US1740414A

US1740414A - ridderstrom

Info

Publication number: US1740414A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1929-12-17
Anticipated expiration: 1946-12-17

Description

Dec. 17, 1929. A. R. RIDDERSTROM FOLDING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed July 17, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet III:

lumen? or flit orn ey fin drew RRiaderstr-om Dec. 17, 1929. A. I R. RIDDERSTROM 1,740,414

FOLDING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed July 17, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 M l 0 II I 3 I705. 9 2 09 36 Inventor findrewkflidderstrom Dec. 17, 1929. A. R. RIDDERSTROM 1,740,414

FOLDING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed July 17, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 &

A67 flndrewfi. Ridderatrom Dec. 17, 1929. A. R. RIDDERSTROM FOLDING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed July 17, 1923 5 Sheets-8heet 4 Dec. 17, 1929.

R. RIDDERSTROM FOLDU IG MACHINE AND METHOD Filed July 17, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Invent or findrew R. Rzdderstrom fittorneg Patented Dec. 17, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ANDREW R. RIDDERSTROM, 0F NAHANT, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO UNITED SHOE MACHINERY CORPORATION, OF PATERSON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF'NEW JERSEY FOLDING MACHINE AND METHOD Application filed July 17, 1923.

The present invention relates to methods of and machines for operating upon flexible material, and more particularly to methods of and machines for folding the margins of shoe uppers, such as Vamps, quarters, tips and the like.

Folding machines of the above-described character, of the step-by-step-fee-d type, are' provided with a plow which initiates a fold in the margin of the material, and with a fold presser that presses down the fold initiated by the plow. The plows hitherto employed have usually been stationary, upstanding projections by which the margin of the material was literally plowed up as it was dragged past the plow by the feed means. A fold produced in this manner can not, of course, even approximate the one-hundred-eighty degree bend in the margin that it is the purpose of the folding operation to produce. When the fold is advanced to the fold presser, therefore, there is a tendency for the fold presser to crush the fold rather than to press it flat. To overcome this tendency, a number of expedients have been resorted to. Among these, is the use of creasers that crease the desired line of fold in the margin, and so help the fold presser to press the fold fiat along the line of crease. Creasers, however, are but an added complication, and their use is by nomeans satisfactory. Other additional mechanisms have also been proposed, each having for its object to aid the initial action of the plow. In Letters Patent No. 1,527,391, granted February 24:, 1925, the plow is endowed with a back-and-forth movement in the line of feed, rendering such additional aids unnecessary; but, as is explained in Letters Patent Nos. 1,527,394 and 1,527,395, granted on the same date, an additional control of some kind is found desirable in order that the fold presser may press the fold exactly at the desired line or lines, and not to one side thereof.

' An object of the present invention is to improve upon machines and methods of the above-described character; and to this end, a feature of the invention resides in situating the fold presser immediately forward of the plow in the line of feed, and endowing the plow with a movement transversely to the Serial m5. 652,169.

line of feed such that the fold initiated thereby shall approximate a one-hundred-andeighty-degree bend. The fold presser can not but press the fold so initiated flat against the body of the shoe upper at the next feed movement. This construction, furthermore, greatly relieves the stress in the stock resulting from the operation of present-day machines, due to the unnatural twisting that takes place in the margin of the material between the time that it leaves the plow and the time that it reaches the fold presser.

The margins of some kinds of shoe uppers are provided with sharply concave or convex curves, during'the folding of which it is desirable to slow down the feed. It is not desirable to employ the slow feed in all cases, because straight,or nearly straight, margins should be fedrapidly, in order to save time. The margins of sharply concave uppers, furthermore, should be snipped or slit prior to the folding operation, in order to facilitate the folding. Another object of the present invention, therefore, contemplatesnew and.

improved means for slowing down-the feed and throwing into operation the snipping knife when folding concave margins, and for slowing down the-feed without throwing in the knife when operating on convex margins. Certain features of the invention comprise also novel means for varying the feed and novel means forcontrolling the knife.

hen the margin is sharply curved, there is a tendency for the operator to feed it out of the range of action of the fold presser after it has beenacted upon by the plow and before it has been advanced as far as the fold presser. It is a further object of the present invention to overcome this tendency, and to this end, a feature of the invention resides in building the parts very closely together, in small compass. This is an object that has been most difficult of attainment, in practice.

Other and further objects will beexplained in the following description, and will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that the invention consists of the folding method and machine a preferred embodiment of which is illustrated and described herein and that itis intended to express in the appended claims all the novelty that the invention may possess.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a View in side elevation, partly in longitudinal section, of a machine constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a plan of the forward. part of the machine; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section, taken upon the line 33 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows; Figs. 4 and 5 are views similar to Fig. "3, showing the parts in different positions; Fig. 6 is a section taken upon the line 66 of Fig. 3, looking in the direction. of .the arrows; Figs. 7 and 8 are views similar to Fig. 6, showingthe parts in different positions Figs. 9 and-10am longitudinal sections taken upon thev lines -9- 9 an d 10-10, respectively, of Fig.' 8, looking in the direction of'the arrows,

parts being-omitted for clearness; Fig. 11 is a transverse section taken upon the line '1'1 11' of Fig. 9, looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 12 is a horizontal section taken upon'the line 12+12 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction-of the arrows, the section being enlarged with respect to Fig. 1; Fig. 13 is a similarly enlarged section, taken upon the line 13'13 of Fig. 12, looking in the direction of the arrows Figs. 14, 15 and 16 are sections similar to Fig. 13,showing the parts in different positions; Fig. 17 is a similarly enlarged section taken upon the line 17 -17 of Fig. 2, lookingin thejdirection of the arrows;

Figs. 18and 19 are viewssimilar to Fig. 17, showing the parts indifferent positions; Fig.

