US1564576A - Clothespin machine - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 8, 1925.

H. J. KAHRS ET AL CLOTHESPIN MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb, l2. 1925 Dec. 8 1925.

H. J. KAHRS ET AL cLoTHEsPIN MACHINE Fild Feb. 12.

6 Sheets-She''b 4 Dec. 8, 1925. 1,564,576

H. J. KAHRS ET AL CLOTHESPIN MACHINE Filed Feb. 12, 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 E' .26. I' .IZ ,Fi ll W INVENTOR5 29 v Pe ler 5c Weider.

A ORNEYS Dee. 8, 1925. 1.564.576

.H. J. KAHRS ET AL CLOTHESPI N MACHINE Filed Feb. l2, 1925. 6 Sheets-She`6t s INVENTOR5 n Henry/J' /fahrs 7 Christ/'an Bodri C Peier E Schneiden ATTORNEYS' Patented Dec. 8, 1925.

UNITED srarss earner erstes.

HENRY J. KAI-IRS, OF NEW YORK, AND CHRISTIAN BODRI AND PETER E. SCHNEIDER,

OF RICHMOND HILL, NEW YORK.

CLOTHESPIN MACHINE.

Application filed February 12, 1925. Serial No. 8,684.

Re it known that we, llnNar J. Kai-ins, citizen of the United States, and resident oit' the borough and county of Bronx, city and State ot New York, zincl-Cii1'iisTIAN Benni and Parnu E. SCiiNmnnn, citizens of the United States, and residents ot.' Richmond Hill, in the borough and county oi Queens, city and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clothespin Machines, of which the following is a specilication.

Our improvement relates more particularly to an improved clothespin machine, more particularly adapted 'I'or the commercial manufacture of clothespins, ol? a new type, having inwardly extending resilient tongues on the legs of the clothespins, formed by and between the central kerf and reverse kerls at each side ol the central kerl. This style ot' clothespin is more particularly shown and described in Patent No. 1,274,236 of Julyg-io, 191s.

The primary object of our present .invention is to provide a comparatively simple machine for manufacturing clothespins ot this type, which can be operated at such a rate of output as will insure a uniform and satisfactory product, which can be sold at a reasonable price.

One ditliculty met with in 1nanufacturing` clothespins ot' the type referred to, has been in symmetrically and reliably cutting the reverse kert's which form the spring tongues in the legs oi the pins, and produce a substantially uniform product and, therefore, a tnrthcr object of our improvement is to provide lor widening the central kerl at the crotch thereof, by means of a breach, so as to provide suitable shoulders, such as will enable the reverse kei-fs to be readily started by the entering narrow ends oit' tapering longitudinally extending saw blades, provided 'for cutting the reverse kerfs.

.-1 further object is to provide continuously moving pushers for moving a series ot' clothespin blanks, in a continuous line through the machine, so that the successive blanks are operated upon first to cut the central kert. then to broach the crotch thereof and linally to cut the reverse keris on each side of the central kerl, the reverse kerfs being formed as the pushers carry the clothespin blanks over a pair of parallel saw blades,

extending practically the full length oi the nlachine, beyond the broach. Y

In a machine of this character, it is neces` sary that the clothespin blanks are it'ed to and through the machine, with the heads in the same relative position, and a further object of our improvement is to provide delivery mechanism and rectifying means for delivering successive clothespin blanks in upright position singly and in front of the continuously moving pusher bars.

The mechanisms for'carrying out these and other objects are more particularly shown in the accompanying drawing, representing one form of our improved clothespin machine. Fig. l represents a longitudinal sectional view partly in side elevation, the partial section being taken along the Vline lhl of Fig. S; Fig. 2 shows a` Vclothespin blank and the successive steps to the 'finished clothespin; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the machine; Fig. etis an enlarged broken away vertical sectional view, substantially on the line 4 4 of Fig. S; Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view oitI the escapement mechanism on the line 55 of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the escapement drive mechanism, with parts broken away; Fig. 7 is a detail in perspective of the safety connection in the blank delivery device; Fig. 8 is an enlarged broken away plan view of the machine, more particularly showing the escapement and rectifying devices; Fig. 9 is a perspective view ot the rectifying guides and delivery grooves; Fig. 10 is a plan view of the rectifying guides and grooves, Fig. l1 is a broken away detail of the ends of the delivery grooves, and the centeringguides, associated with the circular saw; Fig. 1la is a detaill view of the centering guides removed from ytheir support; Fig. 12 is a broken away vertical sectional view of the lett end of the machine, showing the clothespin blank delivery mechanism and devices associated with the circular saw; Fig. 13 is a partial sectional view of the clothespin blank drum on the line 13-13 oi Fig. 12; Fig. lll shows, in perspective, a few of the peripheral plates and the door construction oit the clothespin blank drum; Fig. 15 represents a partial vertical section, through the circular saw, substantially on the line 15-15 of Fig. 1; Figs. 16, 17 and 18 represent vertical transverse sections of the -lil breach and saw blades for cutting the reverse kerfs, and their support, the sections being taken respectively, on the lines 16v-1G, 1?-17 and 18-18 of Fig. 1; Fig. 19 shows a broken away perspective of the reverse kerf saw blades and their support; Fig. 20 shows, in perspective, Jroken away details of various devices associated with the circular saw; Fig. 21 shows a perspective of the first step of operation on the clothespin blank liust passing over the circular saw; Fig. 22 is a perspective view showing the second step or operation of breaching the crotch of the central kerf; Fig. 23 shows, in

