US1527394A - Folding machine - Google Patents

Description

Feb, 24, 1925.

- 1,527,394 c. G. BRosTRoM ET Au...Y

FOLDING MACHINE original Fild Nov. l2. 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 vg'fzazew a. Ridderrom C. G. ERCSTFRM ET Al.

FOLDING MACHIN l Original Filed Nov. 12. 1917 6 Sheets-Sheel'l 3 Feb. 24. 1925. l 527394- c. s. BRosTRoM ET. AL. l

FOLDING HACHINE original Filed Nov. 12, 1917 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 y 1,527,394 C'. G. BROSTROM ET AL FOLDING MACHINE Original Filed Nov. l2, 1917 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Feb. 24, 1925. 1 527 394 c. G. BROSTROM ET AL.

FOLDING MACHINE original Filed Nov. 12l 1917 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOFIS W4/2&5 G. BROS TROM my B Patented Feb. 24, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.`

' CHARLES G. BEoSTRoM, or LYNN, ANn ANDREW E. EIDDERSTECM, or 4NAHANT, MASSACHUSETTS, AssmNons To vBEACONEoLn'INo MACHINE CCMPANY, or LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, A CoEronATIoN oF MASSACHUSETTS.

FOLDING MACHINE.

f To all whom it 'may concern Be 1t known that we, CHARLES G. BRos- TnoM and ANDREW R. Rmnnns'rnoar, Citizens of the United States, and residents, respecktively, of Lynn, in the county of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and of "Nahant, in the county of Essex and Com- 'inonwealthof Massachusetts, have invented `fan Improvement in lFolding Machines, of ]0,\vhich the following description, in connec- 1 tion with"the accompanying drawings, is a y spceilieatiom like characters onvthe drawings representing like parts in each ofthe several views. c Thisiip'ention relates to power operated l, automatic 'folding machines of atype that 1fwhile-having other and more general fields of usefulness is especially adapted and designed for folding down the edges of shoe` zowainps aeeordingto the common present `day .practice in` shoeV manufacture. .One 'l principal object of the invention is to provide an improved machine ofl this typo capable of' relatively short feed strokes as :tcompared with previouslyv known types of `machines for folding. Another important object of the present invention is to provide' a vibrating folding hammer having a lateral' extension presenting a diagonal folding edge :lo ,extending generally inthe direction of the fold, this hammer folding edge thus reaching lip closer to the folding point, i. c., to the ,edge of the plow and to a relatively longer "extent engaging the, stock. A further object is to provide a folding hammer equipped. "with a retainer or presser finger adapie to engage the Stock-as the hammer desrends some little distance outward therefrom, this preventing turning of the stock when the i 40 hammer is down and insuring the turning of the stock about the retainer .in running "curves ln :wcordanee with ourinvention this retainer-member is yieldably and also adjustably mounted so that it may be swung upward or downward so as to bring it against the work with the degree of pressureV required, @A furtherimportant obyplow (or abutment for folding Ior turning 5o the stock, mounted for a small yielding "backward movement so that seams or the likein the work'are thlezniore readily Cleared and also so that the plowhnay have a minute 'ing prematurely.

ject, of the invention is to provide a movable Application inea November 12, 1917, serial N0. 201.564. Renewed November 5, 1924.

vibrating or wiggle movement whereby it takes a new hold aO'ainst the stock at each feed movement *and prevents launching or uneven pucliering of the folded ed ef Another important object is to 'provi e an improved construction and arrangement of the a further movement, the snipping'kuife is moved into operative position variably to the required extent. A further object is to provide an im roved construction of feed point equippe with a, retainer finger adapted to hold back the stock from turn- A. further object is to prov1dc,` in combination, a hammer'block and cti-operative hammer face sloping upward outwardl f, thus lessening the strain on the upper edge of the fold and contributing to a longer folding edge as well as being especially useful in turning sharp roruers. 'A further object is to provide an improved co-operative arrangement between `the 'folding hammer and the feed point,

whereby the hammer is held down to grip the work during the interval that it is rel leased by the feeding point and as the lfeed point moves lnn-.kward `Astill further ohject is to provide means permitting a line adjustn'ient of the upper vfeed. pointwndwise thereof with referenee to the plow so .that it may he properly positiond with respect thereto for its work. A still further object is to provide an improved mounting and arrangement of `the snipping knife. wherein such knife is normally spring-held outward, and-capable ofv being drawn invariably to operative position by a treadle movement rwhioh is preferably the same treadle movement that controls the 'feed point. 'lhe foregoing andI other objects and advantages of the invention will more fully appear .from the following detailed descrip tion, andthe distinctive features of novelty will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the "drawings:

Fig. `1 is a side elevation of a machineembodyingy our present improvements.

Fig. 2 is a sectional detail, showing a part of the treadle control mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a central, lengthwise, vertical section through 'the machine;

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail, showing a part of the treadle-operating mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a plan view with parts broken away in section;

Fig. 6 is a partial plan View, showing the operating head or horn of the machine;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the operating head shown in Fig. 6, with' the housing broken away;

Fig. 8is` a front-end view of the operating head;

Fig. 9 is a partial sectional side view of the operating head, viewed from the side opposite to Fig. 7;

Fig.` 10is a sectional detail on line 10-10 of Fig. 9; t

F ig, 11 is a sectional detail on line 11-11 of Fig. 9; f

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary perspective, showing the. mounting of the yielding plow;

Fig. 12a is a detail, end view of the lower feed block.

F id'. 13 is a plan view, partly in section, of

the f iont part of the machine `and the operating head;

Fig. 14 isa partial, sectional, front View, approximately on line 14-14 of Fig. 17, yshowing the operating parts in the operation ofy feeding;

Fig. 15 is a similar, partial, sectional View, on the same section line, showing the parts in the operation of hammering down the edfrc;

Fig. 16 is a similar, partial, sectional View, on the same section line, showing the parts as they appear in the operation of snipping; Fig. 17 is a partial, plan view, illustrating thev operation of the operating elements on a piece of steek;

Fig. 18 is anenlaiged plan view, partly in section, of the feeding `Tand folding instrumentalities as they appearfat the commence- -ment of the' feeding movement:

Fig.. 19 is a. similar view, showing the parts in the positions assumed after the feed elements have advanced about half the distance of the feeding, movement;

t Fig. 20 is a similar view, with the parts inthe positions occupied at the endm( the feeding movement;

Fig. 2l is a similarfview, with the feed ricmcnts lshown as having retraced half the distance to the starting point; and

Figs. 21o 23 inclusive are' front elevations. partly in section, corresponding. respectively, to Figs. 18 to 21 inclusive.

