US2087678A - Reproducing machine - Google Patents

Description

July 20, 1937. R, L WAGNER 2,087,678

REPRODUC ING MACH INE Filed May 26, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l 57 /OQ j ll INVENTOR ROBERT L. WAGNE 5Y2 if ATTORNEY y R. L. WAGNER 2,087,678

REPRODUCING MACHINE Filed May 26, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ROBERT L. WAGNER ATTORN EY Patented July 20, 1931 PATENT OFFICE I REPBODUCING.MACHINE Robert L. Wagner, Astoria, N. Y., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Union Carbide and Carbon Corporation, York a corporation of New Application May 26, 1934, Serial No. 727,663

20 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for performing scoring, tracing, cutting and other similar operations upon objects. More particularly the invention relates to the adaptation of shape cut ting or similar machines for simultaneously performing a pluralityof suchoperations progressively along a line of relative travel between the operating tool or tools carried by the machine and base material being operated upon thereby so that the relationship of the several simultaneous operations to each other with respect to the line of relative travel will be maintained continuously the same throughout the extent of thesimultaneous operations regardless of any change in direction the line of travel may take.

"The inventionv is particularly applicable to machines of the character shown in Patent No. 1,774,865 granted September 2, 1930, to Isaiah Allison, entitled Blowpipe apparatus, in the adaptation of such machines for making a severing cut through a metal base and simultaneously therewith shaping an edge or edges resulting from the cut by suitable means as jets of cutting gas. The invention also contemplates an arrangement of mechanism for making a severing cut through a metallic body and simultaneously therewith shaping an edge on both sides of the cut.

The invention is further concerned with improving the organization of machines of the above character whereby the adjustment and manipulatory control means thereof will be localized for operation from a single position in clear, continuous observation of the progress of the simultaneous operations of the cutting and shaping means so that these operations may be performed with minimum diversion of the operator's attention from the progress of the operations. This is of particular importance where directional control of tool movement is exercised manually. Where, on the other hand, directional control of tool'movement is exercised mechanically, as by a combination of directing and follower means such as a templet and templet follower, it is important that the construction and arrangement of mechanism be such that the follower means may be positioned upon the directing means with approximately mathematical precision with respect to the relationship of the tool or tools to the base metal or work; that this positioning operation may be performed from a location of clear. unobstructed observation of this relationship; and that accuracy inmaking the desired adjustments to this end should not be dependent upon the unaided judgment of the operator.

Where a compound tool is used with mechanism of the character set forth in the Allison patent for simultaneously producing a plurality of scoring or like operations in definite relation to each other with respect to the line of relative travel between the tools and work, and where the correct positions of the tools to each other is automatically maintained responsively to movements 'of the templet followers and to their relation to each other with respect to the templet track, it is essential that the proper relationship of the templet followers to each other with respect to the track be positively maintained throughout the operation.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide in machines of the above character improved mechanism and an improved organization of mechanism whereby the desired results as outlined above may be accomplished with facility and precision and without any considerable requirement of skill on the part of the operator.

Other objects and novel features of the invention will be apparent from the following specification in connection withthe accompanying drawings illustrating one embodiment of the invention and in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of a shape cutting machine with the improvements of my invention incorporated therein;

Fig. 2 is a detail view on an enlarged scale compared with Fig. 1 and showing in plan, a handwheel and an associated dial forming a part of the control mechanism of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a detail of an alternative form of traction means to that. shown in Fig. 1 and on the same scale as Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a detail view in elevation and partly in section and on an enlarged scale compared with Fig. 1 of the traction means shown inFlg. 1 together with the driving mechanism thereof;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on line 5-5 of Fig. 4 and on an enlarged scale, showing the relation of the traction rollers and the guide roller to each other and to the templet.

