine system possesses an interactive communication capability allowing for the assignment of stitch patterns with respect to workpieces to be sewn. The workpieces are arranged within pallets having binary codes impressed thereon. The stitch pattern assignments are made in conjunction with the sensing of the binary codes. The workpieces are automatically processed from a location wherein the binary codes are sensed, to a location wherein the pallets are attached to an automatic positioning system. The workpieces are furthermore processed through to an output position when the respectively assigned stitch pattern has been sewn.

Abstract: A powder deposition apparatus comprising a stencil means having an upper non-permeable surface, with a cut-out therethrough is adapted on top of a screen, and a lowermost foil surface with a similar aligned cut-out therethrough which apparatus is articulatable over a receiving surface. The apparatus also comprises a gasket which is secured to the lowermost foil side of the screen, around at least a portion of the cut-out. The gasket may be of uniform thickness along its entire length or of tapering thickness at its end portions.

Abstract: A swing beam press in which the beam is supported on a column which stands up from the machine frame. The column contains a piston-cylinder unit for raising and lowering the beam. The cylinder is formed in the column and a piston rod of the piston projects upwardly out of the column and supports the beam. The beam has a downwards projection which embraces the column to guide the movement of the beam. This construction reduces the friction involved in beam movement and reduces costs.

Abstract: Shoe upper conforming machine for use in side lasting shoe uppers using lasting rollers which operate progressively along opposite side portions of the shoe has a facility for varying the speed of relative movement between the shoe support and the side lasting instrumentalities. To this end two preset speeds ("slow" and "fast") are available and either the operator can select which speed, using a manually operable switch, or, by selecting an automatic cycle, the speed can be automatically switched during the machine cycle. In particular, it has been found desirable that, with certain styles of shoe the speed of traverse is reduced in the joint region of the shoe bottom. Where adhesive applying nozzles are also provided, if desired the rate of flow of adhesive can be similarly controlled (viz. by selecting from two pre-settings).

Abstract: A variable insertion rate control system for a component insertion machine is disclosed. An insertion rate is read and retained by the control system which thereafter authorizes insertion of components at the indicated insertion rate. In order to achieve relatively high insertion rates, the downward stroke of the component insertion head is commanded before the receiving medium is registered in position for receiving the component.

Abstract: In a rod cement feeding apparatus, the rod passes between two plates, pivoted to one another, each plate having a semi-cylindrical groove, so that the two grooves for a substantially cylindrical passageway for the rod. The surfaces of the plates in which the grooves are provided are, over most of their length, spaced apart by projections, so that opposed slots are formed which extend into the passageway for the rod. Projecting into one such slot is a spring-urged jaw which co-operates with a fixed jaw which projects into the other slot, the jaws being moved lengthwise of the passageway by a pneumatic cylinder arrangement. As the jaws are moved in one direction, the spring-urged jaw tends to bite into the rod so that the rod is fed with the jaws during their advancing movement, while when the jaws are moved in the opposite direction the rotatable jaw releases its grip so that there is no tendency for the rod to be fed in the opposite direction.

Abstract: Side lasting machine has a last support and two side lasting assemblies each comprising a plurality of lasting fingers, a plurality of clamp pads arranged beneath the fingers, one associated with each pair of fingers, and, depending from each finger and interposed between the pads and the upper, a plurality of lasting bands. Each band extends over the width of not less than two fingers; preferably in the region of the two most heelwardly disposed pairs, a single band is provided. Each pad is mounted for independent pivotal movement about a vertical axis, to enable it to conform more readily to the last contour. The pads hold the bands against the upper under a pressure sufficient to allow slipping therebetween, the band thus applying an updrafting force to the upper as the fingers move inwardly.

Abstract: Temperature control means for a deflectable shell roll having lengthwise passages and being mounted for rotation on a fixed beam received in the inner race of a triple race bearing. The middle race of the bearing rotates with the shell roll and provides conduits between the roll shell passages and a central axial bore communicating with a rotary joint providing an inlet and an outlet for circulation of temperature control fluid through the shell passages.

Abstract: The invention relates to a relatively inexpensive, non-blocking, low density sound deadening mastic material. Essentially, the composition of the improved sound deadening mastic material of this invention includes a mineral filler, an elastomer, a polymeric modifier and a foaming (or blowing) agent. The mastic material is particularly useful in sheet form for automotive applications.

