US1520419A

US1520419A - Metal-folding machine

Info

Publication number: US1520419A
Application number: US622601A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jones Laban Ellsworth
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1923-03-03
Filing date: 1923-03-03
Publication date: 1924-12-23
Anticipated expiration: 1941-12-23

Description

Dec. 1924. 1,520,419

L. E. JONES METAL FOLDING MACHINE Filed March 5, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 24- 1,520,419

-L. E. JONES METAL FOLDING MACHINE Filed March 5, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 swam Lick:

paw/WW L. E. JONES METAL FOLDING MACHINE Filed March 5, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 1,520,419 L. E. JONES METAL FOLDING MACHINE Filegl March 5, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Dec. 3, 1924. 1,520,419

L. E. JONES MET AL FOLDI NG MACHINE Filed March 5, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 l WNW Patented Dec. 23, 1924.

STATES FFICE.

LAIBAN ELLSWORTH J ONES, OF ANACONDA, MONTANA.

METAL-FOLDING MACHINE.

Application filed March 3, 1923. Serial No. 622,601.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, LABAN ELLSWORTH J ONES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Anaconda, in the county of Deerlodge and State of Montana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Metal- Folding Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This application relates to apparatus for making metal roofing strips or shingles, and more particularly to apparatus for making roofing strips or shingles of the type described in the Patent No. 1,428,169 granted to Laist and Jones, Sept. 5, 1922.

t is the general object of the invention to provide a metal folding machine which 1s simple in construction and operation.

it is anotner particular object to provide a machine in which all operations are carso ried out simultaneously in a single stroke.

The principles of operation on which the invention is based, and the advantages resuiting therefrom will be apparent from the description in connection with the appended drawings, and the points of novelty will be particularly pointed out in the claims.

in the drawings:

Figure 1 is a cross section of a machine embodying the invention;

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are detail views, partly in section, showing so much of the mechanism as is necessary to make one fold;

Figs. and 6 are detail views, partly in section, showing so much of the mechanism 35 as is necessary to make a second fold;

l igs. 7 and 8 are detail views showing so much of the mechanism as is necessary to making a third fold;

Fig. 9 is a detail view, partly in section, of so much of the mechanism as is necesto make a fourth fold;

Figs. 10 and 11 are a plan view and a sectional View, respectively, of an arrangement forming an important detail of the machine; and

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a shingle formed.

The shingle 32 shown in Fig. 12 fairly indicates the general character of roofing strips or shingles formed by the apparatus constituting the subject matter of this invention.

The shingle 32 has four folds, 34, 35, 86 and 37. The fold 34 represents the lower or butt end, and the fold the upper end of a shingle, while the folds 36 and 37 are the side folds.

The upper fold contains a portion 35 which is nailed to the sheathing and the interspace 35 receives the portion 34 of the butt fold of the next higher shingle. The side folds 36 and 37 are turned in opposite directions, as is well understood.

Having reference to Fig. 1, a frame 10 supports the operating mechanism including a stationary table 11 and a stationary superstruction 12.

The operating mechanism essentially comprises four distinct parts disposed substantially at right angle to each other in quadrangular relation to fold the four edges of a metal strip which is placed upon the table 11. Generally stated, the operating mechanism includes means for automatically positioning a metal strip in a definite relation to the table, and the folding elements, and means for automatically ejecting the folded strip.

The feeding and ejecting mechanisms are so correlated that a strip is fed into position while a folded strip is ejected. As indicated in Fig. 1, two

cams

13 and 14 are mounted in juxtaposition on the same shaft 15, and are engaged by the arms 16 and 17 of a compound lever mounted on a shaft 18, and having an arm 19. The two cams are complementary to each other and so shaped as to positively rock the arm 19 forth and back during a small interval of the angular movement of the shaft 15, and to maintain the arm 19 at rest during the greater part of the said angular motion.

