US1989071A - Spacing apparatus for punch presses and the like - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 29, 1935. L. E. ANDERSON SPACING APPARATUS FOR PUNCH PRESSES AND THE LIKE Filed April 16, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 29, 1935. E. ANDERSON SPACING APPARATUS FOR PUNCH PRESSES AND THE LIKE Filed Aprii 16, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 QOOOOQOUQQ Q Jan. 29, 1935. 1.. E. ANDERSON 1,989,071

SPACING APPARATUS FOR PUNCH PRESSES AND THE LIKE Filed April 16, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 J 1935- E. ANDERSON 1,989,071

SPACING APPARATUS FOR PUNCH PRESSES AND THE LIKE Filed April 16, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 4 Ii i| Patented Jan. 29, 1935 UNITED-STATES PATENT OFFICE- SPACING APPARATUS FOR PUNCH PBESSES AND THE LIKE Lloyd E. Anderson, Des Moines, Iowa, assignor to Pittsburgh Des Moines Steel Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., in copartnership composed of William H. Jackson, Ruth Jackson, and George A.

Smith Application April 16, 1934, Serial No. 720,819 (01. 164-116) tus for punch presses or other machines for performing operations at spaced points on'structuralbars or other types of work, which eliminates the necessity of having an individual pattern of substantially the length of the work foreach group or bars on which the same spacing of holes is to be punched or other operation is to he performed.

A further object is to provide a template being substantially as long as one unit of length used and having sub-divisions of such unit thereon in laterally spaced positions or in columns, one column for each successive unit, whereby a card with quarter inch columns, for instance, can be provided of slightly greater than one foot length and nine inches width, sub-divisions of the feet of a foot bar to be punched can be indicated thereon.

Still another object is to provide an index bar which can be used for pieces or" work of various characteristics and requiring various punch operations or the like, in conjunction with diii erent templates for "cars requiring difierent punch operations, the index bar being movable with the work and the template being movable simultaneously with the index bar but at right angles to it so that periodic indicia on the index bar pass across the face of the template, each one in a different laterally spaced column thereon, sub-divisions or the unit of length between successive indicia on the index bar being indicated in the various columns 01 the template so that when sub-divisions and indicia register with each other, either the operator brings the work to rest and operates'the punch press or the like, or automatic mechanism accomplishes these two functions.

with these and other objects in view my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my dean apparatus em- Figure-iisasectionalviewonthelineH.

of Figure 3 showing a template card, its holder and mechanism for moving the holder.

Figure 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 3 showing mechanism for moving an index bar of my apparatus.

Figure 6 is a sectional view on the line 6-6 of Figure 3 showing a plan view of the parts shown in Figures 4 and 5.

Figures 7 and 8 are diagrams 'of a template card and index bar in different relative positions.

Figure 9 is a sectional perspective view of an angle bar on which punching operations have been performed.

Figure 10 is a front elevation of my apparatus including automatic mechanism for stopping the movement of the work through the machine and causing the machine to operate.

Figure '11 is a diagram partly in plan view of Figure 10 and partly electrical, showing the association of the automatic mechanism of Fig-f Figure 12 is a sectional view on the line 12-12 of Figure 10 showing details of construction.

Figure 13 shows a portion of Figure 10 with the parts, in a difl'erent position.

Figure 14 is a sectional perspective view of a modified form of template.

Figure 15 is an electrical diagrammatic plan view of the same showing how it is used.

Figure 16 is a plan view similar to Figure 1 showing a modified construction in which an index bar is stationary and a template moves with the work.

Figure-1'7 is a front elevation of Figure 16.

Figure 18 is a sectional view on the line 18-18 of Figure 1'1.

Figure 19 is a'plan view similar to Figure 1 showing a modified form 01 the invention in which a steel tape is substituted for the index bar of Figure 1. Figure 20 is a front elevation of Figure 19,

partly in section, as taken on the line 20-20 of Figure 19; and

Figure 21 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 21-21 of Figure 19 showing a wind-up device for the steel tape.

On the accompanying drawings, I have used the reference numeral 10 to-indicate generally a punch press. 'My apparatus, as illustrated, is

designed for apunch press, but as my description proceeds, it will be obvious that it is also applicable to machines for performing other operations, such as marking, riveting, welding or the like on materials such as structural steel.

