US2005610A - Sole affixing machine - Google Patents

Description

J1me 1935- w. c. CARD, JR

SOLE AFFIXING MACHINE Filed June 2'7. 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet l m m m w.

0/ & m c

June 18, 1935.

W. C. CARD, JR

SOLE AFFIXING MACHINE Filed June 27, 19 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 m m m m A TTORNEYS.

June 18, 1935. w Q CARD, JR 2,005,610

SOLE AFFIXING MACHINE Filed June 2' 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

&? QM,

VA TTORNEYS.

June 18, 1935. w c A D, JR 2,005,610

SOLE AFFIXING MACHINE Filed June 27. 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN V EN TOR.

' d ATTORNEYS.

June 11%, 1935. w. c. CARD, JR 2,005,610

SOLE AFFIXING MACHINE Filed June 27, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

Patented June 18, 1935 UNITED STATES SOLE AFFIXIN G MACHINE William 0. Card, Jr., Waverly, Masa, assignor to Compo Shoe Machinery Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application June 27, 1929, Serial No. 373,973

Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for use in the manufacture of footwear particularly by those processes in which the sole is adhesively attached to the lasted upper, and, more particularly, to sole-aflixing machines of the multiple-press type.

A general object of the invention is to provide an apparatus by which soles may be adhesively affixed in a rapid, efiicient and economical manner.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a sole-afiixing machine of the multiplepress type which is of simple and sturdy construction and which operates with ease and efficiency, conserving the time and energy of the operator, whereby an increased number of soles may be affixed per unit of time and labor.

Another object of the invention is to provide improvements in the construction of the soleafiixing press and the mechanism for inflating and deflating the pressure pad thereof.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of my invention, a portion of the conveyor being broken away for convenience of illustration;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of Fig. 1, the righthand end being shown partly broken away;'

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of Fig. 1, the righthand end being shown partly broken away;

Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken along the dot-dash line 4-4 in Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4a is a detailed view of a. portion of the clutch mechanism taken along the line 4a-4a in Fig. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 5 is an end elevation of Fig. 1 looking from the left in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken along the dot-dash line 6-5 in Fig. 1, parts being broken away and the scale being enlarged to show structural details;

Fig. 7 is an end elevation of the shoe press shown in Fig. 6 looking from the right;

Fig. 8 is a similar view looking from the left; and

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view the dot-dash lines 9-9 in Fig. 6 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Considered generally, the present invention includes as novel features an improved type of carrier for the sole-aflixing presses; improvements in the presses per se; means for automatically releasing the shoe from pressure after the adhesive has set, and positioning and maintaining the parts of the press so that the soled shoe may readily be removed therefrom and a fresh one clamped therein; improved means for inflating the pressure pads of the jacks;- means for rapidly deflating the pad at the operator's station in case a sole has been improperly positioned; and means for automatically positioning the parts of an empty press so that they will not interfere with the operation of the machine during the traverse of the carrier.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the embodiment shown comprises a frame it! carrying front and rear members It and i2 respectively, in the inner faces of each of which are disposed U-shaped tracks I3 adapted to engage rollers I l disposed on the ends of the sole-affixing presses l5, whereby the latter are properly guided and supported throughout the traverse of the machine.

The presses 05 are pivotally mounted at l6 at spaced intervals on a chain conveyor ll, which has upper and lower horizontal traverses and which at the ends of the machine passes over sprocket wheels l8 and Hi mounted on shafts 20 and 2t, respectively, having suitable hearings in the frame It]. The shaft 20 upon which the sprocket wheel it is keyed is adapted to be intermittently driven, and accordingly is provided with an index plate 22 having lateral notches 23 disposed circumferentially thereof at spaced distances equal to the distance between the pivotal mountings MS or between the centers of the presses l5.

