US1957604A - Shoe rest - Google Patents

Description

May 8, 1934.

F. N. LA CHAPELLE 1,957,604

SHOE REST Filed April 1, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l 7 WZEMUQ May 193410 Filed April 1, 1930 F. N. LA CHAPELLE SHOE REST 86 glam I I I I i I I I I I I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 8, 1934 UNETE STATES PATENT error SHOE REST Application April 1, 1930, Serial No. 440,834

58 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for use in the manufacture of shoes, and more particularly to shoe-supporting means or shoe rests. The invention is herein illustrated in its application to 5 means for supporting the forepart of a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face in the lasting of thetoe end of the shoe; but it is to be understood that in its more general aspects the invention is not limited to means for operating on that particular portion of a shoe nor to machines for lasting shoes.

In some machines for operating on shoes substantial pressure is applied on the top of the forepart of the shoe, in order to support the shoe in proper position or to cooperate with means for applying pressure on its bottom face. In toelasting machines, for example, such pressure is sometimes applied to maintain the shoe in proper relation to the toe-lasting wipers and also to support it against the pressure of means provided for fastening the upper in lasted position. It is an object of this invention to increase the effectiveness of such shoe-supporting or controlling means, and at the same time to guard against damage to the shoe by the pressure on the upper. In one aspect the invention accordingly provides a novel shoe rest so constructed as to conform accurately to the contour of the shoe and thus to distribute its pressure over a large portion of 30 the area of the upper while pressing hard against the upper. In the construction herein shown the shoe rest comprises a large number of small metal rods arranged in parallel relation to one another in a group extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoe with an end of each rod directed toward the top of the forepart of the shoe, the rods being relatively movable lengthwise in response to pressure of each shoe thereon to con form tothe contour of the shoe. As illustrated the rods are controlled by a soft rubber pad against the resistance of which they are thus relatively movable, and a cover of thin flexible leather is interposed between them and the shoe. To r render the group of supporting members or rods them against yield in response to the pressure of the shoe thereon after they have conformed to the'contour of the shoe. In the construction shown this means comprises a device whereby pressure is applied laterally to the group of rods to clamp them together and also against a holder in which they are mounted, the holder being so controlled as to prevent 'it from yielding in re-- sponse to pressure of the shoe on the shoe rest.

more effective in their control of the shoe, theinvention further provides means for holding In order to render the clamping pressure especially effective, the rods, as illustrated, are circular in cross-section and are arranged in rows with the rods of each row in staggered relation to those of the adjacent row or rows, so that the rods have a wedging action on one another as they are pressed together. To maintain the rods in that relation to one another they are confined, as herein shown, in a group having substantially the form of an equilateral triangle, although the invention is not limited to this particular arrangement nor to the use of circular rods.

The novel features of the invention, including various novel details of construction and combinations of parts, will now be more particularly described by reference to the accompanying drawings and thereafter pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a view, partly in side elevation and partly in section, of a portion of a machine in which the invention is embodied;

Fig. 2 shows the novel shoe rest, partly in side elevation and partly in section, with portions of the structure broken away; and

Fig. 3 is a section on the line IIIIII of Fig. 2.

The invention is herein illustrated as embodied in a toe-lasting machine of a type disclosed in Letters Patent No. 1,918,274, granted on July 18, 1933, upon an application of F. N, La Chapelle and F. C. Eastman, certain features of the shoesupporting mechanism being disclosed in greater detail in Letters Patent No. 1,882,067, granted on Oct. 11, 1932 upon an application of F. C. Eastman. Only such portions of the machine, there fore as it is necessary to refer to for an understanding of this invention are herein shown and will be described in detail.

The machine includes toe-embracing wipers 10 which are operated to wipe the margin of the upper around the toe inwardly over an insole on the last and to press it upon the insole, and upperfastening mechanism which is moved into operative position in front of the edges of the wipers, as illustrated in Fig. 1, this mechanism comprising a member 12 which serves as a guide for a plurality of fiber pegs and for a plurality of drivers 14 which are operated to punch holes through the upper and the insole and to drive the pegs into the holes to fasten the upper to the insole. The position of the last and shoe in relation to the lasting means is determined in the same manner and by means of the same general character as disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 1,674,060, granted on June 19, 1928, upon an application of A. F. Pym.