The arm 19 is connected by means of

pivoted links

20 and 21 to a rock shaft 22 to which are keyed, or otherwise rigidly connected, arms 23. The arms 23 are spaced along the shaft 22, but have the same angular relation thereto. To the free ends of the arms 23 are pivotally connected rods 24 and 25, respectively. The rods 2% are pivotally connected to ejector elements, preferably rods or fiat strips 26, extending through channels 27 in or below the upper surface of table 11. The rods 25 are pivotally connected to runners 28 having sliding movement in guide slots, preferably near the opposite edges of the feed table 29 which is supported on a frame 30. The runners 28 have a shoulder 28 projecting upwardly above the plane of the feed table 29 vto bear against a strip 31- ofmetal and push it to the left into position upon the table 11 In the position of the operating mechanism shown in Fig. 1, a. roofing strip '32 has just been finished and is about to be ejected; Theejection-is effected by movement of the elements 26 against the folded portion34 of" the strip 32. The arms 16 and lf'lare about: to pass intothe receding portion 13 andv over the projection 14 of the

cams

13 and 14,respectively, and the resulting angular movement of the arms 16 and 17 is translated to the ejecting elements 26, and the runners 28 througharm 19, links 20Iand 21, arms 23 and rods 24 and 25.

Oneof the essential parts of the folding mechanism is a former plate 33 best shown in Fig. 11. This plate has generally the purpose to hold the sheet of metal to be folded; down. upon table 11, and is also instrumental in the formation of the folds 35 and 36 (see Figs. 3 and 8) as will be pointed out. The fold 34 previously re ferred to and the fold 37 effected upon projections 38 and 39, respectively, of table 11 (see Figs. 5.and 9). The former plate 33(see Figs. 10 and 11 has upon its upper surface socket elements 40, into which extend .crank pins 41 at the end of two crank levers 42, which in turn are mounted at the lower ends of

vertical shafts

43 and 44. The shaft 43 is mountedv in the stationary frame 12, and is actuated by a lever 45 which through roller 46, engages a cam slot 47 of a cam 48. The cam 48 is mounted uponshaft 15 which also carries the cams 13 and14. The crank pins 41 in the position shown in Fig. 11 extend only part way into the socket elements 40 so that the plate 33 may have upward motion. Tension springs 49 connected at one end to the frame 12 tend to lift the plate When the clamping frame 50, which has the functionv to clamp the former plate upon the table 11 during part of the operating cycle, is raised,

the springs raise the former plate free of the shingle formed.

However. since two of the edges of the former. plate are overlapped by the folds and 36, the former plate'therefore'must first be moved in its own plane in diagonal direction, as shown in Fig. 10. This is accompli'shed by the interaction of the cam 48 and the lever 45; In the position indicated. in Fig. 10, the .curvein the cam slot47 isabout to swing the lever 45 and with it the crank arms 42 to the dotted line position. The shape of the cam slot is such as to swing the former plate clear of the overhanging folds 35 and 36. WVhen the edges of the former plate are cleared, the springs 49 pull the plate up as far as the relativemovement between the socket elements40 and the crank pins 41 permits.

The angular relation between the cam 48 and"the"c'ams 13" and 14' is such that the movement ofthe plate 33 to the dotted line position takes place just before the ejecting operationv and" the feeding operation commence. The action of springs 49 is of course instantaneous, and-the plate 33- is at once returned to its previous position. As soon as the new sheet31 has reached its final position, the clamping frame 50 is returned to its clamping position, and forces former plate 33 upon the new sheet against the tension of springs 49. Thesliaft44 is mounted in frame 12 and moves with shaft 43 as isunde-rstood, The arms 42 and their connections With plate 33 form a parallel motion arrangement to facilitate the clearing of the plate 33 and its accurate return to the original position,

As soon as the plate 33 is in clamping position, the folding mechanism enters into action to substantially simultaneously form the folds. i

Fig. 2 shows the relation of the new sheet 31 upon the table 11 just after it has reached its final position and beforethe former plate 33 and-the clamping frame 50 have returned to clamping position; Upon the crank 51 is pivotally mounted a crimper plate 52 whichis reciprocated'thereby. Fig. 2 shows the c'rimper plate in its retracted position, its front. edge resting uponthe'table 11. Just as the plate 52 starts upon its forward stroke, the plate 33 and the clamping frame 50 come down upon the plate 31, and securely hold it in position. During the movement of the crank 51 the crimper plate comes in contact with the roller 53, and is.

thereby tilted upwardly whereby the edge portion of, the sheet 31 which projectsbeyond the edge of the former plate is bent and. forms a bightbetween the edge of the former plate and the stationary portion 56. Continued forward movement of the crimper plate 52 tends to force the bight portion into the space between the stationary portion 56, the clamping frame 50 and the former plate'33. At the same time a setting punch 57 descends and forces the upper bight portion upon the crimper plate which in the meantime reaches its extreme forward position, and acts itself as a former plate, as I indicated in Fig. 4. The punch then rises again, and the crimper plate is retracted.

