US1950186A

US1950186A - Coil spring inserting machine

Info

Publication number: US1950186A
Application number: US523499A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lofman Charles
Original assignee: S Karpen and Bros
Current assignee: S Karpen and Bros
Priority date: 1931-03-18
Filing date: 1931-03-18
Publication date: 1934-03-06
Anticipated expiration: 1951-03-06

Description

March 6, 1934. c. LOFMAN COIL SPRING INSERTING MACHINE Filed March 18. 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR es L TTO I fhor of cm f/Q RNEY March 6, 1934. c. LOFMAN COIL SPRING INSERTING MACHINE 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 18 lNTR ChoHes L )Cn/1cm BY gx/CL ATTORNEY March 6, 1934. c, LOFMAN 1,950,186

COIL SPRING INSERTING MACHINE Filed March 18. 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 g5 Charles LO on muvo/CL H TTO'RN EY Patented Mar. 6, 1934 COIL SPRING INSERTING MACHINE Charles Lofman, Riverside, Ill., assignor to S. Karpen & Bros., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application March 18 1931, Serial No. 523,499

17 Claims.

The invention relates to new and improved mechanism for inserting springs in the pockets of fabric strips for the making of cushions, mattresses, seats, and the like.

My invention comprises in general a hollow or box-like member adapted to receive a spring in compressed status, and means for moving the hollow member and therewith the contained compressed spring into a pocket of a preformed partitioned fabric or between two layers of fabric the partitions or pocket formation of which is formed subsequent to the insertion of the spring, and which mechanism provides for the withdrawal of such hollow or box-like member from within the fabric preparatory for receiving a succeeding spring and repeated spring inserting movement.

More particularly, my invention comprises means associated with the hollow or box-like member arranged for automatically opening the edges of the fabric or mouth of a preformed pocketed fabric, preparatory to the spring feeding movement of the member.

In further particulars, my invention comprises means for receiving springs individually in succession, means for compressing each spring as received, means for positioning the compressed spring into the hollow or boxlike member and means for automatically displacing the spring from the hollow or box-like member after insertion within the fabric.

A further particular of my invention resides in the synchronism movement of spring inserting means with means for feeding the fabric at pocket space feeding displacement, whereby upon insertion of each spring, the fabric is fed to the sewing machine head or equivalent mechanism for stitching the pocket mouth and preparatory for receiving the succeeding springs.

A further particular resides in the combination of my hollow or box-like member for receiving each spring individually in compressed status and an ejector operated in synchronism with the insertion movement of the hollow or box-like member. In the most preferred forms of my invention, such ejector operatealso as the feeding element for positioning wi hin the hollow or boxlike member each spring in compressed status.

Other novel and advantageous features of the invention are suiciently explained in connection with the following detail description lof the accompanying drawings, which show one representative embodiment. After considering this example, skilled persons will understand .that many variations may be made without departing (Cl. 22S- 18) from the principles disclosed; and I contemplate the employment of any structures that are properly within the scope of the appended claims.

Fig. l is a top plane showing essential parts of a machine embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a section at 2--2, Fig. 1, enlarged.

Fig. 3 is a section at 3 3, Fig. l.

Fig, 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional detail showing a supply chute, spring holder and spring compressor.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged partial top plan, and

Fig. 6 is a vertical section, showing a position relation of the parts succeeding that shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Figs. 7 and 8, and Figs. 9 and 10, are similar plan and sectional Views showing successive subsequent stages of a complete cycle of the machine.

