US1624224A

US1624224A - Apparatus for making caps for typewriter keys and the like

Info

Publication number: US1624224A
Application number: US15917A
Authority: US
Inventors: Douglas L Easterlin
Original assignee: LINCOLN RUBBER KEY Co
Current assignee: LINCOLN RUBBER KEY Co
Priority date: 1925-03-16
Filing date: 1925-03-16
Publication date: 1927-04-12
Anticipated expiration: 1944-04-12

Description

April 1927' o. 1.. EASTERLIN APPARATUS FOR MAKING CAPS FOR TYPEWRITER KEYS AND THE LIKE Filed March 16, 1925 INVENTOR state.

Patented Apr. 12 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DOUGLAS L. EASTEBLIN,

COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A COPARTNERSHIP COMPOSED OF DOUGLAS L.

EASTEBLIN AND ADA L. EASTERLIN.

"arrana'rus ron MAKING cars FOR 'ryrnwnrrnn KEYS AND min 1.11m.

Application filed March This invention relates to the art of manufacturin caps' for ty ewriter keys and the like, and apparatus or such manufacture.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a practical and effective method of manufacturing articles of the above nature which is productive of highly satisfactory result and may conveniently be carried on with inexpensive apparatus. Another object is to provide apparatus for such manufacture which is practical and highly efficient. Another object is to provide such apparatus whereby articles of the above nature may be rapidly turned out 'in a completed Another object is to rovide apparatus of such naturewhich 1s strong and rugged, capable of dependable service and wherein the parts are readily accessible for repair or replacement. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, ments, arrangements of parts and in the several steps and relation and order of each of the same to one or more of the others all as will be illustratively described herein, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing, in which is shown one of the various possible embodiments of the mechanical features of this invention,

Figure 1 is a vertical section through a pair of die supporting members;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 in larger detail showing a part of the die in action;

Figure 3 is abottom plan view of one of the dies partly cut away;

Figure 4 shows a piece of scrap resulting from the process;

Figure 5 shows in perspective a completed article, and

Figure 6 shows the article in side elevation partly cut away.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, there is shown an upper die supporting member 10 taking the form of a metal plate having therein a large number of spaced combinations of ele- 18, 1925. Serial No. 15,917.

openings 11 which are referably cylindrical in form. In each of these spaced openings 11 1s carried a die member 12, which die members have cylindrical outer walls adapted to mate with and fit tightly in the recesses 11. The die members 12 preferably have a substantial driving fit in their respective recesses 11 so that they are securely held therein against axial movement but may be removed independently of each other in case repair or replacement should be required.

Below the die supporting member 10 is shown a second die supporting member 13 which also preferably takes the form of a plate having therein a large number of cylindrical openings 14. The die supporting member 13 has a cylindrical opening 14 registering with each of the openings 11 in the opposite die supporting member 10. The corresponding openings 1n the two plates are, for the purpose of economical utilization of space, preferably staggered as is evidenced by reference to Figure 4 wherein there is shown a piece of scrap resulting from the action of these dies. In each of the openings 14 of the plate 13 is fitted a die member 15, which die members are provided with cylindrical outer walls closely fitting the walls of the openings 14 in which they are received. These die members 15 preferably have. substantially a driving fit in their respective openings 14 so that they are firmly supported therein against displacement, but are yet independently removable and replaceable. Y

Each of the die members 12 is provided at its lower face with a circular recess 16 substantially centrally disposed therein. These recesses 16 are provided with undercut side walls, that is, the diameter of these recesses at the mouth is smaller than the diameter at the bases of the recesses. Preferably the walls of the recesses 16 are undercut rather sharply a short distance from the surface of the die members, as indicated at 16*, this undercut being at a slight angle with the outer surface of the dies. From the points 16 to the bases of the recesses the diameters thereof are substantially constant.

