Shoe upper mounting machine with string lasting means

Abstract

A shoe upper mounting machine with a string lasting means is designed for mounting a shoe upper using a string lasting means for the footwear mounting sector with high-productivity, using the string lasting method of sewing the edges with a lasting string. The invention includes the use of this technology in footwear models which are normally excluded because they have sturdy, not flexible shoe uppers which are difficult to conform using string lasting. It is sufficient to provide a shoe upper with new dimensions suitable for this mounting technology. The machine is capable of lasting any string and adjusting any shoe upper to the form, provided these materials conform with acceptable quality standards for footwear components. The invention is characterized by a module (3) for fitting shoe uppers onto the form (F), a string lasting module (4), and optionally a module (5) for coupling and uncoupling the couplable footwear form.

Claims

1. A shoe upper mounting machine with a string-lasting device that uses a string-lasting method for large-scale production, comprising: a support housing (1), supported on a base (2), a first module (3) for fitting a shoe upper on a last (F), a second device module (4) for string lasting, a third module (5) for assembling and dismantling a mountable shoe last; the modules selectively acting independently or in association with one another: and force and speed activators in the first and second modules (3) and (4).

2. The shoe upper mounting machine with string-lasting device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second modules (3) and (4) are fitted with a pedal (6) with a double start-up command (on/off) and proportional force and speed command.

3. The shoe upper mounting machine with string-lasting device according to claim 1, wherein the last (F) for the shoe uppers (C1) is arrayed on a support (S1) that anchors the last, positioned on an inclined surface (7) on the upper part of the first module (3), with a buffer-stop at the front of the last (F) for holding a heel (8) which has vertical height regulation through pivoting (9) on a support (10) and with horizontal proximity adjustment through displacement of the support (10), in order to move the buffer-stop towards or away from the tractioning device assembly.

4. The shoe upper mounting machine with string-lasting device according to claim 1, wherein, in front of the last (F), a string guide roller (12) is included, which is aligned with a string brace (13), attached to a support (14), from which an arm (15) of a protective transparent cover (16) projects.

5. The shoe upper mounting machine with string-lasting device according to claim 1, wherein the module (3) for fitting shoe uppers on to the last (F) comprises a mechanical pneumatic assembly consisting of the brace anchoring the actual last (17), together with a shoe horn and uppers gripper clamp (18), with a flexible blade (19) mounted in a structure (20), through which the shoe horn tractioning device (21) is laterally visible, with an adjustable clamp release sensor, with the said tractioning device (21) being adjustable through a slot (22) in the structure.

6. The shoe upper mounting machine with string-lasting device according to claim 1, wherein the shoe horn tractioning device (21) contains an adjustable sensor that includes the sensor (23) and the receiver (24), attached to the clamp activation assembly, adjacent the middle (25) where a flexible blade (19) is affixed.

7. The shoe upper mounting machine with string-lasting device according to claim 1, wherein the string-lasting device module (4) is a mechanical pneumatic assembly consisting of the support (S1) that anchors the last (F), the said support (S1) functions in association with the support in contact with the shoe uppers (26) and the string guide roller (12); a string gripper clamp (27), a buffer-stop (8) for holding the heel, with vertical height and horizontal proximity regulation, and a vertical height (28) and horizontal proximity (29) adjustment system.

8. The shoe upper mounting machine with string-lasting device according to claim 1, wherein the vertical height regulation uses a sliding handle or knob (30) on a vertical bar (31), and the horizontal proximity adjustment uses a toothed bar (32) slidable along a slot (33).

9. The shoe upper mounting machine with string-lasting device according to claim 1, wherein the tractioning device assembly consists of a string-lasting force activator (C2), through a pneumatic cylinder (34) activated by the pedal (6), which operates through an articulated arm (35) alongside the string guide roller (12), also operating through a contact support point (36) with the shoe uppers (12B).

10. The shoe upper mounting machine with string-lasting device according to claim 1, further comprising linear movement of the string-lasting force activator.

