US1294919A

US1294919A - Folding-machine.

Info

Publication number: US1294919A
Application number: US63448511A
Authority: US
Inventors: William F Lautenschlager
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1911-06-21
Filing date: 1911-06-21
Publication date: 1919-02-18
Anticipated expiration: 1936-02-18

Description

W. F. LAUTENSCHLAGER.

FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2|, I91 1.

Patented Feb.18,1919.

w haw EN W. F. LAUTENSCHLAGER.

FOLDING MACHiNE.

APPLICAHUN FILED JUNEZI. 191

Patented Feb. 18, 1919.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W. F. LAUTENSCHLAGER.

FOLDING MACHiNE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2:.1911.

Pai'en'ted Feb. 18, 1919.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

W. F. LAUI ENSCHLAGEH.

FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 21. 19:1

iahanhwi Feb. lh 1919.

' SHELL; SHEEI l.

QM Q R W. F. LAUTENSCHLAGER.

FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2|. 1911.

MNN

WWW NEW TES PAT WILL 1AM 1E. LA'U'IENSCHLAGER, F CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOR T0 L0 .11 NZ MUTE,

' 0F NEWTON, SSACHUSETTS.

FOLDING-MACHINE.

rename.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM F. LAUTEN- scHLAcER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Ham lton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Foldingparts upon which my improved device may bill be employed.

The objects of my invention are to provide new and improved means whereby the edge of a piece of material is folded; further to provide new and improved means whereby the edge of the leather operated on is provided with incisions of less length at the flesh side than at the grain side thereof; further to provide a new and improved feeding movement for the feeding foot; further to provide new and improved operativerelations between the parts mentioned; further to so arrange the machine that either the cutting or folding means may be rendered inactive; further to rovide new and improved means for guidmg a piece of material in being fed through the machine whereby especially the folding may take place accurately on arcs of short radii; further to provide new and improved means for controlling the lengths of the steps of feed; further to provide means whereby the lengths of steps of feed may be changed during operation; and, further to provide'new and improved means whereby the feeding-foot and presser-foot movements are correlated. lit is the object of my invention further to provide means adapted for folding the edges of Vamps, comprising an arm projecting outwardly from the frame of the machine over which arm the vamp may be arranged to move in the folding operation, said arm supporting feeding, folding, fold pressing and snipping instrumentalities and operating connections for the said feeding, fold pressing and snipping instrumentalities, the operating connections having connection with the driving means located in the frame of the i ii Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed I we 21, 1911. Serial No. odd/M5.

Fatente Feb. limit.

machine; to provide new and im roved driving means for the feeding-foot w ereby great speed of feed may be obtained. The invention will be further readily understood from the following description and claims, and from the drawings,'in which latter:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved device partly broken away for better illustration of parts.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the same partly broken away for better illustration of parts.

Fig. 3 is a front-end elevation of my improved device.

' 4c is a rear-end elevation of the same. F1g. 5 1s a plan view of my improved dev1ce partly broken away.

Flg. 6 is an end elevation of the eccentric and link mechanism.

Fig. 7 is a detail showing the adjustment for the knlfe-block in vertical section on the line 77 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 8 is a detail in vertical section on the irregular line 8-8 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section on the line 9-3 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the fold-presser and knife-lever connections with the exposure-plate removed;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged front elevation illustrating the relations of the feeding-foot, presser-foot,- hold-down, 1 knife, folder and old-presser.

Fig. 12 .is a perspective view of the material operated on showing the operative effects thereon of the machme, and

Fig. 13 is a cross-section of the folded material.

21 represents the main frame, which is shown hinged, as by hinges 22, to a base 28, to which it is suitably secured,,as by a clamp 24. The base forms part of the main frame and is arranged to rest upon or be secured to an ordinary work bench or table in ordinary manner. The base may comprise a trough 25 received under the operativ parts of the mechanism and acting as a protectin -plate as well as a drip-trough for the oil received from the mechanism. The main frame may be swung on the hinges for exposure of the operating parts under the main table 26. Aprons 27 may depend from the table to lines adjacent to the trough, the ends of which may be connected by a clos ing plate 28 rem-ovably held in place by tit) screws 29. The table 26 with the aprons and protecting plate extend laterally as an arm projecting outwardly from the vertical or upright wall of the column portion of the main frame of the machine. It will be observed that this arm is comparatively small in cross-section. 1

31 is a drive-shaft operated in suitable manner, as by a pulley 32. The drive-shaft is journaled in suitable bearings 33 of the main frame and it, together with the operating parts of the mechanism, preferably move With said main frame when the same is tilted on the base.

34 and 35 are rock-shafts journaled respectively in

bearings

36, 37 of a goose-neck bracket 38 over hanging the table. The

rock-shaft 34 is arranged to oscillate the,

feeding-foot, while the rock-shaft 35 is arranged to raise and lower the presser-foot, and to raise and lower the-feeding-foot during the oscillations of said feeding-foot. These longitudinal reciprocating movements of the feeding-foot take place preferably adjacent to the limits of oscillating movement thereof, during the retracting movements of the feeding-foot, whereby extremely rapid operation of the feeding-foot is obtained, for the reason that one of said motions qualifies the other in manner to qualify its direction of movement without. acting counter thereto. I

39 is a feeding-foot housing secured to the rock-shaft 34as by a clamp-bearing 40. It has in it a bearing 41 in which the stem 42 of the feeding-foot is arranged to be moved longitudinally, a feeding-foot 43 being on the stem. The stemis normally urged ,to

ward the table by a spring 44 between the feeding-foot housing and the stem, shown received over a screw 45 on said housing and a screw 46 on a clamp 47 on the stem, the clamp having apin 48 extending there from, and being adjustable on the stem. There is a washer 49 between the clamp and the bearing end which acts as a cushion to receive the thrust of downward movement of the stem. This washer is preferably a fiber-washer of eleetro-insulating fiber, being a hard substance which acts as a sounddeadening cushion.