20isan enlarged view of a portion of the'improved feed-varying mechanism; Fig.21 isa vertical section taken upon the line 21 21 of Fig] 2Q, looking in the. direction of the ariows'gFig'. 22' is a vertical section taken upon the line 22f-22'0f Fig. .21, looking in thedirection of the arrows; '22 is a viewof a detail; Fig 23 is a perspective view of the, forwardportion of the machine; Fig. 24 is, a

' perspective view of the machine, upon a rows; Fig. 33,is a section taken upon theline 33*33- of Fig. 1,"looking in the direction of the, arrows; Fig. 34 is. a plan, partly in section, of a portion'of the mechanism shown in Fig.5; Fig. 35 is a ,vie'w showing a preferred plowcontrol'rFigp36is an elevation, looking in the direction of, the arrows of the line 36-36 'of Fig. '35; and Fig. 37 "is a section- 8, between which. a sheet of flexible material,

like a shoe upper 2, isv intermittently gripped,

and by which the sheet is fed or advanced,

step bysteppver a platform or support 24, to a folder or plow 32 that initiates a fold in successive portionsiof .the margin of the material. A fold presser 42 presses the fold fiat against the body of; the upper- 2 during pauses inthe feed. The fold presser is situated immediately forward ofthetplow; and the plow folds the margin nearly one hundred eighty degrees, or almostfiat'against the body of the upper, as will be understood from Figs. 3 and-5, before the fold is :advancedby the feed means to the fold presser.

The fold presser 42 is floatingly pivoted at 146, .F-i' gs-. 3 :-to.5, t0:one end of a-link148 the other end ofwhich iseccentrically connected by a pin 150, Fig.:1,to.a spiral gear-152 meshing withia spiralfgear 154 upon: a driving shaft 66. By-means ofthe constructionrillustrated in thedrawings and explained at length in the above-mentioned Letters Patent No. 1,521,395 and also .LetterswP'atent- No.

the frame-of themachine by screws or the like 8.- The upper portionof the cap 4 is provided with a longitudinally extending opening 10, Within which'issecured a longitudinally disposed block 12 by the same screw 6 that holds. the support 24 in 'place,-as is clearly shown more particularly in Figs. 3, 4 5 and 1 The block 12 isthus, in effectcsecured-t'o theundeir side of the support'24Q Theplow-32 is pivoted "at 130 to an inwardly projecting portion-14 of the' blo'ck12 in such fa'shion a's to pivot in'a plane that is longitudinal-1y disposed with respect to thelmachi'neyor-that is atrightangles, or transverse, to the; line of feed.

. Agsprin'g is employedto maintain the plow '3-2 ina limiting position iof-itsfpi'votal mo ve meat. Inthe rn'odificationof Figs.;3,4 ands,

the spring 132isshownas of the coiled type,

r1 ing portion of the plow.

with projecting ends respectively'secured at 136 on the arm 160, and at 137 on the plow 32. A spring of this type, and so secured, seems to have a tendency to break. It is therefore preferred to employ one or more leaf springs 16, shown more particularly in Figs. 35, 36 and The leaf springor springs 16 may be secured at one end in a recess 18, adjacent to the opening 10, by a screw or the like 20, and the other'end may engage a projecting pin 22 or other part projecting from the plow 32. Whether the construction of Figs. 3, 4 and 5 or that of 35, and 37 be e1nployed, the plow 32 will be maintained yieldingly in the limiting position shown more particularly in Figs. 3, 5, 35, 36 and 37. Of course, any equivalent construction may equally well be employed for effecting the same result.

To actuate the plow 32 about its pivotal point 130, in opposition to the force exerted by the

springs

16 or 132, the fold prcsser is provided with a portion 144 that extends rear ward in the line of feed and to one side ofa forwardly projecting portion 140 of the plow, as is shown more particularly in Figs. '6, 7 and During the return movement of the fold presser, therefore, the portion 144 engages the forwardly projecting portion 140 of the plow and cause it to pivot about its pivotal point 130, as is clealy shown in Fig. 4. During the fold-pressing movement of the fold presser, indicated by the curved arrow of F ig. 3, the spring or springs 16 or 132 will cause the plow to move with the fold presser, as indicated in Fi During the further movement of the fold presser, from the position of Fig. 3 to that of Fig. 5 the plow 32 can not follow the fold presser, but will be maintained in its limiting position by the spring or springs 16 or until the next return movement of the fold presser.

It has been explained that the portion 144 of the fold presser extends rearward in the line of feed and to one side of the forwardly portion 144 of the fold presser extends rearward as close as possible to'the fold-initiat- The fold presser is therefore situated immediately forward of the plow in the line of feed and, as the plow pivots in a plane at right angles to the line of feed, so as to produce a bend of nearly one hundred eighty degrees, the fold presser necessarily presses the fold so initiated flat against the body of the shoe upper along the line of fold that is thus predetermined by the plow.

Summarizing the operation of the machine as thus far described, the shoe upper is advanced. over the support 24, step by step, by the feed point and the feed block 41; the plow 32 is pivotally actuated in a plane at rightangles to the line of feed during pauses in the feed to initiate a fold in successive portions of the margin, step by step; and the fold presser 42, situated immediately before the plow in the line of feed, is actuated step by step, during pauses in the feed, to press flat the folds successively initiated by the fold presser during imme diately prior pauses in the feed. Each folded portion is pressed while the next succeeding portion is being folded, thereby relieving the strain in the material. The fold presser and the plow are actuated as a unitduring a portion of the actuation of the fold presser in planes at right angles to the line of feed, the fold presser being actuated during the remainder of its cycle of operation alone. The plow is not, however, rigidly secured to the fold presser, but is yieldingly connected thereto. This yielding connection not only permits the fold presser and the plow to be actuated as a unit at times, thereby further relieving the strain upon the margin during folding and pressing, and separately at other times, but it provides for the plow yielding with respect to the fold presser during the actuation of the fold presser and the plow, when unusually thick places in the stock, such as seams, are encountered. It is within the scope of the present invention to have the plow of straight formation. It is more effective, however, to provide the plow with a nose 34 and a concavity 134 adjacent to the nose. The nose is adapted to engage the margin of the material during the actuation of the plow, in'a manner that will be clearly understood more particularly from Fig. 4, and the curve of the fold thus formed will be adapted to seat in the concavity 134, as will be understood from Figs. 3 and 5. The margin of the support 24 adjacent to the concavity 134 is inclined or curved upwardly towards the concavity 134, as shown at 26, to cooperate with the concavity 134 in the seating of the fold.

