Shoe last remodeling jig

Claim 2

In a jig for aligning the reduced toe end of a last with a mold cap, the improvement comprising, in combination: means for supporting, in a predetermined position, a last adapted to receive a mold cap in registry on the toe end thereof, said support means including last gauge means adapted to engaged engage at least three points about the bottom pattern of said last, said last gauge means being arranged to effect disposition of said last in said predetermined position and in a predetermined spacial orientation; toe gauge means adapted to engage and contact selected portions of said mold cap and to assume a spacial orientation in which said engaged mold cap may be combined in registry, with the toe end of said supported last, thereby to enable said mold cap to be secured in registry to said last; means mounting said toe gauge means for movement between a first position in which said engaged mold cap is in said registry with the toe end of said supported last and a second, remotE position in which said toe gauge is withdrawn to an out-of-theway position thereby to enable a subsequent, identical mold cap to be engaged by said toe gauge means; whereby another last having a substantially identical bottom pattern may be supported in said predetermined position and spacial orientation, and said toe gauge means may be returned to said first position thereby to combine said another last and subsequent mold cap in the same registration.

Claim 3

A jig as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for supporting said last comprises: means for supporting the heel portion of said last; means for supporting the ball portion of said last; and wherein said last gauge means comprises: a heel end gauge secured to said heel support means and in a position to engage the heel end region of the bottom pattern of said last when said last is supported on said heel support, thereby to define the heelward position of said last; a heel side gauge mounted to said heel support in a position to bear against one side of the heel portion of the bottom pattern of said last while said last is supported on said heel support to define the lateral position of said heel end of said last; a ball side gauge mounted to said ball support means to engage the ball side of the bottom pattern of said last, said points of said engagement of said heel and end gauge, said heel side gauge and said ball side gauge comprising said at least three points; and means for clamping said last to maintain rigidly said last in contact with said gauges.

Claim 4

A jig as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for supporting the heel portion of said last comprises a heel seat plate, and wherein said heel and gauge comprises: a heel gauge block secured to the rearward end of said heel seat plate and extending upwardly therefrom to a level such that when the heel seat of said last rests on said heel seat plate, said heel gauge block may engage the heel end of said last at a point that is just above the edge of the bottom pattern of said last thereby to determine the rearwardmost position of said last; said heel seat plate having a laterally extending portion; said heel side gauge being mounted to said laterally extending portion of said heel seat plate.

Claim 5

A jig as defined in claim 3 wherein said means for clamping said last comprises: means engageable with the top of the last to force the heel end of said last downwardly into firm engagement with said heel seat plate; and means for urging firmly said last laterally against said heel side gauge

Claim 6

A jig as defined in claim 2 wherein said ball supporting means comprises: a laterally extending ball bar disposed forwardly of said heel supporting means; and means mounting said ball side gauge to said ball bar to engage said last on the same side as does said heel side gauge.

Claim 7

A jig as defined in claim 5 further comprising: means mounting said ball bar for movement in a forward-rearward direction that is toward and away from said heel supporting means to enable said ball side gauge to be positioned for accommodation of lasts of varying sizes.

Claim 8

A jig is defined in claim 6 further comprising: means mounting said heel supporting means for heightwise adjustment and for tilting adjustment about a lateral, horizontal axis to enable said supported last to be adjusted to an orientation wherein the ball of said last bears against said ball supporting means with the toe spring of the last being oriented at a predetermined angle in relation to said ball bar.

Claim 9

A jig as defined in claim 1 wherein said toe gauge means comprises: a toe plate adapted to contact the tip toe of said mold cap; a toe stop mounted to said toe plate having a gauge portion disposed above said toe plate, said gauge portion being adapted to contact the toe break of said mold cap when said toe plate is in engagement with said tip toe region; and a pair of laterally spaced gauge pins secured to and extending upwardLy from said toe plate, said gauge pins being adapted to contact opposite side edges of the bottom pattern of said mold cap.