^ perspective, the third step in the operation,

wherein the reverse zerfs are cut by the tapering saw blades and Fig. shows a perspective of one of the pusher bars and associated parts.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that our improved machine preferably comprises an elongated bed mounted upon legs r standards 1, the bed preferably comprising parallel side-bars or rails 2, which may be connected together by suitable transverse ribs or shoulder bolts 3, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings. The side rails 2 of the bed provide supports for the various parts of the machine, including` bearings for transverse shafts 4 and 5, which are located at the ends of the bed rails 2L Each of the shafts Il and 5 is provided with two sprocket wheels 6, secured to the respective shafts and carrying endless sprocket chains 7, the chains being located at each sid-e of the machine, adjacent the side rails 2. A transverse shaft 8 is also mounted in bearings supported by the side rails 2, and carries a circular saw 9 for cutting the central kerf of clothespin blanks. as hereinafter described. The shaft 8 is preferably provided with a pulley 10, at one end (see Fig. 3), which is driven by a belt 11 from a motor 12, or any other suitable source of power. The shaft 8 is also provided with a pulley 13 at its other end. which is connected by a belt 1e, with a pulley 15 mounted on a shaft 1G, as indicated in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The pulley 15 is adapted to drive the sprocket wheel shaft 4l, through intermediate reducing gears 17 and 18, the arrangement being` such that the sprocket chains are moved continuously longitudinally of the machine (from left to right as seen in Figs. 1 and 8), at a uniform rateand at a speed considerably less than the speed, of rotation of the circular saw 9.

The finished clothespins require a flaring or V-shaped opening at `the lower ends of the legs, so as to 'facilitate entrance of the clothesline, and in `our present machine, it found. desirable tomake this bevel cut v means of cutters 19,rnounted on each side of the circular saw 9 in suitable openings 2O in the latter, as more particularly shown in Figs. 1 and 15 of the drawings.

After cutting the central kerf and the bevels at the lower ends thereof, by means of the circular saw 9 and cutters 19, it is desirable, as previously stated, to widen the crotch of the central kerf to provide shoulders to facilitate the entry of and properly starting the saw blades in cutting the reverse kerfs. Accordingly, a breach 21 (see Figs. 1 and 22) is mounted on the end of a supporting plate or rail 22, which is cut away at 23, und-er the breach to provide clearance for the escape of cuttings from the breach. As shown in the drawings, the breach tapers from the width of the central ker-fs, made by the circular-saw, to the width required for the entry of the saw blades for cutting the reverse kerfs, see view C of the Fig. 2.

Immediately succeeding the breach 21, the supporting plate 22 carries two long tapering saw blades 2l, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 16 to 19, these saws being located on each side of the rail plate 22, which is preferably provided with a cap bar 25, held in place thereon by a tongue and groove, the respective saw blades 2li being` secured to the cap bar by nieans of screws 26, as more particularly shown in Fig. 19. It will be noted that the saws 2l flare out slightly and equally from the lside walls of the centrally located rail plate 22, so when the reverse kerfs are cut they forni upwardly extending wedge shaped or tapering tongues in the legs of the clothespin, as indicated in view D in Fig. 2. The supporting cap bar 25 with the combined thickness of the two saws 2li is of such a thickness or 'width as to enter the breached cut at the crotch of the central ker-f, and the entering ends of the saws 2l are adapted to engage the offset shoulders of the broach cut to start the reverse kerfs. As indicated in the drawings, the cutting edges of the tapering saws 2d extend at an angle to the hacks of the saws, secured to the can lair 25, so that as the clothes pin blanks are pushed longitudinally of the saws 24 and bar 25, the latter will ride in the breached crotch, while the tapering cutting` edges of the gradually widening saws 2--l will cut the reverse kerfs in the legs of the clothes pin. The rail plate 22 is preli'crably substantially the thickness of the central ker if, made by the circular saw 9, and obviously in nioring the blanks longitudinally of the saws 24, the latter are apt to bind as the reverse kerfs become deeper and, therefore, in order to relieve this pressure or binding, the rail plate 22 is preferably cut away on cach side at 27 to provide parallel longitudinal shoulders or ribs 28, lying slightly abovel the cutting edges of the saws 2-/1 and ezitending throughout the length of the sans,

parallel to their tapering cutting edges. This arrangementis more particularly indicated in Figs. 17 to 19.

As previously stated, thc rail pla-te 22 is, in the present instance, approximately the thickness of the Central kerf, cut in the clothes pin blanks by the circular saw 9, and is mounted in the plane of the saw, so that blanks may be moved successively over the circular saw 9, the broach 2l and the saw blades 24 in a straight line. For this purpose the rail plate 22 is support-ed centrally of the machine, between the sprocket chains 7 by suitable standards or posts 29, which project upward from cross bars 30, lo'ated transversely of and supported by the side bars or rails 2 of the main frame of the machine.