11. The shoe upper mounting machine with string-lasting device according to claim 1, wherein a direct action proportional pressure (force) and flow (speed) valve (37), works with the string tightening system and the shoe horn for shoe uppers with a clamp.

12. The shoe upper mounting machine with string-lasting device according to claim 11, further comprising a proportional valve (37) with a proportional pressure mechanical activation pin (Z), as well as a pressure inflow point (P) for the system, while the element (A) presents the pneumatic flow outlet with pressure and flow proportional to the activation action of (Z); the element (R) represents the return of the working pressure (A) into the atmosphere, while (X) is action spring for returning to the rest position; finally, the element (e) indicates the proportional action position, while (f) is the proportional control mid-position and (g) is the proportional return mid position of the action.

13. The shoe upper mounting machine with string-lasting device according to claim 1, further comprising a pneumatic circuit with a sensor and a proportional force and speed activator for command modules (3) and (4).

14. The shoe upper mounting machine with string-lasting device according to claim 13, wherein comprises the automation of the string-lasting device module (4) and the uppers fitting module (3), which includes the proportional pedal (6) connected to a sequence of three-way valves (38), with this assembly functioning with pressure regulators (39), which also allows adjustment control limiting the maximum tensile strength of the strings, while the pneumatic cylinders (40) handle the activation and control of the string gripper clamp assembly (27) (C2); while the uppers bagging module (3) discloses an activation pneumatic cylinder (41) alongside the uppers gripper damp (18), with a set of three-way valves (38) and a second tension pressure return pneumatic cylinder (42).

15. The shoe upper mounting machine with string-lasting device according to claim 1, wherein comprises an electro-pneumatic sensor circuit and a proportional force and speed activator in an alternative way through an electronic pedal (6B), a logic controller (43)electronic signal processing module-powering the pedal (6B) and that intercommunicate through a proportional pressure transducer (44)proportional power activation through an electro-pneumatic proportional valveat the pneumatic circuit outlook point (45).

16. The shoe upper mounting machine with string-lasting device according to claim 1, further comprising, a machine holding a device for boots (11), with height regulation.

17. The shoe upper mounting machine with string-lasting device according to claim 5, wherein the shoe horn tractioning device (21) contains an adjustable sensor that includes a sensor (23) and a receiver (24), attached to the clamp activation assembly, adjacent the middle (25) where a flexible blade is affixed (19).

18. The shoe upper mounting machine with string-lasting device according to claim 7, wherein the vertical height regulation uses a sliding handle or knob (30) on a vertical bar (31), and horizontal proximity adjustment uses a toothed bar (32) that can slide along a slot (33).

19. The shoe upper mounting machine with string-lasting device according to claim 8, wherein the tractioning device assembly consists of a string-lasting force activator (C2), through a pneumatic cylinder (34) activated by the pedal (6), which operates through an articulated arm (35) alongside the string guide roller (12), also operating through a contact support point (36) with the shoe uppers (12B).

20. The shoe upper mounting machine with string-lasting device according to claim 9, further comprising a linear movement of the string-lasting force activator.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will be described below in an embodiment of a last, making reference to the appended drawings for better understanding, which present:

(2) FIG. 1: Perspective overview of the machine according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2: Perspective overview of the machine according to the invention, highlighting the anchor-brace holding the last and the shoe horn with a gripper clamp for uppers, a shoe horn tractioning device with an adjustable sensor for releasing the clamp, in addition to the proportional action pedal;

(4) FIG. 3: Perspective overview of the machine according to the invention, highlighting the string-lasting device module and its mechanisms;

(5) FIG. 4: Schematic drawing of the proportional direct action pressure valve (force) and flow (speed), illustrating its main components;

(6) FIG. 5: Sequentially shows the functions of the module for fitting uppers on the last, with (a) the clamp gripping the shoe uppers through the shoe horn tractioning device; (b) with the clamp starting to move away from the shoe uppers; and (c) with the clamp away from the shoe uppers;