Cooperating with the notches 23, and normally resting in one thereof, is the oifset end 24 of a clutch-bar 25 which is rockingly mounted on a pivot 26 and is provided with a yoke-member 21 carrying a clutch-member 28 which is suitably driven, as by a geared motor (not shown). The other end 29 of the clutch-bar 25 is attached to a headed rod 30 on which is disposed a spring 3i which acts on the end 29 of the clutch-bar and through the pivot 26 to urge the offset end taken along 24 toward the notched plate 22 and resiliently holds it in such of the notches 23 as may be in registry therewith. The end 29 of the clutchbar 25 is also connected to a bell-crank lever 32 having one end formed into a handle and extending through the front of the frame ID in a position convenient to the operator. It will thus be seen that when the handle of the lever 32 is raised by the operator the offset end 24 of the clutch-bar 25 will be lifted out of a notch 23, whereupon the driven clutch-member 28 will be moved to engage a mating clutch-member 33 having a sprocket 34' which is connected by a chain 34 to a sprocket 35 keyed to the shaft 20. The shaft 20 will thereupon be rotated and the offset end 24 of the clutch-bar 25 will ride on the face of the plate 22 until it again is forced into a notch 23. At this instant the clutch-member 28 will again be disengaged and the conveyor I1 will have been advanced a distance equal to the spacing of the centres of two adjacent sole-aflixing presses. To facilitate engagement and disengagement of the clutch-members, the contacting surfaces of each are preferably formed with teeth having their driving faces set at an angle of about 30 as shown in Fig. 4a..

The sole-affixing presses l5, as shown particularly in Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive, each comprise a hollow base-member 36 having a depression 31 in its top generally conforming in longitudinal contour to the bottom of the shoe to be clamped thereon and adapted to receive an inflatable pad 38. This pad may be conveniently constructed by enclosing a rubber bag 39 within a leather casing 40, the size and shape of both of which cause the pad generally to conform to the depression 31 and to have its edges projecting under the side and end flange members 41! and 4| which are attached to the base-member 36 and project slightly over the depression 31 to prevent excessive rolling of the edges of the sole. A novel and important feature of the press construction is the provision of a forming cushion 42 of leather or fabric which overlies the pad 33 and is clamped at the ends under the flange-members 4|. Connected to the rubber bag 39 are inlet and outlet valves 43 and 44 respectively, which preferably are separate and extend through apertures in the rear and front ends respectively of the base-member 36. The stem of the inlet valve may, if desired, be conveniently formed with a nipple 45 to facilitate connection with the source of pressure, and adjacent the outlet valve '44 there is provided a plunger 46 which, when moved inwardly, unseats the plunger of the outlet valve and releases the pressure from the pad 38.

In order that the shoe may be securely held against the pressure of the pad 38 during the sole-aflixing operation the press i5 is provided at its end adjacent the rear of the machine with 'an upstanding post 41 carrying a forked member 48, at the upper end of which a clamping lever 49 is pivotally mounted. The member 49 also carries a pivoted member 59 for a purpose hereinafter to be pointed out, and the clamping lever 49 is provided with downwardly-depending members 5| and 52 comprising an instep pad and last pin respectively. These members are pivotally mounted on the lever 49 and may each be adjusted thereaiong by moving the pivot pin into one of a series of holes 53. These holes allow of adjustment for size and are upwardly-inclined toward the rear of the press to simultaneously compensate for the increased height of a larger shoe at the instep and heel as the pivots are moved away from the pivot of the lever.

At its free end the clamping lever 49 is provided with at least one notch 54 which is adapted to be engaged by a pin 55 carried by an inverted U-shaped bail-member 56 pivotally supported on a post 51 mounted on that end of the press I5 which is opposed to the post 41. The bail-member 56 has attached thereto an outwardlyand downwardly-projecting arm 68 for a purpose hereinafter to be pointed out.

For convenient attachment and removal from the machine the base-member 36 of the press I! is provided with a pair of slotted tongues 59 adapted to receive the pivot pin l6, and the rollers H are removably secured on the base-member, as by means of cotter pins 60.

Positioned at the rear of the machine and in registry with at least one air-inlet nipple 45 when the conveyor I1 is at rest is a chuck 6|, which is connected to a suitable pressure supply, such as, for example, an air-pressure tank, by means of a flexible hose 62. The chuck 6| is movable toward and into contact with the nipple 45 by means of a foot-treadle 63 connected thereto by suitable linkage 64. Interposed between the chuck 6| and the air-supply hose 62, and movable with the chuck, is a whistle-valve 65, the valve stem 66 of which, during forward movement, rides up on a cam 61 afiixed to the rear of the machine frame I0, whereby the valve is gradually opened. In order that the operator may be apprised of the pressure in the pad 38 the air-supply mechanism is also preferably provided with a pressure gauge 68. The mechanism may also be conveniently provided with a pressure-regulating valve 69.