As best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a bed plate or table l is supported on legs 2 and 3. A supporting and guide plate 4 for the pocketed fabric strip 5 extends along one end of table 1, at right angles thereto and slightly below the table level, as shown in Fig. 2. This guide plate is supported in any convenient Way, as by brackets extending from legs 2, (not shown). The fabric strip 5 usually consists of a single piece of fabric folded at its outer edge 6 ,(with relation to the position of the strip in the machine) producing upper and lower plies of fabric which are connected by spaced transverse rows of stitching 7 to form the spring pockets 8. These lines of'stitching terminate at a short distance from the edge of the fabric opposite to the fold edge 6, leaving free margins 9 of the upper and lower plies of fabric, to facilitate insertion of the springs, as will appear. The strip is directed from a roll (not shown) to and over the supporting or guide plate 4, in the direction of the arrow 5a, Fig.,1.

A slide l0, conveniently identified as a springholder slide, is arranged to reciprocate (toward and from the fabric strip) in guides ll secured to the table 1. This slide has an extension 12, directed toward the fabric strip, with a rounded leading end and of a width less than a pocket length (in the longitudinal direction of the strip) A plate 14 is connected to the slide extension l2 at the edges thereof to form a box-like spring receiving pocket or spring holder 15, which is open at both ends to permit insertion and discharge of the spring. The forward end of this holder (the end directed toward the fabric strip) is movably closed by a plate or shutter 16 hingedly connected at 17 to the forward edge of plate 14.. This shutter is of rounded contour corresponding to the shape of the leading end of the slide extension 12, and normally drops by gravity to the position shown in Fig. 2, wherein the forward end of the shutter rests on the forward end of the slide extension 12.

Another slide 20 is arranged to reciprocate in guides 21 on table 1, in line with the spring holder 15 of slide 10. This slide 20, which may be conveniently identified as a spring pushing slide, is of a width permitting it to enter spring holder l4 and it has at its forward end, directed toward the spring holder, a short extension or nose 22 adapted to engage a compressed spring, insert it into the holder or pocket l5 of slide 10 and to eject the spring therefrom after the holder has been inserted in a pocket of the fabric strip, as later further explained. Slide 20 has on its upper face a central, longitudinal re-enforcing rib 23, the forward end 24 of which is in vertical alignment with the forward end of the nose piece 22 of the slide, and affords a vertical face of substantial length to properly engage the coils of the spring when in compressed condition. Slide 10 has guide strips 24 aligned with guides 21, to receive and guide slide 20 when the latter is in forward or advanced position, as will appear.

To assist in opening the fabric pocket, to facilitate entry of the forward end of slide extension 12, a plate 25 is secured to the edge of the table in centered relation to the slide extension 12. This plate is located between the free edges of the upper and lower plies of the fabric strip. A pocket-opening arm or rod 26 is supported by a rod 27 pivotally mounted` in the upper end of a bracket 28 secured, to thetable or to one of the slide guides 1l. Arm 26 extendsy slantingly forward and downward in front of the forward end of the hinged cover plate 16 and its end 29 normally rests in a socket in plate 25. This rod end 29 is preferably as shown of hooked form to cooperate with the upper free fabric margin, as will appear.

The springs 30 of helical form are supplied in any suitable manner, as through a chute 31 (Fig. 4) the discharge end 32 of which is located substantially above slide 10 when the latter is in normal or retracted position, so that a spring descending from the chute is deposited on the slide between the spring holder 15 thereon and the forward end 22 of slide 20 which at that time is also in fully retracted position, as shown in Fig. 1. The chute 31'may be the discharge chute of a spring-makingmachine which itself is not a part of the present invention, or the chute may be a feed chute associated with and supported on my spring inserting, machine, and into which the springs are placed in any convenient way.

A spring compressor 35 is carried by the laterally offset end of a compressing arm or lever 36 fulcrumed at 37 inra frame bracket 38. The compressor 35 is of channel or inverted U-section, to enable it to straddle reenforcing rib 23 when in its downward, spring compressing position. The forward or upward end of the compressor 35 in its downward movement enters a slot 40 in one side of chute 31 and the compressor then moves down through the chute and engages the top of a spring positioned on slide 10 as appears in Figs. 1 and 2, and by further downward movement compresses the spring to such vertical dimension that it will enter the spring holder or pocket 15 of slide extension 12. The rearward end of plate 14 constituting ther top of the spring holder or pocket is notched as at 41 to accommodate the end of the compressor when in its lowermost position.

