US1140228A

US1140228A - Mechanism for producing and applying wire lengths or other strips.

Info

Publication number: US1140228A
Application number: US82772114A
Authority: US
Inventors: Wilbur L Wright
Original assignee: Ajax Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Ajax Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1914-03-27
Filing date: 1914-03-27
Publication date: 1915-05-18
Anticipated expiration: 1932-05-18

Description

W. L. WRIGHT.

MECHANISM FOR PRODUCING AND APPLYING WIRE LENGTHS OR OTHER STRIPS,

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 27,1914.

Patented May18,1915.

' 5 SHEETSSHEET l.

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all, J9

awe/14 6.01

THE NORRJS PETERS ca. PHOTD-LITHO.. WASHINGTON, D. Q

W. L. WRIGHT.

MECHANISM FOR PRODUCING AND APPLYlNG WIRE LENGTHS OR OTHER STRIPS.

APPLICATION men MAR. 27, m4. IAQQQQQO Patented May 18, 1915.

' 5 SHEETSSHEET 2 mumdo'a wilt-mum flaw m1;

THE NORRIS PETERS coy, PHOTO-LITHOH WASHINGTON, D.

W. L. WRIGHT.

MECHANISM FOR PRODUCING AND APPLYING WIRE LENGTHS OR OTHER STRIPS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.27.1914.

Patented May 18, 1915.

5 SHEETSSHEET 3 army-"F- 4, 5

THE NORRIS PETERS CO.. FHOTC-LITHO. WASHINGTON. D. C.

W. L. WRIGHT.

MECHANISM FOR PRODUCING AND APPLYING W!RE LENGTHS OR OTHER STRIPS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR 27. I914.

1 1% 22 Patented May 18, 1915.

76 5 SHEETS-SHEET 4- THE NORRIS PETERS Co. PHOTLbLlTHCL. WASHING TON. o. c.

W. L. WRIGHT. MECHANISM FOR PRODUCING AND APPLYING WIRE LENG'IHS OR OTHER STRIPS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 27. 1914.

1,149,298. Patented May 18, 1915.

5 SHEETSSHEET 5- THE NORRIS PETERS 60., PHDTO-L!THO.. WASHINGTON. D. C.

STATE PATIENT @FFliQE.

WILBUR L. WRIGHT, OF V/ASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO AJAX LVIANUFACTUEING COMPANY, (31? 'WASHENGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, A CORPO- RATION 9F MARYLAND.

MECHANISM FOR PEOD UCING AND APPLYING W'IRE LENGTHS- OR- OTHER STRIPS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 18, 1915.

Application filed March 27, 1914. Serial No. 827,721.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, .VILBUR L. WRIGHT, a citizen of the United States, residing at lVashington, District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mechanisms for Producing and Applying Wire Lengths or other Strips, of

which the following is a specification.

lhis invention relates to certain improvements in mechanism for making and applying metal strips or tabs; and the objects and nature of the invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art in the light of the following explanation of the accompanying drawings illustrating what I now believe to be the preferred embodiment or mechanical expression from among other constructions, combinations and arrangements within the spirit and scope of the invention.

An object of the invention is to provide certain improvements in mechanism for feeding forward wire or a metal strip from a suitable supply and cutting pieces therefrom and attaching such pieces to suitable stock, or to various articles or materials.

A further object of the invention is to provide mechanism for drawing wire or the like from a suitable supply and cutting lengths therefrom and fastening said lengths to suitable material, said mechanism comprising a reciprocating head embodying the wire feeding and cutting devices and the means for driving the wire lengths into and securing the same in said material.

A further object of the invention is to provide certain improvements in combinations of parts and in arrangements and constructions whereby an exceedingly efiicient and simple mechanism will be produced for forming and attaching metal tabs or strips to any suitable articles or material.

The invention consists in certain novel features in construction and in arrangements and combinations as more fully and particularly pointed out hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying draw ings:-Figure 1 is a front elevation of mechanism embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 22, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail front elevation of a portion of the mechanism of Fig. 1, portions being shown in vertical section. Fig.

4 is a detail front elevation of the structure of Fig. 3, the vertically reciprocatory head or block being shown at its limit of downward movement. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken in the plane of the line 55, Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the reciprocatory head and the bed on which it slides. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective of a guide bridge, loop or bracket and of the device carried thereby to prevent retrograde movement of the wire. Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of the reciprocatory head, with the die block and its retaining plate removed therefrom. Fig. 9 is a detail perspective of a wire guide block. Fig. 10 is a detail perspective of one of the dies and the stop or adjusting screw therefor. Fig. 11 is a detail perspective of the stripping block or plate. Fig. 12 is a detail perspective of the die block. Fig. 13 is a detail perspective of a portion of the die block with the die removed therefrom. Fig. 14 is a detail perspective view of the rock shaft and its eccentric whereby the die block is actuated on its lateral or horizontal movements.

In the particular embodiment of my invention illustrated by the accompanying drawings, any suitable mechanism is provided to feed forward a band or ribbon of closure disk stock, with a step by step movement, between a reciprocating metal-tabformingand-driving head and suitable means to fasten tabs to and at uniform intervals along the stock and to lay the tabs out on the stock.

The reciprocating head is provided with a laterally movable die cooperating with the head to feed wire a certain distance toward the stock and to cut on a certain length of said wire and drive the same through the stock and to close down the previously driven tab or wire length into a position on and parallel with the stock, all at each complete stroke of the head.

