US1398026A - Button-feeding instrumentality for button-setting machines - Google Patents

Description

I. KELLY.

BUTTON FEEDING INSTRUMENTALITY FOR BUTTON SETTING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 6. I915.

Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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'J. KELLY.

BUTTON FEEDING INSTRUMENTALITY FOR sunou SETTING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED. QCT. 61 1915.

Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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J. KELLY. I

BUTTON FEEDING INSTRUMENTALITY FOR BUTTON SETTING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 6, 1915.

1,398,026. Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

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J. KELLY. BUTTON FEEDING INSTRUMENTALITY FOR BUTTON SETTING MACHINES. APPLICATION FILED OCT-5.1915.

1,398,026, Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

UNITED STAKES PAIENT OFFICE.

JOHN KELLY, OF NORFOLK. VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR TO KELLY BUTTON MACHINE COM- PANY, INQ, OF NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, A CORPORATION OF VIRGINIA.

BUTTON-FEEDING INSTRUMENTALITY FOR BUTTON-SETTING MACHINES.

Application filed October 6, 1915.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, JOHN KELLY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Norfolk, in the county of Norfolk and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ButtoinFeeding Instrumenta-lities for Button-Setting Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention pertains to an improvement in button feeding instrumentalities designed for use in button setting machines. The invention is adapted particularly for employment in connection with a type of machines wherein a coil of wire is placed in juxtaposition to wire feeding instrumentalities, which instrumentalities automatically advance the wire through the eye of a button. Such machines are provided with means for forming the wire into staples, forcing the staples through the material, and finally clenching the same.

In this particular art it has been customary to employ a raceway or feed tube designed for conducting the buttons serially to a point where the staple wire will be accurately fed therethrough. The wire is fed through by mechanism operated by a foot treadle, the severing mechanism, the forming die and the forming mechanism being associated with the foot treadle or power lever, the operation being performed consecutively and so by one stroke of the power lever or treadle.

Such machines have been illustrated in various earlier patents, among which may be mentioned the patent to Olds and Ekland No. 368419. The present invention contemplates improvements primarily in the button feeding and button controlling instrumentalities.

More specifically stated, the present invention comprehends a button feed or chute so constructed and arranged that the same may be adjusted for different size button heads. It comprehends also the provision of instrumentalities for positively holding the button against snapping out or displacement when the same is in position to receive the staple forming wire.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

Serial No. 54,365.

The invention also comprehends certain improvements whereby this positive holding means is released at the proper interval and in addition thereto suitable yielding means for maintaining the next succeeding button in position for advancement at the proper time.

There is illustrated in the accompanying drawing an improvement in the button hopper wherein the same may be rotated so that different sized or diflerent styles of buttons may be fed to the machine, the hopper being a duplex one and at the same time so jointed with the standard or support that the hopper may be tipped to discharge its contents should it be desired to replace one type of button with that of another.

In the accompanying drawing a machine embodying the invention is depicted, but it is to be understood that various changes, alterations and modifications can be made without departing from the nature and principle of the invention presently to be described and to be defined in the claims.

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of what is termed the head of the button setting machine, the standard which is of the usual type, being omitted;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the head showing the button hopper broken away;

Fig. 3 is a similar view on an enlarged scale showing the movable raceway cap thrown back;

Fig. 4 is a section centrally through the raceway showing the near side of the head broken away or in section;

Fig. 5 is a detail fragmentary view of the head of the machine showing the raceway but with the wire supporting bracket removed Fig. 6 is a section on the line 22 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a front elevation of the head showing the rear portion of the raceway broken away and the clenching die supporting arm in section;

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are details of the button feed and clamping iustrumentalities.

The standard A, base B and operating rod (7. as shown in Fig. 4. are of the usual construction, the standard being supported on suitable legs and the operating rod C being connected with the treadle mechanism, as is usual in this art. Mounted in the head between the supportinglegs thereof is a rock arm C to which the operating rod C i connected. This operating arm is in the form of a bellcrank and has at its upper end alink connection C with staple cuttin forming and setting mechanism. This staple forming and setting mechanism includes a rocking member G and a suitable spring operated clamping jaw C These part are all illustrated and described in my application for Letters Patent Serial No. 86 1895, filed October 8, 1914i, and need not further be described.

