EP1661476A1

EP1661476A1 - Shoe-lasting machine

Info

Publication number: EP1661476A1
Application number: EP04425897A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Carlo Bianchi
Original assignee: Officine Meccaniche Molina and Bianchi SpA
Current assignee: Officine Meccaniche Molina and Bianchi SpA
Priority date: 2004-11-26
Filing date: 2004-11-26
Publication date: 2006-05-31
Also published as: CN1781393A; BRPI0505334A

Abstract

A machine for lasting the sides of an upper on a last, comprising: a supporting structure, means for supporting a last on which the upper is stretched and with the sole-piece of which there is associated an insole, along a predetermined centreline (X-X), stretching means (3) to bend and press the edges of the sides of the upper onto the insole, in which the stretching means (3) can move between a retracted travel end position and a forward travel end position to carry out a working movement having a transverse component with respect to the said centreline (X-X), and first actuator means (11) to control the said working movement of the said stretching means (3). Advantageously the stretching means (3) and the first actuator means (11) are supported by a moving structure (12) which is attached to the said supporting structure (10) through the insertion between them of second actuator means (13) capable of controlling the movement of the moving structure (12) from a position at a distance from to an advanced position with respect to the said centreline (X-X) in order to obtain a plurality of forward travel end positions for the said stretching means (3) with respect to the said centreline (X-X).

Description

This invention relates to a machine for lasting the edges of the sides of an upper on a last in accordance with the precharacterising clause of claim 1.
In particular this invention relates to an upper-lasting and heel-lasting machine, that is a machine capable of stretching and bonding the edges of an upper and the heel on a last with the sole-piece of which an insole has first been associated.
With reference to upper it is known that the edges of the upper and the heel are generally fixed to an insole by adhesive bonding. In order to perform this operation the aforesaid edges must first be folded onto the sole-piece of the last and then stretched or pressed on this after a layer of adhesive has been applied.
In order to perform this operation along the edges of the last the machines currently in use are provided with immobilizing means, known in the jargon as "hands", to immobilise the upper in relation to the last, as well as a plurality of stretching means, known in the jargon as "fingers", each located alongside each other in a plane substantially parallel to the sole-piece of the last.
While the immobilizing means make it possible to hold back the upper with respect to the last, preventing undesired movements from the correct position, the stretching means perform a movement having a transverse movement component with respect to the last so as to turn and press the edges of the sides of the upper onto the insole associated with the sole-piece of the last.
In order to be able to perform the aforesaid operation of pressing the sides of the upper onto the two sides of the last, upper- and heel-lasting machines are provided with two opposite working units, each provided with their own stretching means, which work in such a way as to move the corresponding stretching means and cause them to approach each other up to a predetermined centreline.
Although the aforesaid machines are generally satisfactory, it must be pointed out that these machines have the disadvantage that they are unable to adapt to footwear having marked asymmetry between the inside and the outside of the insole, such as for example football boots, running shoes and the like. Footwear of this type in fact has a very marked indentation on the inside such as to cause poor bonding between the edges of the upper and the insole.
This is mainly due to the fact that the travel of the means stretching the inside part of the upper, that is the side on which the said very marked indentation is present, stop before the stretching means have completed bending and thorough stretching of the entire edge of the upper, while the opposing stretching means interfere with this edge, lifting it from the insole.
In the case of footwear of the abovementioned type there is therefore a need to be able to manually complete adhesive bonding of the edge of one side of the upper to the insole, at least in the area where the insole has the said marked indentation along the inside.
The technical problem underlying this invention is therefore that of devising a machine for lasting the edges of the sides of upper to a last which has structural and functional characteristics such as to satisfy the requirement of being also suitable for footwear having marked asymmetry in the shape of the insole because of a marked indentation present on the inside of the insole, at the same time overcoming the disadvantages mentioned in respect of the known art.
This problem is solved by a machine for lasting the edges of the sides of an upper on a last in accordance with the characteristics in claim 1.
In a further aspect this invention also relates to a method for lasting the sides of an upper on a last in accordance with claim 8.
Further features and advantages of the machine and method according to this invention will be apparent from the description of an embodiment provided below purely by way of indication and without limitation with reference to the appended figures in which:

figure 1 shows a simplified perspective view of some details of a machine according to the invention for lasting the edges of the sides of an upper on a last in a starting position,
figures 2 and 3 show a diagrammatical view in lateral cross-section and respectively a diagrammatical view in plan of some features of the machine according to the invention in a first operating condition,
figures 4 and 5 show a diagrammatical view in lateral cross-section and respectively a diagrammatical view in plan of the machine in Figures 2 and 3 in a second operating condition,
figures 6 and 7 show a diagrammatical view in lateral cross-section and respectively a diagrammatical view in plan of the machine in Figures 2 and 3 in a third operating condition.