In the drawings, 1 show a suitable and normally fixedly-supported vertical frame or plate 1, on the front face of which is normally-fixedly secured a vertically arranged bed 2, formed with a vertical tongue or guide 3, having its opposite longitudinal edges undercut. A vertically disposed head or plate 4, is confined to the support 1, in vertical sliding adjustment, by the engage ment of the guide 3, in a vertical undercut guide or slide-way 5, in the rear side of the head 4. The head 4 is thus confined to vertical reciprocation in a normally-fixed line by the dovetailed sliding connection between the head and said bed. The frame or plate 1, is formed with a rigid forwardly projecting ledge, support, arm or flange 6, arranged a suitable distance below the head 4, and the bed 2, and this support 6, carries a vertically adjustable post 7, at its upper end provided with a stock or work-supporting and wire-bending head or anvil 8. The support 6 is also provided with another vertically adjustable post 9, parallel with post 7 and spaced a distance therefrom and at its upper end formed with a head or platen 10, having an approximately fiat top surface over which the stock travels. The

posts

7, 9 can be in the form' of longitudinally threaded bolts or rods extending loosely through vertical holes in the support 6, and held in the desired vertical adjustment, and rendered capable of independent vertical adjustment by nuts 11, arranged on the bolts, respectively, above and below the support 6.

The band or ribbon of stock a, to which the tabs are to be applied, rests on the anvil 8 and platen 10, and slides forward thereover under the action of any suitable step by step feeding means such as rotary feed rolls 12, actuated by any suitable means, not shown. These rolls usually continuously rotate and are arranged to periodically feed the stock forward a fixed distance at each stroke. The head 4 reciprocates toward and from the stock a, and said head carries the necessarydevices for guiding, cutting and shaping, driving, and feeding the wire. The wire 6 is usually drawn from a spool or reel, not shown, or any other suitable su ply, and passes down in front and longitu inally of the head, and the arrangement is such that each movement of the head toward the stock a feeds said wire forwardly a predetermined distance, while on its return stroke the head moves longitudinally and in dependently of the wire, or in other words, slides upwardly along the wire without moving the wire upwardly therewith.

Any suitable device is provided to maintain the wire under tension while being fed forward and to hold the same against retrograde or backward movement with the head. For instance, I show a rigid guide loop, bracket or bridge 14, at its ends fixed to the supporting frame 1, beyond the opposite edges of the head and the bed 2, on which said head slides and at its central portion arranged transversely of said head and traversing the front face of the upper portion thereof and tending to guide said head and hold the same to its bed. This guide bracket is provided with a wire tension and holding or locking device through which the wire is drawn on the downward movement of the head and this device is arranged at the rear or inner side of said bracketiabout centrally in front of the upper end portion of the head.

The particular tension and locking device illustrated, consists of a vertically disposed block 15, fixed to the inner side of the spring 20, is secured to the bracket and cone stantly acts on said locking block to force the same upwardly to wire-locking position.

The edge 18, is so inclined that the block tapers or reduces upwardly, hence when the block is moved downwardly the flange 17, can move laterally from the groove 16, and relieve the wire therein from gripping or looking pressure, but when the block is forced upwardly the rollers 19, acting on the inclined edge 18, will force the block laterally to press the flange 17, against the wire in groove 16, and thereby lock said wire against upward movement between said blocks. When the head moves down, the wire will be drawn thereby downwardly through the groove 16, and the friction of the wire on the flange or rib 17, will tend to move the tension or wedge block down and thereby relieve the locking pressure of said block on the wire, yet the pressure will maintain the desired wire straightening tension on the wire. hen the head moves up, the wedge block will be forced in by the rollers and will clamp the wire against upward movement with the head. However, I do not wish to limit my invention to any particular tension or locking device. The head 4 is provided with a wire guide block 21, located below the wire locking device of the bracket, and this block is formed with a vertical longitudinal narrow wire receiving slot or groove 22, in alinement with the groove 16, of the wire locking device. This slot at its ends opens through the upper and 22, and passes therefrom into a vertical passage between the fixed guide blocks 23, 24, forming a straight vertical continuation of the slot 22. The adjoining vertical faces of these

blocks

23, 24, abut and one or both of said faces can be grooved to form a guiding passage for the wire. The block 24 is vertically elongated with respect to the block 23, and the wire extends down in the guiding groove in the extended portion of said block 24, and is confined therein under certain condition by a yieldingly held vertical block 25, forming, in efiect, a downward continuation of block 23, and opposing the downwardly extended portion of block 24, and extended downwardly to a horizontal plane a considerable distance below the horizontal plane of the lower end of block 24.

The block 25 is provided with a coiled spring 2', constantly acting on the block to force the same laterally against block 24. The block 25, is provided with a laterally tecting guide pin 27, rigid therewith and entrally through the coiled In th particular example illusleft hand side of the head .11? .ughout its length is rabbeted at the rentor otherwise reduced in thickness so that the

various blocks

21, 23, 25 can be arranged unt er the wire locking and tension device and receive the wire therefrom, and so that the right hand side of the block will be of such thickness as to form an outwardl r extending vertical wall or abutment 28, throughout the length of the head and to the :ight of the wire on its passage to the stoclr. The

blocks

21, 23, 24, and 25, fit against the flat vertical face of said reduced portion of th head and the

blocks

21, 23, d 2%, are fixed to the head by suitable eans with the bloclrs 21 and 23, fitting said 'all or abutment 28. The wall or abutment limits the movement of the block toward the right and the guide pin 27 of said block extends loosely into a horizontal or transverse passage in the right h and portion of the head, which passage also contains the spring 26. The wire passes from the guide block 24:. downwardly and vertically along the longitudinal vertical left hand side face of the block 25, to the wire cutting and shaping devices arranged approximately at the lower end of the head and at the lower end portion of said block 25.