The fabric strip is advanced at a proper time in the machine cycle, as will appear, by a pusher 45 carried by a plunger 46 reciprocating in guides 47 on a frame plate or bracket 48 extending from the forward end of the table. The pusher cooperates with a bulged portion of the fabric pocket after a spring has been placed therein and eX- panded; or as otherwise described, the pusher engages the expanded spring with the upper fabric layer of the pocket interposed between the spring and the pusher. The pusher plunger also carries a guide piece 49 co-operating with the folded edge of the fabric strip, as suiciently shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

. The pusher plunger is operated by a link 50 connected to one arm of a bell crank 51 fulcrumed at 52, or equivalent, on the table or on bracket 43. The other arm of the bell-crank is connected by a link 53 to one end of a rod 54 mounted to reciprocate in brackets or lugs 55 secured to one side of the table.

The slides, spring compressor and strip feeding pusher are operated in proper synchronism by cams or crank and link mechanism or equivalent from a main drive shaft which revolves in bearings 61 secured to the underside of the table. The shaft 60 is shown driven in the direction of the applied arrow, Fig. 2, by any suitable means such'as a pulley and belt from a counter-shaft or by individual motor drive. Slide 10 has on its underside a lug or bracket 65, Fig. 2, which moves in a longitudinal slot 66 in the table 1.

The angular or offset end portion 67 of a link 68 is pivotally connected to this lug 65, and the opposite end of the link is connected to the long arm 69 of a bell crank fulcruined at 70 on a fioor bracket 71. The other, short arm of the bell crank is pivotally connected to a link 72 which is in turn connected to a rod or plunger 73 which is guided to reciprocate in sleeves 74 on arms 75 extending, say, from table leg 3. The upper end of the plunger has a cam follower roll 76 engaging a cam 77 on shaft 60 and the roll is shown maintained in contact with the cam by a spring 78 located about the plunger and engaging the upper arm 75. Cam rotation is permitted by a table slot 79. The cam has a gradual rise portion and a substantially radial quick-drop portion 80.

While spring 78 may serve partly to retract slide 10, additional means, such as springs 81, may be provided, tensioned between pins 82 on the slide and pins 83 secured in the table, to more positively retract the slide and to steady its motion in its guides 11 by spring pull applied to the opposite sides of the slide adjacent the guides.

The slide 20 Vis driven, say, by a crank 84 on one end of shaft 60,- through a link 85 connected to the short arm of a bell crank 86, fulcrumed at 87,

and a link 89 connecting the long arm of the bell crank to a lug 90 at the rearward end of the slide. The spring compressor 35 is operated, say, by a short arm 91 operatively integral with lever arm 36, having a cam roll 92 engaging the periphery of an eccentridcam 93, which moves within the rearward part of table slot 66.

Plungei 54, above referred to, which operates the pusher 45, may itself be operated, as shown,

by a cam 95V on shaft 60 engaging a cam roll 96 on the rearward end of the plunger. The cam roll is maintained in contact with the cam and the pusher is normally retracted by a conveniently located spring, such as spring 97 tensioned between an arm of bell crank 51 and a point on the table. Cam 95 has a rise portion 98, Fig. 3, designed to advance the plunger and pusher 45 in approximately one-quarter of a shaft rotation, and a substantially radial, quick-drop portion 99. The free margins of the pocket mouths of a pre-formed fabric strip are desirably stitched or otherwise connected to one another after spring insertion by mechanism forming a part of the present machine and in suitable operative relation with the machine proper. For this purpose a sewing machine is illustrated, suitably arranged or mounted in a convenient position beyond the spring-inserting means, as sufficiently indicated by the presser-foot 100 located to connect the strip margins by a line of stitching 101. The