For this purpose the machine is provided with a fixed arm 16 on which is secured a shoe-positioning abutment comprising a plate 18 provided with three pins 20, only two of which are visible in the drawings, these pins being arranged to project through holes in the insole into sockets formed in metal bushings 22 which are seated in the last. These pins accordingly determine the position of the last and shoe with respect to lengthwise and lateral bodily movements and with respect to lateral swinging movement, and in cooperation with the bushings 24 they also determine the plane in which the bottom face of the insole is presented for the lasting operation, the lower end faces of the pins engaging the bushings for this purpose, as fully disclosed in the above-mentioned Letters Patent.

For maintaining the last and shoe in the position determined by the pins 20 and for supporting it against pressure applied on the bottom of the shoe in the lasting operation, the machine is provided with a shoe rest A the construction of which for purposes of the present invention is more particularly hereinafter described, this shoe rest being arranged to engage the shoe upper on the top of the forepart and being mounted on the upper end of a rod 24 which is vertically movable in bearings in the frame of the machine. It will be understood that initially the shoe rest is in a lower position than indicated in Fig. l to permit the last and shoe to be mounted on the pins 20, and that it is moved upwardly into supporting engagement with the shoe. For imparting such upward movement to the shoe rest and its supporting rod 24 there is provided a sleeve member 26 which is slidingly movable on the rod 24 and acts through a spring 28 in engagment with a collar 30 fast on the rod to force the shoe rest yieldingly against the shoe. The sleeve member 26 bears at its upper end on a collar 32 slidingly mounted on a reduced portion of the rod 24 and engaging the lower end of the spring, this collar being arranged to rest on a shoulder 34 on the rod when the parts are in starting positions. The sleeve member 26 is connected at its opposite sides by links 36 to operating mechanism not herein shown in detail but fully disclosed in Letters Patent No. 1,918,274.

In order to hold the shoe rest A against downward movement after it has been moved upwardly into supporting engagement with the shoe, the rod 24, as herein illustrated, is controlled by mechanism of the character disclosed in detail in Letters Patent No. 1,882,067. This mechanism includes a member 38 secured on the lower end portion of the rod 24 and provided with a series of downwardly facing ratchet teeth 40 arranged to cooperate with a plurality of pawls 42 supported on a fixed bracket 44. As illustrated, the pawls are four in number, arranged in upper and lower pairs, and arranged also in staggered relation so that in any position assumed by the rod 24 in carrying the shoe rest into engagement with a shoe some one of the pawls will be positioned in fairly close relation to the lower end face of one of the ratchet teeth. In order to insure against the possibility of any downward move ment of the rod 24 when pressure is applied on the bottom of the shoe, there is further provided means for controlling the pawls in such manner as to insure that one of them will be positioned in abutting relation to the lower end face of one of the ratchet teeth before the pressure is applied to the shoe. For this purpose each pair of pawls is mounted on an eccentric 46 and these eccentrics are connected by crank arms 48 and links 50 to a rod 52 which extends upwardly through a thimble 54 slidingly mounted on the rod and loosely supported by a plate 56 which is carried by the sleeve 26. Between the thimble 54 and a collar 58 fast on the upper end of the rod 52 is a spring 60. Below the thimble 54 is a collar 62 which is fast on the rod 52 and upon which the thimble rests when the parts are in starting positions. It will thus be seen that the sleeve 26 in its upward movement acts through the spring and the rod 52 to turn the eccentrics 46 and thus to lift the several pawls 42. As more fully disclosed in Letters Patent No. 1,882,667, the arrangement is further such that the eccentrics are not turned to any substantial extent until after the shoe rest has been carried into engagement with the shoe. After such engagement, in the further upward movement of the sleeve 26 whereby the spring 28 is compressed, the eccentrics are operated to lift the pawls and thus to insure that one of them will be carried into holding relation to one of the ratchet teeth, the eccentrics being turned to such positions that the one that acts on the holding pawl serves positively to prevent any downward movement of the pawl in response to the pressure of the shoe on the shoe rest. The shoe rest support is accordingly locked against any downward movement in response to the pressure applied to the shoe.