The appended figures illustrate some parts of a machine according to the invention for lasting the edges of the sides of an upper on a last, that is a so-called upper-lasting machine.
The machine comprises:

a supporting structure 10,
supporting means 1 associated with supporting structure 10 to support along a predetermined centreline X-X a last A on which last there is stretched an upper C and with the sole-piece of which is associated an insole B,
a plurality of tensioning jaws, not shown in the figures, for engaging the edge of an upper C and pulling the upper C causing them to adhere to last A,
immobilizing means 9 to immobilise the upper C with respect to the last,
stretching means 3 to bend and press the edges of the sides of the upper C onto insole B associated with last A, stretching means 3 being capable of moving from a retracted travel end position to a forward travel end position to complete a working movement having a transverse component with respect to the said centreline X-X,
first activating means 11 to cause stretching means 3 to carry out the said working movement, and
means 6 to deliver adhesive along the perimeter of insole B.

With regard to supporting means 1 it is pointed out that these make it possible to support last A in the overturned position, that is in such a way that the sole-piece of last A and insole B associated therewith face upwards, as illustrated in Figure 1. These supporting means 1 comprise a block (partly visible in Figure 1) to support the toe of last A and a rear support (visible for example in Figure 2) which can be adjusted for height in a vertical axis Z-Z.
The surface of insole B which is designed to come into contact with the folded over edges of the upper C, that is the one facing upwards and visible in Figure 1, is designed to receive a layer of adhesive delivered from aforesaid adhesive delivery means 6. For this purpose the latter are positioned substantially above supporting means 1 and comprise one or more delivery nozzles 7, in the example two. Nozzles 7 are supported by a mount 8, which can move in the direction of the aforesaid axis of symmetry X-X, with respect to which nozzles 7 can in turn move transversely. Activating means which are in themselves known then control the movement of nozzles 7 and mount 8 so that nozzles 7 follow the perimeter of the edge of insole B along posterior part 4 and the sides 5 thereof as the adhesive is being delivered.
Adhesive delivery means 6 may be replaced by any equivalent means. As an alternative, if pre-glued insoles are used, the aforesaid adhesive delivery means may be directly replaced by means for delivering hot air to the pre-glued part so as to render the adhesive present functional.
Immobilizing means 9 for last A and upper C fitted thereto in the example comprise a deformable strip 2 which is substantially U-shaped. Deformable strip 2 is positioned in such a way that it can grasp the rear part of last A, known in the jargon as the heel, and a predominant portion of its sides when the last is positioned on supporting means 1.
It should be pointed out that deformable strip 2 is positioned lower in height than stretching means 3 so as not to interfere therewith when they make their working movement.
Opposing pressing means 14 activated by corresponding actuator means 15 act on deformable strip 2 in order to cause it to lock against the upper C lasting last A with a preset load. For simplicity of illustration deformable strip 2 is only shown in Figure 1, while pressing means 14 and corresponding actuator means 15 are only shown in Figures 2 to 7.
Pressing means 14, known in the jargon as hands, comprise an elastic block mounted at the travel end of the rod of a pneumatic piston acting as actuator means 15 which travels in transverse direction Y-Y.
As clearly shown by the figures, pressing means 14 are positioned in such a way that they can act on two opposing open limbs of the U provided by deformable strip 2.
Aforesaid actuator means 15 are supported by a supporting structure 10 of the machine.
In accordance with the preferred embodiment the machine according to the invention comprises two separate working units 16, 17, each comprising corresponding stretching means 3 and corresponding first actuator means 11. As is well illustrated in the figures, the two working units 16 and 17 are positioned in such a way as to face each other on opposite sides with respect to centreline X-X. In fact the two working units 16 and 17 form between them a working space within which last A is located, supported by supporting means 1.
The stretching means 3 of each working unit 16, 17 are located in such a way that during the working stage their lower surfaces are substantially coplanar with insole B, so that the edges of the upper C can easily be folded thereupon.
Stretching means 3 apply a plurality of mechanical fingers 3a extending in the transverse Y-Y direction and located adjacent to each other in the direction of centreline X-X. Fingers 3a are designed to shape the lateral edges of the upper C onto the corresponding lateral profiles 5 of last A. Each mechanical finger 3a is supported at the extremity of a supporting frame 3b against which first actuator means 11 act.
In the example first actuator means 11 comprise a plurality of lower pneumatic pistons 11a orientated in the transverse Y-Y direction and located adjacent to each other in the direction of centreline X-X, and a plurality of upper pneumatic pistons 11b above orientated in the transverse Y-Y direction and located adjacent to each other along the direction of centreline X-X. Each pneumatic piston 11a, 11b has a corresponding rod whose free end faces last A.
Each supporting frame 3b is associated with the rod of a lower pneumatic piston 11a and the rod of a corresponding upper pneumatic piston 11b. More particularly supporting frame 3a is hinged at the free travel end of the rod from corresponding lower pneumatic piston 11a in such a way that it can rotate with respect to the said extremity about an axis parallel to the aforesaid centreline X-X. Furthermore the free end of the rod of the corresponding upper pneumatic piston 11b interferes with supporting frame 3a during its travel towards last A.
As a consequence of the above arrangement supporting frame 3b is forced to follow the rod of pneumatic piston 11a in its back-and-forth movement, causing corresponding mechanical finger 3a to carry out its working movement stretching the upper C onto insole B. When the corresponding mechanical finger has reached the vicinity of the forward travel end position, upper pneumatic piston 11b is activated bringing about rotation of supporting frame 3c about its hinging point causing said mechanical finger 3a to press stretched the upper C onto insole B with a preset load.
In accordance with one advantageous aspect, stretching means 3 and corresponding first actuator means 11 are supported by a moving structure 12 which is supported by support structure 10 through intermediate second actuator means 13 capable of controlling the movement of the entire moving structure from a position distant from centreline X-X to a position close to it so as to ensure a plurality of forward travel end positions for stretching means 3 with respect to centreline X-X. In other words, as a result of movement of moving structure 12 the forward travel end position of stretching means 3 can be varied with respect to centreline X-X.
As illustrated, both the abovementioned working units 16, 17 are supported by a corresponding moving structure 12 which is itself supported by supporting structure 10 through intermediate second actuator means 13 acting to control the movement of the entire moving structure from the position at a distance from centreline X-X to a forward position with respect to it.
Preferably second actuator means 13 associated with a working unit 16, 17 each comprise at least two actuators arranged in series with each other and selectively activatable so as to bring about:

