Shoe treatment

Claim 2

In a control device for controlling the operation of a shoe treating machine, the machine having a frame with a last support member therein and a toe support member longitudinally adjustable therein and a treatment tool support member reciprocable longitudinally along a last mounted on the last support member, signal generating means operable to generate control signals in conformity with the position of the tool support member along the last, switch means adapted to be operated by said signals, and means under the control of said switch means for controlling the relative movement between the tool support member and the last support member.

Claim 3

A control device according to claim 1 in which said signals vary in conformity with the position of the tool support member relative to a predetermined reference point on a shoe on a last mounted on said last support member.

Claim 4

A control device according to claim 1 in which said signal is a digital signal and varies in conformity with the position of the tool support member relative to a predetermined reference point on a shoe on a last mounted on said last support member.

Claim 5

A control device according to claim 1 which includes opto-electronic means for generating said signals in digital form, said signals varying in conformity with the position of the tool support member relative to a predetermined reference point on a shoe on a last mounted on said last support member.

Claim 6

A control device according to claim 3 which includes opto-electronic means for generating said signals in digital form, said signals varying in conformity with the position of the tool support member relative to a predetermined reference point on a shoe on a last mounted on the last support member, said opto-electronic means being responsive to the absolute value which indicates the position of the tool support member along the last.

Claim 7

A control device according to claim 2 in which said signal generating means includes potentiometer means having an element in the form of a resistor and an element in the form of a sliding tap on the resistor, one element being stationarily mounted on the machine and the other element being connected to the tool support member, and a direct current source of voltage connected to the ends of the resistor.

Claim 8

A control device accordIng to claim 1 in which the toe of a shoe on a last on said last support member forms the said reference point.

Claim 9

A control device according to claim 7 which includes an element of said signal generating means coupled to the toe support member.

Claim 10

A control device according to claim 7 in which said signals are at a comparison value of zero when the tool on the tool support member is directly opposed to the toe of a shoe on a last on the last support member and which toe is engaged by the toe support member, said signals increasing in value as the tool moves towards the heel of the shoe.

Claim 11

A control device according to claim 9 in which movement of the tool support to move the tool from the toe end of the shoe away from the heel maintains the signals at a comparison value of zero.

Claim 12

A control device according to claim 6 in which said potentiometer means has a region of low ohmic value at one extreme end.

Claim 13

A control device according to cliam 9 in which movement of the tool support to move the tool from the toe end of the shoe away from the heel reduces said signals from a comparison value of zero toward absolute zero.

Claim 14

A control device according to cliam 9 in which movement of the tool support to move the tool from the toe end of the shoe away from the heel reduces said signals from a comparison value of zero toward absolute zero.

Claim 15

A control device according to claim 1 in which said signal generating means includes a first potentiometer comprising a first resistor stationarily mounted on the machine and having a first slidable tap connected to the toe support member for movement thereby and a second potentiometer comprising a second resistor and a second slidable tap connected to the tool support member for movement thereby, said second resistor being connected to the toe support member for movement thereby whereby said second tap is at the end of said second resistor whenever the tool is adjacent the toe support member, a third movable tap on said second resistor, a voltage source comprising two parts connected in series with the juncture thereof grounded, one of said parts being connected across said first resistor, said first tap being connected to one end of the second resistor, the other said part of said voltage source being connected between said third tap and the other end of said second resistor.

Claim 16

A control device according to claim 13 in which said third tap is manually adjustable.

Claim 17

A control device according to claim 13 in which said signals are generated across said second tap and the juncture of said two parts of said source of voltage, said switch means being connected to receive said generated signals and also to receive reference signals and operating in conformity with the difference between said signals.

Claim 18

A control device according to claim 15 in which said switch means comprises a plurality of switches with each switch being connected to a respective source of reference signals.

Claim 19

A control device according to claim 16 in which each said source of reference signals is manually adjustable.

Claim 20

A control device according to claim 16 in which each said source of reference signals is adjustable and are adapted for adjustment by a program member.

Claim 21

A control device according to claim 16 in which each said source of reference signals is in the form of a presettable unit adapted for connection with the respective switch means.

Claim 22

A control device according to claim 16 in which at least one said switch is adjustable to respond to values of a generated signal equal to or greater than the comparison value signal.

Claim 23

A control device according to claim 16 in which at least one said switch is adjustable to respond to a generated signal value which lies between absolute zero value and the comparison zero value.

Claim 24

A control device according to claim 19 in which each said source of reference signals comprises a potentiometer having a source of direct voltage connected to the terminals and having a moveable tap, the reference signal provided thereby being taken between the tap and one end of the potentiometer.

Claim 25

A control device according to claim 1 in which said switch means includes end switches operated in rEsponse to the tool on the tool support member reaching the ends of a last on the last support member.

Claim 26

A control device according to claim 23 in which said end switches control the change of direction between the tool and the shoe.

Claim 27

A control device according to claim 23 in which the tool is reversible and the said end switches control the direction of movement of the tool.

Claim 28

A control device according to claim 1 in which said relative movement between the tool support member and the last support member is a pivotal movement on an axis parallel to the length of the last.

Claim 29

A control device according to claim 26 which includes electric means energizable for effecting said relative movement.

Claim 30

A control device according to claim 27 in which said switch means provide electric signals for actuating said electrical means.

Claim 31

A control device according to claim 28 in which one of said switch means initiates said pivotal movement and another of said switch means interrupts the said pivotal movement.

Claim 32

A control device according to claim 29 which includes at least one adjustable means in circuit with the electrical means for influencing the speed with which said pivotal movement takes place.

Claim 33

A control device according to claim 30 in which said switch means provides for reversal of said electrical means.

Claim 34

A control device according to claim 30 in which said adjustable means is manually adjustable.

Claim 35

A control device according to claim 30 in which said adjustable means is adapted for adjustment by a program member.

Claim 36

A control device according to claim 30 in which said adjustable means comprises a plurality of preadjusted members, and a carrier on which said members are assembled for connection to the control device.

Claim 37

A control device according to claim 30 in which said adjustable means is a variable means.

Claim 38

A control device according to claim 30 in which said adjustable means is a variable ratio transformer.

Claim 39

A control device according to claim 16 which includes a reference voltage source which conforms to a predetermined characterizing dimension of the shoe to be treated.

Claim 40

A control device according to claim 37 in which said reference voltage source is connected in circuit with said signal generating means so that the generated signals are influenced by a scale factor determined by said reference voltage source.

Claim 41

A control device according to claim 37 which includes means for influencing at least one of said sources of reference signals in conformity with said source of reference voltage.

Claim 42

A control device according to claim 37 in which said source of reference voltage is adapted for adjustment in conformity with the adjustment of the position of said toe support member on the machine frame.

Claim 43

A control device according to claim 40 in which said reference voltage source comprises a potentiometer, a direct voltage source connected across the ends of the potentiometer, said potentiometer comprising a moveable tap connected to the toe support member and said reference voltage being taken between the said tap and one end of the potentiometer.