A retainer 153 holds the stock against the support during the pauses in the feed. The other functions performed by the retainer, and the retainer-operating mechanism, will not be described herein, because fully described in the above-referred-to Letters Patent No. 1527,5395, and because other retainers and other retainer-operating mechanisms may also be employed without departing from the present invention. The retainer of the present invention, however,-is situated preferably immediately to the rear of the folding nose 134 of the plow 32. The retainer, the plow and the fold presser are thus positioned very closely together, in small compass, enabling operation upon stock having very sharp corners. This positioning of the plow immediately before the retainer, furthermore, enables the nose of the plow to initiate the foldmore easily. This is because the upstanding arm =246 of theretaiaier as a kind of drag against which the nose of the plow causes the margin of the stock-to be twisted during the initiation of the told. This twisting action naturally aids-the plow in-bending the successive portions of" the marginthrough so large airangle as nearly one hundred eightyddegrees, and thus aids the-plow in properly presenting the stock to the foldpre'sser for action by the latter. The corner edge of the retainer, near tl le plow,shou1d-be round, and not sharp,

It has been explaine'd that thefold' presser is driven from a spiral gear 154 upon the driving "shaft '66. The driving shaft (36 is drivenby mechanism under the cont rol o'l the operator,shown in Fi'g; 1, and frnore fully described in'the above-named Letters Patent No.- 1,527,395. The T feeding mechanism, comprising the feed block 41 l and the: feed point is'also driven from the "driving shaft 66. The feed block 41 :is ShOW-II IHOIB 133% tioul'arly'in- Fig; 9:as rigidly-secured to, or

integral with, a holder 93 tl-iatisisecure'd,

as by a sehscrew, to arrockingfor oscillating support 94. The rocking support is; pivot- 'a'lly' mounted about a rod 96'that is seen-red to the frame of tliemachine by aiscr'ew 98. The :feed point 30 is -pivetally mountediat 110upon the rockingrsupport 94, so as to be rocked therewith andwwithwthelower steed An arrn member 36 is also pivotallyunounted to rock or oscillate about the rodz96. The member 36 is provided with a diagonally d sposed, cylindricalopening 100, shown more particularly in 'Figsut) and 11;, within which is slidingly mounter'l a diagonally cylindrkical block'102 the upper :fiat :faceof wh ch is substantially horizontal as: shown at 104.

The angle of inclination o f the opening 100 is preferably in the neighborhood of thirty dethe ro'cking member Rotative movement 1 of theshaft will beconverted by the-eccentric into combined sliding-and oscillating or rotative movement of the block 102 and this,in turn, will effect a rocking'movement of the rockinganemberSG about-the rod 96! A"'compression coiledspring138, interposed between therockingisupport -94:and2the rocking member 136,- yieldingly connects the rocking support 94 to the rocking-member 36 to cause them to rock 'or oscillate togethenas a unit. The coiled spring 38 yie-ldingly maintains an'arm 39 of therookingtsuipport 94 in engagement with :an adj ustable: portion 40 of thefrockingmember 86. Theadjustfed sorapidly as straight portions.

a threaded rod 114 extending through-an opening 116 in the'feed-point arm 118 and secured at 43 to the rocking support 94s means of the threads upon the rod 114," the pressure of the spring 112 upon the feed point may be adjusted,the ends of the spring being confined between the feed-point arm 118 and a knurled nut 124 that is threaded upon the rod 114. The feed pOintarm 118 is provided with an adjustable screw? 120. The upper face 104 of the block 102 is adapted to engage the screw 120, therebyto raise the feed point in'opposi-tion to the pressure of the spring 112. An additional adjustable member'123 is provided to prevent the feed point becoming lowered into contact with the feed block when the machine is running idly, thereby preventing the feed point pounding uselessly against "the feed block when no stock is interposed. v

As the driving shaft 66 is rotated, the rocking support 94 is rockedfrom right to left and from-left to right, as viewed in Fig. 11,

then occupies its upper positions. During the right-todeft movement, the block 102 will lie in the lower portions of tliecylincli'ical opening 100, and thefeed point will be spring pressed 'into engagement with the feed block, which will thus advance to the fold presser the upper clampedtherebetween.

Curved portions of the work should not be The above-described constructionaffords a novel means of varyingthe lengths-0f the feed steps, so as to vteed the work by greateror by shorter feed strokes, at will. To this 'endfall that is necessaryis to adjust angularly the rocking support 94 closer to, or farther from, the rockingimember 36. The limits of oscillation ofthe rocking member 36ers, of course, fixed but the farther away from the rocking member 36 that the rocking support 94 is adjusted, the farther to the left, as viewed in Fig-11, will the rocking support 94, withthe feed pointand the fee d block carried thereby, oscillate. The limit of osof feed. The steps may-then be shortened duringthe operation 'ofthe-machine bypressing the rocking.supportQ94,:orthearni 39 thereof, in opposition to the forceieXertechby the spring 38', towards the right, as viewed in Fig. 11. i v

This is accomplished, according to the embodiment of the invention that is herein illustrated and described, by pressing upward and to the right, in the direction of the curved arrow, Fig. 11, about the rod 96, upon an arm 45 that projects out from the arm 39 of the rocking support 94. The free endof the arm 45 is adapted to be engaged by the free end of an arm 122 that is pivoted to the frame of the machine at 143. Pivotal movement of the arm 122 may be effected by a vertically disposed arm 145,the upper end of which is pivoted to the arm 122 at 147. The lower portion of the arm 145 is adapted to be engaged by either of two

cams

29 and 31, shown more particularly in Fig. 22 as provided upon a single cam member 46. Rocking the cam member 46 in either direction will cause the cam 29 or the cam 31, as the case may be, to raise the arm 145. Raising the arm 145 will effect pivotal movement of the arm 122, the

free end of which will engage the arm 45 to" press'the latter upward, thereby adjustably limiting the length of the feed steps. The action may be adjusted by means of an adjustable member 149, shown as a screw, mounted at the free end of the arm 122.

