US1764295A - Machine for making golf tees - Google Patents

Description

\ June 17, 1930. F. o. FISH MACHINE FOR MAKING GOLF mus Filed Oct. 29, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet l June 17, 1930. F. o. FISH momma FOR MAKING GOLF TEES Filed Oct 29, 19 27 4 sheets-sheet 2 June 17, 1930. F. o; FISH MACHINE FOR MAKING GOLF TEES 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed 001:. 29, 1927 Biz/017505 6 06% u, ll gaf w, A

June 17, 1930. F. o. FISH MACHINE FOR MAKING GOLF TEES N \l w I ||1 Fm. RN I i: I J k \I %n away w mi Patented June 17, 1930 PATENT OFFICE FRED O. FISH, OF WINCHESTER, MASS ACHUSETTS MACHINE FOR MAKING GOLF TEES Application filed .October 29, 1927. Serial No. 229,768.

The present invention relates to the manufacture of golf tees. The object of the invention is the production of golf tees of the peg type from blanks of suitable sheet material, such as paper. More particularly the object of the invention is the production of the golf tee forming the subject-matter of my application for patent filed December 1, 1925, Serial No. 72,509 on which Patent No.

1,647,440, issued November 1, 1927.

In carrying out the invention a conical mandrel is provided upon which the blank is rolled, the apex angle of the mandrel cone being preferably such that the height of the cone is at least four times the base diameter. To this mandrel a blank is presented of such shape that the side wall of the cone formed from the blank consists of a plurality of thicknesses of the blank. The blank is so positioned with relation to the mandrel that during the winding of the blank about the mandrel a sharp point is produced at the cone apex. Preferably this sharp point is produced by so locating the blank with relation 35 to the mandrel that the straight edge of the blank forms a point during the first portion of the rolling operation and then, due to the increasing diameter of the cone being formed from the blank, the straight edge recedes from the cone point and forms a spiral line on the outer surface of the cone. By providing a mandrel of substantially the dimensions spec ified, and by rolling the blank as stated a cone-shaped peg is formed which is sharp enough and sufficiently slender to puncture the ground for some distance without requiring an undue amount of pressure to force it into position and the wall of this peg between the base and the apex, even when the blank used is of paper, is stiff enough to withstand the pressure exerted on the base in forcing it into the ground. At the base of the cone a suitable ball supporting surface or rim is formed in any desired manner. Preferably, however, this ball supporting surface is formed by flaring the cone outwardly at its base so that a flare or flange is provided which presents a smooth surface against which the thumb may be pressed in forcing the cone into the round and a wide and secure support is a orded for the ball.

As to its broader features, the invention is not limited to cutting the blank to shape at any specified time, it being immaterial, 58 so far as these features are concerned, as to whether the blank is cut to shape before, during or after the rolling operation. It is merely essential that in the completed tee the blank be of such a shape, that the wall is 60 formed of a plurality of thicknesses, that a sharp point is formed at the cone apex and that a ball supporting surface is provided at the .cone base. In a machine embodying the several features of the invention in their 5 preferred form, however, the blanks are supplied from a continuous web whichis fed automatically into the machine and from which blanks of the proper shape are formed and presented successively to the mandrel. '70 In addition to the features of the invention referred to above, the'present invention also consists in certain constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed, the advantages of which will be clearly understood from an inspection of the accompanying drawings in which is illustrated a machine embodying the several features of the invention in their preferred form.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of the machine. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the machine taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the machine. Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of the machine on the line H of Fig. 3, illustrating particularly the cutter and its actuating mechanism. Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3, illustrating the mechanism for rotating the mandrel. Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view on the line 66 of Fig. 3, illustrating the mechanism for feeding the web. Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view illustrating a portion of the mechanism for rotating and reciprocating the mandrel. Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view illustrating the forward end of the mandrel, the flanging tool, and the flanging tool carrier and stripper. Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 but showing the mandrel retracted within the stripper carrier. Fig. 10 is a detail sectional plan view illustrating the forward end of the mandrel, together with the stripper carrier. Fig. 11 is a detail cross sectional view on the line 1111 of Fig. 8. Fig. 12 is a detail cross sectional view on the line 1212 of Fig. 8. Fig. 13 is adetail sectionalview taken on the line 1313 of Fig. 14, illustrating the position of the parts with the mandrel in the matrix just before the mandrel starts to rotate to wind the blank about the mandrel. Fig. 14 is a detail view showing in end elevation the matrix, the blank cutter and moistener. Figs. 15, 16

and 17 are views illustrating somewhat dia-- grammatically the manner in which the blank is rolled about the mandrel, and provided at its base with an outwardly extending flange. I

