US1833616A - Material forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 24, 1931. c, NELSON ET AL 1,833,616

MATERIAL FORMING APPARATUS Filed June 9, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Mu /729m.

.. mind- Nov. 24, 1931. c. E. NELSON ET AL ,6

MATERIAL FORMING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 9, 1927 i i V 1 In accordance with the general features of the invention there is provided in one em- Patented Nov. 24, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHARLES EDWIN NELSON AND JOHN STANLEY STULL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A S- SIGNORS 'IO WESTEBNELEGTRIC COMPANY INCORPORATED, OF. NEW YORK, N. Y.,

ADORPORATION OF NEW YORK MATERIAL FORMING Arr-Am'rus Application filed June 9,

' This invention relates to improvements in: material forming apparatus, and more parciently and expeditiously forming metal blanks into articles of various predetermined shapes.

bodiment thereof a pair of cooperating positively driven formin'grolls between which the blanks are successively advanced from a magazine by peripheral teethor projections of-annular disksdisposed between individual sectionsof one'of therollsand passing between individual sectionsof the other roll. Means is "provided for guiding the blanks againstdisplacement as they are advanced from themagazine to the position wherein they-areoperatively engaged "by the forming rolls. The peripheral surfaces of the'indiwhich has been vidual sections of the forming rolls are de-' signed so as to cooperate informing the blanks advanced therebetween into articles of the desired shape.

Other features and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of one embodimentthere'of, reference being had to the acconipanying drawings, wherein 'Fig; 1 is a side elevational view of an apparatus embodying the features of the invention; I

Fig. 2is a front, elevation thereof;

' Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on line 33 of Fig. 1; I

- Fig. 41s an enlarged fragmentary section taken on line 4-4 of Fig, 2 j Figs, 5.and 6 are fragmentary detailed sections of the magazine and guide chute taken on lines 55 and 66, respectively, of Fin. 4; I p Fig. 7fis a perspective view of a blank previous to the forming operation," and Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an article formed by the improved ap-' means of T-shaped clamping blocks 46- -46 paratus.

1927. SerialNo. 197,651,

The term forming as used in the specification and the claims is'to be understood to include any operation wherein the surface contour or formation of the material is changed, such as shaping, bending, stamping, knurling, etc.

Referring ,now to the drawings'in detail and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, the reference numeral 15, indicates a supporting base to which are secured a pair of spaced vertical side frame members 16 and 17. As shown in Fig. 1, the upper portion of each of the'frame members 16 and 17 tapers to a point so'as to form a right angle portion, the

side edges 18 and 19 of which are disposed at an angle 0f45 to the horizontal. Extending inwardly from each of the side edges 18 and 19 and at right angles thereto are rectangular slots 21 and 22, respectively, with-' in which are mounted the journals for the forming rolls as will be hereinafter described. The forming rolls are designated generally inthe drawings by the reference numerals, 24 and 25. The roll 24 is composed of a plurality of individual annular sections 26, 27, 28,29 and which are keyed or otherwise removably secured to a reduced portion 31 of a horizontally disposed shaft 32 (Fig. 3). Disposed between these individual roll sections andalso keyed to the shaft 32 are a plurality of disks 33, each ofrwhich is provided with a plurality of equidistantly spaced peripheral teeth or projections 34 (Fig. 3) extending beyond the peripheral surface of the forming roll 24; By means of a retaining washer 35 and a nut 36 threaded upon the end of the reduced portion 31 of the shaft 32, the individual sections of the roll 24'and the toothed disks 34 interposedtherebetween are rigidly clamped together between a bushing 38 secured to the shaft 32 and a shoulder 40 formed by the reduced portion of the shaft.

