Abstract: A method for automatically pulling a shoe upper onto a last using a robot which includes a robot controller, a robot arm controlled automatically by the robot controller, and a gripper which is moved by the robot arm and which is designed to hold a shoe upper.

Abstract: A shoe mold set includes a mold, a movable block and an adjustment unit. The mold is connected to the movable block, and both are slidably between two rail members of the replacement unit. The replacement unit is connected with the adjustment unit which is adjustably located between the top board and the bottom board of the replacement unit. The mold is micro-adjustable by operation of the adjustment unit.

Abstract: A method for the production of footwear is disclosed which comprises providing and attaching a midsole member with integrated toe and heel counters. The process provides for efficient use of labor and machinery by reducing the number of steps required in footwear production and by reducing the number of machines required. The method comprises placing the midsole over a liner, drawing a pre-formed upper over the midsole and attaching a sole to the upper. Attachment of the components is preferably by a heat-activated glue. The midsole component is adaptable to a number of applications by modifying such aspects as the size and shape of the toe and heel counters, the size, shape and/or presence of side walls, the contour and thickness of the bottom, and the attachment of shanks or other stiffening or resiliency modifying members.

Abstract: An apparatus for the lasting of shoe uppers or shoes onto shoe lasts, and for the removal of the completed shoes from the shoe lasts, includes a two-part shoe last having a front toe part and a heel part, a fixing device for removably mounting the front toe part on the frame, and a coupling device for movably and releasably mounting the heel part of the frame, the coupling and/or fixing device including pivotable clamping bars, and a height-adjustable mechanism for moving the heel part and its coupling from a rest position toward the front toe part, and back to such rest position.