Abstract: In a computer-controlled sewing machine for performing a joining operation, e.g. on shoe uppers, a workpiece holder comprises three clamp members one of which is fixed, defining a reference plane, and the others are movable. Two members are provided with workpiece component locating means for locating components in relation to one another and to the sewing instrumentalities of the machine. In use, a first component is located on the first member and is then clamped between the second and third members and, with the first member retracted, a second component is located by the second, fixed, member and then clamped by the first and third members. This facilitates work-handling and improved output of the machine. For selecting a desired sewing pattern, sensing means is provided which detects the particular workpiece components clamped and signals the computer control means of the machine accordingly.

Abstract: A computer-controlled machine for progressively roughing marginal portions of shoe bottoms comprises a tool carrier on which two rotary roughing brushes (168) are carried side-by-side, and a shoe support (18) between which and the tool carrier relative movement takes place lengthwise, widthwise and heightwise of the shoe bottom. Each tool (168) is mounted so as to "float" heightwise in relation to the tool carrier, resilient means (175) being provided for urging each tool independently downwardly towards the shoe support (18). In this way the pressure applied by each tool to the shoe bottom in the operation of the machine can be controlled and/or regulated. For effecting relative movement between tool carrier and shoe support, numerically controlled motors are provided, operating in response to a programmed instruction. Such instruction can be made using the machine in a path-determining mode.

Abstract: A ball bearing separator assembly comprising an annular ball separator having partitions extending axially from one side thereof, which partitions are abuttable with an annular retention ring, thus forming a circumferential array of ball pockets for bearings.The retention ring may have an axial array of fingers which snap into channels or voids in the partitions to lock them together. The ball separator in another embodiment may have pins which extend from the distal end of the molded separator partitions, which pins may mate with corresponding orifii in the retention ring. The pins may be distorted after mating with their respective orifii to secure the retention ring to the distal ends of the partitions on the ball separator.The annular body portions of the separator and its associated retention ring may be of reduced radial dimension adjacent the ball pockets thereof, to permit flexure of the separator assembly during rotation with a bearing about non-circular harmonic drive-type wave generator mechanisms.

Abstract: A multiple needle sewing machine having a shiftable needle mechanism wherein threaded needles may be shuttled from an active to an inactive position and vice versa. A thread wiping mechanism, comprising an arrangement of articulated fingers is disposed adjacent the needles' inactive positions. Upon a proper signal, the fingers extend to a position to await the inactive needle, whereupon, the fingers will be retracted, catching only the thread of the inactive needle holding it out of the way of the needle in the active position. The thread wiping mechanism may be actuated by reciprocable means attached to the fingers, which actuation occurs upon receipt of a proper signal during operation of the sewing machine.

Abstract: A plastic pipe clip is adapted for attachment to a threaded weld stud and has means for receiving one or more pipes. Each pipe can be easily mounted in the clip without risk of damage due to the yielding of a resilient arm which, after receiving the pipe and embracing it, is locked against opening should the pipe be accidentally pulled away.

Abstract: A high performance machine for selecting electronic components from magazines containing a variety of configured components, the components in each of the magazines have a different center line spacing from the center line spacing the components of each of the other magazines, each magazine having control unit indicating the particular configured components contained in the magazine for providing signals for controlling the setting of component conditioning and inserting devices for operating on each component according to its particular configuration.

Abstract: A fabric tensioning mechanism for pulling taut a flexible material arranged in a support frame, which frame is controllably movable in X-Y directions in a sewing machine setup. The fabric tensioning device is particularly useful to tension flimsy materials. A tensioning mechanism comprises several pivotable clamps arranged opposed one another across the support frame. The clamps are pivotable on the frame, and at least one clamp is movable with respect to the frame toward and away from its opposing clamp a regulatable distance to effect regulatable tension within any material pulled therebetween.

Abstract: A device having four engagement points movable along a bore and provided with an optical target or gage adjustable in cross directions normal to the bore axis and a probe mounted for rotation on the gage and engageable with the cylindrical surface of the bore for determining concentricity of the gage and the bore axis.