Apparatus for performing combined marginal roughing and toe scouring operations on shoe bottoms

Abstract

 Apparatus for the combined marginal roughing and toe scouring of shoe bottoms has a shoe support (18) movable in an arcuate path past marginal roughing tools (168) and a scouring tool (320), the roughing tools being movable widthwise and heightwise of the shoe bottom, and the scouring tool heightwise. All the movements are under the control of n.c. motors (144,84, -, 338). The scouring tool (320) thus follows a pre-determined path, giving enhanced control of the degree of scouring. To assist in accuracy, the shoe support (18) has height datum means (450,488) which, after use and subsequent to toe support means (484) being locked in adjusted position, are moved out of the way so as not to impede the roughing and scouring.

Description

[0001] This invention is concerned with. apparatus for performing combined marginal roughing and toe scouring operations on shoe bottoms, comprising a shoe support and roughing tool supporting means, between which relative movement, lengthwise, widthwise and heightwise of the bottom of a shoe supported by the shoe support, can take place whereby a roughing tool supported by the roughing tool supporting means is caused to operate progressively along marginal portions of the shoe bottom, the apparatus also comprising toe scouring tool supporting means, between which and the shoe support relative lengthwise and heightwise movement can be effected thus to cause a toe end portion of the bottom of a shoe supported by the shoe support to be scoured.

[0002] One such machine is described in U.K. Patent Specification No.1335016, in which machine cam means is provided for controlling the movement, widthwise of the shoe bottom, of two marginal roughing tools arranged in tandem relationship with one another in a direction extending lengthwise of the shoe bottom, the shoe support being movable, in a lengthwise direction, to carry a shoe supported thereby past the roughing tools. In said machine, furthermore, a scouring tool is provided, mounted on an arm the inclination of which is controlled by solenoids, to cause the scouring tool to operate successively on toe and heel portions of the shoe bottom, as the shoe is moved there=past. Although it is not stated clearly in this specification, it is presumed that the scouring tool thus applies a pressure to the shoe bottom commensurate with the weight of its mounting, and that the heightwise position of the tool is determined according to the shoe bottom contour. It will be appreciated, however, that if the applied pressure is sufficient to remove pleats from a shoe made of a relatively heavy material, then it is likely that, with a shoe of lighter material, the applied pressure will be excessive leading to damage to such shoe. On the other hand, if the pressure is sufficient only for a shoe of lighter material, then it will be inadequate for a shoe of heavier material.

[0003] With a view to overcoming these problems, it was further proposed, in U.K. Patent Specification No.1370764, to control the applied pressure by springs or fluid pressure operated means. Furthermore, it was also proposed in said specification to provide sensing means for ensuring a minimum spacing between the insole and the operating surface of the tool, such sensing means comprising a roller positioned upstream of the tool and coupled to the tool support means. Whereas, in operating on a relatively flat shoe bottom, such a roller could serve a useful function as sensing means for determining the height of the tool, it will be appreciated that, in the case of a high-heeled shoe, such a sensing means gives rise to difficulties in that the tool and sensing means have to be set in accordance with the angle of inclination the toe portion of the shoe bottom forms with the horizontal in the case of each shoe to be operated upon. Because of the nature of such machine, it is likely that the sensing means are located in a relatively inaccessible part of the machine. On the other hand, a simple mechanical automatic adjustment according to the angle of inclination would probably result once more in a reliance upon the applied pressure as the main control for the toe scouring tool.

[0004] It is thus the object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for performing combined marginal roughing and toe scouring operations on shoe bottoms, in the operation of which apparatus the material of the shoe bottom left after the toe scouring operation can be closely controlled, without reliance being placed upon the applied pressure or upon sensing the shoe bottom contour during the scouring operation.

[0005] The invention thus provides an apparatus for performing combined marginal roughing and toe scouring operations on shoe bottoms of the type set out in the first paragraph of this specification, the apparatus being characterised in accordance with the invention by means operable to cause the toe scouring tool to follow a pre-determined path lengthwise and heightwise of the shoe bottom.

