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: 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 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.