For continuously feeding blanks through the machine for the successive operations of cuttinO the central kerf, the breached crotch and tie reverse kerfs, the continuously driven sprocket chains 7 are preferably provided with a plurality of pusher bars 31, the ends of which are secured to the respective chains 7, the pusher bars being equally spaced throughout the length of the driving chains, and carried along thereby in parallel relation. In order to maintain the pusher bars 31 in uprightl position and cause them to travel through the top of the machine in a straightline, parallel to the backs of the saw blades 24, or parallel to the cap bar supporting said saws, the. ends of the respective pusher bars are preferably provided with elongated slide plates 32 (sce Fig. 24),which are adapted to slide in grooves 33, cut longitudinally of strips or bars 34, mounted upon upright posts extending upward from the main frame side rails 2, substantially as indicated in Figs. 4 and 12. In that the sprocket chains 7 are endless and travel continuously, the pusher slide plates 32 pass out of the grooves at the right hand end of the machine, as viewed in Fig. l, and, returning under the bed of the machine, are brought again into posit-ion to enter the grooves 33, the ends of the latter are preferably made V-shaped at 36 to facilitate the proper entry ot' the pusher slides into the grooves 33.

The pusher bars el, as more particularly shown in Figs. 4 and 24, are provid-ed with a' vertically disposed U-shaped pusherelement 37, which is bifurcated at the open end thereof, to straddle the saws and broach. Preferably the legs or lower ends -of the U-shaped pusher element 37 are provided with inwardly projecting lugs 38, which just clear the saws and these lugs, as Well as the upper yoke portion of the U-shaped pusher element, are provided with recesses at 39 and 40 respectively, for centering and holding the lower and upper ends of the blanks. By this arrangement it will be seen that the continuously moving pusher bars 31 are adapted to move the clothespin blanks from the position indicated in Fig. 20, over the circular saw 9, to the-position shown in Fig. 21 and then to the position shown in Fig. 22, carrying it over the broach 21; and finally over all the way along the saw blades 24, as shown in Figs. 1 and 23.- Thus by successive operations on the blank, the finished clothespins are produced with the central and rew verse kerfs, substantially as shown at D in Fig. 2.

It will be understood that preferably there is a continuous series of clothespin blanks, passing through the machine to be operated on successively, as previously described, and the number of blanks so ope-rated upon in a given time may be determined by the speed of the chain drive mo fing the pusher bars 31 and the spaced relation between successive pusher bars. In order to provide for a continuous series of blanks going through the machine and placed in front of succes` sive pusher bars, before or by the time they arrive in front of the circular saw 9, as indicated in Fig. 20, it is necessary to provide means for reliably delivering suoli blanks singly and in proper synehronism to vbe engaged by the respective pusher bars 31. It is also necessary, in delivering and placing the clothespin l'lanks in front of the pusher bars, that the heads shall be up. To properly insure the delivery and rectification of successive clothespin blanks, we have dcvised special feeding and delivering means, the operation of which is synchronized with the motion of the pusher bars 31.

In order to supply clothespin blanks to the machine continuously as required, a ver 4tically disposed chute 4l is preferably supported above the pusher bars, on stamlardsl 42, substantially as indicated in Figs. 4 and 12 of the drawings, the thickness of the chute being such that the blanks lie one above another in a single layer. This chute 41 is preferably kept filled with a predetermined number of blanks by means ol a suitable feeding device or hopper. In the present instance, the chute 41 is preferably supplied with clcthespin blanks arranged horizontally, so as to drop into the chute in that position, by means of a rotating drum 43, supported centrally above the machine and over the chute 41, by a bracket 44, (see Fig. 3). The drum 43 is adapted to be rotated by a pulley 45, driven by a belt 46, extending over a pulley 47 on the end of the sprocket wheel shaft 5. The drum 43 preferably comprises two circular discs 48 and 49, between the peripheries of which are mounted a plurality of off-set overlapping plates 50, which are suitably supported by the discs 48-49 to form the cylindrical peripheral portion of the drum, with a corresponding plurality of sinuous channels and openings therein for the release of blanks, to be dropped into the chute 41. The arrangement of the plates are more particularly shown in perspective in Fig. 14. The openings at 51 between the step-like overlapping plates 50 are closed by doors 52, for holding the blanks in single file in the sinuons channels between the plates 50 substantially as indicated in Fig. 12 of the drawings. At the inner ends of the peripheral plates 50, guide plates 53 are preferably mounted between the disc walls 418-49 for assisting in arranging the blanks in parallelism and directing them into the channels between the plates 50, where they lie in single file parallel to the axis of the drinn. The peripheral doors 52 are preferably provided with operating arms or levers 54 located on the outside of the drum wall 48, and are here shown as eX- tending beyond the circumferential edge thereof. The lever arms 54 of the respective doors 52 are provided with springs 55, connected therewith in a. manner to hold the doors closed during rotation of the drum, but permitting release of blanks when desired, by the actuation of the lever arms 54.

For opening the doors 52, to release clothespin blanks in position to fall into the vertical chute 41, a trip member 56 is pivotally mounted in bearing backets 57,

'located on the wall of the chute 41, substantripping position, this being accomplished 1n the present instance by the weighted arm 58. In actual operation of the machine, it is found that 1t rs frequently not required to trip successive levers 54 to open the respective doors 52, for in that case, more blanks may be released than arel required to fill the chute 41. rlherefore, the trip 56 is provided with a downwardly extending trigger arm 59, which enters a slot 60 in the wall of the chute 41, in position to be engaged by the clothcspin blanks, and when the chute 41 contains a predetermined number of blanks, the trigger will be forcibly held out of the passage of the chute, thereby holding the trip 56 ont of the path. of the door lever arms 54. lilith the trip 56 in this position, the drum vill rotate without releasing blanks until additional blanks are required in the chute 41.