The wire cutting mechanism comprises a fixed or male die, cutter or punch, and a m vable or female die or cutter. The fixed die consists of an elongated bar 29, of the re quired hard metal arranged transversely of the head in a suitable socket or recess in the end edge portion of the right-hand part of the head. The operating end of this die presents a re tical end face 30, having top cutting edge and this vertical end face in this instance) is approximately of the same width as the are being operated on, and said face is approximately flush with the wire-cngap' face of the block 25, when said bloc is in its normal position in engagement iith the block 2%. The die 29 is longitudinally adjustable and its longitudinal position is determined by the longitudinally adjustable set or stop screw 32, adjustable in a tapped hole in the head and having its outer or operating end exposed at the right hand edge of the head. The inner end of said screw abuts the rear end of said die. This step or abutment screw 32, can be locked in the desired adjustment by set or looking screw 33, having its head exposed at the front of the head a. The die 29 is clamped in the desired vertical and longitudinal position by suitable means, such as clamping screws 3%, having their operating heads exposed at the front of head l, while their inner ends or points engage the outer longitudinal side of said die in a longitudinal groove 35, extending throughout the length of said die. The screws 34, extend through tapped holes in the head (or in a member normally fixed thereto) and tightly clamp the die against movement and also center the same in the desired horizon tal plane. The screws can be slightly loosened to permit longitudinal adjtstment of the die by screw 32.

As the flat working face 30 mus be fre quently ground to sharpen the cutting edge, advantages are attained by providing the adjusting means whereby the die can be adjusted inwardly to take up wear and to maintain the necessar accurate adjustment of the face 30, with respect to cooperating parts. By employing the elongated die, extensive wear by grinding or sharpening is possible before it is necessary to insert a new die.

By the arrangement approximately as disclosed, the die is readily removable for grinding and can be as quickly reinstated and secured in the proper adii'istment.

The opposing or movable die 36 is arranged opposite the face 30 of the fixed die and is movable toward and from the same tunsversely of or at right angles to the direction of reciprocation of the head 4-, and of the line of feed of the wire. This die 36 is in ti form of a vertical plate or' disk having a central transverse opening or notch 37, in its lower end of a form or con-- tour to receive the operating end of the die 29, and to form the cutting edge 38, to cooperate with the edge 31, of the die 29, in severing the wire. In. the example illustrated, this notch 37 opens downwardly through the bottom edge of the die. This die plate 36, is removably secured in the inner end of a slidable block or carrier 39, on the front of the head and at its inner face having a groove or slidev iy ll), removably receiving a guide rib 4-1, d with the front face of the head e, and arranged transversely thereof. This slide or block 39, is removably confined on the rib l1, and to the front face of the head by a face plate 42, removably secured to the upper portion of the head by bolts 43, and from thence depending at the outer face of the slide. The die block or carrier can hence be readily exposed for inspection by removing the face or confining plate 42, and is also thereby rendered readily removable for any purpose as when the face plate is removed the die block can be re-- moved from its slideway or guide 41. The die 36 is removably fitted in a recess extending transversely across the inner end of the slide block 39 so that the upper and lower end edges of said die fit shoulders of said block, and the die is removably secured by one or more screws 44.

Immediately below the die 36, the slide block 39 is provided with a pair of rigid parallel fiat horizontal guide or guard fingers 45, projecting in longitudinal continuation of said block and beyond the vertical plane of the die 36 and across the vertical plane of the line of feed of the wire. These fingers 45 are spaced apart a distance approximately equal to the width of the wire being operated'on, and said fingers longitudinally straddle the fixed die 29, and slide longitudinally thereof along the opposite longitudinal side faces thereof and aid in maintaining the fixed and movable dies in the required accurate alinement. The lower open end of the notch 37 of the die 36, coincides with the space between said fingers and the lower edge of said die rests on the top edges of said fingers. The lower end of the block 25 slidably engages the top faces of the projecting or free end portions of said fingers, inasmuch as the lower end of said block 25, in the particular example illustrated, is centrally and transversely notched, at 46, to straddle and snugly and slidably fit the top edge portion of the fixed die and thereby form legs depending at the sides thereof and approximately into engagement with the fingers 45. The arrangement is such that the block 24 limits the outward or lateral movement of the block 25, under the action of spring 26, so that the wire-engaging vertical face of block 25 is normally flush with the operative vertical end face 30, of the fixed die 29, see Figs. 1 and 8, and the block 25 is spaced laterally, toward the left, a distance from the wall or abutment 28, that limits the depressed movement of said block 25 from block 24 toward the right.

If so desired, the slide block 39 can be provided with a presser finger or spring-pressed plunger 47, having a rounded projecting end constantly bearing against the wire and yieldingly holding the same against the vertical face of the block 25. This spring plunger 47, is arranged longitudinally of the slide block and is constantly pressed against the wire by a spring such as 48. The slide block is formed with a longitudinal bore to receive the plunger and its spring, and the die plate 36, is formed with a transverse hole in alinement with this bore and the inner end of the plunger projects through this hole in the die plate and projects laterally beyond the die and intoengagement with the wire. This spring pressed plunger is arranged a distance above, the wire cutting dies and applies the necessary tension to the depending wire end after the dies have cut a' length therefrom, and constantly holds said wire end against the face of the block 25, when the dies are separated. The spring 48 is lighter than the spring 26, and hence does not interfere with the proper operation of block 25.