51 is a presser-foot which acts adjacent to the feeding-foot, the feeding-foot preferably acting between the presser-foot and the knife and folder hereinafter mentioned. The presserfoot and feeding foot preferably operate opposite the periphery of a roller 52, which is preferably a raw-hide rollermade of a plurality of raw-hide washers secured together as by gluing, received about" a central thimble 53 journaled on a screw-stud 54. The roller serves to support the material which is pressed thereagainst by the presser-foot and feeding-foot. The material of which the roller is composed and its cylindrical-contact face serve to prevent the adhesion of the material being operated on and is especially advantageous when operating on such materials as patent leathers Which have an especial tendency to adhere to metal surfaces.

The presser foot ver 56. The presser-foot is normally pressed toward the table by a spring 57 shown locatedbetween a socket-bolt 58 and the lever, the socket-bolt being adjustable in a threaded bearing 59 and held in place by a lock-nut 60. For raising the presser-foot the rock-shaft 35 is provided with a rockerpart 61 having a contact-lug 62 thereon arranged to act against a spring 63 for resiliently raising the presser foot. The rocker-part 61 is shown as having a clampbearing 64 about the rock-shaft 35 by means of which it may be adjustably positioned about said rock-shaft. The spring 63 is a coiled spring of comparatively great resistance and having slight extent of compression, and the contact-lug 62 and the presserfoot lever acts as a cushion between for receiving the initial impact of said contactlug, and acts as a rigid stem when said slight extent of compression is taken up. It is re ceived in a socket-bolt 65 adjustable in a threaded-bearing 66 of the presser-foot lever and held in place by a jam-nut 67.

71 is a. raiser-link for the feedingfoot stem. It is articulated with the arm 72 of the rocker-part 61 at 73 and has a pocket 74 for receiving the pin 48. The movement of the rocker-part 61 is idle with relation to the feeding-foot for part of its range, during which idle relation the feeding-foot is rocked by the rock-shaft 34 in its forward or feedmovement. During this movement the feeding-foot is moved in an are described from the oscillating axis of the rock-shaft 34, the presser-foot during this feeding movement being in raised position. During the latter portion of this feeding movement,

the raiser-link moves idle upwardly with re lation to the feeding-foot or device accomplished by the space 75 between the bottom of its pocket 74 and the pin 48, during which movement also the presser foot descends upon the material, the contact-lug 62 receding sufficiently preferably for being spaced from the end-contact member or spring 63 when the feeding-foot is in raised relation. At about the point that the feeding-foot under which term I include any other feedin device, has return oscillation imparted to it, the raiser-link 71 contacts the pin 48 for complementing the oscillating movement of the feeding-foot or device with a raising movement thereof. This raising movement and the corresponding descending movement take place during the return oscillation of the feeding-foot or device.

The movement of the feeding-foot is acis on a presser foot leraaaara complished therefore by an oscillating movement thereof complemented by a'longitudinal reciprocating movement taklng place during the oscillation of the same, for qua1ifying that oscillating movement by supplemental movements dlrected in lines substan tially parallel with the longitudinal projection of the feeding-foot stem, irrespective of the oscillatory position of said stem. It will be noted from Figs. 3 and 6 that the pivotal axis of the raiser link 71 is substantially coincident with the rocking axis of the rockshaft 34 and substantially intersects the 1ongitudinal axis of the feeding-foot stem.

81 is a folder shown as comprising a bar 82 having a folding-throat 83 and preferably slidable toward and from the presserfoot in a guide-way 8 10f a guide-block 85, removably secured to an exposure-plate 86 by a screw 87.' The exposure late forms a part of the table 26. It is hel 1n operatlve position by a pin 88 arranged to enter an aperture 89 on the guide-block when 1n operative osition and an aperture 90 on sa d guide-block when in inactive relation. This pin is preferably on a sprung-plate 91 which has adjustable connection with the bar 82 by being provided with a slot 92 through wh1ch a fastening screw 93 is arranged to be received into the bar 82. The. ad ustment of the spring-plate 91 with relation to the bar adjusts the relation of the foldlng-throat 83 to the feeding-foot for accommodating, for instance, leathers of different th cknesses, or providing more or less abrupt folds.

The feeding-foot has a nose 96 arranged to be received past the forward wall of the folding-throat, that is, the wall nearest the operator, (see Fig. 9), adjacent to the table whereby on proper adjustment of the folder, a crease indicated at 97 is formed in the material, shown at 98, thereby aiding in determining the exact line of the fold along which the material is definitely bent by the foldpresser 99. I

This fold-presser is on a lever 101 plvoted about a rod 102 secured in bearings 103 in the outer end of the outwardly projecting arm of the frame. Its pivot is in a vertical plane to the side of the folding-jaw of the fold-presser, whereby the jaw is moved toward the material with a motion which is downward and approaching with relation to the material for laying the material over in its proper fold for completing the fold and pressing the folded edge.

The fold pressing member is located in the outer end of the outwardly projecting arm, the pressing jaw thereof projecting upwardly through the material supporting table while the same is mounted and its operating parts are located in the outer end of said arm, connections for operating the same being also located in said outer end of said outwardly projecting arm and connecting with the operating parts which extend from the column of the frame.

The nearer this pressing of the fold approaches a semblance to hand-pressing such as would be accomplished by the pressure of the finger upon the fold, the more accurate it will bean the less danger will there be of ln ury to the material. The means I employ operate in this manner for efl'ecting the laying down of the fold with pressure rather than with a blow, and T aid in accomplishing thls by operating the fold-presser from a polnt closely adjacent to its pivot whereby I avoid detrimental inertia of motion of parts andtthe detrimental results of lost motion of par 5.