From the above description it will be seen that as the lever 32 is lifted by the operator the individual presses 5 will be sequentially positioned in registry with the chuck 6| of the air-pressure supply, and that in this loading position a lasted shoe upper and the sole therefor may be rendered adhesive and clamped in proper relation with respect to each other on the pressure pad 38 by means of the clamping lever 49 and the bailmember 56, whereupon, by depressing the foot treadle 63, the pad 38 may be inflated to the desired degree and the next press may be brought into loading position. Each press as it is loaded will then pass at least part way around the traverse of the track l3 until the adhesive is sufficiently dried, whereupon the pressure is released and the shoe removed from the press in a manner hereinafter to be pointed out.

In order to conserve the time and energy of the operator of the machine, there is provided means for automatically releasing the pressure of the pads 38 sequentially as the presses approach the loading station and for thereafter raising the clamping lever 49 away from the pad so that, as any given press arrives at the loading station, all the operator needs to do is to lift off the treated shoe from the pad. The mechanism by which this is preferably accomplished is shown particularly in Figs. 2, 3 and 6, to which attention is directed. Located upon the machine frame I!) at a position preceding the loading station by one or more press positions is an air-release cam 10, which actuates the member 46 as any given press is moved thereover by the conveyor. To insure eifective release of pressure the cam 10 is preferably extended for a space equal to the spacing of several presses; Incase the loading operation is improperly carried out by the operator and readjustment of the shoe is necessary before passing it around the traverse of the conveyor, there is provided an auxiliary pressure release mechanism comprising the plunger 46, which is resiliently held in outer position by the spring 46" but which may be actuated by the torso of the operator against the plunger 46 to release the pressure from the bag 39.

The release of the pressure from the pad 38 allows of releasing the bail-member 56 from the notch 54 of the clamping lever 49, and for this purpose the bail-member is provided with the above-mentioned offset arm 58 which is wiped by another cam-member I I, also positioned upon the frame l and at a point intermediate the loading station and the cam 10, positively to release the clamping lever. Thereafter, as a given press moves toward the loading station, the pivoted member 50 passes under a cam 12 located on the rear of the frame H], which acts to press downwardly the extending end of the pivoted member 50 and thereby raise the clamping lever 49 to the dot-dash position shown in Fig. 6. At this time the last pin 52 is pulled out of the last and the shoe is left on the pad 38 so that it need merely be lifted oil by the operator.

The cam 12 is elongated in form, as shown, for example, in Figs. 2 and 3, and extends to a point adjacent the loading station. At this latter point there is provided a member I3, which is in effect an extension of the cam 12 and acts resiliently to maintain the clamping lever 49 in raised position at the loading station, thereby facilitating the insertion of a new shoe in the press. In order that the clamping lever 49 may again be forced into clamping position the member 13 is movable vertically with respect to the frame-member i0 and is provided with an extension 14 slidably mounted in a slide-member 15 attached to the frame; the extension 14 being normally held in lowered position by a spring 16, which latter, however, allows the member 13 to be raised by the pivoted member 50 as the clamping lever 49 is forced into position, and after the loaded press has been moved from the loading station pulls the member I3 back into position to hold the clamping lever of the next press resiliently in raised position as aforesaid.

If for any reason an empty press is allowed to pass the loading station without a shoe being loaded therein, it is desirable that the clamping lever i9 and the bail-member 56 be automatically moved to position as if the press were loaded, thereby avoiding any possibility of the pivoted parts becoming entangled in the machine frame or dragging on the floor during the bottom traverse. For this purpose the frame I0 is provided at the end traverses of the conveyor with a cammember H which forces the pivoted bail-member 56 into engagement with the clamping lever d9 of the empty press, which, by reason of its release from the member i3, will have fallen to horizontal position, the said cam-members 11 continuing to hold the bail-member 56 in said position until-by the action of gravity on the downward traverse the notches 54 are firmly engaged by the pin 55 of the bail-member 5B; the corresponding cam-member I8 at the other end of the machine acting in a similar manner to hold the parts in clamped relation as the action of gravity ceases to be effective.