If it is desired to form either an indentation or a perforation in the lengths or tabs cut from the wire by the dies, I provide the slide block with a punch 49, arranged 1011- gitudinally thereof, fixed therein, and pro- 7 jecting therefrom into the notch 37 in the die plate to cooperate with the working face 30,0f the fixed die in forming the indentation or cutting the perforation in the wire length. The face 30, of the fixed die'can be formed with a depression 50, to cooperate with the punch 49, in punching the wire. The slide block is also provided with a longitudinally movable spring-pressed pin 51, arranged longitudinally of the block in a suitable bore therein and backed by a suitable spring 52, constantly acting on the pin to press the some toward the fixed die 29. The free end of this pin 51 is arranged in the lower portion of the opening 37 of the movable die and normally projects outwardly beyond the vertical plane of the outer face of said die. This pin performs the function of a stripper, to press the cut wire length outwardly from said die opening' when the dies separate, as more fully set forth hereinafter, while the spring pressed block 25, at the same time acts as a stripper to press the free lower end of the wire to the left and free from the top surface of the fixed die.

In the particular example illustrated, the

dies are shaped to out similar tabs 0, (Fig.

2) from the wire without waste, each tab having one end forked to form two points or prongs to be driven through the stock and curled or hooked at the under side of the stock and at its opposite end tapered corresponding to the forked end, so that each stroke of the dies will cut a tab from the wire,

forming the handle end of the tab and the forked end of the tab to be cut off at the next Suitable operating and timing devices are provided for actuating the die and the slide block 39, in proper sequence' For instance, I show a constantly rotating horizontal drive shaft 5st, driven by any suitable means and mounted in any suitable manner at the rear of the supporting frame or plate 1, and provided with a cam fixed thereto. This cam is designed to control the vertical position of a vertically swingable lever or rocker 56, having a roller 57 held down to the operating edge of the cam by a spring 58, applied to the rear end of the lever and constantly tending to hold the same depressed. The lever is fulcrumed intermedi ate its ends to rock on axis 59, carried by the support 1, and the front end of the lever is operatively connected to the head 4:, to raise and lower the same by the upright link 60, at its upper end pivoted to the lever and at its lower end pivoted to the upper end of the head by pivot pin 61, confined in suitable ears rising from the head.- The operating edge of the cam is continuous and is elevated throughout a portion of its periphery and is depressed throughout the remainder thereof, and hence the front end of the lever is held depressed and consequently the head 4, is at its limit of downward movement by the elevated portion of the cam acting on roller 57 during each complete revolution of the cam, while the front end of the lever is elevated (by spring 58) and the head 4, held at its limit of upward movement approximately throughout the remainder of each complete revolution.

The slide block provided with the movable die is carried by the head and rises and falls therewith, and in addition said block is reciprocated transversely of said head and toward and from the fixed die, to grip the wire and feed the same forward the proper length, to cut a tab from the wire, and to drive the tab through the stock on the downward movement of the head, and to move in a direction away from the wire so that the head can slide freely on the wire on the upward or return movement of the head.

I provide operating connections between the drive or cam shaft 54, and said slide block, to actuate the slide block on its said transverse movements, and in the particular example illustrated, these connections comprise a cam 62, fixed on the shaft 54, a vertically swingable toe 63, arranged over said cam and having a roller 64:, held down on the continuous operating edge of said cam by spring 65 (said toe being pivotally mounted at its front end to the support 1, by pin a pitman or link 67, arranged vertically in rear of the support 1, and at its upper end pivotally joined to said toe and at its lower end pivotally joined to a crank or wrist pin 68, projecting rearwardly from a crank disk 69, fixed on the rear end of a rock shaft 70, mounted in and extending through the support 1, and at its front end having a forwardly extending stud eccentric to the longitudinal axis of shaft 70, and carrying a roller 71, confined in a vertically elongated yoke, loop or slotted extension 72, rigid with the outer or left hand end of the slide block and arranged beyond the left hand edge of the reciprocating head 4:.

The roller 71, fits snugly between the elongated parallel vertical side walls of the yoke 72, to permit the vertical movement of the yoke on the roller as the head l, reciprocates inasmuch as the roller is carried by the shaft 70, mounted in the support 1, against vertical movement. However, as the roller is eccentrically arranged with respect to the shaft, rotary movement of the shaft in one direction will carry said roller 71, to the left whatever the vertical position of the head t, and thereby move the slide block toward the left in the head and separate the opposing dies, while rotary movement of the shaft in the opposite direction will carry said roller toward the right and consequently force the slide block inwardly in the head to bring the dies together.

The rocking or rotary movement of the shaft is accomplished by the vertical movement of the pitman 67, through its crank connection with the shaft 70. For instance, when the roller 64, is riding on the elevated portion of the continuous edge or periphcry of the cam 62, and the toe 68 is thereby elevated, the shaft 70, will be rocked to its limit to the right and the slide block will be forced to its limit of inward movement with dies in the positions shown by Fig. 3. \Vhen the roller 61'- is traveling on the depressed portion of the periphery of the cam 62, the shaft 70, will be rocked to its limit toward the left and the slide block will be at its limit of outward movement with the dies separated. The

cams

55, 62, are preferably so arranged that the slide block will be moved on its in and out strokes in the head a, while said head is at rest either at its limit of upward movement or at its limit of downward movement. The sliding movement of the slide block in the head can be varied and the necessary accurate adjustment can be maintained by the adjusting nut or coupling 7%, for varying the length of pitman 67 and by adjusting the crank pin 68, radially of the crank disk 69. This adjustment of the crank pin is provided for by a diametrical slideway across the crank disk in which a slide 7 5, carrying the crank pin is longitudinally adjustable. The slide is normally fixedly clamped in the desired adjustment in this slideway or groove by nut 76. The

cams

55, 62, are so formed that each complete revolution of the shaft 5%, will cause a complete stroke of the head from elevated to depressed position and return and a complete stroke of the slide or die block from withdrawn position to wire operating position and return.