(7) FIG. 6: Illustrates an operating sequence of the clamp and its respective pneumatic operating system, with (a) being the initial stage and (b) the final stage;

(8) FIG. 7: Shows a partial perspective view of the machine according to the invention, highlighting the string guide roller, the string brace and a protective transparent cover;

(9) FIG. 8: Shows the electro-pneumatic circuit for the sensor and the proportional force and speed activator;

(10) FIG. 9: Schematically shows a string-type tractioning device;

(11) FIG. 10: Shows a model made by ISA for the assembly and dismantling of the mountable shoe last;

(12) FIG. 11: Schematically shows the string-lasting device module and the uppers bagging module;

(13) FIG. 12: Shows a partial perspective view of the machine according to the invention with the buffer-stop for holding the heel and the anchor-brace holding the last;

(14) FIG. 13: Shows a perspective view of the machine according to the invention, with a device for boots with height regulation;

(15) FIG. 14: Shows the last in perspective with shoe uppers;

(16) FIG. 15: Shows the last in perspective with shoe uppers, in the opposite position to the previous Figure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(17) The Shoe upper mounting machine with string-lasting device addressed by this application for a Patent of Invention comprises a metal support housing (1), supported on a flat base (2), with a module (3) for fitting shoe uppers on to the last (F), or a string-lasting device module (4) and optionally a module (5) for assembling and dismantling the mountable shoe last. The use of these modules in the equipment may be through association, meaning module (3) together with module (4), together with module (5), with these modules having different purposes, although with associated and complementary actions.

(18) Modules (3) and (4) are worked by a pedal (6) with a double start-up command (on/off) and a proportional force and speed command, which is handled through the command shown in FIG. 11.

(19) The last (F) for holding the shoe uppers (C1) is arrayed on a support (S1) that anchors the last, positioned on an inclined surface (7) on the upper part of the equipment, with a buffer-stop at the front of the last (F) for holding the heel (8) which has vertical height regulation through pivoting (9) on a support (10) and with horizontal proximity through displacement of this support (10), positioning the tractioning device assembly rod closer or further away in order to adapt it to the different footwear sizes to be assembled. Optionally, the machine may be fitted with a device for boots (11) with height adjustment, in addition to having a string guide roller (12) at the front of the last (F), which is aligned with a string brace (13), attached to a support (14), from which the arm (15) of the protective transparent cover (16) projects.

(20) The module (3) for fitting shoe uppers onto the last (F) is comprised of a mechanical pneumatic assembly composed of the brace anchoring the actual last (17), together with a shoe horn and uppers gripper clamp (18), a flexible blade (19) mounted in the structure (20), through which the tractioning device (21) of the shoe horn with an adjustable clamp release sensor and with the said tractioning device (21) adjustable through a slot (22) in the structure.

(21) In FIG. 5 the shoe horn tractioning device (21) with an adjustable sensor is shown in detail in (b), where the sensor (23) and the receiver (24) which can be seen attached to the clamp activation assembly, particularly in the middle (25) where the flexible blade is affixed (19).

(22) The string-lasting device module (4) is a mechanical pneumatic assembly composed of the above-mentioned support (S1) that anchors the last (F), with this assembly presented in greater detail in FIG. 6, where the support (S1) functions in association with the support in contact with the shoe uppers (26) and the string guide roller (12); it also encompasses a string gripper clamp (27), in addition to the above-mentioned buffer-stop (8) for holding the heel, with vertical height and horizontal proximity regulation, as well as the vertical height (28) and horizontal proximity (29) adjustment system of the complete tractioning device assembly, with vertical regulation handled through a sliding handle or knob (30) on a vertical bar (31), and horizontal adjustment through a toothed bar (32) that can slide along a slot (33); it also encompasses the said string guide roller (12), the string brace (13) and the described transparent protection (16); it also encompasses the tightening module (4) and the proportional action pedal (6).

