US2177075A - Automatic lid strapping machine - Google Patents

Description

H. PAxcN Er A1. AUTOMATIC LID STRAPPING MAcHlNE Original Filed Sept. 5, 1933 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 oct. 24, 1939. 2,177,075

E611. /sl 46 '335 552 /96 Oct. ,24, 1939. l

H. PAXTON El' AL AUTOMATIC LID STRAPPING MACHINE original Filed sept. 5, 193:5

7 Sheets-Sheet 2 oct. 24, 1939. H; PAXTON ETA; 2,177,075

AUTOMATIC LID STRAPPING MACHINv l origina; Filed slept. 5, 19:53 7 sheets-sheet s IIIIHIII.;V /88 Oct. 254, 1939. H.. PAx'roN Er M 2,177,075

A AUTOMATIC LID STRABPNG MACHINE a Original iledept. 5, 1933 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Oct. 24, 1939. H. PAxTON Er Al. 2,177L075 AUTOMATIC LID STRAPPING MACHINE! Original Filed Sept. 5, 1933 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Oct. 24, A1939*. H. PAxToN er Al.

AUTOMATIC LID STRAPPING MACHINE original Filed sept. 5, 19:53

'7 Sheets-Sheet 6 m x. m u m Oct. 24, 1939. PAXTON AL 2,177,075

AUTOMATIC LID STRAPPING MACHINE Original Filed Sept'. 5, 19.33 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 Qaa/ FIG. I3.

L of a strap of round, fiat ,or other cross section which is Patented ocr. `24, 1939 PATENT OFFICE 2,171,075 AU'roMA'rro Lm smrrxNG MAcrmrn Hale Paxton, Gerald c. Paxton,

Benson, Santa Ana,

and Barry D.

Calif., .assigner-s to Acme Steel Company, Chicago; Ill.,l a corporation of Illinois Original application September 5, 1933, Serial No.4 688,104, now Patent No. 2,084,048, dated June 15, 1937. Divided and this application November 23, 1936, Serial No. 112,252

27 Claims..

Our invention relates to the art of securing lids on boxes and particularly to the application across the middle of`a lid of a box so that the ends of said strap exten'd part way down the sides of the b ox and are then secured tothe box sides. While our invention has wide utility, it is particularly useful in thus strapping lids on shipping boxes overlled with fresh citrus fruit and similar farm products, and an embodiment of the invention particularly adapted'for this purpose will b e disclosed in this application.\

This is a divisional' application, the subject 'matter disclosed herein being divided from our copending application for United States Leiters Patent, Serial No. 688,104, illed September 5, 1933, on an Automatic lid nailing and strapping machine, said application having since issued on June 15, 1937, as United States Letters Patent No. 2,084,048.

Among other objects, this invention is directed towards producing al simpler, more compact, andstronger machine for strapping covers on boxes, one which is less expensive to build and operate, one which is easier to service and repair,one Ancre dependable in operation, and a strapping machine which isrelatively easier on the fresh farm products being packaged. n

It is a further object of our invention to produce such a strapping machine which is auto-v matically caused to apply a strap to an object toy be strapped as a result of relative movement be-V tweenl such object and the ,means for supporting the strapper.'

^ In 'a certain type of lidding machine, such as that disclosed in our copending application aforesaid, the box to be lidded is elevated into engagement with nail chucks disposed over the ends of the lid to be applied to the box and these lid ends are thus forced downwardlyonto the ends of the box. vThis upward movement of the box is then continued to elevate the nail chucks, the nail drivers beingv held stationary thereabove on the frame. This causes the nails to be held stationary by the driverswhile the chucks are lifted and p the work is impaled upon-the nails so that the latter are, lin effect, driven through the lid ends and mtothe box ends to complete che adding of the box. l

It is an objectoof our invention to provide a strapping machine which is adapted to be mountd in such a lidder and to be actuated to strap the middle .portion of a lid onto a box while the ends of said lid are being nailed to the ends of `said box in saidl lidder. l

(ci 1 10) L It is a still further object of our invention to provide such a strapper which will perform the strapping operation last mentioned hereinabove in responseto relative vertical movement between the overhead structure and the box.

