US1666745A

US1666745A - Mesh machine

Info

Publication number: US1666745A
Application number: US131874A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lynds Fred Harris
Original assignee: Whiting & Davis Co
Current assignee: Whiting & Davis Co
Priority date: 1926-08-27
Filing date: 1926-08-27
Publication date: 1928-04-17
Anticipated expiration: 1945-04-17

Description

. April 17, 1928.

. Y F. LYNDS MESH MACHINE Filed Aug. 27.

ATTORN EY5 7 Sheets-Sheet l April 17, 1928.

I F. H. LYNDS MESH MACHINE Filed Aug. 27. 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet woN ATTORNEYS April 17, 1928. 1,666,745

F. H. LYNDS MESH MACHINE Fiiled Aug. 27. 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 April 17, 1928.

- F. H. LYNDS MESH MACHINE Filed Aug. 27. 1926 7 Sheets-Shet 5 BY W $5, L1; Ml

ATTORN EYS April 17, 1928.

F. H. LYNDS MESH MACHINE Filed Aug. 27. 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 M32 5 EZLMMZM April 17,192s. 1,666,745

' F. H. LYNDS MESH MACHINE Filed Aug. 27. 1926 7'Shets-Sheet 7 ATTORN EY S purpose.

Patented Apr. 17, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRED HARRIS LY NDS, OF NORTH ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO WHIT- ING & DAVIS COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

MESH MACHINE.

Application filed August 27, 1926. Serial No. 131,874.

This invention relates tothe manufacture of link-mesh fabric, which is a material ,widely known in the arts and frequently used for articles of jewelry, such as ladies hand-bags. More particularly, the'invention is concerned with the provision of a machine for making mesh fabric of the kind commonly known as fish-scale mesh. Such mesh consists of links of two'kinds, and is made up of a multiplicity of rings arranged in roWs extending lengthwise and trans-v of these machines, supplies of finished rings and cruciform links in the form of flat blanks are provided, the rings and blanks being stored in suitable magazine tubes. F eeding devices are employed'which operate to withdraw a ring and a blank from each supply and to deliver the ring and blank to tools which turn the legs of the blank to give it a staple form, and then insert its legs through three of the rings already incorporated in the fabric andthrough the ring to be added thereto, after which the tools turn the legs inwardly to complete the connection. The rings and blanks, which are supplied to this machine are formed in ad vance, and in accordance with the previous practice, separate machines are used for the As these link-forming machines require attendants additional to those who operate the mesh machines, their operation involves considerable expense for power and labor, and as the separate format-ion ofthe rings and cruciform blanks from the metal stock produces a large amount of scrap, this method of manufacture of the mesh fabric is expensive, and the cost of the finished product is correspondingly high.

' In another type of machine which is Widely used, the material of which'the links are to be made takes the form of flat strips of metal,

one of which consists of a series of connected rings formed from fiat stock by punching operations carried on in a stamping machine, while the other strip of stock is in the form of a series of cruciform links, the legs of adjacent links being connected. In the operation of the machine to which such material is supplied,-thestrips are fed byap-.

propriate devices to tools which sever a ring fromthe end of the ring strip and a cruci form blank from the end of the other strip in each operation, and the tools then incorporate the ring and the cruciform link in the fabric in the usual way. Here again the material of which the fabric is made'must be prepared in advance and as the ring strips and cruciform blank strips are made on separate machines, and n the operation of each machine a large amount of Waste is produced, the labor charges for producing the link material and the losses of stock in its production are important items in the-cost of the finished product.

The present invention is directed to the pro- I vision of a machine by which fish-scale mesh may be made more cheaply than has heretofore been possible, and this machine is arranged and constructed so that it is supplied with stock in the form of a single metal strip of appropriate weight, from which the machine forms both rings and cruciform blanks. These rings and cruciform blanks are cut al- 'ternately from the stock-and the ringsare cut from the small pieces of metal which lie between" the legs of adjacent cruciform blanks, such pieces of metal having heretofore been discarded as scrap. The rings and cruciform blanks cut from the strip are deliveredbyt-he machine to magazine devices which in turn feed them to the tools by which the two kinds of links are incorporated inthe fabric. The fabric is in the form of an endless web or belt mounted on a sup port and the web and tools are given a stepby-step relative movement. At each step in this movement a ring and a blank areformed and placed in their magazines and the tools withdraw a ring and a cruciform-blank from the magazines, insert the legs of the blank through the ring about to be incorporated in the mesh'and through three rings already attached to the fabric, and. then close the r legs to complete the connection of the new ring. After this operation of the tools, they return to their original position, another step in the relative movement of the tools and the fabric takes place, and the magazine devices are advanced to receive another ring and blank and to bring another ring and another cruciform blank into appropriate position to be acted on by the tools.

In the fish-scale mesh which has been made heretofore, the cruciform blanks employed have consisted ordinarily of a fiat plate-like portion having four extending legs forming the cross. The flat plate portion of the link is commonly given a high finish in the finished product, and the mesh has a noticeable sheen. For some purposes, however, it is desirable that the flat parts of the cruciform links should not have this glittering'surface, and the present machine includes means by which an ornamental fabric may be produced by altering the appearance of'the flat surfaces of the cruciform members, as, for example, by an embossing operation. For this purpose, the machine includes suitable tools which act on the stock at points which are to lie within the outwhich thereare ornamental links arranged in rows or in bands alternating with rows or bands of plain links; or, if desired, the ornamental links may be incorporated in irregular areas determined by the pattern which controls the pattern device.

In the embodiment of the invention which is preferred, the narrow strip of metal stock is fed with a step-by-step movementbeneath forming tools which punch therefrom round pieces of metal forming the interior of the rings. The stock with the spaced holes in it is then advanced to a second pair of forming devices which punch a narrow strip of metal from the stock around the periphery of each opening so made, this narrow strip constituting a ring. The tools are arranged to remove these rings from the stock and then force the rings back into the openings from which they have been removed, so that the rings are replaced in the plane of the stock and moved with it through the devices which later act on the stock. The cruciform blanks are punched from the portions of the stock which lie between pairs of adjacent rings and the cruciform blanks are first removed from the stock and then replaced in it to lie in its plane. Byithus cutting the rings and blanks from the strip and then restoring them to their original positions, the handling of the rings and blanks is greatly facilitated, the strip affording a convenient means of delivering this link material to the magazines. The strip with the rings and blanks held in place by friction moves directly from the forming devices vast the ma azines which are saaced a art and associated with these magazines are means by which thevrings are successively and cruciform blanks at separated points deliver the rings and blanks to a single point at which are suitable tools past which the edge of the fabric on a support is advanced with a step-by-step movement. At each step in the movement, the tools withdraw a cruciform blank from its magazine, insert three of its legs through rings previously attached to the fabric, and the fourth leg through a ring in the ring magazine. The tools further act to bend the legs inwardly soas to complete the connection, and after such operation, the tools are returned to their original. position, the piece of mesh is advanced by a distance corresponding to the diameter of a ring, the magazine devices are moved to receive a new ring and blank and to present another ring and cruoiform'blank to the tools, and the cycle of operations is repeated.