. Referring to Fig. 17 the tee which is produced by the machine illustrated in the drawings is indicated'at 18. This tee is formed from the blank 19 illustrated in Fig. 15 by being rolled upon the conical mandrel indicated at 20. The blank as illustrated is of general sector shape, being substantially semi-circular. The curvature at the right hand side of the blank, however, is on a shorter radius than the curvature at the left hand side of the blank for reasons to be presently explained. To form the blank into the cone-shaped tee illustrated in Fig. 17 the blank is first positioned with relation to the mandrel as indicated in Fig. 15. This brings the apex of the cone formed by the side elements of the mandrel cone substantially on the straight edge of the blank. The blank is now clamped to the mandrel, as will be described, and the mandrel is rotated. During the first revolution and a portion of the second revolution, the right" hand portion of the blank is wound around the mandrel and a'sharp point is formed by the straight edge of the blank. The external diameter of the cone which has been formed by the right hand portion of the blank is now considerably greater than the diameter of the mandrel cone and consequently the apex is somewhat beyond the apex of the mandrel cone. As a consequence, during the continued rotation of the mandrel the straightedge of the blank recedes from the apex and as the blank is completely wound upon the mandrel forms a spiral line on the outer surface of the cone. This leaves the point ofthe completed tee sharp and formed by substantially one thickness of the blank. On account of the shorter radius of curvature at the right hand side of the blankthe leading end of the curved edge of the blank lies below the base of the cone in the completed tee, and thus does not form an obstruction interfering with the proper seating of the ball on the tee when the tee is used. Also the longer radius of curvature at the left hand side of the blank compensate for the increasing diameter of the tee during its formation and causes the final end of the curved edge of the blank to come substantially flush with the base of the cone.

As illustrated in Fig. 17, the completed tee is provided with an outward flare or flange 21 at its base. In the machine illustrated this flare or flange is formed during the operation of rolling the blank around the mandrel, a flanging tool 22 being provided which engages the curved edge of the blank as it is rolled about the mandrel and turns said edge outwardly by substantially a spinning operation. The blank illustrated in the drawings is of paper, coated on its upper side with gum, glue or other suitable adhesive and prior to rolling the blank about the mandrel the gummed surface of the blank is moistened. The blank as it is rolled into cone form is, therefore, somewhat in temper and responds readily to the action of the flaring tool.

To enable the blank to be clamped to the mandrel at the start of the rolling operation the conical portion of the mandrel, as illustrated in the drawings, is formed on the forward ends of two longitudinally extending sections 23 arranged to provide between them a slotto receive the edge of the paper blank. Each section 23 at its rear end is provided with a tongue which is received in a slot cut in the forward end of a bar 24 and pivotally connected to the bar by a pivot pin 25. The sections 23 of the mandrel are acted upon by a spring 26 seated in recesses in the adjacent faces of the sections which spring tends to separate the sections and thus keep the slot open sufiiciently to receive the blank. The separating movement of the sections 23 under the force of the spring 26 is limited by projections 27 which extend rearwardly from the sections over the bar 24.