Claim 10

A jig as defined in claim 8 further comprising: means mounting said toe stop for movement in a forward-rearward direction; means for locking said toe stop in a position along said range of movement thereof; and means mounting said gauge pins for lateral movement toward and away from each other.

Claim 11

A jig as defined in claim 8 further comprising: means mounting said toe plate and said gauge members, supported thereon for tilting movement about a horizontal, laterally extending axis to enable said toe plate to be tilted to a position wherein if will contact only the tip toe portion of said mold cap.

Claim 12

A jig as defined in claim 8 wherein said means for supporting said last comprises: means for supporting the heel portion of said last; means for supporting the ball portion of said last; and wherein said last gauge means comprises: a heel end gauge secured to said heel supporting means and in a position to gauge the heel of the bottom pattern of said last at the heel end thereof when said last is supported on said heel support, thereby to define the heelward position of said last; a heel side gauge mounted to said heel support in a position to bear against one side of the heel portion of the bottom pattern of said supported last to define the lateral position of said heel end of said last; a ball side gauge mounted to said ball support means to engage the ball side of the bottom pattern of said last; said points of engagement of said heel end gauge, said heel side gauge and said ball side gauge with said last comprising said at least three points; and means for clamping rigidly said last in said gauged, supported position.

Claim 13

A jig as defined in claim 11 wherein said means for supporting the heel portion of said last comprises a heel seat plate and wherein said heel and gauge comprises: a heel gauge block secured to the rearward end of said heel seat plate and extending upwardly therefrom to a level such that when the heel seat of said last rests on said heel seat plate, said heel gauge block will contact the heel end of said last at a point that is just above the edge of the bottom pattern of said last; said heel seat plate having a laterally extending portion; and said heel side gauge being mounted to said laterally extending portion of said heel seat plate.

Claim 14

A jig as defined in claim 12 wherein said ball supporting means: a laterally extending ball bar disposed forwardly of said heel supporting means; and means mounting said ball side gauge to said ball bar to engage the same side of said last as does said heel side gauge.

Claim 15

A jig as defined in claim 12 further comprising: means mounting said ball bar for movement in a forward-rearward direction that is toward and away from said heel supporting means to enable said ball side gauge to be positioned lengthwise of said last thereby to enable said jig to accommodate lasts of varying sizes.

Claim 16

A jig as defined in claim 14 further comprising: means mounting said heel supporting means for heightwise adjustment and for tilting adjustment about a lateral, horizontal axis to enable said supported last to be adjusted to an orientation wherein the ball of said last bears against said ball supporting means with the toe spring of said last being disposed at a predetermined angle in relation to said ball bar.

Claim 17

A jig as defined in claim 1 wherein said last supporting means is adapted to orient said last at a predetermined toe spring angle in relation to a horizontal plane and wherein said toe gauge means comprises: a toe plate; means mounting said toe plate for tilting movement with respect to the horizontal so that said toe plate may be disposed at a greater angle with respect to the horizontal and said toe spring angle of said supported last so that when said toe gauge is in said first position iT may contact only the tiptoe portion of said mold cap; a toe stop mounted to the forward end of said toe plate and being disposed above said toe plate; said toe stop extending rearwardly from said toe plate to be engageable with the toe break region of said mold cap; and a pair of gauge pins, mounted to and extending upwardly from said toe plate, said gauge pins being located rearwardly of said toe stop and spaced laterally of said toe stop so as to embrace and be engageable with the bottom edge of opposite sides of said mold cap.

Claim 18

A jig as defined in claim 16 further comprising: means mounting said toe stop for movement in a forward-rearward direction that parallels substantially the plane of said toe plate; and means mounting said upstanding gauge pins for lateral movement that is toward and away from each other, whereby said gauge pins and said toe stop may be adjusted to accommodate a range of sizes and styles of mold caps.

