GB2183142A

GB2183142A - Improvements in or relating to marking devices

Info

Publication number: GB2183142A
Application number: GB08627031A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Steadman
Original assignee: JOHNSON HAYNES PRESS KNIVES LI
Current assignee: JOHNSON HAYNES PRESS KNIVES LI
Priority date: 1985-11-19
Filing date: 1986-11-12
Publication date: 1987-06-03
Also published as: GB8627031D0; GB2183142B; GB8528474D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a marker for use in the manufacture of footwear, which comprises two confronting plates (2,4). The first plate (2) includes slots (8) in which are set lengths of marker strip (12) in a desired pattern. The second plate (4) has slots (14) corresponding to the pattern and the marker strips (12) project from the first plate (2) into the slots (14). A circular frame (20) supports an ink-bearing flexible sheet (18) which is sandwiched between the plates (2,4). When pressed into contact with an upper. the marker will leave an inked impression of the pattern. A fresh ink-bearing surface may be obtained periodically by moving the frame (20) between the plates in a rotary manner. The marker strips 12 protrude from plate 2 by a given distance and the second plate 4 has a thickness which is less than the given distance. A raised portion 16 on plate 4 engages and correctly locates the upper 10. The sheet 18 is a fine gauge textile material. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to marking devices The invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to marking devices for use in the manufacture of footwear.

In the manufacture of, for example, a shoe it is necessary to cut from sheet upper material several upper portions which require to be sewn or otherwise joined together to form the complete upper prior to the steps of closing the backseam and a subsequent lasting operation. It is desirable therefore that the different upper portions, vamp, quarters, tonques and the like, should be joined together as accurately as possible and to this end, guide marks are applied to, say, the vamp to indicate to the shoe operative the exact position at which the upper portion is to be joined thereto.

Such marks are customarily made by placing upon the upper portion a so-called stitch marker comprising a slotted plate into the slots of which are secured strips of, for example plastics, material or metal, longitudinal edges of which protrude from the surface of the plate and are capable of receiving ink applied thereto. The inked marker which is positioned in a top plate of a marking machine, is then brought into contact under pressure with an upper portion placed upon a lower plate of the machine to transfer the ink to the upper portion of the desired pattern.

It will be appreciated that it is not always possible under factory conditions to ensure sufficient accuracy in the above operational steps so that the minimum occasions arise that the marks are inaccurately located on the upper material.

The present invention therefore seeks to provide a marking device the use of which minimises the above disadvantages.

The invention provides a marker suitable for use in the manufacture of footwear comprising a first plate provided with slots arranged in a desired pattern, portions of marker strip material secured within the slots so that a longitudinal edge thereof protrudes from a first surface of said first plate by a given distance, and a second plate confronting said first surface and having a thickness less than said given distance and provided with slots congruent with and in the same pattern as the slots in the first plate, said second plate slots being wider than the first plate slots and adapted to receive said strip material protruding from said first slots, there being further provided an inkbearing flexible sheet arranged between the two plates and capable of being moved relatively to said plates which are secured together at marginal portions thereof.

Conveniently, the second plate is provided with raised locating portions adapted to guide and locate a footwear upper or upper portion with respect to the desired pattern. Advantageously, the ink-bearing sheet may be of fine gauge textile material and is mounted within a semi-rigid frame, said frame providing a gripping surface for movement of said sheet. Conveniently, the frame may be circular and adapted to be rotated within guide members secured between marginal portions of the plates.

There will now be described with reference to the drawings, an example of a marker according to the invention. It will be understood that the description is given by way of example only and not by way of limitation.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view of a marker; and Figure 2 is a fragmentary cross section on line ll-ll of Fig. 1, to an enlarged scale.

The marker shown in the Figures comprises two plates 2,4, secured one upon the other by rivets 6. The first plate 2 includes slots 8 (See Fig. 2) arranged in a pattern corresponding to that which it is desired to imprint upon an upper portion, illustrated in the present example by a vamp 10. Firmly secured in the slots 8 are portions of marker strip 12, arranged so as to project from the inside surface of the plate 2. The second plate 4, which is of a thickness which is less than the height by which said marker strip projects, is provided with slots 14, of a width greater than that of slots 8, and in the same pattern.

Affixed to the outside surface of the plate 4 is a raised locating portion 16 adapted to engage and correctly locate the upper 10, the position of which is shown in broken lines in Fig. 1.

Sandwiched between the two plates 2 and 4 is an ink-bearing flexible sheet 18 held in a circular semi-rigid frame 20 for manual rotation within the space between the two plates and held captive by two concave curved surfaces on two guide members 22.