sewing machine is preferably driven by an electric motor (not shown) and is suitably operated in accordance with the periods of movement and cessation of the feed of the fabric pocket strip;

e for intermittent periods of operation of the sewing machine, electric contacts in the motor circuit controlled directly or indirectly by the cam shaft 60, say, for periods of circuit closing Where the sewing machine is actuated to stitch the strip ,5 margins together while the strip is advancing,

and to stop while the strip is stationary as during spring insertion. For this purpose an insulating block 110, see Fig. 3, is secured to the underside of the table 1 adjacent one end of the plunger 54. The insulating block suports a contact strip 111 in parallel relation to the plunger. This strip has a binding post or circuit terminal 112. The plunger 54 has at one end an offset arm or extension 113, which may be of electrical insulation material (Fig. 3) and at the end of this is mounted a metal block 114 supporting a springpressed contact member 115 which, when the plunger is in retracted position engages a portion of the insulation block, and While the plunger C advances, engages the contact strip 111. The

metal block 114 has a binding post or circuit terminal 113. Circuit conductors leading from the sewing machine motor are connected to the binding posts 112 and 1120, so that when the plunger 54 is moved forward (to the right in Figs. 1 and 2), actuating the pusher 45 to advance the fabric strip after a spring has been placed in a pocket, as presently to be described, the motor circuit is closed through contacts 111 and and 115 and the sewing machine operates to stitch the fabric margins to one another while the strip advances, and at the end of the strip-feed action the pusher and the moving contact 115 are very rapidly withdrawn as cam roll 96 reaches the quick-drop portion 99 of cam 95, whereby operation of the sewing machine is discontinued practically concurrently with cessation of strip feed. As is apparent, such accelerated movement of the plunger 54 during the period of effective operation of the quick-drop portion 99 of the cam 95, and accelerated movement of the contact 115 effected by the plunger 54 as it approaches and passes the end of the Contact 111, minimizes arcing at the instant of breaking of the circuit.

' Figs. l and 2 show the parts in a position corresponding to an assumed beginning of the machine cycle. Slides and 20, pusher 45, and spring compressor 35 are each in retracted position. A spring 30 is deposited from chute 31 upon slide 10 in the position of Figs. 1 and 2, in open i. e., uncompressed status; cam 93 acting on cam roll 92 and lever 36 moves the compressor 35 downward to engage the upper terminus of the spring and compress it in vertical dimension to admit insertion into the open-frame holder 15.

While theslide 10 and the holder are maintainedl receive the spring and this entrance is facilitated.

by the action of the hooked end 29 of arm 26. As the slide advances, the forward end of shutter 16 engages the arm and raises it, thus causing the hook 29 to engage and raise the margin of the upper free edge of the pocket mouth, thus affording easy entrance into the pocket of the spring holder carrying the spring to a centered position within the pocket. The crank and linkage of slide are so designed as to retain the slide 20 in stationary or approximately stationary position while slide 10 is retracted by its spring 81 as permitted by the continued rotation of its cam 93 sufhciently to eject the spring from holder 15, the hinged plate or cover 16 being in this action swung upward to permit the spring to pass out of the holder, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, whereupon the spring immediately expands and distende the pocket (Figs. 9 and 10) slide 10 with the spring holder is then fully retracted from the pocket to normal position, Fig. l, and slide 20 is also returned to normal retracted position, and cam 95 then acts to advance the strip pusher and feed thefabric strip for- Ward a distance equal to one pocket length, with concurrent operation of the sewing machine to stitch the strip margins to one another. The strip pusher 45 is then retracted completing the machine cycle.

My invention is applicable for utilization' with any preferred construction of fabric whether preformed with pocket partitions or of doubled layers of single or separate fabric suitably stitched after coil insertion to properly enclose the inserted springs. My invention is applicable for any type of stitching or other securing mechanism suitable for and in association with the spring inserting machine proper; such stitching mechanism may be separate from or integral with my spring inserting machine. The invention is adaptable for feeding the fabric either manually or automatically or partially manually and partially automatically. For manual feeding, the operator is advantageously positioned at all times to fully check the proper operation of the spring forming machine, as Well as the feeding of the springs 'to and from my spring inserting mechanism proper.