Fig. 6 is a detail view on an enlarged scale compared with Fig. 1 and partly in section, showing an operating lever for raising and lowering the templet follower;

Fig. '7 is a sectional view on an enlarged. scale of the blowpipe nozzle shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a view showing an alternative form of nozzle construction;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view on line 8-8 of Fig. 1, on an enlarged scale, showing'a form of spring tension adjusting means employed in the machine.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings as applied to a shape cutting machine of the type shown in the Allison Patent 1,774,865 and comprises a supporting frame F upon which a tool, as a blowpipe P, is mounted for universal movement in a single plane by means of a compound movement mechanism comprising a pair of carriages C and C mounted for movement respectively, transversely, and longitudinally of the frame. To this end,'the carriage C is provided with rollers 6 and I which travel on rails or tracks 8 and 9 secured to frame F, rollers 1 having tongues Ia resting in guide grooves 9a in track 9. The carriage C is likewise provided with rollers l and Illa. having travel on tracks secured to carriage C'.

The blowpipe P has a compound nozzle N having' a main cutting gas passage l2 (see Fig. 7) for discharging the main or severing jet |2a at a suitable angle to the surface of the base metal or work W (usually normal thereto) for making a main cut therethrough and a, supplemen-. tary passage 13 branching from the passage l2 in nozzle N and extending through a supplemental nozzle N for discharging a supplemental or shaping jet He at an angle to the main jet i2a. In making a cut and simultaneously shaping an edge of a surface produced thereby, the main and supplemental jets should be synchronously moved along the line of cut in fixed relation to each other and in uniform and constant relation to the line of cut regardless of any change in its direction. The supplemental or shaping jet is, the while, preferably projected from one side of the plane of the main cut at an angle thereto and so as to be tangent to the edge to be shaped thereby. For making a radius cut, as in providing a rounded edge, the supplemental jet is subjected to a suitable turning influence such that it will be turned about the edge to be rounded in a path of the desired curvasupported from the carriage C by means of an arm A extending from the carriage so as to position the blowpipe in overhanging relation to.

the work W placed on a support 5. The arm A is ordinarily constructed in two relatively rotatable sections lBa and I6!) whereby under certain circumstances the angle of the blowpipe to the work may be adjusted by means of a hand lever ll secured on section I60. and adapted to be set in adjusted position by cooperation of a pawl 4 pivoted to lever IT, with a sector 5 secured to section |6b.

The carriages may be manually controlled in moving the blowpipe along the desired line of out and may depend for propulsion upon suitable traction means such as that shown at T in Fig. 3. Under certain circumstances, 'it is preferable to control the blowpipemovements automatically by suitable guide and follower means, such as the templet l8 and templet follower l9 shown in Figs. 1 and 4; the former being stationarily supported on frame F and the latter connected with carriage c The templet follower I!) may be comprised of two traction rollers 20 which are preferably provided with frusto-conical portions and are carried each by a separate shaft 2|; both of which shafts are in driven connection with a motor M supported on carriage C Suitable driving connection between motor M depending bracket 49-.

and shafts 2| is illustrated in the drawings (see Figs. land 4) as comprising a worm 22 on the motor shaft 23, in mesh with a worm wheel 24 secured to shaft 25 journaled in a bracket 26. The shaft 25 has an elongated gear 21 meshing with a ring gear 23 of a differential mechanism which is in driving connection with shafts 29 'journaled in brackets 30 and carrying bevel gears 3|. The gears 3| mesh with similar gears 32 secured to the upper ends of vertical shafts 33 on the lower ends of which are gears 34 in driving connection with shafts 2| through long gears 35 and gears 36 on the upper ends of the shafts 2|.

The motor M and the above-described driving connections are supported on the carriage C by means of a turntable 31 to provide relative rotary movement between the carriage and templet followers responsively to directional changes of the latter. Antifriction rollers 38 may be provided between the turntable and the carriage C and may be mounted on shafts 39 secured to a ring 40 which is positioned coaxially with the turntable and surrounding a hollow shaft sleeve S comprising a housing for shafts 2| as will hereinafter appear.

The driving mechanism between the worm wheel 24 and shafts 2| maybe encased in a suitable housing H secured to the turntable, and the motor M is suitably supported on this housing. Worm wheels 24 may be provided in several diameters interchangeably secured to shaft 25 for changing the speed of the drive and, in order to accommodate worm 22 to the various sizes of' worm wheel, the motor is preferably pivoted to the housing H at a point 4| in alignment with the axis of shaft 23. A sector 42 is provided on the housing H and a setting device 43 on the motor cooperates with the sector for clamping the motor and its shaft in adjusted position.

