US1245421A - Folding-machine. - Google Patents

Description

w. E. AMBERG. FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILE-D JULY 11, 1914.

Patented Nov. 6, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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. J5 WaZfisrZZflmay W. E. AMBERG.

FOLDING MACHINE. APPLlCATlON FILED JULY 1!, 1914.

Patehtd Nov. 6, 1917.

4 sucars-suz'n 2 W. E. AMBERG.

FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLlCATlON FILED JULY 11. 1914.

1 $45,412 1 Patented. NGV. 5, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

a I immll l fil l In -11F M4:

W. E. AMBERG.

FOLDNG MACHINE.

APPLlCATlON FILED JULY 11, 1914.

1 ,25A21 Patented Nov. 6,1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

-WALTER E. AMBERG, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FOLDING-MACHINE.

' To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, VVALTER E. AMBERG, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, countyfof Cook, and State of Illinois,'have invented certain new and useful, Improvements in Folding-Machines, of

which the following is'a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in paper folding machlnes and has special ref-' erence to improved devices for folding letter sheets, bills, circulars, and Similar articles.

Theobject of my invention is to provide a machine Which shall reduce the necessary expenditure of time and labor in the folding of letter sheets and similar pieces of paper; to'provide a simple and durable folding mechanism which shall be easily operable to fold the sheet, either upon parallelv lines or upon lines which cross each other at right angles; to provide a sheet folding device of simple construction and relatively low cost, and adapted either for hand or power manipulation, and which shall be suitable for use in business ofiices and the like for folding letters of correspondence and such like articles for insertion into envelops.

In the folding of letter sheets and similar articles, particularly for insertion into envelops, there are many arrangements and combinations of folds which it is desirable to make, ranging froma single fold forming two leaves to one which includes, first a crosswise fold and then the crosswise folded sheet folded into small compass.

It is a special object of my invention to provide a folding machine wherein and whereby letter sheets and similar articles can be folded in any one of several ways depending upon the size of the sheet, and the dimensions desired for the folded sheet, upon lines at right angles to the first fold, and consisting of one or more of such folds as may be necessary to produce the results desired.

My invention further contemplates the production of a machine or device having a substantially fiat surface to receive the sheet to be folded and adapted to fold the sheet. crosswise without the necessity of placing any mechanical holder above the sheet, and adapted tofold the crosswise folded sheet at right angles to the first fold and on parallel lines into a compact package and arranged Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 11, 1914. Serial No. 850,490.

Patented Nov. 6, 1917.

My invention resides in a machine having a fiat surface to receive a sheet to be folded,

a plate or other fiat obstruction having parallel side edges beneath which one portion of the sheet is adapted to be placed and means for forming the end portion or portions over and upon the obstruction or plate and around the edges thereof, and means for finally creasing the fold or folds thus formed to preserve the sheet in its folded condition.

My invention further resides in a machine having a substantially flat surface to receive a sheet to be folded, means for holding the middle portion of the sheet against movement in a direction away from said surface and provided with rotatable'members adapted to lift either one or both end portions of the sheet and rotate them around and upon the held portion of the sheet, with means for creasing the edges of the folds thus formed as the sheet is withdrawn from its folded pos i tion.

My invention further resides in a machine having a substantially horizontal surface to receive the sheet, stops to retain the sheet against movement on the surface, a rotatable member supporting the end of the sheet opposite to said stops, preferably in inclined elevated position, and adapted to be rotated to fold said end down upon the stopped end and thereby fold the sheet crosswise, said plate in its final position being adapted to form a holder for the middle portion of said folded sheet to retain it in position, and r0 tatable plates arranged beneath the ends of said folded sheet adapted to raise said ends and fold them over and upon said holder and the middle portion ofsaid sheet, and means for creasing the edges of the several folds as the sheet is withdrawn from folded position.

My invention also resides in the several features of construction, and the arrangements and combinations of parts, by means of which the above and other objects are attained, and all as hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims. I

My invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a. machine illustrating one embodiment of my invention, the several parts being shown in position to receive a sheet of paper to be folded;

its

shown in two of t I Fig.10 isa similar] view showing the parts in different relative-positions; p

7 Fig. 11 is a detail showing the means "of -one of the sheet stops; 7 1 "1o 2 a similar view o'f-the machine show ng the parts in partly folded condi- Fig. 3 is a longitudinal v 'ertical section on the l1ne.33 of Fig. l; Fig. 4, is a, similar section on the line H Fig. 4* is'an' enlarged detail side v ew of 1 1Figi5 is a bottom. plan View of the chine as shown in Fig. 1;.

Figs, 7, and 8, are transverse verticalv sectional view 'on the line 6-6 of Fig l' showing the operating lever in several different positions f Fig. 8* is an. enlargedielevation of the mechanism for operating the side blades;

Fig. 8""is a to plan View Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the o crating" mechanism which connects lie movable shafts in the machine;

ra t e Sw n ra I F 1gu12 adetail vertical sect onal view on the1line 12' '12 "of Fig. 2 illustrating the creaser;

F ig. 12 is an end elevation of one of the creas ng devices; 7 Fig. 13 is a transverse vertical sectional 1 c View on the line13'13 of Fig. 2, the side plates being in extended position;

Fig. 14 is a section similar to. Fig. 13

"showin ,the side plates in folded position plates relatively to the several sheets which the upon *t ecentral plate,

the l ne 1'a 15 of Fig. 2; p

Fi 16. isia'section'similar to Fig. 15 showing the positions of the frame locking before the frame reaches its final position; i

17 r022, inclusive,.illustrate sheets ofpaper of various relative dimensions which tlni'mac'hine is adaptedto fold; I

23 "to 28 ,inclus1ve, aredia ramand illustrating the manner in machinevfolds' these sheets; V I p F igs. 29 and '30 are cross sectional views l illustrating the position of the several plates and the sheet which is being folded,

asillustrated in Figs. .23 and 24, respectively; and. r

' Fig. 31 is a view similar to Fig. 30, but.