The trame work or housing lt) ofthe inachinc comprises a base portion itl` with an operating head or horn ltl" projecting horizontally forward therefrom and with a hollow, cui-rod, ovcrlnmgiuff pt.;-tion lll" eX- stantially the plane of the feed elements, re-

ferred to' below, with its outer portion having bearing through a hub 12 of the frame housing and an outer projection of this shaft having a clutch wheel 13 keyed thereon.

yLoosely fitted on the shaft 11, ywithout the clutch wheel 13, is a usual cone pulley 14, having a clutch face atits inner side co-operative with an outer clutch face of the wheel 13, these clutch faces being normally held apart by a coil spring 15 pressing the pulleylll' outward against a shoulder 16 formed on a bearing collar 17, slidably titted on the outer extremity of the shaft 11. The collar 17 has fixed. in its outer end, a wear button' 8, engageable by a wear piece 19, carried -on the upper end of a curved lever arm 20, which is journaled to the frame at 21 and has an inward extension 22, pivotally connected at 23 with a treadle rod 24; extending downward and slidably guided in alug 25 of the frame. A spring 26, reacting against thislug, normally holds the lever arm 20 swung outward or, at least, neutralizes the treadle weight, so that said arm does not press the clutch faces into en- ,f gagement` A depending lug 27, rigid with the arm 20, is equipped with a striker bolt; 28, which is adapted to engage a depending tail 29 0f a brake member 30, which is pivoted to the fulerum member 2l and adapted to press against the inner side ot' the wheel 13. hus, as the treadle rod 24 is dcpressed, the clutch faces of the pulley 14 and the wheel 13 are brought into operative cngagement, while upon the release of the treadle, the spring 15 separates these clutch members and the spring 26, lifting the level' arm 22. will cause the striker-'bolt 2S to act on the brake 30 to stop the machine. The inner end of the shaft 1l has hearing in a journal block 3l. fixed to a pin 32 secured cross-Wise in the frame.housing.' ln order that the feed elements may befopcrated at high speed, they are positively conncctedto their operating instiumcntaliti'cs bymechanism now to be described. The inner extremity of the shaft l1 is equipped with a crank pin 33, to which is fitted a balll. Afitting in a socket at the in'ner end of an arm 36, which constitutes a holder for the upper feed point.as now to be described. This feed point, indicated at 37. has an inwardly extending shank portion 37 which is held down to the arm 36 b v a clamp nientlicr 23H. The under side ot' this shank portion is serrated for la. distan'evas secu at 139. for engagement by a toothed pinion -i-(l. transvcisely jourualcd at the rear otl the arm 3G. The pinion 4t) is adapted to he rotatably adjusted and clamped iu adjusted position for setting the feed point in correct and accurate endwlse adjustment across the lower feed block and Vthe other operating v parts to adjust the path of feed movement.

'lhe arm BGis pivoted to swing vertically on an intermediate pivot pin 41, secured transversely to ears extending` inwardly from a bracket plate 42, pivoted to a pin 43, secured to a block arm 44, so that the plate 42 is permitted to swing or rock horizontally, sliding on the upper face of the block 44. The block arm 44. `in turn, is hinged to a transverse pivot' 45 at the front of the horn 10. The arm 44 extends inwardly some little distance beyond the pivot 41, having pivoted at its inner extremity, as secu at 16, two depending link bars 47, 48 for controlling the vertical swinging movement thereof, as presently to be explained. The outer extremity of the plate 42 has secured thereto the lower feed block 49, in position to act opposite the outer down-turned extremity of theupper-feed point. -lt may now he understood that the orbital movement of the crank pin 33 operates to swing the arm 36, with the upper feed point` vertically about the pivot 41, and, at the same time, to swing the bracket plate `42, bearing the lower feed block, as well as the upper feed point, horizontally about the pivot 43, such horizontal swinging producing the feed movement, and the vertical swinging of the upper feed point alternately gripping and releasing the work,

, as required. It will further be understood f that as the -arm 44 is sw'uner u )wardl on a n .Y

the pivot 45, since the lowerV feed block y49 is outward of such pivot, it will be depressed, while, at the same time, `the upper Vfeed point, with the arm 36, then swinging about the ball 34 as the fulcrum, will be raised, so

.that the material to be operated on may be inserted; while, by swinging the arm 44 downward, the lower feed block 49 is swung upward and the upper feed point 50 is simultaneously swung downward, so as to approach the lower feed block in its orbital movement, it being `understood that these opening and closing movements may be carried out ,without tisturbing the continued operation of the material feeding movements, as impar-ted by the crank pin 32. For drawing the .arm 44 normally `downward, i. e., so as to render the feeding. elements normally effective, a compression coil spring 51 is provided, this being fitted on a reduced dependin extension 52 of the har 48, `which is slidaly guided through a. collar 58, fixed on a pin 5.4, set Linto the frame.y

work. The spring 51 reacts against an adjustable nut 55 threaded on-the lower end of the rod extension 52and thus tends to draw thevsame downward, as far as permitted by -an adjustable stop nut 56, threaded on said rod portion abovcthe bearing collar 53 and adapted'v to abut thereagainst to limitthe downward swing of the arm 44. Thus` by adjustingvthis nut 56, the degree to which the feed point 50 and the feed block t9 will approach each other, in operation, can be adjustably limited, as required for dllerent thicknesses of stock, or other reasons` 'and the force of the bite with which the feed pointengages the stock may be regulated by adjusting the'nut 55, so as to vary the ten-, sion of the spring 51, as required. For swinging the arm 44 upward, to separate the feed point and the feed block, to release the material and for inserting the same, a lower forked end 57 of the bar 4T is engaged by a pin 58, carried by aflever arm 59, pivoted on the pin 54 and having its outer end engaged with a treadle rod 60, this, of course, typi f ving any suitable manual, or other controlling means. The lever arm 59 is acted on by a compression, coil spririg (il,` bearing against an abutment (l2 of the frame to yhohl V the same and the treadle norn'ially lifted. The spring 61 normally opposes the spring 51, thus maintaining the feed elements normally ineffective. `In vaccordance with the f present invention, the snipping knife, which snips the stock at intervals in running curves, is connected to be controlled, for progressively varying the depth of the snip cuts by the same treadle or like controlling means that controls the feeding elements. For this purpose, the lever arm 59 has rigid therewith an upright angular extension 63, formed with a socket 64into which extends the outer end'of a knife-controlling rod 65, the end of this rod being engaged by an adjustable pin abutment 6G, Vthreaded into the arm extension (323. An-

other extension downward from the inner. end of the arm 59, as seen at G7, is equipped with an adjustable stop pin GS to limit the upwardswing of said arm. 'lhe knifecontrolling rod has its inner end pivotally connected, at 69, to a lever T0, pivoted at an intermediate pointvto the frame, as seen at 71, and having its upper end pivot- Jally connected at "(2V with a. link bar Trl. which is connected at `its outer end with the pivot pin .74, on which is lrionnted a bent lever 75, having fixed at its outer -end the movable, snippmg knife 76.- (lo-operative lll) with this movable snipping knife, for sniping the material, is a fixed knife block 77,