1 The butt end of the shingleisformed by the co-cperation of acrimper plate 58 and a vertical crimper punch 59 upon the projec tion 38 of the table 11. The crimper plate 58 has at its rear end a guide frame 58 defining a guideway 60 whereby the plate has free sliding movement on the crank shaft 61, and at the same time pivotal movement about it. A connecting rod 62 on the crank 63 is pivotally connected to the crimper plate 58 through a depending portion 64. The connecting rod 62 has a depending cam portion 65 co-operating with a roller 65 to lift the rod and with it the crimper plate. The cam is beveled at its rear face to allow the front end of the crimper plate to grad.- ually fall after it has reached its highest position.

The edge of the sheet 31 projects beyond the edge of the projection 38. The crimper plate is moved forwardly and at the same time rises until its edge overlies the projecting part of the sheet 31, and then descends to force the edge of the sheet down. At the same time the crimper punch 59 descends and forces the sheet portion into close contact with the end face of the projection 38. The crimper plate 58 has at its front end a depending bar 66 which has a lower surface 66 substantially parallel with the plate and an upwardly beveled front face 66 The surface 66 and the beveled face 66 cooperate with a stationary element 67 having a horizontal surface 67 and a beveled face 67 to support the crimping plate 58 for movement in horizontal direction near the end of the stroke and finally press the crimping plate against projection 38. The edge portion of the metal sheet 31 is thus bent sharply along the upper edge of the projection 38, and again along the lower edge thereof. The crimper plate 58, the portion 66 and the stationary part 67 are so correlated that the plate 58 just passes below the projection 38. The crimper punch 59 moves downwardly until its bottom surface is flush with the lower surface of the projection 8 it thereby not only effects the bending of the metal sheet along the upper edge of the projection 38, but also positively moves the crimper plate downwardly and thus forms a guide for the latter.

The bottom surface of the crimper pun-ch 59 is beveled rearwardly to prevent an interlocking f the punch and the plate 58 during their relative movement. To the punch 59' are also attached fender plates 68 having beveled bottoms 68 forming continuations of the bevel of the punch 59. By this arrangement a jamming of the plate 58 and the punch 59 is obviated. The plate 58 striking the bevel is deflected downwardly and finally passes under the bottom surface of the punch.

On the stationary cross bar 69 is mounted a guide member 70 for aroller 71 on the punch 59. This element has an angular portion 70 at the top through which a sci screw 70* is adjustable toward and away from the upper surface of cross bar 69. Througn a channel 72 a bolt 7 3 extends into engagement with the guide member 70. The channel 72 has sutficient extent in vertical direction to permit. a limited vertical adjustment of the bolt and the guide member. When the bolt is loosened, the set screw 7 (l may be turned to adjust the guide member 70 and then the bolt may be drawn up to ii the guide member in adjusted position. The guide member has at its bottom a toe 74* During the: downward movement of the punch 59 the roller 71 rolls along the surface of the guide member 7 (l and thereby maintains the punch in contact with the frame 50, the outer surface of which is in vertical alignment with the end surface of the projection 38. The roller 71 comes into contact with the beveled surface of the toe 7 4: as the punch arrives at the end of its stroke. The adjustment of the guide member 70 may be accurately made by means of the set screw 7 (l and the bolt 73 so that at the very end of its stroke the punch 59 is tightly pressed against the folded portion of the metal sheet and the end face of the projection 38.

The folding mechanism for effecting the side folds 36 and 37 is substantially identical.

Having reference to Fig. 7, the arrangement indicates the relative position of the parts immediately after the former plate 33 and the clamping frame 50 have been lowered to clamping position. The edge portion of the metal sheet projects beyond the edge of the table 11.

The crimper tongue 75 is mounted at the front end of a folder frame 76 which has at its rear end a guide 77 defining a guideway 77 co-operating with the crank shaft 78 to permit reciprocating sliding movement as well as pivotal movement of the folder frame 76. The forward portion of the folder frame 76 is supported by means of rollers 79 in cam grooves 80 provided in opposite sides of a housing 81. The folder frame is reciprocated by connecting rods rounected to crank 78 of the crank shaft 78. At the forward end of the holder frame is also mounted a roller 83 below the criniper tongue 75. The cam grooves 80 have a horizontal portion in the rear part of the housing and an upwardly curved portion in the front part thereof. From the position of the crank at the end of its back stroke to the position indicated in Fig. 7 the rollers 79 move through the horizontal portion of the cam grooves and the crimper tongue just passes underneath the ed e of the metal. sheet. During continued movement of the crank the rollers 79 pass through the curved portion of the cam grooves 80 causing the criinper tongue to graduallyrise, thereby folding the edge portionof the metal sheet overthe edge of theformer plate 33.

forward end of the folder frame of undue bending stresses, the pressure roller 83 has been provided. The roller 83 bears a ainst 1 t3 the under side of the projection 8 while the crimper' tongue-'55 slides over the folded I portion 36 of the sheet.

