US1447224A

US1447224A - Blank-forming machine

Info

Publication number: US1447224A
Application number: US327987A
Authority: US
Inventors: Eugene J Ray
Original assignee: United Shoe Machinery Corp
Current assignee: United Shoe Machinery Corp
Priority date: 1919-10-02
Filing date: 1919-10-02
Publication date: 1923-03-06
Anticipated expiration: 1940-03-06

Description

BLANK FORMING MACHINE Filed Oct. 2, 1919 5 sheens-sheeo 1 Mar. 6, 1923.

E. J. RAY

BLANK FORMING MACHINE Filed Oct. 2, 1919 5 shears-sheet 2 WWI/V717?- v W4 E. J. RAY

BLANK FORMING MACHINE Mar. 6, 1923.

Filed Oct 2, 1919 Mar. 6, 1923. 1,447,224

RAY

BLANK Emma MAGHINE lq d 09 2-. 2; 1919 shecnawheet 4 1,447,224 E. J. RAY

BLANK FORMING MACHINE FiledlOct. 2, 1919 b sheets-sheet 5 Mar. 6,- 1923.

Patented Mar. 6, 1923.

EUGENE J. BAY, OF BEVERLY, IVIASSAOH USETTS, ASSIG-NOR 'IO UNITED SHOE MACHINERY GORPORATION, OF PATTERSON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

BLANK-FORMING IEACHINE.

Application filed October 2, 1919.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EUGENE J. RAY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Beverly, in the count y of Essex and State of lilassachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Blank-Forming Machines, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like reference characters on the drawings indicating. like parts lnthe several figures.

This invention relates to blank forming machines and more particularly to such machines for performing a series of operations on work of the type which operate substantially automatically and cease operations when the supply of material is stopped.

In operating upon certain kinds of material which have been provided withmarkings such as ornamental figures or designs, it is necessary in forming blanks therefrom that the design shall occupy a'certain predetermined relation with respect to each blank formed from the material- If the work be of rubber or other similar material the blanks may be varied in size with entire disregard of the amount of scrap or unused material remaining after the formation of blanks. since the pieces of scrap may be returned to the mass of rubber or other such material, remolded into sheet-s, and subjected to other blank forming operations. T he extent of the work feeding steps is governed. therefore, not by the size of the blanks but with reference to the location of the markings-or designs. Hence the work itself is convenientlyused to control the work feeding means.

It is an object of the invention to provide a machine which will operate rapidly to cut blanks over a wide range of sizes and to this end the work feeding means is preferably operated to run continuously until it is stopped by means which is controlled by a characteristic of the work bearing a certain predetermined relation to a design orother ornamental device on the material being operated upon.

In one aspect the invention resides in continuously running means for feeding the work to position for the operation of the blank forming instrumentalit-ies in association with means controlled by a character- Serial No. 327,987.

istic of the workfor controlling the operation of the work feeding means.

In the illustrative. construction the blank forming mechanism is stationary in the vertical plane, and a work support is provided to carry the work and is arranged to move vertically to present the work. to the blank forming devices, the work support being part of a carriage which carries also the work feeding, means, means being provided on the stationary portion of the machine frame for lifting the work support and for causing the operation of the work feeding means. Preferably, also, the work support carrieswork controlled means for governing the operation of the work feeding means so that the blanks are formed from the sheet material at the proper point.

In another aspect the'invention contemplates a work support carrying work feeding means, and means for simultaneously operating the work support and the work feeding means. lVith the object inview of securing adequate time for the operation of the work feeding means, the construction is conveniently such that the work feeding means may operate during movements of the work support both toward and from the blank forming devices.

In still another aspect the invention comprises a carriage which carries both the work support and the work feeding means toward and from the blank forming devices wherein the feeding means is arranged to be controlled by a device mounted onthe carriage and controlled in turn by a characteristic of the work.

In the construction shown, the machine is arranged to be started in operation by the operator actuating a clutch on a counter shaft which controls the work support and the work feeding mechanisms, the arrange ment being such that the work is fed to proper position and then presented to the blank forming devices before the latter are caused to operate. Preferably, also, the said counter shaft is provided with means for determining the time of operation of the blank forming devices which are driven from another shaft in the machine. The machine further comprises means arranged to be operated from the second shaft for controlling the operation of the counter shaft so that when the machine is once started in operation the work presenting and work feeding devices are caused to operate intermittently in properly timed relation to the operation of the blank forming devices. Preferablythe machine is made completely automatic by con'ibining with the work controlled means for determining the position of blanks to be cut from the sheet material a second work controlled means for terminating the operation of the machine when the end of the material being operated upon is reached.