, just within the lower feed block. The pivot pin 'T4-is alsoconnectedl with a lever arm 78, which is pivoted to the frame at 79 and has opposite. lateral extensions St),

8l, engageable by adjustable stop pins 82,

,83, set into the frame housing. rlhese stop pins are adjusted so as to allow the requisite range of swinging to the arm 78,as required for adjusting the pivot 74, towary the depth of the sni'p cuts to the extent required. ln practice` the stop 82 may be permanently set, so that when the arl, is

knife 76 is normally held out of effective position by the spring S4 and may be pressed into operative position, to the extent required, by the treadle movement, as imparted through .the rod 65. Inpractiee, the outer end of the rod 65 is normally spaced a small distance vfrom the end of the adjustable pin abutment Gti, so that the treadle movement does not start to move 'the snippi'ng knife into operative position until after the treadle has been depressed far enough so that the' pin 58 has reecded sutiiciently to permit the spring 5l to'move the feed elements into effective relation, In this way, a downward ymovement ofthe treadle element G0 first throws the feed members 49, 50,into effective relation and then a continuance` of the same'treadle movement gradually moves thesnipping knife TG into effective position, such knife being moved in farther as the treadle is further depressed, to vary thedepth of the snipcuts, as required; this, it will be ob' served, docs not affect the operation of the. feeding elements, since the, arm la is only l permitted to swing down as far asthe ad- `iustment of the nut 56 allows. For operating the snipping knife 7G, the arm f5 has its outer end pivotally connected, as seenA at Si', with a pitman rod SS. whose other end is connected to a crank pin 89 on av spiral gear 90, journaled at 91 in the machine housing. lhe spiral gear 90 is driven b v the co-operative'spiral gear 9;?. tixed on the drive shaft 11. ln practice, it is found not necessary that a snip cut be made at. each feed movement but that such cut, at alternatefeed movements, is ample and accordingly the spiral gear 90 made twice the size of the gear 92. these. gears being both of the 45o pitch usual in spiral gearstthis resulting iu an actuation of the knife. i'ti at every other feed movement as imparted b v vthe crank pin ll. ln our copending applieation. Serial No. ltsit. tiled May l2,

1917.' we have disclosed a folding machine the feed block of which is integrally proviiled with a plow that adapted to form an initial fold inv the ,stock during the return movement of the feed elements. AThe plow Athen moves forward with ,the feed elements during their next. forward feed movement to advance the initially formed fold to the hammer, by whiehthe fold is pressed down. An important feature of our present invention has to do with a plow or folding abutment member mounted upon the feed block not integrally, but movably for small yielding by the 'pressure of the,

material, tiereagainst, so as to permit a more free clearance of seams or other thick places in the stock and also so as to insure a more even folding Without bunehing or puckering of the stock. The terms folder and plowwill hereinafter be employed interchangeably. The folder or plow is indicated at 93 and comprises an upright prong with a suitably formed folding face. It is pivotcd to a vertical pivot 94 on a forward projection 95 of the swinging plate 42, which carries the lower feed' block 49. ll`he front, operative face 96 of the plow is normally' held pressed up to the back of the feed block by a compression coil spring 97,

re-acting against an arm 98, rigi`d with, andv projeetlng forwardly from, the plow, this spring having backing against an adjustf able abutment 99 in the machine frame. It has been foundhighly desirable Afor the purpose of insuring an even smooth fold without bunehing or puekering of the stock vthat the plow be vibrated or wiggled slightly, so as to take a new hold against the work at each feed movement, To bring this about, we provide an adjustable abut ment member in the form of a threaded pin 100, set into the machine'frame and adapted to be set up so` that its inner end will engage against the arm 98 upon the return feed movement., to positively swing the plow backward slightly against pressure of vthe spring 97, thus insuring slight'oseillation to theplow at each feed movement. The use of sprilig-operated. high-speed elements in a l-iigh-speed machine is, of course objectiomible. as such elements Atend to lag behind the more positively controlled elements` with .the result that the elements do not operate in s vnehronism. The plow` lmwever, though spring controlled. is not spring operated.l The spring 97 maintains the arm 98 always in engagement with Athe stantly exerted action yof the spring' 9T.

The. operation will be better understood (from ar consideratimi ot' Figs. 18 to In Figs. 18 and the feedy elements are shown in their initial positions` at the commencement-of the feeding movement'. The. feed point 50 has just 4returned in the 'direction of the lower, right-hand arrow,v Fig. 18, and has closed in upon the material M, clamping it to the feed block 49. The spring 9T has been compressed in the direction of the left-hand arrow by the pin 100 engaging the arin H of the plow. 4 The material M may be leather, cloth, etc.. or it 'may be composed of plow is somewhat similar to the operation of the plow of our above-mentioned applicatipn. As the plow advances forwardly, the spring '97, acting to maintain the'arni 98 in engagement with the pin 100. will cause. the plow to pivot about the vertical pivot 94, resulting in the above-described vibratory or wiggle movement. This vibratory movement results in the fold F becoming more pronounced, as will be made evident from a comparison Aof Figs. 1S .and 19, tlie plow finally closing 'inupon the feed point, as shown in Fig. Q0, to fold `the material still further and te effect anew hold or grip thereon.

The provision of a plow which folds during the forward ymovement thereof andwhich grips the material anew at each forward movement is a distinct advance over the structure of our above-identified application and is consideredto be an injipdrtant lfeature of the present invention. A better rontrolover the point orthe line 0f fold is thereby obtained. 'l`liough'the'plow of our former application produced an initial vfold in the. edge of the material, there was no wav `of determining the point atwhieh the fold would be pressed down by the,A

hammer.' A'ccording -to the present invention, the initial fold that is formed during the return inoven'ient of the plow, as shown in Fig. 21, is later further developed during lthe forward movement thereof. and the developed fold is firmly gripped between the side of feed point and the plow; so that the point of fold is absolutely predetermined, as shown more particularly at P in Fig. 24. The hainii'ier will therefore press down'the I'old at exactly this point l and not at sonic other point to the right or to the left thereof. The plow and the hammer. thus coop-crate to produce a more uniform edge fold than has hitherto been obtainable.y If desired. the plow may grip the material not only at the lower portion of the fold, as shown, but vat theupper or edge portion lalso, the. plow and tlie'teed point cooperat- Invthis respect, vthe operation of the.

ing both to grip the material and to fold 1t. In' the present construction, the upper portion of the fold is not gripped. butjisl slightly bent over beyond the point l by the prong of the plow.