The cam 29 has a higher throw than the cam 31. The cam 29 therefore permits of a more rapid adjustment than the cam 31, and provides also for a greater range of adjustment. As will shortly appear, either cam may be actuated to any desired degree up to a maximum, adjustable limit. To actuate the cam member 46, it is secured to one end of a rock shaft 151 that extends transversely across the machine, as shown more particularly in Fig.2, and to the other end of which is secured a lever 17 6.v The lever 176 is connected by a link 178, Figs. 2 and 24, to a lever 179 that is secured to a rock shaft 188. The rock shaft 188 is provided with two fixed

arms

183 and 185 that are respectively con nected to treadle rods 187 and 189. By actuating one or the other treadle rod, the rock shaft 188 will be rocked in one or the other direction, and the rocking movement of the rock shaft will be communicated, through the link 178 and the lever 176, to the rock shaft 151, therebyv rockingthe cam member 46 in one or the other direction. The treadle rods 187 and 189 may be connected to opposite upon the screw 123, as before described, but it is adaptedto be raised therefrom by a'rod 300that is verticallydisposed in an opening l 302 'of the rocking support 94. The rod 300 rests upon the head of a rod 304 that is slidably mounted in a vertical opening 306 provided transversely through the rod 96. To raise the feed point, therefore, it is only necessary to raise the rod 304. Therod 304 is adapted to be raised by an adjustable member 312 at one end of a lever 307 pivoted at v 308 and that is normally maintained in the illustrated position by a weight 310 that is adapted to rest against an adjustable member 315. A. handle 313, that extends through an opening 316 in the frame of the machine, is adapted to be actuated by the operator so as to cause the raising of the

rods

304 and 300 and, through them, of the feed point 30.

In the above-described manner, the rocking member 36 and the rocking support 94 may be rocked or oscillated as a unit, provision being made, however, for adjustably limiting the degree of oscillation of the rocking support 94 and, therefore, adjustably limiting the lengths of the feed steps of tl e feed block 41 and the feed point 30 that are carried by the rocking support 94. The treadle rods 187 and 189 provide for operating the

rock shafts

151 and 188 in opposite directions to effect a variation in the lengths of the feed steps in the same direction,namely, a shortening or diminution of the feed steps. An advantage of this'construction will presently be described. It will be desirable to explain first, however, the preferred snipping or slitting mechanism. a

The slitting is performed, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, by a movable knife 352, cooperating with a stationary knife 353, and situated immediately in the rear of the retainer 153, at a position to one side of the feed elements at their forward limit of feed movement, as is illustrated in Fig. 7, but forward of the position of the feed elements at their rearward limit of feed movement, as is illustrated in Fig. 8. The movable knife 352 is pivoted to the upper end of a bracket 61 and is connected at 356 to one end of a link 354. The other end of the link 354 is adapted to be clutched to, and unclutched from, knife-operating mechanism, so as to cause the knife to be actuated or idle, at the will of the operator.

The preferred clutching mechanism is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 12 to16. Modifications are shown in Figs. 28 to 34. According to the preferred construction, the said other end of the link 354 is adjustably connected to a plate-like member 362 that is adapted to be clutched to a gear 366 that is driven from the gear 154 upon the driving shaft 66. The illustrated details of the adjustable connection between the link 354 and the plate-like member 362 comprise slots 368 in the link 354 and set screws 370 that are adapted to enter slots and, bind thelink 354 against theplate-like member 362. The holdingaction" may be increased'by means of ribs 372 or the like upon the two members to prevent accidental slipping.

The plate-like member 362 is provided with a polygonal-shaped, parallel-sided, opening 374; within which is slidably mounted a correspondingly shaped polygonal block 376. The block 376 is loosely mounted upon an eccentric 378 of the gear 366; R'otative movement of the gear will, therefore, through the eccentric 378, be converted into reciprocating movement of the block 37 6 within the openiii-g 374. The sliding movement of the block 376 within the opening 374 may be prevented by means of a clutch ca m 380 that isfixed to the eccentric 378 and that is adapted to be adjusted so as to bind against a pin .382,- as shown in Fig. 15. A set screw 38% may be employed to bind against the block 376 at a point on. the other side of the eccentric. The block 376 being thus held against movement in the slot 374, the movement ot the eccentric 3 78. will now be transmitted to the link 1 and, through the link, to the knife 352; A very effective clutching of the knife to the gear 366 is time obtained.

To adjust the clutch oam 380 into and out of clutching engagement with the pin 382, o the eccentric is loosely rotatably mounted in a bearing 386 that extends tlrr'ough the vgear 366, as shown more particularly in Fig. 12-, and its rearward projecting endis fixed to a lever 388, as is shown more particularly in Fig- 424. Thelever 388 is connected by a link 390 to thelever 179, and is therefore controlled by the same treadle rods 187 and 189 that control the feed variation. Actuation of the treadle rod 187 will efilect a movement of the knife-clutchingcam'380 froni the position of Fig. 13 to the positions of Figs. 14 and 15. Actuation of the treadle rod 189 will effect a movement ofthe knifech'ttching cam 380 in the opposite direction. The treadle rod 187 therefore controls both the action :of the The knifeand the variation of the feed. tread le rod 189 on the other hand, controls the feed variation alone. Asithe tr'eadle rod 187 renders the cam 31, and the treadle rod.

189 the cam 29, effective to Vary the feed, it will now be understood that when the knife is thrown into operation, the .feedsteps will also b'eshortenednbut to a smaller degree than when the treadle rod 189 isrendered effective.

Of course, this relation might readily be reversed by changing the relative positions of the cams 29and'31. @Theknife is usually thrown intooperatioiiwheii concave margins are folded, for concave margins should be snippedprior to Itolding. WVhen feeding con cave margins, the feed should be slowed down, which isjaccomPliShd in thfe'illustrative machine. It isequally desirable to slow down the iteed'when folding convex margins, btit convex margins need not-besnipped. The

treadlerod 189 may therefore be employed when folding convex margins, and the treadle rod 187 when folding concave margins. The treadle rod 189, by withdrawing the clutching cam 380 from clutching position, automatia against abntmeritslOZ and 404 provided upon the frame. Any intermediate movementshort of these limiting movements may, (it course, be imparted to the treaclle rods, but the feed steps will not, in that event, be" shortened by quite so great an amount. If the cam 380 be" actuated, not to the limiting position shown in Fig. 15', for err-ample, but to the intermediate position shown in Fig. 14, the krrite 352- will cut 'snipsfloif not so great depth, and the feed'steps will be shortened by'not quite so great an amount.