As previously explained, the blanks, foi eflicient and continuous oinration of `the niac-hine, are required to be delivered from the chute 41 at regular intervals and one at a time. For this purpose, the bottom of the chute is preferably provided with a rotary delivery member 61. controlled by an escapement. The delivery member 61 comprises a cylindrical trough vadapted for holding a single blank, as indicated in Fig. 4,

and rotatably mounted in bearings 62, the

mounted in the bearing block 64, the latter also serving as a bearing for the shaft 65, which is connected with the delivery member 61 for rotating it.

The shaft 65, within a cavity in the block 64, is provided with a dog 66, adapted to cooperate with a pair of dogs 67, mounted on opposite sides of the shaft 65 on a slide bar 68, which is adapted to Islide horizontally in slots in the block 64, as indicated in Figs. 4 to 6 of the drawings. The shaft- 65 passes through and finds bearing in a tubular shaft 69, rotatably supported in a bearing block 70, and provided at its outer end with a sprocket wheel 71, which, by means of a chain 72 and sprocket wheel 7 3, is adapted to be driven from the 'shaft 5 of the sporcket wheels 6, carrying the endless chains 7, forming the motive power for the respective pusher bars 3l, which are adapted to move the clothespin blanks through the machine for the various operations thereon.

It will thus be 'seen that in this manner the rotation of the sprocket wheel 71 and tubular shaft 69 is synchronized with the motion of the pusher bars 31 through the machine. The tubular shaft 69 and sprocket 71 are connected to the shaft 65 for intermittently rotating the latter and the delivery member 6l, by means of a coiled spring 74. Rotation of the shaft will be intermittently prevented by the engagen'ient of the dog 66 with one or the other of the holding dogs 67, during which time the spring 74 will be wound up. Vin order to rclease the shaft 65, for its intcrn'iittent rotation of 180, the slide bar 66, carrying the dogs 67, is adapted to be reciproeated by means of an eccentric 75 mounted on the tubular shaft 69 and provided with an eccentric strap 76 on the end of a pitman 77 pivotally secured at 78 in one Iend of the slide bar 66, to thereby move the latter transversely of the shaft 66 back and forth once during each rm'olution of the sprocket wheel 71. In this manner, the dogs 67 al- CII ternately hold and release the shaft its connecting delivery member 61 being thus given a half revolution intermittently, while the sprocket wheel 71 i's rotated continuously.

It is found in practice that the clothespin blanks are not always of uniform diaineter, and on this account or otherwise, the delivery member 61 might, at times, be` come jammed, and to prevent damage to the machine, the shaft 65 is preferably connected to the delivery member 61, by a yielding connection, which comprises a flat spring 79, secnred to the end of the delivery ineinber G1, by means of a screw 81, the end of the spring being adapted to engage a flattened portion 82 of the shaft G5, which enters a suitable hole in the end 80 of the delivery member, substantially as lshown in Figs. 4 and 7 of the drawings. 3y this arrangement, it will be seen that if the delivery member G1 becomes blocked or jammed and fails to respond to normal rotation, the spring 79 will be forced upward, permitting` the shaft 05 to rotate without injury to the mechanism.

As more particularly shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, the clothespin blanks are assembled in the chute 41, with their heads lying in either direction and it is necessary that they be delivered and positioned in front of the pusher bars 81 in vertical position with their heads up, therefore, specially designed grooved guides or tracks are provided for this purpose. The transverse supporti'.ig plate 68 is provided with a slot at 83 and immediately below this slot, two substantially verticil grooves in tracks 84 and 85 are secured and spaced apart, so as to be located near the ends of the slot 83, in Josition to engage the heads of elothespin blanks released by the delivery member G1. rllhe grooves in the track members 84 and 85 are narrower than the body of the blank, thereby7 engaging the neck below the head while the opposite end oit the blank, not being able to enter the other groeve, will cause the blank to cant as the head end moves down its groove. Under the influence of gravity, the blanks will thus move downward between the tracks 84 and 85 at an angle, substantially as indicated by the blanks shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4. The tracks 84 and 85 diverge slightly at their lower ends and the latter are cuived outward into aV horizontal position, so that as a clotliespin blank falls, with its head cngaged by one of the guide grooves, it will be swung into vertical position, suspended by its head. One of the blanks is shown in full lines in Fig. 4, just swinging into vertical position.

The guide grooves in the curved lower ends 86 of the grooved tracks 84 and 85 merge with horizontal guide grooves 87 and 88, extending lengthwise of the machine, parallel to the path of the pusher bars 31. The guide grooves 87 and 88 converge V- like in a track plate 89, as shown more particularly in Figs. 8 to 11 of the drawings. Bridge pieces 90 and 91 extend over the guide grooves 87 and 88 for supporting the outer rails of the respective grooves, which converge into a single groove at 92. The latter is preferably extended by means of spring fingers 93. At the point where the grooves 87 and 88 merge with the single grooves 92, it is desirable to have the respective grooves made continuous, so as to continuously engage the head and keep the blank from dropping, andfor this purpose, a switch member 94 is provided. This member 94, as will be seen in Figs. 10 and 11 is formed as a wedge-shaped finger, pivoted to the plate 89 at 95, and adapted to be moved in one direction or the other by the blanks, as they are moved in singly along the respective grooves 87-88. The blanks, after entering the horizontal grooves 87-88, are adapted to be moved along the grooves by means of bars 96, secured to the ripper ends of the lugs 37 on the pusher bars 31, as will be seen in Figs. 10 and 11.

rlhe rearward or converging end of the horizontal track plate 89 is supported by a plate 97, to which it is secured by screws 98, engaging the bridges 91, as more particularly shown in Figs. 8 and 12. The plate 97 eX- tends longitudinally of the machine, i1nmediately above the circular saw 9, and is supported by transverse bars 99 and 100, which lie above the plate 97 and are supported by posts extending upward from the bed eide rails 2. The underside ofthe plate 97, from above the end of the single guide groove 92 to a point beyond the circular saw 9, is recessed at 101 (see Figs. 12 and 20), and mounted in this recess is a grooved plate 102, which is provided with two upwardly projecting studs 103. The studs 103 pass through `holes in the plate 97 and are pivotally connected with bell crank-levers 104, rocking in fulcruin brackets 105, secured to the top of the plate 97. The upper ends of the bell crank levers 104 are connected together by a link 106 to thereby provide a parallel mot-ion device `for moving the grooved plate 102, up and down in parallel relation to the plate 97, by which it is supported.