Bythe time that the edge has become folded and gripped as above. described, and as shown in Figs. '.20 and 2l, the feeding instrumentalities have advanced the fold to the hammer. The hammer for pressing downthe fold is indicated at 101 held from movement in the line/of feed. and pivoted to the frame work at 102. this being an extension of the'pivot bolt and having an operative face 103 sloping upwardly ouiwai'd anden-operative with a hannner block 10-l set intotlie fiaiiie work and having a correspondingly sloped face. 'The outer edge ofthe lower feed block 4S) which lies adjacent to this anvil face 101 is also raised as seen at 105, this lessening the strain .on

the upper edge of the fold and contributing to a longer folding edge, and being a i sharp corners. In accordance with our inl vention, the hammer is also equipped witha feature especially` advantageous in turning lateral projection extending inv back of the lower feed block, equipped with a diagonal edge 106lying close toL correspondingly ei't away edges of the feed block. and the feed point, this presenting a relativelyv elongated folding edge extending diagonally in the general direction of the fold,"l insteadol' straight across, the saine as has heretofore been usual. that the hammer edge presses up closer to In this way, it will be notedQlQo the folding point which, it. will he u'ndeistood, is highly important for the most suo cessful andefective work. The hammer is also equipped with a retainer member consisting in a linger 107, extending ont in front of they hammer in the direction' from which the stock is fed, this retainer linger being yieldahly mounted and servi-ng to prevent'the hammer pushing the stock outwardly,.while pressing a fold and to hold the stock f clamped 'firmly when the hammer is down at some littlel distance outward therefrom. so that it is not possible for the operative to turn the stock about the hammer when it is down.

iin

This retainer finger is carried by and extends'laterally from an arm 10S, pivoted to onev side of the hammer, as seen atl 109and'yieldingly pressed so as to hold the retainer finger normally at a downward limit of movement by a compression coil spring 110, reacting against an abutment on the hammer. The retainer finger itself preferably mounted forl swinging adjustl ment on the end of the bent arm 10S and for this purpose, it has a toother hub 111,

extending info a socket in a head k112 at the end of the. arm 108, this toothed hub being gapged so as `to be turnedwbyma threaded stud 113 having' a projecting frio handle 114. A clamping screw 115 is set into the end of this stud to clamp the same in adjusted position by pressing against the face'of the head 112, which is preferably split, as seen at,116, to provide the requisite spring clamping action. The hammer 101 is positively connected to its operating instrumentalities, so that it may be operated at high speed in timed relation to the operation of the feed elements. For vibrating the hammer 101, it is provided with an arm 101` dependingbelow its fulcrum, which is pivotally connected to a collar 117, slidablv mounted on a rod 118. The rod 118 has adjustably clamped thereto a fixed collar 119 which serves as an abutment upon the movement of the rod to the left, as shown, for raising the hammer. The outer end of the rod 118 has threaded thereon a nut 120, having ,a knurled head 121, this nut serving as an abutment fora t ystout compression coil spring 122, which `which is pivoted, at

the purpose presses against the outer end of the slid-` able collar 117, holding it normally against the xed collar 119; Thus, as the rod 118 is reciprocated, the hammer downward for cushioned hammer strokes, b v the pull of the rod, transmitted through the stout spring- 122` whose tension maybe adjusted, as required, by proper setting of the nut 120, while the hammer will be lifted b v the engagement of the fixed collar 119 with the other end 'of the sliding collar 117. The spring 122 serves merely to maintain the collar 117 ordinarilyv in engagement with the fixed collar 119 and to permit the hammer to yield when stock of greater than ordinary thickness is encountered. The

spring does not in any sense actually actuate,

or vibrateI the hammer. For imparting thc requisite` short amplitude reciprocations or vibrationstto -the rod 118 its inner end has fixed thereto a lateral upstanding bracket 123, the extremity of which is pivoted at 1211 to the outer end of an arm 125, pivoted to the frame at 126. The arm 125 has fitted to slide lengthwise therein a bar 127., to 128, an extension of an eccentric strap 12S), engaged with an eccentric 130, fixed on' the drive shaft 11, of the sliding' bar 127 being to permitoperativc pivotal connection of such,

eccentric strap which, of course, cannot n'iovc'if endwise of the arm 125, with such arm. The hammer is thus positivelyconnected to its actuating mechanism. .The vconnection of the lever arnr 125 to the eccentric strap 12S-is so arranged thatthe pivot 124 rises some little distance above a line projected from the vpivot of the collar 117 through the i pivot 126, this being to permit thekrequisite dwell of the hammer when clamping the work to hold it while the feeding elements are moving on their backward stroke, it being observed that the hammer will thus will be swung Q time. the work get a double pinch on the material as the arm 125 shifts the pivot 124 past the dead center position in each direction. It will be understood, however, that the major .p0rtion of the swing of the pivot 1211 is below the center line mentioned, this being operative to lift 'the hammer. rllhe upper, movable feed point extends laterally over thc lower fed block 49 some little distance, as best shown in Figs. 1li-17, and its extremity is formed with an inturned retainer yfinger 131 adapted to engage the edge of the stock just in advance fof the plow and hold 1t back from turning prematurely.

During the forward movement. of the feed elements, the hammer and the retainer carried thereby are raised, as shown more particularly. invFig. 23. The hammer and the retainer, as shown in this view, have reached the limit oi their upward' movement', indicated by the upper arrow, and are on the point of commencing their movement downward, in the direction of the lower arrow. -B ,y the time that the forward feed movelnient has been completed', the retainer has commenced to grip the material M, Fig. 241, and the hammer continues its downward movement to press out the fold prepared previously by the plow. 106 of the hammer will first pinch the fold at the point predetermined4 by the gripping action of the plow and the feed point, the latter advancing the material to the end of the diagonal pinching edge. The edge will remain in pinched position by cement or otherwise while the material is further advanced by the next feed movement, the remaining portion of the hammer then pressing out the complete fold. Meantime, the feed elements have commenced to retrace their movement to return towards the starting position of Figs.' 18 and 22.- When the feed elenrlents have released the material,

The diagonal edge therefore. the hammer presses down there.-

, on and when the hammer has become raised to release the work, the feed elements have again secured their grip thereon. It is inipossible to turn'the material either when the hammer is down or the feed elements are active. Just before the feed elements have completely returned to their starting positions, however, before they have again gripped the material. and after the hammer hasbecome raised from the work, the rctainer still clamps 'down u )on the work, but lightly, as indicated in tig. 22. AAt this y may be turned in its plane. about -the retainer as a pivot. A moment later, the retainer becomes raised, but the feed elements resecure their grip upon the work, making turning impossible until after another cycle of operations has become completed.

The yretainer serves thus both to prevent the material being pushed outwardly away.

.from the lnimmerwand to determine the point about which the material may be turned in its plane.

The forwardlj extending horn 10b has its top equipped with a platform 132, this presenting a horizontal surface at the workingl leiel over which the material is fed.