(23) FIG. 6 discloses further details of the tractioning device assembly, showing a string-lasting force activator (C2), through a pneumatic cylinder (34) activated by the pedal (6), which operates through an articulated arm (35) alongside the string guide roller (12), also operating through a contact support point (36) with the shoe uppers (12B). With this construction having a linear movement of the string-lasting force activator.

(24) As mentioned above, the invention may also optionally encompass a module (5) made by the applicant (I.S.A.) for assembling and dismantling the mountable shoe last, best shown in FIG. 10; the said module (5) is intended to allow shoe uppers (C1) to be fitted more easily on the last (F) or to remove an assembled shoe therefrom. This module (5) does not require a proportional command.

(25) FIG. 4 shows the direct-action pressure valve (force) and flow (speed) (37), with the logic project design and architecture developed for this machine defining the pneumatic valves and activators as elements generating movements and attachments (FIG. 11).

(26) For the results of the machine to be satisfactory in terms of operating time, for the quality and accuracy of the string-lasting force and speed control under the command of the operator on production lines, the invention encompasses an active sensor pneumatic valve installed on the command pedal (6) that serves as a proportional sensor for operator actions, activating the string-lasting force and speed multiplication activator (C2).

(27) This valve (37), shown in FIG. 4, has a proportional pressure mechanical activation pin (Z), as well as a pressure inflowpoint (P) for the system. The element (A) presents the pneumatic flow outlet with pressure and flow proportional to the activation action of (Z); the element (R) represents the return of the working pressure (A) into the atmosphere, while (X) is action spring for returning to the rest position. The element (e) indicates the proportional action position, while (f) is the proportional control mid-position and (g) is the proportional return mid-position of the action.

(28) FIG. 11 shows the automation of the string-lasting device module (4) and the uppers fitting module (3), with this proportional pedal (6) connected to a sequence of three-way valves (38) on the string-lasting device module (4), with this assembly functioning with pressure regulators (39), while the pneumatic cylinders (40) handle the activation and control of the string gripper clamp assembly (27) (C2). The uppers bagging module (3) discloses an activation pneumatic cylinder (41) alongside the uppers gripper clamp (18), with a set of three-way valves (38) and a second tension pressure return pneumatic cylinder (42).

(29) FIG. 8 shows the electro-pneumatic sensor circuit and the proportional force and speed activator, with an electronic pedal (6B), a logic controller (43)electronic signal processing modulepowering the pedal (6B) and that intercommunicate through a proportional pressure transducer (44)proportional power activation through an electro-pneumatic proportional valve at the pneumatic circuit outlook point (45), presented as an alternative construction solution.

(30) Use of the shoe upper assembly machine takes place in the following manner for the module (3) placing shoe uppers on the last (F): the height (vertical) and distance (horizontal) adjustments are defined by the operator, depending on the shoe to be fitted, for module (3) as well as module (4); the last (F) is attached to the anchor-brace (17) of the module (3) for fitting shoe uppers on to the last and the shoe upper (C1) is positioned on the said anchor-brace (17) (FIG. 2); the operator positions the shoe horn clamp (18) on the rear extremity of the shoe upper (C1), which is the location of the heel of the shoe and tightens the clamp, using the first stage of the pedal (6) (FIG. 5a); by pressing his foot down steadily on the pedal (6), the operator activates the shoe contract that pulls the shoe upper (C1) into position on the last (F). Traction force and speed are proportional to the force or movement of the foot on the pedal (6). It is convenient that this device be connected through the pedal (6), as in this way the hands can help fit the shoe upper (Cl) on to the last (F) (FIG. 5b); when the foot is lifted from the pedal (6), the clamp (18) opens and goes back to the return position (FIG. 5c); the operator then commands and moves the brace anchoring the last (F) up to the string-lasting device module (4).