107 is a presser-housing pivoted on bearings 108 about the rod 102 and having a tall 109 provided with a recess 110 in which the tail 111 of the fold-presser is located, preferably adjustably and resilently. For providing the adjustment, the tail of the presser is provided with an adjusting screw 112 received against a wall 113 of the recess and held in place by a jam-nut'114c. The resilience of the presser is accomplished by a spring 115 acting to force the adjusting screw 112 against the wall 113 and received in a socket 116 on the tail 111 and a socket 117 of an adjusting screw 118 having a threaded bearing 119 in the wall 120 of the recess 110. This adjusting screw is provided with a bore 121. The adjusting screw 112, the spring 115 and the adjusting screw 118 provided with its bore 121 are arranged in axial alinement so that a screw-driver may be received through said bore and spring for adjusting the adjusting screw 112. This arrangement of parts accomplishes the further purpose that the pressure of the spring is exerted in axial line with the contact point of the adjusting screw 112 upon the presser-housing so that the pivotal bearing of the presser-housing and presser-lever may be relieved from the strain of the spring. The operating parts just described are located in the outer end of the outwardly projecting material-supporting arm.

F or oscillating the presser-housing provide it with a lug 126 which has operative connection with the drive-shaft 31 closely adjacent to the pivotal axis of said housing. Thus I provide the lug with a bearing 127 about a bearing-pin 128 which has connection with the drive-shaft by a universal joint connection comprising the

links

129, 130 and 131, the

links

129 and 130 being connected by a bearing-pin 132, and the links 130 and 131 by a bearing-pin 133, the link 131 having a bearing 134 about a stud 135 eccentrically placed on the drive-shaft.

arm. By this means close driven articulations are formed between the drive-shaft and the Presser-housing, the pivotal axes of which are in closely adjacent planes in the outer end of said outwardly projecting arm.

141 is a knife-lever which has a bearing 142 about the rod 102 and has drive connection in said outer end of said outwardly projecting arm from the universal joint connecting with the drive-shaft, as by being provided with a lug 143 which has a link 144 articulated therewith at 145, the link having a bearin 146 about the bearing-pin 128, preferably about an eccentric 147 thereon for the purpose to be presently described, s aid lug, links, bearing-pin and eccentric being located in said outer end of said outwardly projecting arm. The knife-lever has a lateral extension 148 received above the folder-bar 82 and is arranged to have a knife 149 adjustably secured thereto for locating the knife closely adjacent to and in front of said folder-bar. The knife is adjustable, as by being provided with a slot- 150 through which a screw 151 is received into the knife-lever. The knifelever is mounted and has operative connection within said outer end of said outwardly projecting arm, the said knife-lever extending upwardly through the material-supporting table of said outer end, the connecting means for operating said knife-lever being also located Within said outwardly projecting arm and connecting with the operating devices mounted in the column of the machine.

The knife has a lateral cutting edge 152 and a bottom cutting edge 153 extending at acute angles with relation to each other for forming preferably an entering point 154 for the Knife. The knife-lever is pivoted in a vertical plane to the side of the said cutting edge and it swings about said pivotal axis --w1th a motion which, in the form shown causes the entering point 154 to first enter the material to be cut. The lateralcutting edge 152 is shown as extending upwardly and laterally away from the feeding-line. The movement of the knife causes the cuttin edges to move toward the feeding-foot an into the material in a lateral and downward direction foraccomplishing the cutting with a shearing cut and causing an incision which is of greater length at the bottom than at the top face of the material.

This bottom face in practice,'when leather is used. as the material, is the grain side of the leather and the top face is the flesh side of the leather. The fleshside of the leather is the side that imparts strength to the leather, the grain side being the finished side. In my improved device therefore I retain the strength or body of the leather, so that when the folding has taken place the fold will be made in-an uncut flesh portion secured to the rock-shaft of the leather, as clearly shown in Figs. 12 and 13. The cutting being further accomplished with a shearing out, can be done witlh a clean out without slivering the materia In some characters of work and in selective portions of other work the folding may be done without the necessity of slitting the material and for enabling this to be done during operation of the machine, the bearing 146 for the link of the cutter-lever is received about the eccentric 147 which is on the bearing-pin 128. This pin is a rockerpin and has an arm 157 secured thereto which connects with a link 158 by an articulation 159. 160 is a rock-shaft journaled in bearings 161 of the main frame and has an arm 162 thereon with which the link 158 is articulated at 163. An operating arm 164 is 160 and has connection'with a suitable pull-rod 165 leadin for instance, to a treadle or other suitabi device by which the eccentric 147 may be turned for maintaining the knife in raised position. The rock-shaft 160 is normally retracted by a spring 166. For limiting the movements of the rock-shaft the arm 164 is provided with a recess 167 in which a pin 168 secured in one of the bearings 161 is received, the walls of the recess striking the pin and limiting the extent of rocking of the rock-shaft 160.

171 is a gage for the material having a guiding-face 172 and is secured to the removable exposure-plate 86 by a screw 174 received through a slot 175 in the gage for adjustably positionin the gage with relation to the knife and fo der parts. It also preferably has on it, for being adjustable therewith, a hold-down spring 176 secured thereto by a screw 178 and received in a slot 177 In the gage for laterally positioning the.

same.

The removable exposure-plate is received over the rod 102 and parts mounted thereon and the universal joint connections, so that upon removal of the plate the said arts may be exposed, The plate is'removab y held in place by a screw 179.

181 is a stationary block with relation to which the knife 149 acts for slitting the material. This block is adjustable toward and i from the movable knife by having a clampscrew 182 received therein through a slot 183 in the main frame.

The resser-foot is pivoted on rock-shaft 191 journaled in a bearing 192 of the main frame. In order to control its approach toward the table or the material-supporting roller mounted therein, I provide said rockshaft with an arm 193 preferably mounted on a clamp 194 arranged to be clamped about the roc axially with relation thereto, there being a cushion-block 195 between the main frame -shaft for positioning the arm.

aaeaam and said arm, shown received in a socket 196 of said arm, said cushion being preferably a block of'electro-insulating fiber, and is arranged to relieve the impacts of the presserfoot lever. The arm 193 is preferably so adjusted that when the resser-foot is in down position it will be coated slightly raised from the roller, the feeding-foot being preferably correspondingly adjusted so that when the machine runs idle the said feet will be out of contact with said roller, but be located sufiiciently close thereto, however, to feed the material which may be placed thereunder.