The mechanism for effecting the fold 37 comprises a crimper tongue 85, a'pressureroller 86, a housing 8'? containing cam grooves 88, a connecting rod 89, crank and crank shaft 91, exactly as the mechanism for effecting the fold 36, with the distinction, however, that the relative position of the tongue and the pressure rollerare reversed and the cam grooves 88 are curved downwardly. The tongue 85 passes over the underside of the projection 39 of the table 11, and the roller over a horizontal surface on the clamping frame 50, said sur face being provided by arecess 92 in the side of the frame 50.

The crank shafts referred to are mounted in bearings upon the supporting frame 10, and are interconnected for interdependent operation to substantially simultaneously eflect the different folds during the relatively long interval during which the feeding and ejectingmechanism are at rest. In practice the crank

shafts

51, 61, 78 and 91 are interconnected by bevel gears shown) as is well understood and similar, in

general way, to the arrangement of intergeared shafts shown in the patent to Gustin, No. 3 13,270, dated June 8, 1886.

The crimper punches 57 and 59 are operatedwthrough connecting rods 94'' and '95, respectively, from crank disks 96 and 97 mounted upon shafts 98 and 99', respectively. The

shafts

98 and 99 are mounted in bearings provided in an upward extension 12 of the frame 12. The central web 12 ofthis extension has an opening 12 through which extends a bar 100 to opposite ends of which are connected

rods

101 and 102 supporting the clamping frame 50.

Through the web 12 extends upwardly a rod 108 connected at its lower end to the bar 100. Between the upper end of the rod 103 and the frame extension 12 is interposed a spring 101 tending to lift the clamping frame 50. Thecrank disks 96'and 97 are peripherally formed ascams for actuat (not ing the cross bar- 100 and the clamping:

frame 5'0;sup;port ed thereby. Tliedisks-96 and 97 have a comparatively short cam face 96 and: 9.?of small-radius, "and a comparati ve-ly extended cam' surface 96 and 97- of" larger radius, respectively. During-one revolution of the shafts 98" and 99, the; clamp ing frame 50 is therefore maintained in clamping position during the greater part.

ing operations are completed" and the finished shingle is about to be ejected" concurrently with the feeding of anothermetal to pass out of contacfiwith the bar 100 allowing the latter to rise under the action of spring 104.

At the-same time the crank pins- 943 and ust pass their lowest positions and, areabout to'risc lifting; the crimper p unches 5'9 and 5'5. The pin 94 is sli-ghtlyin advance of the pin 95 and the end of cam face 96", so that the punch 59 is lifted slightly in ad- Pit 2 sheet. The cam faces 96 and 97 are about vance of the punch 5T-and the clamping frame 50,- allowing it toyclear the projection 38 and the finished shingle preparatory to the ejection thereof.

'When thedisk 96 has'continued its rotary movement farenough for the punch 59 to completely clear the pro'jectioni-ES and the upper surface of the finished shingle, the

cam face96 comes in contact with the bar and allows it to almostinstantaneously rise, the shoulder between the-two camsur-v faces being steep and short;

Almost simultaneously with the recession of-the clamping frame and the former plate, which is coincident therewith, the ejecting and feeding mechanism is set into action as previously described; i

Power may be transmitted from a prime mover (not shown). to the shaft 110 and from this shaft motionmay be transmitted to the other shafts by means of the gears 111, 112,113,114, and 116.

In reality the mechanism contains two or more sets of dislrs96, 97, two or more sets of

rods

94, 95, 'twoor more sets of bars 100, and two ormore sets of rods, 101, 102, according to the width'of the roofing strip or shingle to be formed.

In the foregoing I have fully described what I consider to be a preferred embodiment of the invention. I am fully aware, however, that the principle of operation 'o'utlined may find execution in various other ways and by different mechanism. Iv

I claim:- 7

1. In a metal foldingmachinefor making shingles, the combination of a table, a

former plate, and mechanism operative to cyclically move the forinerplate toward and" including means for moving the plate diagonally of the table and then away from the latter.