The shaft 32 is rotatablysupported in j ournals 43-43, the opposite sides of which are slotted as indicatedat 44 (Fig; 3) by means of'which they are removably mounted in theslots21 ofthe vertical frame members 16 and 17. The journals 43 are rigidly held in position against the bottom of the slots 21 by rality of individual annular sections 51, 52,

(Fig. 1) having depending portions 4747 which extend into the slots and are caused to bear under pressure against curved upper surfaces 4848 of the journals 43 by means of screws 494=9 extending through suitable apertures formed inoverhanging portions 5050 of the clamping blocks and engaging threaded apertures in the frame members 16 andlli A r p i iThei forming: roll 25 is'r'composed of a1 plu-- 53, 54 and 55 (Fig. 3) which are in alignment with the annular sections 26, 27,28", 29 and 30', respectively, of the roll 24. The individual sections of the roll 25 are separated by annulatr'spacing disks. 57 5-7 which: are of lesser diameter than the roll sections, thus providing annular spaces=58-58 for accommodating the peripheral projections 34 of the. spacingv disks 33 The sections 51 .to'55,inclusive,

or the roll 25 and the spacing disks 57 are keyed. to a horizontally disposed shaft 56 (Fi 1). arerigidlyclamped together by means ofia retainmg washer 60 and a nut 61.

in (a manner: similar to that described'in-r connection w ith the indi vildualisections of the-roll 24$. Theshaft5G is rotatably carried injournals -.65 removably mounted in. the slots 22 ofthef1iame members 116 and 17. Each.

o-f thejournalsJ-6'5 rests upon avpai-r of helical compression" springs 6.7-p-'-67'mounted' Within suitable aperturesformed in the bottom of the slots 22 (Fig. A Depending, portions 68" of T shaped clam-ping, blocks 70v70 extend into the slots 22 andlare caused to'bear under pressure against curved upper surfaces 7'1 'ZI'of-the ournals v65 by :means of screws 72- -72 extending-v throu'gh suitable apertures in overhanging. portions 7 3 7 3 of theclamping. blocks and; engaging threadedapertures in the frame memberslfi and. 17, By reason o'f the constructionw just described, .the space between rolls 24 and 25 may be adjusted mereby' turning screws 7 2, the'springs 67 serving, to keep portions- 73 pressed against the heads of thescrews regardless of whether or not there is a blankbetweenthe rolls..

The-rolls andi25' are driven at the same speedjin the direction indicated by the arrows in F ig. 4., The roll 24 may be driven by any suitable source. of. power (not shown) cons nected-to the shaft 32 and the roll 25is driven from the shaft 32 by means of suitable gearing, whichnwill presently be described. Se-

cured to the shaft32 is a glearl7'5 and secured totheshaft'56 is a similar. gear 76 (Fig. Meshing with the gear 75 is a pinion 78 which meshes .with. -asimilar pi-nion 7 9 which, in turn, meshes with the gear 76; The pinion 78 is rotatably carried upon a pin or stud 8O securedto the frame-member -16-a-nd the pinion 79 is rotatably carried upon a pin orstud 81- secured to'a bracket- 82', the bracket 82 bing pivotal-ly supported upon the stud Bymeans of ran-adjusting :screw'84 engaging 1 secured to the verticalv'frame members 16 and '17... The magazine '88 comprisesa pair of spaced vertical side members and 911interconnected by horizontal cross pieces, one of which is indicated at 92 (Fig. 2). It is obvious that the particular construction of the magazine depends upon the shape or type of blank to be formed In the present embodiment of the invention, the magazineis de-- signed to contain a plurality of contact spring blanks 94 of the type shown in' Fig. 7. The blanks are positioned in the magazine in vertical column as shown in F igsQ 2 and 4. Vertical grooves 95 and 96 (Fig. 5) formed in theinner sides of the Vertical members 90" and 91 of the magazine serve to guidethe blanks as they gravitate towards the bottom ordischarge end of the magazine. The lowermost blankin the inagazinerests upon a plate 97 having an. integral vertical porr tion= 98 by means of which it is secured to the lower endof the magazine as shown in Fig. 4,

It will be observed by referring to Fig.,4 that an arcu-ate portion ,ofjthe plate 97 is disposed in .close proximity to the peripheral surface of the roll 24;. Positioned'above the plate 97 and spaced therefrom just sufiiciently to permit the passage of ablank therebetweenisan arcuate shaped plate 100 having an integral vertical portion 101 by means of which it is secured to the vertical side members 90 and 91 of the magazine. The plate 100 is provided with depending side portions 102102 which are spaced apart just sufiicientlyto accommodate a blank positioned lengthwise there'between, as shown in Figs. 5