The rollers 20 are adapted to ride on opposite sides of the templet track l8 thereby, under ordinary operation, insuring fidelity of blowpipe movement of the shape of the templet and the rollers are preferably provided with knurled surfaces for traction purposes. The shafts 2| may be housed, as indicated above, in the hollow shaft or sleeve S which may be slidably mounted in a bearing sleeve S secured to carriage C The sleeve S is provided with a support in which shafts 2| are journaled and supported against.

axial movement relative to the sleeve. By this arrangement, the hollow .shaft or sleeve S and shafts 2| are adapted to be raised and lowered as a unit for interengaging or disengaging the rollers 20 and the templet l8.

Suitable means may be provided whereby the hollow shaft S and the rollers 20 carried thereby may be raised and lowered by an operator from a position of clear, unobstructed, vision of tool operation. This means may conveniently comprise a hand lever 45 pivotally connected intermediate its ends to a bracket 46 dependent from section |6b of arm A (see Figs. 1 and 5). One arm of the hand lever 45 is connected with the sleeve S by a link 47, preferably in the nature of a rigid rod, and a bell-crank lever 48; the latter being pivotally supported on carriage C by a The arm of the bellcrank lever connected to the sleeve S is provided with a yoke 50 to which the lower end of this sleeve is pivoted for turning movement by pins 5| extending into a groove 52a formed in a collar 52 secured to the sleeve S..

suitable means may be provided for holding aoeacve the rollers 20 connected with the templet which may be in the nature of a dead weight such as is shown in the Allison patent referred to'above. Preferably, however, I employ a spring 53 connected under tension between a portion of carriage C? and the link 41. The tension of this 1 spring is made adjustable by connecting one end with the link 41 which extends therethrough thereof to the link 41 by means of a plate 54 (see Figs. 1 and 9) having an opening 55 of sufficient size to provide a loose sliding connection as will give the desired tension. For convenience in manipulation, the plate 58 may be provided with wings 59' forming abutments for the thumbs and fingers of the operator's hands. I

The carriages C and C are preferably constructed to rest as lightly aspossible on their respective tracks in order that their movements may be effected as easily as possible in manipulation thereof. In order that the carriage C may be held against dislodgment from the tracks I l, rollers 55 may be provided suspended from this carriage by brackets 51 and riding on the underside of rails Ii. Carriage C is held ontracks 9 and 9 by the weight of the carriages. (Only one of the rollers 55 is shown and in a similar manner only one of each of the pairs of rollers on the carriages and one of each of the pairs of tracks on which they travel is shown).

The hollow shaft S may be held in raised position against the tension of spring 53 when so desired, by suitable means as a plunger 58 slidably mounted in a bore 59 formed transversely through the hand lever 95. (See Figs. 1 and 6). This plunger is preferably constructed with 9, lug 50 adapted to be projected into an opening 6! in a sector 62 secured to arm A, under the yielding pressure of a spring 63. The ends of this spring abut respectively the rear end of theplunger and a wall of a spring housing 6 3 secured to the lever and covering one end of the bore 59. The plunging lengthwise of lever 45 and communicating at its lower end with the larger end of the conical.

