Abstract: A shoe support for supporting a shoe, bottom uppermost, with the bottom thereof exposed for an operation to be performed thereon, has a heel end support arrangement and toe end support means moveable relative thereto to accommodate shoes of different sizes. Associated with the toe end support means is a "shoe present" sensing device which, when actuated, initiates movement of the toe and support means. The shoe support also has a shoe length sensing device and an arrangement, associated with the heel and support arrangement and including an inductance sensor, for sensing whether the shoe is a left or right.

Abstract: An extrusion press having a die slide assembly capable of shearing the extrusion in the die, and transporting the die to a side movable transfer table for change thereof, the assembly eliminating excessive projection beyond the confines of the extrusion press of die transport equipment. The die slide assembly includes a first hydraulic cylinder for shearing an extrusion from the die, and a second hydraulic cylinder mounted adjacent the first cylinder for transporting the die and die holder to a transfer station on the side of said platen, permitting an exchange of the die holder die therewith, when necessary. The second hydraulic cylinder is movable with the die slide assembly to minimize the length requirements of the second hydraulic unit and still effectuate full traverse of the die holder.

Abstract: Novel and improved methods and apparatus for processing liquid or viscous materials. Essentially, the methods and apparatus involve feeding liquid materials to an annular processing passage for controlled processing. The annular processing passage is provided by two elements. One is a rotatable element carrying at least one processing channel. The other element is stationary and provides a complementary coaxial surface arranged with the channel to provide the enclosed processing passage. Also associated with the stationary element are an inlet for feeding material to the passage, an outlet for discharging material from the passage, an element near the outlet providing a material collecting end wall surface and an element positioned between the inlet and outlet providing a liquid material spreading surface.

Abstract: A novel, improved rotary processor comprising a rotatable element carrying a plurality of processing channels and a stationary element having a coaxial closure surface operationally arranged with the channels to provide a plurality of enclosed processing passages. The plurality of passages provide interconnected processing stages including a first processing stage and a second processing stage having inboard and outboard sections separated by a third processing stage.

Abstract: Improved spacer frames for multi-pane double glazing units coated with improved adhesives for assembling such units.

Abstract: A mechanism for successively presenting new edges of a tool for application against a rotating member being machined. The tool has an annular edge which is forced against a rotating member, by emplacement in the distal end of a movable arm. The arm has a ratchet mechanism into which the tool is secured. The ratchet mechanism rotates the tool on the end of the arm to advance a new edge thereof, against the member being machined. The ratchet is activated by an indexing piston which causes the ratchet and tool associated therewith, to rotate with respect to the member being machined, to present a proper edge thereagainst, minimizing machine down-time for tool adjustment and repair.

Abstract: A single-station combined toe and side lasting machine comprises pulling over instrumentalities 20, 22 for tensioning an upper over its last, toe lasting instrumentalities, including toe wipers 38, toe pad 48 and toe band 50, a heel support 56, two adhesive applying nozzles 28 and side lasting instrumentalities 114 constituted by two lasting rollers 176. In operation, with the upper tensioned, first the shoe is clamped by the toe lasting instrumentalities and heel support to allow adhesive to be applied progressively along opposite side portions from the toe to heel breast. Then the lasting rollers operate progressively from the ball region to the heel breast, and, when the rollers have cleared the ball region, the inwiping movement of the toe wipers is completed. The nozzles and side lasting rollers are mounted on a common carriage 26 which moved rectilinearly, supports 116 for the rollers being mounted for movement thereon about three perpendicular axes 82, 122, 140.

Abstract: An X-Y positioning apparatus having a dual drive arrangement for the X-direction of motion. The dual drive arrangement includes a pair of pinion gears engaging gear racks extending rearwardly from a frame member. A carriage is mounted for movement along the frame member in a Y-direction. The pinion gears are joined together by a rigid coupling which can be disengaged so as to allow for the adjustment and alignment of the X and Y directions of motion.

Abstract: A gage for locating the center of circular workpieces including a primary probe engageable with the periphery of a workpiece along a radial plane, a secondary probe spaced from the primary probe and swingable about a pivot axis coaxial with the engagement point of the primary probe, and a gage surface assuming a particular angular relation to the plane depending on the extent of the swinging movement of the secondary probe, the angular disposition of the gage surface being indicative of the distance between the periphery and the center of the workpiece.

Abstract: A shoe support comprises toe support means (34) and heel support means (30), the toe support means being mounted for adjusting movement relative to the heel support means in directions extending lengthwise, widthwise and heightwise of the bottom of a shoe supported by the shoe support. The heel support means (30) comprises a last pin (32') mounted for limited rocking movement abut an axis (412) extending lengthwise of the shoe bottom, the last pin being supported on a support member (420) which is angularly displaceable on a support rod (28), the arrangement being such that the rocking axis (412) of the last pin (32') can be adjusted angularly on the support rod, thus to locate said axis (412) substantially in the heel-to-toe plane of the shoe, as determined by the position of the toe support means (34). In this way, the shoe is supported in a more stable manner for operations to be performed thereon, e.g. a heel seat lasting operation.