With this machine, it will be apparent that since a single strip of stock is employed and part of the links are made of parts of the stock which it was previously found necessary to discard, the stock is used in the most economical manner and for that reason the cost of production of the finished product is greatly lowered. This cost is further reduced because the machine performs both the mesh-making operation and the operations of producing links of both kinds from the blank stock, whereas in the machines as heretofore constructed, it has been necessary to supply these machines with links of both kinds either in finished or in semi-finished condition and produced on separate machines. Accordingly, the labor charge for the finished mesh is much reduced. Also, the present machine is of compact construction and all its working parts are readily accessible so that inspection and replacement of parts which are likely to become worn is readily carried on without the necessity of putting the machine out of service for any considerable period.

For abetter understanding of the inven tion, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a view of the maehine'in front elevation,

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine, Fig. 3 1s a view of the machlne 1n sideelevatlon looklng from the right in Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 isa view in vertical section, taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 5 is a view in horizontal section, taken on the line 55 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 6 is a'sectional view of a detail,

Fig. -7 is a view in side elevation of a detail,

Fig. 8 is a view in vertical section-of a part of the pattern control mechanism,

Fig. 9 is a view in vertical section showing a part of the pattern control,

Fig. 10 is a view in vertical section on the line 10-10 of Fig. 3, b

Fig. 11 is an enlarged view in vertical section showing the link-forming devices,

Fig. 12 is a plan view of theblank strip showing the sequence of operations Which are performed on it, I

Fig. 13 is a plan view, partly in section and with parts removed, showing the maga zine devices and a part of the mesh support, and

Figs. 14 and 15 are vertical sectional views on the lines 1414 and 1515 respectively of Fig. 13.

Referring now to the drawings, the machine is shown as consisting of a bed'plate supported on a standard 21, of any convenient type. Resting on the bed plate is a frame member 22 hinged to the bed plate'at one edge, as indicated at 23. The frame member 22 carries the operatingmechanism of the machine and the member 22 may be swung on the hinge to upright position so that the various readily accessible.

The machine is driven by a pulley 24 mounted on a stud 25 secured to the frame member and fast to a pinion 26 meshing with a gear 27 on the main drive shaft 28 of the machine. This drive shaft is supported in a rear bearing 29 mounted on the standard 30 secured to the frame member 22 and at its front end is journaled in a bearing block 31 secured to the frame member 22. At one end the shaft is provided with a hand wheel 32 by which it may be moved to set the various parts driven by the shaft in proper position for inspection or repair. The gear 27 is loose on the main I drive shaft 28 and is provided with part of a clutch, generally designated 33, the cooperating clutch member 34 beingoperable by a hell crank 35 pivoted in a bracket 36 and operated by a rod 37 with a handle 38 at the front of the machine. By disconnecting the clutch, the machine may be stopped.

The main drive shaft is provided with a spiral gear 39 meshing with a similar gear on a countershaft 4O journaled in bearings 41 at either end of the bed plate 22. The main shaft and the countershaft carry a parts of the machine are plurality of cams which, by means of levers, positively operate the working parts of the machine.

The stock of which the links are to be made is in the form of a strip 42 drawn from a supply (not shown) by means of upper and lower feed rolls 43, 44. The lower roll has a spindle .journaled in bearing blocks 45 in standards 46 projecting upwardly from the bed of the, machine, and the upper roll has aspindle journaledin movablejbearing blocks 47 lying in slots in the standards 46. Springs 48 are placed between the upper bearing blocks and the coverplates 49v closing theupper end of the slots in standards 46, these springs forcing the blocks downwardly and causing the feed v the lower roll 44 is a ratchet 50 engaged by a pawl 51 mounted in an arm 52 secured to the end of a rock shaft 53 mounted in standards 54. Secured to the other end of the rock shaft is an arm 55 carrying a roll 56 entering a peripheral channel 57 in a cam disc 58 mounted on the countershaft 40.. The shape of this channel is such that at each revolution of the counter-shaft the pawl 51 is swung to advance the ratchet 50 by one tooth. A pin 59 on the arm 52 carries a leaf spring 60 bearing against the upper face of'the pawl-and. serving to hold it in contact With the teeth of the ratchet. Bot-h rolls. are positively fed by the pawl and ratchet by means of a gear 61 mounted on the forward end of the spindle of the lower roll and meshingwith a similar gear on the spindle of the upper roll 43. i

As the countershaft rotates, the strip which is yieldingly gripped betweenthe feed rolls, is advanced by means of the pawland ratchet with a stepby-step movement. At the'completion of each step, various operations are successively performed on the strip. The successive performance of these operations requires that the strip be accurately centered anda special centering device, later to be described, must be employed for the purpose, since the'feeding rolls, due to play in the gears and wear, cannot be depended on. In order that the centering device may perform its function, the feedrolls must be moved to release the strip as the centering action takes place and for this purpose the following mechanism is used.

Mounted on a pin 62 in the standards 46 is a yoke 63 (Figs. 1 and 2), this yoke having a bifurcated end, the legs 64 of which extend between the spaced standards 46 and lie beneath the spindle of the upper feed roll 43. At its rear end the yoke terminates in a tongue which lies beneath an arm 65 carrying an adjustment screw 66 which bears on the tongue. -The arm 65 is mounted. on a rock shaft 67 suitably supported in the bearing block 31 and at its rear end carries an arm 68 provided with a roll 69 bearing againstthe face of a disc 70 mounted on the main shaft. This disc has a projection 71 which contacts with the roll 60 and thus rocks the shaft 67 swinging the yoke 63 on its pivot and raising the upper feed roll clear of the lower one. This releases the blank so that when the centering device performs its function the blank may be moved lengthwise whatever amount may be necessary in order to center it properly.