The outtingp'osi-tiorr otthe'knrfe correspond:- ing to the clutch-cam position oat Fig. 14 is illustrated in F lg. 18*, Fig. 19 corresponding to the clutch-cam position of Fig. "15. The presei-rt inyention therefore provides means for varying the depth of the ship cuts i1raccordance with the spacingl 0t the cnts. It will be noted that the construction is such that the knife is thrown into operationis ometvhat after the liee'd is varied. Instead of controlling the knife and the feed variationby trea dles,'the control may be efiectedby. the :operators knee. The knee may be placed between arms 406 and 408, Fig.- 1, provided at the lower end of arocking shattHOthat is disposed in a vertical bearing-412'. The upper end oftheshaft 410 is connected by a universal joint 414 to one endiofa link-416ith'e other end'ot which isconnected by a universal joint 418 to the arm 17 9. moving the knee to the left or the right,- therefore, the shaft 119 willberocked inthe one or :the otherdirection, effecting the samecontrol overthe teed andthe knife as before described. It'imay be desirable to :control either the feed ilfone orthe' knit'ealonebyaafoot-treadle,anditlie Other by the knee, and either i or these combinationsmay readily "be effected. By disconnecting the link 3 90 'froniithelever L79, foryexample, andconne'cting the link 41 6 tothe dinkfiQQ, the knife maybe controlled by the'kneenlone and the ifeed variaition by. the treadle val-one.

The stationary knife .353, with which the moiiable knife 52 cooperates-,isnnounted al an incline to the -planefof theeupportfii as a'zvillzb'e understoodtromFigsZL'Z, 18,19 and 23. The arrangement lot. the two ,kttirestis its such that the knife 352 need move but very little, from the position of Fig. 17 to the position of Fig. 19 in order to effect a full cutting stroke. The danger of the operatorcutting his fingers is thus eliminated. The knife 353 is integrally provided with a stem Fig. 27, that extends through an opening 422 in the bracket 61, and the free end of which is provided with a screw-threaded opening adapted to receive a locking screw 424. lV-hen the knife 353 becomes dull, the stem 420 is pushed out of the opening 422, the knife is sharpened, and the stem 420 is replaced and relocked in its opening 422. The knife 353 should not be ground parallel to the original cutting edge, but at an. angle thereto, so as to retain always the position of the end shoulder 426. In order that the knife 353 may occupy its former position after grinding, the knife should be turned about the axis of the stem 420 when it is replaced in position. In this manner, the effective, cutting edge of the knife 353 may be retained always in the same position. no matter how often it has been sharpened. I

As the stationary knife 353 occupies an inclined position, it is desirable to feed the stock thereto with its margin correspondingly bent out of its plane. The initial bend thus imparted to the margin is further advantageous in relieving, by so much, the stress that is later imposed by the plow in its folding action upon the margin. To bring this result about, the bracket 61 is provided with an inclined portion 428 on which the margin is adapted to rest, and by which it is bent slightly out of the plane of the shoe upper. as the upper is advanced by the feed point and the feed block. The inclined portion 428 is situated to one side of the feed block 41, and the feed point 30 is provided with a correspondingly inclined finger 430 for holding the margin against the inclined portion 428 during the feeding of the material. The inclined portion 428 is somewhat more deeply curved in the center, at 432, than'near the ends, so as to provide for a sharper, rise towards the knife 353 at 434. A gage 436; see cured by a screw at 438, is provided just rearward of the knife in order to gage the 450 to the free end of an arm, 452 that may be adjusted angularly with respect to the gear 366. A polygonal block 454. similar to the block 376. 1s adapted to slide in a polygonal opening 456. similar to the opening '374, in the arm 452. An eccentric 458 of the gear 366 is adapted to actuate the

block

454, 1

as in, the preferred construction. The arm 452 ispivoted at- 460, near the circumference of the gear 366, to an arm 462 that is angularlv adj ustable about the axis of the gear 366.

Obviously, if the pivotal point 460 and the eccentric 458 are in a line nearly at right angles to the link 354, as in Fig. 29, the link 3354 will be oscillated through a larger path than when the pivotal point 460 and the eccentric 458 are nearly in line with the link 354, as shown in Fig. 31. In the latter case, the reciprocation of the link 354, and the consequent movement of the knife 352', will be Very little, if any; in the former case, the movement of the knife 352 will be measured by the angle between the two lines 463 and 464 that converge to the pivot 460, and is indicated by the distance between the points of the arrows 466 in Fig. 29. An intermediate adjustment of the point 460 is indicated in Fig. 30, and the corresponding range of movement of the knife 352 is indicated by the distance between the points of the arrows 468. The angular position of the pivotal point 460 may be adjusted by angularly adthe arm 462 about the axis of the 366. This may be effected by adjusting a link 470 one end of which is pivoted to an arm 472. The arms 462 and'472 are in tegrally connected to a hub 474 that is rotatable about the axis of the gear 366. The link 470 may be connected to the arm 179, Figs. 24 and 32, so as to be treadleor kneecontrolled. The arm 179 is adapted to actuate the link 354 in opposition to the force exerted by a spring 476. The ends of the link 470 are adapted to move in

curved guides

478 and 480, the latter guide being concentric wi h the axis of the gear 366 and the former being parallel with the latter.

Many details of the illustrative machine have not been illustrated herein, and many illus rated parts have not been described. be cause unnecessary to an understanding of the present invention, and because full particulars may be obtained in the aforesaid Letters Patent. The elements of novelty, furthermore, though fully explained, are by no means restricted to the exact en'ibodiments thereof that. are illustrated and described herein. Modifications and changes will readily occur to persons skilled in the art, and all such are considered to fall within the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

hat is claimed is: I

1. A folding machine having, in combination, means for feeding material, a folder for folding the material in one step through an angle of nearly one hundred eighty degrees, and a fold presser situated immediately before the folder in the direction of the line of feed for pressing the fold produced by the folder, the fold presser and the folder being immovable relatively to each other in the direction of the line of feed.

2. A folding machine having, in combination, means for feeding material, a folder for folding the material in one step through an angle of nearly one hundred eighty degrees,

means for a'ctuating theifolder to fold successive portions of the material each in one step, afold pressersituated immediately before the folder in the direction of the line of A feed, the fold; presser and thefolder being immovable relatively to each other in the direction of the line-of feed, and 'means' for actu ating the fold presser to press the: folds suceessively produced by the folder.

-3. A folding :machine having, in combination, means for feeding materiaha folder for folding the material in onestep through an angle of nearly one hundred e ghty degrees, means foractuating the folder in adirection transverse to the direct'ionof. the line of feed :right'anglesto the direction of the line of feed during the operation of themachine, and a fold presser-situated immediately before the'folder in the direction of the line of feed for pressing the fold produced by the folder.

A: folding machine having, in combination, means-for feeding material, a plow for initiating a-fold in themargin of the, material, a fold presser for pressing the fold initiated by the plow, and meansfor actuating the fold presser and the plow'as-a unit.