Other objects and advantages of the invention and other novel combinations of parts will be described in the detailed specification and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a front view of the illustrative machine; Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation and partly in section of the same machine looking from the right in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the machine partly in section;

Fig. l is a plan view of the work controlled devices which regulate the operation of the machine;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a section of the work;

Fig. 6 is a section through the work illustrating one of the depressions formed therein for the purpose of co-operating with one of the machine controlling devices;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section along the line 7-7 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a section through the cams shown on the stub shaft; and

Fig. 9 is a section on 9-9 in Fig. 7.

In the illustrated machine there is provided a main shaft 12 adapted to be driven from a motor 14 through a belt 16 which passes around a pulley 18 mounted for rotation on the main shaft and longitudinally slidable thereon to engage a clutch member 20 which is fixed to the shaft. Integral with the pulley 18 is a second pulley 22 which is connected by a belt 24- to a pulley 26 mounted for rotation on the counter shaft 28. Means is provided preferably in the form of a Horton clutch for connecting the pulley 26 to its shaft 28. the cage portion of the clutch carrying abutments 30 and 32 as shown in Fig. 7 of the d "awings. For holding the cage in clutch releasing position there is provided a finger 3% having a spring member 36 for engaging the abutment 30, the said finger being rigidly connected to or integral with a lever arm 38 having a cable 40 attached at its free end. the other end of the cable being connected to a manually oprated lever such as a treadle or a lever 42 arranged to be operated by hand. Upon clutching the pulley 26 to the shaft 28 the latter is caused to rotate and carries with it a cam member 44 which is provided.

shown in Figs. 1, 3 and T, with a cam projection which is designed to engage and operate a lever d8 pivoted on a. shaft 50 in the frame of the machine. Mounted on the other end of lever 48 is a pawl (Figs. 3 and 7) designed to engage and operate a set of cams mounted to turn together on a sleeve 54 (Fig. 8) carried by a stud 56 3) mounted in the frame of the machine. As shown the pawl 52 engages an abutment 58 on the cam 60 and, on operation of the lever a8, moves all of the cams in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 7, the result of this movement being to release the brake and cause the clutching of the pulley 18 with the clutch member 20 on the main shaft of the machine through mechanism now to be described. lilovement of the cam member 60 in the direction of the arrow results also in movement of the cam member 62 in the same direction with the result that the operative end of the lever 64; (Fig. 7) is forced out of the notch 66 in the cam member 62. Since the lever arm 64L is rigidly connected to the shaft 68, the latter is rocked upon the described movement of the lever Gal and in turn causes a ro tar-y motion of the sleeve 70 through the intermesl'iing gear teeth 72 carried by and secured to the shaft (38 and the teeth 74 carried by the sleeve 70 (Figs. 7 and 9). Upon rotation of the sleeve 70 the brake arm 76 carrying brake member 77 is shifted laterally out of connection with the brake surface on the brake member 78 which is fixedly secured to the main shaft 12. At a very short inter al after the release of the brake and almost simultaneously with said release the clutch members on the main shaft are caused to engage through power exercised by the spring 80 which tends constantly to move the pulley 18 into frictional contact with the clutch member 20 (Fig. 3). Normally this movement of the pulley 18 along the shaft 12 is prevented by an oscillatory member 82 which exercises control over the power pulley 18 through pins one of which is shown at 8" 1S slidably mounted in the clutch member 20. Rotative movement of the member 82 in one direction forces the pins 8% to the right in Fig. 3, thus moving the power pulley 18 away from its clutch member 20 against the action of the spring 80. whereas movement of the men'iber 82 in the opposite direction permits the spring 80 to move the pulley 18 into frictional contact with the clutch member 20. Member 82 is controlled by a lever 86 secured to shaft 50. one end 88 1 being in contact with the cam projection 90 on the cam member 92, the arrangement being such that as the set of cam members on the sleeve 54 (Fig. 7) is moved in the direction of the: arrow, the end 88 of the lever 86 is dropped off of the cam projection. 90. thus permitting the spring 80 to move the power pulley 18 in the direction to clutch with the clutch member 20, pressure of the spring 80 being sufficient to cause rotative or rocking movement of the member 82 which is operatively connected by intermeshing gear teeth 94; on the member 82 with corresponding teeth 96 on the arm 98 secured to shaft 50. The described movement of the lever 82 is caused by pressure on the balls 100 which, when the machine is at rest, are located at the shallow ends of the grooves 102 (Fig. 7) in the member 82, the arrangement being such that relative movement of the balls along the grooves 102 until they reach the deeper ends thereof causes rotative or rocking movement of the member 82. Unclutching of the pulley 18 with respect to the clutch member 20 is caused by positively turning the member 82 in the opposite direction when the cam projection 90 contacts and lifts the end 88 of the lever 86, the latter being, as described, positively connected to the member 82.