Cooperating. with the conical mandrel in rolling the blank about the mandrel is a matrix 28 formed by blocks 29 and 30. The in-' ternal surface of this matrix, as illustrated, is in the form of a four-sided pyramid, the opposite walls of which are arranged at an angle to each other corresponding to the apex angle of the cone mandrel. This matrix is located in the machine in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the mandrel so that the mandrel can be moved longitudinally into and out of engagement with the walls of the matrix. Atone side the matrix blocks 29 and 30 are slotted as indicated at 31 to permit the blank to be fed into position in the matrix. When the blank is in position in the matrix it extends diametrically across the matrix and is located in alignment with the slot between the members 23 of the mandrel cone. The blank .is fed into the proper position in the matrix, as will be hereinafter described, and when-in such position a longitudinal movement is imparted to the mandrel to cause the sections 23 of the mandrel to pass above and below the blank and contact with the walls of the matrix, and thus be forced together to grip the blank. After the blank is thus gripped the mandrel is rotated as will be hereinafter described and during such rota tion the blank is held pressed against the mandrel by the side walls of the matrix. Several layers of the blank are wrapped about the mandrel, and in orderto accommodate the increased diameter of the cone formed from the blank, the block 30 of the matrix is yieldingly mounted on the block 29, rods 32 being provided which extend downwardly through holes in the block 30 into the block 29 and being surrounded by springs 33 interposed between the block 30 and the upper ends of the rods.

As the blank is rolled about the mandrel the curved edge of the blank which forms the base of the completed tee is acted upon by the flanging tool 22. This flanging tool comprises a bar mounted in a recess in a flanging tool carrier 34. The flanging tool carrier is mounted in the machine frame to have a limited movement with the mandrel and when the mandrel is moved into the matrix, as illustrated in Fig. 13, the flanging tool carrier is brought into close proximity to the mouth of the matrix in the blocks 29 and 30 so that the flanging tool is in position to act on the curved edge of the blank as the blank is rolled around the mandrel, as indicated in Fig. 16. When in operating position, as indicated in Figs. 13 and 16, the flanging tool.

forces the curved edge of the blank outwardly and cooperates with a surface at the mouth of the matrix to set the out-turned flange in position.

After theblank has been rolled around the mandrel and has been formed into the completed tee the mandrel is withdrawn from the matrix, carrying the completed tee with it. During this rearward movement of the mandrel the flanging tool carrier 34 moves with the mandrel until the mandrel has been completely removed from the matrix. The carrier then stops and the mandrel continues its movement so that the cone portion of the mandrel withdraws within the carrier 34as indicated in Fig. 9. During this movement of the mandrel with relation to the carrier 34 the edge of the opening at the left hand end of the carrier acts as a stripper to eject the completed tee from the mandrel and allow the sections 23 of the mandrel to separate ready to advance again into engagement with another blank.

To enable the sections 23 to separate slightly during the forward movement of the mandrel from the position indicated in Fig. 9 to that indicated in Fig. 8 the sections are reduced in diameter to some extent back of the cone portion of the mandrel. This perof the carrier 34 to closely fit the base of the cone portion of the mandrel during its ejecting action on the completed tee.

hile the completed tee is being stripped from the cone portion of the mandrel it is de sirable that the flanging tool 22 be Withdrawn so as not to project beyond the stripping edge of the carrier 34 and thus indent the base of the tee. To secure this result the flanging tool 22 is connected at its rear end to the carrier 34 by a pin 35 which passes through a slot in the carrier. This permits a longitudinal movement of the flanging tool with. relation to the carrier so that it can move from the operative position indicated in Fig. 8 to the inoperative position indicated in Fig. 9. To move it into the operative position and hold it there during the flanging operation a projection 36 is formed on each of the sections 23 of the mandrel which are arranged to engage a projection 37 on the flanging tool. During the retracting movement of the mandrel into the flanging tool carrier to eject the completed tee the projections 36 move away from the projection 37 of the flanging tool and permit the pressure of the tee against the end of the flanging tool to move the flanging tool backwardly into the carrier.

The mandrel is reciprocated longitudinally and rotated and the flanging tool carrier 34 is moied in the manner above described by mechanism which comprises a driving shaft 38 and suitable connections between this shaft and the mandrel. These connections comprise a cam 39 on the shaft 38 and a cam 40 F on a cross shaft 41 driven through bevel gears from theshaft 38. The cam 39 opermeshing with a pinion 44 on a shaft 45 to which is also secured a wide gear 46. This wide gear. 46 meshes with apinion 47 on a sleeve 48 to which is secured the rear end of the bar 24 carrying the mandrel sections 23. By these connections during one revolution of the driving shaft 38 approximately six complete rotations in each direction are imparted to the mandrel.