Thcpunch press 10 includes a punch 12 and an operating pedal 14. 3m conjunction with the punch press 10, a track or the like 16 is provided for supporting work, an angle bar being illustrated at 18. The support 16, as illustrated. includes rollers 20 along which the bar can roll so that holes can be punched at difierent points throughout the length of the bar.

My spacing apparatus includes an index bar 2 having an extension 24 which can be clamped as by a set screw 26 to the bar 18 or other work on which operations are to be performed. The index bar 22 is supported on a carriage 28 adapted to travel along a track 30. From the construction just described, it is obvious that the work 18 may travel along the track 16 and the index bar 22 along the track 30 simultaneously or in synchronism with each other.

For moving the index bar and thereby the work 18, mechanism may be provided in any desired form. As illustrated on the drawings, a rack bar 32 is secured to the bottom of the index bar 22 and meshes with a gear 34 which can be rotated. either by a hand wheel 36 or the power mechanism for the punch press 10.

The punch press has inherent in it, of course, rotating shafts and the like and I have shown a clutch 38 for connecting a shaft 40 with or disconnecting it from the power driven mechanism of the punch press. The shaft 40 is connected by sprockets and a chain 42 to the gear 34, a control rod 44 being provided for the clutch 38. By this arrangement, the work 18 can be quickly moved by engaging the clutch 38 to the approximate position where a hole is to be punched in the work 18 and can then be brought to the exact position by the hand wheel 36.

The index bar 22 has thereon periodically spaced indicia indicated as 0, 1, 2, etc. These are spaced any desired unit of distance apart as for instance one foot. In conjunction, with the indicia, a template card 46 is used.

The'template card 46 is supported on a tem plate holder 48 of plate-like construction which may be provided with flanges 50 for accurately positioning the template card 46 with respect thereto. A spring clip 52 can also be used for holding the card 46 in position. The template holder 48 has an extension 54 slidably mounted in a vertical guide member 56 so that the tem- ,plate holder can move at substantially right angles to the index bar 22.

The template holder 48 is to be vertically moved simultaneously with the longitudinal horizontal movement of the index bar 22. This can be accomplished in a number of different ways and by way of illustration, I have shown a series of vertically spaced pins 58 on the extension 54 with whichspiral flanges 60 coast. The spiral flanges 60 extend from a gear 62 which meshes with the rack bar 32. They are adapted to ensue the pins 58'successively for lowering the template holder 48 when the index bar 22 moves in one direction and raising it when the index bar moves in an opposite direction.

There is one flange 60 for each foot of length of the index bar 22. Thus, by providing three flanges, rotation of the gear 62 must be proportioned so that it rotates once for each three feet of travel of the index bar.

The template 46 has a plurality of vertically spaced columns thereon, one for each foot of length of the index bar orfor each unit of length between successive indicia on the index bar. The columns are preferably slightly slanted from the horizontal as thetemplate holder is moved laterally of the index bar while moving in synchronism with its longitudinal movement and it is desirable for the indicia of the index bar to be maintained in alignment with the horizontal lines of the templatewhich separate the columns thereon.

In the operation of my spacing apparatus, a card 46 is first marked by the operator for the different spacings at which holes are to be punched in the work 18. For instance, the card shown in Figures 7 and 8 is marked for holes to be punched at a corresponding to 1 foot 4%, inches, at 22 corresponding to 1 foot 6 inches, at 0 corresponding to 2 feet 1 inch and at d corresponding to 3 feet 6 inches. The number of inches is measured in the proper column toward the left from the line 64 with a ruler, those for between 1 and 2 feet in the second column and so on, the vertical marks a, b, c and :1 being drawn with pencil or ink.

The 'entire' card can be conveniently marked by the operator sitting at one position in contrast to walking the full length of a pattern as generally used and marking the feet and inches along its length. This saves much time and efiort and also saves considerable material as inexpensive card-- boards can be used rather than expensive strips of lumber. Also the cardboards can be flied for future repetitions of the same piece of work much more conveniently than strips of lumber can be saved for this purpose.

In operating the punch press with my spacing apparatus, the operator moves the index bar 22 toward the left until the 1 foot indicia (which will coincide with the line between 9 and 1 on the index card throughout the travel of the indicia across the card) coincides with the sub-division a. The work is brought to rest at this point and the operator then presses the pedal 14 for punching a hole and such hole will be exactly 1 foot spacing as required and when other bars are to be punched with different spacings, the card 46 is removed and another one having the proper s'ub-divisionsmarked thereon is readily inserted.