'l`his platform is a relativelyl small aifair andis surrounded by a table 133 which may be mounted from rearwardly extending arms .l-i--l pivoted to the sides of the housing at 135 at aA point relatively far back, these armsl and the sides of the table straddling the plattform and the upper part,v of the housing;l so that the table may be swung up back over the housing, when desired. It will be understood that when swung down ward. the forward portion of the table may rest onv suitable adj ustable abutments of the housing.` The operation ,of the machine will he readily` understood from the foregoing without further `detail statement. The material 1n whose edge E is`to be folded is inserted when the feed 'point and the feed block are separated. whereupon. on depressing the treadle rod titl the feed point and the feed block are first brought. to operative position starting the feed of the material m whose, edges ll is to folded is the humilier 101 are tio-ordinated with the movements of the feed elements so that the hammer is down and holdsl the material clamped while the feed elements are moving' on thei:I backward stroke carrying the movable plow 93 with them for its operative stroke. the hammer being then lifted as the feed movement takes place. On coming to a curved portion of the material. the oper atoi" depresses the` treadle rod GO farther, ywhich `brings the snipping -knife TG into effective position to a variable, extent'. ae-

eording to'the depth of fthe snips required,

this `being? determined h v the degree to which the treadle rod 1s depressed. lt. will heunderstood that the etteetive position of -thc feed point 50 is entirelyv under the adjustable control of the nut 5G when the treadle rod is depressed. lith this adjust- -meut the shipping knife will still be responsive to and under ythe control of the "trcadle rod (it). rl`he present, machine, hav# ing its working elements eonstrutzted and arranged tocontrol the feed of the material h v the co-iordinat'tal movements ofthe ha1nmer ith its retainer linger and the vibrat ing feed members is substantially automatic in its guiding and feeding forward oit' the material, so that the edge of the material is guided through the machine with relativelyv little need of attention on the part of the operator and an accurate vfolding of the edge to the end of the material without liability of breaking out, is insured. We are aware that the invention malvjbelenibodied in other speeicafornls without departing from the spiritor essential attri-y butes thereof, and we therefore desire the presentemhodiment to be considered in all respects *as 'illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indi latc the ssope of the invention.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: l

1. A folding machine, comprising feeding mechanism for advancing the material, means mounted to move therewith for turn- 4ing the edge of the material, and avibrating hammer for pressing down the turned edge having means co-operative therewith for Velan'iping the material outwardnthe're`V from to prevent turning of` the maternifi about the hammer. a

2. A folding machine, comprising vibrar-- ing feeding means for advancing thematerial, having means mounted to move therewith for turning the edge of the materialn a4 vibrating hammer for `pressing down the vfolded edge tin'ied to clamp the material as it is released by saidfeedingt means, and a retainer member cooperative with said hanr Amer to clamp the material at a distance outward therefrom for the purpose stated.

3. A' folding machine, comprising vibrating feeding means for advancing the mate,-

rial, having' means mounted Ato move therewith for turningthe material edge, a vibratm ing hammer for pressing down the. edge of the material, and a retainer member carried by said hamnier and adapted to clamp the material at a point substantially outward therefrom to prevent turning of theniaterial about the hannner when released by said feeding means.

4. 'folding machine, comprising feeding means for advancing the material. having means mounted `to move therewith for turn ing the'edge 'of the material, a vilirating hammer for pressing down the folded edge. and aretainer member vieldinglj mounted on said hammer and adapted to clamp the material substantially `outward from the hammer as the hammer descends for the purpose stated.

A5. Afolding machine` comprising feeding means for advancing the material, having` means mounted to move therewith for tur'ning theV edge of the material, a vibrating hammer for pressingdown the folded edge,

and a retainer linger mounted on the hamv mer and extending later-alli7 therefrom, said retainer linger having provision for angular adjustment with respect to the hammer.

G. A foldingl machine, comprising feedingA .meansfor ,advancing thev materia-l, `having means (zo-operative therewith for turnling the edge: of the material, a vibrating` hammer forpressing down the folded edge, and a retainer lnemloerv Vieldingly mount( i330 on an'arm pivoted to the hammer and equipped with a material clamping finger extending laterally thenrefrom in the. direction from which material is fed, said linger having provision for angularadjustment on said arm.

7. A' foldingmachine, comprising means for feeding sheet material, and a plow abut-l ment mounted to move therewith for turning the edge of the material, said plow abutmenthaving a mounting permitting slight baci-:ward yielding thereof for the purpose stated.

8. A folding machine, comprising means for feeding sheet material, and a plow abutment co-operative therewith for turning the edge of the material, said plow abutment having a pivotal mounting equipped with a. springbaclcing permitting said abutment" to yield backward lslightly in operation for the purpose stated.

9. A folding machine, comprising means for feeding sheet material, and a plow abutment co-operative therewith for turning the edge of the material, said 'plow abutp ment having a mounting on said feeding meansto be moved therewith, and also movable separately and lequipped with a spring backing, whereby a small backward `yield thereof is permitted.

10. A folding machine, comprising vibrating feeding means for advancing sheet material, a plow co-operative therewith for turning the edge of the material, said plow having a mounting on an element of said feeding means having separate movement with respect thereto and equipped with a spring backing, and an abutment in position to engage ysaid mounting to cause said plow to be moved backwardfslightljv at each feed movement.

11. A folding machine, comprising means for feeding sheet material step-bystep, and a plow mounted to move therewith for turning the edge yof the material, said plow having ing relativel)r small amplitude vibration thereto at each feed movement.

12. A folding machine, comprising means for feeding sheet'material, having means mounted to move therewith for turning the edge of the material, a reciprocatinghammer for pressing down-said turned edge, and an anvil co-operative therewith, said hammer and anvil presenting operative faces sloping upward outwardly whereby the. strain on the upper edge of the fold is reduced.

13. A folding' machine, comprising means for feeding sheet material step-hvstep having means mounted to move therewith for turning the edge of the material, and a re ciprocating hammer for pressing down the turned edge having a relatively wide operative face sloping upward outwardly.

14. A foldingF machine, comprising means means associated therewith for impart-' for feeding sheet material stephy-step hav ing a plow mounted to move therewith for turning the edge of the material, and a reciprocatingr hammer for pressing down the turned edge having a relativehvv wide operative face sloping upwardoutwardly, and with a lateral extension presenting a diagonal folding edge extending toward and closely adjacent said plow.r

15. A folding machine, comprising' vibratingr feeding means for advancing sheet material step-b'v-step, having means co-operative therewith for turningthe edge of the material, a reciprocating hammer for pressing down the turned edge, and means for'operatii'ig said hammer to cause the same to have a dwellfor clamping the material on the return strokelof said feeding means, consisting in a hammer operating rod, a lever connected to said rod and extending in the same general direction therewith, and means for swinging said'lever at' each feed movement.