[0006] Such means may be mechanically operated; for example, a cam may be provided which is automatically set at an angle of inclination corresponding to the angle which the toe portion of the shoe bottom makes with the horizontal, and a follower associated with the scouring tool may be arranged to run along the cam as relative lengthwise movement is effected between the shoe support and the scouring tool supporting means. Alternatively, and preferably, however, the relative lengthwise and heightwise movement between the scouring tool and the shoe support is achieved by a first numerically controlled motor (as herein defined) for effecting relative lengthwise movement therebetween and a further numerically controlled motor (as herein defined) for effecting relative heightwise movement therebetween, computer control means also being provided by which drive signals are generated and supplied to said numerically controlled motors in accordance with the programmed instruction. More specifically, relative movement, lengthwise, widthwise and heightwise of the shoe bottom, is preferably effected by means of first, second and third numerically controlled motors to which drive signals are supplied by the computer control means in accordance with a programmed instruction including digitised co-ordinate axis values, using three co-ordinate axes, for a plurality of successive selected points along the marginal portions of the bottom of the or a similar shoe, and the pre-determined path of the scouring tool is derived from the digitised co-ordinate axis values forming part of the programmed instruction by which the marginal roughing operation is controlled. Preferably, for thus deriving said path, furthermore, the computer control means comprises a control sub-circuit which relates the set of information stored to appropriate look-up tables and supplies appropriate signals to the fourth numerically controlled motor.

[0007] Thus, in using the invention, the path of the scouring tool is no longer controlled by the applied pressure, nor is it dependent upon any mechanical guidance taking place during the scouring operation by engagement of a mechanical element with the shoe bottom.

[0008] To assist in the accurate scouring of shoe bottoms as aforesaid, the shoe support preferably comprises toe end -support means, a heel end support arrangement and means for effecting the relative movement of approach therebetween to accommodate to the size of shoe to be supported thereby, and furthermore the toe end support means and heel end support arrangement are so arranged that a shoe is clamped thereby with the toe end portion thereof in a heightwise datum position. More specifically, the toe end support means preferably comprises two inclined support surface portions forming a V for supporting the toe end of a shoe, height datum means being provided against which the shoe bottom is urged, thus to determine the heightwise position of the shoe, and the inclined surface portions being mounted for adjusting movement towards and away from one another to accommodate the toe end to be supported thereby in such heightwise position. Furthermore, preferably, and in accordance with the invention, the inclined surface portions are yieldingly mounted, locking means being provided for locking said surface portions in adjusted position, whereafter the height datum means can be moved to an out-of-the-way position.

[0009] By thus accurately determining the heightwise position of the toe end of the shoe in the shoe support, the heightwise relationship between the shoe bottom to be scoured and the scouring tool can also be accurately controlled.

[0010] Conveniently also, the shoe support includes a shoe length detecting arrangement, and the computer control means includes a grading programme which, in response to a signal from said detecting arrangement, causes the drive signals to the numerically controlled motors, including the fourth numerically controlled motor, to be modulated in accordance with the shoe length as detected. In this way, the distance over which the scouring tool is effective in operating on a shoe bottom will be proportional to the overall length of the shoe.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the shoe support is mounted for movement lengthwise of the shoe bottom under the control of the first numerically controlled motor, and the fourth numerically controlled motor is effective to the cause the scouring tool to be moved heightwise of the shoe bottom. Moreover, the shoe support is preferably mounted for movement about a horizontal axis extending transversely of the shoe bottom, and thus for movement along an arcuate path, the roughing tool supporting means and the toe scouring tool supporting means being so arranged that the roughing tool is located adjacent the highest point of said path and the scouring tool just "upstream" of the roughing tool. Conveniently furthermore, the shoe support is arranged to support a shoe with its heel end leading during such relative lengthwise movement between the scouring tool supporting means and the shoe support, so that the scouring tool is caused to operate progressively from the forepart to the toe end of the shoe bottom.