2. In a metal folding machine for making shingles, the combination of a table, a former plate, and mechanism operative to cyclically move the former plate diagonally of the table, then away from the table and then toward the table to its original position.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, includ ing means for periodically feeding a sheet of metal between the table and the former plate while the latter is in raised position.

4-. In a metal folding machine for making shingles, the combination of a table, a former plate, mechanism operative to cyclically move the former plate diagonally of the table, then away from the table and then toward the table to its original position, means for periodically feeding a sheet of metal between the table and the former plate while the latter is in raised position and means for folding adjacent edges of the sheet upwardly over the edges of the former plate while the latter is in lowered position.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 includ ing two forming portions along adjoining edges of the table and means for folding the remaining edges of the sheet of metal downwardly over said portions.

6. In a metal folding machine for making shingles, the combination of a table, a former plate, resilient means tending to draw the plate away from the table, means periodically operative to force the plate toward the table against the action of said resilient means and mechanism for periodically shifting the plate diagonally of the table, said mechanism being constructed and arranged to permit movement of the plate to ward and away from the table.

7 Apparatus according to claim 6 including means periodically operative to feed a sheet of metal between the table and the former plate when the latter is in a raised position.

8. In a metal fol-ding machine for mak ing shingles, the combination of a table, a former plate, resilient means tending to draw the plate away from the table, means periodically operative to force the plate toward the table against the action of said resilient means, mechanism for periodically shifting the plate diagonally of the table, said mechanism being constructed and arranged to permit movement of the plate toward and away from the table, means periodically operative to feed a. sheet of metal between the table and the former plate when the latter is in a raised position and means for folding two adjacent edges of the sheet of metal upwardly over the former. plate while the latter is in lowered position,-

0. Apparatus according to claim 8 includ ing former portions extending along adjoining edges of the table and means for folding the remaining edges of the sheet of metal downwardly over said forming portions.

10. in a metal folding machine for making shingles, the combination of a table, a former plate, resilient means tending to draw the plate away from the table, means periodically operative to force the plate toward the table against the action of said resilient means, mechanism for periodically shifting the plate diagonally of the table, said mechanism being constructed and ar ranged to permit movement of the plate toward and away from the table, means periodically operative to feed a sheet of metal between the table and the former plate when the latter is in a raised position, former portions extending along adjoining edges of the table, means for folding two edges of the metal plate downwardly over said former portions and means for folding the remaining edges of the metal plate upwardly over the edges of the former plate, the two folding means operating substantially simultaneously.

11. In a metal folding machine for making shingles, the combination of a table, a former plate, resilient means tending to draw the plate away from the table, means periodically operative to force the plate toward the table against the act-ion of said resilient means, mechanism for periodically shifting the plate diagonally of the table, said mechanism being constructed and arranged to permit movement of the plate toward and away from the table, means periodically operative to feed a sheet of metal between the table and the former plate when the latter is in a raised position, former portions extending along adjoining edges of the table, means for folding two edges of the metal plate downwardly over said former portions, means for folding the remaining edges of the metal plate upward ly over the edges of the former plate and means operative at the end of the folding operation to eject the folded sheet.

12. A metal folding machine for making shingles having lateral folds facing the opposite surfaces thereof and hav ng top and bottom folds facing the opposite surfaces thereof, respectively, comprising a table and a former plate both of smaller area than the sheet of metal to be folded, two lateral projections on the table, means for feeding a sheet of metal between the former plate and the table, separate means for folding two adjacent edge portions of the sheet upwardly over the corresponding edges of the former plate, separate means for folding the other edge portions of the sheet downwardly over the said projections and means for ejecting the finished shingle,

7 l3.- A machine according to claim '12 in aportion of a sheet over the edge of the Y former plate and means for folding the free edge portion of the sheet down upon the crimper plate.

16. A machine according to claim 15 including means above the edge of the form er plate intercepting the movement of the free edge portion of the. sheet under the action of the crimper plate and thereby causing folding of the free edge portion upon the crimper plate along the edge thereof and a setting punch movable substantially at right angle to the'table for pressing the said free edge portion upon the crimper plate.-

17. *In a metal folding machine for making shingles having av fold defining a butt end, atable having a lateral projection the upper surface of which is a continuation of the upper surface of the table and the lower surfa e of which is substantially parallel with the upper surface, means for clamping-a sheet to be folded upon the table, a crimper punch having movement at right angle to the table and operativeto force a portion of the sheet against'the end face of the said projection, a crimper plate and means for moving the crimp'er plate to force the free end portion of the sheet against the under surface of thesaid projection. 7'

18. A machine according to claim 17 including means for guiding the crimper pun h in vertical direction in close prox imity to the-s'aid end face and means on erative substantially at Y the end of the crimper stroke of they punch to exert pressure against the'latter substantially at right angle 5 thereto.

