US1507007A - Wire-forming machine - Google Patents

Description

sept. 2 1924. 1,507,007

F. H.' SLEEPER WIRE FORMING MCHINE Ea Q o o j/ f 15/6 @per Ef Nfl-Wirf Sept. 2 1924.

F. H. SLEEPER WIRE FORMING MACHINE Filed Jan. 5, 1923 I5 Sheta-Shest 3 Patented Sept. 2, 1924.

FRANK H. SLEEPER., OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS. ASSIGNOB. T0 SLEEPER &

HARTLEY, INC., OF WORCESTER. MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATON OF MASSA- cHUsET'rs.

WIRFPFORMING MACHINE.

Application filed January 5, 1923.

To El whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, FRANK H. SLEEPER, a citizen of the Dominion of Canada, residing at li'lorcester, in the county of JWorcester and State ot Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful lire-Forming Machine, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a machine for forming wires in various shapes by a series of bending operations or the like.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a machine for this urpose which will be capable oi: bending wires into forms longer than can. be taken care of by the ordinary machines forgthis genera-l purpose, called four slide machines in the trade. Those machines deliver the article down through a central opening, and they are so arranged that it has to pass out through this opening flatwise so that the diameter ot the opening has to be as great as thc length of the article in its longest direction. As the size ot' this opening controls the size of the machine, any increase in this diameter greatlyrincreases the weight and cost ot the machine and it has not been practical. heretofore to produce articles on them more than a tew inches long.

Another object of the invention is to plo vide a Series of bending devices adjustable at will and in all directions over the surface of the table on which the wire is to be bent and all capable of being operated by adjustatble pull rods from the same cam shaft.

Another object of the invention is to provide an arrangement by which the straight wire is cut ofi1 and delivered to the machine at the top` off an inclined table, a pair of the bending devices being simultaneously operated at the proper instant to move close enough to the table to Jform stops to receive the wire and hold it while the bending op- @rations are being performed upon it.

Another object is to provide co-operating with the bending devices just above mentioned one or more additionalV bending devices on the inclined table arranged to engage the wire and form it in such a manner as may be desired. These. devices,ras stated. `are all adjustable on the surface of the table and their operating means are adjustable alsoin order that they may operate in proper sequence. There may be several of them. Y I alsofprovide these devices in two sets Serial No. 610,812.

or in airs, operating those ot each pair fronitie same cams preferably so that they will be forced to move in unison and have the same amplitude of motion.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter. Y,

Reference is to be had to the :accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a view of a preferred embodiment of this invention, looking toward the inclined table in a direction perpendicular thereto;

F ig. 2 is a sectional View on therline 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing by the arrow l the direction in which Fig. 1 is taken;

F ig. 3 is a top end view, looking in the direction of the arrow 3 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a bottoni end view.` looking in the direction of the arrow el in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an end view, looking in the direction of the arrow 5 in Fig. 4 showing one ot' the Gains;

Figs. 6, 7 and S are section-.1l views of, the inclined table, showing the operation of one of the rst winding heads and its relation to some of the other parts and illustrating three steps in the operation oi bending the wire through a right angle; i

Figs. 9 3 inclusive are sectional views of one set of winding heads taken on a plane parallel to the table and showing successive steps in the operation ot' bending one end of the wire in accordance with this invention, to produce the product which is shown in Fig. 14V.; and

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 14, showing another form in which the wire can be bent with this saine machine by changing the location, arrangement and amount.V of turning motion of the saine tools used to make the wire shown in Figs. l?) and 14.

I have provided a machine which coinprises a frame 10 suitably supported and a table 11 carriedthereby in an inclined position. Cto-operating with the machine is a wire feeding device of any desired kind'indicated here diagrammaticallyby a pair of feed rolls 12 located at the top of this table and near one end thereof. These feed rolls. rio-operating with the rest of the Jfeeding device, feed the wire into a pair of reg? istering grooves plancd in a fixed horizontal bar 13 along the top of the table 11` and a jaw 14 parallel therewith but pivoted on a top horizontal shaft 15. This jaw is capable lll) of swinging away from the bar 13 as shown in Figs. 6 and 7 to deliver the wire W from this passage. It is caused to swing periodically by a cam on a shaft or any other part that rotates in unison with the cam shaft to be described. On this part of the device there is an adjustable stop 16 carried by the horizontal bar 17 and adapted to stop the feed of the wire into the machine. The wire is also cut off by an autonfiaticl cutting blade 18, means for operating which l have not shown herein as it does not constitute a part of this invention.