' illustrating the folding of the long sheet shown in Fig. 19. p

Ashereinbefore stated, my machine is particularly 7 adapted forffolding letter sheets,

circulars and similar pieces of paper for insertion into envelops, and is provided with a substantially fiat. surface upon which a sheet of paper may be easily placed for fold ith me he ing, and is provided with a number'of rela= tively' movable formers, leaves or plates adaptedto receive, hold, and form or fold the sheet.

which the sheet is placed that there is no obstruction above the surface to hinder the placement of the sheet in position; In the plates B and C these slde plates are rotatable over and upon the plate A'one in ad vanceof theother. The plate A ismounted in. Such a manner that itv may be moved or rotated'awayflfrom the upper surfaceof the box in such a way as to'place'itslowen surface uppermostand' in such position that it extends away from or beyond the plates B and G. In such position it forms a support "for the paper sheet, intended to be I so arrange the plates upon the plate A has beenplaced' between'the folded upon the machine, and in combinetion with the plates B and (land the top of the box forms a substantially level or free surface upon, which to place the sheet of paper tofbe folded. The plate A is so mounted that it can be swung or rotated over and uponthe base to a position between the plates 13 and (land in a plane therewith, as shown in Fig. 2, and when it has reached this position, as stated, the plates B and C areadapted to. be rotated to a position above the'platje A one in advance of the'other, The machine includes an operating leverand mechanism bywhich these plates are successively placed in position above the middle portion of thebase D, as.

described,;when the lever is moved in one direction," and when the lever is moved in the other directionthe plates are swun or movedtotheir starting or original positions eachcomplete movement of the lever serv ing to fold a sheet of pa er which is laid uponthe several plates v w en. in their open or-originalpositions.

As shown in Figs. 1 and '3 the plate A preferably occupies an upwardly lnclinedr position before it is swung down, but it will beunderstOod that the angle at which itris disposed'may vary through a wide range without departing from my invention, that is, whether level with the plates B and C. or elevated at. an angle thereto, it Withthe' plates B and C and the top of the base forms a substantially flat surface .upon which the sheet of paper to be folded may be placed. The former or plate A isrotatable in one vertical plane, and the side formers or plates B and C are rotatable in a'plane at rightangles thereto.

In Fig. 1 I have illustrated. by means of the dotted line E, the outline of a sheet of paper which the machine is adapted to fold, this sheet resting upon the plates B and C at one end and upon the plate A at the other end. In Fig. 2 the dotted line E shows thissheet' in the partly folded condition, the portion of the sheet which was supported by the plate A having been folded over upon the :portion of the sheet resting upon the plates 13 and C and in condition to be completely folded by the rotation of the plates B and C over and upon the plate A. The former or plate A is mounted upon a swinging yoke a which is rotatably mounted upon the forward end of the box and is operatively connected with the operating handle F located at the opposite end of the box by means of which the yoke can be swung from its extended-position shown in Figs 1 and 3 to its closed position, shown in Figs. 2 and 4. The lever is arranged to move transversely of the box, that is, in a plan at right angles to the direction in which the yoke a rotates and the mechanism for connecting the handle F with theyoke a will be fully describedhereinafter.

The former A is secured to the middle portion of the yoke a by means of screws or rivets a and when the yoke is in its depressed position the plate A lies substantially in contact with the upper surface of the base or box I), and its secured end is adjacent to the handle or operator F.

The. plates B and C, as ex lained, are arranged at the two sides of tie plate A and are mounted to rotate upon axes substantially in alinement with their inner edges. The plates B and C are mounted at one end adjacent to the handle F on short shafts c and Z2 respectively, and at their opposite ends are provided with extension brackets or arms 0 and 6 respectively each having a pintle 0 in axial alinement with the shaft at the opposite'end of the plate and mounted in a rigid bracket a secured to and rising from the base.

The length and width of the several plates are determined by the results which are desired, that. is, if the machine is designed to fold sheets for what are termed long envelops the several plates may be made of considerable length, that is, long enough to fold the sheets on parallel lines to fit the long envelope and the width of the several plates may be arranged likewise, for folding a sheet to the compass desired, either narrower or broader, according to the conditions to be fulfilled.

I provide such an operating connection between the lever F and the yoke c that I am enabled to swing the yoke very rapidly when I rotateit to move the plate A down upon the base, and consequently the plate in thus moving over and being thrown down upon the base when folding a sheet of paper creates a considerable pressure upon the upper surface of the paper which pressure serves. to hold the paper back between the adjacent ends of the plate A and the plates B and C, and form the first fold, which of course is across the sheet. At such time there is no obstruction or projection ar ranged above the sheet to form this fold, the fold being produced by the rapid movement of the plate A over and upon the base. For the purpose of retaining the sheet in proper relation to the several plates, I provide adj ustable end stops (Z against which one end of the sheet is adapted to be positioned, and an adjustable side stop d against which the one side edge of the sheet is adapted to be positioned. These stops are all adjustable from and toward the center of the base for the purpose of causing the machine to produce the folds at desired positions in the sheet being folded. The method of mounting these stops and their adjustment will be fully described hereinafter.