Whereas, I have described my invention by reference to specific forms thereof, it will be understood that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A spring inserting machine comprising means for intermittently advancing a pocketed fabric strip, a slide adapted to enter a strip pocket and having a holder adapted to retain a spring in compression, a spring pusher, means for operating the pusher to insert a compressed spring in the holder, and means for moving the holder slide and pusher concurrently and relatively to insert the spring into a strip pocket, to discharge the spring from the holder Within the pocket and zo return the slide and pusher to retracted posiion.

2. A spring inserting machine comprising means for intermittently advancing a pocketed fabric strip, a slide adapted to enter a strip pocket and having a holder adapted to retain a spring in compression, a spring pusher, means for operating the pusher to insert a compressed spring in the holder, and means for moving the holder slide and pusher concurrently and relatively to insert the spring into a strip pocket, to discharge the spring from the holder Within the pocket and to return the slide and pusher to retracted position wherein the pusher is rearwardly spaced from the holder for receiving a spring between them.

3. A spring inserting machine comprising means for intermittently advancing a pocketed fabric strip, a slide adapted to enter a strip pocket and having a holder adapted to retain a spring in' compression, a spring pusher, means for operating the pusher to insert a compressed spring in the holder, means for supplying and compressing a spring in position for insertion into the holder 1 and means ior moving the holder slide and pusher concurrently and relatively to insert the spring into a strip pocket, to discharge the spring from the holder within the pocket and to return the slide and pusher to retracted position.

e. A spring inserting machine comprising means for intermittently advancing a pocketed fabric strip, a slide adapted to enter a strip pocket and having a holder adapted to retain a spring in compression, means for inserting a compressed spring in the holder, means for moving the holder slide and the spring inserting means relative to one another, means or discharging the spring from the hoider within the strip pocket and an opening device to separate free margins of the fabric pocket.

5. A spring inserting machine comprising means for intermittently advancing a pocketed fabric strip, a slide adapted to enter a strip pocket and having a holder adapted to retain a spring in compression, means for inserting a compressed spring in the holder, and means for discharging the spring from the holder Within the vstrip pocket and an opening device to separate free margins ci the fabric pocket, said device being actuatedin advance movement of the holder slide.

6. A spring inserting machine comprising means for intermittently advancing a pocketed fabric strip, a slide adapted to enter a strip pocket and having a holder adapted to retain aspring in compression, means for inserting a compressed spring in the holder, and means for discharging the spring from the holder within the strip pocket and an opening device to separate free margins of the fabric pocket, said device being operated by the holder slide in its advancing movement.

7. A spring inserting machine comprising means for intermittently advancing apocketed fabric strip, a slide adapted toenter a strip pocket and having a hclderadapted to retain a spring in compression, means for inserting a compressed spring in the holder, and means for discharging the spring from the holder within the strip pocket, a plate in stationary position in the path of slide movement between `free edges of the fabric strip, and an oscillating opening device normally resting on the plate and operated in advance of slide movement to open a strip pocket to receive the spring holder. I

y 8. A spring linserting machine comprising means, for intermittently advancing a pocketedV fabric strip, a slide adapted to enter a strip pocket and having a holder adapted to retain a' spring in compression, means for inserting a compressed spring in the holder, and means for discharging the spring from the holder within the strip pocket, a plate in stationary position in the path of slide movement between free edges of the fabric strip, and an oscillating opening device normally resting on the plate and operated by a portion of the slide in its advance movement to open a strip pocket to receive the spring holder.

9. A spring inserting machine comprising a table, a pocket-strip-support extending crosswise oi the table at one end, a spring-holding slide reciprocating in guides on the table to insert springs in pockets of the strip, a pusher slide mounted to reciprocate in guides on the table in line with the holder slide, and means for moving the slides concurrently and separately.