To use the marker, the vamp 10 is simply placed on the plate 4 and positioned by portion 16. The assembly is then placed on a piaten and a top plate is brought down upon the assembly with sufficient pressure to force the strips 12 through the slots 14, thus deforming the sheet 18 so that it contacts the vamp 10 and imprints it with ink. To expose a fresh inked surface in the manner of a selfinking device, it is only necessary to grip the frame 20 where it protrudes beyond the permiter of the plates 2,4, and move it through a small angle as shown by arrow A.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

1. A marker suitable for use in the manufacture of footwear comprising a first plate provided with slots arranged in a desired pattern, portions of marker strip material secured

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to marking devices The invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to marking devices for use in the manufacture of footwear. In the manufacture of, for example, a shoe it is necessary to cut from sheet upper material several upper portions which require to be sewn or otherwise joined together to form the complete upper prior to the steps of closing the backseam and a subsequent lasting operation. It is desirable therefore that the different upper portions, vamp, quarters, tonques and the like, should be joined together as accurately as possible and to this end, guide marks are applied to, say, the vamp to indicate to the shoe operative the exact position at which the upper portion is to be joined thereto. Such marks are customarily made by placing upon the upper portion a so-called stitch marker comprising a slotted plate into the slots of which are secured strips of, for example plastics, material or metal, longitudinal edges of which protrude from the surface of the plate and are capable of receiving ink applied thereto. The inked marker which is positioned in a top plate of a marking machine, is then brought into contact under pressure with an upper portion placed upon a lower plate of the machine to transfer the ink to the upper portion of the desired pattern. It will be appreciated that it is not always possible under factory conditions to ensure sufficient accuracy in the above operational steps so that the minimum occasions arise that the marks are inaccurately located on the upper material. The present invention therefore seeks to provide a marking device the use of which minimises the above disadvantages. The invention provides a marker suitable for use in the manufacture of footwear comprising a first plate provided with slots arranged in a desired pattern, portions of marker strip material secured within the slots so that a longitudinal edge thereof protrudes from a first surface of said first plate by a given distance, and a second plate confronting said first surface and having a thickness less than said given distance and provided with slots congruent with and in the same pattern as the slots in the first plate, said second plate slots being wider than the first plate slots and adapted to receive said strip material protruding from said first slots, there being further provided an inkbearing flexible sheet arranged between the two plates and capable of being moved relatively to said plates which are secured together at marginal portions thereof. Conveniently, the second plate is provided with raised locating portions adapted to guide and locate a footwear upper or upper portion with respect to the desired pattern. Advantageously, the ink-bearing sheet may be of fine gauge textile material and is mounted within a semi-rigid frame, said frame providing a gripping surface for movement of said sheet. Conveniently, the frame may be circular and adapted to be rotated within guide members secured between marginal portions of the plates. There will now be described with reference to the drawings, an example of a marker according to the invention. It will be understood that the description is given by way of example only and not by way of limitation. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view of a marker; and Figure 2 is a fragmentary cross section on line ll-ll of Fig. 1, to an enlarged scale. The marker shown in the Figures comprises two plates 2,4, secured one upon the other by rivets 6. The first plate 2 includes slots 8 (See Fig. 2) arranged in a pattern corresponding to that which it is desired to imprint upon an upper portion, illustrated in the present example by a vamp 10. Firmly secured in the slots 8 are portions of marker strip 12, arranged so as to project from the inside surface of the plate 2. The second plate 4, which is of a thickness which is less than the height by which said marker strip projects, is provided with slots 14, of a width greater than that of slots 8, and in the same pattern. Affixed to the outside surface of the plate 4 is a raised locating portion 16 adapted to engage and correctly locate the upper 10, the position of which is shown in broken lines in Fig. 1. Sandwiched between the two plates 2 and 4 is an ink-bearing flexible sheet 18 held in a circular semi-rigid frame 20 for manual rotation within the space between the two plates and held captive by two concave curved surfaces on two guide members 22. To use the marker, the vamp 10 is simply placed on the plate 4 and positioned by portion 16. The assembly is then placed on a piaten and a top plate is brought down upon the assembly with sufficient pressure to force the strips 12 through the slots 14, thus deforming the sheet 18 so that it contacts the vamp 10 and imprints it with ink. To expose a fresh inked surface in the manner of a selfinking device, it is only necessary to grip the frame 20 where it protrudes beyond the permiter of the plates 2,4, and move it through a small angle as shown by arrow A. Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. CLAIMS

1. A marker suitable for use in the manufacture of footwear comprising a first plate provided with slots arranged in a desired pattern, portions of marker strip material secured within the slots so that a longitudinal edge thereof protrudes from a first surface of said first plate by a given distance, and a second plate confronting said first surface and having a thickness less than said given distance and provided with slots congruent with and in the same pattern as the slots in the first plate, said second plate slots being wider than the first plate slots and adapted to receive said strip material protruding from said first slots, there being further provided an ink-bearing flexible sheet arranged between the two plates and capable of being moved relatively to said plates which are secured together at marginal portions thereof.

2. A marker as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second plate is provided with raised locating portons adapted to guide and locate a footwear upper or upper portion with respect to the desired pattern.

3. A marker as claimed in either one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the ink-bearing sheet is fine gauge textile material and is mounted within a semi-rigid frame, said frame providing a gripping surface for movement of said sheet.

4. A marker as claimed in claim 3 wherein the frame is circular and adapted to be rotated within guide members secured between marginal portions of the plates.

5. A marker for use in the manufacture of footwear, constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the drawings.