The longitudinal groove in the movable plate 102 is parallel with and centrally located with rerference toi a vertical plane through the circular saw 9, and the heads of clothespin blanks. under the push of pusher bars 31, are adapted to enter the groove of the plate 102 as they leave the track groove 92 between the spring fingers 93, substantially as shown in Figs. 12 and 20.` A spring 107, connected to the end of the link 106 and to a fixed pin 108, is adapted to resiliently hold the groove plate 102, in contact or engagement with the head of the blank.

Lying parallel to the plate 97, below it, and provided with a slit through which the circular saw projects, there is mounted a table or platform 109, adapted to engage the lower ends of clothespin blanks, as they move out o'l the single guide groove 92 and throughout their engagement with and passage over the circular saw 9 `for cutting the central kerf. The resilient groove plate 102, pressing down on the heads of blank, is therefore, adapted to hold successive blanks in contact with the saw table 109 and provide 'for any slight variation in the lengths ot the blanks.

'Although the blanks carried along by the respective pusher bars 31 are centered in the sockets 39 and 10 in the U-shaped lugs 37, it is desirable to insure correct |centering oi the lower ends of the blanks on the table 109 betere the blanks are actually brought into engagement with the circular saw 9. For this purpose, a pair of guide plates 110 is mounted on the forward end of the table 109, as more particularly shown in F ig. 11 of the drawings. These guide plates are arranged to slide laterally and longitudinally by angular tongue and groove or pin and slot connections at 111, the arrangement being such that as the guide plates 110 are forced angularly outward and rearward, the space therebetween will widen, while the guides hold the lower end of the blank centrally with respect to the circular san7 9. In order that the two guide plates 110 shall move simultaneously and to the same eX- tent, they are connected together by interlocking` brackets 112, secured to the respective plates and in sliding engagement on the underside of the saw table 109, (see Figs. it and 11). Springs 112 connected to the plates 110 and to the plate 109 tend to contract the plates 110 together.

The operation of the machine will be understood trom the description thus far given, and it will be seen that as the clothespin blanks are received and straightened in the drum a3, they will be released therefrom, one at a time, and drop into the chute 11, from which they will be delivered singly by the intermittent rotation ot the delivery member G1, controlled by the escapement (S0-0i', which, as previously explained, is ope ated intermittently in synchronism with the chain driven pusher bars 31. rlhe blanks, as released by the delivery member 01, will drop downward and according to the direction of the head, the latter will enone or the other o the guide grooves in the upright tracks See-85. The blank will then fall by gravity and be swung into vertical position in front of one ot.' the pusher bars 31a where it will be engaged by the transverse pusher plate 96, and carried along one or the other o'i the horizontal track grooves 37-33 into the central groove 92. At this pointthe blank A becomes seated in the centering sockets 39 and 410, and

further movement o1 the pusher bar carries the blank on to the table 109, where its lower end is centered by the guides 110, as the head enters the groove in the resilient guide plate 102. Further movement of the pusher bar 31 carries the blank over the circular saw 9, to form the central kerl 113 and the bevel 114 at the lower' ends thereof', as shown at B on Fig. 2. The thin enc et the broach 21 then enters the crotch oit the kerl 113 and further movement ot the pusher bar 31 forces the blank over the broach and forms the shouldered wide crotch, as shown at 115 in the view C in Fig. 2. 1t will be understood that the pusher bars 31 move continuously, and immediately after the blank as shown at C in Fig. 2, passes ofi' of the broach 21, the narrow ends oit the saws 24 will enter the widened opening 115 and engage the shoulders thereof on each side of the central kerl" 113. Continuef movement now oi the pi'isher bar 31 carries the clothespin blank longitudinally oi" the saws 241, the blank being held down to the crotch by the action ot the cutting edges of the saws, which thereby produce the rcverse kerfs 11G, as shown at l) in Fig. 2. The completed clothespin, as shown at l) in Fig. 2, is thus provided with inwardly projecting` resilient tongues 117 on each side ot the central kerf 113., Clothespins after completion pass ott the ends oi "the saws 2st and drop by gravity and may be collected in any suitable manner.

iVhile we have shown and described one form of our improved clothespin machine,

it will be understood that we do not wish to be limited to the specific 'construction shown, for obviously various modifications may be made in the details thereo't and in the arrangement and adaptation of various features of construction, without departing form the spirit and scope ot the invention.

life claim 1. A clothespin machin@ comprising a centrally arranged saw 'tor cutting a central kerit in clothespin blanks, a. pair or stationary longitudinally extending saws for cutting reverse kerifs troin the crotch ot the center kerf down each leg ot the clothespin, one of said pair ot saws being arranged en each side of the plane oi the said central saw, and a poweiwlriven member for moving the clothespin blanks over said saws to produce the respective keriis.