The brake mechanism in addition to the features above described comprises an arm 108 secured to or integral with the sleeve (Fig. 7) and pressed upon by a spring 110 which tends constantly to return the brake arm 76 into operative position. For this reason the brake member 77 rides along the side of the brake membe' 78'and finall comes into contact with the periphery of the brake member 78 at a low portion thereof and finally rides upon the high part 112 of the brake member 78 to perform its braking action. In any overthrow of the main shaft the brake member 77 will ride down into the notch 114C and up the incline 116 of the member 78 and then will return to the notch 114, thus securing the stoppage of the machine invariably in the same position. As the brake member 77 rides up on the high portions of the brake member 78. it compresses the spring 118 which is coiled around the bolt 120 pivotally connected to the end of the lever 122 which is fixedly secured to the shaft 68. It will be clear that the braking action of the member 77 upon the periphery of the brake 78 can be varied by adjusting the tension of the spring 118 through the adjusting members 1.24- on the bolt 120, this adjustment being for the purpose of compensation for the wear between the contacting surfaces of the brake members.

The set of cam

plates comprising plates

60, 62 and 92 above described is mounted fixedly upon a sleeve 54 which turns on the stud 56 (Figs. 3, 7 and 8), includes also cam plate 128 which carries a cam abutment 130 (Fig. 7 adapted to operate the lever arm 132 for a purpose hereinafter described. Mounted on the stud 56 and fixedly secured thereto is a gear wheel 134: constantly in mesh with a gear 136 on the main shaft 12 (Fig. Projecting from one face of the gear wheel 134i is a pin 138, the free end of which is relatively movable along a concentric slot 140 in the cam member 92, a spring 142 being positioned in said slot and having one end abuttingagainst the end of the slot and its other end engaging against the pin in the slot so that movement of the cam plates by engagement of the pawl 52 with the cam abutment 58 on member 60 is opposed by the spring which operates to return the set of cam plates to a predetermined relation with respect to the gear wheel 13% and this it accomplishes freely after rotation, of the gear 134 commences. Upon a complete rotation of the gear 13st and the cam plates including cam plate 128, the lever arm 132 isoperated to withdraw a stop linger lell (parallel with the stop finger 3-3: as shown in Fig. 2) from. beneath the stop abutment 32 (Fig. 7), thus permitting the clutch on shaft 28 to again engage so that said shaft is driven and along with it the cam member 44, the said shaft and cam member being arranged to operate the work feeding mechanism and the work support operating means as hereinafter described. Rotation of the set of cam plates also brings the cam projection 90 on cam plate 92 around to position to actuate the lever arm 86. thus disconnecting the power pulley 18 from the clutch pulley 20 on the main shaft above described and also brings the cam plate 62 in such position that the cam notch 66 receives the operative end of the brake lever 64.

The work support 146 is carried by a carriage 148 (Fig. 1) arranged to be moved toward and from the knife 150 and pattern 152 of a blank cut-ting mechanism well known in the art and which is preferably like that shown in United States Letters Patent to Julian, No. 1,092,998, granted April 14, 1914. Means is provided for lifting the work support in properly timed re lation to the operation of the cutting means, the said lifting means comprising prefer-- ably a toggle mechanism consisting of links 15 i, 156, the upper of which are connected to the carriage and the lower to a supporting member 158 pivoted at 160 on the frame of the machine and supported at its other end by a spring 162 so that upon straightening of the toggle the work support is pressed yieldingly against the form or pattern 1 2 to accommodate the work support to work of varying thickness. The means for operating the toggle comprises in the construction shown a shaft 164: mounted in

bearings

166, 168 and 170 in the frame of the machine. the said shaft carrying rigidly secured thereto a lever arm 172 which is connected by a link 17 1 with the lower links 156 of the toggle to operate the same. Fixedly secured to the other end of the shaft 164: is an arm 176 which is connected by a pitman rod 1'78 to one end of a bell crank 180 pivoted at 182 in the frame of the machine, the other arm of the bell crank carrying a roll 18% movable along a cam slot 186 in the cam member ll (Fig. 7). It will be clear that upon rotation of the cam wheel 4d. the work supportoperating mechanism, including the toggle will be caused to lift the work support toward the cutting mechanism and maintain it in such position during the cutting operation, that is, while the roll 18% is traveling along the concentric portion of the slot 186 (Fig. 7).