portion of bore 59. The lower end of the plunger 61 rests on the sloping portion 66 of plunger 58 and is preferably rounded or otherwise suitably shaped to prevent it from biting into the surface of the sloping portion thereby facilitating its -movement, therealong. The plunger 61 is secured in the bore 68 by a pin 69 secured in the lever and projected into an elongated notch Ill in the plunger 61. Plunger 61 has a thumb button H secured to its upper end and pressable into a counterbore 12 of bore 68 at the upper end of the lever arm in operating plunger 61 to with draw lug 60 from opening Bl. Whereupon the position of the lever 45 may be shifted as desired or will move under influence of spring 53 to its position atwhich the traction means 20 will rest a on a support, as thetemplet I8; With the arrangement of nozzles or other tools as setforth above and in all cases where tools are to be operated in simultaneously making tracings, scorings, cuts, etc, in definite unvarying relation to each other with respect to a line of travel, it is essential that the operating tools he maintained in the same definite relation to the line of travel regardless of changes in the direction thereof as stated above. This may be conveniently accomplished by means which will now ,be described. The tool, as the blowpipe P with compound nozzle N, Nf attached thereto may be rotatably secured to the section l6a of arm A by means of a sleeve 13 in which the blowpipe P is supported by a collar 14 secured to the b-lowpipe and resting on the upper end of sleeve 13. The sleeve 13 is mounted in a second sleeve 15 for axial movement relative thereto so that the distance of nozzles N, N from the .work may be suitably adjusted. Axial movement of sleeve I9 ment and comprises a sprocket wheel8il secured to the blowpipe in driven connection through a sprocket chain 8! with a sprocket wheel 82 on a shaft 83. The shaft 83 is suitably journaled to the section 181) of the arm A and is provided with a handwheel 84 through which the shaft 83 and the blowpipe may be rotated by the operator in controlling the angular positions of the blowpipe.

'The handwheel may have associated therewith a dial85 with a suitable graduation 86 thereonand with which a pointer 81 on the handwheel 8t cooperates-for indicating the angular position of the blowpipe. The handwheel may be provided with one or more handles 88' to facilitate manual rotation thereof.- Twosuch handles are shown in the drawings. Suitable locking means may be provided for holding the shaft' 83 against rotation and the pointer 81 in fixed position on the dial 85 so that nozzles N and N will be maintained in fixed relation to a. line of travel when a straight line out is to be made. The locking means may be in the nature of a set screw of well known character threaded into the arm A in position to bear against shaft 83 and provided with an operating handle as indicated at 89 in Fig. 1.

Automatic manipulatory rotation of the blowpipe P may be effected by providing a suitable driving connection between the sleeve S and shaft 83 which may be in the nature of sprocket wheels 90 and 9| respectively on shaft 83 and shaft S this or an equivalent mechanism, the blowpipe may be made to follow a given path under automatic control with the nozzles N and N maintained in the same relationship to a line of travel at which they have been initially set regardless of what direction the line may take at any given moment of the operation.

Ordinarily the pressure exerted upon the rollers 20 by spring 53 will be sufficient to hold them upon the templet track l8 in pro-per relation toeach other with respect to the track. Under cerabout which a sprocket chain 93 is trained. By

tain circumstances, however, as where the rollers travel upon a curved track, the tendency of the rollers to follow a straight line path tangent to the curvature of the track tends to cause the roller on the inner periphery of the track to ride up thereon, thereby lifting the outer roller off of the track. When the outer roller is so disengaged from the track it will lag behind its correct position of opposition to the roller on the inner periphery with respect to the track. This lagging of the outer roller will be communicated to the tool P in the manner described above causing the corresponding tool element to lag in like manner with obvious, deleterious results.

I have overcome this difficulty in the present machine by providing guiding means which may comprise an annular collar 92a threaded as shown at 92b onto the lower end of the shaft S for angular adjustment relative thereto. An arm 92 is provided upon the collar which extends radially of the collar and shaft S. Upon this arm is mounted a shaft92d preferably threaded through a vertically extending aperture 92c therein for adjustment. On the lower end of the shaft 92d is rotatably mounted a roller 92 f secured between a shoulder 92g and a nut 92h. This roller is preferably provided with a cylindrical periphery adapted to rest fiat against a suitable guiding surface as one of the surfaces of the templet track. Clearly the roller 92 may bear upon any other suitably shaped guiding surface or may be otherwise given directional travel. The position of this roller may be brought, by adjustments effected through the connection of collar 920. with shafts and through the connection of shaft 9201 with the arm 920, into contact with one of the peripheries and preferably the inner periphery of the curved templet track I8. So positioned, with the rollers 20 in proper relation to the track, the roller BZf-will travel along one of the peripheries of the track maintaining the rollers 20 at all times in proper relation to each other with respect to the track. As a consequence, the elements of a compound tool, as nozzles N, N, will be automatically maintained in proper relation to the line of travel in performing their several operations. The roller 92 is ordinarily positioned to travel ahead of rollers 20 and upon the inner periphery of the templet. However, it may with similar effect be positioned to travel behind rollers 20 and upon the outer periphery of the templet. Friction between the threads of shaft .8 and collar 92a may ordinarily be depended upon for holding the collar in its various positions of angular adjustment. However, suitable means, as a set screw 921', may be employed for positively holding the collar in such positions of angular adjustment.