As the blank is advanced by the feed rolls, it first passes between. tools by which an ornamental character is given to the flat plate-like surfaces of the cruciform links. In the machine as illustrated, this flat surface is provided with a projection or knob 72 (Fig. 12) and this knob is formed by co-acting die members 7 3 and 7 1. The upper die member 73 takes the form of an anvil mounted in a block 75 secured by means of brackets 7 5 to the end of a slide 76 movable in dovetail guide-ways77 in the bearing block 31. This die member has a shank 78 entering an aperture in the block 75 and its position is adjusted by means of an adjusting screw 79 threaded "into the upper end of the aperture. comprises a shank 80 and a pin 81, the shank being disposed in a bore in a block 82 mounted on the frame of the machine. The block 8:2 has

cover plates

83 and 8 1 having openings through which the pin and shank respectively project. At its lower end, the shank rests on a pin 85 (Fig. 8) this pin lying inv a part of the frame member. Beneath the pin 85 and lying in a bore in the frame member, is .a plunger 86 having a reduced end 87 connected to the main part of the pin by an inclined shoulder 88. A leaf spring 89 mounted rigidly at one end, has its free end received in a slot in the plunger 86 and pivotally mounted on the frame member is a bell crank 90, one arm 91 of which enters a slot in the plunger. The other arm 92 of the bell crank forms an armature for an electii'omagnet 93 of any suitable construction, and when the armature is energized, the bell crank is rocked on its pivot, forcing the plunger into its recess. The pin 85 rides up the inclined shoulder 88 and raises the die member 80 against a spring 94: which lies in a recess in the block 80 and surrounds the pin 74. At the time the solenoid is energized, the anvil member 7 3 is lowered against the strip 42 and the pin 74 upsets the metal into a depression 95 formed in the end of the anvil member, thus producing the projection 72. The operation of the solenoid is under the control of apattern mechanism presently to be described. That portion of the strip being acted on by the die members and the next adjacent cutting mechanism The lower die member 7 4t means which removes the central portions of the rings from the strip is guided past these devices by guide plates 96 secured to the top of the plate 83 and partially overlying the strip. 1

The block 75 carries a cutting plunger 97 in alignment with the dies 7 3 and 74. This plunger is disposed within a bushing 98 and carries an enlargement 99 at its upper end which lies in an enlarged recess in theb'ushing, being secured adjustably in position by means of a set screw 100. A plug 101 is threaded into the recess in the upper end of the bushing and bears against the upper end of the cutting plunger to act as an abutment therefor. The block 75 is mounted in position on the end of the slide 76 in such manner that the lower end of the slide closes the upper. end of the bushing and holds it securely in position. The projecting end of the plunger 97 cooperates with a shearing recess 102 in the form of a bushing in the plate 83 and as the slide 76 descends, the plunger shears a circular piece of metal from the strip, as indicated at 103; forcing this removed portion into a passage 104 through block 82 and plate 84, whence the piece leaves the machine. The disc 103 is the exact size of the center of each ring which are be incorporated in the mesh.

Passing beyond the cutting plunger, the strip moves beneath a centering-punch 105 which takes the form of a pin having an enlarged shank and a rounded end, the shank being received in a recess in theblo'ck 75. A bore 106 is formed in the plate 83 directly beneath the pin 105 and the spacing between the centering punch and the cutting punch 97 is substantially equal to the distance that the strip is advanced at each step. As the block descends, the centering punch 105 passes through one of the openings formed by the punch 97 and at the time the pin enters the recess 106 the feed rolls have been freed from the strip so that if the strip is not properly aligned so that the later operations may be performed on it, the centering punch will advance or retract the strip. by the correct amount.

Beyond the centering punch is the device 1 for cutting the rings from the strlp, and

this device acts to remove from the strip the piece of metal constituting the ring and then to replace this ring in the plane of the strip. This device comprises upper and lower die members 107 and 108. The upper die member is in the form of a pin having an enlarged shank 109 and it is mounted in a bushing 110 carried in a recessin the block 75. Above the enlarged end 1.09 ofthc die member is a block of rubber 11-1 and'a plug 112 is threaded'into the recess and serves as a stop against the upper end of the rub ber block. At the lower end, the bushing 110 has a conical surface 113 with the die- -mounted on the pin 108 and a spring 117 bears against the shank 114 and the lower end ofthe sleeve. an opening in the plate 83 and normally lies flush with the upper end of the pin 108 bearing against the under surface of the strip.

In the operation of the die members, as

the slide 76 descends, the upper die member 107, the diameter of which is the same as the lower die member108, bears against the edge of the strip around the opening formed by the removal of the piece 103 and further movement of the slide 76 causes this upper die member to compress the block of rubber, while the bushing 110 moves beyond the end of the member 107. In such move ment the edge of the conical surface 113 at the opening through which the die member 107 projects, contacts with the upper face of thesleeve 116 and shears from the strip the ring held between the members 107 and 108. In such shearing action the strip is forceddownwardly slightly by the bushing 110 pressing against sleeve 116 andcausing compression ofthe spring 117. As the slide 76 then rises, the bushing 110 moves away from the'face of the sleeve 116 and the spring 117 restores the bushing to itsoriginal position. sheared from the strip is held tightly between die members 107 and 108, the block of rubber 111 expanding to insure'thatthe ring will be-tightl'y gripped between these members. When the die member 107 is finally removed from the face of the ring,

the latter lies within the opening formed in the strip by its removal and asthe strip is advanced, the ring is moved with it.