As will be readily understood from the above description certain of the features of the present invention may be utilized in connection with various types of presses used in the manufacture and repair of footwear, as well as with various types of press carriers heretofore suggested for use in machines of the multiple-press type. Therefore, it is for reasons of convenience and simplicity that the illustrated embodiment of the invention has been confined to a preferred type of carrier and to the gas-pressure type of press. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to these features or to the use in soleaflixing machines as distinguished from solelaying or sole-leveling machines, and since certain changes may be made in the above construction, and different embodiments of the invention could be made, without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which as a matter of language might be said to fall therebetween.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a movable flexible elongate carrier, a plurality of shoe presses mounted on said carrier and adapted to be moved through a circuitous path thereby, each of said presses including an inflatable pressure pad and means for clamping a shoe thereagainst; means including an air supply source at a predetermined position along said circuitous path for thereafter increasing the pressure of the pad against the shoe, means for subsequently decreasing the pad pressure, and means for positively releasing said clamping means.

2. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a movable flexible elongate carrier, a plurality of shoepresses mounted on said carrier and adapted to be moved through a circuitous path thereby, each of said presses including an inflatable pressure pad and means for clamping a shoe thereagainst; means including an air supply source at a predetermined position along said circuitous path for thereafter increasing the pressure of the pad against the shoe, means for decreasing the pad pressure at a position in said circuitous path preceding said predetermined position; and means for subsequently positively releasing said clamping means.

3. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a movable flexible elongate carrier, a plurality of shoe presses mounted on said carrier and adapted to be moved through a circuitous path thereby, each of said presses including an inflatable pressure pad, a lever for clamping a shoe thereagainst, and means for securing said lever in clamping position; means including an air supply source at a predetermined position along said circuitous path for thereafter increasing the pressure of the pad against the shoe,

means for decreasing the pad pressure at a posiagainst the shoe at a predetermined position in said circuitous path, means for decreasing the pad pressure at a position in said circuitous path preceding said predetermined position, fixed cam means along said path for subsequently releasing said lever-securing means, and additional cam means along said path for moving the released lever away from said pressure pad whereby unloading and loading of the press will be facilitated.

5. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a movable flexible elongate carrier, a plurality of shoe presses mounted on said carrier and adapted to be moved through a circuitous path thereby, each of said presses including an inflatable and deflatable pressure pad, and means for holding a shoe thereagainst; means including an air supply source at a predetermined position along said circuitous path for inflating the pad, and means for subsequently deflating the pad.

6. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a movable flexible elongate carrier, a plurality of shoe presses mounted on said carrier and adapted to be moved through a circuitous path thereby, each of said presses including an inflatable and deflatable pressure pad, and means for holding a shoe thereagainst; means including an air supply source at a predetermined position along said circuitous path for inflating the pad, and means for deflating the pad at a position in said circuitous path preceding said predetermined position.

7. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a movable flexible elongate carrier, a plurality of shoe presses mounted on said carrier and adapted to be moved through a circuitous path thereby, each of said presses including an inflatable and deflatable pressure pad, and means for holding a shoe thereagainst; manually-controlled means including an air supply source at a predetermined position along said circuitous path for inflating the pad, and automatic means for deflating the pad' at a position in said circuitous path preceding said predetermined position.

8. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a movable carrier, a plurality of shoe presses mounted on said carrier and adapted to be moved through a circuitous path thereby, each of said presses including an inflatable and deflatable pressure pad, and means for clamping a shoe thereagainst; means for thereafter inflating the pad at a predetermined position in said circuitous path, means for subsequently deflating the pad and relieving said clamping means from pressure, fixed cam means along said path for subsequently releasing said clamping means, and additional cam means along said path for moving the released clamping means away from said pressure pad whereby unloading and loading of the press will be facilitated.

9. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a movable flexible elongate carrier, a plurality of shoe presses mounted on said carrier and adapted to be moved through a circuitous path thereby, each of said presses including an inflatable and deflatable pad; manually-controlled means including an air chuck located at a predetermined position along said circuitous path and movable into cooperative relation with each pad successively for inflating the pad, and automatic means for deflating the pad at a position in said circuitous path preceding said predetermined position.

10. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a movable carrier, a plurality of shoe presses mounted on said carrier and adapted to be moved through a circuitous path thereby, each of said presses including a pad and means for clamping the shoe thereon; said carrier providing a loading station at which a shoe may be clamped in a press, means for releasing the clamping means at a point in-said circuitous path preceding the presentation of a press at the loading station, and means located at the loading station resiliently to hold the clamping means away from the pad to facilitate loading but to allow of clamping the shoe on the pad.

11. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a movable carrier, a plurality of shoe presses mounted on said carrier and adapted to be moved through a circuitous path thereby, each of said presses including a pad and means for clamping the shoe thereon; said carrier providing a loading station at which a shoe may be clamped in a press, means for raising the clamping means away from the pad at points in said circuitous path preceding the presentation of a press at the loading station, and means at the loading station resiliently to hold the clamping means away from the pad to facilitate loading but to allow of clamping the shoe on the pad.

12. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a movable carrier, a plurality of shoe presses mounted on said carrier and adapted to be moved through a circuitous path thereby, each of said presses including a pad and lever means for clamping a shoe thereon; said carrier providing a loading station at which a shoe may be clamped in a press, a fixed cam for raising the lever means away from the pad at points in said circuitous path preceding the presentation of a press at the loading station, and a movable cam at the loading station resiliently to hold the lever means away from the pad to facilitate loading but to allow of clamping the shoe on the pad.

13. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a movable carrier, a plurality of shoe presses mounted on said carrier and adapted to be moved through a circuitous path thereby, each of said presses including an inflatable and deflatable pad and means for clamping the shoe thereon; said carrier providing a loading station at which a shoe may be clamped in a press, means for thereafter inflating the pad, means for subsequently deflating the pad, means for raising the clamping means away from the deflated pad at points in said c rcuitous path preceding the presentation of a press at the loading station, and means at the loading station resiliently to hold the clamping means away from the deflated pad to facilitate loading but to allow of clamping the shoe on the pad.

14. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a movable carrier, a plurality of shoe presses mounted on said carrier and adapted to be moved through a circuitous path thereby, each of said presses including a pad, a pivoted lever member for clamping a shoe thereagainst, and means for releasably securing said lever member in clamping position; said carrier prov'ding a loading station at which a shoe may be clamped in a press, means for thereafter releasing the lever-securing means, and a cam member disposed adjacent the loading station and operating to lift the lever member away from the pad as the press approaches the loading station.

15. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a movable carrier, a plurality of shoe presses mounted on said carrier and adapted to be moved through a circuitous path thereby, each of said presses including a pad. a pivoted lever member for clamping a shoe thereagainst, and means for releasably securing said lever member in clamping position; said carrier providing a loading station at which a shoe may be clamped in a press, means for thereafter releasing the lever-securing means, a cam member-disposed adjacent the loading station and operating to lift the lever member away from the pad as the press approaches the loading station, and a second cam member positioned at the loading station and acting resiliently to hold the clamping means away from the pad to facilitate loading but to allow of clamping the shoe on the pad.

16. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a movable carrier, a plurality of shoe presses mounted on said carrier and adapted to be moved through a circuitous path thereby, each of said presses including an inflatable and deflatable pad, a pivoted lever member for clamping a shoe thereagainst, and means for releasably securing saidlever member in clamping position; said carrier providing a loading station at which a shoe may be clamped in a press, means for thereafter inflating and deflating the pad and for releasing the lever-securing means, and a cam member disposed adjacent the loading station and operating to lift the lever member away from the pad as the press approaches the loading station.

' 17. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a movable carrier, a plurality of shoe presses mounted on said carrier and adapted to be moved through a circuitous path thereby, each of said presses including an inflatable and deflatable pad, a pivoted lever member for clamping a shoe thereagainst, and means for re1eas-. ably securing said lever member in clamping position; said carrier providing a loading station at which a shoe may be clamped in a press, means for thereafter inflating and deflating the pad and for releasing the lever-securing means, a cam member disposed adjacent the loading station and operating to lift the lever member away from the pad as the press approaches the loading station, and a second cam member positioned at the loading station and acting resiliently to hold the clamping means away from the pad to facilitate loading but to allow of clamping the shoe on the pad.

18. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a conveyor, a plurality of shoe presses mounted on said conveyor and adapted to be moved through a circuitous path thereby, said conveyor having a lateral traverse providing a loading station for the presses,'means for moving the conveyor to present the presses to the loading station, each of said presses including an inflatable and deflatable pad, a pivoted lever swingable over said pad at the loading station for clamping a shoe thereagainst, and a second pivoted member swingable to engage the free end oi said lever to hold it in clamping position; means for inflating the loaded press, means for deflating the press after movement thereof through a portion of the circuitous path, means for thereafter releasing the second pivoted member from engagement with the pivoted clamping lever, and means for swinging the pivoted lever away from the deflated pad.

19. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a conveyor, a plurality of shoe presses mounted on said conveyor and adapted to be moved through a circuitous path thereby, said conveyor having a horizontal traverse providing aloading station for the presses, means for moving the conveyor to present the presses to the loading station, each of said presses including an inflatable and deflatable pad, a pivoted lever swingable over said' pad at the loading station for clamping a shoe thereagainst, and a second pivoted member swingable to engage the free end of said lever to hold it in clamping position; means for inflating the loaded press,-means for deflating. the press after movement thereof through a portion of the circuitous path, means for thereafter releasing the second pivoted member from engagement with the pivoted clamping lever, and means for swinging the pivoted lever away from the deflated pad; said deflating, releasing and last-mentioned swinging means comprising cam members positioned adjacent the path of the presses and operating against the respective parts thereof as they are movedtherepast.

20. In a machine of the class described, in combination,. a movable carrier, a plurality of shoe presses mounted on said carrier and adapted to be moved through a circuitous path thereby, each of said presses including an inflatable pad and means for clamping a shoe thereon; said pad being provided with an outlet valve having plunger means projecting therefrom and adapted to open the valve; and a cam member positioned in the path of the plunger member whereby, as the press is moved therepast, the plunger is operated to open the outlet valve.

21. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a movable carrier, a plurality of shoe presses mounted on said carrier and adapted to be moved through a circuitous path thereby, each of said presses including an inflatable pad and means for clamping a shoe thereon; said pad being provided with an outlet valve having plunger means projecting therefrom and adapted to open the valve; and a cam member positioned in the path of the plunger member whereby, as the press is moved therepast, the plunger is operated to open the outlet valve; said cam member being so formed and positioned to hold said valve open for a distance at least equal to the distance between the centers of two presses.

22. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a movable carrier, a plurality of shoe presses mounted on said carrier and adapted to be moved through a circuitous path thereby, each of said presses including a pad, a pivoted lever for clamping a shoe against said pad, and means for releasably securing said lever in clamping position; said last-mentioned means comprising a pivoted member adapted at one end to engage the lever and having a projecting portion extending past the pivot at the other end; and a cam member positioned in the path of the projecting portion whereby, as the press is moved therepast, the first-mentioned end of the pivoted member is disengaged from the lever.

23. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a movable carrier, a plurality of shoe presses mounted on said carrier and adapted to be moved through a circuitous path thereby, each of said presses including a pad, a pivoted lever for clamping a shoe against said pad, and means for releasably securing said lever in clamping position; said last-mentioned means comprising a member pivoted at one end and having an arm extending outwardly and downwardly therefrom past the pivot; said pivoted member being adapted at its other end to engage the lever; and a cam member positioned in the path of the arm whereby as the press is moved therepast the lastmentioned end of the pivoted member is disengaged from the lever.

24. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a movable carrier, a plurality of shoe presses mounted on said carrier and adapted to be moved through a circuitous path thereby, each of said presses including a pad and a pivoted lever for clamping a shoe against said pad; a loading station for said presses located at a predetermined position in said circuitous path, a cam member located adjacent said path at a position preceding said loading station, and a second pivoted memher having one end bearing against said pivoted lever between the pivot and the shoe-clamping end thereof and having its other end outwardlyextending and adapted to be actuated by said cam as the press is moved therepast to raise the pivoted lever away from said pad.

25. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a movable carrier, a plurality of shoe presses mounted on said carrier and adapted to be moved through a circuitous path thereby, each of said presses including a pad and a pivoted lever for clamping a shoe against said pad; a portion of said circuitous path providing a lateral trav-' erse, a loading station positioned in said portion, a cam member located adjacent and substantially paralleling the part of said path immediately preceding the loading station, means associated with said pivoted lever and adapted to be actuated by said cam as the press is moved therepast to raise the pivoted lever away from said pad, and a resiliently-formed continuation of said cam positioned at the loading station to maintain the lever in raised position at the loading station but permitting said lever to be pressed toward said pad to clamp a shoe therein.

26. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a movable carrier, a plurality of shoe presses mounted on said carrier and adapted to be moved through a circuitous path thereby, each of said presses including a pad and a pivoted lever for clamping a shoe against said pad; a portion of said circuitous path providing a lateral traverse, a loading station positioned in said portion; a cam member located adjacent and substantially paralleling the part of said path immediately preceding the loading station, means associated with said pivoted lever and adapted to be actuated by said cam as the press is moved therepast to raise the pivoted lever away from said pad, and a second cam member positioned at the loading station and normally forming a continuation of said first-mentioned cam member and holding said lever in raised position; said second-mentioned cam member being vertically movable to permit said lever to be pressed toward said pad to clamp a shoe therein.

27. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a movable carrier, a plurality of shoe presses mounted on said carrier and adapted to be moved through a circuitous path thereby, each of said presses including a pad and a pivoted lever for clamping a shoe against said pad; a portion of said circuitous path providing a lateral traverse, a loading station positioned in said portion, a cam member located adjacent and substantially paralleling the part of said path immediately preceding the loading station, means associated with said pivoted lever and adapted to be actuated by said cam as the press is moved therepast to raise the pivoted lever away from said pad, a second cam member positioned at the loading station and normally forming a continuation of said first-mentioned cam member and holding said lever in raised position; said second-mentioned cam member having a vertical portion slidablyv mounted for vertical movement in a guideway 01 the machine frame; and a spring member normally holding said member in downward position but permitting said lever to be pressed toward said pad to clamp a shoe therein.

28. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a movable carrier, a plurality of shoe presses mounted on said carrier and adapted to be moved through a circuitous path thereby, each of said presses including an inflatable pad and means for clamping a shoe thereon; said carrier providing a station for loading said presses, pressure-supply means at said loading station whereby said pads may be inflated, means located in advance 01 said loading station for deflating said pads, and auxiliary means positioned at the loading station to deflate the pad positioned at said station. j

29. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a movable carrier, a plurality of shoe presses mounted on said carrier and adapted to be moved through a circuitous path thereby, each of said presses including an inflatable pad and means for clamping a shoe thereon; said carrier providing a station for loading said presses, footcontrolled pressure-supply means at said loading station whereby said pads may be inflated, automatic means located in advance of said loading station for deflating said pads, and auxiliary means positioned at the loading station to deflate the pad positioned at said station.

30. A machine or the class described, including, in combination, a conveyor, a plurality of shoe presses mounted on said conveyor and adapted to be moved through a. circuitous path thereby, frame members disposed at the sides of said conveyor and carrying opposed tracks corresponding to substantially the entire path of the conveyor and means on each of said presses to engage said tracks.

31. A machine of the class described, including, in combination, a conveyor, a plurality of shoe presses mounted on said conveyor and adapted to be .moved through a circuitous path thereby, frame members disposed at the sides of said conveyor and carrying opposed laterally-disposed U-shaped tracks corresponding to the path of the conveyor, and a plurality of rollers on each end ofv each of said presses adapted to ride in and be guided by said tracks.

32. A machine of the class described, including, in combination, an endless conveyor having spaced upper and lower horizontal traverses, a plurality of shoe presses mounted on said conveyor and adapted to be moved through a circuitous path thereby, one of the horizontal traverses of said conveyor providing a loading station for said presses, each of said presses including a pad, a pivoted lever swingable over said pad for clamping a shoe thereagainst, means for securing said lever in clamping position; and means adjacent at least one of the vertical traverses of the conveyor for forcing the securing means into engagement with the clamping lever of any unloaded press passing the loading station until the lever and securing means are held in engagement by gravity.

33. A machine of the class described, including, in combination, an endless conveyor having spaced upper and lower horizontal traverses, a plurality of shoe presses mounted on said conveyor and adapted to be moved through a circuitous path thereby, the upper horizontal traverse of saidnconveyor providing a loading station for said presses, each of said presses including a pad, a pivoted lever'swingable over said pad for clamping a shoe'thereagainst, and a bail member swingable into engagement with the end of said lever to secure it in clamping position; a frame member adjacent th'atside of a downward traverse of the conveyor adjacent the bail members, and a cam member carried by said frame member for forcing the bail member into en- 'of each of said presses riding in said gagement'with the clamping lever of any unloaded press passing the loading station until the lever and bail are held in engagement by gravity.

34. A machine of. the class described, including, in combination, an-endless conveyor having spaced upper and lower' horizontal traverses, a plurality of shoe presses mounted on said conveyor and adapted to be moved through a circuitous path thereby, the upper horizontal traverse of said conveyor providing a loading station for said presses, each of said presses including a pad, a pivoted lever s'wingable over said pad for clamping a shoe thereagainst, and a bail member swingable into engagement with the end of said lever to secure it in clamping position; a frame member adjacent that side of the vertical traverses of the conveyor adjacent the bail members, and a second cam member similarly positioned adjacent the upward vertical traverse and acting to maintain the said lever and bail member in position until the upper horizontal traverse is reached.

35. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a frame, a flexible conveyor carried thereby, a plurality of shoe presses pivotally mounted onsaid conveyor at equally-spaced distances and on a pivot line transverse to the line of travel of the conveyor, and power means for intermittently moving said conveyor a distance equal to the spacing between said presses.

36. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a frame, a flexible conveyor carried thereby, a plurality of shoe presses pivotally mounted on said conveyor at equally-spaced distances and on a pivot line transverse to the line of travel of the conveyor, and power means for intermittently moving said conveyor a distance equal to the spacing between said presses; said pivotal mounting including a fork on one member engaged by a pin on the other member.

37. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a frame, a conveyor member carried thereby, a plurality of shoe press members pivotally mounted on said conveyor member at spaced distances, a fork on one member engaged by a pin on the other member, a laterally-disposed U-shaped track adjacent each side of the conveyor member and paralleling the traverses thereof, and means on each of said press members riding in said tracks.

38. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a frame, a conveyor carried thereby, a plurality of shoe presses pivotally mounted on said conveyor at spaced distances, said pivotal mounting comprising a fork on the bottom of each of said presses and a plurality of pins secured to said conveyor and each engaging one. of said forks, a laterally-disposed U-shaped track adjacent each side of the conveyor and paralleling the traverses thereof, and rollers on the ends tracks.

39. In a machine of the class-described, in combination, a movable carrier, a plurality of shoe presses mounted on said carrier and adapted to be moved through a circuitous path thereby, each of said presses including an inflatable pad havingan inlet valve; a loading station to which the presses are sequentially presented by move ment of the carrier, and an inflating mechanism positioned at said loading station; said inflating mechanism including a chuck in registry with the inlet valve of the press at the loading station, a valve connected to said chuck, a flexible connection between said valve and said pressure supply, means for moving said chuck and valve toward said inlet valve of said press until the chuck engages the same, and a cam located in a line parallel to the movement of said valve and operating against a part thereof increasingly to open the valve as the chuck and valve move toward the press.

40. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a movable carrier, a plurality of shoe presses mounted on said carrier and adapted to be moved through a circuitous path thereby, each of said presses including'an inflatable pad having an inlet valve; a loading station to which the presses are sequentially presented by movement of the carrier, an inflating mechanism positioned at said loading station; said inflating mechanism including a chuck in registry with the inlet valve of the press at the loading station, a valve connected to said chuck, a-flexible connection between said valve and said pressure supply, and a foot treadle-controlled means for moving said chuck and valve toward said inlet valve of said press until the chuck engages the same; and a cam located in line parallel to the movement of said valve and having an upwardlyinclined face operating against a part thereof increasingly to open the valve as the chuckand,

valve move toward the press.

41. A machine of the character described, comprising, a flexible elongate carrier arranged for movement relative to a station, means for moving said carrier, a work support mounted on said carrier, an inflatable work-engaging pad on said support, means located at said station for inflating said pad, and means for effecting deflation of said pad when the support is moving toward said station.

42. In a sole pressing machine, a plurality of pressure devices, a flexible elongate endless carrier for the pressure devices, two revoluble members supporting the endless carrier, means for inflating the pressure devices with compressed air, and means for automatically exhausting the compressed air from the single pressure devices as they complete their travel around the revoluble members.

43. In a sole pressing machine, a flexible elongate endless carrier, a plurality of air-pressurecushions for the shoes on the carrier, holddowns cooperating with the pressure cushions,

two revoluble members supporting the endless carrier, means for locking the hold-downs in pressing position, and means for automatically unlocking the single hold-downs as they complete their travel around the revoluble members.

44. In a sole pressing machine, an inflatable shoe press, a flexible elongate endless carrier for the press, two revoluble members supporting the endless carrier, means for moving said carrier and members, means along the path of the carrier for inflating the press, and means for deflating each press as it approaches said inflating means.

tion, means for moving said chuck into inflating relation with a press adjacent said loading station, means including the conveyor for moving said presses entirely around said traverse, and means in advance of said loading station for deflating said presses.

WM. C. CARD, JR.

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