To further assist in the formation of the first or cross fold, I provide paper stops a and a which project upwardly from the surface of the plate A, the stop (1 at its outer end adjacent to the yoke a to take the long sheets and the stop a spaced inwardly therefrom to take the short sheets. As shown in Fig. 1 the outerend of the sheet E, when the sheet is laid upon the machine, is spaced inwardly from the stop a, but it will be understood that as the yoke is swung over there is a relative movement between the sheet and the stop, the sheet sliding out along the plate until the edge contacts with the stop, that is, during the first part of the movement of the yoke. The stop thus assists in the forming of the first fold for immediately the sheet contacts with the stop the forming of the first fold is forced. The exact relation of the position of this first fold to the length of the sheet is controlled by the adjustable stops d which contact with the opposite end of the sheet. The weight of the yoke A. and the plate which it carries and the rapidity with which it moves, produce a certain amount of throw or momentum as the yoke reaches the limits of its movement, and several of the im portant features in my invention reside in the means which I have devised for overcoming the objectionable effects of the throw of the yoke, and means for reducing the noise incident to its operation as well as incident to the operation of the plates B and C. To assist in overcoming this momentum I make the plate A of resilient or spring metal, and I control its free or inner end a in such away that this plate is sprung out of its normal parallel relation to the yoke a at each limit-ofits'motion in'sucha direct'ion astopfiset or balance thethrow of" the yoke; For the purpose of assistinginthis reduction and noise, 'I pad the upper sur- 1d, one at each side,-and spaced apart so that the plate A-will restupon the flat upper sur- 7 l gfaces ofthese strips when in its depressed face ofrthe base D. by; means of. a sheet d of felt or other suitable material, which. covers most of; the upper'surface. of the baseyand for the purpose of providing a: smooth. sur- I i face upon which theaplate A i's adapted to rest in its'final position and upon whichit may hold'or press the sheet which 'is being folded, I provide sheet metal barsor strips position.

Asshownin 13, the padding on the upper face of "the" base is sufiiciently raised at the sid so that the plates BiandC cannot touch any metallicsportion of the base,

7' but will be received' upon these pads; This serves to lessen the noise of: operationlof the machine; "The stops d, as clearly shown in Fig. 4 ,'are L-shapedin cross section having a knife edge projection. k onjtheir lower endsadapted to project beneath the sheet:

e of "paper,,which is being placedupon'them,

, and are curved forwardly upon their upper ends k fso' as to prevent the edge "of the I paper-rising above their tops. Furthermore,

to: assist this holding of the'edge ofthe sheetin Position, I provide the forward face of these stops with" slight horizontal serrations or groovesrk which engage the edge of the sheet of paper and prevent .the'edge of the sheet sliding upward along the stop .and becoming disengaged therefrom. 1 As shown in Figs. 1 and 3 I providedepressions d inthe upper surface of the base adapted to receive the freeend of the plate A' and forming shoulders d? which engage the Plate I A when the vyoke is in its outer position, and

"which tend to holdthe iner end "of the plate yoke and bring it easily to a state of rest. As shown in Fig. 4, the relation of the yoke 0.

5 run away from :or out of alinement with t e yo e.-- Consequentlyfas the'yoke reaches its 7 by t ie meansdescribed, serves to" cushion the uter position the spring of the plate A,

to the base,; Wheni-n its closed position, is

' such that the plate A' is sprungin. the oppos site direction; that is, the axis upon wh ch the yoke rotates issoiarranged in relation.

: the sheetof paper being folded with a slight pressure. e V

In order to assistinthe stopping of the yoke 11",. as it reaches its depressed portion,

I provide-a spring stop d arranged onthe base midway between the plates'B and C and so positioned that when the yoke is depressedthe middle portion of the fixed end of the plate" A will strike thespring' and the yoke will thus be yieldingly brought-to a state. of rest.;1 The shafts bfQ' V and-;-0 ,1which form parts of the plates B; and C," are mounted in' bearings. formed in a box-like} extension M ofthe base provided on the top of the rear endthereofi- These, shafts. are positioned, as shown in the amw-= ings, substantiallyin. alinement with the ad jacent horizontal edges fof-the plate, A and the platesB and C, and-areadapted, when moved, to rotate the plates B and C from theirextended or outerpositions which they occupy when at rest to positions over upon and above the plate A when in its depressed position. I secure the plates B and Cto. their respective shafts in such a manner,

that is, more or less removed from the axes of theshafts, that when they are'rotated to positionsover the middle portion of the tions shown without departing from the spirit of my invention. For the purpose of operating the several plates or formers, at

their proper times, I arrange the operating lever F at the rear end of the base and ad,- jaccnt to the housing M. I mount it upon one end of a horizontal rock shaft d carried in suitable bearings in the base and said shaft d is adapted 'to be rotated back and forth bythe transversemovement of the lever F. I provide a second shaft 03 parallel with (the shaft 03 and geared thereto by means of segmental pinions d andd For swinging or "rotating the frame ll1v which carries the plate A, I provide a transverse shaft G mounted in suitable hearings in the base of the machinev and, as ;h ereto fore described, the frame a is swung over from its outwardly {inclined position, as

inFig. 4, in advance of the movements of the plates B and C.- For effecting this movement I oscillate the shaft G through a limited arc by'means of a'crank arm (i secured upon the inner end of the shaft d and engaging with a slotted crank arm secured upon the shaft G. Referring particularly to Fig. 10, it will be seen that I have shown'these two members in" their related positions, for purposes of illustration, as they appear in the bottom plan view Fig. 5. The crank g isprovided with a recess 9 and a curved arm 9*. The recessis adapted to receive the outer end of the crank arm Thecrank arm d is received in shown in Fig. 3, to its closed'position, shown the recess 9 and when rotated in the direction of the arrow (Fig. 9) rotates the shaft G and moves the arm 9 upwardly until the end of the arm 6 11 disengages the side of the recess and a further movement of the arm (Z causes the outer end of'the arm (Z to sweep along the curved surface formed on the arm 9 The purpose of this is to prevent any backward movement of the arm and thus lock the frame a during the interval that the end of the arm (Z is not in the recess IVhen the shaft (Z is rotated in the opposite direction the outer end of the arm sweeps back along the curved surface g enters the recess 51 and rotates the shaft G and arm 9 back to the position shown in Fig. 9. I