][n my improved device the material may be fed through the machine and be provided with incisions and be folded and the folds pressed, or if desired the material may be folded without being slit, as by rendering the knife inactive, or the material may be out without being folded, as by rendering the folder inactive by placing it in inoperative position, in which latter case the fold-presser while going through its motions will have no pressing action on the material for the reason that the latter is unfolded and therefore too thin for the presser to have pressing edect thereon.

The means provided for operating the feeding-foot and presser-foot enable these parts to be operated with great rapidity and for further aiding in great rapidity of operation of the machine and for permitting adjustment of the lengths of steps of feed during operation I provide the following instrumentalities 201 is a rock-shaft journaled in a hearing 202 of the main frame. llts rocking axis is preferably in ofiset relation to the rocking axis of the rockshaft 3 1. It has an arm 203 fast thereon, as by means of a clamp-bearing} 204, the arm being articulated at 205 ith a link 206 having a bearing 207 thereon about an eccentric 209 on the drive-shaft. Rock-shaft 201 also has an arm 211 fast thereon, as by a clamp-bearing 212. Rock-shaft 34 has an arm 213 fast thereon, as by a clamp-bearing 214. 215 and 216 are a pair of links, one of which is articulated on a pin 217 with the arm 211 and the other of which is articulated by a pin 218 with the arm 213, a pin 219 having connection with the outer ends of said

links

215 and 216 for pivotally connecting said outer ends. The

links

215, 216, constitute a compression-member and a tension-member at each movement of thelinks, the link 216 being the compression-member and the link 215 the tension-member in the present exemplification while the feeding-foot is being moved in its feeding movement, the link 216 being the tension-member and the link 215 the compression-member while the feeding-foot is being moved in its retracting movement. Said links are arranged cident.

substantially parallel with each other, sidev by side, with the pivotal axes at the respectwo ends of said links substantially coinshaft 34 and consequently, there is no feeding movement imparted to the feeding-foot. If however the pin 219 is placed out of axial line with the rock-shaft 201 there will be oscillation imparted to the pin 219 through the arm 211 and .link 216, the extent of oscillation depending on the distance of removal of the axis of the pin 219 from the axis of the rock-shaft 201, in other words, upon the angular distance between the arm 211 and the link 216, with consequent rocking of the rock-shaft 34 through the medium of the link 215 and the arm 213, thereby determining the extent of oscillating movement of the feedingfoot and the lengths of steps of the feed imparted thereby. The forward limit of movement of the feeding-foot however remains the same irrespective of adjustment of length of feeding'stroke of the feeding-foot, the adjust-- ment afi'ecting the retracting limits of said feeding-foot only. The feeding strokes therefore end in similar relations to the knife, folder and presser irrespective of the lengths of feeding'strokes for always placing the material in definite relations to these parts. The lengths of feeding strokes may also be adjusted during operation.

The relations of the parts shown in the drawings are at an intermediate ortion of a stroke of the feeding-foot. See Figs. 3 and 4.) "When the parts are positioned so that the feeding movement is m'Z, then the axes of the rock-shaft 201 and the pin 219 are coincident, and the axes of the

pins

217 and 218 are also coincident.

If it is desired to have a feeding movement, the axis of pin 219 is moved out of coincidence with the axis of the rock-shaft 201, e. 9., as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, with the result that, upon operation of the machine, there is a movement imparted to the pin 218 due to the angular relation of the

axes

201, 217 and 219. At the beginning of this movement the feeding-foot is at its forward limit of movement.

1 The beginning of this movement is coincident with the positioning of the high point of the eccentric 209 in extreme upper position, and the completion of this movement and consequent return of the feeding-foot to initial position is coincident with the return, at the end of its revolution, of said high point of said eccentric to said uppermost position. When said eccentric is in said uppermost position the feed ng-foot is, as stated, at its extreme forward limit of movement; that is to say, at its position adjacent tothe folder and fold-presser, andthis position is the same, irrespective of the. an lar relations of the

axes

201, 217 and 219, the axis of the pin 218 being coincident with j the axis of pin 217, when the parts are at such limits of their movements. Consequently, the forward limit of movement of the feeding-foot willalways .be the same, irrespective of the length of feeding stroke imparted by the angular relationsof the parts stated. g y

For positioning the outer ends of the l1nks' 215 and 216 with relation to the rock-shaft 201, the pin 219 has articulation with a link 221 which in turnhas articulation at 222 with one arm of a lever 223 havin a bearing 224 about the rock-shaft35. he other arm of the lever has connection with a rod 225 leading to' a suitable treadle or otheroperating device, for. swinging. the lever 223, a spring 22 lever.

227 and 228 are a pair of stops adjustable lengthwise of a uide 229. These stops may be placed accor in to the limits of movement desired in -t e feeding-foot, one of the stops determining the minimum of lengths of feeding movement and the other 80 the maximum of said lengths. Thus thelever may be normally forced against the stop 227 by the spring 226, which may represent the minimum lengths of feeding movement. If it is desired toincrease the length of steps the lever may be moved toward the other stop. Theselengths are limited by the position of said other stop, the positions of both stops, however, being preferably adjustable. 231 is an arm fast on the rock-shaft 35, as by a clamp-

bearing

232, and 233 is alink havlng articulation with the arm at 234. This link has a bearing 235 about an eccentric 236 on the drive-shaft. By these means the rock-shaft is rocked, thereby accomplishing the reciprocating movements of the feeding-foot 43 and the movements of the Presser-foot 51 hereinb'efore described in connection with the description of said j parts and of the raiser-link 71 for the feed- 1n -foot stem 42.

he high points of the

eccentrics

209 and 236 are placed at such angular distance apart on the drive-shaftBl as-to cause the proper timing of the movement of the feeding-foot and Presser-foot hereinbefore described. r, j

The knife, age and, hold-down spring are closely a jacent to each other, and closely adjacent to the folder, the feedingfoot operating closely adjacent to the curved or folding face of the folder, between said latter face and the presser-foot, which latter is closely adjacent to the feeding-foot. The I parts are placed" in such manner as to peres mit the movement of the material in arcs,

6 normally retracting said straight lines.