16. A folding machine, comprising feeding means for advancing sheet material having means associated therewith for turning the edge of the'ma'terial, a hammer for pressing down the turned edge, and means for operating said hammer consisting in a rod pivoted thereto and extending rearwardly therefrom, a lever pivoted to the outer end of said rod and extending gcnerally in parallelism therewith, and operating means for swinging said lever arranged in time to cause said hammer to dwell in clamping engagement with the material on the return stroke of said feeding means and to be lifted during the forward stroke of said feeding means.

17. A machine of the class described having. in combination, means for feedingr material comprising elements relatively and progressively adjustable to variabl)Y effective and to ineffective positions, means tending to hold the feed means in effective position, means normallyv opposing the tending means so as to hold the feed means normally in ineffective position, and` means for movingr the elements'to effective positions variablyr so as to cause them to feed more or less rapidly, at will.

18. A machine of the class described having, in comhimition` means for feeding ma-y terial com )rising a lower feed 'block and an upper feed point having a range of relative adjustment from ineffective to effective positions, means tending to hold the feed means in effective positions, means normally. opposing the tending means so as to hold the feed means normally in ineffective position, and means for moving the feed block and the feed point to effemive positions variably so as to cause them to feed more or less rapidly, at will.

19. A folding machine, comprising fold- 25 havinbof` connections to i 4 such adjustments 55 movement thereof 60 ingr mechanism for advancing G5 able stop to A same manual controlling means that controls said operative elements of the feeding` "mechanism, for adjusting said snipping linifeito operative or inoperative position at will.

in 2o. .i aiding machine, comprising maing means, vibrating feeding elements for advancing the material to the foldingT means, said elements having-a mounting for adjustinent to operative or inoperative position, treadle controlled means for rendering` said elements operative or inoperative at will, and a. power operated reciprocating snipping' knife mountedy for `adjustment from inoperative to operative position, and he controlled as to by said treadle controlled means4 2l. A folding machine, comprising folding means, feeding mechanism for advancing the material to thefolding means composed of vibrating feeding elements adjustable into operative .or inoperative position, spring means for normally holding said elements in'ino'perative position, a snippingr knife connected for power reciprocation and mounted for movement into operative or inoperative position, spring means for normally-holding said knife in inoperative position, and a single treadle device for control- 40 liner the adjustment of both said feeding elements and said snippingl knife.

A folding machine. com rising! folding; means, feeding mechanism or advancing the material to the folding" means composed of vibrating feeding elements adjustable into operative or inoperative position, spring means for normally holding;` said ele ments in'inoperative position, a shipping knife connected for power reciprocation 5 0 and mounted for movement into operative or inoperative positiomspringr means for normally holding said knife in inoperative position. and a single treadle device-having connections operative by a single continuing infr elements operative and thereafter to adjust said snippinp,r knife into operative position.

23. A foldingf machine,-comprising feedtlie material feeding elements adjustable into operative or inoperative position, spring means tending to hold said elements iu f l1 operative position, an adjustdetermine the range of action composed of. vibrating ing, in combination,

Y termittently over the support, and a to first render said feed of said s ring. means whereby the rate 'of feed may e varied, and a treadle device connected to move said feeding elements to inoperative position on au upward movement thereof and to render said feedingr elements operative on a movement thereof in the other direction.

24. A. folding;

tothe folding means composed of vibrating feeding elements adjustable to operativeor inoperative position, a power actuated reciprocating snippingir knife. mounted for adjustment into operative or inoperative position, a single manually controlled means for gev- -erning the adjustment of said feeding elements and also the adjustment of said snipping'knife for first rendering said feeding elements operative, and by a4 further movement rendering said snipping,` knife operative, and means for varying the range of action of said manually controlled means on said feeding elements.

2 5. A folding,r machine, oomprising vibrating feeding mechanism for advancing the material composed of a lower feed bloeit and an upper feed point, means for adjustsaid feed bloei( transversely to the line of feed, and means mounted to move with said feeding' mechanism for turning the edge of vthe materialo 96. A, machine of the class described havmeans for feedingv material, and means movable bodily in the line of feed with the material and operating; to fold it during such movement.

` 27. A; folding machine having, in combination, a support 'for a piece of flexible material, means for feeding the material inplow movable with the feeding means operating; to fold the material during such movement.

28, A folding machine having, in `combination, a hammer,`means for feedingn material thereto, and means movable with the material towards the hammer and opelatini; to fold the material during such. movement. 29. A machine ofthe class described having, in combination, means for intermittently feeding,` material, means intermittently moving with the' material and folding; it during such movement, and means for in termttently retraeting the moving means.

30. A folding machine having', in combination, a hammer, a feed blooli, a feed point, means for intermittently effecting a relative movement of .the feed 'block and the feed point to grip material therebetween and feed it to the hammer, a plow for folding the material, means whereby the -margin. of Lthe material is gripped between the feed point and the plow, and mea-ns whereb the plow moves wi h the .feed point tower the hammer,

i machine, comprising fold-- ing means, mechanism for feeding materiall lli liti

lill) means for 'rendering rst the 3l. A folding machine having', in coinbination, means for feedingr material, a plow for folding the material, theI plow being pivoted to move in a plane'substantially parallel to the plane of feed of the material, and a spring for actuating,r the plow about its pivot.

32. A folding machine ha\f'iufg, in combination, means for feeding material and a spring-controlled plow movable with the feeding,y means for folding the material.

83. A folding; machine having, in combination, a hammer adapted to press a fold in a sheet of material provided with a laterally projecting;` edge, and means for predetermining the point of fold of the material and for advancing,r the material to said edge with the material maintained folded at the predetermined. point, said edge operating to pinch the material at'the predetermined point.

34. A folding machine having, in combination, an anvil, aV hammer cooperating, therewith-having a diagonal folding edge, means for feeding material to the hammer and the anvil, and a plow movable with the feeding' means adapted to fold the material at a. predetermined point, the feeding means and the plow advancing the material to the diagcnafedge so that it may be pinched thereby at the predetermined point, the

`hammer` and the anvil having; upwardly, outwardly slopingfaces, whereby' the strain upon the material is reduced.

35. A machine of the' class described hav- -ing,in combination, folding means, normally ineffective means for feeding material` to the folding means, normally ineffective means for snipping ethe material, and common effective 'and then tne snipping means effective'.

36. A- foldingr machine having. in combination, a hammer, means for feeding mate,- rial thereto into effective and ineffective positions, .a continuously operable shippingr knife movable into effective and ineffective positions, and common means -for movin;T first the feeding elements into effective position and then -the knife into effective position.

37. A folding: machine having. in combination, a hannner adapted to press a fold in a sheet of material, vibrating feeding! means for advancing material thereto step-by-step, and means for operating the hammer, said operating` means beinef adapted to cause the hammer to dwell during a portion of the return stroke of 'the feeding means so as to clamp the material on the return stroke of. the feeding means. whereby the hammer serves both .as a fold-pressing and a clamping means.