and 6. *The plates 97 and 1 00 cooperate toprovide a guide chute 103 or confined passage for the blanks as they are advancedfrom the bottom of the magazine to the position where-- inv they are engaged between the forming rolls. Theplates 97 and 100 are provided with a plurality of spaced slots or openings 104 104 (Figs. 5 and 6 through which the peripheral teeth'34c of the; disks 33 pass-during the rotation thereof; I r V 7 It willbe noted by referring to'Fig. 4;

that the lowermost blank in the magazineis positioned sothat it is engaged by theforward edges of the peripheral teeth 34:. of the disks 33. ,'It will also be apparent that suc-' cessive teeth 34 are spaced apartjustsufv ficiently to accommodate a blank therebe' tween. By reason of this construction and arrangement of the parts, it is obvious that as the blanks gravitate to the bottom of the magazine they are individually and successively engaged by the peripheral teeth 34 of the rotating disks 33 bywhich they are advanced and guided through the guide chute 103 to the position wherein they are: gripped between the forming rolls 24and v25. As soon as a'blankhas been completely moved from its position at the bottom of the'magazine the blank positioned immediately thereabove drops into its place. Sufficient time is provided, for this action to take place by reason of the rearward edges of the teeth 34 being'tapered'ofi as indicated at 105 (Fig. 4).

.Although the forming rolls as illustrated in the present embodiment of the invention are preferably composed of a plurality of individual sections, it is to be understood that either or both of the rolls may comprise a single unit. The peripheral surfaces of'the forming rolls are designed so as to form the blanks advanced therebetween into articles of the desired predetermined shape. In the present embodiment of the invention the peripheral surfaces of the individual sections of the forming rolls are provided with a series .1 of cooperating annular ridges and depressions designed to form metal blanks into electrical contact springs ofthe shape indicated at 106 in Fig. 8. 1

Qlt is believed that the novel features of the invention will be clearly understood from the rotating disk33 successively engage individual blanks as they gravitate'to the bottom of the magazine and advance them through the guide chute 103 and between the peripheral surfaces of the forming rolls by which they are formed into articles of the desired predetermined-shape. The guide chute 103 and the peripheral projections 34 cooperate to confine the blanks to a predetermined path as they are advanced from the bottom of the magazine. After passing between the forming rolls the formed articles drop into a removable pan or receptacle 108 (Figs. 1 and 2).

It should be understood that the'magazine 88 may be readily and conveniently replaced by magazines constructed to accommodate blanks of various sizes and shapes. 'Also the forming rolls or one or more of the individual sections thereof maybe readily removed and replaced by rolls and individual sections of various constructions designed to form [blanks into articles of various predetermined shapes.

Electrical contact springs of the type illustrated in Fig. 8 and other similar articles have in some instances been formed heretofore by punch press operations, which method sometimes tends to change the molecular structure of the metal, thus often necessitatingan annealing operation in order to obtain the desired characteristics. Furthermore, it has been found that the tension or other physical characteristics of punchpressed contact springs sometimes varies to such an extent that it has been necessary in some instances to accurately. test the individual springs in order to insure that they possess the required physical characteristics. However, it has been found that the physical characteristics of material formed in accordance with the present invention are not materially affected thereby and therefore the annealing and testing operations may be eliminated. This obviously results in a large saving in the cost of prodrution.

Although the invention has been herein illustrated and described in connectionwith a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that the novel features of the invention are capable of various other appli cations within the scope of the appende claims. I

What is claimed is: m 4

'1. In an article forming apparatus, a magazine for containing a supply of articles, a guide chute extending from the discharge end of said magazine, and a pair of rolls having cooperating peripheral forming surfaces for engaging opposite sides of an article, one of the rolls having a plurality of spaced elements permanently projecting beyond the periphery thereof for receiving articles from the magazine and advancing them through i the guide chute and between the peripheral surfaces of the rolls.

2. I In an article forming apparatus, a magazine for containing a supply of articles arranged in av column, a pair of positively driven rolls having cooperating peripheral forming surfaces for engaging, opposite surfaces of an article, a guide chute communicating with an opening in the lower end of the magazine for guiding an article from the magazine to the engaging surfaces of the forming rolls, and a member permanently projecting from the surface of one of the rolls for advancing an article from the magazine through the guide chute.