Claim 19

In a jig for aligning the reduced toe end of a last with a mold cap, the improvement comprising, in combination: a frame; a pair of laterally spaced, parallel rails, supported on said frame and disposed in a forward-rearward direction; a laterally extending heel bar secured to and between the rearward ends of said rails; a laterally extending ball bar, slidably mounted to and between said rails, forwardly of said heel bar for movement in a forward-rearward direction that is toward and away from said heel bar; a laterally extending toe bar, slidably mounted to and between said rails, forwardly of said ball bar, for movement in a forward-rearward direction that is toward and away from said heel bar and said ball bar; means mounted to said heel bar, intermediate its ends, for supporting the heel portion of said last, said heel supporting means including heel gauge means adapted to engage the bottom pattern of said last at the heel end and heel side regions of said last; means mounting said heel supporting means for heightwise adjustment and for tilting adjustment about a horizontal, laterally extending axis to enable said last to be supported in an attitude with respect to said ball bar such that the ball of said last bears against and at a predetermined toe spring angle to said ball bar; a ball side gauge mounted to said ball bar and being adapted to engage the bottom pattern of said supported last at its ball side; and toe gauge means mounted to said toe bar intermediate its ends, said toe gauge being constructed to gauge a mold cap in a predetermined spacial orientation such that when said last is supported in said predetermined position and orientation, a mold cap may be oriented by said toe gauge means in said spacial orientation to enable said toe bar, toe gauge and said oriented mold cap to slide rearwardly along the rails into registry with the toe end of said supported last.

Claim 20

In a jig for aligning the reduced toe end of a last with a mold cap, the improvement comprising, in combination: a frame; a pair of laterally spaced, parallel rails, supported on said frame and disposed in a forward-rearward direction; a laterally extending heel bar secured to and between the rearward ends of said rails; a laterally extending ball bar, slidably mounted to and between said rails, forwardly of said heel bar for movement in a forward-rearward direction that is toward and away from said heel bar; a laterally extending toe bar, slidably mounted to and between said rails, forwardly of said ball bar, for movement in a forward-rearward direction that is toward and away from said heel bar and said ball bar; means mounted to said heel bar, intermediate its ends, for supporting the heel portion of said last, said heel supporting means including heel gauge means adapted to engage the bottom pattern of said last at the heel end and heel side regions of said last; means mounting said heel supporting means for heightwise adjustment and for tilting adjustment about a horizontal, laterally extending axis to enable said last to be supported in an attitude with respect to said ball bar such that the ball of said last bears against and at a predetermined toe spring angle to said ball bar; a ball side gauge mounted to said ball bar and being adapted to engage the bottom pattern of said supported last at its ball side; and toe gauge means mounted to said toe bar intermediate its ends, said toe gauge being constructed to gauge a mold cap in a predetermined spacial orientation such that when said last is supported in said predetermined position and orientation, a mold cap may be oriented by said toe gauge means in said spacial orientation to enable said toe bar, toe gauge and said oriented mold cap to slide rearwardly along the rails into registry with the toe end of said supported last.

Claim 21

A jig as defined in claim 18 wherein said heel supporting means and said heel gauge means comprises: a heel end gauge secured to said heel support means and in a position to engage the heel end region of the bottom pattern of said last when said last is supported on said heel support, thereby to define the heelward position of said last; and a heel side gauge mounted to said heel support in a position to bear against one side of the heel portion of the bottom pattern of said last while said last is supported on said heel support to define the lateral position of said heel end of said last.

Claim 22

A jig as defined in claim 19 wherein said means for supporting the heel portion of said last comprises a heel seat plate, and wherein said heel end gauge comprises: a heel gauge block secured to the rearward end of said heel seat plate and extending upwardly therefrom to a level such that when the heel seat of said last rests on said heel seat plate, said heel gauge block may engage the heel end of said last at a point that is just above the edge of the bottom pattern of said last; said heel seat plate having a laterally extending portion; and said heel side gauge being mounted to said laterally extending end of said heel seat plate.