2. A clothespin machine, comprising` a circular saw 'for cutting a central kerl in clothespin blanks, a pair of longitudinally extending saws uniformly spaced apart throughout their length, one on each side lla.'

of the plane of said circular saw, for cutting reverse kerfs from the crotch of the central kerf down each leg of the pin, and power driven pusher element-s for moving the clothespin blanks over said saws.

3. A clothespin machine, comprising a circular saw for cutting the central kerf in clothespin blanks, cutters carried by said saw for beveling and flaring outward the lower end walls of said central kerf, a broach for increasing the width of said kerf at the crotch thereof, a pair of tapering saw blades adapted to enter said breached cut at the crotch, for cutting` a revei'se kerf down each leg of the pin, and power actuat ed pushers for moving clothespin blanks over said circular saw', said broach and said pair of saw blades in succession.

4f. A clothespin machine, comprising a plurality of uniformly spaced pusher elements, adapted to be moved continuously for moving clothespin blanks uniformly through the machine, a chute for holding a supply of said blanks, means operated in synchronism with said pusher elements for releasing blanks singly from said chute, and means for placing' said released blanks in upright position in front of said pusher elements in succession as the latter pass under said chute.

5. The clothespin machine as claimed in claim 4:, in which said means for placing released blanks in front of said pusher elements comprises means engaging the heads of said blanks "for rectifying them, as they.

fall by gravity, so that they are placed before said pusher elements with the heads up.

6. The clothespin machine, as claimed in claim 4, in which said means for releasing blanks from said chute comprises a rotatable delivery element for releasing said blanks one at a time.

In a clothespin machine, the combination with means for positively and uniformly moving a succession of single clothespin blanks in a straight line through the machine, of a circular saw against and over which the successive blanks are moved for cutting central kerfs therein, a platform ex* tending on each side of said saw, parallel to the direction of mot-ion of the blanks. said platform heilig adapted to engage the lower ends of said blanks and support them as they are carried over the saw, and means for holding the blanks in engagement with said platform.

8. The clothespin machine as claimed in claim 7, in which the receiving end of said platform is provided with centering guides for centering the blank with respect to the saw.

9. The clothespin machine as claimed in claim 7, in which said means for holding the blanks in engagement with said platform comprises a grooved plate mounted over said saw and parallel with said platform, the -groove in said plate being adapted to engage the heads of the blanks, and resilient means is provided for urging said plate toward said plat-form to thereby hold the blanks in contact with the latter as they pass over the saw.

l0. In a clothespin machine, the combination of a plurality of pusher bars, adapted to be moved longitudinally of the machine in equally spaced succession, means for feeding clothespin blanks singly and in upright position in front of successive pusher bars to be carried along thereby, each pusher bar being provided with a socket for engaging and centering the blanks, a saw for cutting central kerfs'in the blanks as they are moved along by said pusher bars, and a pair of saws for cutting reverse kerfs on each side of the central kerf, the last named kerfs extending downward into the legs of the pin to thereby form upwardly projecting resilient tongues on each side of the central kerf.

l1. In a clothespin machine, the combination witha circular saw for cutting central kerfs in clothespin blanks, a table for supporting the blanks as they are moved over said saw, a pair of'opposed centering guide plates movably mounted at the entering end of said table, for centering the clothespin blanks with respect to the saw, means connecting said plates to adapt both of them to expand away from each other in unison equal distances from the central plane of the saw when an expanding force is exerted upon either of them, and means tending to contract the plates together.

12. In a clothespin machine, the combination with a circular saw, for cutting central kerfs in clothespin blanks, a table for snpporting the blanks as they are moved over the saw, a plate mounted above said saw and provided with a groove central of and parallel to the plane of said saw, said plate being adapted -for movement toward and from said table in parallel relation thereto, a spring for urging said plate toward the table, to thereby hold said blanks in contact with the latter, and means for moving the blanks along said table and over said saw.

13. In a clothespin machine, the combination with saws for cutting central and reverse kerfs in clothespin blanks, of means for continuously moving a series of blanks over said saws, a. chute for holding blanks for delivery one at a time, in horizontal position, a pair of vertically grooved guides for receiving blanks from said chute, said vertical grooves being adapted to engage the heads of the blanks, so that they may swing into upright position by gravity, horizontal guides provided with grooves merging with the respective vertical grooves, said horizontal grooves converging into a single groove. the arrangement being such that blanks released trom said chute, with heads in either direction, will be rectified and pass into one or the other ot said horizontal grooves suspended by the head, means associated with said continuously moving means for engaging the blanks so positioned and moving them along the respective horizontal grooves into the single groove, and means tor holding said blanks in centered position after they leave said single groove.

14. In a clothespin machine, the combination with a chute `t'or receiving and holding clothespin blanks, of a rotating blank delivery member at the bottom of said chute, means for rotating said member intermittently, an escapement lor holding said member against rotation, power means tor actuating said escapement to release said member for intern'iittent rotation, means vtor moving blanks, delivered trom said chute, through the machine, and connections between said last named means and said escapement power means for synchronizing the movements thereof.

15. The clothespin machine as claimed in claim 14, in which means is provided between said escapement and the rotating delivery member of the chute tor permitting rotation of said intermittently rotating means independently of said delivery member, in case the latter should become clogged by said blanks.