The power from the machine is taken from anyudesired source as for example the horizontal shaft 20 above the table and at one end thereof transmitted to a cam shaft 21 which is located horizontally and supported in bearings on brackets 22 bolted to the bottom of the table on the front side thereof. This shaft extends across an open space 23 in the center of the table at the bottom through which the product is adapted to be delivered. It has these bearing brackets 22 on both sides of this space below the part of the table which carries the wire forming mechanism.

On the shaft 21 are three pairs of cams 26, 27 and 28. It is to be noted that there is one cam of each of these pairs on each side of the open space 23, the two cams of each pair being exactly alike. These cams operate three pairs of pivoted arms 30, 31 and 32 also duplicated on the other side of the machine. These arms constitute in each case one arm ot' a bell crank, the other arm of which extends at any desired angle and has a wide surface in which are provided perforations for two pins connecting them in each case with two pull rods 33, 34 and 35 respectively. lt is to be noted that the number is doubled here and there are twelve of these rods. six on each side of the machine. These pull rods are all independently adjustable and this is accomplished by individual turn buckles 36.

The two pull rods 35 connected with the bell crank 32 diverge so that one of them extends to one side of the machine or table and the other to the other side. Each of them is connected with a bell crank 37 provided with a slot at one end for receiving a pin 38 connected with a slidable center pin 39 supported by a stationary head L10. This pin is located perpendicular to the table 11 and the rotation of the cam forces it down substantially into contact with the table once during each revolution of the cam shaft. The end of this center pin constitutes a stop for the wire so that when the wire is dropped from the jaws 13 and 14 it will be stopped by it, as indicated in Fig. 6.

It may be stated at this time that four of these heads 40 are shown here although a different number may be used. Each of the heads is mounted at the end of a horizontal bracket 41 which is provided with longitudinal slots. By means of bolts these brackets are located in any desired longitudinal adjustment on a pair of slotted vertical brackets 42. The latter are held. by the same or other bolts, in longitudinal adjustment through perforations 43 at the two ends of the table. The brackets 41 can be adjusted longitudinally themselves and they can also be adjusted up and down on the table in the slots in the brackets 42 which also can be adjusted. In fact, they can be adjusted to angular positions or in any desired way'and the adjustments are universal and unrestricted except by the size of the ma chine. These heads are located in this manner at any desired points on the face of the table 1l so as to get the various bends in the wire at the proper distances apart and with proper relations to each other in the plane of the table.

The operation of the pins 39 is limited to a reciprocating motion. They are slidingly keyed to prevent rotation. Each of these pins is provided at the bottom with a slot 45 opening out sideways from the center so that the part beyond the center constitutes the stop referred to above. They also have a deeper diametrical slot 46 perpendicular to the slot 45 for receiving the wire, as indicated in Figs. 8 and 9 and holding it during the bending operation.

The rods 34 extend from their respective bell cranks 31 to the two heads 40 located near the top ot the table. They are each connected with a bell crank 51 projectingr from a winding head 50, rotatable in the head 4:0 and surrounding the conter pin 39, for giving the winding head a reciproca tion each time the cam 27 operates the bell crank 31.

The two rods 33 on the right hand side of the machine are connected with arms 47 fixed to a pair of gear segments 48. each of which meshes with a pinion 49 tixed on the end of the windingr sleeve 50. This causes the winding head to oscillate also at the proper time. The efl'ect of these motions will be described in connection with the tigures on the last sheet. lt is to be observed here that although l have described only half of the mechanism shown. the other half on the other side of the table operates the same way but at a later time in the cycle to actuate the center' pins and winding heads of the two lower heads 10.

The operation of the machine when set up in the way shown here is as tollows:-

First, the wire is lcd in against the stop and cut oft automatically. Then the two upper center pins 39 descend to the position shown in Fig. 6 and the jaw 14 opens to let the wire out. The two center pins 39 are at the same level in the adjustment shown lltl 3. In a wire forming machine, the combination of an inclined table, meanscfor discharging a wire on said table near the top so that the wire will roll down the table, stops located over the table for limiting the rolling motion of the wireand means for operating said stops to move them into and then out of the `path of the wire. Y

4. In a wire forming machine, the combination of a bnr and jaw Jfor receiving a wire between them, means for moving the jaw away from the bar to release the wire, a table located below the bar and jaw to receive the wire therefrom, a pair of center pins above the table. means for moving said center pins to a position .in which they will prevent the passage ,of the wire between them and the table, and means Vfor then moving the center pins inwardly toward the table to retain the wire in position, said center pins having grooves across theirfends for receiving the wire and positively holding it when the pins are forced inwardly.V 'i Y 5. In a wire forming machine, the combination with a pair of jaws for receiving a wire, means Jfor moving one jaw to release the wire, an inclined table located below the jaws to receive the wire therefrom, a pair of center pins above the table, means for moving said pins to a position in which they will prevent the passage of the wire below and beyond them, means Jfor then `moving; the center pins inwardly toward the table to retain the wire in position, sai center pins having grooves across their ends for receiving the wire and holding it when the pins are forced inwardly, a winding head surrounding each center pin, and means tor turning said winding heads around the center pins to bend the wires where they project beyond the pins.