Claim 23

In a method of remodeling a last by securing a mold cap about the reduced toe end of said last to define a mold cavity between said reduced toe and the interior surface of said mold cap, said cavity being adapted to receive a molding material, an improved method of aligning said last and mold cap comprising: supporting a master last in a predetermined location and spacial orientation which is determined with reference to at least three selected locations on the bottom pattern of said last said master last having a master mold cap secured, in registry, to the toe end thereof; gauging the position and spacial orientation of said master mold cap while said master last is supported in said location; substituting a subsequent last to be restyled, in place of said master last so that the corresponding at least three regions of said bottom pattern of said subsequent last are disposed in the same locations as were those of said master last, thereby to support said subsequent last in the same location and spacial orientation as that of said master last; and supporting a subsequent, substantially identical, mold cap in the same spacial orientation as that of said master mold cap and thereafter positioning said subsequent mold cap in the same position as was said master mold cap with respect to said master last while maintaining said spacial orientation of said mold cap, thereby to combine said subsequent last and subsequent mold cap in registration identical to that of said master last and master mold cap.

Claim 24

In a method of remodeling a last by securing a mold cap about the reduced toe end of said last to define a mold cavity between said reduced toe and the interior surface of said mold cap, said cavity being adapted to receive a molding material, an improved method of aligning said last and mold cap comprising: supporting a master last in a predetermined location and spacial orientation which is determined with reference to at least three selected locations on the bottom pattern of said last said master last having a master mold cap secured, in registry, to the toe end thereof; gauging the position and spacial orientation of said master mold cap while said master last is supported in said location; substituting a subsequent last to be restyled, in place of said master last so that the corresponding at least three regions of said bottom pattern of said subsequent last are disposed in the same locations as were those of said master last, thereby to support said subsequent last in the same location and spacial orientation as that of said master last; and supporting a subsequent, substantially identical, mold cap in the same spacial orientation as that of said master mold cap and thereafter positioning said subsequent mold cap in the same position as was said master mold cap with respect to said master last while maintaining said spacial orientation of said mold cap, thereby to combine said subsequent last and subsequent mold cap in registration identical to that of said master last and master mold cap.

Claim 25

A method as defined in claim 21 wherein said step of gauging the position of said master mold cap comprises: causing a toe gauge to engage said master mold cap while said master last is supported in said predetermined position, said engagement being effected at selected locations about said mold cap, said locations being such that when an identical mold cap subsequently is inserted into said toe gauge it will be engaged at said selected locations and will be disposed in the same special orientation as was said master mold cap.

Claim 26

A method as defined in claim 22 wherein said step of orienting a second identical mold cap in the same spacial orientation as that of said master mold cap comprises: maintaining said spacial orientation of said toe gauge after said toe gauge has engaged said master mold cap at said selected locations about said mold cap; and inserting said second, identical mold cap into said toe gauge so that said toe gauge engages said second mold cap at said selected locations.

Claim 27

A method as defined in claim 23 wherein said toe gauge is withdrawn from said position of engagement with said master mold cap to a remote position and wherein said second mold cap is inserted into said toe gauge while in said remote position.

Claim 28

A method as defined in claim 21 wherein said three selected locations on the bottom pattern of said last comprise: the heel end of said bottom pattern; the heel side at one side of said bottom pattern; and the ball side at said one side of said bottom pattern.

Claim 29

A method as defined in claim 25 wherein the position and orientation of said mold cap is gauged with reference to selected location about said mold cap, said selected locations comprising: the toe tip of said mold cap; the toe break of said mold cap; the bottom side edge at one side of said mold cap; and the bottom side edge at the other side of said mold cap.

Claim 30

A method as defined in claim 21 wherein the position and orientation of said mold cap is gauged with reference to selected locations about said mold cap, said selected locations comprising: the toe tip of said mold cap; the toe break of said mold cap; the bottom side edge at one side of said mold cap; and the bottom side edge at the other side of said mold Cap.