a reversible movement in which moving structure 12 of a working unit (for example working unit 16 in Figure 4) approaches centreline X-X from a predetermined base starting position and at the same time
a corresponding reversible movement of moving structure 12 of the opposing working unit (for example working unit 17 in Figure 4) away from the centreline from a predetermined base starting position.

The aforesaid base starting position is determined for each of aforesaid working units 16, 17 in such a way that corresponding stretching means 3 substantially lie along centreline X-X when they are in their forward travel end positions as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.
It should be pointed out that the arrangement of the two actuators in series makes it possible to use the back-and-forth movement of one of the two actuators to bring about the reversible movement of moving structure 12 of a working unit towards centreline X-X and to use the back-and-forth movement of the other actuator to bring about reversible movement of moving structure 12 of the same working unit away from centreline X-X.
In the embodiment in question second actuator means 13 associated with a working unit 16, 17 comprise a first and a second pneumatic cylinder placed one above the other, a lower one 13a and an upper one 13b respectively, connected together in such a way that they are operatively associated in the serial manner described above. As will be seen from the figures, the two pneumatic pistons 13a and 13b are rigidly connected together and are orientated in such a way that their corresponding rods are orientated in transverse direction Y-Y. More particularly, while one piston (in the example upper piston 13b) has its corresponding rod orientated towards moving structure 12 and attached thereto, the other piston (in the example upper piston 13b) has its corresponding rod orientated in the opposite way connected to supporting structure 10 of the machine.
The machine according to the invention comprises command and control means, pneumatic circuits and other components necessary to ensure its proper operation, which being of a type in themselves known will not be described in detail.
The essential stages in the working cycle of the functioning of the machine according to the invention will now be described in relation to different use situations depending upon the geometry of the shape of the footwear and in particular the fact of whether or not the shape of the footwear which has to be produced has marked asymmetry between the inside and outside.
With reference to Figures 1 to 3, a situation is illustrated in which the machine is arranged to fit the sides of the upper C onto insole B in the situation in which the insole does not have any marked asymmetry between the inside and outside.
In particular Figure 1 illustrates a condition in which last A on which the upper C is stretched and with the foot of which insole B is associated has just been positioned on supporting means 1 and the working cycle of the machine has yet to begin.
Starting the working cycle of the machine brings about: immobilisation of last A on supporting means 1 through the action of aforesaid immobilising means 9 in the manner previously described,

the delivery of adhesive along the perimeter 5 of insole C through aforesaid adhesive delivery means 6, and
finally the working movement of stretching means 3 as described above.