Projecting upwardly from the cap plate of the head is an inclined raceway part D, having a formed button eye receiving groove (Z extending through the same from end to end. The lower end ofthe raceway terminates adjacent the wire feed opening of the machine and the button eye clamping and positioning jaw C Positioned at one side of the raceway member D is a series of projections 65, which carry on their upper ends a plate D, the latter being removably secured to the projections (1. At the end of this plate are'outwardly projected sockets (5 D represents a cover plate for the button raceway. This cover plate is provided with hinged members (Z embracing the sockets (Z and pivot- V ally supported or held in hinged position by the pintle rod 65*. The position of the joint ed or hinged connection of the cover plate is such that when the ,plate is swung over to its position above the raceway'it will serve as a top cover plate for the raceway, maintainingthe buttons during their movement down the smooth surface of the part D in their proper position and preventing the eyes of the buttons from escaping from the groove cl.

Conveniently the cover plate D is held in position by a spring D connected to the cover plate at a point intermediate its hinged connection and its outer edge. The spring is tensioned so that it will hold the cover plate firmly in position over the fixed raceway member but permits the cover'plate to be forced. upward against the spring pressure and overv to the position shown in Fig. 3,

thus exposing the fixed raceway partand the buttons therein contained. This is convenient for the reason that should it. be desired to remove all the buttons from the raceway as in the event of clogging, removal can be asily accomplished. It is frequently desirable in these machines to have the raceway adapted for different sized buttons. Heretofore it hasbeen suggested to remove the button race or raceway tube and replace it with a smaller tube when a smaller button is to be used. This is necesary in view or the fact that there must be aproper relation between the supporting surface of the raceway and the top so as to prevent the button from rolling over or snapping out of the button eye groove.

By the employment of the swinging or movable plate D this variance in its position with relation to the fined part of the raceway may be readily accomplished. Any suitable means may be employed to limit the downward movement of the movable cover plate, but in the present instance it has been found convenient to form on the under side of the plate D somewhat back from its free edge, a flange (F, as shown in Fig. 6. This depending flange assumes a position at the side of the stationary part of the raceway and in that position engages a squared gage plate E. The plate E is mounted fixedly on a stem 6 of a hand wheel E, the stem passing through a bearing in the fixed part of the raceway, as shown in Fig. 6. The plate E may be four or more sided and is eccentrically mounted so. that the distances 7 from the center to the respective edges are different, one from the other. By this means upon the turning of the gage plate with its shortest radii in a position directly below the flange (F, the spring D will force the cover plate downward until it rests firmly on the edge of the gage plate. This will bring the cover plate in close proximity to the top of the fixed raceway member so that small buttons can be fed through the raceway. Should it be desirable to employ the machine with buttons having larger heads it is only necessary to turn the hand wheel and the gage plate until one of its longer radii or sices is presented in opposition to the downward movement of the flange (Z Two adjustments are shown, but four may be effected by the above described construction.

In machines of this character it often happens that a button. being fed with its eye in position to receive the wire will be slightly canted so that the wire will stri e the eye and tend to snap the button out of position. I have found it desirable to apply pressure to the top of the button in a manner which will not only seat the button properly but will tend to adjust it to its proper position against any slight deviation. To accomplish this, there is secured on the top of the plate D an elongated spring F, having its rear or upper end fixedly secured to the cover plate, and itslower end projecting slightly below the raceway directly above the button when the latter is grasped by the feeding and holding jaw C. At the lower or free end. of the spring F is secured a holding block f provided, on its under face with a V-shaped groove having its forward leg somewhat longer than its rear leg, as shown in Fig. 4. This block 7 is centrally positioned so that it will embrace the button head, as shown in Fig. 7, and owing to the inclined surface on the lower face, the button vill be prevented from tipping forward and the eye will therefor be properly centered and positioned for the subsequent operations of the machine. To remove the block f upon the completion of the stroke and to permit a subsequent button to be received in proper position, the following instrumentalities are employed.