38. A folding machine having in combi- .fnatorn a hammer. rial thereto and for initiating a fold in the feeding;1 meanscomprising elements movabley ineffective. and means adapted nation, a hammer adapted to press a fold in a sheet of material, means for feeding material thereto, and means for impartingjr a double pinch to the hammer during each cycle of operation of the machine.

39. A folding machine having, in combination, a hammer adapted to press a fold in a sheet of material` means for intern'iittently feeding material thereto, and means whereby the hammer operates twice upon the material to every operation of the feeding means.

40. A, foldingr machine having, in combination, a hammer adapted to press a fold in a sheet of material having a limitingr position. and means for movingr the hammer to the limiting position, slightly retraeingr the movement of the hammer, and again moving the hammer tb Vthe limitingposition during,r eac cycle of operation of the machine, whereby the hammer is caused to dwell..

4l. A folding machine having, in combi nation, a hammer adapted to a sheet of material. and means for operating the hammer comprising means operable to and beyond'a dead-center position and toreturn therefrom, whereby the hammer is caused to dwell.

42. A folding maehinehaving, in combination. a hammer..a vibrator-y feed point and a vibratory feed block for advancing material thereto. means for operzningT the feed point, the feed block and the hammer, and means positively connecting the feed point. the feed block and the hammer to the operating m ans. l

43. A fofding machine having, in combimeans for feeding matematerial as it is fed toward the hammer, means for operating the first-named means and the hammer, .and means positively conneetingq 'the -hammer and the first-named means to the operatingr means.

44. A machiney of the class described having. in combination, a feed block a feed point, an arm constituting` a holder Aerefor, means for vibrating the arm to effect afeedingr of the material by the feed point. and means for adjusting` the feed point 'upon the arm transverse to the line offecd to adjust the path of feed movement. f

45. [A folding machine having, in combination, a feed element, a plow movablel therewith, and means for relatively adjusting the feed element and the plow.

'46. A foldingl machine having. in combination. means for feeding material, a ham- 4 mer, the'feedingr means beingA adapted to grip the material when the hammer is ineffective and the hammer being adapted to grip the material when the fceding means is to clamp the material firmly and to permit the material to press a fold in lti be turned thereal'iont after the operation of. the hammer and before the next succeeding operation ofthe feeding means.`

p 47. A folding machine having, in combi.- nation, a hammer, means for advancing inaterial tl'iereto,and a retainer mounted upon the hammer outwardly thereof for insuring the turning 'of the material therearound.-

, 48.. il folding machine having, in combination, means for feedingmaterial, a hammer, andy means` positioned outwardly in front' of the hammer adapted to clamp the material firmly and about which the material may be turned, t

49. il folding machine having, in combi-` nation, a hammer, means for feeding matcrial "thereto, and-a retainer for preventing the material from being pushed outwardly away from the hammer 'and for determining the point about which the material may be turned in itsI plane, n

50. A folding'machine having, in combination, means lfor intermittently t'eeding'material, means for firmly clampingtlie material at the end hammer for thereupon pressing a fold in the material, and means for retracting the `feeding means and rendering the hammer ineffective, the clamping .means being adapted to vthereupon lightly clamp the material to permit the material tobe tui'ncdin its plane prior t the next feeding operation.

51. A folding machine having, in combination, a support for apiece of flexible material, a hammer, means for gripping the material and feeding it over the support to theU hammer, means for successively operating the gripping and feeding means and the hammer, a retainer for firmly clamping the" material and means whereby the retainer becomes lightly effective before the gripping and feeding means operates to gripthe, material and after the operation'of the hammer, whereby the material is retained in position and may be turned about the re tainer before the gripping and feeding means again grips the material.

52. Il folding machine having. in combination. av support for a piece oftlexible means for feeding the material over the support to the hammer, a retainer for `firmly clamping the material, and means whereby the retainer becomes lightly lefectire beforev the operation of the feeding means and after the operation of the hammer.

rllhe method of folding;r flexible niaterial which comprises intermittently feeding the material over a support, clamping the material securely to the support at the end of the feeding operation. pressing a fold fili in the material while it is so clamped to the support, releasing the pressure npon the fold` and clamping the material lightly to the support to permit turning it about the of the feeding movement, a

clamliiingpoint prior to the next feeding operation. Y 54:. A folding machine having, in `combination, a hammer adapted to press a fold in asheet of material, a retainer for clamping the material and means for operating` the retainer comprising means operable to and .beyond a' dead-centerposition and to return therefrom.

55. A folding machine having, in combination.` a hammer, means for advancing materialthcreto, an arn'i adj ustably mounted,

on the hammer, and a retainer mounted on the arm.

56. A folding machinel bination, a hammer in a sheet of material, means for predeterhaving, in com mining the point of fold o f'the material and for advancing the material to the `hammer with the material maintained. folded at the predetermined point, and means whereby a portion of the `hammer first engages the folded sheet fold.

57. A folding machine having` in combination, a support for a piece of'tlexible material, a hammer having a diagonal pinching edge, means for feeding themavterial intermittently over the support, a plow for intermittentlyv initially folding the material as itis fed, means for moving the plow to the end of said edge, edge pinches the folded material at the fold adjacent to the plow, and means whereby the hammer' subsequently pressesA out the fold. l

bination, means for feeding material, a plow, ,and means whereby the edge of the material is adapted to be gripped between the feeding means and the plow;

59. A folding machine having, in .coinbination, a hammer, means for feeding material thereto comprising a. feed point. a plow, and means whereby the edge of the `nmterial is adapted to be gripped .between the .side of the feed point and the plow.

GO. A folding machine having, in combination, a hammer having a laterally oilset edge, means -for feeding material to the adapt-ed to press .a fold l atthe fold and whereby another portion of the hammer presses out the.

diagonal pinching means whereby said diagonal pinching 58. A folding machine having, in comlio hammer comprising a feed point, a plow j movable with-the feeding means adapted to fold the material at. a predetermined point, and means whereby the edge ofthe material is adapted to be gripped between the side of the feed point and the plow.. the feeding means and the plow being adapted to advance the material to the laterally offset edge so that it may be. pinched thereby at the predetermined point. l

6l. machine of the class described havring, in combination, means for intermittently feeding material, and means movable with'the material in the line of feed and operating to fold intermittently during such movement.

62. A folding machine having, in combination, a vibrator;7 hainnicr, means for feedingfmaterial. thereto, and a plrow movable with respect to the hammer for initially folding the material prior to the action thereon of the hammer. the hammer having alli operative edge extending close to the p ow.

63. A folding machine having, in combination, a hammer having a laterally extending, operative edge, means .for feeding material thereto, and a plow movable `with the feeding means adapted to' fold the material at a predetermined point, the feeding means and the plow being adapted to advance the material to the operative edge so that it maybe pinched thereby at the predetermined oint.