Means is preferably provided for moving the work step by step across the work support 1 16, the work feeding means being continuously driven by mechanism hereinafter described. This feeding means comprises feeding belts 188 having pins or prongs 190 projecting therefrom and adapted to engage with a pad (not shown) upon which the workis supported. The said belts are driven by means of wheels 19% mounted upon axles 196 carried in hearings in the ends of the carriage 1&8, the said wheels having studs 198 projecting from the periphery thereof to engage in openings in the belt positively to drive the same. Means is provided for intermittently rotating the belt carrying wheels comprising, in the construction shown, a shaft 196 which is one of the axles before mentioned, the said shaft carrying a gear wheel 200 constantly in mesh with a gear 202 on a counter shaft 20st mounted in bearings in the machine, of which one is shown at 206 (Fig. 2) and another at 208 shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. Mounted loosely upon the shaft 204: at the end adjacent the bearing 206 is a sleeve 210 adapted to be operatively connected to the shaft by a clutch (Fig. 2) and carrying secured fixedly thereto a bevel gear 212 which is con 7 stantly in mesh with a bevel gear 214 at the lower end of the vertical shaft 216. Since the feed belts and the driving mechanism so far described are supported on the vertically movable carriage 148, the shaft 216 is made in two parts which slidably engage each other as indicated in Figs. 2 and 7, the overlapping ends 218 and 220 being clearly shown in the latter figure as enclosed in a sleeve 222. At the upper end of the shaft 216 is a bevel gear 22% constantly in mesh with a bevel gear 226 which is securely fixed to a shaft 28. It follows that when the pulley 26 is clutched to the shaft 28,'the latter is rotated and through the chain of driving mechanism described, causes a rotation of the shaft 196 which carries one pair of belt carrying wheels 194: and thus drives the belt continuously in one direction. It is preferred to control the length of each feeding movement through the work and this is especially desirable where, as in the present instance, the sheet material to be operated upon possesses definite markings which it is desirable to locate at the same point in each blank cut from the sheet material.

In the illustration of Fig. 5, a piece of rubber stock is shown provided at regular intervals with a marking which may be an ornamental design or medallion or a marking indicating the size or quality or any other characteristic of the blank to be cut therefrom. This invention is illustrated in connection with the cutting of soles from the sheet 228 of rub er or other material, which sheet has regularly impressed thereon medallions 230 which, as stated, it is desirable to position in the middle of each sole as it is cut from the sheet. Accordingly, the sheet is also provided with depressions 232 adapted to engage or be engaged by an element of the mechanism which controls the feeding means for the work. It will be understood that the depressions are illu trative merely of one means which can be provided on the sheet material to act as a controlling means in the manner referred to, it being obvious that projections from the surface or notches in the edge of the sheet material might be used as equivalents. It will be understood that each depression 232 is located in definite relation with respect to the medallion next adjacent thereto. lVhen the pad and the work thereon are placed in the machine they are positioned against a member so that the line of depressions 232 will pass directly under the device which is to engage the depressions successively. This device is part of a work controlled mechanism which, in turn, regulatesand controls the operating means for the feed belts so that the work will be brought to a stop with the medallion properly located under the pattern 152.

The controlling means for the work feeding means comprises in the construction shown a lever arm 284: fixedly mounted upon a stud shaft 236 carried in a bracket 23S extending from the work support 146. the end of the arm having a projecting portion 240 (Fig. '7) designed to engage and drop into each depression 232 as it. is presented during the feed of the work. Fixedly secured to the same stub shaft 236 is a lever 242 to one end of which is connected 3. sprin having one end attached to the lever and'the other to the work support and operative to keep the end 24:0 of the lever arm pressed yieldingly upon the work. The other end of the lever 242 is provided with pin 2% which extends laterally beneath a 2 1-8 which is loosely mounted on the stub shaft 236. In the position of the finger 2-l8 in Fig. 7 its end rests upon the upper end of an arm 250 extendingfrom pawl 252 mounted upon a stud 254 carried by a bracket 256 which extends from the carriage 1&8, the latter carrying the ill) work support as above described. As shown the pawl 252 is engaged with one of the teeth of a ratchet member 258 which extends from the cage of a Horton clutch which is the clutch utilized to connect the sleeve 210 to the shaft 204 referred to above (see Fig. 2 of the dran When the pawl is thus engaged with the ratchet the cage is moved relatively to the rota-ting sleeve 210 to clutch releasing position and thus the sleeve 210 is operatively disconnected from the shaft 204 and the feeding of the feed belts .is stopped. At such a. time the work support may be dropped in work receiving position shown in the drawings or thesupport may be raised with the work on the work support pressed against the form or pattern 132. As the carriage with all of the supported structures descends a third arm 260 (Fig. 7) carried by the stud shaft 254 is engaged by the upper end of a stop 262 which is pivoted at 264 on a stationary part, as for instance on the standard of the machine. thus throwing the pawl out of engagement with the tooth on the wheel 258. The cage is at once turned by the usual spring in the Horton clutch mechanism so as to clutch the sleeve 210 and the shaft 204 operativelytogether whereby the feed of the work may be resumed upon turning of the S1 eve 210. When the pawl is so moved to disengage the engaged tooth on the ratchet the arm 250 of the pawl is moved to the right in Fig. 7 permitting the end of the finger 248 to engage with the side face of the said arm 250 instead of with the end thereof and thus the pawl is held out of op erative position with respect to the ratchet 258 of the clutch mechanism. When the end of the lever arm 234 drops into a depression 2-32 in the sheet material, the finger 248 is lifted by engagement of the pin 246 thereunder and this permits the pawl 252 again to engage the ratchet wheel and stop the feed of the work. This is the position shown in Fig. 7. Since thereis no work on the table, the end 240 of the lever 234 has dropped thus freeing the pawl 252.

