Improvements in or relating to shoe upper conforming machines

991,013. Shoe upper conforming machines. BRITISH UNITED SHOE MACHINERY CO. Ltd. July 26, 1961 [April 27, 1960], No. 14677/60. Heading A3B. A shoe upper conforming machine having work supporting means 2 for supporting the forepart of a last carrying an insole and an upper, a plurality of grippers 4, 6, 8 arranged to lie around the forepart of a shoe, means for causing the grippers to grip marginal portions of the upper, means for effecting relative heightwise movement, between the grippers and the worksupporting means and inwiping means 12 has additional features as follows. (1) The work-supporting means 2 is mounted in the machine on a pivot, the axis of which extends widthwise of the shoe that that a predetermined amount of pivotal movement can be given to the supporting member 2 to provide a preliminary toeward draft to the upper before any heightwise movement takes place. (2) The work-supporting means 2 comprises an inner supporting member 40 for engaging the mid-portion of the forepart of the insole and an insole edge supporting member 42 possessing an upstanding rim 44, the member 42 being movable heightwise with respect to the member 40 out of contact with the insole edge as wipers 12 commence their inwiping. (3) A toe pad 30 effects a relatively light pressure during the wiping operation and a relatively heavy pressure after the wiping operation to bed the lasted margin of the upper against the insole. (4) A means for withdrawing the inner supporting member 40 from engagement with the insole during the bedding operation. The inner supporting plate 40 is pivotally mounted on a post 48 which is received in the upper end of a piston rod 52, the movement of piston 54 against spring 94 effecting the heightwise movement of the work-supporting means 2 with respect to the grippers. The maximum heightwise movement is controlled by the engagement of a stop screw 90 in a casting 88 of the machine with a face 92 of an abutment of piston rod 52. Also mounted on the upper end of piston rod 52 is a sleeve 76 upon which a block 82, carrying the insole edge supporting member 42, is pivoted. The amount of pivoting is controlled by the engagement of screw 84 in sleeve 76 with an abutment 86 of block 82 and the engagement of pawls 108, 110 with abutments 122, 126 of block 84, the latter abutment being adjustable heightwise. Pawls 108, 110 are pivoted upon lugs 104 of piston rod 52 and are connected for swing- ing movement by a link 112 and pivot screws 114. Rear pawl 1