The parts are so arranged that when the head first reaches its elevated position, the die or slide block will be in withdrawn position, that is, at its limit of movement to the left and away from the wire. WVhile the head is thus held elevated, the cam 62, elevates the toe 63, and forces the slide or die block to its limit of inward movement (Fig. 3) driving the movable die onto the fixed die and thereby severing a tab from the wire and depositing'said tab in the notch or opening of the movable die and depending from the head between the adjoining side edges of the guide fingers 45, while said tab is clamped against the face 30, of the fixed die by the punch 49 and stripper 51 of the movable die. The die or slide block when at its said inward limit also drives its die plate against the stripper block 25, and forces said block laterally from the block 24, and against the wall 28 of the head, so that the notched lower end of block 25 slides longitudinally on the fixed die and away from the cutting end of said die which end is then projecting snugly into the notch or opening of the movable die. When the parts are in this posi tion the tab is arranged vertically tightly gripped in position with its prongs or pointed ends extending a distance below the head, while the length of wire from which said tab has been severed, is tightly gripped between the movable die and the stripper block 25. While the tab and wire are thus held gripped (primarily by the elevation of the cam 62, lifting toe 63) the elevation of the cam 55, will lift lever 56, and move the head 4: on itsdownward stroke and thereby feed the wire forward (through the tension and locking device) the predetermined certain distance, and drive the points of the tabheld by the die or sliding block downwardly through the stock and into engagementwith the curved or concaved wall of the depression in the top of the anvil 8, which curved wall curls or bends said prongs or points to the right and upwardly into approximate hook form with the points of the hooks usually directed upwardly and arranged below the bottom surface of the stock, preferably without again puncturing or extending into the stock. After the tab has been driven and secured to the stock (see Fig. 4:) and while the head is thus held depressed by the elevated portion of cam 55, and lifting roller 57, the cam 62, in its rotation passes its high portion from under roller 64-, allowing said.

pin 68) to rock shaft 70 toward the left to withdraw the slide or die block from wire gripping position. When the die block is thus withdrawn the spring of the stripper 51 will expand and drive the stripper toward the left to strip the tab from the movable die notch or opening and free the same from punch 49, as well as from the movable die and thereby overcome any possible tendency of said tab to stick or wedge in said opening. Also when said die block is withdrawn, the spring held plunger 47 will hold the depending wire end (from which the driven tab was severed) against the stripper block 25, and thereby overcome any tendency of said wire end to adhere to the movable die and follow the same in its withdrawal, and also the spring of the stripper block 25, will expand and 'drive said block to its normal position against block 24, sliding said block 25, along the fixed punch to the working end thereof and thereby stripping the tab and depending wire end from the working end of the fixed die and overcoming any tendency'of said .tab andwireend to adhere to said fixed die. This stripper block 25, particularly moves the depending wire end toward the left clear of the working face of said fixed die. WVhen the die or slide block has thus been withdrawn and left the tab free of the dies and secured to the stock and rising therefrom into the head, (and while the roller 64, is on the depressed portion of cam 62) the elevated edge portion of cam 55, passes from under roller 57, thereby permitting spring 58, ito swing the lever 56 to elevate the head to its limit of upward'movement, as shown by Fig. l. The head moves up leaving the tab just driven thereby, secured in and rising from the stock, as'shown by Fig. 1. The headmoves up independently of the wire as the wire is held against upward movement by the tension and locking device, and in moving up the various guide blocks of the head and the spring plunger 47, and stripper block 25, slide up along and in engagement with'the wire and maintain the same straight and in the desired alinement and against twisting or buckling. As the head moves up the working face of the fixed die passes up along depending fromthe head as appears in Fig.

1, in readiness to be driven through the stock and sec'uredwhen the headmoves down as f hereinbeforedescribed.

In the'particul-ar example illustrated, the

tabs are secured at regular intervals along a ribbon of stock and are then depressed to horizontal position on' and approximately parallel with the top face. of the stock 'so that successive areas of the stock canbe cut or punched outvto form closure disks, each having a free end tab resting on the top face thereof, although my invention is not so limited.

The stock feeding mechanism is arranged and timed to feed the stock forward a predetermined frxed distance during each period that the head 4-, is elevated therefrom and to allow said stock to remain at rest during the intervening period and while the head is applying the tab thereto. In fact, in Fig. l, the stock is shown starting on a feeding stroke or step to carry the upright tab just applied thereto to a position over the platen 10, whereupon the stock will come to rest. In this example, the bottom edge of the die or slide block is formed to tilt said upright tab toward the right (see Fig. 3), when the head descends to swing or otherwise move the tab to horizontal position on the top face of the stock as shown by Fig. i. To accomplish this result, I show the bottom edge of the slide lock formed with a depending longitudinal incline or cam face 79, to tilt the tab and cooperate with the platen 10 in bodily swinging or moving the tab down onto the stock, without bending the tab and without clenching or distorting the 1100 rec prong ends that secure the tab to the stock, although my i11- vention is not so limited.

in the particular application of my invention illustrated, the platen 10, is located in rear of the anvil S, a distance equal to the distance the stock is fed forward at each feeding stroke or step, and consequently a distance equal to the distance the tabs are spaced apart on the stock.