6. In a wire forming machine, the com bination of an inclined table witha center pin having a projection Y at the bottom, whereby a wire rolling along the table will be stopped and held by saidY projection, the center pin also having a groove across it, whereby when lowered Jfurther it will clamp the wire in position andhaving an slot on its rear side in the plane oi saidgroove, a winding head oscillatably mounted on said center pin, and means for turning Vsaid winding head to swing the projectin end of a wire supported by the pin aroun Y into said offset slot, whereby a sharp .angled bend can be provided. Y 7. In a wire forming machine, the combination of an inclined table with a pair of center pins each having a projection atrthe bottom, means for moving said centerY pins into such position that the projections Vsubstantially come into registration with the surface of the table, whereby arwire rolling along the table from above' will'Vl be stopped and held by Said Prolefffqns Lampo? the center pins also having a diametrical groove across them, wherebyV when lowered further they will clampv the wire'in position and having offset slots on their rear sides in the plane of said grooves, a. winding head oscillatably mounted on each center pin, and means for turning sai windM ing heads to swing the projecting ends of a wire supported by the two pins around into said oliset slots, whereby two sharp angled bends can be provided.

8. In a wire forming machine, the comb-ination of atablewith a center in having a projection at the end, means ihr moving said center pin into such position that the projection substantially comes into registration with the surfaces of the table, whereby a wire moving along the table will be stopped and held by said projection, the center pin also having a diametrical groove across it, whereby when lowered further lit will clam the wire in position, a winding head osci latably mounted on said center pin, means for turning said winding head to swing the projecting end of a wire supported against the pin around to provide a bend in the wire, and means for moving the Winding head in the direction of the axis of the center pin and into and out of operative position.

9. In a wire forming machine, the combination of an inclined table with a pair of center pins for stop ing a wire rolling down the ltalfile from a ove, la winding head osciliatabiy` mounted on each center pin, means vfor turning said winding heads to swing the projecting ends of a wire around the pins, an additional winding head located on the table at a point below one of the first mentioned winding heads and center pins and having a center in located in position toY engage the side o the wire when bent around one yof the first named center pins and constituting a stop for it, means for turning the last named winding hea-d into a position to engageV the wire and turn it about its center pin to form .another Vbend in the wire, and means for thereafter raising the winding heads and center pins to release the bent wire' and allow it to slide down the table to be delivered.

10. In awire forming machine, the combination with an inclined iat table, of a series of brackets Ycarried by said table, each having a winding head and a center pin thereon, means w ereby said brackets may be adjusted to bring t e center pin into any desired position on the table, two of said center pins being located in position to constitute stops for wires roiling down the table. means coo rating4 with said center pinsffor bending ,e wires about them Vas centers, means along the table below the said center pins for :up rting anadditional pair 4of winding hea andcepter'pins in anyA e- A .'ff.

1,507 oov siredv adjusted position sol that when the ends of'ftlie wires are. bent around the first pair ot`l` center pins they will' come into contactlwith another pain of center pins and the Wires Willbe bent! therearound'to form a further bend near each end Y 11-1 In a wire forming machine, the com. bination with an inclined table, off' av pair of' winding heads adjustnbly locatedy near the top of the table, having center. pins adaptedito act as stops for aV Wire rollin down the table. a cam shaft5 a plurality o? cams thereon, a pair of longitudinally adi jnstable rods arranged to bev operated by each ofsaid'cams, one rod`oiiea'chpairV eX- tendin tofoneofsaidr'headsand the other rod of each pair to the other head,` means connectediwith one rodfor raisingV and'loW- eri'ngthe center pin, means connected with the second rod on the same side o the ma:- ch'ine for raising and lowering the Winding heed and means connected with the third rodi on the same side of the machine for oscillating the .winding head:

12.A Iii a wire forming machine". the combination with an inclinedtabl, offa pair of Winding heads adjnstably located near the top of the table, having center pins adapted to act as stops for a Wire rolling down the table, a cam shaft at the bottom of said table, a plurality of cams thereon, a pair of longitudinally adjustable rods arranged to be operated by each of said cams, one rod of each pair extending to one of said heads and the other rod of each pair to the other head. means connected with one rod for raising and lowering the center pin, means connected with the second rod on the same side of the machine for raising and lowering the Winding head, means connected with the third rod on the same side of the machine for oscillating the Winding head, the rods extending to the other side of the machine having corresponding connections, additional winding heads and center pins located on said table, a second series of cams located on said shaft, and adjustable rods connected with the cams and with the second series of heads and center pins for operating the same.