'Jacent to their pivotal points for avoiding 7 axis is substantially coincident with theoshavin short radii for permitting-material to'be olded along such arcs and in any other curves that ma be desired and also in or aiding in the curved movement of the material, the rear of the throat of the foldresser is recessed as shown at 238.

My improved' device is simple and compact in its construction, all of the arts which operate upon the material eing placed inclosel'y adjacent relations, and the means for operating said parts are such that excessive jarring is avoided, and the ower applications of pivoted parts are close y adthe detrimental effects and abnormal 'ar- 'rings'due to inertia of motion and for re ucing the inertia. My improved construction permits a large output to be obtained, and very rapid operation of the parts.

Havin thus fully described my invention, what I c aim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a. foldin' machine, an oscillatory feeding-foot housing, a feeding-foot having .a stem guided by and reciprocating lengthwise of said housing and means for reciprocating said stem comprising a rocker-arm and a link having a pivotal connection whose cillatory axis of said housing during part of the movementof said connection.

2. In a folding machine, an oscillatory feeding-foot housing, a feeding-foot comprising a stem, guiding means between said feeding-foot housing and stem, and means for reciprocatin said feeding-foot stem lengthwise of said guiding means comprising a rocker-arm and link, the oscillatory axis of said housing when extended substantially intersecting the longitudinal axis of said feeding-foot stem at a point between the ends of. said guiding means and distanced from said ends, and said link moving in lines substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis.

3. In a folding machine, an oscillatory feeding-foot housing, a feeding-foot, guiding means between said housin and feeding-foot, and a rocker-arm and link having 116 connection with said feeding-foot for reciprocating the same lengthwise of said guiding means, the connections between said rocker arm and feeding foo-t embracing a spaced connection for causing idle move- 120 ment of said rocker-arm with relation to I said feeding-foot durin portions of the oscillatory movements 0 said feeding-foot,

and resilient means for retracting said feeding-foot with relation to said housing.

4. In a folding machine, an oscillatory feeding-foot housing comprising a guideway, a feedingfoot comprising a stem guided by said guideway, a rocker-arm,and a link having operative/ connections with 180 neeaeie said arm and said feeding-foot stem for retlb bil

ciprocating said feeding-foot, the axis of oscillation of said feeding-foot housing and the axes ofsaid operative connections, when said axes are extended, substantially intersecting the longitudinal axis of'said feeding-foot stem, and said axis of oscillation of said feeding-foot housing, when extended,

being between and distanced substantially from both ends of said feeding-foot stem.

5. In a folding machine, the combination of a housing having a recess therein pro vided with an upwardly opening mouth, a

spring when longitudinally rigid.

rock-shaft therefor secured thereto at one side of said recess, a feeding-foot having guided by said housing at the other side of said recess, and means for. reciprocating said tending upwardly through said upwardly opening mouth.

' longitudinal reciprocation lengthwise of and feeding-foot received in said recess and ex- 11. In a folding machine, the combination of a resser-foot, a rock-shaft having a con-- tact-part thereon for reciprocating the same, and a coiled, compression spring between said resser-foot and rock-shaft whose compression is slight inextent :and which bebomes longitudinally rigid when said com pression has taken place, said spring being shorter than the longest distance of separation in line therewith between said contactpart and Presser-foot for providing a space etween said spring and one of said lastnamed parts during part of the rocking longitudinally reciprocating said feeding foot during other portions of their movements, and resilient means for normally depressing said foot with relation to said houslln a folding machine, the combination of a housing having a guide, a feeding-foot guided by said guide, a presser-foot, a rockshaft for oscil ating said housing, and a rock-shaft having opposed connections with said feeding-foot and Presser-foot for reciprocating the same respectively during opposite movements of said second-named rock-shaft.

8. In a folding machine, the combination of a housing provided with a guide, a feeding-foot guided by said guide, a presserfoot, a rock-shaft for oscillating said housing, and a rock-shaft having 0 posed and spaced connections with said and resser-foot for reciprocating the same res ectively during 0 posite movements of sai second-named 'roc -shaft.

9. ln a folding machine, the combination of a housing provided with a guide, a feeding-foot guided by said guide, a pressereeding-foot movement of said contact-part.

12. lln a folding machine, the combination of a presser-foot, an operating part for reciprocating the same, and a coiled, compression spring between said presser-foot and last-named partwhose compression is slight in extent and which becomes longitudinally rigid when'said compression has taken plac and acts as a cushion-impact and moving device for raising said resser-foot.

13. lln a folding machine, the-combination of a feeding-hous1n means for rocking said housing, a feeding-foot guided by and moving with said housing, a presser-foot lever, and a rocker-part between said feeding-foot and presser-foot lever having operating parts thereon for said feeding-foot and presser-footlever for moving said feedingfoot and presser-foot lever respectively during opposite'movements of said rock-shaft.

14:. In a folding machine, a feeding-foot, and means for oscillating said feeding-foot for causing feeding movement thereof, said means comprising links, rocker-arms pivoted to one of the ends of said links, one of said arms being a rocker-arm for operating said'links, the other of the ends of said links having articulation with each other, said links simultaneously constituting a compression member and a tension member in effecting each oscillating movement of said feeding-foot, and means for changing the positions of said last-named articulation ,with relation to the axes of oscillation of said rocker-arms for changing the extent of said scillation of said feeding-foot.