' 3. In an article forming apparatus, a pair of cooperating forming rolls,=each roll comprising a plurality of spaced individual sec-.

spaced peripheral teeth extending beyond the peripheral. surface of: the roll and passing between adjacent sections of the other-roll for guiding and advancing articles. between :25 the rolls. 5. In an article formingapparatus,a'mage azinefor containing a supply of. articles arranged-therein in avertical column, a pair of Cooperating driven forming rolls, each roll comprising a plurality. of individual sections, a plurality of disks-disposed between adjacent sections ofone of the rolls, each disk. having a plurality of spaced peripheral teeth extending beyond the peripheral surfaces of the adjacent roll sections and passing be-' tweenadjacent sections of the opposite roll for successively receiving articles from the magazine and advancing them between the forming rolls, and means for guiding the articlesas they are advanced by the peripheral teeth, of said disks.

,6. In an. article. forming; apparatus, a pair ofv cooperating forming rolls, a magazine for containing asupply of articles, a: guide chute.

2 extending from the discharge end of the magazine to the engaging surfacesiof the forming rolls, and means carried by one of the forming rolls and permanently projecting beyond theyperiphery thereof for advancingan ar- 312 ticle' fromthe; magazine through the chute.-

andbetween the. rolls.

In a'material forming apparatus, a plurality of cooperating forming rolls arranged to peripherally engage the material, and a. plurality of radial elementsprojecting permanently'i-n spaced relationship circumfer- V entially of the forming rolls'for advancing the material between the rolls. 8. In a material forming apparatus,a pair of cooperating rotatable forming members having: complementary formingsurfaces.

shaped .as -surfaces of rotation with their radiivaryingirregularly from one end of the members tothe. other, and non-forming 415 means carried byone: of the-forming members; intermediate theends thereof and permanently projecting beyond the forming surface: of the forming member for advancing thematerial between the formingv surfaces.

9 In a materialforming apparatus, a pair of rotatable forming members having com plementary circumferentially extending projections and depressions, and non-fornr ing' means carried? 'by one of t-he forming members intermediate the ends thereof and permanently projecting beyond the periph eryxof the forming'memberfor advancing the materialtherebetween.

10. In a material forming apparatus, a pair of. rotatable forming members having complementary circumferentiall yextending projections: and depressions, and having horizontal axes lying in a common inclined plane,- a. magazine extending substantially vertically aboveone of the forming memfor advancingmaterial fromthe magazineto a position between the forming members. 7

'- '11.;In an. article forming apparatus, a

pair'of cooperating forming rolls, a nonformingmember carriedby one of the rolls and. permanently projecting beyond its periphery for engaging an elongated; article at a point intermediate its ends and advancing thearticle side-wise between the rolls, the other roll beinmprovided with a recess to receive. said memer,andmeans forsupplying articles: to said membenj Y 12. Inan article forming apparatus, formingmeans comprising afrol l anda member 00- operatingwith the roll to formarticles into predetermined shapes, and. means separate from. the forming means. and comprising a plurality of elements I spaced circumferentiall-y of the; rollan-d permanentlyprojecting beyond itsperiphery' for advancing articles between the roll and said member.

13, In; anapparatuszfor forming elongated articles, a pair of cooperatinguforming rolls adapted to impart a predetermined shape to an article passed therebetween, one ofsaid rolls comprising a plurality off co-axial sec-' tions, and means carried between adjacent: sections of said roll for positively. advancing an guiding an, article between the rolls. i

14. In an apparatus forforming elongated articles, a pair of cooperating multi-se ction forming: rolls adapted to impart a predetermined shape to an article passed therebetween, the sections of'each roll being in axial" alignment, and a plurality of spaced ad-' vancingmembers carried between-adjacent sectionsof one'of the rolls for advancingand guiding-anarticle between the rolls. 7

' 15. In anapparatus for: fo-rmingelongated articles, a pair of. cooperating multi-section forming rolls adapted to impart a: predetermined shape to an article passed therebetween, the sections of each roll being in axial alignment and a plurality of advancing members spaced from. each other longitu-- dinally of the rolls-and carried betweenadjacent sections of one of the rolls for ad-- vancing an article between the rolls. V

In witness whereof, we hereunto subscribe our names this 26th day of May'A.'D., 1927. 3 CHARLES EDXVIN NELSON.

JOHN STANLEY STULIJ.

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