In the example of operation considered here, insole B has slight asymmetry between the inside and outside, in such a way that stretching means 3 of the two opposing working units 16, 17 can work in a substantially symmetrical way without any problems arising. In this situation the working movement of stretching means 3 brought about by corresponding lower pneumatic piston 11a and upper pneumatic piston 11b takes place in such a way that mechanical fingers 3a substantially reach centreline X-X in their forward travel end position, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.
In order to bring this about the two working units 16, 17 must both be in the base starting position without action being required on second actuator means 13 to bring about movement of the two working units towards or away from centreline X-X.
Figures 4 and 5 relate to the situation of an insole having marked asymmetry between the inside and the outside for a right shoe. In this situation the working cycle of the machine corresponds to the former cycle, except for the fact that the working movement of stretching means 3 described above is preceded by a stage in which second actuator means 13 are acted upon to vary the base starting position of the two working units 16, 17. In particular the base starting position of working unit 16, that is the working unit on the inside of insole C, which has a marked indentation, is brought forward by a predetermined distance H towards centreline X-X, while the base starting position of the other working unit 17 is moved away from that centreline by the same distance. As a consequence the forward travel end position of stretching means 3 of working unit 16 lies beyond centreline X-X and that of working unit 17 is retracted with respect to that centreline by the aforesaid distance H, as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. In fact, application of the movement in the same direction by the same amount to the two working units 16 and 17 compensates for the marked asymmetry of the insole, because of the fact that the forward travel end positions of mechanical fingers 3a of both working units 16 and 17 still lie along the middle of the insole.
Specifically, the aforesaid movements are controlled by actuating only lower pneumatic piston 13a of actuator means 13 associated with working unit 16 and upper pneumatic piston 13b of actuator means 13 associated with working unit 17.
Figures 6 and 7 relate to the mirror-image situation to that in Figures 4 and 5, that is the situation for an insole having marked symmetry between the inside and the outside in the case of a left shoe.
In this case the difference in the base starting positions of the two working units is such that, when in the forward travel end position, stretching means 3 of working unit 16 are drawn back from centreline X-X and those of working unit 17 are respectively beyond the said centreline by the aforesaid distance H, as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7.
Specifically the aforesaid movements are controlled by actuating only upper pneumatic piston 13b of actuator means 13 associated with working unit 16 and lower pneumatic piston 13a of actuator means 13 associated with working unit 17.
As will be appreciated from what has been described, the machine for lasting the edges of the sides of an upper to a last according to this invention makes it possible to satisfy the aforesaid requirement and at the same time to overcome the disadvantages mentioned with respect to the known art in the introduction to this description. In fact it is obvious that the presence of the second actuator means as a connecting member between the supporting structure of the machine and the working units makes it possible to overcome the problems associated with the great asymmetries between the inside and outside of insoles of different items of footwear simply and quickly. Also the machine according to the invention is also capable of perfectly suiting insoles having the aforesaid great asymmetry as well as more symmetrical insoles.
Another advantage of the machine for lasting the edges of the sides of an upper to a last according to this invention lies in the possibility of it being simple to construct and easy to operate. In this respect it is worthwhile pointing out that it is possible to compensate for greater or lesser asymmetries depending upon the type of actuators used, in particular the lengths of the rods of the pneumatic pistons.
Yet another advantage of the machine according to this invention lies in the possibility of manufacturing footwear having insoles with marked asymmetry or footwear having more symmetrical insoles in sequence without having to replace parts of the machine.
Obviously in order to satisfy contingent and specific requirements a person skilled in the art could apply many modifications and variants to the machine for lasting the edges of the sides of an upper to a last described above, all of which however remain within the scope of protection of the invention as defined by the following claims.
Thus, for example, the actuator means may differ from those considered above. For example the use of hydraulic actuators is also a possibility.