The frame a comprises an outer transverse bar a and side bars or rods a The freeends of these side bars are secured to rotatable members a which are mounted in the side walls of the boX adjacent to its forward end. These members a project through the walls of the box and are provided on their inner ends with segmental pinions a. They are mounted for rotation upon bearing rods a secured in position in the boX and provided on their outer ends with heads a which secure these members a against movement away from the box. I provide the shaft G with finger gears 9 one on each end, adapted to engage with the segmental pinions a and adapted torotate the frame a back and forth when the handle F is moved back and forth. By means of this construction I am enabled to swing the frame a from its extended to its closed position in advance of the movement of the platesB and C, that is, the first operation of the movement of the handle F during whichtime the finger gears c and b are out 'ofengagement with the pinions 0 and b the frarnea is closed down upon the base and is in its closed position at the time that the plate C begins to move. The lateral projection g? on the slotted crank 9 serves, in combination with the crank (Z to lock the frame a in its depressed position during the continuance of the movement of the lever F. V v

It is my-purpose to-retain the plates B andv C stationary and locked in their outer or'normal positions until after the plate A has reached its depressed position and then to rotate them rapidly one in advance of the other over-upon theplate A. To accomplish these results I provide the actuating mechanism; illustrated. This mechanism comprises the segmental gears (Z and d, the gear (Z being formed upon the hub of the gear 0 and the gear (Z being formed upon the hub of the gear j A single tooth d which forms a part of the handle F, is made to engage two auxiliaryteeth (Z and (P on the gear 0 The tooth el is of greater pitch and diameter than the gear al and consequently when the shaft (Z is rotated it is moved at a proportionately higher speed than the shaft (Z I provide a locking cam surface (Z forming part of the handle F and adapted to engage the single tooth (Z of the gear d during the first portion of the movement of the handle and thus prevent the shaft 6Z8 rotating. To transmit motion to the shafts b and c for rotating the plates B and C I mount a small segmental pinion c and 6 upon respective shafts c and b and these are engaged respectively by finger gears c and b mounted respectively upon the shafts (Z and (Z the gear 0 being mounted freely upon the shaft (Z and the gear 6 being secured to rotate with the shaft (i When the handle 'F is in its first position, as shown in Fig. 6, the finger gears c and bears out of engagement with the pinion c and b but to prevent the plates B and C from being moved at such time I provide a locking arm 0* and Z2 on respective finger gears and b which are arranged to engage complementary locking cams 0 and b on respective pinions c and 6 As shown in Figs. 7 and 8 .these locking parts are formed to move out of engagement when the finger gears swing into engagement with the pinions 0 and 5?. I so proportion and position the finger gears and b that the gear 0 engages with the pinion 0 before the gear 72 engages with the pinion b and consequently the plate 0 is swung or rotated in advance of the plate B. Furthermore, the gear 0 passes out of engagement with the pinion 0 at the time that the plate C reaches its folded position and a further movement of the handle F carries the plate B to its final position upon the plate C. It will now be understood that the first part of the movement of the handle F serves to swing down the plate A,both B. and C being stationary, and when the plate A has reached its finalposition the plates'B andC are rotated over upon the plate A, the plate C in advance of the plate B, and furthermore that-at times when any plate is not moving it is locked in its position. R

hen the frame a descends upon the base and it strikes the spring (Z it would tend to reboundand interfere with the operation of the plates B and C, but once it has descended into contact with the base I lock it in such position for a sufficient-time to destroy the rebounding tendency. For this purpose I provide a locking bolt I-I mounted in'the upper part of the housing and hav ing its rear end 72 projecting into the path of the lever F, and its forward end it adapted to be projected into the path of a spring latch I)? carried by the frame a 7 As best shown in Figs. 1, 2, 15, and 16, the lever'F contacts with the rear end of the bolt when at about the middle of its moval from the machine} I a a a a ,movementat the timethat the plate A has reached its lowest position, and pushes the yholt through the housing projecting ts forwardend into the path of the springlatch if" "The latch isbeveled in its outer face so thatif the bolt is in'its wayasthe frame d? descends the latch lwill spring past the end [of thebolt andfthe boltv Wlll engage the upper edgeof the" latch andprevent the frame a from rising! I: make the rear end of thebolt of considerablelength sothat thearm E will retain the bolt at tsinner' position long enough to prevent the plate A risnormally sheld at the rearward limit of its ring andinterfering with the folding movements of the platesfB and C. :The bolt H is movement andout" of the path 1 of the spring latch h, by a small spring jt secured with-v n t e o singM-u a l shown inFig. "13, by-means of the dotted line whichindicates the section of the sheet being folded at the timethat the vplate A descends upon the base, the middle por- 'tion of'thesheet lies beneath the plate and the side portions lie above the plates Bjand 'C in-su ch position thata'sthe plates B and are 'rotatediovergand upon the plate A to becarried' with these plates and foldedupon theplatei A asindicabedfin Fig. 14. Consequently at; the completion of the folding movement of the several plates the sheet of .paper is wrapped around the plate A c and l'iesi between the plates A, B, and} C, but at this, time the; edges of the foldsa're not and should the plates be returned to their original positions the sheet would .notbe Permanently folded. To complete the folding orthe sheet j-I provide means 1 for CfaSi V retain in its-folded condition after rell or this purpose I, provideranged in Y'alinement withlthe, folded edge 0f .thc sheet, that. is, in substantial alineinent withthej edges of, the several plates when t y are i rf jl p s an a ar fie -as fthe sheetgt-fisf 'gwithdrawn' longitudinally. to pregressi vely thcfolded edgesthereofi 1 'Iiarrange one creaserin line with eachedge'; 1 E60,

and each QQItSi t SQOf a; light spring a secured at one: end with its free end"pro ect-' ing' beneaththe outer endbftjhe'bracketw: Ithat' carries the-outer bearing of one of the 1 P a es- T gp i sabear upon. t