15. In a folding machine of the class described, the combination of feeding means for the material operated on, a'stationary folder, a fold-presser, a reciprocating knife for the material operated on, means for reciprocating said knife, treadle actuated means for controlling the position of said the operation of the machine, and means for shifting said stationary folder into inactive of a feeder,

of a feeder,

position.

16. In a foldingmachine, the combination and means for causing feeding movement of said feeder comprising a pair of rockable having operative connection with said feeder for moving the same and the other of said rockable arms beingan operating arm, andlinks articulated respectively to said arms and articulated to each other, said lastnamed articulation being normally substantially coincident with the rocking axis extended'of said operating rockable arm and shiftable with relation to said first-named articulations.

17. In a folding machine, the combination of a feeder, and means for causing feeding movement of said feeder comprising a pair of rockable arms, one of said-ro'ckable arms having operative'connection with said feeder for moving the same, an eccentric for operat ing the other of said arms, and links articulated respectivel to said arms and articulated to each ot er, the 'axisof said lastnamed articulation being normally substantially coincident with the rocking axis extended of said rockable arm operated by said eccentric.

18. In a folding machine, the combination of a feeder, and means for causing feeding movement of said feeder comprising a pair of rockable arms whose rocking axes are in ofi'set relation, one of said rockable arms having operative connection with said feeder for moving the same, the other of said arms being an operating arm, and links articulated respectively to said arms and articulated to each other, said links simultaneously constituting a compression member and a tension member, said last-named articulation being shiftable toward and from the rocking axis, .when extended, of said operating rockable arm.

19. In a folding machine, the combination of a feeder, and means for causing feeding movement of said feeder comprising a plurality of rocker-arms, one of said rockerarms having operative connection with said feeder for moving the same, the other of said rocker-arms being an operating arm, links articulated respectively to said arms andarticulated to each other, and shifting means for said last-named articulation for changing the lengths of feeding movement of. said feeder, said operating arm and said links being substantially parallel adjacent one of the limits of movement .of said shifting means.

20. In a folding machine, the combination and means for causing movement of said feeder comprising a plurality of rock-shafts, arms thereon, links articulated respectively to said arms and articulated to each other, one of said arms being an operarms, one of said roekable arms .taneously constituting a nae-1,910

ating arm .for said links, said links simultaneously constituting a compression member and a tension member at each of said movements of said feeder, and adjustable shifting means for said last-named articulation.

21. In a folding machine, the combinationof a feeder, means for causin feedin movement of said feeder comprising a p urahty of rocker arms, one of said rocker-arms having operative connection with said feeder for moving the same, the other of said rocker-arms being an operating arm, links articulated respectively to said arms and articulated to each other, said links simulcompression member and a tension member at each of the feeding movements of said feeder, shiftin means for said last-named articulation, an a stop for said shifting means.

In a folding machine, the combination of a feeder, means forcausing feeding movement of said feeder comprising a plurality of rocker-arms, one of said rocker-arms having operative connection with said feeder for moving the same, and the other of said rocker-arms being an operating arm, links articulated respectively to said arms and articulated to each other, shifting means for said last-named articulation, and means for adjusting the range of movement of said shifting means, said operating arm and links being substantially parallel with each other adjacent one of the limits of said range of movement of said shifting means.

23. In a folding machine, the combination of a feeder, means for causing feeding movement of said feeder comprising a plurality of rocker-arms, one of said rocker-arms hav-' ing operative connection with said feeder for moving the same, and the other of said rocker-arms being an operating arm, links articulated respectively to said arms and articulated to each other, said links being simultaneously respectively a compression member and a tension member at each feeding movement of said feeder, shifting means Jated respectively to said arms and articulated to each other, said neously respectively a compression member and a-tension member, and means for shifting said last-named articulation toward and from the rocking axis extended of said operating rock-shaft for adjusting the feeding movement of said feeder.

25, In a folding machine the combination of a plurality of rock-shafts in ofi'set relalinks being simulta- III tion, a feeder having operative connection with one of said rock-shafts, an eccentric drive for the other of said rock-shafts, arms on said rock-shafts, links articulated respectively to said arms and articulated with each other, said links being simultaneously respective a compression member and a tension mem er, means for shifting said last-namedarticulation toward and from the articulation with that rock-shaft having said eccentric drive connection therewith for adjusting the feeding movement of said feeder, and adjusting means for said last-named means. 7

26. In a folding machine the combination of a rock-shaft, a feeder having operative connection therewith, a folder, a second rockshaft ofiset with relation to said first-named rock-shaft, arms on said rock-shafts, links articulated at one of their ends to'said arms and articulated at their other ends to each other and arranged for oscillating said feeder with predetermined fonward limits of movement with relation to said folder, and means for shifting said last-named articulation toward and from the axial line of said second-named rock-shaft whereby the feeding movement of said feeder is adjusted in extent from its point of said forward limit till - tion of a of movement.

27. In a folding machine, the combinafeeding-foot, a presser-foot, a rock-shaft having' operative connection with said feeding-foot for rocking the same, a rock-shaft having operative connection with said resser-foot and feeding-foot for recip- 'rocating the same, a third rock-shaft in 0dset relation to said first-named rock-shaft, arms on said first-named and third-named rock-shafts, links between said arms havin articulation with each other and the said arms, and eccentric drives for said firstnamed and third-named rock-shafts.

28. In a folding machine, the combination of folding instrumentalities arranged to fold the edge of flexible material, a feeding-device for said material, and means for causing intermittent feeding movements of said feeding-device, said means comprising an operating part, an operated part having connection with said feeding-device, constituting a pair of parts, and a air of links articulated together at one of t eir ends and at the other of their ends having operative connection with said pair of parts, said links simultaneously constltuting a compressionmember and a tension-member during each feeding movement of said feeding-device.