[0012] Again in a preferred embodiment, two shoe supports are provided arranged side-by-side, each support having a first numerically controlled motor associated therewith, two scouring tool supporting means also being provided, associated one with each shoe support, and each having a fourth numerically controlled motor associated therewith. In such an arrangement, furthermore, the second numerically controlled motor conveniently is effective to cause widthwise relative movement to take place between the shoe supports and the two tool supporting means to bring the latter alternately into operative alignment with each of the shoe supports, the arrangement being such that the fourth numerically controlled motor associated with the shoe support thus operatively aligned is rendered operative.

[0013] There now follows a detailed description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of one apparatus in accordance with the invention, which apparatus has been selected for description by way of non-limiting example.

[0014] In the accompanying drawings:-

Figure 1 is a left hand perspective view of the apparatus in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view showing details of a shoe support of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a left hand side view of the shoe support shown in Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a rear view, showing details of part of the shoe support shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0015] The apparatus now to be described is suitable for use in performing a roughing operation progressively along marginal portions of shoe bottoms, and comprises a base 10 on which are mounted two upstanding brackets 12 each supporting a pivot shaft 14, each shaft carrying a structure 16 on which a shoe support 18 is carried. Each shoe support 18 is arranged to support a shoe S carried thereon, bottom uppermost, with the toe end thereof facing towards the front of the apparatus i.e. towards the operator. Towards the rear of the base 10 is also mounted a support column structure 22 supporting in turn a horizontal web structure 24 by which tool supporting means generally designated 26 is carried, said means supporting two rotary radial roughing brushes 168 which are caused to rotate in contrary directions such that each brush effects an in-wiping action on the marginal portion of the bottom of a shoe as it is caused to operate progressively therealong. For causing rotation of the brushes, an electric motor 300, supported by a bracket 302 on the base 10, is operatively connected thereto through a series of belts and pulleys.

[0016] The tool supporting means comprises a bifurcated arm 30 which is supported, for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis, in upstanding lugs 32, one arranged at either side of the arm 30, of a support casting 34, which is itself supported, above and below the web structure 24, for pivotal movement about a vertical axis. It will thus be appreciated that, in the operation of the apparatus, either one of the shoe supports 18 can pivot about its shaft 14 to move a shoe S supported thereby in a direction extending generally lengthwise of the bottom of the shoe, while the tool supporting means is capable of pivotal movement about two axes thus to move the tools 168 supported thereby widthwise and heightwise of the shoe bottom, as the shoe support is moved as aforesaid.

[0017] For effecting such movements, furthermore, the apparatus comprises, for each shoe support 18, a first stepping motor 144 mounted on the base 10 and effective, through a series of pulleys and belts and through a toothed segment 140 mounted on its associated support structure 16, to cause pivotal movement of the shoe support 18 to take place about the horizontal axis of the shaft 14. Similarly, the apparatus comprises a second stepping motor 84, carried by the web structure 24 and effective, through a series of pulleys and belts and through a toothed segment 42, to cause pivotal movement of the support casting 34, and thus of the arm 30 supported thereby, about a vertical axis on the web structure 24. Again, the apparatus comprises a third stepping motor (not shown) which is supported by the support casting 34 rearwardly of its vertical pivot, and acts on a rearwardly extending portion 102 of the arm 30, thus to cause the arm 30 to pivot about a horizontal axis provided by the mounting of the arm in the support casting 34.

[0018] The arm 30 of the tool supporting means also supports, for pivotal movement thereon about a horizontal axis defined by pins 154, a cradle 160 (forming part of the tool supporting means) on which the tools 168 are carried, said horizontal axis being arranged to pass through the area of engagement between the operating surface of each brush 168 and the shoe bottom, in the operation of the apparatus. Pivoting the cradle 160 in this manner enables the plane of the operating surface of each brush to be maintained normal, or substantially normal, to the shoe bottom portion being operated upon. For so pivoting the cradle, the apparatus comprises a fourth stepping motor 232 operatively connected by a rod 204 to said cradle 160.