1G. In a clothespin machine, the combination of a saw for cutting central kerfs in successive clothespin blanks fed through the machine, a pair of tapering saw-blades eX- tending longitudinally of the machine for cutting reverse kerfs on each side of the central kerf, a rail plate between and supporting said saw-blades, said rail plate being provided with shoulders following the taper cutting edges of the saw-like blades, the thickness at said shoulders being substantially the width ot said central ker, whereby the pressure is relieved on the tongues formed as said reverse kerts are cut.

1T. A machine for performing a shaping operation upon clothespin blanks comprising shaping means, means to leed blanks to said shaping means upright and in spaced relation, ar chute adapted to hold blanks in a horizontal position, a rotatable member adapted to release the blanks one at a time from the chute, means operated in synchronism with said blank-feeding means adapted to rotate said rotatable member intermittently to release a. blank, and means to place the released blank in an upright position and deliver it to the said feeding means.

18. A clothespin machine comprising a pair of longitudinally extending stationary saws uniformly spaced apart throughout their length and adapted for cutting kers from the crotch of the central kerf down each leg of the pin to produce iiexible tongues, power driven means for moving the pin along said saws, and means for guiding the pin in its movement along the saws and maintaining its legs in proper relation to the saws.

19. A clothespin machine comprising a breach supported in a liked position and adapted for increasing the width oi the central kert ot the pin at its crotch, a pair ot' longitudinally extending saws supported in iXed positions spaced apart throughout their length and adapted to enter said broached cut at the crotch ttor cutting a reverse kerf down each leg of the pin, and power driven .means for moving the pin along said broach and along said pair ot saws tor the broaching and cutting operations.

20. In a machine for performing a shaps ing operation upon headed clothespin blanks, the combination ot shaping means, means for holding blanks and delivering them one at a time in horizontal position, a pair of vertically. grooved guides :tor receiving blanks from said holding means, said vertical grooves being adapted to engage the heads o1 the blanks so that tney may swing into upright position by gravity, horizontal guides provided with grooves merging with the respective vertical grooves, said horizontal grooves converging into a single "7 groove, the arrangement being such that blanks released from the said holding means with heads in either direction will be rectified and pass into one or the other oit said horizontal grooves suspended by the head,

and means for engaging the blanks so positioned and moving them along the respective horizontal grooves into the single groove and to the said shaping means.

21. 1n a clothespin machine the combination of means for positively moving a succession of single clothespins in a straight line and in spaced relation, and a pair of saws mounted in tired positions and extending longitudinally in the path of i'i'iovement ot the pins, said saws being spaced apart throughout their length and adapted td cut reverse kcrfs 'from the crotch ot the cent ral kerf oi" each pin down `nach. leg thereoi3 during the said movement ot the pins.

22. A machine ior cutting a reverse kerl" from the crotch down one orI the legs ot a clothespin ycomprising a stationary saw adapted to enter the crotch of the clothespin, and means for moving the pin along the saw in a straddling relation thereto to form said kerf.

23. A machine for cutting a reverse kei-t from the crotch down one of the legs ot a clothespin comprising a stationary tapered saw adapted to enter the crotch ot' the clothespin, said saw increasing in depth from its entering end, and means for moving the pin along the saw in straddling relation thereto to form said kert.

24. A machine i'foi' 'cuttinga reverse lierf from the crotch down ne of the legs of. a clthespin, ccmprising means for moving the pin in a straight line, a stationary saw extending loiigitudihally in thepat'h ot move* ment ot the pin and adapted to enter the ciotcli thereetf, and means for moif'ing vthe pin along the saw in rstraddling relation thereto to t'orin said hert..

A machine for `cutting ja reverse kert lrm the 'crotch down on'e or the Ylegs of av clothespin cbii'ipiising a stationary brach adaptedy for enlarging the opening at the crotch ot thepin', a stationary saw adapted to enter said lnfiiacli'ed out crotch bf the pin,

and means for n'i'oving the pin along the breach' and along the saw in straddllng: relation thereto in succession to form said leert. Y y

26. A machine tor 'cutting reverse lerfs down the Ilegs of a clot-heispin comprisinga pair 'et stationary lbngitudinally extending saws spaced apart throughout their length and divergiiig tra'iisveseiy,4 and i'neans :lor moving a elothespin longitudia'lly along the saws in straddling relation thereto te form sai-.d lerfs.

Q7. A machine for` cutting reverse herrieV down the ot a 'clcthespin' comprising a pair et stationary saws adapted to enter the crotch ot', the pin, andl a pusher element lnovable along said saws 'and adapted to carry 1the pin with it along 'the saws in straddling relation to thfem to iorm said kterfs', the' said pusher Yelement being yt'crm'ed tofst'raddle the saws and engage the l'egs oi the pin. l

SQ A nfia'cliih'e ter `cuttingreverse lierifs down the legs of a clnthespin, comprising means for moving thev pin' along astraiglit line,;a p'aii'` of stationary saws extendingrlongitudinally in the path of movement of the pin, said saws divergiiig. transversely and said 'pi-ii-ihbviilg means'. beingadapted to move the piil loligitudiiially along the saws in straddling relation thereto to form said y kerfs.

29. A machine for cutting reverse le-rfs down the legs of a clothespin comprising a pair of longitudinally extending stationary saws spaced apart throughout their length, and means for moving a clothespin along said saws in straddling relation thereto and in a straight line to form said kers, the longitudinal cutting edges of the saws ex tending along lines inclined with relation to the path of the pin, whereby the kerfs will be cut through the legs from the crotch of the pin toward the :tree ends of the legs as the pin is moved along the saws.