Passing beyond the device which cutsthe ring from the strip and then restores it to position, the strip enters the device cutting the cruciform links, and this device is ofa construction somewhat similar to the device forcutting the rings. It consists of a plunger 118 of cruciform sect-ion formed with an enlarged shank 119. The plunger 118 isdisposed in a suitable recess in'a bushing 120in a recess in block 75, the bushing being held in position by a set screw 121. A

block of rubber 122 is disposed in the recess above theupper end of theshank-119 and a block 123 is threaded into the upper end of the recess to serve as an abutment for the rubber block. The lower member comprises a cruciform rod 124 having anfen'larged shank 125 disposed in a recess in the block The sleeve projects into' During this action the ring 82, an adjustment screw 126 providing for the exact adjustment of the rod in the block. A set screw 127 permits the rod to be anchored in position when once adjusted. Within the recess in the block 82 above the shank 125 is a movable sleeve 128 througn which therod 124 passes. A block of rub her 129 lies between the upper end of the shank 125 and thelower end of the sleeve; The lower ,endof'the plunger 118 has a recess 130 to receive the projection 72 formed in the strip and to lie at the center of each plate member of the cruciform lin y In the operation of the parts, the descent of the slide 7 6 causes the part of the strip which is to form the cruciform link to be gripped between the end of the plunger 118 and the end of the rod 124, and as the slide further descends, the edge of the conical surface 131 at the end of the bushing '120 bears againstthestrip along the outlines of the cruciform link andshears the metal by coaction with the rod124.. The cruciform link is Wholly freed from thestrip, being held between the fixed rod 124 and the yield ing plunger 118, the stock around the cruciform link being moved clear of the link by the compression of the block 129, resulting.

may be removed from the frame member without difliculty, and the plate 84, which is of dovetailed form (Fig. 8) may he slipped from its channel in the block 82 so that the die members in this block may be quickly removed and replaced. Y v

'Themovement of the slide 76 to raise andv lower the block 75 is broughtabout by means of a'link 132 eccentrically mounted on the end oft-he main drive shaft 28, the upper end ofth'e'link being mounted on a pivot 133 in an adjustment slide 134 provided with a threaded shank 135. This shank is inserted in the slide 76 and threaded through an ad-v justment nut 136 lying'in an aperture in the slide. By turning this nut the slide 134 may be raised and lowered with reference to the slide 76, thus adjusting the lengthof the reciprocation of the slide 76.- At the upper The slide 76 has an aperture 138 to permit the swinging of the eccentric link 132.

i The strip with its alternate rings and crue IHU end, the shank 135 carries a lock nut 137..

ciform members severed from it by lying in.

its plane, advances past the formingidevices' to the magazine devices. In suchmovethe direction of its length.

ment the strip enters a channel in a plate 139- and beneath this plate is mounted av dial 140 (Fig. 13). This dial has semi-circular recesses 141 in its periphery, and is carried on the upper end of a disc 142 mounted on a shaft 143 extending through a portion of the frame of the machine. At its lower end the shaft carries a ratchet 144 engaged by a pawl 145 mounted on a slide 146 (Fig. 5).. The slide 146 has an opening with inclined shoulders 147 through which passes a slide 148 which has similar inclined shoulders 149 at one side of the opening. This slide .148 is suitably mounted in the block 22 and at one end has upstanding lugs 150vv between which lies a knob 15.1 on the. end of a lever 152 mounted on a rock shaft 153 supported on suitable standards 154 extending upwardly from the bed of the machine. The shaft carries an arm 155. at its rear end provided with a roller 156, bearing against the. face of the disc 15.7 on the countershaft, this disc having a projection 158. which, as the disc r: tates, causes the shaft 153: to be rocked and thus causes the slide 148 to be reciprocated in A spring 159 se. cured to the slide and to a fixed part of the machine tends to move the slide to hold the roller 156 against the face of the disc 157. Each time the slide is moved to the right (Fig. its inclined shoulders 149 cause the. slide 146 to be moved so as to cause the pawl 145. to. move behind a tooth on the ratchet 144, and the opposite movement of the slide 146 causes the ratchet to, be moved by one step, thus advancing the dial plate.

The periphery of the dial lies beneath the. strip of stock and in each movement of the plate and strip one of the recesses 141 is in position to receive a ring from the strip. For. this purpose, there is provided a plunger 160 mounted in arecess in

block

16,1, secured to. the block 81. This plunger has an enlarged shank 162 lying in contact with a rock shaft 163 having a flattened portion 164. A springi'165 holds the shank in contact Withthe rock shaft. This shaft, which is 'jzournaled in the block 161, carries an arm 16.6 provided with a roller 167 (Fig. 2) bearing against a cam disc 168 on the main shaft,

and'as the shaft rotates, the cam disc causes the rock shaft 163 to be rocked and this causes. the plunger 160 to be raised; and lowered'. In its. downward movement, the tip of the. plunger bears against one of the rings in the strip of stock 42 and forces this ring into a recess 141 in the dial; plate. As the dial plate advances, it carries the ring with it, the ring being: held in position between the plate and a shoulder 169 formed on a plate 17 O which surrounds. the dial plate. The rings 171 are advanced by the dial plate to the tools by which they are incorporated in the mesh. The rings being carried through an arc of 9.6. by the dial plate.

The strip from which the rings have been removed but which still carries the cruciform links, advances past the plunger 160 beneath a magazine block 172. This block is mounted on the end of a. shaft 173 carried in the block 161 and the magazine block 172 has a plurality of circular bores formed in it, these bones coming into position as the magazine is rotated, directly above the strip and in the position such that cruciform links may be forced into them. In such in.- troduction of the links into the bores, the legs. of the links are bent at right angles, to. the plane of the plate to. whichthey are at tached, the cruciform blanks thus being given the staple form.

For the purpose of removing the cruciform blanks from the strip and forcing them into. the apertures in the magazine bloc-k, there is provided a vertical slide 174 having an ofiset extension 175 at its lower end carrying an upright pin 176. The slide 174 is mounted in a channel in the block 177 secured to the block 31 and entering an aperture in the slide is the end of an arm 178 mounted on a rock shaft 179(Fig. 2') journaled in the block 31, the rock shaft also carrying arm 180 provided with a roller 181 bearing against a cam disc 182 on the main drive. shaft. As the drive shaft rotates, the shaft 179 is rocked to raise and lower it, and in each upward movement of the slide 174 the pin 17 6 bears against the central portion of a cruciform blank carried in the strip stock and forces this blank into a recess in the magazine block 172. In such action the legs of the cruciform blank are bent at an angle to. the plate portion to. give the blank the staple shape shown at 183 (Fig. 14). After the link has. been forced in he maga n block the. latter is raised, then rotated a step to bring the next aperture into alignment with the next blank in. the strip, then lowered to, position, and the slide 174 again rises. to introduce the link blank into the aperture in the block.