Pe id ofi he cket as a r ryas qw 1n ,-;Figs. 12 and 12? and the bracket is bev eled inwardly upwardly in l orden-thfi-fi the folded sheetwill be guided intoposition- I p the bracket and spring aslthesheetj vis withdrawn fromits folded 'position -iThe en t -pcrtiensof t e-0 W en f I a providing] recesses or openings ea, Ibb,x.,and

ca respectivelygattheir free ends to permit the grasplngof the folded; sheetisoithat it 1% h ifOlds so that the. sheet will be 6 screwd k may-be withdrawnlengthwise from the sevoral plates. creasethetransverse folds, or rather; the

first or original fold produced by the swinging down of the plate A, as the thumb or finger of the operator in. grasping the sheet presses the several layers together and thus makes the folds permanent, or, in other words, creases them. "In addition to this, I'make the creaser feet a" wide enough to overlap thisend portion of the folded sheet and as-the sheet is'withdrawn the first action of the creasers is to crease the outer parts, of the end fold, themiddle portion thereof being: creased by being grasped. V

For convenience 1n asping the end of the folded sheet to withdraw it from its folded position, Iprovide the "central part of the base beneath the overlapped outer ends vof the plates with a large recess d to permit the, fingers to be inserted beneath the sheet. 1 v v v As indicated in Fig.,z8, l may connect a .link Lto the handle]? byfapivot Z for the purpose of operating the machine, by

Imalre use of this feature to v power rather thanbyhand, the link or connection being operated byisome suitable 1007 upon horizontally; arranged U-shaped bars 03 1', the upper member; d of which, lies a parallel withythe upper-face of the base and the lower membei" do enters the base through itsfrear. wall. ,Theinner "ends of these U-shapedgbars are .jOinedtOea cross bar at" mounted within thebox; This cross bar iszcarried upon a screwshaftd which projects through the rear wall of thebox and isheld against endwise movement, the 'outerend ofthe shafts being provided with a" knurled head al The; bar at". is pro vided'with. aithreaded hole (P to receivefthe V screw; shaft d and by means" of which the a bar (11" is moved back and forth within the box carryin'gfthe stops d with it'. To

hold thebar d andithe stops-d in proper alinement, I "provide; .a. second bearing d.

on the vbarfduqfor the shaft (1. and spaced from the threaded hole; d?.x The inner end offthescrewshaft ismounted for rotation; inf'ajbearing provided} ina bra-cketrd in h i Y which the inner ends oftheshaftsdandd2 7 are; also mounted. a Likewisethe stbpEd is y carried upon :two U.-shapedfrods 01 which in like manner with the rods d enter the side of .th'eq'base and are mounted upon ,a

cross band? which -is adjustable trans versely of the boxby meansof an adjusting At timesit is desirable to fold up 'a' sheet which is longer than the combined width ofthe plates A, B,and C, and which,'when placed in position upon the machine, with one end against the stop (Z projects over the base of the machine at the opposite side. In folding such a sheet it is possible that the projecting end 'of the sheet will drag sufficiently to prevent the accurate folding of the sheet, and to prevent this action ll provide a laterally extending shelf J upon the base, located atthe side opposite to the stop (Z and I provide an auxiliary folding plate 7' secured to the adjacent side bar a of the frame al This auxiliary plate 7' isyieldingly resilient, similar to the plate A and acting in coeperation with plate A helps to fold the overhanging outer end of thesheet. I make this auxiliary plate of such strength that it does not retain the sheet upon the shelf J with sufficient friction to prevent its withdrawal when the adjacent side plate C tends to fold the sheet beneath the plate B. 1 provide an opening in the shelf J to receive the free end j of the auxiliary plate j and this plate acts similarly' to theplate A in yieldingly stopping the frame a at each limit of its movement.

Turning our attention now to Figs. 17 to 28, inclusive, I have here illustrated some of the many ways of folding sheets of pa per of which mymachine is capable. The shaded portion in each instance shows the final size or area'of the completely folded sheet. For instance, Fig.1? shows a simple two-folchthat is, the sheet is folded upon a longitudinal medial line m and has but one crea'sed'fold. For su'ch a purpose the sheet is laid upon the machine with one end upon the plate B and the other extending between the plates B and (has shown in Fig. 28. The plate A is then brought down upon the sheet tohold it, and the plate B is then rotated over and upon the plate A. In all of these foldings it will-be understood that in the withdrawal of the sheet from the folded position between the plates, the folds are creased to permanently preserve the sheet in its folded. condition. Fig. 18 illustrates what may be termed the two-fold sheet folded at the dotted lines m and m that is, the sheet is of such a length that when laid upon themachine it extends across and over theplate'sB and C, but does not extend up onto the plate A. l The plate A is then brought down upon the sheet between the plates B and C, as shown in Fig. 24-, and

the plates B and C are rotated over and upon theplate' A, as shown in Fig. 30. Fig. 19 illustrates what may be termed the four-fold, that is,-where the sheet is'folded upon three lines W m and m In this instance the sheet is longer than the 'ex treme width of the plates B and C and when placed in position projects beyond the plate C, but as the plate C is rotated over upon plate A in advance of plate B, plate C carries the long end of the sheet beneath plate B and plate B thus completes the last or third fold m of the sheet, folding the sheet as clearly shown in Fig. 31 upon three lines. Figs. 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, and 28 illustrate the folding'of sheets which are longer than the length of the plates 33 and C on line m and which, when placed in position upon the machine, extend up upon the plate A. The first operation in the folding of these sheets, as has been fully described, is that of foldin the long end of the sheet down upon the end which lies upon the plates B and C by means of the plate A and thereafter the sheet is folded in the same manner. as that described in relation to Figs. 17, 18, and 19.