Means is preferably provided for stop ping the operation of the machine when there is insutiicient material for a blank, the said means comprising preferably a teeler or detector member adapted to rest upon the material and to be moved downwardly as soon as the material is passed, means being provided for causing the feeler or detector to engage the work and to move to such position .to control the stop mechanism of the machine as soon as the work has passed. In the illustrative construction the feeler or detector member comprises a lever arm 266 (Figs4 and 7) .mounted upon a stud shaft 268 in the bracket 256 and having an end 27 0 to rest upon the sheet end of member 276 at'all times.

material, means in the form of a spring 272 being provided for urging the lever arm downwardly when the end 270 drops off of the work. Secured to the same stud shaft 268 is an upright arm'274 which is constantly engaged. with an arm 276 extending from a stub shaft 278 mounted in a bracket 280 on a stationary part of the frame .of the machine. t will be remembered that the bracket 256, together with all of the movable members carried thereby, moves vertically with the work support 146 and carr'age 148 and hence the end of member 274 arranged in slidable engagement with the Then the machine is started by depressing the lever 42 as described above, the stop finger 34 is moved away from the stop abutment 30 to permit engagement of the clutch between the pulley 26 and the shaft 28, thus beginning the operation of the machine. When the finger 84 is movedtoward the left in Fig. 7 to release the abutment as described an arm 282 integral with or secured to move with the finger 34 is simultaneously moved toward the right to permit another finger or stop 284 (Fig. 7 to engage a side fare of the arm 282 near the end thereof and thus lock the finger 34 out, of clutch releasingposition. The finger or step 284 is caused to move into operative posltlon by means of a sprlngpressed plunger 286 acting upon another arm 288 fastened to the stud shaft 278. It will be understood. then that when the upright arm 274 is actuated by movement of the feeler or detector member 2136 downwardly the stop or latch 284 is removed from operative position against one side of the end of the member 282 and thus permits the stop finger 34 to return to operative position under the action of the spring 290. With the stop finger 34 in operative position to engage the abutment 80 the clutch on the shaft 28 is disengaged and the machine stopped At its front end the shaft 12 is provided with a bevel gear 292 which is in constant mesh with a bevel gear 294 which is connected up to drive the knife 150 around the pattern or form 152 by mechanism which forms no part of the present invention but which is fully described in the patent to Julian referred to above. 1

In the operation of the machine a sheet of fabric or rubber material is placed upon a pad and introduced into the machine so that each pad rests upon the feed belts 188, the pad being provided so that the edge of the knife 150 may pass slightly below the lower surface of the material to be cut without being damaged. The work is so placed preliminarily as to engage and lift both of the controlling devices or lever

arms

234 and 266 with the operative end 240 or the lever arm 234 resting in an opening or depression 232 in the material. With the work in position the operator depresses the starting lever 42 which withdraws the stop linger 3% (Fig. 7) from beneath the abutment of the clutch member, thus permitting the clutch to operatively connect the pulley 26 with the shaft 28 (Figs. 2 and 3) whereupon the pulley 26, which is constantly driven, drives the shaft 28 in the direction of the arrow Fig. 7, and rotation of the shaft causes, through the mechanism described, a feed movement of the belts for carrying the work beneath the cutting mechanism, (provided the feeler 2&0 is not already engaged in a depression), the feeding movement of the belts continuing until a depres sion is positioned directly below the operative end 240 of the feeler or detector mem her 284. As the end l0 drops into the depression in the material the feeding stops through the engagement of the pawl 252 with the ratchet wheel 258, thus releasing the feeding shaft 20 from the driving sleeve 210 as above described. llLieantime the rota tion of the cam let on the shaft 28 causes the work support to be lifted as the roller 18% travels along the cam slot 186 in said cam wheel (Fig. 7), the work support being maintained in raised position while the roller travels along the concentric portion of said slot as above described. ll ith the work stationary and clamped against the form or pattern 152, the knife operating mechanism is thrown into operation through the engagement of the cam projection L6 on cam member 42*: with the rounded end of the lever e8 (Figs. 3 and T) by which the power pulley 18 on the shaft 12 is moved into clutching engagement with the clutch member 20 fastened to the shaft 12. the end of half a revolution of the shaft 28 the stop abutment 32 comes in contact with a stop finger 144 (Fig. 2) which is parallel with the stop finger 34 '7) thus un clutching the driving pulley 26 from the shaft 28. Shaft 12 continues to rotate until the cam projection 90 on the cam plate (Fig. 7) is moved in the direction o l the arrow back to a position to engage with and lift the lever arm 86 which is mounted on shaft 50, the latter having fixedly secured thereto the arm 98 which actuates the clutch member 82 (Fig. as above described to move the power pulley 18 away from the clutch member 20 against the resistance of the spring 88. At th same time that the shaft 12 has ceased its rotation the cam proiection 130 on the cam plate 128 T) engages with the lever 132 and withdraws the stop finger i lll from engagement with the abutment 32. thus permitting the clutching of the power pulley 2 6 to the shaft 28,