On some pieces of o'rk, as for instance angles, each'leg is to be punc ed with holes of diflerent spacings.

at A distance from the corner of the angle and dotted lines e-or lines of a diiferent color for the holes E distance from the corner of the angle shown in Figure 9. If three or more sets of openings are to be punched, additional lines such as This can be indicated on the same card as solid lines like a, b, c and d for the holes the dash line I or lines of still diiferent colors can be used for the holes F distance from the comer of the angle or for diflerent size holes on the same center line, the punch 12 being changed after one size has been punched. Thus on onetemplate card, a. great number of diilerent spacings for the same piece of work can be indicated.

It is possible to make the spacing apparatus operate automatically by compressed air, electricity, or the like and in Figures 10, 11, 12 and 13 I have -shown one embodiment of automatic means for this purpose.

The index bar-22 is provided with a flange 66- having openings 68 therein rather than indicia. The template card 46 also openings therein as at '70 instead of the indicating marks as a, 17, etc. A source of light such as an elongated electric light globe 72 casts light through the openings 68 and through the openings 70 when they register with each other. The light falls on a refiector '73 and then on a light sensitive bulb such as a photo electric cell 74 or falls directly on the cell for closing a circuit through wires '76 of an amplifier 78. The amplifier, upon being energized by light falling on thephoto cell 74, energizes a solenoid for attracting an armature 82.

The armature 82 has a pin 84 engageable with a spring catch arm 86 of the punch press which travels simultaneously with the punch 12. Upon energization, the solenoid 80 thereby causes a rod 88 to be released so that a weight 90 thereon is free to move downwardly by gravity.

This breaks the circuit to a solenoid 92 which retains a clutch 38a engaged. The clutch 38a is for moving the index bar 22a so that when the solenoid is energized, the bar will move, but when tie-energized, the clutch is disengaged and the bar stops. Contacts 94 are provided in the circuit of the solenoid 92, one of the contacts, being carried by the rod 88.

When the weight 90 lowers, a collar 89 on the rod 88 engages and swings a gripper lever 96 about its pivot 98whioh extends from a bracket 99. The gripper lever 96 has a shoe 100 for frictional engagement with the bar 22. A second gripper shoe 102 is provided for movement toward the bar 22 by means of a link 104 pivoted to the lever 96.

The shoes 100 and 102 are mounted on rods 106 which are slidably mounted in blocks 108, which in turn are pivoted by pintles 110 mounted in stationary bearings 112 of the bracket 99. Springs 114 are provided on the rods 106 to act as shock absorbers and returning devices.

In operation, when the shoes 100 and 102 grip the bar 22, its' movement is checked with the springs 114 acting as shock absorbers. As soon as the bar is stopped, it is returned to prope position by the springs 114 so that momentum ending to carry the bar 18 beyond the proper point for punching the hole is counteracted by the springs 114 acting in their return capacity.

The weight 90 is adapted to initiate operation of the punch press 10, which can be accomplished by a solenoid 116 and an armature 118 connected with the clutch lever 14a of the punch press.

Contacts 120 are provided for the solenoid 116 and these are designed to be engaged by a roller 122 on the downstroke of the weight 90 and then disengaged after such engagement.

On the upstroke of the weight 90, the roller 122 being mounted on a leaf spring 124 or the like will spring past the contacts 120 without causing their engagement. 9 v

From the description of Figures 10 to 13 inclusive, it will be obvious that the holes in the work are automatically punched atthe proper points. Registry 01' an index bar opening 68 with a template opening -70 automatically stops the movement ofthe work and initiates operation of the punch and when the punch returns to its raised .position, the catch on the lower'end of the arm 88 engages the catch on the upper end of the rod 88 for lifting the weight 90 and thus releasing the shoes 100 and 102 from the work 22, after which the contacts 94 are engaged for engaging the clutch 38a and thus moving the work to the next position predetermined by registry of the next opening IO-of the template with the proper opening 68 of the index bar.