The upward and dewnward movements of the magazine are bro ight about by a yoke 184 pivoted at 1:85 on the upper end of the l ck 31, the yok ar yi g ro rs 6 on either leg which li e bet-ween collars 187 fast on a rod 188. formed as; an extension of the shaft 173 on the lower end of which the magazine block 172 is monnte-d. The yoke at its other end carries a roller 189 bearing against a cam disc 190 on the countershaft, and each rotation of the countershaft. the yoke raises and lowers the magazine block in the manner. described. The rotation of the block is brought abont bymeans of a recessed wheel 191; faston the shaft 173, one of the recesses in this wheel receiving a pin 19.4 on end olfa slide 195 when the shaft is raised by the yoke. The slide 195 is carried in guides 196 on the side of the lliii.

3 'As the shaft 173 is raised by the yoke, one

of the recesses in the wheel 191 receives the pin 194 on the slide. The slide is then moved rearwardly (Fig. 3) causing the shaft 173 to be advanced a part of a rotation. As the shaft is now lowered by the yoke, a pin 203 fast on the upper end of the block 161 enters one of the recesses in the wheel 191 and holds the shaft against movement.

The addition of links of both kinds to the piece of mesh is carried on by upper and lower co-acting plungers, the upper plunger forcing a cruciform link from the'magazine and causing two of its legs to pass through rings of one row at the edge of the piece of mesh, its third leg to pass through a ring of another row at'the' edge of the piece of mesh, and its fourth leg to enter a ring held in the edge of the dial plate. The lower coacting, plunger then operates to force these legs inwardly so that the cruciform link se-' cures the four rings together.

The upper of the co-acting tools by which the links are incorporated in the mesh is in theform of a plunger 204 carried on a slide 7 205 mounted in the block 161, this slide having projecting ears 206 between which lies the knobbed end 1 of a lever 207 (Fig. 1) mounted on the rock shaft163. The slide 205 is positioned above the outer-edge of the magazine block 172 at a point approximately 180 beyond the point where the cruciform blanks were forced into it. The rocking of the shaft 163 causes the plunger to be, raised and lowered and in its downward movement the plunger enters a recess in the magazine block and forces the cruciform staple out of the block.

The piece of meshto which links are added is shown at 207 (Fig. 13) extending partly around the horizontal roller'208 in the form of an endless belt 209. The roller has square recesses 210 out in its face near one end,

each of these recesses receiving the legs of cruciform links in the mesh and anchoring the'mesh against movement. The mesh is held in place by means of a leaf spring 210 pivotally mounted at one end in a lug secured to a block 210 adjustably mounted on the frame member 31, the free end of the spring pressing resiliently against the mesh. Block 210" has a guiding recess through which the strip passes, the adjustment permitting exact control of the strip. The rings 211 at the edge of the mesh partially overlie the end 212 of the support, which includes a hollow cylinder 213, resting loosely at one end in a channel 214 in a disc 215 mounted rigidly on a rod 216 supported at one end in a'bracket 217 secured to an extension 218 from the machine frame. At its other end, the rod 216 terminates in a disc 219 which is secured to the, frame memher by bolts 220 (Fig. 10) and supports the inner end of the cylinder. Between the disc 219 and the frame member of the machine is a plate 221 in a slot in which lies the lower forming tool 222. This tool has a shank with atransverse slot with inclined shoulders 223 (Fig. 3) and the end of a slide 224 having inclined shoulders eo-acting with the shoulders 223, enters the slot. This slide runs in a channel in a guide plate 225 and at its rear end has a notch226 in which-enters the knobbed end of a lever 227 pivoted at 228 and carrying a roller 229 at its upper end bearing against a cam disc 230 on the countershaft 40. As the countershaft rotates, the slide 224 is reciprocated lengthwise and at each reciprocation it raises and lowers the tool 222. The working end of the tool has a depression 231 in its end for a pur-' pose presently to be described.

The support 208 is given a step-by-step movement of advance by means of a. pawl 232 mounted on a slide 233 and held in po 1 sition by a spring 234. The slide 233 is connected by an adjustment screw 235 to a slide 236, both slides being movable in channels in theplate225. he slide 236 has an open-" ing having inclined shoulders 237 (Fig. 5)

tools, there is provided an adjusting screw 208 (Fig. 13) having'an inclined end which bears against a similar inclined portion of a pin 208". Pin 20S has a rounded end which bears against one end of the roll 208. At the opposite end of the roll the'bracket 217 carries a spring-pressed pin 217 disposed in V a recess in the bracket and bearing against the end of the roll 208. By adjusting the screw 208 theposition of the pin 208 is determined and this in turn deter mines the position of the roll 208, the latter being held against the end of pin208" by the spring-pressed pin 217 7 As the band mesh mounted on the support is moved by the support between the properly positioned with reference to the V 100" through which extends the end of the slide" upper and lower tools move toward each other. The upper tool forces a cruciform staple from the magazine 172 and inserts two. of its legs. through adjacent links in one row at the edge of the piece of mesh, the third leg through a ring previously added to. the mesh, and the fourth leg through a ring carried in the dial 140.. These legs. projecting through the rings. enter the depression 231 in the lower tool and as the toolsv approach, the legs are bent inwardly as shown at 238, thus connecting the ring to three rings, previously secured to the mesh by a cruciform link. The tools are now separated by their actuating devices, the support is advanced by a step, and the cycle of operations is repeated.

It Will be noted that the links of both kinds are added in rows at the edge of the mesh, these rows extending lengthwise of the mesh. The web of mesh is endless and it is properly placed on the support so. that the row of rings to which new links of both kinds are to be added lies at the edge ofthe support adjacent the tools. As. the operation of the machine continues, the web. becomes wider and wider, and when a piece of mesh of the desired width is produced, the machine is stopped and the mesh removed.

In order that the plate-like portions of the cruciform links may be stamped or embossed with the ornamentation, in accordance with the selected pattern, a. pattern mechanism is employed which includes a rotary support 239 mounted on stud 240 secured to the frame member 22. On this stud is a bell crank 241, to which is secured a pawl 242 placed to engage a ratchet 243. secured to the support bymeans of the leaf spring 244;. A link 245 is. connected to one arm of the bell crank lever and at'its other end is connected to. an eccentric pin 246 on the'end of the countershaft. The rotation of the shaft. causes the bell crank to be rocked and at each movement the rotary support 239 is. advanced by a step. Mounted on the support is an. endless pattern sheet 247 (Figs. 3, 9) which may conveniently take the form of a strip of fish-scale mesh, the support having recesses 248 in which the legs of the cruci-v form links are received. Certain of the cruciform links of this pattern strip have projections 249 and the strip passes beneath a leaf contact member 250, above which is a similar contact member 251. Whenever a knob 249 engages the contact member 250, it raises this member into contact with the member 251, thus completing an electrical circuit which energizes the electromagnet 93, causing the plunger 80 to rise and punch the strip in cooperation with the upper plunger 78. When a cruciformlink, such as 252, having a plain surface passes, beneath contact members 250 and 251', they remain separated, the elect-ro-magnet is not energized, and when the upper forming tool '23 descends it does not change the character of the strip 42, since the lower plunger remains in its downward position. By suitably forming the pattern strip, the ornamented cruciform links maybe incorporated in the mesh in accordance with any desiredpattern, and by the proper choice of forming tools, various operations other than the formation of knobs. may be performed on the stock.