In place of the templet and templet followers described above a single traction wheel T such as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings may be used; the mounting of shaft S removing the same and directional control being exercised by the operator through handwheel 84. With this arrangement traction wheel T will rotate on the bed of the machine, on a drawing, or on any other suitable traction surface.

The usual valves 94 and 94m are provided for v controlling the flow of fuel and cutting gas to the blowpipe P through conduits 95, 96 leading from suitable sources of supply not shown. These con duits are preferably of flexible material as rubber hose to allow for-manipulatory movements of the blowpipe and are supported on the carriage C by uprights 91. Switch mechanism 98 is provided for controlling the flow of electricity through conductors 99 and the armature of motor M. This the relative position of the shaping or supplementary jet I3a to the line of travel of jet I3 may be read on a pattern or blueprint placed beneath the pointer I on the support I in initial orientation of the nozzles for beginning a out.

In place of the nozzle shown in Figs. 1 and 7 a nozzle construction such as shown in Fig. 8 or of any other suitable construction may be employed. In the combination shown in Fig. 8, there is provided a main nozzle N and two edge shaping nozzles I02 and I 03 which are respectively mounted on nozzle N by means of bracket arms I 04, each having a clamp I05 at one end slidable lengthwise of nozzle N. The clamps are adapted to be held at various positions on the nozzle N by set screws I06. The bracket arms have slots I0'I lengthwise thereof whereby the nozzles I02 and I03 may be adjusted along the arms and turned to various angular positions thereon. Suitable means, as set screws I08 are provided for holding the nozzles I02 and I03 in their various positions of linear and angular adjustment on the arms. The nozzles I02 and I03 are supplied with cutting and fuelgas from cutting and fuel gas passages III and H2 in nozzle N through flexible conduits I09 and H0. Valves II3 may be provided in control of the flow of cutting gas through nozzles I02 and I03.

It will be noted that the manipulatory and control means, such as valves 94 and 94a, hand levers I1; handwheel 84, hand lever 45 and handwheel III are all located at the head end of the machine and in easy reach of an operator stationed in clear, unobstructed vision of the operation of the nozzles N and N. By this. arrangement all manipulatory operations and adjustments may be effected without diverting the operators attention from the relative positions of the several cutting jets to each other with respect to their line of travel and without necessity of his leaving this position of observation.

In operation, a block of base metal from which a shape is to be cut may be placed on support I5 and the blowpipe P rotated by the operator through handwheel 84 so as to position the nozzles N and N in proper relation to the line of proposed cut, the templet follower I9 being held the while in raised position above the template I8. When the nozzles N and N are observed to be in correct-relation to the line of travel the templet follower I9 may be lowered by withdrawing lug 60 on plunger 58 from the opening BI of sector 62 since in positioning nozzles N and N in the above manner rollers 20 will obviously also be correctly positioned for straddling the templet at the proper point thereon. When lowered in the above manner, driving connection will thereby be established whereby the cut will be caused to progress along the desired path automatically with the jets I2a and I3a maintained throughout the operation in the same relation to each other with respect to the line of travel. The operator is thus left free to manipulate the various controls.

switch mechanism may be suitably supported on Where'it is desired to-make a cut guided by a I substituted for that shown in Figs. 1 and 4. The traction wheel T thereof rolling on a suitable surface and the direction of movement of the blowpipe and the relation of the nozzles N and N to the line of out under manual control of the operator.

