GB565475A - Improvements in and relating to a method of and apparatus for the joining together of lengths of belting - Google Patents

Abstract

565,475. Stapling. STEER, G. K. Dec. 30, 1942, Nos. 18516/42 and 6130/43. [Class 89 (iii)] Consists in a machine for joining lengths of belting together along their longitudinal edges, such machine being also adapted to cut the belting into lengths. The lengths of belting are introduced at the end 21a of a platform 20, Fig. 4, and drawn along over the platform by being gripped between rollers 25, 26 actuated by a handle 27. The belting runs between adjustable guides 22, Fig. 3. Secured to the upper face of the platform are two beams 28 against the outer sides of which rest two side plates 29. Angle plates 30, 32 are secured upon the beams 28 so as to be adjustable in height. Secured to the plates 29 by vertical angle plates 34 is a vertical plate 35 carrying at its upper part bearings 36, 37 for a driving spindle 38 which is provided at one end with a hand-actuated driving wheel 39 and, at the other end with a cam-wheel 40. Slung from the two angle plates 30, 32 is a staple magazine comprising a staple supporting member 41, Figs. 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6, and an outer cover 42 spaced therefrom to accommodate the staples 44 lying astride the joint 45 between the belt sections A, B. The staples are urged forwardly to come under the plunger 53, Fig. 7, by a follower 47, Figs. 3, 6, loaded by a weight 51 through a wire passing over pulleys 48 ... 50. The part 53 is the reduced end of a plunger 53a reciprocated by an eccentric 54 on the spindle 38. An anvil 56, Fig. 8, secured to the platform coacts with the plunger 53 to turn over the projecting ends of the staple towards one another. Further along the platform forwardly of the anvil 56 are twin clinching jaws 57, Fig. 9, slidably movable inwardly to force the bent staple ends into the belting against an upper anvil 58. These jaws are operated by rods 59, 60, Fig. 1, connected at diametrically opposite points to an oscillating disc 61 actuated by an arm 62, link 64 and cam path 66, Fig. 4, in the wheel 39. Still further along the platform is an upper anvil 67, Figs. 4, 10, the belting passing between this and a clinching hammer 68 which is percussively operated pneumatically by providing the necessary fluid pressure connections 69, 70, Fig. 5, and control valve 71, the latter being actuated by a cam 72 on the cam-wheel 40. The clinching hammer is preferably provided with a loose head 73, Fig. 10, having grooves 73a to form seatings for the staples. The rollers 25, 26 are actuated from the camwheel 40, Fig. 5, by link 76, arm 76a and ratchet drive 74, 75, only after the operation collectively of the plunger 53, clinching jaws 57 and clinching hammer 68 these taking place simultaneously. The distance apart of the staples can be varied by adjusting the connection 77 of the link 76. The pawl 74 can be disengaged, and the rollers 25, 26 actuated continuously by hand by the handle 27, Fig. 4, and pawl 78a carried by a lug 78c. The platform has a gap 81, Fig. 3, to expose the belting. The upper anvil 58 is carried by an arm 82 rigid with the anvil 67. Instead of the clinching hammer 68 being actuated pneumatically, it may be actuated mechanically by toggle mechanism, Fig. 12. The clinching member 83 is supported by a member 85 through toggle links 86 connected to the free ends of a pair of scissor-like levers 87, 88 having a floating pivotal connection 89, the lower lever 88 being pivoted at 90, the upper lever having a pin-and-slot connection with a crank arm 93 on a spindle 94 oscillated by an eccentric on the cam-wheel 40. The apparatus may be adapted for cutting belting into lengths by providing on the platform 20 in front of the rollers 25, 26 a cutter 112, Figs. 4, 5, 13, mounted in a member 111 supported by brackets 110 across the gap 81. The member 111 may be carried in a frame 114 and adjustable therein according to the width to be cut. A number of such frames 114 may be provided. The cutter 112 is removably inserted in a groove in the member 111. To assist the cutting action, a hump formed by the convex upper face of member 111 is provided close to the cutter, whereby as the belting approaches the latter, it is stretched and readily gaps at the cutting point. A guide member 116 close to the hump maintains the tension. The blade of the cutter may also be so shaped that at one side thereof the face is inclined towards the cutting edge more than at the other, thus causing the length of uncut belting to veer. When cutting is being effected, the ratchet mechanism 74, 75 is disconnected. Specification 564,728, [Group VIII], is referred to.