[0019] The apparatus also comprises two scouring tools 320 (Figure 1) one associated with each shoe support 18. Each scouring tool comprises an abrasive roll supported by a support shaft 322 on a support arm 324. Each support arm 324 is pivotally supported on a transverse shaft 326, and each shaft is supported by a support column 328, the two support columns being mounted on base plates 330 secured to the base 10. For pivoting each support arm 324, and thus the tool 320 therewith, to bring the tool into operative engagement with a shoe bottom, each arm has an integral bracket 332 connected, by a block 334 pivotally mounted thereon, with a fifth stepping motor 338. Each scouring tool 320 is caused to rotate in such a manner that its operating surface moves in the same direction as that of the movement of the shoe therepast; thus, the tool effects an in-wiping action on the toe end portion of the shoe. For rotating the scouring tools 320, each has associated therewith an electric motor 342 mounted on the base 10 and acting through a system of pulleys and belts.

[0020] Each structure 16 (Figures 2 to 4) is made up of sections of sheet metal appropriately bent and providing four locating studs 352 on which the shoe support 18 is located . The shoe support comprises two parallel rods 354, 356 connected at their left hand end (viewing Figures 2 and 3) by a support casting comprising two walls 358 from each of which extends laterally two plate members 360, each set of plate members having aligned apertures for accommodating the appropriate parallel rods 354, 356, and means being provided for securing said casting to said rods. The casting has two flange portions 350 extending laterally from the walls 258 and provided with apertures 348 each for receiving a bolt 346 for securing each flange to one of the locating studs 352. At their right hand end the rods 354, 56 are supported by a casting 357, feet portions 359 of which are also secured on the locating studs 352.

[0021] The first-mentioned casting supports a shoe heel support member 362 which is secured to a plate member 363 carried by two levers 364 arranged at opposite sides of the casting and each being pivotally mounted on a common pivot pin 366 supported in the walls 358 of the casting. A spring 368 acts on one lever 36h. to urge the support member 362 upwardly into an operative position, which is determined by an adjustable stop screw 370 carried by the plate member 363 and arranged to abut against a web portion 372 of the casting. If the shoe to be supported is a boot having an elongated leg portion, the support member 362 can be pivoted about the pin 366 downwardly to an out-of-the-way position, the spring 368 thereby passing over the axis of the pin and thus serving to maintain the member in its out-of-the-way position. Said casting also supports, on an upstanding lug portion 382, a heel abutment 380 which provides a "back datum", i.e. determines the position of the heel seat of the shoe to be operated upon in the shoe support 18.

[0022] The shoe support 18 also comprises shoe clamping means comprising a first and second set of clamps 390, 392, for clamping a shoe in the region of its featherline and in the region of its top line respectively. The first set of clamps 390 is pivotally mounted on pins 394 carried in lateral lug portions 396 of the casting. Each clamp comprises a clamp pad 398 mounted for limited pivotal movement in a support 400 carried by an arm 402. Rearward ends of the arms 402 are urged towards one another by a spring 404, which thus urges the clamp pads 398 apart. For urging the clamp pads together, a piston-and-cylinder arrangement 406 is carried on a plate 408 secured to the walls 358 of the casting, a piston rod 410 of said arrangement supporting.a wedge member 412 which acts on rollers 414. Each roller is mounted on a rod 416 which engages with a rearward end of its associated arm 402. By this arrangement, the clamp pads are moved in, each through the same distance, so that a shoe supported on the shoe heel support member 362 is centralised thereby, with the longitudinal centre line of the heel portion of the shoe coincident with a longitudinal centre line of the shoe support 18.