The light sensitive cell 74 and its associated apparatus, including the amplifier 78, can be eliminated by the'use of the modified form of template shown in Figure 14 and the mechanism shown in Figure 15 for energizing the magnet 80. Instead of marks on or openings through the template, metallic elements 126 are used .which extend through the template for establishing an electric circuit,

The holder for the template shown'at 48a in Figure. 15 has a metal plate 128 with which the contacts 126 engage. The index bar 221) is provided with contacts 22c which'engage the appropriate staples or contacts 126, thus establishing a circuit across the plate 128 and the bar 22b. These parts are included in the circuit of the magnet 80 so that direct contact causes an electrical impulse therein to start the automatic operation of stopping the work, operating the press and then again starting the work, all as accomplished by the magnets 80, 92 and 116 and their associated mechanism shown in Figure 11.

Although I have shown the index bar as being movable with the work, the index bar may be stationary and the template may move with the work and the index bar may be in the form of a. steel tape or the like if found desirable.

In Figures 16 to 21, I have shown these two forms-of the invention. Parts in Figures 16, 17 and 18 corresponding to parts in Figure 1 are given the same reference numerals .with the addition of while in Figures 19, 20 and 21, the reference numerals have the addition 01 In Figure 16, it will be noted that the index bar 22 is stationarily mountd as by brackets 130 extending from the frame. The template holder 48' is movable with the work, the extension 24' clamped at 26 to the work 18' being carried by a carriage 13 2supported for movement longitudinally of the index bar 22' and a rail 134. Rotation of the hand wheel36 moves the template and the work relative to the stationary index bar rather than the index bar and the work relative to the stationary template as in Figure 1, but the results obtained are the same.

In Figures 19, 20 and 21, the index element 22" is a flexible element such as a steel tape which can be normally housed in a casing 136 by reason of a wind-up spring 138. The tape of Figure 19 takes the place of the index bar of Figure 1 in order to eliminate the extension of theindex bar toward the right past the punch press as in- Figure 19. It, of course, extends no further toward the right than the housing 136.

Changes of this character and others may be I made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of my-device without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents, which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim as my invention:

1. In spacing apparatus for punch presses and the li ke, an index element having unitsoi. length indicated thereon, a spacer element having subdivisions of one such unit indicated thereon, one

of said elements being adapted to travel in synchronism with material being worked upon and means for moving said spacer element in accordance with the movement of said index element relative thereto whereby successive indicia on the index element travel in one direction across said spacer element and at successively different distances from an edge thereof substantially parallel with the line of such travel.

2. In spacing apparatus for material requiring operations to be performed thereon at spaced points, an elongated index bar, adapted to travel in synchronism with the material being worked upon, said index bar having equal units of length indicated therealong, a card-like spacer template having sub-divisions of one such unit indicated thereon and means for moving said template in accordance with the movement of said index bar whereby successive indicia on the bar travel across said template, each'at adifferent distance from one side thereof.

3. In spacing apparatus for punch presses and the like, an index bar element having units of length indicated thereon, a spacer template element of substantially the length of one such unit and having sub-divisions of such unit indicated thereon, means for moving one of said elements in synchronism with material being worked upon and means for moving said spacer template ele: ment and said index bar element relatively whereby successive indicia on the index bar element travel across said spacer template element, each at a different distance from one side thereof.

4. In combination with a punch press or the like, spacing apparatus comprising an index element having units of length indicated thereon, a spacer element having sub-divisions of one such unit indicated thereon, means for moving one of said elements in synchronism ith material being worked upon by said punch pre whereby successive indicia on the index element travel across said spacer element in one direction, supporting means for said spacer element and an operative connection between said index element and said spacer element for moving them relatively and synchronously but in a direction at angles relative to each other.

5. In spacing apparatus for punch presses and the like, an index element having units of length indicated thereon, a spacer element having subdivisions of one such unit indicated thereon, means for moving said spacer element in accordance .with the movement of said index element, power means for operating said punch press and moving one of said elements and material being worked upon in synchronism with each other, a control means for said punch press, a second control means for said index element and material, both with respect to said power means and automatic mechanism for rendering the first control means operative and the second control means inoperative when one of the indicia on said index element registers with one of said sub-divisions on said spacer element. *1.

6. In spacing apparatus of the class described a longitudinaly movable index element adapted to travel in synchronism with material be worked upon, units of length indicated on said index element, a spacer element of at least the length of one such unit, sub-divisions of the successive units indicated thereon in successively lateraly spaced columns and means for moving said spacer element simultaneously with the movement of said index element and at substantially right angles to said columns whereby successive indicia on said index element travel along said columns successively and whereby a sub-division in a given column coincides with only a'predetermined one of said indicia.