Claims

Machine for lasting the sides of upper on a last, comprising:
- a supporting structure (10),

- supporting means (1) associated with the said structure for supporting along a predetermined centreline (X-X) a last (A) on which an upper (C) is stretched and with the sole-piece of which there is associated an insole (B),

- immobilizing means (9) to immobilize the upper with respect to the last,

- stretching means (3) to bend and press the edges of the sides of the upper (C) onto the insole (B) associated with the last (A), the said stretching means (3) being capable of moving from a retracted travel end position to a forward travel end position and vice versa to carry out a working movement having a transverse component with respect to the said centreline (X-X), and

- first actuator means (11) to control the said working movement of the said stretching means (3),

- characterised in that the said stretching means (3) and the said first actuator means (11) are supported by a moving structure (12), the said moving structure (12) being connected to the said supporting structure (10) through the insertion between them of second actuator means (13) capable of controlling the movement of the said moving structure (12) from a retracted position to a forward position with respect to the said centreline (X-X), in order to obtain a plurality of forward travel end positions for the said stretching means (3) with respect to the said centreline (X-X).
Machine according to claim 1, comprising two separate working units (16, 17) of stretching means (3) and corresponding first actuator means (11) facing opposite each other with respect to the said centreline (X-X) to bring about folding and pressing of the edges of the two sides of the upper (C) without having to reposition the last (A) with respect to the supporting means (10), each of the said working units (16, 17) being supported by a corresponding moving structure (12) which is connected to the said supporting structure (10) through the insertion of corresponding second actuator means (13) between them which are capable of controlling the movement of the moving structure (12) from a position at a distance from to a forward position with respect to the said centreline (X-X), in order to obtain a plurality of forward travel end positions for the two working units (16, 17) in relation to the said centreline (X-X).
Machine according to claim 1 or 2, in which the said second actuator means (13) comprise at least two actuators (13a, 13b) located in series with respect to each other and selectively operable to bring about:
- reversible movement of the moving structure towards the said centreline (X-X) of one of the said working units (16, 17) from a predetermined base starting position and, at the same time,

- a reversible movement of the moving structure away from the said centreline of the opposite working unit (17, 16), from a predetermined base starting position.
Machine according to claim 3, in which the said base starting position is determined for each of the said working units (16, 17) in such a way that the corresponding stretching means (3) lie substantially at the said centreline (X-X) when they are in the forward travel end position.
Machine according to any of claims 1 to 3, in which the said movement of the moving structure is a translational movement (H) in a transverse direction (Y-Y) to the said centreline (X-X).
Machine according to any of claims 1 to 5, in which the said actuator means comprise pneumatic pistons.
Machine according to any of claims 1 to 6, in which the said supporting means (3) act to support the said last (A) in such a way that the sole-piece of the same faces upwards.
Method for lasting the sides of an upper (C) on a last (A) through the use of a machine comprising:
- a supporting structure (10),

- supporting means (1) associated with the said structure to support a last (A) along a predetermined centreline (X-X),

- immobilizing means (9) to immobilize the upper with respect to the last,

- stretching means (3) to bend and press the edges of the sides of the upper (C) onto the insole (B) associated with the last (A), the said stretching means (3) being able to move from a retracted position to a forward travel end position and vice versa to carry out a working movement having a transverse component with respect to the said centreline (X-X), and

- actuator means (11) to control the said working movement of the said stretching means (3),

- the method comprising the stages of:

- providing a last (A) on which the upper (C) is stretched and with the sole-piece of which there is associated an insole (B),

- positioning and immobilising the said last (A) on the said supporting means (1), and

- activating the said actuators to cause the said stretching means to carry out a working movement having a transverse component with respect to the said centreline (X-X) from a predetermined starting position so as to bend and press the edges of the sides of the upper (C) onto the insole (B) associated with the last (A),
characterised in that it comprises a stage of adjusting the said starting position of the said stretching means (3) to obtain a plurality of forward travel end positions for the said stretching means (3) with respect to the said centreline (X-X) in relation to the asymmetry between the inside and the outside of the insole.
Method according to claim 8, in which the said machine for implementing the method comprises two separate working units of stretching means (3) and corresponding actuator means (11) facing opposite each other with respect to the said centreline (X-X) to bring about bending and pressing of the edges of both the sides of the upper (C) without having to reposition the last (A) with respect to the supporting means (10), the method comprising a stage of adjusting the starting positions of the stretching means of both the working units in order to obtain a plurality of forward travel end positions for the stretching means (3) of both the working units with respect to the said centreline (X-X) according to the asymmetry between the inside and outside of the insole.
Method according to claim 9, in which the said adjustment stage takes place in such a way as to:
- retract the forward travel end position of the stretching means of one of the said working groups by a predetermined distance with respect to the said centreline (X-X), and, at the same time,

- cause the forward travel end position of the stretching means of the opposing working unit to move forward by the same predetermined distance with respect to the said centreline (X-X).
Method according to claim 10, in which the said adjustment stage is carried out before operating the said stretching means.