and starting again the cycle of operations beginning with the feeding of the work and the lifting the work support. During all 1 armatthis time the stop linger 3a which was moved laterally to release the abutment 30 in starting the machine has been held out of operative position by the engagement of the stop arm 28% (Fig. 7) with the end of arm 282 which is attached rigidly to the same shaft that carries the stop arm 84:. Moreover, this stop finger 34 is held out of operative position until the material is all operated upon, that is until the feeler or detector member 270 drops off of the end of the work, whereupon the arm 274: (Fig. 7) engages with the lever arm 276 to remove the stop arm 28a and thus permit the stop finger 3a to move back into position to engage the abutment 82 whereupon the clutch is thrown out and the machine stopped after finishing its cycle of operations. It is pointed out that while the stop finger 141- is controlled by mechanism in the machine comprising the cam projection 180 on the cam plate 128 to remove the stop finger 1% from the path of the abutment 32, there is no means automatically operated for removing the stop linger 3 1: from operative position with respect to the stop 30, this latter operation being accomplished through depression of the starting lever 4&2 by the operator. It will be clear that the machine operates automatically to feed the work and cut blanks therefrom without further attention on the part of the operator after the work has been introduced and the machine once started. in Fig. 7 the machine is shown with the work support depressed in work receiving position and with the operating parts of the machine at rest through the operation of the stop finger 3 1 in co-operation with the abutment 3G in the clutch device on shaft 28. When the machine is started from this position the feeding and work support lifting mechanisms are operated through one half of a revolution of the shaft 28 which is then stopped by the engagement of the abutment 32 with the stop finger 1&4; Thereafter the shaft 28 makes complete revolution :t'ollowing each. operation of the blank :li'orming device, the arrangement being such that the work support rises and falls during each revolution of the shaft 28 to permitthe work to be fed and to clamp the work yieldingly against the pattern or form ll'loreover. the work feeding device is operated during both the downward and upward mo ement of the work support thus furnishing a relatively long period during which the feeding device may operate. It will be understood, however. that the operation of the feeding means is so controlled by the feeler or detector 234: that the feeding of the work is stopped on the instant that the end 240 of the feeler drops into one of the depressions in the work.

It will be evident that the pattern 152 may he changed to substitute another of different size or shape without affecting the operation of the machine, since the feeding of the work is controlled by the depression which is opposite the center of the blank. In the case of rubber fabric it is immaterial that the cutting of smaller blanks leaves a greater amount of waste since the waste material may be returned to the mass of rubber and remolded into the new sheets prepared for blank cutting operations.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. In a machine for operating on work having medallions or other designs stamped thereon in spaced relation to each other, a work support, means for feeding the work over the support, organized to run continuously in the'absence of outside control, and means controlled with relation to the designs on the work for governing the operation of the work feeding means.

2. In a machine of the class described, a reciprocable work support, means carried by the work support for feeding the work thereover, and means for simultaneously operating the work support and the work feeding means to cause operation of the work feeding means during reciprocation in both directions of the work support.

3. In a machine of the class described, blank forming devices, a carriage, a work support and means for feeding work over the support both carried by said carriage in movements toward and from said blank forming devices, and means controlled by the work for governing the operation of the feeding means.

4. In a machine of the class described. a movable work support, means carried by the work support for feeding the work there over, means for operating the work support and for sinuiltaneously operating the work feeding means on both the work presenting and work releasing movements of the work support, and means controlled by the work for controlling said work feeding means.

5. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting table, work feeding means carried by the table for progressing the work across the latter, means organized for driving the feeding means continuously in the absence of outside control, and means controlled by a characteristic of the works for stopping the feeding means at predetermined intervals.

6. In a machine of the class described, a work support, work feeding means operative to progress the work across the work support, means for operating the work feeding means comprising a clutch mechanism, means mounted on the table for controlling said clutch, means controlledby the work for determining the time of operation of the controlling means to stop the feed of the work, and means automatically operative to restart the feeding of the work.

7. In amachine of the class described, a work operating tool, a carriage comprising a work support, means mounted on the carriage for feeding work over the support, means for moving the carriage vertically to present the work on the support to the work operating tool, means for operating the work feeding means comprising a clutch, and a work-controlled member mounted on the carriage for controlling said clutch.