The bases of the recesses 16 are provided with cylindrical projections 17 extendingoutwardly toward the mouths of the recesses OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOB TO LINCOLN RUBBER KEY members 12 are first Thereafter the pins cutting 16 and preferably substantially to a level with the annular surface 12* of the die members about the recesses. These projecting parts 17 are preferably made separate from the die members 12. They take the form of cylindrical pins which are inserted and tightly fitted in cylindrical openings passing centrally through the die members. hese pins 17 may'thus be removed from the die members 12 for repair or replacement if desired. This construction whereby the parts 17 are made separate from the main portions of the die members 12 is of distinct advantage in manufacture. The die formed with a cylindrlcal opening therethrough adapted to receive the pins 17. Thereupon the recesses 16 may conveniently be machined out. 17 are fitted into place. It will be seen that it would be impracticable to machine the recesses 16 were it attempted to make the projections 17 integral with the remainder of the die members 12. Preferably the surfaces 12 of the die members 12 are substantially flush with the lower surface of the supporting member 10.

Referring now to the die members 15 carried in the lower supporting member 13, each of these die members is provided with a centrally positioned and substantiallycin cular recess 18. The side walls of the recesses 18 are preferably tapered inwardly slightly, as shown, and the bases 18. thereof are preferably rounded upwardly. the recesses 18, the outer walls of members 15 are tapered inwardly providing annular cutting edges 15 about the recesses 18. These tapered-portions of the die members 15 of the supporting member 13 so that the edges 15 are spaced upwardly therefrom. These annular cutting edges 15 are adapted to coact with the flat annular surfaces 12 of the corresponding upper die members 12. The mouths of the recesses 18 are of greater "diameter than the mouths of the recesses 16, being of substantially the same diameter as the inner and larger diameter of the recesses 16 adjacent the bases thereof.

Taking up now the process of manufacturing caps for typwriter keys and the like by means of these die members, it is first pointed out that these caps are preferably made of rubber. From a sheet ofgum rubber of about a quarter of an inch thickness or thereabout are punched out, by means of a suitable punch press, circular or cylindrical blanks 19 (Fig. 1) of substantially the diameter of the recesses 18. One of these blanks 19 is now placed in each of the recesses 18 in the die members 15 as is shown in Figure 1. Thereupon the'two die supporting

members

10 and 13 are forced tothe dies 15 project upwardly from the surfacegether and securely clamped. This results in a flowing of the rubber of the blanks 19 so that all of the space between the die S111- porting

members

12 and 13 is filled, including the

recesses

16 and 18 into which the rubber is tightly compressed. With the rub ber thus held under compression, the entire

mold comprising bers

10 and 13 and the is subjected to heat, and the rubber cured. When the curing process is completed the two die supporting members are separated.

The rubber thus forced under compression into the

recesses

16 and 18 forms completed rubber caps of the form shown in Figures 5 and 6. The cutting edges 15 of coacting with the surfaces 12 of the dies 12 cut through the rubber, as is shown in Figure 2, so that no fringe is left connected to the rubber caps, and when the die members are separated the completed. condition without trimming. When the dies are completed caps are held in the recesses 16 by the undercut walls 16 thereof, the parts 20 of the caps being within the recesses 16 and the parts 21, formed by the recesses 18, projecting therefrom. The completed rubber caps may now be removed from the die members 12 by simply snapping them out of the recesses 16, and the caps are ready for use. The rubber from the blanks 18 which overflows from the recesses of the die members, and which is cut off by the cutting edges 15, forms a scrap 22 shown in Figure 4.

By means of the process and apparatus de.:cribed herein, it will be seen that a highly satisfactory and well made cap turned out in large numbers with the greatest speed, and with a minimum of labor. and expense. The undercut portions 23 of the cap aredependably and accurately formed he portion 16 of the die members 12. The hollow base 24 of the cap formed by the pins 17 lends a cushioning effect to the cap which is highly desirable in use. The concave upper surface formed by the surfaces 18 of the die member; 15 form a most satisfactory striking surface for the keys of the typewriter or other machine. The

die supporting plates

10 and 13 may contain a large number of dies 12 and 15, and each of these dies is separately removable and replaeeable as desired.