It will be noted that when tie head descends to feed the wire and to drive the tab cut from said wire, the upper portion of the tab is confined in the movable die opening or notch and the tab is driven by the downward engagement of the wall of said notch with the upper portion of the tab while the tab is guided and held in the proper position and against buckling by the guide fingers i5, and the end face of the fixed die against which the tab is held by the punch 49 and stripper 51.

Any suitable mechanism or device can be provided for laterally bending the points or ends of the tabs that are driven through and project below the stock, and hence I do not wish to limit my invention to an anvil for this purpose. Also, I do not wish to limit my in ention to a platen cooperating with the tab driving head or a part thereof, for moving the upright tabs to a position down on the stock, inasmuch as any suitable means can be provided for this purpose.

My invention is not limited to the forma tion and application of the particular handle or pull tabs to a continuous strip of stock or other material that is finally cut into disks, inasmuch as my invention can apply tabs or other wire lengths to separate pieces of material, and such wire lengths can be variously formed and applied to tickets, tags, cloth and other articles for various purposes, and furthermore my invention can be adapted to operate on flat ribbon-like, round, book binders or other wire.

It is evident that various changes,- variations, and modifications might be resorted to, that elements might be omitted and various features and structures might be added without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and hence I do not wish to limit myself to the exact disclosure hereof.

W hat I claim is 1. In combination, a head movable toward the work, said head provided with and carrying a fixed wire cutter, and a movable wire cutter having an independent movement in the head toward and from the fixed cutter and provided with operating means for tim ing the movement thereof, said head embodying means to clamp and feed the wire forward on the movement of the head toward the work and to release the wire and permit the head to slide freely thereon on its movement away from the work, said last mentioned means being controlled by said operating means.

2. in combination, a stock support, a wire-- cutting feeding and driving head movable toward and from said support and provided with and carrying wire clamping means, means for reciprocating said head, and oper ating and timing devices for said clamping means arranged to operate said means to clamp and feed said wire forward on the stroke of the head toward said support and to operate said means to release the wire so that the head can slide freely on the wire on the return stroke of the h ad.

3. In combination, a wire-cutting-feeding and-driving head, actuating means for reciprocating the head on its wire feeding and drivin stroke and on its return stroke, said head being provided with and carrying a wire clamp having an independent move ment in said head, and operating and timing means for said clamp to cause the clamp to grip the wire on the driving stroke of the head, whereby the head then feeds the wire forward, and to then release the wire so that the head on its return stroke will move freely with respect to the wire.

l. in combination, a wire-cutting feedingand-driving head provided with wire cuttin and clamping means, operating mechanism for moving said head on its wire feeding and driving stroke and on its return stroke, and timing means controlling the operation of said vire cutting and clamping means to clamp the wire and the length out therefrom on the wire feeding and driving stroke of said head and to then release the cut wire length and the wire,

, pendently of said head and having a wire head on wire feeding and driving stroke and on return stroke; and operating and timing means for moving said slide to wire cutting and gripping position to grip the wire and the length cut from the same on the feeding and driving stroke of the head and to then move to inoperative position, whereby the head moves freely along the wire on its return stroke.

6. In combination, a reciprocating wirefeeding-cutting-and-driving head provided with means establishing a straight path therethrough for the wire parallel with the direction of movement of the head, a wire tension and locking device mounted indepath in alinement with said path through the head, operating mechanism for actuating the head on its wire feeding and driving stroke and in a direction away from said tension and locking device, said head pro vided with devices for periodically cutting said wire and gripping the wire and the length cut therefrom and then releasing the wire and the length cut therefrom; and operating and timing means for said last mentioned devices.

7. In combination, a reciprocating wirefeeding-cutting-and-driving head provided with means establishing a straight path therethrough for the wire parallel with the direction of movement of the head, operating mechanism for actuating the head on its wire feeding and driving and return strokes, said head provided with and carrying devices for periodically cutting said Wire and gripping the wire and the length out therefrom to draw the wire down with the head on its driving stroke and then releasing the wire and the length cut therefrom and driven into the work and to permit the head to move up independently of the wire, and operating and timing means for said devices.

8. In combination, a reciprocating wirefeeding-cutting-and-driving head, operating means for moving the head on its wire feeding andv driving stroke and on its return stroke, said head provided with and carrying a combined wire cutting and gripping device whereby the wire lengths are cut from the wire and the wire is fed forward with the head on the driving and feeding stroke of the'head, and actuating and timing means controlling said cutting and gripping device whereby the same is re leased from the wire lengths after said lengths have been driven into the work and from the Wire to permit the return stroke of said head freely along the wire.

9. In combination, a support, a reciprocating wire feeding cutting and driving block slidably confined to the support, operating means for moving the block on its wire feeding and driving stroke and on its return stroke, a guide yoke for said block fixed to said support, a wire tension and locking device carried by said yoke and through which the head draws the wire on its feed ing and driving stroke and which locks the wire against retrograde movement when the block makes its return stroke, said block provided with and carrying wire guiding, gripping and cutting means, and operating and timing mechanism for said wire gripping and cutting means. 7

10. In combination, a support, a reciprocating wire' feeding, cutting and driving head slidably confined to the support and provided with means establishing a straight wire path along the head parallel with the direction of movement of the head, said head provided with a combined wire cutting and gripping device to sever a length-from the wire and to hold said length in approximate alinement with said path and projecting from the head and toward said anvil for driving through stock,'means for bending laterally the portion of said wire length driven through and projecting beyond the stock, and operating and timing devices for said head and for said device.