I do not herein claim the novel method of folding sheets of paper, but refer instead to my copending application, Serial No. 850,491, of even date herewith.

As many modifications of my invention will readily suggest themselves to one skilled in the art, 1 do not limit or confine my invention to the specific structures herein shown and described.

I claim:

1. In a paper-folding machine provided with a substantially flat surface for receiving a sheet of paper to be folded, a relatively thin fiat holder having parallel side edges and of smaller'area than the sheet to be folded adapted to be positioned over the paper to prevent the direct movement of the paper away from said surface, rotatable formers adjacent to said holder, adapted to be positioned beneath the unheld portions of the paper and to be rotated over said parallel edges and upon and in parallel relation to the holder to fold the paper thereupon, and creasers in line with said parallel edges of the holder for creasing the edges of the folds as the folded sheet is withdrawn.

2. In a paper folding machine provided with a substantially flat surface adapted to receive a sheet of paper to be folded, a relatively thin obstruction member having sub stantially parallel'side edges movable toward and away from said surface and adapted to be positioned substantially in contact with and above a portion of the sheet to be folded, and extending from edge to edge thereof, rotatable formers. arranged at the parallel sides of said obstruction member adapted to lift the unobstructed portions of the sheet and form them over and upon said obstruction, and yielding pressers arran ed in alinement with the parallel edges of said member adapted tocrease the edges of the folded sheet as it is withdrawn from the machine.

3. In a paper folding machine a fixed support and a movable support together formand adapted, in its final position, to hold. I the folded sheet upon said. fixed support,

ing a surface toreceive asheet of paper to be folded, means for 'moving said movable support over and upon and lntoj'subs't'antial contact with said fixed support for folding aisheet of paper, said movable supportbeingof. less width than the sheet of paper formers adjacent, to the final position of said movable isupportadapted t be rotated over and upon and into substantially par:

allel re1ationwith said'movable support.

- 4. In a paper folding machine a fixed paper support and a movable paper support togetherformin a surface to receive asheet of paper to be lolded, means for;;s.winging said movable support over, upon and-into 7 substantmljcontact with saidfixed, support r 1 for foldin a sheet ofpaper, said movable support being of less area than the sheet of paper andgadaptedin its final positiomto prevent the direct movement of the folded sheet from said fixed support, a rotatable pliiteladjacent ito the final position ofsa'id movable supportgadapted to be rotated over and upon the movable support, whenit is final position, to. fold the partly folded 3 sheet at right angles tothe firstfold.

Y i 5. In a paper folding machine a'f fixed paper support and movable paper support together forming a substantially continuous surface toreceive a. sheetof paper to be fifoldedi'means for "swinging: said movable 1 supportovenupon and into substantial con- M 88 tact-withflsaid fixed support for folding a sheetjof paper, said movable support havln substantially parallel side edges, being 0 [less area than thesheet of paper "and adapted, inits'final position, to hold vthe folded r sheet upon said 'fixed support, a rotatable plate adjacent-te ths final position of said movable support adapted to be i-otated over and uponthe movablesupporn'when in its final positijonyto fold the partly folded sheet at right angles to the first-(fold, anda fold oreaser' in linetwithqthe adjacent edges-of the movable support and the plate;

6. In a paper folding machine a base mem- '.".In; a paper folding device, a base provided with a fiat surface and ,a: movable V i 7 member having a substantially flat surface rotatable v into contact therewith, rotatable plates mounted upon the base adaptedto be substantially flat surface rotatedover and upon the movable member,'after the same has been brought to rest, to fold a sheet of papenand fold cr'easers arranged in alinement with the respective edges of the'movable member and rotatable plates. i V

, 8. A paper. f0

substantially flat surface to receive a sheet of paper toybe folded, a movable member forming part of said: surface adapted to be rotated into parallel relation to the fixed portion. of said. surface to fold a sheet of paper, said member being of less width than the paper to i be folded, rotatable. formers carried byfsaid machine, separated, sulficiently to receivesaid movable member and adapted tobe rotatedfover, and upon said member after it has' reached its final pos'i- 1 tion,:an operating lever adapted to move said ,member into itsJfinal-i position, means permitting the forward movement "of. the

ldingf machine having a 'lever' after; said member has reached its final position, and means operatively' con- 11Gtll1g Sa1dd8VQr with said formers for 110-; a

tating them after said member. has been brought Ito-a state of rest. 1 r

'9. A paper folding machine having a sub fstantially fiat surface to'receive'a sheet of paper to be folded, a movable member form ingpartof said surface and adapted to be rotated finto parallel relation to the fixed portion of said surface to fold a sheet of paper, saidxmemberbeing of less width than a the paper to lee-folded, rotatable formers carried" by said machine,-i separated sufficiently to receive saidmovable member and adapted .to'b'e rotatedone in advance. of the other'o'ver andontosaid member-after it' had reachedits final position, an operatin lever for moving'sald member into its fina position, connections between said lever'and said member permitting the forward movementof the lever after said member has reached its final position, and holdingsaid member locked, and means operativel connecting said lever withsaid formers or rotatiiig them after the,member 'hasybeen I brought to astate of rest.