6. A folding machine having, incombination, means for feeding ma-teriaL-a plowfor inritiatingpa fold in the margin-of the material, a fold presser for pressing the fold initiated by the plow, and means for pivotally actuating the fold presser-and the plowas a unit in a planeat rightangles to the line of feed.

-7. A folding machine having, in combina- 1 a tion, means for feeding material, a plow for :whereby the'plow is adapted to yield with respect to thefold presser during the actuation of the fold presser and the plow as a unit.

"8. A folding machine having, in combination,- means for feeding material, a plow for initiating a foldi-n themargin of the material, a fold presser situated immediately before the plow inthe line of feed for pressing the fold initiated by the plow, means for pivotally-actuating the foldpresser in a plane at right angles tothe line of feed, and means yieldingly connecting the plowto the fold pressen whereby the plow is adapted to be actuated with the fold; presser -and is adapted toyieldwith respect to the fold presserduri ing the actua tioniofthe.fold-ipresser,

9. A folding machine having, in combination, a support, means for feeding material over the support, a plow for initiating a fold in the margin of the material pivoted to the support so as to move pivotally in a plane at right angles to the line of feed, a fold presser for pressing the fold initiated by the, plow, means for pivotally actuating the fold pr-esser ina plane at right angles to the line of feed, and means yieldinglyconnecting the plow to the fold presser, whereby the plow is adapted to be actuated with the fold presser and is adapted to yield with respect to the fold presser during the actuation of the fold presser. a v

10. A folding machine having, in combination, a plowfor' initiating a fold in the marginof'a' piece of material, means for actuat- I ing the plow transversely to the margin of the 11.. A folding machine having, in combination, asupport, aretainer for'holding material against the support, aplow for initiati'ng a fold in the margin of the material,

means for pivotally actuating the plow transversely to the margin of the material, the plow having a noseadapted to engage the margin of the material at oneside of the retainer and a concavity adjacent to the nose in which concavitythe'curve ofthe fold is adapted to seat during the actuation of the plow transversely toithe margin.

'12. A folding machine having, in combination,'a support, means forfeeding material over the support,-a retainerfor holding the material againstmovement upon the support, a folder for folding the materialin one step through an angle of nearly one hundred eighty degrees, the folder being situated before the retainer in the direction of the line of feed, and arfold presser for pressing the fold produced by the folder.

13.v A folding machine having, in combination, a support, means for feeding material over the support, areta'iner for holding the materialagainst the support, a folder for folding the material in one step through an angle'of nearly one hundred eighty degrees, the folder being situated immediately before, the retainer in the direction of the line of feed, and a fold presser forpressing the fold produced by the folder situated immediately before theifolder in the direction of the line of feed, the fold pressera-nd the folder being immovable relatively to each other i th difrom movement in the line of feedfor initiatring a fold inthe margin of the material, and a f fold presser situated immediately before the plow in the direction of the line of feed for pressing the fold initiated by the plow, the fold presser having a portion extending rearward in the direction of the line of feed and to one side of the plow.

15. A folding machine having, in combination, means for feeding material, a plow for initiating a fold in the margin of the material adapted to be actuated pivotally in a plane at right angles to the line of feed, a fold presser situated immediately before the plow in the line of feed for pressing the fold initiated by the plow, means for pivotally actuating the fold presser in a plane at right angles to the line of feed, the fold presser having a portion extending rearward in the line of feed and to one side of the plow, and means yieldingly maintaining the plow in engagement with the extending portion of the fold presser, whereby the plow is adapted to be actuated with the fold presser and is adapted to yield with respect to the fold presser during the actuation of the fold presser.

16. vA folding machine having, in combination, a support, means for feeding material over the support, a retainer for holding the material against the support, a plow for initiating a fold in the margin of the material situated immediatelybefore the retainer in the line of feed, the plow being adapted to be actuated pivotally in a plane at right angles to the line of feed, a fold presser situated immediately before the plow in the line of feed for pressing the fold initiated by the plow, means for pivotally actuating the fold presser in a plane at right angles to the line of feed, the fold presser having a portion eX- tending rearward in the line of feed and to one side of the plow, and means yieldingly maintaining the plow in engagement with the extending portion of the fold presser, whereby the plow is adapted to be actuated with the fold presser and is adapted to yield with respect to the fold presser during the actuation of the fold presser.

17.' A folding machine having, in combination, a support, means for feeding material over the support, a retainer for holding the material against the support, a plow for initiating a fold in the margin of the material pivoted to the support immediately before the retainer in the line of feed so as to move pivotally in a plane at right angles to the line of feed, the plow having a nose adapted to engage the margin of the material at one side of the retainer and a concavity adjacent to the nose in which concavity the curve of the fold is adapted to seat during the pivotal actuation of the plow in its plane at right angles to the line of feed, a fold presser situated immediately before the plow in the line of feed for pressing the fold initiated by the plow,

means for pivotally actuating the fold presser in a plane at right angles to the line of feed,

the fold presser having a portion extending rearward in the line of feed and to one side of the plow, and means yieldingly maintaining the plow in engagement with the extending portion of the fold presser, whereby the plow is adapted to be actuated with the fold presser and is adapted to yield with respect to the fold presser during the actuation of the fold presser.

18. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a continuously rotating member having an eccentric, a block mounted loosely on the eccentric, a member having an opening within which the block is mounted to slide freely, and means for holding the block against sliding movement in the opening to cause the second-named member to move with the continuously rotating member.

19. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a continuously rotating member having an eccentric, a polygonal block mounted loosely on the eccentric, a member having an opening within which the polygonal block is mounted to slide freely, means for holding the block against sliding 'lOVGiRQDt in the opening to cause the second named member to move with the continuously rotating member, and a knife connected to the second-named member.

20. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for feeding material, means for varying the feed of the material, normally ineffective means for cutting the material, a clutch for rendering the cut-- ting means effective, and means operable first to set the feed-varying means into operation and then to actuate the clutch to effective position.

21. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for feeding material, means for varying the feed of the material, means for cutting the material and means operable in one direction to set into operation the feed-varying means and the cutting means and in another direction to set into operation the feedvarying means without the cutting means.

22. A folding machine having, in combination, means for folding the margin of material, normally ineffective means for slitting the margin prior to folding, a clutch for renderin the slitting means effective, means for feeding the material to the slitting means and the folding means, means for varying the feed of the material, and means operable first to set the feed-varying means into operation and then to actuate the clutch to effective position.