The longitudinal movements are imparted to the mandrel from the cam 40. This cam actuates a lever 49 the lower end of which has a pin and slot connection with a bar 50 mounted to slide at its right hand end as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2 in a bearing in the machine frame. The left hand end of the bar 50 (see Fig. 7 extends within the sleeve 48 and is provided with a bushing 51 snugly fitting the interior of the sleeve and secured to the bar by screws 52. A bearing block 53 is provided for the bar 50 within the sleeve 48 and is held in the sleeve by a set screw 54. At its extreme end within the sleeve 48 the bar 50 is provided with a flange 55, and thrust bearings formed by balls 56 and 57 are provided for taking the end thrust in each direction beits tween the bar and the sleeve 48. 'lVith this construction the sleeve 48 together with the bar 24 and mandrel 20 connected thereto are moved positively back and forth in a longitudinal direction and at the same time are allowed to rotate independently of the bar 50.

The flanging tool carrier 34 is mounted to slide back and forth in the machine frame between the positions indicated in Figs. 8 and 9 and is held from rotary movement by a spline connection with the frame. The bar 24 which carries on its forward end the mandrel sections 23 is mounted to rotate and move longitudinally in a bearing in the rear portion of the carrier 34. A spring 58 acts upon the carrier to return it to the position indicated in Fig. 9. Thespring 58 is best shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 8, being interposed between an upward projection 59 on the frame of the machine and a projection 60 from the rear flanged end of the carrier, a guide rod 61 being provided for supporting the spring, fixed to the projection 60 and ex tending through a bar in the projection 59. The movement of the carrier 34 under the force of the spring 58 is limited by the engagement of the flanged forward end of the carrier with the frame of the machine, as indicated in Fig. 9.

To move the carrier 34 from the position indicated in Fig. 9, to that indicated in Fig. 8 the sleeve 48 is arranged to engage a series of cushioning washers 62 loosely mounted on the rod 24 and interposed between the sleeve and a thrust block 63 at the endof the carrier 34, said thrust block being mounted to rotate with relation to the carrier 34 and being separated from the end of the carrier by a ball thrust bearing 64. Vith this construction during the first portion of the longitudinal movement of the rod 24 and mandrel sections 23 to the left, the fia-nging tool carrier 34 remains stationary. After the mandrel sections have advanced with relation to the carrier 34 to the extent indicated in Fig. 8 the block 34 is engaged and is moved with the mandrel to the positions indicated in Figs. 8 and 13.

In the machine illustrated in the drawings the blanks 19 are formed from a continuous web of gummed paper which is supplied from a reel 65. The web leads from the reel along a supporting surface formed on the machine frame and passes first beneath a guide plate 66, then beneatha feed roll. 67, then beneath a guiding pressure plate 68, then beneath a cutter 69, and finally to the matrix. The various mechanisms-of the machine are so timed that the web is fed forward to bringits leading end into proper position in the matrix while the cutter is raised and while the mandrel is away from the matrix. After the web has been so fed forward and while the web is stationary the mandrel is advanced into the matrix and grasps the blank. The cutter 69 then descends and severs the web, the cull :1 being shaped, as clearly illustrated in the drawings, to cut out and discharge a piece from the web so as simultaneously to form the rear end of the blank which is engaged by the mandrel and the leading end of the next blank. The upper surface of the web is the gnmmed surface and in order to properly moisten the portion of the blank which is rolled about the mandrel after the mandrel has made its first turn, a moistening device, indicated at 70, is provided, consisting of a suitable receptacle secured to the cutter 69 and provided with a suitable moisture applying pad. This pad remains in engagement with the blank and presses it against the supporting surface between the cutter and the matrix while the rear portion of the blank is being drawn into the matrix.

To actuate the feed roll 67 a ratchet wheel 71 is provided on the shaft of the roll and a cooperating pawl 72 mounted on a pawl carrying arm which is connected by a link '73 to a le\'er 74 actuated from a cam 75 on the driving sha 't 38. v

Theknife 69 consists of a block provided with suitably shaped edges cooperating with cutting edges formed on the guideway over which the web passes. This block is mounted to slide on a vertical guide-way formed in the machine frame and is connected by means of a link 7 6 to a lever 77 which is actuated from a cam 78 on the driving shaft.