Yet another object of our invention is .to provide a strapping machine which, during a strapping operation, applies a substantially constant pressure to the object'being strapped thereby.

The manner of accomplishing theforegoing objects, as well as further objects and` advantages, will be made manifest in the lfollowing description taken-.in connection with accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a'plan view of a box lidder incur--l porating a preferred embodiment of our invention. I

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of Fig'. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary diagrammatic perspective view illustrating a detail ofthe mechanism of the aforesaid lidder for actuating the sloping table thereof. o

' Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the lidder shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 4 and illustratingv the lidding ,machine just after a lid has been nailed and strapped to a box and they operators foot released from the control pedal. Fig. 6 is a vdiagrammatic view of the control switch of said box lidder.

Fig. 7 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line l-l 'of Fig. 4.

l Fig. 8 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken 4on the' line 8-8 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 isa. fragmentary detailview of theV nail-` ing mechanism' of the aforesaid lidder, said view being taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8 and illustrating the step in the operation of said lidder where a box of fruit is rising into contact with a l d in the process of lidding said box.

, Fig. l0 is 'a view similar to Fig. 9 and illustrating the position of the parts thereof at the ins ant when the driving of nails through the lide s into the box ends is completed.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged transverse vertical, sectional view taken on the line II-il of Fig. 4 and showing the strapping machine of our invention with its parts positioned as at the beginning of a strapping operation and' showing -a box of fruit elevated to substantially the same position in which such a box is shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is a view similar tov Fig. l1 and illustrates the strapping machine of our invention just vafterthe firstl step inthe strapping operai tion which results in .vpreshaping the strap.

posts.

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12 and illustrating the strapping machine of -our invention after the'next step inv thestrappingoperationwhich results in the shaping of the box cover and the tensioning of the .driver'actuating springs.

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 13 and illustratinga strapping machine just after the 'final step takes place in the strapping operation which results in the release of the drivers permitting these to make a strap securing movement relative to the strap positioning vjaws which movement,

in the present embodiment, drives the strap ends into the sides'of the box. ,N

Referring specifically to the drawings, we have shown therein a box lidder 35, including a frame 36, an elevator 31, a nailing mechanism 38, a-

strapper 39 comprising a preferred .embodiment of our invention, and a control mechanism 46.

The frame 36 The frame 36 includes a rectangular base 4| having a heavy transverse channel iron 42 shown in Figs. 4, 6 and '7 and four posts 43 which are rigidly secured to the corners of the base 4|I and extend vertically upward therefrom. As

43 are connected by bars 46 and by spacers 41.

Upper ends of side pairs of the posts 43 (Fig. are connected together by relatively heavy side plates 4 8 which perform an important function of the frame 36 which will be explained hereinafter While the side plates 48 might. be formed Iintegral with the corner posts 43 they are preferably bolted to said posts.

Retained in a suitable aperture in the-forward side plates 48 is apush pin 55 (Figs. 1, 4 arid 5) having a knob on its outer end.' This pin is free to play in and out through said aperture but its inner end is upset to prevent itsbeing removed therefrom.

Also provided on, the posts 43 are cam tracks 56, as shown in Fig. '1, and stop lugs 51, the lat-'- ter being preferably welded-in place on these The frame 36 also includes a channel iron 58 shown in Figs. 4 andy 7, said channel iron being preferably welded at its ends to the frame bars 46. The channel iron 58 has an aperture formed vertically therethrough at its middle through which a hollow standard 59 extends, the lower end of' this standard resting on the channel iron 42 and is .preferably welded to' these channel irons.` Also extending between and secured at. theirends to the channel irons 42 and 58 are angle-iron motor struts 66.v

The elevator 37 The elevator 31 'and associated devices will now' be described. This elevator includes an electric motor `65 bolted onto' the motor struts 66, Yas clearly shown in Fig. 7, this motor having a drive pinion 66 which is preferably formed \of,ber. The pinion 66 meshes with a jack gear 61 having a nu't 68 formed within the nubi-hereof, this gear being rotatably mounted ona bearing 69 inserted. in the upper end of the'hollow standard, as clearly shown in Fig. '1.