[0023] The second set of clamps 392 comprises two arms 420 pivotally mounted on pins 422 carried in outwardly extending flange portions 424 of the casting(which portions also support the lower end of each pin 394). Each arm 420 carries at its forward end a clamp member 426 which is locked in position on the arm by a-pin 428. For adjustment, the pin can seat in a selected one of a plurality of recesses 430 spaced apart along the outside of the arm 420. Rearward end portions of the arms 420 are urged together by a spring 432, which thus urges the clamp members 426 apart. For urging the clamp members 426 together, one arm 420 is pivotally connected by a pin 434 to a block 436 secured to a cylinder of a piston-and-cylinder arrangement 438, a piston rod 440 of which is pivotally connected by a pin 442 to the other arm 420. Thus, admission of fluid under pressure to said arrangement 438 is effective to close the clamp members 426 together. In this case, the clamping is not symmetrical about the longitudinal centre line of the shoe support 18, but rather the clamp members 426 can accommodate themselves to the asymmetric shape of the shoe last in the top line region thereof.

[0024] For supporting the toe end portion of a shoe S, the shoe support 18 also comprises toe support means generally designated 470, comprising a support casting 472 having two depending aligned bushings 474 in which the rod 354 is accommodated, and a recessed block 476 in which the rod 356 is accommodated. The support casting 452 is thus supported on the parallel rods 354, 356 for sliding movement thereon. The support casting 472 also supports, on a horizontal plate portion thereof, for pivotal movement about pins 478, two plate members 480 which are provided at one end with inter-meshing teeth 482. At the opposite end of each plate is provided a block 484 having an inclined shoe-supporting surface, said surfaces facing one another to form a V in which the toe end of a shoe S, facing bottom uppermost, can be accommodated. The blocks are urged together by a spring 486 acting therebetween. When a shoe S is loaded, the blocks 464 are urged apart to accommodate the toe width thereof.

[0025] For setting a heel height datum of the shoe bottom, a holddown member 450 is provided which overlies the heel support member 362, when in its operative position. The member 450 is carried on a generally C-shaped arm 452 which is supported on a pivot pin 454 itself carried in integral lugs of the casting. The arm 452 is also pivotally connected, by a pin 456, to a piston rod 458 of a piston-and-cylinder arrangement 460. Said arrangement 460 is carried on a block 464 pivotally mounted on the pivot pin 366. Actuation of the piston-and-cylinder arrangement 460 is effective to cause the arm 452, and thus the holddown member 450, to move anti-clockwise (viewing Figure 2) to an out-of-the-way position. Furthermore, a datum member 488 is provided for establishing a toe height datum. This member is carried on a block 490 pivotally mounted by a pin 492 in upstanding lugs 494 of the casting 472, such pivoting movement being effected by a piston-and-cylinder arrangement 502 supported on the casting 472, a piston rod 500 of which arrangement being connected by a link 496 to the block 490. In an operating cycle, the datum member 488 is pivoted to an out-of-the-way position, after a shoe S has been clamped by the first and second sets of clamps 390, 392, in order not to impede the roughing operation. The casting 472 has a cut-out 504, for receiving the member 488 in its out-of-the-way position, a guard member 506 being provided to prevent trapping of the operator's finger.

[0026] For moving the toe support means 470 along the parallel rods 354, 356 towards the heel end support arrangement, a low pressure piston-and-cylinder arrangement 510 is pivotally mounted at a left hand end thereof (viewing Figure 2) on a depending lug of the casting of said heel end support arrangement. Also it is supported by a clamp 514 carried by the rod 354. A piston rod 518 of said arrangement 510 is connected to a plate 520 attached to one of the bushings 474. For actuating said arrangement 510, there is provided on the block 490 a sensing arrangement comprising an air bleed supplied through a bore 522 in the pin 492, a connecting bore 524 in the block 490, and an outlet 526 in the block 490, just below the datum member 488. In front of the outlet 526 is a sealing pad 528 carried by a leaf spring 530. When the outlet 526 is sealed by the pad 528, a "shoe present" signal is provided for actuating the piston-and-cylinder arrangement 510. For locating the toe end support means 470 in a loading position, a stop member 532 is mounted on the casting 472 for engagement with a buffer 534 on the rod 356. The rod 356 has a number of apertures, for receiving a locating pin 536 for said buffer, which can thus be positioned according to the size of shoe to be operated upon.