From the above it will be seen that there is herein provided an art requiring any invention, and as the art herein described might be varied in va ious parts, all withcaps are in separated the i outdcparting from the scope of the invention, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in. the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim as my invention:

1. In appa 'atus for making caps for typewriter keys and the like, in combination, a die member having therein a recess provided with undercut side walls, and a second die member movable relative to said first die member and having a recess substantially coaxial with said first recess, the mouth of said second recess being of greater diameter than the mouth of said first recess and said die members having coacting parts about :aid recesses.

2. In apparatus for making caps for typewriter keysand the like, in combination, a die member having therein a recess provided with undercut side walls, and a second die member movable relative to said first die member and having a recess substantially coaxial with said first reces the mouth of said second recess being of greater diameter than the mouth of said first recess and one of said die members having about the recess therein a cutting edge adapted to coact with the surface of said other die member about said recess therein.

3. In apparatus formaking caps for typewriter keys and the like, in combination, a die member having therein a recess provided with undercut side walls, and a second die mrmber movable relative to said first die member and having a recess substantially coaxial with said first recess, the mouth of said second recess being of greater diameter than the mouth of said first recess and said second die member having about said recess therein a cutting edge adapted to coact with the surface of said first die member about said recess therein.

4. In apparatus for making caps for typewriter keys and the like, in combination, a die member having therein a recess provided with undercut side walls, and a second die member movable relative to said first die member and having a recess substantially coaxial with saidfirst recess, the mouth of said second recess being of greater diameter than the mouth of said first recess, said first die member having a flat surface about said recess therein and said second die member having about said recess therein a cutting edge adapted to coact with said flat surface of said first die member.

5. In apparatus for making caps for typewriter keys and the like, in combination, a die member having therein a recess provided with undercut side walls, the base of said recess having a .projection extending outwardly toward the mouth thereof, and a second die member movable relative to said first die member and having a recess substantially coaxial with said first recess, the mouth of said second recess being of greater diameter than the mouth of said first recess and said die members having coacting parts about said recesses.

In apparatus for making caps for typewriter keys and the like, in condiination, a die member having therein a recess provided with undercut side walls, the base of said recess having a projection extending outwardly toward the mouth thereof, said projection being formed by a member separate from said die member and secured thereto, and a second die member movable relative to said first die member and having a recess substantially coaxial with said first rece s, the mouth of said second recess being of greater than the mouth of said first recess and said die members having coacting parts about said recesses.

7 In apparatus for making caps for typewriter keys and the like, in combination, a

die member having therein a recess and an opening of reduced diameter extending in- Wardly from said recess, a member secured in said opening and projecting outwardly toward the mouth of said recess, and a second die member movable relative to said first die member and having a recess substantially coaxial with said first recess, the mouth of said second recess being of greater diameter than the mouth of said first recess.

8. In apparatus for making caps for typewriter keys and the like, in combination, a supporting member having therein a plurality of spaced openings, a plurality of the members removably secured in said spaced openings, each of said die members. having formed therein a recess, a second supporting member movable relative to said first supporting member and having therein a plurality of spaced openings substantially registering with said openings in said first supporting member, and a plurality of die membcrs removably secured in said openings of said second supporting member, each having a recess substantially coaxial with said recess of the corresponding die member in said first supporting member.

9. In apparatus for making caps for typewriter keys and the like, in combination, a supporting member having therein a plurality of spaced openings, a plurality of die members rem-ovably secured in said spaced openings, each of said die members having formed therein a recess provided with undercut walls, and a member movable relative to said first supporting means having in its surface a plurality of recesses substantially registering with said recesses in said plurality of dies, the mouths of said last recesses being of greater diameter than the mouths of said second recesses and the surfaces about corresponding recesses being adapted to coact.

