Improvements in or relating to machines for applying reinforcements to workpieces

744,622. Affixing tape by adhesive. BRITISH UNITED SHOE MACHINERY CO., Ltd. April 26, 1954 [April 25, 1953], No. 11483/53. Addition to 579,399. Class 73 The machine described in the parent Specification for applying reinforcing tape to eyelet-receiving parts of shoes, is modified by the provision of a fixed guard 7 and a pivoted guard 15 movable within the fixed guard to open or close the opening between the guard 7 and work support 1 through which a workpiece is inserted, the movable guard 15 being connected to clutch-controlling mechanism 45 in such manner that this mechanism is prevented from operating to start the machine until the guard 15 has moved to its closed position to prevent injury to the fingers of an operator. A rod 23 is pivotally connected to the guard 15 and to one end of a bellcrank lever 27, pivoted on the machine, the other end of which is pivoted to a telescopic member 33 in turn pivoted to a block 43 on a treadle rod 45 which controls the clutch of the machine. Weak tension springs 39 connect the two parts of the member 33. The treadle rod 45 is urged upwardly by a spring 49 bearing at its upper end on a block 51 on the rod 45. On downward movement of the treadle rod, the guard 15 moves towards the work support 1 but if the operator's fingers obstruct this movement, the upper end of the bell-crank lever arm 25 will not move completely away from under the block 51 and the rod 45 is stopped from moving down far enough to trip the clutch. During this movement, the weak springs 39 yield and prevent injury to the operator's fingers by the guard 15. On removal of the operator's fingers, the rod 45 can be moved downwardly again to close the guard 15 and then trip the clutch. Specification 628,702 also is referred to.