29. In a folding machine, the combination of folding instrumentalities arranged to ,fold the edge of flexible material, a feeding-device for said material, means for causing intermittent feeding movements of said feeding device, said means comprising an operating part, an operated part having connection with said'feeding-device, constituting a pair of parts, and a air of links articulated together at one of ei-r ends and at the other of their ends having operative connection with said pair of parts, said links simultaneously constltuting a compressionmember and a tension-member during each feeding movement of said feeding-device, and means for adjusting the position of the articulating axis between said links with relation to, said operating part.

30. In a folding machine, the combination of folding instrumental ties arranged to fold the edge of fiexible'material, a feeding-device for said material, means for causing intermittent feeding movements of said feeding-device, said means comprising an operating part, an operated part having connection with said feeding-device, constituting a pair of parts, and a pair of links articulated together at one of their ends and at the other of their ends having operative connection with said pair of parts, said links simultaneously constituting a compressionmember and a tension-member during each of said intermittent feeding movements of said feeding-device, and means under the control of the operator during the operation of the machine for moving the articulating axis between said links with relation to said operating part for controlling the lengths of steps of feed of said feeding-device.

31. In a folding machine, the combination of folding instrumentalities arranged to fold the edge of flexible material, a feeding-device for said material, means for causing intermittent v feeding movements of said feeding-device, said means comprising an operating part, an operated part having connection with said feeding-device, constituting a pair of parts, and a pair of links articulated together at one of their endsand at the other of their ends having operative connection with said pair of parts, said links simultaneously constituting a compression-member and a tension-member during each of said intermittent feeding movements of said feeding-device, means under the control of the operator during the operation of the machine for moving the articulating axis between said links with relation to said operating part for controlling the lengths of steps of feed of said feedingdevice, said last-named means comprising a movable feed-controlling member, and yielding means tending normally to move said movable feed-controlling member to one limit of its ath.

32. n a foldingmachine, the combination of a goose-neck frame having an overhanging bracket provided with an overhanglng outer end, a bearing on said outer end, a

feeding-head, a rock-shaft for said head IINI journaled in said bearing, a fold-presser, an

operating shaft therefor, and operative connecting means between the latter and said fold-presser located entirely under said head and bearing.

33. In a folding machine, the combination of a folder, a fold-presser in rear thereof, a knife-support, provided with a rearward extensi-on above said folder, and a knife secared to the latter and operating in front of said folder and closely adjacent thereto, said foldresser, extension and knife forming a channel in which said folder is located. 34:. In a folding machine, the combination of a material support, and a knife having a lateral cutting edge and a bottom cutting edge at acute angles with relation to each other, said knife being movable toward the feeding line of the material at an angle to said support.

35. In a folding machine, the combination of a material support, a knife-support pivoted below said material support in a vertical plane to the side of the vertical plane of the line of feed, and a knife having an inclined cutting edge at that side thereof adjacent to said line of feed and an inclined lower cutting edge, said cutting edges being at acute angles to each other for presenting a cutting corner to the material.

36. In a folding machine, the combination of folding instrumentalities arranged to fold the edge of flexible material, a feeding-device for said material, means for causing intermittent feeding movements of said feeding-device, said means comprising an operating part, an operated part having connection with said feeding-device, constituting a pair of parts, and a pair of links articulated together at one of their ends and at the other of their ends having operative connection with said pair of parts, said links simultaneously constituting a compressionmember and a tension-member during each of said intermittent feeding movements of said feeding-device, means under the control of the operator during the operation of the machine for moving the articulating axis between said links with relation to said operating part for controlling the lengths of steps of feed of said feeding-device, said last-named means comprising a movable feed-controlling member, yielding means tending normally to move said movable feed-controlling member to one limit of its path, and an adjustable stop for adjustably limiting the extent of movement of said movable feed-controlling member.

37. In a folding machine, the combination of folding instrumentalities arranged to fold the edge of flexible material, a feeding-foot for said material, and means foroscil ilatin said feeding-foot for causing feeding an retracting movements thereof, said means comprising links, rocker-arms pivoted to one of the ends of said links, one of said rockerarms arranged for operating said links, the

feeding-foot, said links being respectively a tension-member and a compression-member at each movement of said links for moving said feeding-foot in one direction.

38. In a folding machine, the combination with a fold-presser and a knife, of a stationary folder between said knife and fold-presser, and means for shifting said stationary folder into inactive position.

39. In a folding machine, the combination of a pivoted fold-presser housing, a

pivoted foldresser, and a pivoted knifelever having coincident pivotal axes.

40. In a folding machine, the combination of a pivoted fold-presser and a knifelever having coincident pivotal axes, operating means therefor comprising a rocker-part having eccentric connection with said knifelever, a knife on said knife-lever, and means for swinging said rocker-part whereby said knife is rendered inactive.

41. In a folding machine, the combination of folding instrumentalities arranged to fold the edge of flexible material, a feeding-foot for feeding saidmaterial and means fOr oscillating said feeding-foot, said means comprising a pair of links, a rockerarm having pivotal connection with one of the ends of one of said links, the corresponding end of the other of said links having pivotal connection with said feedingfoot, the other of the ends of said links having articulation with each other, the pivotal axes of said pivotal connections lying on the arc of a circle having the axis of said articulation as its center, and means for adjusting said axis of articulation toward and from the rocking axis of said rocker-arm.

42. In a folding machine, the combination of folding instrumentalities arranged to fold the edge of flexible material, a feeder for feeding said material, and means for causing intermittent feeding movements of said feeder comprising a pair of rockable arms, one of said rockable arms having operative connection with said feeder for moving the same and the other of said rockable arms being an operating arm, links articulated respectively to said arms and articulated to each other, and means for shifting said last-named articulation into and out of substantial coincidence with the rocking axis extended of said operating rockable arm.

43. In a folding machine, the combination of folding instrumentalities arranged to fold the edge of flexible material, a feeder for feeding said material, and means for causing intermittent feeding movements of said feeder comprising a pair of rockable arms, one of said rockable arms having operative connection with said feeder for manual control of the operator during the operation of the machine for shifting said last-named articulation into and out of substantial coincidence with the rocking axis extended of said operating rockable arm.