' :10. -A' paper folding. machine having 'a fixed andfla relatively movable member togetherform'ing a substantially flat surface foIi'receiving a sheet of paper to be folded, stops arranged upon the fixed member for retaining the paper in position, said movable" member beingjadapted to; be rotated over and upon .the fixed member to fold a sheet of paper,'and rotatable plates carried byisaid fixedgmember ada ted to be rotated over and upon-said mova 1e member after thefolding of the paper. y a

v11. A paper folding machine having a fixed and a relatively movable member provided with surfaceswhich together form "a for receiving a it hasreached itsfinalposition to complete Shea of papers at: fdlded, adjustable stops upon the fixed-member to" fold the sheet of paper ,'rotatable plates carried by said fixed member 'adapted'to be rotated over and upon said" movablemeinber afternit has reached itsFfi'nal positionfandyielding members arranged to crease the-folds of the sheet as itis withdrawn'fromjthe machine.

"12;;Ai aper folding"- machine having a liked, and a'relatively movable 'member pro- 7 vided with" surfaces which together fo'rin a;

substantially flat surface for receiving-1 a sheet of paper tobe folded, adjustable stops arrangecrupoa the" fiXedfmembe'r for retaining the paperin position, said movable membeing; adapted to1'befrotate'd over and upon the fixedinieinbef to fold, the sheet of paper, said movable member being provided with a'fiiie'd stop coa'ctingwith said adjustablestop s to controlthefolding of the sheet of paper, rotatable plates,- carried by said fixed member adapted to be rotatedover and @611 said movable nieinber after it has r'each'ed itsfinal position; v d

13. In'a machine for folding a* sheet of paper, a b se'ihaving a substantially level surface-and arig-i'drot'atable frame carried by 'slaidfbas'e "and provided 'with a substantially fiat spring "plate, the plate and the flat surfaceof thebas e together forming a sheet receiving surface, said frame being" adapted to be rotated relatively tothe'base to fold a sliee'tiof p'aper, said plate bein'gfadaptedto be sprungfout' of its; normal position atieach limit'of' the movement of said frameto cushio'ntheblow thereof and to' eziert' a pressure uponlthe paper 'wh en' in contact with the base."

14; In a machine for folding f'a: sheet of paper, abase having a 'snbstanti'allyleyel top surface rigid rotatable" frame carried said base and "provided with a substantialy'flat spring "plate having parallel side edge'sfthepl'ateand the fiat surface of the base'togeth'er forming "a sheetfreceivi ng surface, saidplate beingfadapt'ed to be rotated towardand upon the base to 'fold a sheet of paper andbe'ing'adapted to be sprung outof its normalposition at each limit of the movemer t of 'said frame to cushion the blow membrane, to exert a pressure upon the paper when in contact with the base, and a folding 'plat'eimounted on the baseat each sid'e' of'the"final'position of said spring plate adapted to be rotated over and upon said spring plate to complete the folding of a sheet of-paperl 7 151111 a aper folding machine, a base hams s11 stantially fiat surface, a frame rotat'a ly'mounted onsaid base, a flat pres sure late carried by thefrarhe, lever oper connected With-tire frame for rotat ing it into substantiallyfparallel relation tothe baseand said plate lllbO fQOIlbZlCb with the surface of the base, a crank connected to the lever and aslotted' arm connected to the framasaid crank being adapted to operate in said slot to move the frame and to be withdrawnfronrthe slot-as the plate con tacts with the ba se, and a locking projection on said slotted arm adapted to contactwithsaid crankto hold said plate in contact with the base as said levermoves forward to completet'hefoldingof; the sheet, Y

16. In apaperfolding machine having a substantially flat=surface upon which the paper'isto be folded,- a rotatable member adapted to be rotated'down and-into contact wi tlrsaid-surface, foldingi plates carried on said machine adapted'to be rotated over and upon said member afterithas reached said surface, an operating' lever, a makeandbreak connection" between said operating le ver and the rotatable member permittingthe lever to move forward after therotata ble member'is in'its finalpositiomand makeand-break connections between said lever and said folding plates for rotating them, onefin-advance of,;the other over upon said rotatableniember. ,v v:

;1'Z. In a paper. folding machine a base having 5 a f substantially vflat surface, and a rotatable memberimounted upon'said base havingat fiatisurfaceadapted to be rotated down into contact, with the surface vof the base, an. operating lever. adapted to move said rotatable member,.a pin-and-slot con-' nectionbet-ween said lever and member .per mitting thelever to move forward after the member has reachedaits: final position, and nieanszfor locking said member in its final position. 1"

.18.'In a paper folding machine a base havinguasubstantially flat surface, and a rotatable anember :provided with a centrally arranged plate adaptedto be rotated into contactrwith the flat surface to fold: a sheet ofpaper; a lever for operating said movable memberand alocking member operatedby said lever adapted to hold, said rotatable member in its depressed position.

'19.'In a paper. folding machine a base havingaa,snbstantially fiat surface a rotatable. member carried bythe base andprovided with a centrally arranged plate adaptedto be rotated into contact withthe middle portionof said flat surface to fold a sheet of paper, a; lever for operating: said movable member, a locking member operated by said lever adaptedtohold said rotatablej member in, its depressedposition, and plates mounted onsa'id base adapted to be rotated over and upon said centrally arranged plate to fold a sheet of papera I 20. In a paper foldingmachine a base provided with a substantially fiat surface and a rotatable member moantedonthe base gca {1a substantially flat;plate,,the sur-I face an plate together beingadapted to -re'.

ceiveasheet ofpaper tojbe folded,'means forjswingingsaid rotatable member tobring said; plate into parallel relation to and upon said flat surface for folding azsheet of aper, a spring catch carried by said mova le member, a lever for operating said movable member, and abolt carried by said base op-;-

erable by said' leyerlto be'projected into the path of said sprmgcatchlfor. retaining said movable member in its depressed positlona 1- 4 21 111 a; paper-folding machine a fixed memberhaving a substantially fiat? surface anda member. canying'a flat plate rotatably mounted upon sa' Hfixe'dmembenand mov-Q able? to position said-plate upon said fiat sur face, said. platethe fixed member adapted to be rotated over and-upon: said} plate aftersthe; same has;

- i eechedits final-v pmition, and. fold cr'easers V positioned in ialinement with the edges-of.