Abstract: The machine comprises a shoe support (20) on which a shoe can be positioned, and which includes a toe end engaging member (48) which senses the shoe length, two abutment faces (84, 90) being set along shoe length sensed. The machine also comprises adhesive-applying nozzles (262) and side lasting rolls (224) mounted on a carriage (216) for movement relative to the last support. The "start" position of the nozzles is set by valves (334,336) actuated by cams (330, 332) positioned by a sensing member (326) engaging with one abutment face (84). Various other machine operations, which take place at the ball region of the shoe bottom, the position of which region thus varies proportionately with shoe length, are controlled by further valves (354, 356) actuated by cams (350, 352) carried on a control rod (344) the position of which is determined by a sensing member (338) engaging the other abutment face (90), an appropriate length grading arrangement (342) connecting said member and said control rod.

Abstract: A drive unit for inserting threaded studs into drilled holes, the unit including a shank with an extension at one end adapted to be inserted into a drill chuck, a threaded extension at the other end and a polygonally shaped central portion.

Abstract: Equipment to visually identify insertion points to an operator of a pre-programmed, semi-automatic electronic assembly station. This equipment includes a pair of illuminators disposed at opposite ends of a cut-clinch mechanism and arranged to shine on the underside of the circuit board. The illuminators are carried by the cut-clinch mechanism and are free to move transversely and rotate axially, as the mechanism rotates and moves during the assembly steps.

Abstract: Endwise insertion of leads projecting generally radially, or substantially in parallel, from one side of each of a plurality of interconnected electrical components is effected in rapid reliable succession. The components are sequentially fed into the head of a machine by a tape indexing mechanism. There, when aligned with a reciprocable inserter, the leads of each component after being cut to predetermined length are separated from the tape by spaced members acting transversely on the progressively guided tape.

Abstract: A multi-stage rotary processor particularly useful for processing plastic and polymeric materials. The multi-stage rotary processor includes a rotatable element carrying a plurality of processing channels and a stationary element providing a coaxial closure surface cooperatively arranged with the channels to provide a plurality of enclosed processing passages. Also associated with the stationary element are inlets, outlets and blocking members for each passage and arranged so that material fed to the passage can be dragged forward by the channel walls, and collected at the blocking member for discharge from a passage(s) of one stage to a passage of another. The geometry of the passage receiving material is selected to provide optimum processing efficiency, resulting in a processing rate capability for that passage greater than the rate at which material is supplied to the passage.

Abstract: A generally "U" or "V" shaped clip type fastener adapted to secure a projection on one part in an opening or aperture in another part. The fastener has a lead portion for insertion into the opening with locking tabs for attachment to the projection and a trailing locking portion which passes over the projection and has oppositely disposed locking shoulder abutting the sides of the opening to lock the projection into the opening. In this arrangement, the clip can be inserted onto the projection with the locking tabs retaining the clip on the projection. The part with the projection can then be secured to the part with the opening by merely inserting the clip into the opening and forcing the parts together to "snap fit" the clip into the opening.

Abstract: In tack seat lasting machines, operator skill is often required because of irregularities in last manufacture, especially in drilling the last pin hole. Thus, automatic presentation is difficult. In accordance with the invention the last pin (32') is mounted for limited rocking movement about an axis extending lengthwise of the shoe bottom, and shoe centralizing means (424) engages edges of the shoe, at opposite sides of the last pin, to ensure alignment with a longitudinal center line of the machine. The centralized shoe is then clamped by a holddown (406), the centralizing means released, and the shoe heel end clamped by a heel band (520) which, by equalized pressure being applied to both "legs" thereof, holds, the shoe in position as presented.

Abstract: A one piece molded strap assembly is provided to be employed in limiting travel between two movable parts. A pair of expandable bosses are connected by a resilient link and a drive pin is molded to each of the bosses which when separated from, and inserted into, a respective boss is effective to expand the boss and return it in an opening formed in a respective part.

Abstract: An arrangement for loading an injection unit of an injection molding machine by a stuffer apparatus wherein a uniform measure of plastic-like material is consecutively fed to the machine. The arrangement comprises a plurality of container units which are movable from a receiving position under a hopper to a discharge position over the injection unit of the injection molding machine wherein the material is rammed therein. As one of the container units is being emptied into the machine, another container unit may be filled, reducing time between successive loadings and unloadings thereof.

Abstract: A side lasting machine having a last support, for supporting a last bottom uppermost, and two side lasting assemblies, arranged one at each side of the last support, each assembly comprising a plurality of lasting elements (fingers), a plurality of clamp pads arranged beneath the fingers, and depending from each finger and interposed between the pads and the upper, a plurality of lasting bands. In operation, the pads hold the bands against the upper under a pressure sufficient to allow slipping between the bands and the pads, while causing the bands to apply a drafting force to the upper. As the fingers move inwardly, they draw the bands upwards so that the upper is updrafted before the lasting margin is secured to the insole. The fingers, in the rest condition, are spaced above the level of the last bottom and move downwardly thereonto as they are moved inwardly, thus avoiding the need to set their heightwise position for different styles of shoe.