44. In a folding machine the combination of folding instrumentalities arranged to fold the edge of flexible material, a feeder for feeding said material, and means for causing intermittent feeding movements of said feeder comprising a pair of rockable arms, one of said rockable arms having operative connection with said feeder for movingthe same and the other of said rockable arms being an operating arm, and links articulated respectively to said arms and to each other, said links being respectively a compression-member and a tension-member during each movement of said feeder effected through said links.

45. In a folding machine, the combination of folding instrumentalities arran ed to fold the edge of flexible material, a eeder for feeding said material, and means for causing intermittent feeding movements of said feeder comprising a pair of rockable arms, one of said rockable arms having operative connection with said feeder for moving the same andthe other of said rockable arms being an operating arm, and links articulated respectively to said arms and to each other, said links being respectively a compression-member and a tension-member during each movement of said feeder effected through said links, and means for adjusti-ng said articulation articulating said links to each other toward and from the rocking axis of said operating rockable arm.

46. In a folding machine, the combination of folding instrumentalities arranged to fold the edge of flexible material, a feeder for feeding said material, and means for causing intermittent feeding movements of said feeder comprising a pair of links, a part having operative connection with said feeder, an operating arm, said links articulated respectively to said part and arm and articulated to each other, said last-named arm and said links being normally located side by side, and shifting means for shifting said linksinto and out of substantial parallelism with said last-named arm, said links being respectively a compression-member and a tension-member during each movement of said feeder eflected through said links.

47. In a folding machine, the combination of folding instrumentalities arranged to fold the edge of'flexible material, a feeder for feeding said material, and means for causing intermittent feeding movements of said feeder comprising a pair of links, a part having operative connection with said feeder, an operating arm, said links articulated respectively to said part and arm and articulated to each other, said last-named arm and said linksbeing normally located side-by-side, said links being respectively a compression-member and a tension-member during each movement of said feeder cffected through said links, shifting means for shifting said links into and out of substantial parallelism with said last-named arm, and means for adjusting the range of movement of said shifting means.

48. In a folding machine, the combination of folding instrumentalities arranged to fold the edge of flexible material, a feeder for feeding said material, means for causing intermittent feeding movements of said feeder comprising an operating arm, a pair of substantially parallel links located side by side, said links at one of the ends thereof being articulated respectively to said feeder for moving the same and to said operating arm, said links at the other of their ends being articulated to each other, said links being respectively a compression-member and a tension-member at each movement of said feeder efl'ected through said links, and shifting means for said last-named articulation for shifting said links into and out of substantial parallelism with said operating arm.

49. A folding machine having, in combination, a frame with an outwardly projecting arm provided with a stationary work supporting portion, a folder for turning over the edge to be folded and means for pressing down the edge to be folded, both said folder and said pressing means being mounted on the end of said arm, and. means within said arm for actuating said pressing jecting arm provided with a stationary work supporting portion of small cross section, a folder, fold pressing means and snipping means all mounted on said arm adjacent to the end thereof and means located in said arm for actuating said fold pressing and said snipping means.

51. A folding machine having, in combination, a frame with an outwardly projecting arm provided with a stationary work supporting portions, means for turning over and means for pressing down the edge to be folded, both of said means being mounted on the end of the arm and means located within said arm for actuating said pressing means. i

52. A folding machine having, in combination, a frame with an outwardly projecting arm above its'base, there being a free Ill) It'll and unobstructed space on-all sides of said 53. A folding machine, having, in combination, a frame carrying an outwardly extending arm at a point .above its base, a folder and fold pressing means mounted upon the arm, and actuating mechanism for said fold pressing means Within said arm.

54:. A folding machine, having, in combination, a frame with an outwardly projecting arm above its base, there 'being a free and unobstructed space on all sides of said arm, folding means, fold pressing means and snipping means all mounted upon said arm and means for operating said fold pressing and said snipping means.

55. A folding machine having, in combination, a frame provided with an outwardly projecting arm, a driving shaft located in the base of the frame, folding instrumentalities including a folder, a presser and a knife mounted upon said arm, actuating members connected respectively with said presser and knife, said members located in said arm and extending lengthwise thereof, and means for operating said members from said driving shaft.

56. A folding maehine having, in combination, a frame provided with an outwardly projecting arm, a driving shaft located in the base of the frame, folding instrumentalities including a fold-pressing member and a knife mounted upon said arm, actuating memlbers connected respectively with said fold-pressing member and knife, said actuating members located in said arm, and means for operating said actuating members from said driving shaft.

57. A folding machine, having, in combination, a frame provided with an outwardly projecting arm and a goose neck arm above said outwardly projecting arm having a bearing head at its outer end located above the outer end of said first named arm, a driving shaft located in the base of the frame, feeding means mounted on said head, an actuating member on said head therefor, folding instrumentalities including a folder, a fold presserand a knife mounted on said outer end of said first named arm, actuating members connected respectively with said fold presser and said knife located on said outer end of said first named arm and means for operating said several actuating members from said driving shaft.

58. In a folding machine, the combination of means for turning over and means for pressing down the edge to be folded with means for feeding the material to be folded intermittently into position to have its margin operated upon; said feeding means including a feeding member, a rock-shaft for oscillating said feeding member to feed the material and means controlled by the operator for varying the length of the are of rocking movement of said rock-shaft during the operation of the machine.

59. In a folding machine, the combination with means for turning and means for pressing down the edge to be folded of means for feeding the material; said feeding means comprising an idler roll, a feeding member cooperating with said roll, a rock-shaft for oscillating said feeding member to feed the material, means for rocking said shaft and means whereby the length of the arc of the rocking movement of said shaft may be controlled by the operator during the operation of the machine to vary the length of the feeding movement of said feeding member.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name hereto in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM F. LAUTENSCHLAGER.

Witnesses:

EMILY F. NEWHALL, CONSTANT SOUTHWORTH.