While my invention has-hereinbeiore been described in connection with a single machine of definite construction it may readily be adapted to other machines of a similar nature, and it is to be understood that other cutting means than those shown may be employed-and other equivalent guiding and directing means may be substituted for those shown. Also, the machine may be adapted to other than a combination of cutting and shaping operations and it is within the scope of the invention to employ the same or equivalent mechanism in cutting a plurality of paralleling grooves in a surface, in scoring, tracing, making cuts, and even in painting or otherwise providing a plurality of stripes on a body or in any like operation where a definite relationship is to be maintained between such scorings, etc. Also, the invention may be adapted in whole or in part to welding by substitution of a welding blowpipe for the cutting blowpipe herein disclosed. Other and varied applications of the invention in whole or in part may be made within the scope of the invention and I do not wish, therefore, to be limited to the precise embodiment herein disclosed except as I shall be limited by the prior art and by the claims appended hereto liberally construed.

I claim:

1. In a machine of the character described, the combination of tracing means including a plurality of tracing members having coplanar axes; means for supporting said members with the plane containing their axes at all times intersecting their line of movement atthe same angle; power means; traction means connected with said power means for moving the tracing members along a course, a templet cooperating with the traction means for directing the course of the tracing members; means for manually raising the traction means with respect to said power means so as to clear the templet; and means for manually turning said traction means about its axis to adjust it when so raised; the raising and, lowering'means and means for rotation of the traction means being operable from a single position within clear vision of the relative positions of the tracing means to their line of movement.

2. In a machine of the character described, a carriage; tracing means including a rotatable traction wheel adapted to travel in any and changing directions over a traction surface; a tracing pointer adapted to travel over and adjacent to a pattern; and a blowpipe adapted to travel over the work being operated upon; said tracing means, pointer and blowpipe being severally pivoted on said carriage to turn about spaced parallel axes; manually operable means for turning said pointer about its axis; means connecting said pointer to said tracing means and to said blowpipe so that said tracing means and said blowpipe are turned about their said axes in unison with the turning of. said pointer about its axis.

3. In a shape cutting machine,'the combina-. tion of a blowpipe means having a plurality of cutting nozzles; means for causing relative travel between the work being operated upon and the blowpipe with the cutting jets discharged by said nozzles in a plane extending transversely of the line of travel; means for maintaining the jets in the same relation with respect to the line 01' travel regardless of .any change in direction the line of travel may take; and means for applying heat at cutting temperature to the region of cutting jet application progressively with the travel of the cutting jets relative to the workv 4. In a shape cutting machine, the combina-' tionof a blowpipe means having passages for projecting a. plurality of cutting jets; one of said passages being arranged to project its jet at an angle to the surface generated by movement of another of the jets; and means acting automatically to maintain the relative positions of the two jets with respect to the line of cut the same regardless of any change in direction the line may take; and means for causing relative. movement between the blowpipe and 'workbeing operated upon.

5. In a shape cutting machine, the combination of a blowpipe adapted for projecting a plurality of cutting jets; means supporting the blowpipe for universal movement in a plane; traction 7 means adapted to ride on a surface for causing movement of the blowpipe; .power means carried by the supporting means; and means connecting the traction means with the power means so as to permit movement of the traction means axially of the connecting means; control means for the power means; control means for directing the course of the traction means; and means formanipulation of the blowpipe; said control.

and manipulating means being localized within easy reach of an operator positioned for clear vision of the cutting operation of the blowpipe.

6. In a shape cutting machine, the combination of means for-providing a main cutting jet and an edge shaping jet projected at an angle to the main jet; means for causing relative travel between the work and said jets; means for maintaining the jets in a plane transversely of the line of main cut and in the same relation with respect to the line of main'cut throughout the progress of the cut regardless oi any change in direction the line may take.

7. In a shape cutting machine, the combination of a cutting blowpipe; means for supporting the blowpipe for movement along a line of cut; traction means and power means in driving connection for causing movement of the blowpipe; and means for lifting said traction means with respect to said power means and for securing said traction means in the lifted position.