I said, movable member, for creasing the folds as the. folded sheet is withdrawn from the 7 machine. 3-:

I p -22. i a paper member having a substantially flat and a member carlying a flatplate rotatably mounted, upon sai face said-bplatex being narrower. than the fixemember, rotatable formers carriedvby the fixed member, adapted to'be rotated over and upon said plate after the same Yihas reached its final position, and foldfcreasers carriedTby the base in alinement with (the :f

adjacent 'side edges; of isaid formerscfor 1 creasing the folds ofa: sheet'ias it is drawn from the machine,

In a aper folding"deviceabase hav ing a substa ntially' flat surface and rotatable in'gadapted tobe rotatedfover andupon said formers thereon spaced apart, a frame carried by[ the base having a forming plate adapted to" be rotated down and :upon said between the formers, said formers-bepla-te after the plate has reached its final position and spring pressers carried by said base in alinement with thenedges ofjsaid plate and adapted to crease the' edges of the folded paperf as it e is withdrawn;

: machine. J

' its plates arrangedsubs'tantially iii-a: single gamma side by side, their adjacent edges ing substantially paralleLthe middle plate being adapted to be positionedabove asheet :of" paper tobe folded'and' the outer plates arrangedbelow the paper'to' be'folded and rotatable over and uponfthemiddle: plate,

7 and yieldable means for creasingthe folded edges as the folded'she'et i's-withdrawn from "themachine. 1 1 13 paper I folding machin three being narrower than the fixed "member, rotatable formersnc'arried by W 'baseand movable-to, po-T sition said plate in contactwithi said =sun.

'toiits sheet-holding;position.-,-

24, In a paper machine, three plates arranged substantially-; in,a' single;

planeand side by side,the adjacent'edgw being substantially parallel, the middle plate: being adapted, ,to be positioned above the. paper to be folded and the outer plates a r ranged below the paper to be folded and I'D-1' tatableover and-upon the, middleplate, to; a

fold a sheet of paper, the three plates bein Provided. at their ,free. ends with space prongs providing a free open space to permit the grasping 'of a folded sheet for with-l drawa'lfrom? the machine, and yielding pressers arranged in alinement with said adjacent parallel edges-for .creasingthe folds as the sheet .is withdrawn from the machine. r 26; InQaHpaper folding. machine, two op positely disposed rotatable plates by spaced apart and normally lying .in'the same plane, av-thirdplate hingedly mounted uponsmd machine adapted to be-brought down sub:

stantially into; the planeof said rotatable. if

plates and between same, and means for} rotating'saidrotatableplates over and upon the middle plate one in-advance of the other-x, p .27; Inapaper folding machin W0 PP sitelydisposed rotatable plates spaced'apart and normally lying-in .thef'same plane, "a thirdiplate'ghinge' 1y mounted upon said machine; adapted to be brought down into the planeof said rotatable plates ,and bee tweenjsame, means for, rotating said 3 rota- 28; In a paper' folding machine,flthree substantially -flat movable folding members arranged tOJI'WBi VG, a sheet ofpaper to be folded and to be moved successively to 'fold a sheet,,one of said members being movable to a position hetweenrthe other two and upon a sheet tobe; o1ded, a single operator'ope a 1.10 andlocking means retaining-two :of the eratively connected with all of said members,

members. in their sheetfl receivinglpositions during the movement of the other member 29.-.In' apaper folding machine, substantially. flat movable foldin'g members arranged to receive a; sheetfof paper to be folded and tobemoved successivelyto folda sheet, one ofsaid members being'movable to a position between the other two and upon asheet-to, be folded. asingle operator operati vely connected with all of said members,

locking means retaining the two outer members in their sheet receiving positions until the middle member has been movedto its sheet-holding position, and means locking themiddlemember in its sheet-folding posi? tionduring the folding movementsof'the two othermembers; 30. In'?acpaperyfolding. machine a support and a relatively movable support together forming a surface to receive a sheet of paper to be folded, means for moving said movable support over and upon and into substantial contact with said first mentioned support for folding a sheet of paper, said movable support being of less width than the sheet of paper and adapted, in its final position to hold the folded sheet upon said first mentioned support, formers adjacent to the final position of said movable support adapted to be rotated over and upon and into substantiallyparallel relation with said movable support.

31. In a paper folding machine a paper support and a relatively movable paper support together forming a surface to receive a sheet of paper to be folded, means for V swinging said movable support over, upon and into substantial contact with said first mentioned support for folding a sheet of paper, said movable support being of less area than-the sheet of paper and adapted, in its final position, to prevent the direct movement of the folded sheet from said first mentioned support, a rotatable plate adjacent to the final position of said movable support adapted to be rotated over and upon the movable support, when it is in final position, to fold the partly folded sheet at right angles to the first fold.

32. A paper folding machine having a substantially flat surface to IGCGlXG a sheet of paper to be folded, a movable member forming part of said surface adapted to be r0- tated into parallel relation to the other portion of said surface to fold a sheet of paper, said member being of less width than the paper to be folded, rotatable formers carried by said machine, separated sufficiently to receive said movable member and adapt ed to be rotated over and upon said member after it has reached its final position,

an operating lever adapted to control the movement of said member into its final position, means permitting the forward movement of the lever after said member has reached its final position, and means whereby said lever controls the rotation of said formers after said member has been brought to a state of rest.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, this 8th day of July, 1914, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

l/VALTER E. AMBERG.

\Vitnesses EDWARD F. WVILSON, L. H. FLAGGE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents Washington, D. G.

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