10. In apparatus for making caps fortypewriter keys and the like, in combination, a supporting member having therein a plurality of spaced openings, a plurality of die members removably secured in said spaced openings, each of said die members having formed therein a recess provided with undercut walls, and a member movable relative to said first supporting means having in its surface a plurality of recesses substantially reg-, istering with said recesses in said plurality of dies, the mouths of said last recesses being of greater diameter than the mouths of said second recesses and said last member having about each of said recesses therein a cutting e o adapted to coact with the surfaces of said die members about said first recesses.

11. In apparatus for making caps for typewriter keys and the like, in combination, a supporting-member having therein a plurality of openings, a plurality of die members removably secured in said openings each provided with a recess having undercut walls and the surface of each being substantially flush with the surface of said supporting member, a second supporting member movable relative to said first supporting member and having therein a plurality of openings respectively substantially registering with said openings in said first supporting member, and a plurality of die members removably secured in said last openings each having therein a recess and a cutting edge thereabout, said cutting edge projecting above the surface of said second supporting member and being adapted to coact with the surface of the corresponding die member in said first supporting member about the recess therein.

12. In apparatus for making caps for typewriter keys and the like, in combination, a supporting member having therein a plurality of spaced openings, a plurality of die members removably secured in said spaced openings, each of said die members having formed therein a recess provided with undercut walls, and the bases of said recesses having projections extending outwardly toward the mouths thereof, and a member movable relative to said first supporting member having in its surface a plurality of recesses substantially registering with said recesses in said plurality of dies, the mouths of said last recesses being of greater diameter than the mouths of said second recesses and the surfaces about corresponding recesses being adapted to coact.

13. In apparatus for making caps for typewriter keys and the like, in combination, a supporting member having therein a plurality of openings, a plurality of die members removably secured in said openings each provided with a recess having undercut walls and the surface of each being substantiallyflush with the surface of said supporting member, each of said recesses having a proection therein extending from 1ts base outwardl to a point adjacent the mouth therei of an of smaller diameter than said mouth, a second supporting member movable relative to sai first'supporting member and having therein a lurality of openings respectively substantially registering with said openings in said first supporting member, and a plurality of die members removably secured in said last openings each having therein a recess and a cutting edge thereabout, said cutting edge projecting above the surface of said second supporting member and being adapted to coact with the surface of the corresponding die member in said first supporting member about the recess therein.

14. In apparatus for making caps for typewriter keys and the like, in combination, a die member having therein a recess, the base of said recess having a projection extending outwardly toward the mouth thereof and a second die member movable relative to said first die member, and having a recess substantially coaxial with said first recess, one of said die members having about the recess therein a cutting edge projecting toward the other die member adapted to trim off material squeezed from said recesses when said die members are brought together.

15. In apparatus for making caps for typewriter keys and the like, in combination, a die member having a recess and an opening of reduced diameter extending inwardly from said recess, a member secured in said opening and projecting outwardly toward the mouth of said recess, and a'second die member movable to said first die member and having a recess substantially coaxial with said first recess, one of said die members having about the recess therein a cutting edge projecting toward the other die member adapted to trim ofl material squeezed from said recesses when said die members are brought together.

16. In apparatus for making caps for typewriter keys and the like, in combination, a die member having therein a recess, means about said recess overhanging and reducing the mouth thereof to a diameter below that of the body of said recess, and a second die member movable relative to said first die member and having therein a recess substantially coaxial with said first recess, said second die member having about the recess therein a cutting edge adapted to coact with the outer surface of said overhanging means.

17. In apparatus for making caps for typewriter keys and the like, in combination, a die member having therein a recess, the base of said recess having a projection extending outwardly toward the mouth thereof, means about said recess overhanging and reducing the mouth thereof to a diameter below that of the body of said recess, and a second die member movable relative to said first die member and having therein a recess substantially coaxial with said first recess, said second die member In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this 10th day of March, 1925.

DOUGLAS L. EASTERLIN.