In Fig. 7 there is shown a mechanism by which the movement of the ring dial may be exactly adjusted. The slide 146 which is reciprocated by the slide 1&8, consists of a part 146 engaging the slide 148 and an end member 146 carrying the pawl 145 and connected to the member 1A6 by an adjustment screw 253. This construction, permits. the path of travel of the pawl to be exactly regulated, thus permitting exact adjustment of the movement of the ring dial from which the rings are extracted by the operation of the incorporating tools.

In the event that the stocki2 being moved past the forming devices becomes jammed, due to variation in the thickness of the stock, or forv any other reason, the continued operation of the feeding devices would cause the strip to buckle. If this should occur, the machine is brought to. an immediate stop by means of a lever 25.4 pivotally mounted at a convenient part of the machine and having an extension 255 which, is held against the surface of the stock by a light spring 256 connected to the lever 254-. At its rear end the lever has a latch 257 engaging a lug on a bell crank 258, one arm of the bell crank carrying a roller 259 bearing against the periphery of the cam disc 157... This disc157 has a recess. 260 formed in it, and a spring 261 tends to rock the bell crank to force the roller 259 into contact with the periphery of the disc-157. The engagement of the bell cranks 254:- and 258. normally prevents such movement, but if the strip becomes jammed and commences; tobuckle, it

will rock the lever 254 on its pivot and free the lever 258; The spring 261 will tend to swing this lever on its pivot, but such movement is prevented until the roller 259 is. in alignment with the recess. 260.. When this. occurs, the lever 258 rocks and its lower end 262, engaging a. shoulder 263 on the rod 37, moves the rod: to the rear, thus throwing out of engagement the clutch members by which the main shaft is connectedto the. drive.

The automatic action of this clutch release is possible only when the roller 259 enters the recess 260, and this recess is so placed on. the cam disc that the clutch can be automatically thrown out to stopthe machine only when the various co-acting parts of the forming mechanism and the link-incor porating tools are separated. This permits the attendant. to remove the j am without'the,

I'll

Lil

mounting the upper frame member of the machine on hinges, inspection of the working parts and their replacement is a simple operation. The machine effects a large saving in the final cost of the mesh, since it performs the operations of forming the two kinds of link material froma single piece of stock and of incorporating these links in the piece of fabric. Thus the cost of a stamping machine and the labor and other charges for operating it are eliminated, and, in addition, the present machine effects a further saving of material'because the rings are made of portions of the stock which have heretofore been discarded.

I claim:

1. A machine for the manufacture of linkmesh fabric, which comprisesthe combination of a support for a piece of mesh, tools for incorporating linksin the piece of mesh, means for forming links from blankmaterial and delivering these links to the tools, and power-driven mechanism for giving the tools and the piece of mesh a relativemove ment to present successive portions of the mesh to the tools and for operatingthe tools and the link-forming means. f I

2. A machine for the manufacture of linkmesh fabric, which comprisesthe combination of a support for a pieceof mesh, tools for incorporating links in the piece of mesh, means for forming links from blank material and delivering these links to-the tools, and power-driven mechanism for giving the tools and the piece of mesh .a step-by-step relative movement to present successive portions of the piece of mesh to the tools and for operating the tools in the periods of rest of the step-by-step movement.

3. A machine for thelmanufacture of linkmesh fabric, which comprises the combina tion of a support for a web of mesh, tools for incorporating links in the web of mesh along the side edge thereof, means for forming links from blank material and delivering these links to the tools, and powerdriven mechanism for giving the tools and the web of mesh 'a relative movement to present successive portions of the mesh to the tools and for operating the tools and the link-forming means.

4. The combination of a support for an endless web of mesh, tools for incorporating links in the web of mesh'in rows extending lengthwise thereof, meansfor forming links from blank material and delivering these links to the tools, and means for giving the tools and the web of mesh a relative movement to present successive portions of the mesh'to the tools and for operating the tools and the link-forming means.

5. A machinefor the manufacture of link mesh fabric made up of links of two kinds, which comprises the combination of a support for a piece of mesh, tools for incorporating links of both kinds in the ,piece of mesh, means for forming links of both kinds from blank material and delivering these links to the tools, and power driven mechanism for giving the tools and the piece of mesh a relative movement to present successive portions of :the mesh tothe' tools and foroperating the tools and the linkforming means.

6. The combination of a support-for a .piece of mesh, tools for incorporating links of two different kinds in the piece of mesh, means for forming links of both kinds from a single strip of blank material and delivering these links to the tools, .and power driven mechanism for moving the tools and the piece of mesh relatively to presentsucfor operating the tools and the link-forming means in correspondence with the progress of the mesh-making operation.

The combination of a support for a piece of mesh made upof links of two dif ferent kinds, tools for incorporating links of both kinds in the piece of mesh, means for forming links ofiboth .ki-nds alternately from a single strip of blank material and delivering these links tothe tools, and power driven mechanism for moving the tools and the piece of mesh relative topresent successive portions of the mesh to the tools'and cessive portions of the mesh to the tools and 9. The combination of tools for incorpo-' rating links in a piece of mesh, means for forming llIlkS from a strip of blank mate- :rial and placing these links in a magazine, means for moving the magazlneto deliver links to the tools, and operating means for the tools to cause them to withdraw links successively from the magazine 'andto incorporate these links in the fabric.

10. The combination of toolsfor incorporating links in a piece of mesh, means for forming links from blank material and placing these links successively in a dial, means for rotating the dial to deliver the links therein successively to the tools, and means for operating the tools to withdraw links.

successively from the dial and incorporate these links in the piece of mesh.