Keyed to the shaft of the bell crank C is an arm G, Fig. 1, while on the head there is pivoted a trip lever G having its forward end positioned directly below a. sliding or reciprocating pin g, mounted in a suitable orifice extending vertically through the forward part of the head of the machine. The upper end of this pin is arranged to project directly below an outstanding projection f on the spring F, while its lower end rests normally against the trip G. Pivotally mounted on the trip member G is a toothed member g having its rear end projecting beyond the trip member G and bent back in a manner to overlie the upper inclined edge of the trip member. The tooth g is extended rearward into the path of the arm G so that as the arm is rocked down it will strike the tooth member, thus deflecting or tipping the trip member G, forcing up the pin 9 and raising up the holding block 7'. The tooth 9 is held in its normal posi tion by a spring 9 connected to a fixed part of the machine and the forward end of the tooth, as shown clearly in Fig. 1.

Upon the operation of the treadle at the roper interval of time the end of the arm G engages the end of the tooth g forcing the pin g upward, raising the holding block. At this moment, or thereafter,the staple is clenched and the next succeeding button is ready for feeding into position.

It is advantageous to have a stop for the buttons at the moment the holding block is elevated and for this purpose two .small yielding fingers h are employed, the same being extensions of a plate H, and are positioned on opposite sides of the holding block. The plate H is connected to the plate D by a hinged joint it which is cone veniently of a spring type, a tight spring being employed to normally hold the fingers in position to stop the forward movement of the row of buttons. The buttons, owing to the slight resistance of the fingers, are easily moved past the same as they are advanced forwardly through the machine after the wire has been passed through the eye.

Associated with the button feed is a hopper of the twin type, that is to say having compartments on the opposite sides of the center. This hopper is supported on a casting K extending from the head, there being pivoted to the lower end of the casting a carrier K, this carrier having an up and down movement around its horizontal axis. The outer end of the carrier has pivoted thereon through a vertical axis, the hopper K By this means when it is desirable to turn the hopper completely around it is turned on the vertical axis, while should it be desired to tip the hopper over it will be turned on the horizontal axis.

To couple the hopper in position of adjustment a suitable side spring L is employed, the same being fast to the stationary button race part, as shown in Fig. 1 and having an opening at its free end through which a small pin Z passes, the same being projected from the hopper part. iVhen it is desired to release the hopper, the spring is moved outwardly to release the pin Z. The outer end of the spring L is turned or bent to form a finger hold. Any convenient lever mechanism may be employed to operate the agitator within the hopper. 'Such mechanism may be similar to that shown in my aforesaid application for patent.

An advantage in positioning the head setter and retaining fingers on the swinging cover plate for the raceway is that when it is desired to remove the buttons from the lower end of the raceway for any purpose this can be accomplished by swinging back the cover plate which will carry the head holder and retaining fingers therewith, thus exposing all the buttons in the raceway.

From the foregoing it will be evident that the button feed can be readily and quickly adjusted for different sized buttons and that A the centering and holding block for the button heads, owing to its flexible mounting, may be quickly raised from a position where it will interrupt the downward movement of the succeeding button and likewise its pressure on the button head is yielding. The light retarding fingers serve only to prevent the buttons from moving beyond the operative position and yield readily to the movement of the button after the staple has been formed and the button and staple carried forward.

Projecting forwardly from the front end of the rocking lever C in advance of the spring operated clamping jaw C is a part G which constitutes a gage to indicate the point at which the machine will attach the button to the work.

aving thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a button setting machine. a button raceway, and means for varying the size of the raceway to fit different sized button heads comprising a pivoted cover plate having its axis disposed on one side of the raceway.

2. In a button setting machine, a button raceway, and means for varying the cross sectional area of the raceway to accommodate buttons of varying sizes comprising a of the raceway to completely expose the same.

4. In a button setting machine, a button raceway, and a cover for the raceway'hinged for adjustment uniformly from end to end toward and from the raceway to vary the size of the raceway to' accommodate buttons of different sizes.

5. In a button setting machine, a button raceway and a pivoted cover plate for the raceway vertically adjustable to vary the size 'of the raceway and capable of lateral swinging movement out of the plane of the raceway to completely expose the same.