8. In a shape cutting machine, the combination of. a tracing tool; means for supporting said tool for universal movement in a plane and rotary movement about an axis; traction means varied relation to each other throughout their extent; said means including a plurality of tracing members supported side by side for adjustment about an axis of one of the members; traction means for eifecting progress of the said axis along a line of travel; means for automatically effecting change in direction of travel and in 'for effecting turning of the latter together with the former about their respective axes.

11. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a tool adapted for producing a tracing of an object; a traction surface; traction means riding on the traction surface for propelling the tool along a course; resilient means operating independently of the weight acting on saidtraction means for maintaining said trac tion means firmly upon said traction surface; and means for lifting said traction wheel from said traction surface.

12. In a machine of the character described, the combination of compound movement mechanism; tracing means; an arm extending from the compound movement mechanism for supporting the tracing means in overhanging relation to a work support; means for efiecting movement of the tracing means through the com pound movement mechanism; and a control operable by pressure applied in a generally horizontal direction for lifting the movement-effecting means out oi operative position.

13. In a machine of the character described, the combination of tracing means; mechanism for permitting universal movement in a plane; supporting means on said mechanism for supporting said tracing means in overhanging relation to work; a traction surface; traction means for efiecting movement of said mechanism and the tracing means carried thereby; said traction means being connected with said mechanism so as to be moved relative thereto in lifting the traction means oiI oi the traction surface and so as to be angularly adjustable; means for lifting and means for adjusting said traction means actuated by controls located upon said supporting means.

14. In a machine of the character described, a tool; means for causing relative travel between the tool and work along a path; said means including a raised track having opposite lateral surfaces; power means; a pair of rollers operatively connected to said power means and movable in opposition each on one of said surfaces and in fixed relation to each other on either side of the track; and means spaced from said rollers and traveling in contact with one of the lateral surfaces 01. the track and for maintaining said rollers always in fixed relation'with respect to the track.

15. In a machine of the character described, a tool; supporting means for the tool for causing relative travel between the tool and work being operated upon along a path; said means including a templet track and a pair of irustoconical rollers straddling the track and engaging the upper edges thereof; means for communicattool; power means; means for causing travel 0! said tool along a path, said means including a templet track and a pair of driving members operatively connected to said power means and travelling along opposite surfaces of the track in fixed relation to each other; and means connected with said members and having leverage upon one of such surfaces for malntaining'the members in contact with the surfaces.

1'7. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of tool elements having coplanar axes; means for causing travel of said tool elements and for maintaining the plane containing their axes at all times intersecting their line of movement at the same angle, said means including power means, rollers operatively connected to said power means, and a templet along opposite sides of which said rollers travel in straddling relationship thereto; means providing a fixed surface; and an arm associated with said rollers having means thereon for travel along and in engagement with the fixed surface for main taining the rollers in proper position on opposite sides of said track.

18. In a machine for operating a plurality of rotatable tool elements simultaneously and progressively along a line of travel in fixed relation to each other, and for maintaining said elements in constant relation with respect to the line of travel; the combination with said tool elements of. means for effecting relative travel between said tool elements and the work upon which said elements operate; means for guiding said elements along the desired path; means for automatically maintaining the rotational position of said elements with respect to said path regardless of any change in the direction of said path; said guiding and maintaining means including a curved track and a pair of rollers travelling on opposite sides of said track; means for communicating movement of the rollers along the track to said tool elements; and guiding means for maintaining the rollers in proper relation to the track.

19. In a machine of the character described, a templet, a templet follower for automatically following the course of said templet, a tracing member free to move about its axis and universally in a plane in response to the motion of said templet follower, and pivot means for turning said tracing member from its normal position about a second axis angularly disposed with respect to said first-mentioned axis.

20. In a machine of the character described, a templet, .a templet follower for automatically following the course of said templet, a tracing member free to move about its axis and universally in a plane in response to the motion of said templet follower, pivot means for turning said tracing member from its normal position about a second axis angularly disposed with respect to said first-mentioned axis, and means for holding said pivot means and said tracing member in at least one predetermined angular position about said second axis.

ROBERT L. WAGNER.

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