'1. In spacing apparatus of the class described, a

longitudinally movable 'index bar adapted to.

'll htravel in synchronism with material being worked upon, units of equal length indicated on said index bar, a spacer template, sub-divisions of the successive units indicated thereon in successively longitudinally and laterally, spaced positions and means for moving said template simultaneously with the movement of said index bar and at substantially right angles to its direction of movement whereby successive indicia thereon travel across said template in one direction with successive longitudinally spaced sub-divisions thereof coinciding with one indicia and laterally spaced and successive longitudinally spaced subdivisions thereof coinciding with another indicia.

8. In spacing apparatus of the class described, an index element, units of length indicated thereon, a spacer element of at least the length of one such unit, sub-divisions of the successive units indicated thereon in successively laterally spaced positions, means for moving one of said elements in synchronism with material requiring operations thereon at spaced points and means for moving the other of said elements simultaneously with the movement of the element moving insynchronism with said material and at substantially right angles to its direction of movement.

9. In spacing apparatus of the class described, a longitudinally movable index element, units of length indicated thereon, a spacer element, subdivisions of one of such units indicated thereon in successively laterally spaced positions, means for moving one of said elements in synchronism with material on which operations are to be performed at spaced points and means for moving said elements simultaneously and at substantially right angles to eachother whereby successive indicia on said index element travel across said spacer element in one direction and laterally spaced subdivisions thereof coincide with said indicia successively.

10. In spacing apparatus of the character disclosed, a 'work supporting track, a movable carriage, an index bar movable with said carriage, means for attaching said carriage to work on said work supporting track for simultaneous travel of said work with said carriage and said index bar, units of length indicated on. said index bar, a spacer template movable at substantially right angles relative to said index bar and having subdivisions of such unit indicated thereon for regis-' try with the indicia on said index bar, mechanism for supporting said template and an operative connection between said carriage and said mechanism for causing movement of said template in synchronism with movement of said index bar.

11. In spacing apparatus of the character disclosed, a, work supporting track, a movable carriage, an index bar movable with said carriage, meansfor attaching said carriage to work on said work supporting track for simultaneous travel of said work with said carriage and said index bar, periodic indicia on said index bar, a spacer template movable at an angle relative to said index bar and having sub-divisions of the unit of length between successive indicia indicated thereon,

mechanism for supporting said template, an operative connection between said carriage and said mechanism'for causing movement of said template in synchronism with movement of said index bar and means, operableupon sub-divisions means for attaching said carriage to work on said work supporting track for simultaneous travel of said work with said carriage and said index bar, a machine for periorming operations. on such work, periodic indicia on said index bar, a spacer template. movable at substantially right angles relative to said index bar and having sub-divisions oi the unit oi length between two of said indicia indicated thereon, mechanism for supporting said template, an operative connection between said carriage and said mechanism for causing movement 0! said template in synchronism with movement of said-index bar and thereby successive registry of said indicia with said sub-divisions and means for moving said carriageand operating said machine while said carriage is at rest.

13. In spacing apparatus of the character disclosed, a work supporting track, a movable carriage, an index bar movable with said carriage, means for attaching said carriage to work on said .work supporting track for simultaneous travel of said work with said carriage and said index bar, units of length indicated on said index .bar, a spacer template movable at an angle relative to saidindex bar and having sub-divisions or such unit indicated thereon, mechanism ior supporting said template, an operative connection between said carriage and said mechanism for causingmovement 01 said template in synchronism with movement of said index bar and means for moving and stopping said carriage. 14. Apparatus oi the character described comprising a machine ior performing operations on elongated work, means for supporting such work and moving it longitudinally, an index bar movable with said work and having periodic indica;

and moving it longitudinally, an index element having periodic indicia thereon, a spacer element movable laterally oi said index element, means for moving one 01 said elements with said work, means for moving said elements in synchronism with each other, said spacer element having subdivisions of the distance-between two indicia indicated thereon for successive registry with said indicia as said index element moves longitudinally and means for bringing said index element to a rest and operating said machine automatically when one or said indicia registers with one of said sub-divisions.