8. In a machine of the class described, a work support, means carried thereby for feeding the work over the support, means for operating the work support and the work feeding means simultaneously, means controlled by the work for governing the operation of the work feeding means, and means on a stationary part of the machine for setting the governing means in operative osition.

9. 'n a machine of the class described, a work support, work feeding means carried by the support for feeding work thereover, means for operating the work support and the work feeding means simultaneously comprising a counter shaft, a main shaft, blank forming means operated by said main shaft and means operated by said main shaft for controlling the operation of said counter shaft.

10. In a machine of the class described, a work support, means carried thereby for feeding the work over the support, means mounted on the stationary frame of the machine for operating the work support and the work feeding means simultaneously, means carried by the work support and controlled by the work for governing the operation of the work feeding means, and means on a stationary part of the machine for setting the governing means in operative position.

11. In a machine of the class described, a work support, work feeding means carried by the support for feeding work thereover, means for operating the work support and the work feeding means simultaneously comprising a counter shaft, a main shaft, blank forming means operated by said main shaft, and a cam operated by said main. shaft for controlling the operation of said counter shaft.

12. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting table, work feeding means carried by the table for progressing the work across the latter, means for driving the feeding means continuously in one direction, means controlled by a characteristic of the work for stopping the feeding means at predetermined intervals, and means controlled by the work for stopping the machine.

13. In a machine of the class described. a work support, work feeding means carried by the work support and operative to progress the work across the table, means for operating the work feeding means continuously in one direction comprising a clutch mechanism, means mounted on the table for controlling said clutch, and means controlled by the work for determining; the time of operation of the first mentioned controlling means.

14. In a machine of the class described, awork operating tool, a carriage comprising a work support, means mounted on the carriage for feeding work over the support, means for moving the carriage vertically to present the work on the support to the work operating tool, means for operatingthe work feeding means comprising a clutch,

a member mounted on the carriage for controlling said clutch, and means controlled by the work for controlling said member.

15. In a machine of the class described, a wor I support, cutting mechanism for operating on material on the support. means for progressing the material across the support, means for operating the material pro grossing means, means controlled by the work for determining the position of the work for a cutting operation, and separate means controlled by the work for terminating the operation of the ma iine.

16. In a machine of the class described, a carriage comprising a work support, means mounted on the carriage for feeding work over the work support, cutting mechanism mounted above the work support and toward which the work support is moved to present the work for cutting operations, means for lifting: the carriage to cause the work support to present the work to the cutting mechanism, and mechanism mounted on the stationary portions of the frame for operating the work feeding; means and the carriage lifting means.

17. In a machine of the class described, a pattern adapted to be pressed upon the work, a cutter arranged for movement around the pattern to cut blanks from the material, a carriage comprising a work support, means for moving the work over the support, means for moving the carriage to press the wok against the pattern, means for operating the feeding means continu ously in one direction comprisi. a clutch, means mounted. on the carriage for controlling the clutch, :neans controlled by the work for controlling said first mentioned controlling means, and means mounted on a stationary part of the machine frame and operative to move the clutch controlling means to inoperative position.

18. In machine of the class described, a work support, means for feeding the work over the support comprising an endless belt,

means tordrivine the belt continuously in one direction comprising a clutch, a ratchet member in said clutch, a pawl adapted to engage selectively with the teeth of said ratchet to stop the movement of the belt, and means controlled by the work support for moving said pawl to inoperative position to release the clutch and initiate feeding movement of the belt.

19. In a machine of the class described, a pattern adapted to be pressed upon the work, a cutter arranged for movement around the pattern to cut blanks from the material, a carriage comprising a work support, means for moving the work over the support, means 'for moving the carriage to press the work against the pattern, means for operating the feeding means continuously in one direction comprising a clutch, means mounted on the carriage for controlling the clutch, means controlled by the work for controlling said first mentioned controlling means, and means mounted on a stationary part of the machine frame and operative to set the clutch controlling; means upon downward movement of the carriage.

20. In a machine of the class described, a work support, means for feeding the work over the support, means for driving the feeding means continuously in one direction comprising a clutch, a ratchet member in said clutch, a pawl adapted to engage selectively with the teeth of said ratchet to cause disconnection of the clutch and stoppage of the feeding means, and means controlled by the work for determining the time of operation of said pawl.

21. In a maehineof the class described, a work support, cutting mechanism for operating on material on the support, means for progressing the material across the support, means for operating the material progressing means, means controlled by the work for determining the position of the work for a cutting operation, and separate means controlled by the work for terminating; the operation of the machine.