(31) The string-lasting device module (4) has the following operating sequence: with the last (F) and the shoe upper (C1) in the correct position, the operator positions the ends of the strings (C2) in the brace (13) and feeds them into the gripper clamp (27). He then presses down again on the same pedal (6), activating the first stage of this function through activating the gripper clamp (27) and moving the heel clamp up against the shoe upper (C1), holding it firmly on the last (F) (FIG. 6a); the operator then activates the string-lasting device by pressing down steadily on the foot pedal (6) in order to adjust the shoe upper (C1) around the last (F) in the shoe sole region. Traction force and speed are proportional to the pressure on the pedal. Once again, the operator's hands are free to help position the shoe upper (C1) (FIG. 6b); with the shoe upper (C1) already assembled on the last (F), once the foot is lifted from the pedal (6), the last (F) may be removed from the machine, completing the operation.

(32) According to the invention, the results are achieved through the actions performed by the operator, with the force applied to the pedal (6) in order to control the movements performed by the shoe horn tractioning device and the string-lasting device, reflected proportionally in the force and speed applied to the machine, depending on the variations needed for each shoe model.

(33) In terms of the functionality of the systems constituting the machine, the module for fitting shoe uppers on to the last (F) is activated by the pedal (6), for tightening the shoe horn clamp (18) with pre-set force, as well as for the shoe horn traction, with activation force and speed proportional to the pressure used by the operator.

(34) The string-lasting device module (4) is activated by the pedal (6), in order to activate the string gripper clamp (27) and the heel clamp (12) against the shoe upper (C1), with pre-set force and for string-lasting (C2), with activation force and speed in proportion to the pressure used by the operator.

(35) When the direct action proportional pressure (force) and flow (speed) valve (37) is in the resting position, through progressively activating the pin (Z), the pressure (P) starts to flow towards the outlet (A) with flow and pressure in proportion to the difference in the value applied to the activator (Z). When reaching the desired midpoint between the action (Z) and the result on the job (A) through the movement (X), the status shifts to pressure maintenance (f).

(36) The flow and pressure at (A) are provided in proportion to the difference between the amount of pressure applied and its reaction.

(37) With regard to the electro-pneumatic circuit (FIG. 8), the same function logic may be obtained through opting for elements of alternative technical origin. Consequently, an electronic pedal (6B) may be used with digital or analog data outflows, an electronic signal processing module, and proportional power activation through an electro-pneumatic proportional valve and a pneumatic or electric force activator.

(38) The machine addressed by the invention may be commercialized in a customized way for each application. In other words, it may be composed of a housing that holds any one of the independent modules. All may comprise an association of the housing with two or three modules, or may also be assembled with the housing and three modules together.

(39) As mentioned previously, the machine addressed by this invention is intended for the high-productivity footwear assembly sectors using the string-lasting method-stitching the edges with a lasting string. Its main purposes are: footwear assembly automation through the string-lasting method, bringing different functions together at a single work post, in order to reduce indirect time while performing the tasks. This factor contributes significantly to lower operating costs; process automation provides replicability and standardization for performing the tasks, upgrading the quality of the finished product; commanded by the operator, the actions of the assembly replace manual efforts for fitting the shoe upper onto the last, as well as for tightening the string, endowing these tasks with greater force, speed and precision. This eliminates repetitive stress injuries that are common among skilled workers employed on shoe assembly lines using the string-lasting method performed by hand; allows the assembly of other types of footwear through the string-lasting method, which was previously restricted to models whose uppers were made from light, flexible materials that were easy to handle. This assembly alternative has become feasible because string-lasting, which was previously performed by hand, requiring strength and skill from operators, can now be undertaken mechanically through the use of a simple mechanism that is fully controlled by the operator through pressure applied to the pedal; the adoption of an uppers assembly machine allows shoe uppers to be assembled in full by a non-specialized operator through a single string-tightening step, with lower operating costs, particularly compared to the traditional footwear assembly system that uses individual assembly positions for toe-caps, vamps and the back of the shoe. Furthermore, in most cases, adoption of the string-lasting method requires shoe remodeling that helps reduce the consumption of materials used for the uppers, resulting in less waste and resulting in less waste and scraps of left-over material.