11. In combination, awire feeding-cutting and driving side block embodying means establishing a straight wire path along the block, operating means for moving said block in a direction parallel with said path on the block wire feeding and driving stroke and on the block return stroke, said head provided with and carrying wire cutting, gripping and driving devices; and operating and timing mechanism for saiddevices.

12. In combination, means to feed stock with a step by step movement, a wire feeding-cutting and driving head, operating mechanism to move said head on its feed ing and driving stroke toward said stock and on its return'stroke away from said stock, said head embodying devices to feed a length of wire towardsaid stock andto cut a tab therefrom and drive the same through said stock and leave'said tab in a position projecting from said stock approximately at right angles thereto, timing and actuating mechanism for said devices, said head formed to move a previously-applied tab to a position on and parallel with the stock at each tab driving stroke, and means to cooperate with said head in moving previously applied tabs down onto the stock.

13. In combination, a reciprocating wire feeding-cutting and driving head embodying means to cut tabs from a wire length and to drive said tabs into stock and leave said tabs projecting from the stock approximately transversely thereof and to simultaneously move previously applied tabs to a position parallel with and against the surface of the stock, operating means to actuate said head on its wire feeding tab driving strokes toward said stock and on its return strokes away from said stock, an adjustable anvil opposing said head to curl or hook the ends of the tabs driven through the stock by the head, and an independently adjustable platen opposing said head and spaced from said anvil and arranged to cooperate with said head in moving previously applied and hooked tabs to a position on and parallel with said stock.

14:. In combination, a support provided with means to support stock or other work to which tabs are to be applied, a wire-feeding and tab-cutting and driving slide block opposing said means and the stock thereon, operating means to reciprocate said block on its wire feeding and tab driving stroke toward said stock and on its return stroke away from said stock, a fixed guiding bracket for said block and under which the same slides, a wire tension and locking device carried by said bracket and through which the wire is drawn on the feeding and driving stroke of the block and which locks the wire against retrograde movement on the return stroke of the block, said head provided with wire tension and guiding means and with wire cutting and wire and tab gripping and tab driving devices movable therein, and actuating and timing mechanism for said cutting and gripping devices.

15. In combination, a reciprocating wire feeding and cutting and tab driving head provided with a fixed wire cutting die and a spring actuated stripper block for cooperating therewith in guiding the wire thereacross and in stripping the wire therefrom, said head also provided with a movable die and wire gripping slide movable toward and from said block and fixed die and provided with a spring plunger opposing said block and with a punch opposing said fixed die and with a stripper for stripping the tab (cut by said dies from the wire) from said movable die, operating means for reciprocating said head on its wire feeding and tab driving stroke and on its return stroke, and means for actuating and timing said slide in its movements in said head.

16. A reciprocating wire-feeding-and-cutting-and-tab-driving head having an elongated longitudinally adjustable fixed die with a working face at its inner end providing a cutting edge, a longitudinally adjustable abutment backing said die, said die formed with a longitudinal side groove, a clamping screw adjustable in the head and entering said groove transversely of said die, means to guide a wire length transversely across said working face, and a cooperating female die movable toward and from the working-face end of said fixed die, substantially as described.

17. A wire cutting and tab driving head provided with a fixed male die, means to guide the wire to be cut across the working face of said die, a die block movable toward and from said male die and provided with a female die to receive the same and cooperate therewith in severing said wire to form a tab and to drive said tab into the work, and spaced guide fingers carried by said block and longitudinally and slidably receiving said fixed die and guiding said tab below said female die.

18. A wire cutting and tab driving head provided with a male die, means to strip the wire end therefrom, a die block movable toward and from said male die and having means to grip the wire end against said stripping means, and also provided with a female die to receive said male die and with means to cooperate with the male die in holding the tab cut from the wire while said tab is being driven.

19. In combination, a reciprocating wire feeding, cutting and driving head embodying means to cut tabs from a wire length and to drive said tabs into stock and leave said tabs projecting from the stock approxi mately transversely thereof and to simultaneously move previously applied tabs to a position down on the surface of the stock, and operating means to actuate said head on its wire feeding and tab driving strokes toward said stock and on its return strokes away from said stock.

20. A. reciprocating wire-length-driving head provided with means to drive wire lengths into stock and leave said lengths projecting from the stock approximately perpendicularly thereto, said head formed to simultaneously move wire lengths previously applied thereby to the stock to a position on the surface of the stock, and operating means to actuate said head on its wire length driving and wire length moving stroke toward said stock and on its return stroke away from said stock, in combination with means for supporting and moving said stock.

21. In combination, means for applying wire lengths in an upright position to stock with an end of each length driven through and projecting beyond the stock, means for bending said projecting ends of the wire lengths laterally against the under surface of the stock, and means for moving said upright previously applied wire lengths into positions down on and approximately parallel with the outer surface of the stock simultaneously with said application of wire lengths to and through the stock.

22. In combination, a tab driving head, operating mechanism to move said head on its tab driving stroke toward the stock and on its return stroke away from said stock, said head provided with devices to drive a tab into said stock and leave said tab in a position projecting'from said stock approximately at right angles thereto, said head also being formed to move a previously applied tab to a position on and parallel with the stock at each tab driving stroke, and means to back said stock and oppose said head in cooperating therewith in moving the previously applied tabs thereagainst.

23. In combination, a head movable toward and from the work, said head provided with a fixed wire cutter, a movable wire cutter having an independent movement in the head toward and from the fixed cutter and having means to clamp the severed wire length against said fixed cutter and to support said wire length while the same is being driven into the work, operating means for said head, and operating and timing means for said movable wire cutter.