22. In a machine of the class described, a carriage comprising a work support, means mounted on the carriage for feeding work from the work support, cutting mecl anism mounted above the work support and toward which the work support is moved to present the work for cutting operations, means for lifting the carriage to cause the work support to press the work against the cutting mechanism, mechanism mounted on the stationary portions of the frame for operating the work feeding means and the carriage lifting means, and manually operable means for initiating the operation of said operating mechanism.

, 23. In a machine of the class described, blank forming devices, means for operating said devices comprising a main shaft, means the counter shaft, means on the counter' shaft,

for causing the connection of the other power pulley with the inain shaft, means operated by the main shaft for controlling the connection of the first mentioned power pulley with its counter shaft, and means controlled byv the work for unclutching the firstmentioned power pulley from the counter shaft and thus terminating the operation of the machine.

24. In a machine of the class described, blank forming devices, means for operating said devices comprising a main shaft, means for presenting the work to the blank forming device comprising a work support, means for feeding the work over the support, means for operating the work support and the work feeding means comprising a counter shaft, a power pulley on said counter shaft, and means under the control of the operator for clutching the power pulley to the counter shaft, a power pulley and brake mechanism on the main shaft, means on the counter shaft for controlling the application of the pulley and brake on the main shaft, and means operated by the main shaft for controlling the clutching and unclutching of the power pulley on the counter shaft so that the counter shaft is caused to operate in timed relation with the operations of the main shaft whereby blanks are formed from successive portions of the sheet material.

25. In a machine of the class described, a work support, means for feeding the work across the work supporting surface of the work support, a tool for operating on the work, operating mechanism for the work feeding means comprising a clutch, a feeler mounted to contact with the work and operative to control the clutch whereby the work is stopped in position for the operation of the too and means automatically operative to restart the feeding of the work after the operation of the tool.

26. In a machine of the class described, a tool for operating on the work, a carriage comprising a work support, means mounted on the carria 'e for feeding the work over the support, mechanism for moving the carriage vertically to present the work on the support to the tool, operating mechanism for the work feeding means comprising a clutch, and a feeler arranged to contact with the work and to be operated thereby for governing the clutch whereby the Work may be brought to rest in proper position for the operation of the tool.

27. In a machine for operatingon work having medallions or other designs stampedthereon spaced relation to eachother, a} work support, meansfor feeding, the work over the support, a tool for operatingon the work, means for lifting the work'suppo'r't to present the work to; the tool, a; feeler arranged to rest on the work while the latter is being fed and tobe operate d by the work as the medallions arrive successively in posltlon beneath thetool, and connfectionsbetween the feeler and the work feeding means whereby operation of the} latter is discon-c tinu'ed when each medallion has arrived in proper relation to the cutting; tool.

28. In a machine for operating on; sheets of material having medallions or other designs inspaced relation thereon, a table for supporting the sheet material, means carried by the table for moving the sheet material across the work supporting surface thereof, a tool for cutting blanks from the sheet material, the table being movable toward and from the tool to permit feeding of the work and to present the work to the tool, a feeler for contacting with the sheet material and arranged to be operated by the sheet material whenever the end of the feeler comes directly opposite one of the medallions or designs on the sheet material, and connections between the feeler and the feeding means for the sheet material to stop the operation of the latter when a medallion on the sheet material is located in proper relation to the cutting tool.

29. In a machine of the class described, a work support, a tool for operating on mate rial on the support, means for moving the material across the work supporting surface of the support, a feeler arranged to contact with the material and to be operated thereby when the work is in proper position for the operation of the tool, connections between the feeler and the feeding means to stop the work in the position described, and a detector also arranged to rest on the work and movable to detect the absence of work and to stop the machine when the work is exhausted;

30. In a machine of the class described, a work support, a tool for operating on material on the support, means for moving the material continuously across the work supporting surface of the support, a feeler arranged to contact with the material and to be operated thereby when the work is in proper position for the operation of the tool, and connections between the feeler and I sheet material, means for feeding the sheet material over the support, means for driving the feeding means continuously in one direction comprising a clutch, a feeler ar ranged to contact with the work in line with the cup shaped depressions and to drop into each depression in turn, and" connections between the feeler and the clutch whereby the feeding means is stopped whenever the feeler drops into one of the depressions, a tool for operating on the work, and means for lifting the work support to present the sheet material to the tool with the medallion properly positioned in the field of operation of the tool.

32. In a machine for operating on work having medallions or other designs stamped thereon in spaced relation to each other, a work support, feed belts for moving the work over the support, a tool for operating on the work to cut blanks therefrom, means for lifting the work support to present the work to the tool, means for driving the feed belts so as to feed the work over the support during movements of the work support toward and away from the tool, a feeler arranged to rest on the work while the latter is being fed and to be operated by the work as the medallions arrive successively in position beneath the tool, and connections between the feeler and the feed belt driving means whereby operation of the latter is discontinued when each medallion has arrived in proper relation to the cutting tool.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

EUGENE J. RAY.