19.-In a metal folding machine for makshingles having a fold defining a butt end, a table: having a lateral projection the upper surface of which is a continuation of the uppersurface of the table and'the lower surface of which is. substantially parallel-with theupper'surfaca means for clamping a sheet to be folded upon the table, acrimper punch having a movement substantially at right angle to the table andtoperative toforce a portion of the sheet against the end face of the said projection, a crimper plate, means for moving the same to force the free end portion of the sheet against the under surface of the said. projection, means for guiding the crimper punch in vertical direction in close proximity to the said end face and means operative substantially at the end of the crimper stroke of the punch to exert pressure against the latter in a direction to press itfirmly against the said end-face, the guiding means having a bevel and the punch carrying a roller so disposed that at the end of the crimping stroke the roller is forced to ride up on the bevel, I

20. A machineaccording to claim '17 -in-. cluding means operative to guide the crimp or plate near the end of its crimping stroke in substantially horizontal direction in close proximity to the under side of'tho said projection and means operative at the end of the crimper stroke to-force the crimper plate against the underside.

21 A machine according to claim 17 including means for guiding the crimper plate during part of the crimper stroke to cause the front end thereof to overliethe edge portion of the sheet to be folded and then cause the said, front endto move downwardly bendingthe edge portion of the sheet along the edge offthe, projection.-

22. In a metal folding machine, a table, a former plate, means for pressingthe "form' or plate uponasheet upon the table and mechanism for folding'anedge, portion Of j the sheet upon the former plate, said mechanism including a crimper tool, means for moving the crimp'er tool in-a. generally horizontal direction toward and' away from the table and means for guiding the crimper tool'tomove under the said edge portion, then rise to bend; the edge portion upwardly along the edge of the former plate? andthen o o r t e me pl te t fold the edg portion down upon the latter.

23; A machine according to claim'22 including. a pressure roller'connectedwith'the crimper tool and positioned below the-latter te press upon the underside-of the table to draw the crimper tool upon the" upper s there In a metal folding-machine, a table having a lateral projection the upper sur face of which is a continuation of the surface of the table and the lower surface of which is substantially'parallel thereto. and mechanism for folding. an edge portion of a sheet of metal about the.- Said. projection, said mechanism including a crimper tool, means for moving. the toolii'n a generally horizontal direction towardand away from the projection-and means for} guiding the tool tomove over the said edgeportionthen move downwardly tobend theedge portion nwardly along; t ei pper edge of. prejeotion and then move horizontally in close proximity to the lower surface of the projection to fold the edge portion up against the latter.

25. A machine according to claim eluding a frame element having a substantially horizontal upper face and a roller connected With the crimper tool and disposed above the latter to bear upon the said face to draw the crimper tool against the underside of the projection.

26. In a metal folding machine, a table, a former plate, spring means tending to lift the former plate from the table, means for forcing the former plate doWn upon. the table against the action of the spring and means for shifting the former plate in its own plane in a generally diagonal direction.

27. Construction according to claim 26 in Which said shifting means is constructed and arranged to move the former plate parallel to tWo adjoining edges thereof.

28. In a metal folding machine, a table, a former plate, spring means tending to lift the former plate from the table, means for forcing the former plate down upon the table against the action of the spring, means for shifting the former plate in its own. plane in a generally diagonal direction, said shifting means being constructed and arranged to move the former plate substantially parallel to tWo adjoining edges thereof and including socket elements upon the upper surface of the former plate, journal pins movable in vertical direction in the socket elements and parallel motion mechanism connected to the pins.

29. In a metal folding machine a table, a former plate, a clamping frame movable in vertical direction for clamping the former plate upon the table, means extending through the clamping frame and connected to the upper surface of the former plate for shifting the former plate in its own plane, the connection loetvveen the shifting means and the plate being arranged to permit vertical movement of the latter relatively to the former and spring means independent of the clamping frame tending to lift the former plate from the table.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

LABAN ELLSWORTH JONES.