23. A folding machine having, in combination, means for folding the margin of material. means for slitting the margin prior to folding, means for feeding the material to the slitting means and the folding means, means for varying the feed of the material, and means operable in one direction to set 6Q. feed, and pressing each folded portion at a into operation the feed-varying means and the cutting means and in another direction to set into operation the feed-varying means without the cutting means.

24. A folding machine having, in combination, means for folding the margin of material, a knife for slitting the margin prior to folding, a continuously rotating member having an eccentric, a block mounted loosely on the eccentric, a member connected to the knife having an opening within which the block is mounted to slide freely, means for holding the block against sliding movement in the opening to cause the knife-connected member to move with the continuously rotating member, means for actuating the hold ing means, means for feeding the material to the knife and the folding means step by step, means operable in two directions for diminishing the lengths of the steps of feed, and means operable in one direction for operating the actuating means for the holding means and for operating the step-diminishing means in one of the said two directions, the said operating means being operable in another direction for operating the step-diminishing means in the other of the said. two directions without also operating the holding means.

25. A folding machine having, in combination, a support, means for feeding material over the support, a retainer forward of the feeding means in the direction of the line of feed for holding the material against the support,v a plow immediately forward of the retainer in the direction of the line of feed for initiating a fold in the margin of the material, and a fold prcsser immediately forward of theplow in the direction of the line of feed for pressing the fold initiated by the plow, the retainer, the plow and the fold presser being immovable relatively to one another in the direction. of the line of feed.

26. The method of folding the margin of sheet material that comprises successively folding successive portions of the margin in one step through an angle of nearly one successive portions of the margin in one step through an angle of nearly one hundred eighty degrees when the said successive portions reacha predetermined position in the line of feed during successive pauses in the position immediately forward of the predetermined position in the line of feed during the next succeeding pause in the feed while the next succeeding portion of the margin is being folded, thereby to relieve the stress in the material. i

28. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a frame having an open ing, a stationary knife having a stem mounted in the opening, a movable knife adapted to cooperate with the stationary knife, and means whereby the stem may be adjusted about its axis in the opening to adjust the position of the stationary knife.

29. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for feeding mate rial step by step, two means each adapted to vary the lengths of the steps of feed, means for cutting the material, and means operable to set into operation the cutting means and one of the feed-varying means to cut and vary the lengths of the steps of feed.

30. A folding machine having, in combination, means for folding the mar in of material, means for slitting themargin prior to folding, means for feeding the material step by step to the slitting means and the folding means, two means each adapted to diminish the lengths of the steps of feed, and means operable to set into operation the slitting means and one of the means for diminishing the steps of feed, whereby the material maybe fed by diminished steps of feed either with or wlthout slitting.

31. A folding machine havin in combination, means for folding the margin of material, means for slitting the margin prior to folding, means for feeding the material step by step to the slitting means and the folding means, two means each adapted to diminish the lengths of the steps of feed, one of the diminishing means having a greater range of diminution than the other, and means operable to set into operation the slit tin means and the diminishing means having a smaller range of diminution.

32. A folding machine having, in combination, means for folding the margin of material, a knife for slitting the margin prior to folding, means for feeding the material to the knife and the folding means, a continuously rotating member having an eccentric, a polygonal block mounted loosely on the eccentric, a member having an opening with in which the polygonal block is mounted to slide freely, a link connecting the secondnamed member withthe knife, means for holding the block against sliding movement in the opening to cause the second-named member to move with the continuously rotating member,means for releasing the holding means, and means tending to move the second-named member into a position such as to render the knife ineffective upon the release of the holding means.

33. A machine of the class described hav ing, in combination, means comprising a feed point for feeding material, means for varying the feed, means for cutting the material, means for controlling the feed point, means for controlling the feed-varying means, and means for controlling the cutting means, the three last-named means being under the control of widely separated parts of the operators body during the operation and a folder for folding the material.

35. A folding machine having, in combination, a support over which material is adapted to be fed, the support having a portion at one side of the line of feed inclined outward so as to bend the material outward, the incline increasing in the direction of feed, a folder for folding the material, and a fold presser for pressing the fold.

36. A folding machine having, in combination, a support upon which material is adapted to rest, the support having a marginal portion inclined outward towards the edge of the margin so as to bend the material outward, a plow for initiating a fold in the margin of the material pivoted to the support near the saidedge so as to move pivotally in a plane at right angle to the said edge, and means for pivotally actuating the plow.

37. A folding machine having, in combination, a support upon which material is adapted to rest, the support having a marginal portion inclined outward towards the edge of the margin so as to bend the material outward, a plow for initiating a fold in the margin of the material, and means for actuating the plow transversely to the said edge, the plow having a nose adapted to engage the margin of the material and concavity adjacent to the nose, and the curve of the fold be- I ing adapted to seat in the concavity and against the inclined marginal portion of the support during the actuation of the plow transversely to the said edge.

38. A folding machine having. in combina i tion, a support, means for feeding material over the support, the support having a marginal portion curved outward towards the edge of the margin so as to bend the material outward, a plow for initiating afold in the margin of the material pivoted to the support near the said edge so as to move pivotallv in a plane at right angles to the line of feed, means for pivotally actuating the plow, the plow having a nose adapted to engage the margin of the material and a concavity adjacent to the nose, the curve of the fold being adapted to seat in the concavity and against the curved marginal portion of the support during the pivotal actuation of the plow, and a fold presser for pressing the fold initiated by the plow.

39. A folding machine having, in combination, a support upon which material is adapted to rest, a plow for initiating a fold in the margin of the material pivoted to the support so as to move pivotally in a plane at right angles to the support, means for pivot ally actuating the plow in the said plane to initiate the fold, means for limiting the pivotal movement of the plow, and means yieldingly maintaining the plow in the limiting position of pivotal movement.

40. A folding machine having, in combination, a support upon which material is adapted to rest, a plow for initiating a fold in the margin of the material pivoted to the support so as to move pivotally in a plane at right angles to the support, a fold presser for pressing the fold initiated by the plow, and means yieldingly connecting the plow to the fold presser.

41. A machine of the class described having, in combination, an arm adapted to oscillate about a pivot, a link one end of which is movable upon the arm along a line extending through the line of the pivot, a knife, the other end of the link being pivoted to the knife, and means for sliding the said one end of the link along the said line, whereby the knife is actuated when the said one end of the link is not in line with the pivot, and is not actuated when the said one end is in line with the pivot.