11. The combination of separate means for forming links of two kinds from blank material and placing these links in separate magazines, tools operating intermittently and at each operation incorporating a link of each kind in a piece of mesh, and means for moving the magazines to deliver a link of each kind simultaneously to the tools.

12. The combination of means for forming links of two different kinds from a single strip of blank material and for placing these links in separate magazines, tools for simultaneously adding a link of each kind to a piece of mesh, means for moving the magazines to deliver links to the tools, and means for operating the tools to withdraw a link from each magazine simultaneously and incorporate these links in the fabric.

13. T he'combination of means for removing links from a strip of blank material and restoring these links to position in the strip, a' magazine, means for advancing the strip to the magazine and for removing the linksand placing them successively in the magazine, means for moving the magazine to deliver the links to a point spaced from the point at which the magazine received the links, and tools at the delivery point operating to withdraw the links successively from the magazine and incorporate thcs links in a piece of mesh fabric.

14. The combination of means for removing links of two kinds from a strip of blank material and for restoring these links to the strip, separate magazines for links of each kind, means for advancing the strip to the magazines and for removing the links of both kinds and placing them in their appropriate magazines, tools operable to withdraw a link of each kind from its magazine and incorporate these links in a piece of mesh fabric, and means for advancing the magazines to deliver links successively to the tools.

15. The combination of means for removing links of two different kinds alternately from a strip of blank material and restoring these links to their original positions in the strip, a magazine for links of each kind, i'neans for delivering the links from the strip to their appropriate magazines, tools operable to withdraw a link of each kind from its n'iagazine and to incorporate these links in a piece of mesh fa iiric, and means for advancing the magazines to deliver links successively to the tools.

16. The combination of means for formirg links from blank material and placing these links in a magazine, tools spaced from the forming means, means for moving the magazine through a curved path to deliver links successively to the tools, and means for operating the tools to remove links successivelv from the magazine and to incorporate these links in a piece of fabric.

17. The combination of means for forming links from a piece of blank material and placing these links in a rotary magazine at one point in its path of rotation, means for rotating the magazine, tools disposed at a point in the path of rotation of the magazine spaced from the point at which the links were placed therein, and. means for operating the tools to remove links successively from the magazine and to incorporate these links in a piece of fabric. 7

. 18. The combination of forming devices for producing links of two kinds fromblank material and for delivering the links of each kind to separate magazines disposed at a distancefrom each other, means tor moving the magazines to deliver links of each kind to the same point, and tools at this point for receiving the links and incorporating them in a mesh fabric.

19. The combination of means for moving a strip of blank material lengthwise, forming devices at spaced points in the path of travel of the strip for forming links of two kinds therefrom, separate magazines for recciving links of each kind, means for moving the magazines to bring links of each kind to a common point, and tools at this point for incorporating these links in a piece of mesh fabric.

20. The combination of means for moving a strip of blank material lengthwise, forming devices in the path of travel out the strip for forming links of two kinds therefrom, means for delivering thetwo kinds of links to separate magazines, means 'lormoving the magazines to bring the links carried thereby successively to a common point, and tools at this point for incorporating the links 1n a piece of mesh.

21. The combination of means for mov-' ing a strip of blank material lengthwise, means for removing links oftwo kinds from the strip at different points and for restoring these links to the strip, means at spaced points in the path of travel of the strip bevond the forming means for removing the links from the strip and delivering a link of each kind simultaneously to a single point, and tools at this point for receiving the links and incorporating them in a piece of link mesh fabric.

22. The combination of means for moving a strip of blank material lengthwise, forming devices in the path of travel of the strip for nate portions of the strip, means in the path of travel of the strip beyond the forming devices for removing the individnall nks of each kind from the strip and for delivering these links to a single point, and tools at this point for successively incorporating a l nk of each kind simultaneously in a piece of fabric.

23. In a machine forcmaking link mesh forming links of two kinds from altcrfabric, the combination of means for forming links from a strip of blank material, means for altering the appearance of the parts of the links which are to be exposed in the finished fabric, a delivery device for receiving the formedlinks and delivering them to a point remote from the forming and altering means, and tools at the said point for incorporating the links in a piece of mesh fabric.

24. In a machine for making link mesh fabric, the combination of means for forming links from a piece of blank material, means for altering thev appearance of the portions of the links which are to be exposed When the links are incorporated in the fabric, a'delivery device for receiving the formed links and delivering them to a point remote from the forming'means, tools for incorporating the delivered links in a piece of mesh fabric, and pattern mecha.

nism for controlling the action of the altering means. i

25. In a machine for making link mesh fabric, the combination of means for forming links from a piece of blank material, means for altering the appearance of the portions of the links which are to be'ex posed when the links are incorporated in the fabric, a delivery device for receiving the formed links and delivering-them to a point remote from the forming. means, tools for incorporating the delivered links in a piece of mesh fabric, means for operating the altering means, and a pattern Inechamsm'for controlling the action of the operatingv means.

26. In a machine formaking link mesh fabric, the combination of means for forming links from a piece of bl'ank"m ateria'l, means for altering "the appearance of the portions of the links which are to be ex posed when the links are incorporated in the fabric, a delivery device for receiving the formed links and delivering them to a point remote from the forming means, tools for incorporating the delivered links in a piece of mesh fabric, means for operating the altering means, a pattern member having control areas thereon for controlling the action of the said operating means;

27. In a machine for making link mesh fabric, the combination of means for forming links from a piece of blank material, means for altering the appearance of the portions of the links which are to be exposed when the links-are incorporated in the fabric, a delivery device for receiving the formed links and deliveringthem to a point remote from the forming means, tools for incorporating the delivered links in a piece of mesh fabric, electromagnetic means for actuating the altering means, and a pat tern mechanism for controlling the said elec-- tromagnetic means.

28. In. a machine for making link mesh fabric, the combination of means for forming links from a strip of blank material, means for embossing the portions of the links which are to be exposed when the links are incorporated in the fabric, a delivery device for receiving the formedlinks and delivering them to. a point remote from the forming means, and tools at the said point for incorporating the links in a piece of fabric.

29'."Infa machine for making link mesh fabric made .up of links of two different kinds, the combination of means for forming both kinds of links from a single strip of blank material, means for altering the appearance of the parts of links of one kind which are to be exposed when the links are incorporated in the fabric, separate means for receiving the links of each kind and for delivering "a link of each kind simultaneously to a point remote from the forming means, and tools atithe said point for incorporating the links in a piece of mesh fabric.