2%. In combination, a wire-lengtl1-driving head movable toward and from the work, a Wire cutter carried by said head and having an operating movement independent thereof, operating means for said head, operatingand timing means for said cutter, and devices controlled by said cutter for clamping the severed wire length while it is being driven and for clamping the wire to feed the same toward the work on the driving stroke of the head and to release said wire and permit the head to move freely thereon on its movement away from the work.

25. In combination, a wire-feeding and tab-driving head movable toward and from the work and formed with a wire passage extending therethrough, means carried by said head for cutting tabs from the length of wire extending through said head and for holding said tabs projecting from said head while-said tabs are driven into the work by the movement of the head to the work and for then releasing saidtabs, and means carried by said head for clamping the end of the wire from which a tab has been cut and for moving the wire with the head as said head moves toward the work and for then releasing said wire and permitting the head to slide freely thereon on its return movement so that the end of the wire will project from'the head and toward the work on the completion of said return movement of the head, substantially as described.

26. In combination, a wire feeding and tab-driving head, operating meansfor moving saidhead on its tab driving and wire feeding strokes, a wire cutting and tab holding device carriedby said head and comprising male and female relatively-movable wire cutting and tab; clamping dies, said female die having arecess in which the tab is clamped against said male die'while said tab is being driven into the work on the tab driving stroke of said head, said recess opening through the edge of said female die to permit the tab to project laterally therefrom for driving, and means for operend therefrom, and operating devices for said means.

28. In combination, means for feeding stock, a head provided with and carrying mechanism for securing tabs to the stock at intervals thereon in such a manner as to project therefrom approximately at right angles thereto, said head having a portion for engaging and moving such tabs to a po sition on and approximately parallel with the surface of the stock, and means at the under side of said stock for bending the ends of the tabs projecting through the stock laterally approximately to the under surface of the stock. I

29. Means for feeding-and supporting stock, in combination with a head provided with means for fastening tabs by their ends to said stock with the tabs projecting therefrom and for simultaneously moving the previously applied projecting tabs into position on and approximately parallel with the surface of the'stock.

30. A wire-cutting-andtab-driving head having wire-cutting and tab-clamping means comprising a die at one end having a working face providing a cutting edge, and a die block provided with a cooperating opening to receivevsaid die, said opening formed by a recess open toward the work to receive the tab severed from the wire by said die and block with the tab held in and driven by the walls of the recess'and projecting therefrom toward the work..

31. A wire-cutting-and-tab-driving-head provided with means to guide the wire said head'to clamp the end of the wire fromwhich the tab has been severed duringthe' tab driving stroke, said last mentioned means being controlled by said wire cutting mechanism.

32. A wire-cuttingand-tab-driving-head having means to guide the wire therethrough comprising, a yieldingly-helcl plate in said head, and wire cutting and tab holding and driving means comprising a member cooperating with said plate to clamp thereagainst the wire end from which the tab has been severed.

33. A Wire-cutting-and-tab-driving-head having means to guide the wire therethrough comprising a spring-actuated plate, and wire cutting and tab driving means comprising a spring plunger to cooperate with said plate in clamping the wire end thereto during the tab driving stroke of the head.

34. A wire-cutting-and-tab-driving-head having means to guide the wire therethrough and provided with wire-cutting and tabclamping and driving means comprising a die and a cooperating die block having a recess to receive said die and to hold and back the tab while being driven, said die block having a punch opposing and cooperating with said die.

35. A wire-cutting-and-tab-driving-head having means to guide the wire therethrough and provided with wire-cutting and tabclamping and driving means comprising a die, a stripper therefor, and a cooperating die block having a recess to receive said die and to hold and back the tab while being driven, said die block provided with means to strip the tab from said recess.

36. A reciprocatory head provided with wirecutting and tab-driving means carried by said head and arranged at the edge thereof adjacent to the stock into which the tab is to be driven and comprising cooperating male and female dies and operating means, said female die having a recess open toward the stock and into which the tab-forming length is punched laterally from the wire and wherein said tab is held projecting from the head and toward the work while being driven.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the 37. In combination, a reciprocatory head, Wire-clamping and cutting and tab-driving mechanism carried by said head, means for operating said head on its wire feeding and tab driving stroke toward the stock into which the tab is to be driven and on its return stroke, and operating and timing means for operating said mechanism to release said wire and permit the head to slide freely thereon on its return stroke, and to cut a tab therefrom and grip and hold the tab projecting from the head on the driving stroke of the head and also to grip the wire and feed the same forward on the driving stroke of the head.

38. In combination, a reciprocatory head, mechanism carried by said head for cutting tab-forming lengths from wire and for driving said tabs, said mechanism comprising cooperating wire-cutting and tab-clamping dies, and operating means therefor, a pair of spaced guide fingers, means for guiding the wire across said dies and between said fingers, the tab cut from said wire and held by said dies for driving being arranged be tween and projecting beyond said fingers toward the stock into which it is to be driven, and means for operating said head on its tab driving and return strokes.

39. A wire-cutting and feeding and tab driving head provided with wire cutting and tab driving means comprising male and female wire cutting dies, and an operating slide therefor, a pair of parallel wire and tab guiding fingers slidably and longitudinally arranged with respect to one of said dies, and means for guiding the wire to be cut across said dies and between said fingers, substantially as decribed.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILBUR L. WRIGHT.

Witnesses:

B. T. WEBSTER, FRED Gr. COLDREA.

Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.