64. A fol( ing machine having, .in combination, a hammer, means for feedingy materia] thereto, and a plow movable with the ment.

material and adapted to yield in response to the pressure of the material thereagainst. 65. A folding machine having, in combination, a frame having an abutment member, a hammer,means for feeding material `to the hammer. a plow movable with the means having an arm engaging the abutment, and a spring yieldingly maintain'- feeding ing the arm in engagement withltherabut- 66. A folding machinev ,liavin\g, in combination, a frame having an abutment mem.- ber, a hammer, means comprising an intermittently movable feed-block for intermit- `towards each other.

tently4 feeding material to the hammer, a plow pivoted to the feed block having .an arm engaging the abutment, anda spring vieldinglv maintaining the arm in engage? ment with 'the abutment.

v 67. folding machine having, in com bination, feeding means. a plow, a hammer yhaving an operative edge extending laterally close to the plow, andmeans for relatively moving the plow and the hammer 68'. A folding machine having, in .combinatiom'means for intermittently feeding material, a plow movable with the feeding lmeans, and means for` moving the plow relatively to the feeding means to' cause the fold'- ing of the material.

69A folding machine having, in comfeeding material thereto, the hammer beingI adapted to press a fold in the material at each of a plurality of points, and means for imparting a- `double pinch tothe hammer' at each of said points between succcssive operations of the. feeding means.

'70. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for folding mate- 4 for intermittenttopinch the material at the predetermined point.

72. A folding machineliaving, in combination, a hammer. means for intermittently feeding material thereto, a plow movable with the feeding means. and means whereby the edge of the material is adapted to be gripped between the feeding means and the plow during the intermittent feed movements. i

73. A folding machine having, in com` bination, a hammer, means for feeding material thereto comprising a feed point, a plow movable withthe means for relatively movingtbe feed point and the plow towards each other to cause the edge of the material to be gripped' between them. i

74. yA folding'machine having, in combination, a hammer,.means for intermittently feeding material thereto, a plow adapted to initiate a fold inthe material during the return movement of the feeding means away from the hammer, and means whereby 'the feeding means and the plow are moved relatively towards each other during the for ward movement of the feeding means 'towards the hammer to cause the edge of the material to be gripped between the feeding means and the `plow during said forward movement.

i5, A folding machine having, in combination, a plow having an arm, an abutment engaged by maintaining the arm yieldingly in engagement with-the abutment.

76. A folding machine having. in combination. a hammer, means for feeding mate rial to the hammer, a retainer for clamping the material against movement during pauses in the feed. and a plow movable hack and forth in the line of feed.

7?.'A folding machine having, in combination. means for feeding ilexiblematerial. a plow for initiating a fold in the material, and means for actuating the plow in a plane substantially parallel to the plane'of vthe sheet material and at an angle 'to the direction of f eed.

78. A machine of the class described hav-y ine1 inv combination, a support for a piece 'of feeding means, and

iti

Vflexible material, means for feeding the maf` 4the feed means backward along the edge of the material to forme fold during the pauses` in thefeed and forward with the material. after it has been folded, means for actuating `the ,folder to further develop the fold during the forward moi/ement, and means for pressing the fold' thus produced.

80. A' folding machine having, -in com-- bination, means for feeding flexible material, a' folder movable with the feeding means for folding the material, and a fold presser for pressing 'the folded material having an operative edgelextending laterali)7 close to the foldern ,y

8l. llt` folding machine having, in coinbination, a support for a piece of flexible .material` a folzl presser, means for feeding -the material overy the support to the fold presser, and a folder mm'able with respect to the fold presser for folding the material prior to the action thereon of the fold presser, the fold presser having an operative porn 'tion projecting from the edge of the fold presser adjacent to the folder and extend ing close toa limiting position of movement of the folder.

82. A machine ofthe described hai@v ing, in con'ibination, a support for a piece of flexible material, a fold presser, a folder, and means for moving the folder backward along the edge of the material to form a fold and for moving the folder and the niaterial forward to present the fold to the fold presser, the fold pre er having an operative portion4 projecting from the edge of the fold presser adjacent to thefolder and positioned at the limit of forward movement the folclor.

S3. A folding machine having, in combin-ation, means for feeding material, a folder for folding the material, a fold presser vfor pressing the folded material, and means for actuating the folclor at an angle to the line of feed towards the fold presser.

84'. A. folding machine having, in co1n bination, means for feeding material, a folder for 'folding the material, means for actuating the folder at an angle to the line of feed, and .a fold presser .for pressing Vthe folded material situated at the end of the path ofactuation of the folder.

85. A folding machine having, in combina-tion, a -folderr forfolding material, a fold presser foi` pressing the folded material, means for actuating the fold presser, and means eonnectedto the actuating means for actuating the ,folder obliquely towards the fold presser. v

8G. A folding machine having, in coinbination, means for feeding material, a folder for initiating a fold in the material, means for actuating the folder lin a direction oblique to the line of feed, and a fold presser for pressing'the fold initiated by the folder, the fold presser being situated innnedi-y ately in front of the limiting forward position o'f the folder in the line of feed.

87. A folding machine having, in combination, a support, means for feeding material over the support, a retainer rearward of the feeding means in the line of feed for vholding the material against the support,

a 'folder for initiating a fold in the material, means for actuating the folder in a direction oblique to the line of feed to a position 'immediately forward of the retainer in the line of feedyand a fold presser for pressing the fold initiated by the folder, the 4food presser being situated immediately in front of the limiting forward position of ,the folder in the line of feed.

'51,. JL 'folding machine having, in combinaton, a support, means for feeding material over the support, a knife for slitting the margin of the material, a retainer oppositeljj; disposed to the `lniife and rearward of the feeding means in the line of feed for holding the material against the support, a. folder for initiating` a fold-in the margin of the material., means for actuating the folder in a direction oblique to the line of presser for pressing the fold initiated by,

the plow, the fold presser being situated immediately in front of the limiting position of the folder in the line of feed.

ln ltestimony whereof. we have signed our names to this specification.

@nantes niiosfrnoM. ANDREW n. ninnnnsfrnon.

Certificate ef Uorreetion.

It is hereby Certified that in Letters Patent No...1,5i7,394, granted February-24, 1925, upon the a plieation of Charles Brostro'ni, of Lynn, :1nd Andrew 'It Ridderstrom, of allant, Massachusetts, for un improvement in Folding` Mnchines, errors appear in the printed spevification yeqnirinw correction as follows: Page 2,1ine 85, for the numeral S rend 18; page (i, line (4, for the word ted rend feed; page 7, line 29, strike ont the words m whose edges E is to folded :is and insert instead As already @.rplniued 171e News of; und that the said Leiten; Patent should berend with these corrections therein that the smile muy uon'i'orn: to the record of the ease in the Patent Oliice. l

Signed and sealed this 12th day of May, A. D. 1925.

[snm] KARL FENNIi'i,

' .Az'n'lg Commissioner nf Pata/ne;

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