For purposes of this invention the shoe rest A comprises a large number of small metal rods 64 arranged in parallel and contiguous relation to one another in a group extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoe with the upper ends of the rods directed toward the top of the forepart of the shoe, the lower ends of the rods resting upon a soft rubber pad 66 which permits them to move lengthwise relatively to one another in response to pressure of the shoe on their upper ends and thus to conform to the contour of the top of the forepart of the shoe. Mounted on the upper ends of the rods is a cap 67 of comparatively thin flexible leather which prevents direct contact of the rods with the shoe. The rods are com fined in a holder comprising an end plate 68 secured by screws 70 to a block 72, and two side plates 74 which interlock with the plate 68 and are secured together by bolts 76. The block 72 serves as a support for the pad 66 and has a depending hollow stem 78 detachably mounted on the upper end of the rod 24, a pin 80 on the rod being arranged to enter a slot in the stem to prevent the shoe rest from turning. Portions of the plates 74 which are located farther forwardly than the group of rods 64 are arranged in spaced relation to each other, as shown in Fig. 3, spacing members 82 and 84 (Fig. 2) being mounted on the bolts 76 between the plates. The lower spacing member 84 is secured by a screw 86 to the block 72 and serves as a part of the means for confining the pad 66. In the opposite faces of the plates 74 are provided slots 88 (Fig. 3) which serve as guideways for a slide 90 whereby clampin pressure is applied laterally to the group of rods 64. This slide is controlled by an eccentric 92 on a shaft 94 which is mounted in hearings in the plates 74 and as herein illustrated is operated by a hand lever 96. It will be understood that when the shoe rest is moved upwardly into engagement with the shoe the eccentric 92 is in such a position that the rods 64 are not under any substantial clamping pressure, so that they may yield relatively to one another against the resistance of the rubber pad 66 in response to the pressure of the shoe on their upper ends and may thus conform readily to the contour of the shoe. Thereafter the rods are clamped together and against the sides of the holder by the action of the eccentric 92 on the slide 90, so as to maintain them in position to serve as a firm support for the shoe.

In order to increase the effectiveness of the clamping action of the slide on the rods, the latter are circular in cross-section and are arranged in rows with the rods of each row in staggered relation to those of the next adjacent row or rows. It will be evident that with the rods arranged in this manner they have a wedging action on one another as they are pressed together. As convenient means for maintaining the rods in the relation disclosed, the holder is so constructed as to confine the rods in a group having substantially the form of an equilateral triangle, the rods being arranged in rows parallel to the three sides of the triangle, as shown in Fig. 3. It will be evident that a shoe rest of this form is well adapted for use at the toe-endportion of the shoe, the arrangement disclosed being such that the group of rods is of comparatively narrow extent widthwise of the shoe near the end of the toe and increases in width toward the rear of the forepart. In the construction shown several rows of rods near one apex of the triangle are omitted, to provide an extended bearing for the slide 90 on the group of rods, but it will be understood that the invention is not limited to this particular arrangement nor to a construction in which the clamping pressure is applied in the particular relation to the group of rods herein illustrated.

By reference to Fig. 2 it will be seen that the rubber pad 66 has a normally concave face for engaging the lower ends of the rods 64, as indicated by dotted lines at 98, the concavity extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoe and the rods 64, moreover, are of substantially equal lengths, so that they present normally a correspondingly concave shoe-supporting face toward the top of the forepart of the shoe. This decreases the amount of relative movement of the rods necessary to conform accurately to the contour of each shoe.