30. Ainachine for cutting reverse ker'l'fs down the legs of a clothespin to form tongues extending upwardly at the inner sides oit the legs, said machine comprising :i pair of saw blades tapering in depth, a stationary longitudinally extending straight rail plate lccate'd between ,said saws-land supporting them with. their sawjedges siiacedpoutwardly from the opposite. lside faces ot the plate, 'and ineanslor movinga sides ot the legs oi tliepin below the cut ting edgesv ot the saw blades and guide the pin as it is moved llengtlie saws, and. the. plate being narrowed above the cutting edgesof the saws to provide clearance for the said tongues ast-hey are 'formed'. c

3l. A. machine 'for cutting reverse lierts dowii the oi" ay elothespin comprising a pair ot saw blades tapering in width; a sta tionary loi'igitudinally straight rail plate between said saws and supporting `them in transversely diverging positions with their. cutting edges spaced from the opposite faces et the plate, and means-'tor moving ay clothe. f pin along said 'sa-ws in straj'ddling relation thereto t form the said krfs, the said rail platel being formed to Contact the inner sides of the legs of the pin belwthe 'cutting edges of the saw bladesv to guide the pin as it is moved alcngthe saws;

,A machine for ciittingreverse lierfs down the legs of a clothes'pin comprising al pair ot longitudinally extending stationary saws spaced apart throughouttheir length,

and ine'afns for moving a; clothespin along said saws in straddling relation thereto' and in a straight ,line to ornl said lze'r'is, the longitudinaly cutting. edges ot'i the saws extending alongy lines inc-lined with relation to the Jath of the iin and theysaws diver@-v ing transversely, wllereby the kerits willhe cut from the cretch ofthe pin downwardly in diverging directions as the pin is inved along the saws;

33; A; machine tor cutting reverse kerits down the legs ofi a clothespin,comprising a stationary breach,` a pair ol stationary saw blades located in alinementL with said broach and tapering in width, means for moving a clothespin along the breach and the saws in straddling relation to them, and means to guide the pin in its movement and maintain the legs thereof in proper relation to the saw blades, the said broach being adapted to enlarge the opening atthe crotch of the pin, and the tapered saws being spaced apart and adapted to have their narrow ends `enter the broachedout crotch in position to start the cutting oft said kerts, whereby as the pin is moved over the length of the saws the kerts will be formed.

84. ln a elothespin machine the combination of means for positively moving a succession ofclothespins in a straight line and in spaced relation, broaching means mounted in a {iXed position in the path of movement of the pins and adapted as each pin is moved over it to increase the width out the central llO kerf thereofat its crotch, and a pair of saws mounted in lixedpositions and extending longitudinally in the'path of movement ci the pins, said saws being spaced apart throughout their length and adapted as each pin is moved over them to enter the said broached opening and cut reverse kert's down each leg of the pin.

35. A machine for cutting reverse kerls down the legs of a clothespin, comprising means for moving a clothespin in a straight line, and a pair of saws mounted in lined positions extending longitudinally in the path of movement of the pin and spaced outwardly transversely at opposite sides of a central line, said saws being adapted to enter the crotch of the pin and cut reverselerts down each leg thereof during said movement of the pm.

86. A machine for cutting reverse kerits down the legs of a clothespin comprising a pair of saw blades tapering in width, a longitudinally straight rail plate between said saws and supporting them in transversely diverging positions with their cutting edges spaced from the opposite faces of the plate, and means for moving a clothespinalong said saws in straddling relation thereto to form the said keris, the said rail plate being termed to contact the inner sides ot the legs of the pin below the cutting edges ot the saw blades to guide the pin as it is moved along the saws.

37. A machine for cutting reverse kerts down the legs of a clothespin comprising a breach, a pair of saw blades located in alinement with said broach and tapering. in width, means for relatively moving a clothespin along t-he breach and along the saws in straddling relation to them, and means to maintain the legs of the pin in proper relation to the saw blades, the said broach being adapted to enlarge the opening at the crotch of the pin` and the tapered saw blades being spaced apart and adapted to have their narrow ends enter the broached out crotch in positions to start the cutting ot the lierfs whereby as the pin is relatively moved lengthwise of the blades the kerfs will be cut.

38. A machine for cutting a reverse kerl down one of the legs of a clothespin, comprising a. longitudinally extending saw blade adapted at one end to enter the crotch ot the pin, means for supporting the pin in straddling relation to the saw blade, means for supporting the saw blade with its cutting edge directed from the crotch of the pin toward the 'free end ot said leg ol liquely with relation to the inner side of the leg, and power driven means to cause a relative movement between the pin and the saw blade in a direction longitudinally or the saw blade to cut said kert.

39. A machine for cutting reverse lierfs down the legs of a clothespin comprising a breach, a pair ot tapered saw blades located in alinement with the broach and increasing in width from the end adjacent the breach. a longitudinally straight rail plate between said saws and supporting them in transversely diverging positions with their cutting edges spaced from the opposite faces oi the plate, and means for relatively moving he clothespin along the broach and along the saws in straddling relation thereto to form said kerfs, the'broach being rigidly1 carried by the rail plate and said plate being formed to contact the inner sides of the legs of the pin below the cutting edges of the saw blades to guide the pin as itv is relatively moved along the saws. i

In testimony whereof we hereunto aliix our signatures this 9th day of February.

HENRY J. KAI-IRS. PETER E. SCHNEIDER. CHRISTIAN BODRI.

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