The operation of the machine illustrated in the drawings has been indicated in connection with the description of the construction and arrangement of the various parts and will be readily understood without a separate description thereof.

The object and nature of the present invention having been indicated and a machine embodying the several features of the invention having been specifically described, what is claimed is: j

l. A machine for making golf tees, having in combination means for rolling a sector shaped blank into a. sharp pointed cone shaped tee and means for forming an outwardly extending ballsupporting flange at the base of the cone.

2. A machine for making golf tees, having in combination, a conical mandrel, means cooperating therewith to roll a sector shaped blank into a sharp pointed cone shaped tee about the mandrel, and a flanging tool arranged to engage theblank while on the mandrel and form an outwardly extending ball supporting flange at the base of the cone.

3. A machine for making golf tees, having in combination, a conical mandrel having longitudinally extending sections providing a blank receiving slot between them and being relatively movable radially to grip the blank, a matrix to receive the mandrel and hold its sections in gripping engagement with a blank and press the blank against the mandrel as the mandrel is rotated to roll the blank about the mandrel, means for moving the mandrel into and out of the matrix and means for rotating the mandrel.

4. A machine for making golf tees, having in combination, a conical mandrel having longitudinally extending sections providing a blank receiving slot between them and being relatively movable radially to grip the blank, and a pressure device arranged to bear against the mandrel and cause its sections to grip a blank and cooperate with the mandrel in rolling a blank about the mandrel.

5. A machine for making golf tees, having in combination a conical mandrel, means cooperating therewith to roll a sector shaped blank into a sharp pointed cone shaped tee about the mandrel, and a flanging tool arranged to engage the curved edge of the blank as it is rolled about the mandrel and spin an outwardly extending ball supporting flange at the base of the cone.

6. A machine for making golf tees, having in combination, a conicalmandrel provided with a longitudinal blank receiving slot, a matrix to receive the mandrel, means for moving the mandrel longitudinally into and out of the matrix, means for rotating the mandrel while in the matrix to roll a blank into a cone about the mandrel, and means for ejecting the cone from the mandrel after being withdrawn from the matrix.

7. A machine for making golf tees, having in combination, a conical mandrel provided with a longitudinal blank receiving slot, a matrix to receive the mandrel, means for moving the mandrel longitudinally into and out of the matrix, means for rotating the mandrel while in the matrix to roll a blank into a cone about the mandrel and a stripper cooperating With the mandrel during its continued movement after being Withdrawn from the matrix to eject the cone from the mandrel.

8. A machine for making golf tees, having in combination, a conical mandrel provided with a longitudinal blank receiving slot, a pressure device cooperating with the mandrel to roll a blank into a cone about the mandrel, means for moving the mandrel longitudinally into and out of engagement with the pressure device, and means for rotating the mandrel.

9. A machine for making golf tees, having in combination, a conical mandrel provided with a longitudinal blank receiving slot, a pressure device cooperating with the mandrel to roll a blank into a cone about the mandrel, means for feeding a web of sheet material to locate a blank at the leading end of the web in position to be rolled into a cone with its apex in a straight edge of the web, and means for severing the blank from the web after being so located.

10. A machine for making golf tees, having in combination, a conical mandrel provided with a longitudinal blank receiving slot, a pressure device cooperating with the mandrel to roll ablank into a cone about the mandrel, means for feeding a web of sheet material to locate a blank at the leading end of the web in position to be rolled into a cone with its apex in a straight edge of the web, and cutting mechanism for severing the blank from the web after being so located, constructed to complete the rear end of a substantially semicircular shaped blank and form the leading end of a similarly shaped blank.

11. A machine for making golf tees, having in combination, means for cutting from a web a series of semicircularly shaped blanks, a conical mandrel, means for rotating the mandrel, a pressure device cooperating with the mandrel to roll a blank into a cone about the mandrel and means for locating each blank in succession in position to be rolled into a cone with its apex in the straight edge of the blank.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

FRED O. FISH.

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