The manner of operation of the shoe rest mechanism will be readily understood from the foregoing description. The operator first mounts a last with its shoe materials in the position determined by the pins 20, and thereafter the toe rest A is carried upwardly into engagement with the shoe by the movement of the rod 24, this movement in a machine of the type illustrated being efiected automatically by power. In this upward movement of the shoe rest the rods 64 by relative movement in response to pressure of the shoe on their upper ends adjust themselves in conformity to the contour of the shoe. While the machine is at rest thereafter the operator, by turning the eccentric 92, clamps the rods 64 firmly together and against the sides of their holder, so as to prevent them from yielding relatively to the holder in response to pressure subsequently applied on the bottom face of the shoe. In View of the further fact that the holder-supporting rod 24 is locked against downward movement by the pawl and ratchet mechanism, as hereinbefore described, it will be evident that a substantially positive support is thus provided for the forepart of the shoe. In a machine of the type illustrated insurance is accordingly afforded that the shoe will not be displaced relatively to the pins 20 by the pressure of the wipers l0 thereon and that it will be firmly maintained in position to receive the pressure of the upperfastening means. Notwithstanding the substantially positive action of the shoe rest on the shoe and the heavy pressure that may be applied to the bottom of the shoe in the lasting operations, danger of damaging the upper by pressure of the shoe rest thereon is avoided by reason of the accurate conformity of the shoe rest to the contour of the shoe and the resulting even distribution of the pressure of the shoe rest on the upper.

While the invention is thus illustrated as ap plied to a type of machine whereby the shoe is maintained in a stationary position in the operation of the machine thereon, it will be evident that in respect to the cooperation between the shoe rest and the means for applying pressure on the bottom of the shoe the invention is not limited in utility to an organization of this particular character.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging the upper of a shoe, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of members arranged in a group in contiguous parallel relation to one another and. relatively movable in that relation in response to pressure of the shoe thereon to conform to the contour of the shoe.

2. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging the upper of a shoe, said shoe rest comprising a group of rods arranged in a plurality of rows with an end of each rod directed toward the shoe upper, the rods being relatively movable lengthwise to conform to the contour of the shoe.

3. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of the forepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of members arranged to extend heightwise of the shoe in substantially parallel relation to one another and relatively movable heightwise of the shoe in that relation to conform to the contour of the top of the forepart of the shoe.

4. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of the forepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of members arranged to extend heightwise of the shoe in substantially parallel relation to one another and relatively movable heightwise of the shoe to conform to the contour of the top of the forepart of the shoe, said members being arranged in contiguous relation to one another in a group extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoe.

5. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of the forepart, said shoe rest comprising a group of members arranged in a piurality of regular rows extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoe and relatively movable heightwise of the shoe to conform to the contour of the top of the forepart of the shoe.

6. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of the forepart, said shoe rest comprising a group of members arranged substantially in the form of a triangle in a plurality of rows parallel to the sides of the triangle and extending both lengthwise and latera ly of the shoe, said members being relatively movable heightwise of the shoe to conform to the contour of the top of the forepart of the shoe.

7. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest comprising a group of members substantially circular in crosssection and arranged in contiguous relation to one another in a plurality of regular rows with the members of successive rows in staggered relation, said members being relatively movable to conform to the contour of the shoe.

8. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of the forepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of rods arranged to extend lengthwise in the direction of the height of the shoe and relatively movable lengthwise to conform to the contour of the top of the forepart of the shoe, said rods being arranged in a group extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoe.

9. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging the upper of a shoe, said shoe rest comprising a group of parallel rods arranged in contiguous relation to one anotl er with an end of each rod directed toward the shoe upper, said rods being relatively movable lengthwise to conform to the contour of the shoe.

10. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of the forepart, said shoe rest comprising a group of parallel rods arranged with an end of each rod directed toward the top of the forepart of the shoe and relatively movable lengthwise to conform to the contour of the shoe, said group of rods being comparatively narrow widthwise of the shoe at that portion of the shoe rest which is nearest the toe end of the shoe and progressively increasing in width toward the rear of the forepart of the shoe.

11. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest arranged to support a shoe on the top of the forepart and comprising a plurality of parallel circular rods arranged with an end of each rod directed to- Ward the shoe and relatively movable lengthwise to conform to the contour of the shoe, said rods being arranged in a group having the form of a portion, at least, of an equilateral triangle.

12. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of the forepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of parallel rods substantially circular in cross-section and arranged in contiguous relation to one another with an end to each rod directed toward the top of the forepart of the shoe, said rods being relatively movable lengthwise to conform to the contour of the shoe and being arranged in a plurality of rows with the rods of successive rows in staggered relation.

13. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest comprising a group of parallel rods arranged to extend lengthwise toward a shoe to support the shoe by the end faces thereof that are nearest the shoe and relatively movable lengthwise in sliding contact with one another to conform to the contour of the shoe in response to pressure of the shoe upon them, and a flexible cover interposed between said end faces of the rods and the shoe.

14. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging the upper of a shoe, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of substantially parallel rods arranged in a group with an end of each rod directed toward the shoe upper, said rods being relatively movable lengthwise to conform to the contour of the shoe, and a flexible cover interposed between the ends of the rods and the shoe.

15. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest comprising a group of parallel rods arranged in a plurality of rows and extending lengthwise toward a shoe to support the shoe by the end faces thereof that are nearest the shoe, said rods being relatively movable lengthwise in sliding contact with one another to conform to the contour of the shoe in response to pressure of the shoe upon them, and yieldable means arranged to act on the end faces of said rods that are farthest from the shoe and against the resistance of which the rods are thus relatively movable.

16. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of the forepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of members arranged to extend heightwise of the shoe in substantially parallel relation to one another and relatively movable heightwise of the shoe to conform to the contour of the top of the forepart of the shoe, and yieldable means against the resistance of which said members are thus relatively movable.

17. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of the forepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of members arranged in a group extending both len thwise and laterally of the shoe and relatively movable heightwise of the shoe to conform to the contour of the top of the forepart of the shoe, and a yieldable pad against the resistance of which said members are thus relatively movable.

18. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of the forepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of substantially parallel rods arranged in a group extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoe with an end of each rod directed toward the top of the forepart of the shoe, said rods being relatively movable lengthwise to conform to the contour of the shoe, and yieldable means arranged to act on the other ends of said rods and against the resistance of which they are thus relatively movable.

19. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest comprising a plurality of parallel rods arranged in a group in substantially contiguous relation to one another with an end of each rod directed toward the shoe, said rods being relatively movable lengthwise to conform to the contour of the shoe, and a rubber pad arranged to control the other ends of the rods and against the resistance of which they are thus relatively movable.

20. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of the forepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of parallel rods arranged in a group extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoe with an end of each rod directed toward the top of the forepart of the shoe, said rods being relatively movable lengthwise to conform to the contour of the shoe, a holder for confining said rods laterally, and a rubber pad confined in said holder for supporting the other ends of said rods and against the resistance of which they are relatively movable.

21. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of the forepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of members arranged in a group extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoe and relatively movable to conform to the contour of the top of the forepart of the shoe, and yieldable means against the resistance of which said members are thus relatively movable, said members being arranged to present normally toward the shoe a concave shoe-pressing surface.

22. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of the forepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of parallel rods of substantially equal lengths arranged in a group extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoe with an end of each rod directed toward the top of the forepart of the shoe, the rods being relatively movable lengthwise to conform to the contour of the shoe, and a yieldable pad arranged to engage the other ends of said rods and against the resistance of which they are thus relatively movable, said pad being formed to present a normally concave surface toward the ends of the rods.

23. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of the forepart, said shoe rest having different portions relatively yieldable heightwise of the shoe to conform to the contour of the top of the forepart of the shoe, and means for rendering said different portions substantially positive in their action on the shoe after they have conformed to said contour.

24. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging the upper of a shoe, said shoe rest comprising a group of members arranged in substantially contiguous relation to one another and relatively movable in that relation in response to pressure of a shoe thereon to conform to the contour of the shoe, and means for holding said members against yield in response to pressure of the shoe thereon after they have conformed to said contour.

25. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of the forepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of members arranged in a group extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoe and relatively movable to conform to the contour of the top of the forepart of the shoe, and means for holding said members against yield in response to pressure of the shoe thereon after they have conformed to said contour.

26. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of the forepart, said shot rest comprising a group of members of rigid material relatively movable to conform to the contour of the top of the forepart of the shoe, and means for securing said members in position to serve as a substantially positive support for the shoe after they have conformed to said contour.

2'7. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of the forepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of members arranged in contiguous relation to one another in a group extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoe and relatively movable to conform to the contour of the top of the forepart of the shoe, and means for clamping said members together to hold them in fixed relation to one another after they have conformed to said contour.

28. In a shoemachine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of the forepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of members arranged in a group extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoe and relatively movable to conform to the contour of the top of the forepart of the shoe, said members being so formed and arranged as to have a wedging action on one another in response to pressure applied laterally to the group of members, and means for applying such lateral pressure to clamp the members together after they have conformed to the contour of the shoe.

29. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging the upper of a shoe, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of parallel rods arranged in a group with an end of each rod directed toward the shoe upper, said rods being relatively movable lengthwise to conform to the contour of the shoe, and means for securing said rods against yield in response to pressure of the shoe thereon after they have conformed to said contour.

30. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging the upper of a shoe, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of parallel rods arranged in contiguous relation to one another with an end of each rod directed toward the shoe upper, said rods being contour of the shoe, and means for clamping said rods together to hold them in fixed relation to one another after they have conformed to said contour.

31. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of the forepart, said shoe rest comprisinga group of rods substantially circular in cross-section and arranged in contact with one another in a plurality of rows with the rods-of successive rows in staggered relation and with an end of each rod directed toward the top of the forepart of the shoe, said rods being relatively movable lengthwise to conform to the contour of the shoe, and means for applying pressure laterally to said group of rods to clamp them against one another after they have conformed to said contour.

32. In a shoe machine,a shoe rest for engaging the upper of a shoe, said shoe rest comprising a group of members arranged in substantially parallel relation to one another and relatively movable to conform to the contour of the shoe, a holder for confining said members, and means for securing said members in fixed relation to one another and to said holder to provide a sub stantially rigid support ior the shoe after they have conformed to said contour.

33; In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of the forepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of rods arranged in a group extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoe with an end of each rod directed toward the topof the forepart of the shoe, a holder for confining said rods, the rods being movable relatively to one another and relatively to the holder to conform to the contour of the shoe, and means for clamping said rods against one another and against the holder to prevent them from moving relatively to the holder after they have conformed to said contour.

34. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the topof the forepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality ofrods substantially circular in cross-section and arranged in staggered relation to one another in a group extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoe with an end of each rod directed toward the top of the forepart of the'shoe, a holder for confining said rods, the rods being movable relatively to one another and relatively to said holder to conform to the contour of the shoe, and means for applying lateral pressure to said group of rods to clamp them against one another and against the holder after they have conformed to said contour.

35. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of the forepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of rods arranged in a group extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoe with an end of each rod directed toward the top of the forepart of the shoe, a holder for said rods so constructed as to confine the group of rods in a form corresponding substantially to a portion at least of a triangle, the rods being movable relatively to' one another and relatively to said holder to conform to the contour of the shoe, and means for applying pressure laterally to said rods to clamp them against one another and against the holder after they have conformed to said contour.

36. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of the forepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of rods arranged in a group extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoe with an end of each rod directed toward the relatively movable lengthwise to conform to thetop of the forepart of the shoe, a holder for confining said rods, the rods being relatively movable lengthwise to conform to the contour of the shoe, and mechanism comprising an eccentric rotatable to apply lateral pressure to the group of rods to clamp them together after they have conformed to said contour.

37. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of the forepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of rods arranged in a group extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoe with an end of each rod directed toward the top of the forepart of the shoe, a holder for confining said rods, the rods being relatively movable lengthwise to conform to the contour of the shoe, a slide in said holder movable to apply lateral pressure to the group of rods to clamp them against one another after they have conformed to said contour, and mechanism for imparting clamping movement to said slide.

38. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest comprising a plurality of members relatively movable to conform to the contour of a shoe, yieldable means against the resistance of which said members are thus relatively movable, and means for holding said members against yield in response to pressure of the shoe thereon after they have con- 'ranged in a group extending both-lengthwise formed to said contour.

39. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of the forepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of members relatively movable heightwise of the shoe to conform to the contour of the top of the forepart of the shoe, yieldable means against the resistance of which said members are thus relatively movable, and means for holding said members against yield in response to pressure of the shoe thereon after they have conformed to said contour.

40. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of the forepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of members arand laterally of the shoe and relatively movable to conform to the contour of the top of the forepart of the shoe, a yieldable pad against -the resistance of which said members are thus relatively movable, and means for securing said 'forepart of the shoe, yieldable means against the resistance of which said members are thus relatively movable, a holder for confining said members, and means for applying pressure to said members to maintain them in fixed relation to one another and to said holder after they have conformed to the contour of the shoe.

42. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging the upper of a shoe, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of parallel rods arranged in a group with an end of each rod directed toward the shoe upper, the rods being relatively movable lengthwise to conform to the contour of the shoe, yieidable means against the resistance of which the rods are thus relatively movable, and means for securing said rods against yield in response to pressure of the shoe thereon after they have conformed to said contour.

43. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of the forepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of parallel rods arranged in a group extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoe with an end of each rod directed toward the top of the forepart of the shoe, the rods being relatively movable lengthwise to conform to the contour of the shoe, a yieldable pad arranged to control the other ends of said rods and against the resistance of which they are thus relatively movable, and means for clamping the rods together to hold them in fixed relation to one another after they have conformed to the contour of the shoe.

44. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of the forepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of parallel rods arranged in a group extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoe with an end of each rod directed toward the top of the forepart of the shoe, a holder for confining said rods, the rods being movable relatively to one another and relatively to said holder to conform to the contour of the shoe, a yieldable pad against the resistance of which the rods are thus movable, and means for applying lateral pressure to the group of rods to clamp them against one another and against the holder after they have conformed to the contour of the shoe.

45. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of the forepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of rods substantially circular in cross-section and arranged in contiguous relation to one another in a group extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoe with an end of each rod directed toward the top of the forepart of the shoe, a holder for said rods constructed to maintain the group of rods in a form corresponding substantially to a portion at least of an equilateral triangle, the rods being movable relatively to one an other and relatively to said holder to conform to'thecontour of the shoe, a rubber pad against the resistance of which the rods are thus movable, and mechanism for applying lateral pressure to the group of rods to clamp them against one another and against the holder after they have conformed to the contour of the shoe.

46. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of the forepart, said shoe 3 rest comprising a plurality of members arranged in a group extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoe and relatively movable in response to pressure of the shoe thereon to conform to the contour of the top of the forepart 5- r} of the shoe, a holder for said members, means for preventing movement of said holder in response to pressure of the shoe on the shoe rest, and means for securing said members against movement relatively to the holder in response to pressure of the shoe thereon after they have conformed to the contour of the shoe.

47. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of the forepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of members of rigid material arranged in a group extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoe and relatively movable in response to pressure of the shoe thereon to conform to the contour of the top of the forepart of the shoe, a holder for said members, means for preventing movement of said holder in response to pressure of the shoe on the shoe rest, and means for clamping said members against one another and against the holder to serve as a substantially L positive support for the shoe after they have conformed to the contour of the shoe.

48. In a shoe machine, the combination with means for operating on a shoe with pressure on its bottom face, or" a shoe rest movable into position to support the shoe against said pressure, said shoe rest having different portions relatively movable heightwise of the shoe in response to pressure of the shoe thereon to conform to the contour of the shoe, and means for holding said different portions against yield in response to pressure of the shoe thereon after they have conformed to said contour.

49. In a shoe machine, the combination With means for operating on a shoe with pressure on its bottom face, of a shoe rest movable into posi tion to support the shoe against said pressure, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of members arranged in a group extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoe and relatively movable heightwise or" the shoe in response to pressure of the shoe thereon to conform to the contour of the shoe, and means for holding said members against yield hei htwise of the shoe after they have conformed to said contour.