30. In a machine for making link mesh fabric, the combination of a support fora piece of mesh, tools for incorporating links in the-piece of meshon the support, a pair of magazines'containing links and arranged to deliver these links tothetools, and means for actuating the tools'to remove links from the magazines andt-o incorporate them in the piece of mesh. v 7

31. In a'machine for making link mesh fabric, the combination of a support for a piece of mesh, a pair of magazines contain ing links, means for moving the magazines to deliver the links to a common point, and

'tools at this point for simultaneously with drawing a link of each kind from the magazines and': incorporating these links in a piece of "mesh fabric.

' 32. Ina machine for making link mesh fabric, the'combination of a pair ofmovable magazines, containing links, the magazine s being arranged sojthat there is a common point inthe path of movement thereof, tools at the common point, and means for operating the tools'to incorporate a link from each magazine simultaneously in a piece of mesh fabric. Y Y

v The combination of a pair of movable magazines lying in parallel planes in partially overlapping relation, these magazines containing links, means for moving the magazines, tools disposed at a common point in the path of movement of the magazines, and lneans for actuatingthe tools to remove a link from each magazine and to incorporate these links in a piece of meshfabric.

34. The combination of a magazine having a series of recesses along one edge for holding individual links, a second magazine having a series of apertures for holding individual linkg'means for moving these magazines to bring'the links contained therein successively to a common point, and tools at this point operable to remove a link from each magazine and to incorporate these links in a piece of mesh fabric.

35. The combination of a dial having peripheral recesses for holding individual links, a second dial having openings formed through it for holding links, means for rotating the dials with a step-by-step movement, the dials being so disposed that at each period of rest of the movement a recessand an opening are in substantial alignment, and tools operating in the periods of rest of the movement for removing the links from the said opening and recess and for incorporating these links in a piece of fabric.

36. In a machine for making link mesh, the combination of a magazine movable in two directions'and arranged to receive links, means atthe end of the path of travel of the n'iagazine in one direction for supplying links to it, and means at the end of the path of travel of the magazine in the other direction for removing the links from the magazinc and incorporating these links in a piece of fabric.

37. The combination of a rotary magazine adapted to be raised and lowered, means operable for inserting links in the magazine when it is in its lower position, means operable to rotate the magazine when it is in its raised position, and tools operable to Withdraw links successively from the magazine when it is in its lowered position and to insert these links in a piece of mesh fabric.

38. The combination of a magazine movable vertically and horizontally, means for inserting links in the magazine at one end of its path of vertical movement, means for removing links from themagazine, and means at the other end of its path of movement for moving the-magazine horizontally.

39. The combination of a magazine movable both vertically and horizontally, means for inserting links in the magazine at one end of its path of vertical movement, means spaced therefronrtor removing links from the magazine when the latter is atthe same end of its path of vertical movement, and means tor moving the magazine horizontally when it is at the other end of its path of vertical movement.

4:0. The combination of a rotary magazine adapted to be raised and lowered, means operable when the magazine is at one end of its vertical movement for rotating it, and means operable to insert links in the magazine when it is at the other end of its path of vertical movement.

41, The combination of a rotary magazine adapted to be raised and lowered, means operable to give the magazine a step-by-step movement of advance when it is at one end of its path of vertical movement, means for raising and lowering the magazine, the magazine being thus moved between the steps of its rotary advance, means for inserting links in the magazine at one point when the magazine is at tlie other 'end of its path of vertical movement andits rotation is arrested, and means spaced from theinserting means and operable simultaneously therewith -for delivering links from the magazine. v

Y 42. The combination of a shaft, a dial carried thereby, means for raising and lowering theshatt, means operating to rotate the shaft with a stepby-step movement when it is at one end of itspath of vertical movement, and means operating when the shaftis the other end of its path of vertical movement for inserting links in the dial.

4%. A forming device for producing links from a'strip of blank material comprising the combination of a fixed plunger and a movable plunger disposedon either side of the strip of blank material, these plungers being movable to engage the strip between them and having a shape corresponding to the outline of the link to be removed from the strip, a movable cutter and a cutting block cooperating therewith for cutting the blank along the outline of the. part held b.6 tween the plungers, and means'for moving the cutter and cutting block relative to the plungers to, force the blank'material away from the link held between the plungers and to restore theblank material to its original position, whereby the severed link lies in its original position in the plane ot the strip.

a l. A forming device for producing'links from astrip of blank material comprising the combination of a fixed plunger and a movable plunger resiliently mounted, means for moving the plungers to engage the strip between them, the plungers having a shape corresponding to the outline of the link to he formed, a movable cutter and a resiliently mounted cutting block co-acting therewith, this cutter co-acting with the block to sever the'blank along the outline of the link held between the plungers, the plungers lying within and enclosed by the cutter and cutting block, and means for moving thecutter and cutting block and the plunger s relatively when these parts are in co-acting relation to cause the blank and the severed link held between the plungers to be separated and to return the co-acting plungcrs and the co-acting cutter and cutting block to their original positions to restore the excised link to its original position in the plane of the strip.

45. The combination of means for feeding a strip of blank material, guides disposed beyond the feeding means in the direction or movement of the strip through which the strip is advanced, forming means for removing pieces from the strip, a clutch for controlling the operation of the feeding i an means, control means for the clutch including a part engaging the strip and operated by its contact therewith when the strip becomes jammed in the guides, and means for preventing the release of the clutch except at a selected stage in the operation of the forming means.

46. The combination of means for feeding a strip of blank material, guides through which the strip is fed, forming means to which the strip is fed operable to act on the strip to change its condition, power driven mechanism for aetuatingthe feeding means and the forming means, a clutch for controlling the action of the feeding and forming means, control means for the clutch having a part in contactwith the strip and operable upon the amming of the strip in the guides to release the clutch, and means for preventing the release of the clutch except at a selectedstage in the operation of the formmg means.

47. The combination of feeding rollers for feeding a strip of blank material, guides through which the blank is fed, reciprocating forming means for altering the condition of the strip being fed, driving means for the feeding rollers and the forming means, a clutch for controlling the operation of the feeding rollers and the forming means, control mechanism including a part in contact with the strip for releasing the clutch when the strip becomes jammed in the guides, and means for preventing the release of the clutch by the control means except at a selected stage in the reciprocation of the forming means.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

FRED H. LYNDS.