16; Apparatus oi the character described comprising a machine for performing operations on elongated work, means for supporting said work and moving it longitudinally, an index bar' movable with said work and having periodic indicia thereon, a template holder movable laterally of said index bar and in synchronism therewith, a template on said holderand detachable therefrom, sub-divisions 01 the distance between two indicia indicated on said template for succesone of said indicia and one of said sub-divisions in registry with eachother.

17. Apparatus of the character described comprising a machine 101' performing operations on elongated work, means for supporting said work and moving it longitudinally, an index element having periodic indicia thereon, a holder movable laterally of said index element and in synchronism therewith, a spacer element on said holder, sub-divisions of the distance between two adjacent indicia indicated on said spacer element for successive registry with said indicia as said index element and holder are moved and means automatically operable for stopping said work and operating said machine upon registry of one of said indicia with one of said sub-divisions and for startng said work after the ma-. chine has operated.

18. Apparatus oi. the character described comprising a machine for periorming operations on elongated work, means for supporting said work and moving it longitudinally, an index element having periodic indicia thereon, a holder movable laterally of said index element and'in synchronism therewith, a spacer element on said holder comprising a sheet of cardboard or the like, means for mounting said cardboard on said holder in a predetermined position relative thereto, subdivisions of the distance" between two adjacent indicia indicated on said cardboard for successive registry with said indicia as said index element moves longitudinally and means ior operating said machine when said index element is at rest with one of said indicia and one of said sub-divisions in registry with mch other and for starting said work after the machine has operated.

. 19. Apparatus oi the character described comprising a machine for performing operations on work, means for supporting such work for movement in one direction, an index element having periodic openings therethrough, a spacer element movable laterally of said index element and having laterally spaced openings therein ior su'ccessive registry with the openings in said index element, means for moving one of said elements in synchronism with said work and light sensitive means associated with said index element and said spacer element for automatically stopping the movement oi" said work and operating said machine when an opening of said index element registers with an opening 01' said spacer element.

20. Apparatus oi. the character described comprising a machine for performing operations on work, means for supporting such work for movement in one direction, an index element having periodic openings therethrough, a spacer element movable laterally of said index element and having laterally spaced openings therein for successive registry with the openings in said index element, means for moving one of said elements in synchronism with said work and light sensitive means associated with said index element and said spacer element for automatically stopping the movement of said work and operating said machine when an opening of said index element registers with an opening of said spacer element, the means for stopping said work including clutch elements therefor and shock absorbing and return mechanism for said clutch elements.

21. In spacing apparatus for material requiring operations to be performed thereon at spaced points, a stationary elongated index bar having equal units 01' length indicated therealong, a cardlike spacer template having subdivisions of one such unit indicated thereon and adapted to travel in synchronism with the material being worked upon and means for also moving said template in accordance with the movement said material whereby successive indicia on the bar are traveled past by said template, each at a different distance from one side thereof.

22. In combination with a punch press or the like, spacing apparatus comprising an index element having units of length indicated thereon, a spacer element having sub-divisions of one such unit indicated thereon, means for moving. said spacer element in synchronism with material being worked upon by said punch press whereby of length indicated thereon, a spacer element hav-' ing sub-divisions of one such unit indicated thereon, one oi said elements-being adapted to travel in synchronism with material being worked upon and means for moving said spacer element in accordance with the movement of said flexible index element relative thereto whereby successive indlcia on the flexible index element travel in one direction across said spacer element and at successively different distances from an edge thereof substantially parallel with the line of such travel,

24. In spacing apparatus for punch presses and the like, a flexible index element having units of length indicated thereon, a spacer template element of substantially the length 01 one such unit and having sub-divisions of such unit indicated thereon, means for moving one of said elements in synchronism with material being worked upon and means for moving said spacer template element and said flexible index element relatively whereby successive indicia on the flexible index element travel across said spacer template element, each at a' diflerent distance from one side thereof.

25. In spacing apparatus for punch presses and the like, a flexible index element having units of length indicated thereon, a spacer template element of substantially the length of one such unit and having sub-divisions or such unit indicated ther'eon, means for moving, one of said elements in synchronism with material being worked upon, means for moving said spacer template element and said flexible index element relatively whereby successive indicia on the flexible index element travel across said spacer template element, each at a diflerent distancetrom one side thereof and means for winding up the unused portion of said flexible index element.

' LLOYD E. ANDERSON.

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