GB1335376A - Method and apparatus for automatically affixing top stops on slide fastener chain - Google Patents

Abstract

1335376 Making slide fasteners YOSHIDA KOGYO KK 6 Nov 1970 [12 Nov 1969] 52896/70 Heading B3A [Also in Division E2] Top stops 24, Fig. 1, are fixed to the stringer tapes 21 of a slide fastener chain by stopping the chain at a position between adjacent engaged lengths of elements 22, spreading the tapes apart, locating the top stops adjacent the leading end of a length of elements, and clamping the stops in position. The chain 20 (Fig. 2, in elevation) is drawn by rollers 27, 28 through a machine 63 which includes a spring-loaded arm 29 for pressing the chain against a base, a stopping unit 32 for stopping the chain, a pair of arms 42 for drawing the tapes apart and a pivotable head 64 for fixing the top stops. To position the stops, a finger 33 (Fig. 5) of the stopping unit is retracted downwardly from its normal upward position and the chain is halted. When the chain is stationary the arms 42 grip the tapes. For this purpose, each arm has upper and lower members 43, 44 which are pivoted at 45, 46, the members being moved apart by shifting a ball 55 from the position shown to a position within grooves 52, 54. The ball is shifted by a rod 62 coupled to a pivoted arm 60 (Fig. 4, in plan). To draw the arms apart, the supports 57 on which the arms are carried, are pivoted about pins 58 in the direction of the arrows. In order to align the leading element of the tapes with each other one arm is spring-loaded by a spring 76 so that the associated tape is folded slightly (Fig. 6c, not shown). The head 64 is lowered into position between the tapes and clamps a pair of U-shaped top stops on the tapes.