[0027] In order to prevent the blocks 484 returning towards one another under the action of the spring 486, after the holddown member 450 and datum member 488 have been pivoted to their respective out-of-the-way positions, means is provided for clamping the plates 480 in adjusted position, prior to such movement of said holddown member and datum member, said means comprising, for each plate, a clamp pad 538 carried on an upstanding pin 540 which is carried in a boss formed on casting 470 and passes through a slot 542 in the plate 480, the plate thus being movable relative to said pin. At its lower end, each pin has a headed portion, between which and said boss a plurality of Belville washers 544 act to urge the clamp pad downwardly on to the plate 480 associated therewith. For relieving the spring pressure of said washers, when the toe end support means is in its loading position, two cam members 546 are mounted, one beneath each headed portion, on a common shaft 547 which is rotatably carried by the casting 472. For rotating the shaft, a crank arm 548 is pivotally connected by a pin 550 with a piston rod 552 of a piston-and-cylinder arrangement 554, mounted on the casting 472.

[0028] Means is also provided for locking the toe end support means 470 in the position, to which the latter has been moved by the piston-and-cylinder arrangement 510, said locking means comprising a semi-cylindrical clamp member 560 slidably mounted on the casting 470, and having a shank with an adjustable stop screw 564 therein against a head of which acts an eccentric portion of a crank arm 566 pivotally mounted by a pin 568 on the casting. The crank arm is connected by a pin 570 to a piston rod 572 of a piston-and-cylinder arrangement 574. Actuation of said arrangement 474 causes the clamp member 560 clampingly to engage the rod 354.

[0029] The shoe support 18 also comprises means for sensing the length of a shoe S clamped as aforesaid therein, said means comprising a rotary potentiometer 580 a projecting actuator shaft 582 of which is secured to a shaft 584 carried in a U-shaped support member 586 secured on the left hand wall 358 of the casting of the heel end support arrangement. A collar 588 secured to the housing and carrying a lever 590 having a bifurcated end, which receives an extended portion of the pin 366, prevents rotation of the housing of the potentiometer 580. The relative position of said housing and lever 590 is adjustable for setting purposes. The shaft 584 carries a large diameter pulley 594 about which a cable 596 runs. The cable is secured to said pulley and to the casting 472 of the toe support means, so that as the latter is moved towards the heel end support arrangement, the cable 596 is drawn in and rotates the pulley 594 and the rotary . potentiometer 580 therewith. The change in resistance of the potentiometer provides an electrical signal proportionate to the length of the shoe to be operated upon. The cable 596 is maintained taut by a pulley 598 also carried on the shaft 584 and rotatable with the pulley 594. The pulley 598 has a cable 600 wound therearound, to one end of which a spring 602 is secured, thereby constantly urging the shaft 574 anti-clockwise (viewing Figure 3).

[0030] In an operating cycle the operatorloads a shoe in the shoe support 18, by placing the toe end beneath the datum member 488, thereby triggering the air bleed sensing device and causing the toe support means 470 to be moved bodily towards the heel end support arrangement, until the shoe engages the heel abutment 380. Such movement is monitored through the cable 596, and the length of the shoe is thus sensed through the rotary potentiometer 580. In this position, the shoe bottom is held with the seat portion and toe end portion thereof in a heightwise datum position, determined by the members 450, 488.

[0031] By the term "numerically controlled motor" where used herein is to be understood a motor the operation of which is controlled by control signals supplied thereto in accordance.with stored information appropriate to a desired operation. Examples of such motors are stepping motors and d.c. servomotors.