6. A'button raceway for button setting machines having apart adjustable to be swung laterally for adjusting the raceway to accommodate buttons of different sizes.

7. In a button setting machine, a button raceway having a longitudinally extending wall hinged for adjustment uniformly from end to end to vary the size of the raceway to accommodate different size buttons.

8. In a button setting machine, a button raceway having a longitudinally extending wall hinged for adjustment uniformly from end to end to vary the size of the raceway to accommodate differentsize buttons, and means for adjusting said wall.

9. In a button setting machine, a button raceway having a longitudinally extending wall hinged for adjustment uniformly from end to end to. vary the size of the raceway to accommodate different size buttons, means fo adjusting said wall, said means comprising an adjustable part, and means for yieldably maintaining said wall in engagement with said part.

10. In a button setting machine, a raceway,a hinged cover therefor, and means for simultaneously raising or lowering each end of said cover relative to the race-way, said means comprising an adjustable part and a resilient member for maintaining the cover upon the adjustable part.

11. In a button setting machine, the combination with a raceway member, of a part on one side of the raceway member, a cover member having a part projecting beyond the raceway member and having a pivotal connection with said first mentioned part for adjustment uniformly from end to end toward and from the raceway member, and means for maintaining the cover member in various positions of adjustment relative to the raceway.

12. In a button setting machine, the combination with a raceway member, of a cover member having one side overhanging the raceway member, and means for engaging said overhanging side for moving the same outwardly, said means comprising a rotato vary the size of the raceway to accommodate buttons of different size, said hinged means being locatedat a point to permit one of the movable members to be swung entirely beyond the vertical plane of the other.

14:. In a button setting machine, a raceway having a hinged upper part, with means located at the. side of the raceway for adjusting the said hinged part, said means comprising a spring member and a manually operable part adapted to adjust each end of the hinged part simultaneously.

15. In a button setting machine, a button raceway part, a cover plate for the raceway part adjustably mounted with relation to the raceway part, and an adjustable eccentric for limiting the downward movement of the cover plate toward the raceway part.

16. In a button setting machine, the combination with a relatively fixed raceway part, of a hinged cover plate, a spring for maintaining the cover plate in normal position, and means for limiting the downward movement of the cover plate, said spring and cover movement limiting means being located entirely upon one side of the raceway.

17. In a button setting machine, a raceway part having a button eyegroove therein, a cover plate part adjustably mounted with relation to-the said other part, a rotatable eccentric for limiting the downward movement of the cover part toward the other part, and means for adjusting the eccentric.

18. In a button setting machine, a raceway part having a button eye groove and a swinging cover part pivoted to the machine on one side. of the button eye groove with means for limiting the swinging movement of the cover part comprising a stop member.

19. In a button setting machine, a raceway, a removable top for the raceway, a head holder carried by the top, and yielding fingers positioned on opposite sides of the holder and secured to the said top. 7

520. In a button setting machine, the combination with a raceway member through which the buttons pass, of setting instrumentalities and a wire feed, an adjustable guide overlying the button raceway, and means for adjusting said guide relative to the raceway member, said means simultaneously raising each end of the guide to move the same a uniform distance throughout its length relative to the raceway member, said adjusting means comprising a rotatable member carrying an eccentrically mounted part thereon.

21. In a button setting machine the combination with a staple forming and driving mechanism and a wire feed, 01": means for gripping a button eye to support the same to receive the staple wire and a gage carried by said supporting means fo indicating the point at which the machine will attach the button to the work.

In a button setting machine, a button raceway, a cover for the raceway adjustable toward and from the raceway to vary the size thereof to accommodate different size buttons, a holding device to engage the head of a button and retain the same in position to receive the staple wire, means for periodically moving said holding device to release the button therefrom, and yieldable holding means for retaining the following buttons when said holding device is moved out of engagement with the button, said holding device and the last mentioned holding means both being carried by and adjustable toward and from the raceway with the cover.

In testimony whereof I hereunto ailix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN KELLY. Witnesses J. MGBRYDE WVEBB, G. IV. STIDHOM.

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