Multi-station system to act upon footwear upper assemblies with transfer between stations thereof

Abstract From the Canadian patent

For use in a system that includes first and second machines to perform operations on a footwear upper assembly a transfer machine, that includes an activator arm assembly and a gripper assembly, rotatably and pivotally connected to one end of the activator arm assembly. The gripper assembly includes a pair of fingers with a gripper jaw pivotally secured to each of the fingers. The pair of fingers are movable toward and away from each other respectively to grasp and release the footwear upper assembly. The pivotal attachment of the jaws permits the jaws to adjust to the irregular profile of the footwear upper assembly, a situation which is enhanced by the geometry of the gripper jaws which …