GB653021A - Improvements in or relating to a spring unit lacing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

653,021. Connecting mattress springs. STEVENS, A. H. (Johnson Spring Cushion Co.). May 20, 1948, No. 13702. [Class 83 (iv)] [Also in Group XIV] Coiling ; shearing adjuncts.-A machine for making spring mattresses comprises upper and lower elongated frames with means for clamping two rows of coil-springs 215, 216 and means for coiling a wire helix 219 and feeding it to connect the springs. The clamping means are staggered to allow the helix to first engage alternate coils in adjacent rows to maintain rectangularity of the completed mattress. An upper frame 13 carries a plurality of downwardly-facing clamping assemblies 15 adjustably positioned in the frame and a lower frame 12 carries upwardly-facing adjustable assemblies 14. The upper frame is raised and lowered by a half-revolution clutch 19 controlled by a hand lever. Both frames carry wire helix forming and feeding devices 16, 17 operated from an electromotor 18. The clamps comprise upper and lower heads 15, 14 on shafts 76, 77, 72, 73. Fixed jaws 186, 186<SP>1</SP> co-operate with jaws 188, 188<SP>1</SP> moved on rotation of the shafts 73, 77 by a rod 243 from the pedal 20. The latter is partially depressed by actuation of a pedal 262 and partly closes the upper and lower clamping assemblies and when fully depressed closes fully the clamps, and causes actuation of both wire helix-forming and feeding mechanisms 16, 17. A solenoid 21 and control switch 22 stop the actuation of the wire helix forming and feeding mechanisms and opens the jaw assembly 14 of the lower frame and a solenoid 23 controlled by a switch 24 control similar mechanism of the upper frame. The electromotor 18 drives a shaft 36 with sprocket 38 connected through a half-revolution clutch 19, controlled by hand lever 66, to a shaft 40 with eccentrics 41, 42 connected through adjustable mechanism to the upper frame. A collar 43 on the shaft 40 actuates reciprocating cutters for shearing the wire. The shaft 36 drives a shaft 97 carrying wheels 134 which feed the wires through a spiral groove 159 in a mandrel 157 in an adjustable housing 148 to effect coiling. An adjustable pin 164 determines the pitch. In operation, the clutch 19 is operated to lower the upper frame and the pedal 20 is partially depressed to part-close the clamping assemblies. Two rows of springs are inserted in the clamping jaws and the pedal 20 is fully depressed to clamp the springs. The coiling and feed mechanisms operate to form and feed helices through spaces in the clamping jaws to lace together the springs. When the helices contact the switch 22, Fig. 23, not shown, the solenoid operates to stop the wire feed and opens the clamp assembly. The clutch 19 is then operated to raise the upper frame and to shear both helices.