Claims

1. Apparatus for performing combined marginal roughing and toe scouring operations on shoe bottoms, comprising a shoe support and roughing tool supporting means, between which relative movement, lengthwise, widthwise and heightwise of the bottom of a shoe supported by the shoe support, can take place whereby a roughing tool supported by the roughing tool supporting means is caused to operate progressively along marginal portions of the shoe bottom, the apparatus also comprising toe scouring tool supporting means, between which and the shoe support relative lengthwise and heightwise movement can be effected thus to cause the toe end portion of the bottom of a shoe supported by the shoe support to be scoured, characterised by means (144, 338) operable to cause the toe scouring tool (₃20) to follow a pre-determined path lengthwise and heightwise of the shoe bottom.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 characterised in that a first numerically controlled motor (as herein defined) (144) is provided for effecting relative lengthwise movement between the shoe support (18) and the scouring tool supporting means (324) a further numerically controlled motor (as herein defined) (338) is provided for effecting relative heightwise movement therebetween, and computer control means by which drive signals are generated and supplied to said numerically controlled motors (144, 338) in accordance with a programmed instruction.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2 characterised by second and third numerically controlled motors (as herein defined) (84, -) by which relative movement, widthwise and heightwise of the shoe bottom, is effected between the shoe support (18) and the roughing tool supporting means (30), the computer control means generating and supplying drive signals to the first, second and third motors (144, 84, -) in accordance with a programmed instruction including digitised co-ordinate axis values, using three co-ordinate axes, for a plurality of successive selected points along the marginal portions of the bottom of the or a similar shoe, and further in that the pre-determined path of the scouring tool (320) is derived from the digitised co-ordinate axis values forming part of the programmed instruction by which the marginal roughing operation is controlled.

4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the shoe support comprises toe end support means, a heel end support arrangement, and means for effecting relative movement of approach therebetween to accommodate to the size of shoe to be supported thereby, the toe end support means and heel end support arrangement being so arranged that a shoe is clamped thereby with the toe end portion thereof in a heightwise datum position, and further wherein the toe end support means comprises two inclined support surface portions forming a V for supporting the toe end of a shoe, and height datum means is provided against which the shoe bottom is urged, thus to determine the heightwise position of the shoe, characterised in that the surface portions (484) are mounted for yielding adjustment movement towards and away from one another to accommodate the toe end to be supported thereby in such heightwise position, and locking means (538) is provided for locking the surface portions (484) in adjusted position, whereafter the height datum means (450, 488) can be moved to an out-of-the-way position.

5. Apparatus according to any one of preceding Claims 2 to 4, characterised in that the shoe support (18) includes a shoe length detecting arrangement (580) and the computer control means includes a grading programme which, in response to a signal from said detecting arrangement (580), causes the drive signals to the numerically controlled motors, (144, 84, -, 338) to be modulated in accordance with the shoe length as detected.

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding Claims characterised in that the shoe support (18) is mounted for movement, lengthwise of the shoe bottom, about a horizontal axis (14) extending transversely of the shoe bottom, and thus for movement along an arcuate path, the roughing tool supporting means (30) being movable widthwise and heightwise of said path under the control of the second and third motors (84, -) and the scouring tool supporting means (324) being movable heightwise of said path under the control of said further motor (338), and in that said tool supporting means (30, 324) are so arranged that the roughing tool (168) is located adjacent the highest point of said path and the scouring tool (320) is just "upstream" of the roughing tool (168).

7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding Claims characterised in that the shoe support (18) is arranged to support a shoe (S) with its heel end leading during such relative lengthwise movement between the scouring tool supporting means (324) and the shoe support (18), so that the scouring tool (320) is caused to operate progressively from the forepart to the toe end of the shoe bottom.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 7 characterised in that the scouring tool (320) is caused to rotate in such a manner that its operating surface moves in the same direction as that of the movement of the shoe (S) therepast.

9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding Claims characterised in that two shoe supports (18) are provided arranged side-by-side, each support (18) having a first numerically controlled motor (144) associated therewith, and in that two scouring tool supporting means (324) is provided, associated one with each shoe support (18), and each having a further numerically controlled motor (338) associated therewith.

10. Apparatus according to Claim 9 characterised in that the second numerically controlled motor (84) is effective to cause widthwise relative movement to take place between the shoe supports (18) and the two tool supporting means (30, 324) to bring the latter alternately into operative alignment with each of the shoe supports (18), the arrangement being such that the further numerically controlled motor (338) associated with the shoe support (18) thus operatively aligned is rendered operative.

Drawing