13. In a Wire forming machine, the combination with a table, of a pair of Winding heads located over the table. having center pins adapted to act as stops for a Wire on the table. a cam shaft, a plurality of cams thereon, a pair of rods arranged to be operated by each of said cams, one rod of each pair extending to one of said heads and the other rod of each pair to the other head, means connected with one rod for moving the center pin toward and from the table, means connected with the second rod on the same side of the machine for moving the Winding head toward and from the table, means connected with the third rod on the same side of the machine for oscillating the winding; heath the rods extending to the other side of-tlie machineliaving corresperidi ing connections; additional winding Heads and center' pins lbcated onA saiirlv table; a second series off cams locatedlon saidshait, and rods connectcdfwiththe-cams andfwith the second'serics'oiilieads and "center pinsifor operating the same.`

145'Ih a- Wirefrming machine, the cornbiuationwvitii a table,` of a pair ofwindi'rig heads located near the table; having` center pinsfadaptedfto actiasistopsrfor a wireonthe tabie; a-cam shaft, a pliiraiitytoffoamsitiere# on, aI pair 'of rods 'arrangedto' lie operated by' eaehv offsaid'f eamsl one" rodfoleach* pair extending tb -one'oisaid headseand ftheiaotlier rodr of each pairto theotherhead,I means coi'inecteds with one rod for raising@ mid lowering. tliecenter pin. means connected with the secondi rod" on the same side ofthe machine for raising#andlovlreringrtheWind ing head, andimeans lconnectedtwitih thefthiild rodi on the same sideYY onthemachinei for oscillating the- Windingr head? 15". Ih alwire'fianingfmaohine; tle combination Withaftabl, o'ffaiserieso'f hl'akets carrifs-iby said'tahle; eaclihaviiig amindinvg head and a center pin thereon, two of said center pins being located in position to constitute stops for wires on the table, means (1o-operating with said center pins for bending the wires about them as centers. means along the table beyond the said center pins for supporting an additional pair of Winding heads and center pins so that when the ends of the Wires are bent around the first pair of center pins they will come into contact with another pair of center pins and the Wires will be bent therearound to form a further bend near each end.

16. In a Wire forming machine, the combination of a table with a pair of center pins, a Winding head oscillatably mounted on each center pin means for turning said winding headsl to swing the projecting ends of a Wire around the pins, an additional Winding head located on the table and having a center pin located in osition to engage the side of the wire when ent around one ofthe first named center pins and constituting a stop for it, means for turning the last named windingr head into a position to engage the Wire and turn it about its center pin to form another bend in the Wire, and means for thereafter raising the winding heads and center pins to release the bent Wire.

17. In a wire forming machine, the combination of a table with a pair of center pins each having a projection at the end, means for moving said center pins into such position that the projections substantially come into registration with the surface of the table` whereby a wire on the table will be held by said projections, the center pins grooves` a winding head oscillatably mounted on each center pin, and means for turning said winding heads to swin the projecting ends of a wire supporte by the two pins around into said offset slots, whereby two sharp angled bends can be provided. 18. In a wire forming machine, the combination of a table with a center pin having a projection at the end whereby a wire rolling on the table will be held by said projection, the center pin also having a groove across it, Whereb when moved further it will clamp the wire in position and having a slot on its rear side in the plane of said groove, a winding head oscillatably mounted on said center pin` and means for turn ingsaid Winding head to swing the projecting end of a wire supported by the pin around into said o'set slot, whereby a sharp angled bend can be provided.

19. In a wire forming machine, the con bination with a table, a pair of center pins above the table, of means for moving said pins to a position in which they will prevent the passage of the wire beyond them, means for then moving the center pins inwardly toward the table to retain the wire in position` said center pins having grooves across their ends for receiving the wire and holding it when the pins are Jforced inwardly, a winding head surrounding each center pin, and means tor turning said winding heads around the center pins to bend the wires where they project beyond the pins.'

20. In a wire forming machine, the combination of a table, a pair of center pins above the table, means for moving said. center pins to a position in which they will prevent the passage of the wire between them and the table, and means for then moving the center pins inwardly toward the table to retain the wire in position, said center pins having grooves across their ends Jfor receiving the wire and positively holding` it when the pins are forced inwardly.

It testimony whereof I have hereunto atiixed my signature.

FRANK H. sLEnPnR.

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