10. A spring inserting machine comprising a table, a pocket-strip-support extending crosswise of the table at one end, a spring-holding slide reciprocating in guides on the table to insert springs in pockets of the strip, a spring holder on said slide substantially in theshape of a box open at front and rear ends, a pusher slide mounted to reciprocate in guides on the table in line with the holder slide, and means for moving the slides concurrently and separately.

ll. A spring inserting machine comprising a table, a pocket-strip-support extending crosswise of the table at one end, a spring-holding slide reciprocating in guides on the table to insert springs in pockets of the strip, a spring holder on said slide substantially in the shape of a box open at front and rear ends, a closure plate movably mounted and normally closing the forward end of the spring holder, a pusher slide mounted to reciprocate in guides on the table in line with the holder slide, and means for moving the slides concurrently and separately.

l2. A spring inserting machine comprising a table, a pocket-strip-support extending crosswise of the table at one end, a spring-holding slide reciprocating in guides on the table to insert springs in pockets of the strip, a pusher slide mounted to reciprocate in guides on the table in line with the holder slide, and means for moving the slides concurrently and separately, and an opening device acting the pocket strip and actuated in advance of the holder slide to open the pocket mouth for entry of the holder.

13. A spring inserting machine comprising a table, a pocket-strip-support extending crosswise of the table at one end, a spring-holding slide reciprocating in guideson the table to insert springs in pockets of the strip, a pusher slide mounted to reciprocate in guides on the table in line with the holder slide, and means for moving the slides concurrently and separately, the holder slide having a portion anterior to the spring holder adapted to receive a spring.

i4. A spring inserting machine comprising a l table, a pocket-strip-support extending crosswise of the tablev at one end, a spring-holding slide reciprocating in guides on the table to insert springs in pockets of the strip, a pusher slide mounted to reciprocate in guides on the table in line with the holder slide, and means for moving the slides concurrently and separately, the holder slide having a portion anterior to the spring holder adapted to receive a spring, and means between free margins of .i

for compressing a spring positioned on said por- T tion of the holder slide ready for insertion into the holder by action of the pusher slide.

l5. A spring inserting machine comprising means for supporting a fabric strip, means including a cam for advancing the fabric strip, said cam having an effective cam face providing relatively accelerated motion, means for inserting springs in the strip pockets, a sewing machine arranged to connect open margins after spring insertion, and means controlled by the strip advancing means to control the operation of the sewing machine, said sewing machine control means including a movable electrical contact and means for moving said movable contact at the period of circuit breaking during the period of operation of said eective face of said cam.

16. A spring inserting machine comprising means for supporting a fabric strip, means for advancing the fabric strip, said fabric strip advancing means including cam means having a period of relatively accelerated motion, means for inserting springs in the strip pockets, a sewing machine arranged to connect free strip margins after spring insertion, a motor for driving the sewing machine, and means controlled by the strip advancing means to drive the motor and sewing machine while the strip is advancing and to stop the motor and sewing machine while the strip is stationary during spring insertion, said motor stopping means including an electrical contact and means for moving said electrical contact to effect circuit breaking during the period of relatively accelerated motion of said cam means.

17. A spring inserting machine comprising means for supporting a fabric strip, means for advancing the fabric strip, said fabric strip advancing means including cam means having a period of relatively accelerated motion, means for inserting springs in the strip pockets, a sewing machine arranged to connect the margins after spring insertion, an electrical motor for driving the sewing machine, contacts in the motor circuit, and means actuated by the strip advancing means to actuate the electrical motor and sewing machine While the strip is advancing and to stop the motor and sewing machine while the strip is stationary during the spring insertion, and means for moving one of said contacts at the stage of circuit breaking during the period of relatively accelerated motion of said cam means.

CHARLES LOFMAN.