42. A machine of the class described having, in combination, an arm adapted to oscillate about a pivot, av member slidable upon the arm along a line extending through the pivot, and means for sliding the member upon the arm along the line during each oscillative movement of the arm.

43. A folding machine having, in combination, a support upon which material is adapted to rest, a plow for initiating a fold in the margin of the material pivoted to the supportso as to move pivotally in a plane at right angles to the support, a fold presser for pressing the fold initiated by the plow, and means on the plow adapted to be engaged by the fold pressed to pivotally actuate the plow.

44. A folding machine having, in combination, a support, means for feeding material over the support, a knife for slitting the margin of the material, a retainer immediately forward of the knife and forward of the feeding means in the direction of the line of feed for holding the material against the support, a plow immediately forward of the retainer in the direction of the line of feed for initiating a fold in the margin of the material, and a fold presser immediately forward of the plow in the direction of the line of feed for pressing the fold initiated by the plow.

45. A folding machine having, in combination, means for feeding material, a support for the margin of the material positioned at one side of the line of feed and inclined outward to bend the margin of the material outward, the incline increasing in the direction of the feed, a plow for initiating a'fold in the margin of the material, and a fold presser for pressing the fold initiated by the plow.

46. A folding machine having, in combina tion, means for feeding material, a support for the margin of the material inclined outward to bend the margin of the material outward, a correspondingly inclined stationary knife separate from and situated forward of the support in the line of feed, and a movable knife for cooperating with the station ary knife.

47. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a rotatable member having an eccentric, a block mounted loosely on the eccentric, an arm having an openingwithin which the block is mounted to slide freely, and means for angularly adjusting the arm.

48. A folding machine having, in combination, means for folding the margin of material, a. knife for slitting the margin prior to folding, means for feeding the material to I the folding means and the knife, a rotatable member having an eccentric, a block mounted loosely on the eccentric, an arm havmg an open1ngw1thrn which the block is mounted to slide freely, a link connecting the arm to the knife, and means for a ngularly adjusting the arm.

49. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a member adapted to oscillate about a'pivot and having a parallelsided opening, a parallel-sided block loosely mounted in the opening, a knife connected to the member, and means for actuating the block to effect the oscillation of the member about the pivot, thereby to effect the actuation of the knife.

. 50. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a continuously rotating member, a member adapted to oscillate about a pivot and having an opening, a block loosely mounted in the opening, a knife connected to the" second-named member, and means controlled by the first-named member for actuating the block to effect the oscillation of the second-named member about the pivot, thereby to effect the actuation of the knife.

51. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a member having an opening and a projection, a block loosely mounted in the opening, a knife connected to the n'ien'iber, and means comprising a cam adapted to engage the projection for actuating'the member relatively to the block to effect the actuation of the knife.

A machine of the class described having, in combination, a continuously rotating member, a member adapted to oscillate about a pivot and having an opening, a block loosely mounted int-he opening, a knife c011 nected to the second-named member, means whereby the continuously rotating member is normally ineffective to control the operation of the knife, and means whereby the continuously rotated member is adapted to cooperate with the second named member to effect the actuation of the block to efifect the oscillation of the second-named member about the pivot, thereby to effect the actuation of the knife.

53. A folding machine having, in comb-ination, a support over which material is adapt-- ed to be fed, a folder for folding the material,

a fold presser for pressing the fold, means.

tuating the fold presser, and means carried by the folder adapted to be engaged by the fold presser to cause the folder to be actuatec from the fold presser.

55. A folding machine having, in combination, a support, means for feeding material over the support, a retainer for holding the material against movement upon the support, and 'a folder for folding the material situated before the retainer in the line of feed.

56. A folding machine having, in combination, a support, means for feeding material over the support, retainer forward of the feeding means in the direction of the line of feed for holding the material against the sup port, a folder immediately forward of the retainer in the direct-ion of the line of feed for folding the material, the retainer and the folder being immovable relatively to each.

other in the direction of the line of feed, and a fold presser for pressing the fold.

57. A folding machine having, in combination, a folder for folding material, a fold presser for pressing the fold, and means for actuating the fold presser and the folder as aunit.

58. A folding machine having, in combina tion, a support over which material is adapted to be fed, a folder for folding the material, and a fold presser for pressing the fold, the fold presser having a portion extending rear-- ward in the line of feed and to the left of the folder. 7

59. A folding machine having, in combination, a support, means for feeding material over the support, two means for folding the material, and means for actuating the two folding means as a unit.

60. A folding machine having, in combination, a support, means for feeding material over the support, two means for operating on the material, and means for actuating the two operating means as a unit.

61. A folding machine having, in combination, a support, means for feeding material over the support, a fold presser for pressing a fold in the material, means for operating upon the material prior to the action thereon of the fold presser, and means for actuating the fold presser and the operating means as a unit.

62. A machine of the class described having, in combination, an arm adapted to oscillate about a pivot, a member slidable upon the arm along a line extending through the line of the pivot, means for sliding the member upon the arm along the line, and means for holding the pivot fixed during the sliding movement of the member upon the arm.

63. A folding machine having, in combination, a support over which material is adapted to be fed, a retainer for holding the material against the support, a folder for folding the material situated before the retainer in the direction of the line of feed, the retainer and the folder being immovable relatively to each other in the direction of the line of feed, and a fold presser for pressing the fold.

64. A folding machine having, in combination, a support over which material is adapted to be fed, a folder for folding the material, and a fold presser for pressing the fold, the fold presser and the folder being immovable relatively to each other in the line of feed, the fold presser having a portion extending rearward in the line of feed and to the left of the folder.

65. A folding machine having, in combination, means comprising a plurality of members for feeding material, means for varying the feed, means for cutting the material, means for controlling one of the feed members, means for controlling the feed-varying means, means for controlling the cutting means, the three last-named means being under the control of widely separated parts of the operators body during the operation of the machine, and means for folding the material.

66. A folding machine having, in combination, means for feeding material, a folder for folding the material in one step through an angle of nearly one hundred eighty de grees, and a fold presser for pressing the fold produced by the folder.

67 A folding machine having, in combination, means for feeding material, a folder for folding the material in one step through an angle of nearly one hundred eighty degrees,

means for actuating the folder to fold successive portions of the material each in one