50. In a shoe machine, the combination with means for operating on a shoe with pressure on its bottom face, of a shoe rest movable into position to support the shoe against said pressure, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of members relatively movable heightwise of the shoe in response to pressure 1 the shoe thereon to conform to the contour of tie shoe, a holder for said members, means for securing said holder against movement in response to pressure or" the shoe on the shoe rest, and means for securing said members against movement relatively to the holder after they have conformed to the contour of the shoe.

51. In a shoe machine, the combination with means for operating on the iorepart of a shoe with pressure on its bottom face, of a shoe rest movable into position to support the forepart of the shoe against said pressure, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of members arranged in a group extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoe and relatively movable in response to pressure of the shoe thereon to conform to the contour of the top of the forepart or the shoe, a holder for said members relatively to which they are thus movable, means for locking said holder against movement in response to pressure of the shoe on the shoe rest, and means for clamping said members against one another and against the holder to prevent them from moving relatively to the holder after they have conformed to the contour of the shoe.

52. In a shoe machine, the combination with means for operating on the forepart of a shoe with pressure on its bottom iace, or" a shoe rest movable into position to support the iorepart of the shoe against said pressure, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of parallel rods arranged in a group extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoe with an end of each rod directed toward the top of the iorepart of the shoe, a holder for said rods, yieldable means in said holder against the resistance of which the rods are movable relatively to one another and relatively to the holder in response to pressure of the shoe thereon to conform. to the contour of the top of the forepart of the shoe, means for locking said holder against movement in response to pressure of the shoe on the shoe rest, and means for clamping said rods against one another and against the holder to prevent them from moving relatively to the holder after they have conformed to the contour of the shoe.

53. In a shoe machine, a group of members arranged in a plurality of rows and relatively movable in response to pressure of a shoe thereon to conform to the conto .r of the shoe, a yieldable pad against the resistance of which said members are thus relatively movable, and means for securing the members against yield in response to pressure or" the shoe thereon after they have conformed to the contour of the shoe.

54. In a shoe machine, a group of rods arranged in parallel contiguous relation to one another in a plurality of rows, said rods being relatively movable in response to pressure of a shoe on one end of the group to conform to the contour of the shoe, a yieldable pad at the other end of the group against the resistance of which the rods are thus relatively movable, and means for applying clamping pressure to the rods to hold them against yield in response to pressure of the shoe thereon after they have conformed to the contour of the shoe.

55. In a shoe machine, a group or members relatively movable in response to pressure of a shoe thereon to conform to the contour of the shoe,

said members bein so constructed and arranged as to have a wedging action on one another in response to pressure applied laterally to the group, and means for thus applying pressure to the members to hold them against yield in response to pressure of the shoe thereon they have conformed to the contour of the shoe.

56. In a shoe machine, a group of rods substantially circular in cross-section and arranged contiguous to one another in plurality of rows with the rods of successive rows in staggered relation, said rods being relatively movable lengthwise in response to pressure of a shoe on one end of the group to conform to the contour of the shoe, and means for applying lateral pressure to the group of rods to clamp them against one another and to secure them against yield in response to pressure of the shoe thereon after they have conformed to the contour of the shoe.

57. In a shoe machine, the combination with shoe-positioning means, of a group of members relatively movable in response to pressure of a shoe thereon to conform to the contour of the shoe, a holder for said members movable to carry them into pressing relation to the shoe, means for securing said holder against reverse movement, and means for securing said members against yield relatively to the holder in response to pressure of the shoe thereon after they have conformed to the contour of the shoe.

58. In a shoe machine, the combination with shoe-positioning means, of a group of parallel rods arranged with one end of each rod directed toward the shoe, said rods being relatively movable lengthwise in response to pressure of the shoe thereon to conform to the contour of the shoe, a holder movable to carry said rods into pressing relation to the shoe, means for locking said holder against reverse movement, and means for clamping said rods against one another and against the holder to prevent them from yielding in response to pressure or" the shoe thereon after they have conformed to the contour of the shoe.

FRED N. LA CHAPELLE.

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