Covering the pinion 66 and gear 61 is a 'gear housing brake 16 havinga brake lining 1| of the L flat ring type, this lining `beingdisposed just above the outer rim ofthe gear 61, as clearlyk shown in Fig. '1. The brake 16 is positionediin a horizontal plane and has its vertical move* 86 (see Fig. l).

- flusher arms H6. Just planeas its main fiusher blade I8.

' cal adjustment'thereon.

ment upward limited by cap screws 12, compression springs 13 coiled about these screws constantly urging the brake into disengaged posias shown, this screw having a cap plate 15, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. Provided on the lower end of the screw 14 is a'gulde spider 16.

Resting on and rigidly secured to the cap lplate is a central cross-beam 19 of a nailing table 86. This table 86 includes longitudinal side 5 beams 8| and 82ewhich are /welded to opposite en ds of the cross-beam 19 and have their opposite ends connected by end cross-bars 85`and .The opposite ends of' these cross-bars extend into the angles produced by adjacent flanges of the angleviron posts 43,.as l

clearly shown in Figs. 3 and '7, so that said posts are adapted y to guide any vertical movement of Provided onthe ,beam 19,as by welding, so as ward position of the table 86, as shown in Fig. '1,A

plungers V95 bear against gear housing brake 16 forcing the brake lining `1I- against the jack gear Thetable 86 (Figs. 4, 5 and 7) also has provided thereon a pair of side fiushers H6. Each of these fiushers has a shaft I||, opposite ends of which are journalled in suitable apertures in the table end cross-bars 85 and 86, and each of these `shafts 4is provided at its opposite ends with upwardly disposed -cam arms |12 carrying rollers 3 adapted to travel on the cam tracks Coniined pairs of the arms ||4 being connected by springs ||5 which yieldably hold the cam rollers ||3 against the cam tracks 56.

Secured. preferably as by weldingto each shaft |I| and extending upwardly therefrom, as clearly shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 7, are pairs of spring below their upper ends these arms ||6 are bent outwardly to formv recessesV ||1 (Fig, 11) ASecured to the upper ends of each lpair of spring arms |6 is a main iiusher blade HI8. Each of the blades `||8 has an upwardly extending lid centralizing iingr I9. Ex-

tending. downwardly andoutwardly from oppo; 1

site ends of each flusher blade |18 are brackets I26'through which screws I2 extend, inner ends of these screwsl screwing into'auxiliary flusher J blade;I |22. Compression springs |23 between the blades |22 and thelbrackets |26 constantly urge each auxiliary blade inwardly into thejsame l As will be noted in Figs. 4 and bladesA |6 by the use of a sloil and bolt connectionare mounted on the spring arms |||i in such 5, the usherl a manner as to; permit a limited degree of vertil Fixed on spring arms H6 on each of the side fiushers-|16 is a box guide rail |28, oppositeends |29 of this rail being adapted to engage sidesof a box on the table 66 so as to centralize this box laterally when the 'fiushers |I6 are swung in- Mounted-on the endmost 'spring armsvll, as

clearly shown in Figs. 4, 5, (tand 7, are box locating cams '|30, the function of which is to centralbox longitudinally, when said ilushers are in, by engaging' the ends of the box in a longitudinally strapping relation therewith.

Extending through opposite end portions of the front and reaxubeams 8| and 82 of the table 80 arebolts |32 and |33 on which rollers |34 'are rotatably mounted. Pivotally mounted on the bolt |32 is'a tiltingvrollerl conveyer |40, this con- -vey'er' including side members |4| and an end member |42 (Fig. 3),. the latter being at the receiving end ofthe table 80. Pivotally mounted on .the end bar 86 of the table 80, 'as clearly shown iriFig. 3, is a bell crank |43 having a roller on one'arm thereof engaging the lower surface of the member |42 and having the otherarm thereof connected by a. link |44 to one of the downwardly extending flusher arms ||4. The operation of the bell crank |43I and link |44 is such that when the table 80 is in. its lowermost positionfas shown in Fig. 4, conveyer |40 is tilted. Provided o'n the conveyer in between the rollers |34 is a sevries of. idle rollers |45. The roller |45 at the middle ofthe table 80 is shorter than the balance of these rollers, as clearly shown in Fig. 7, and is pivotally 'mounted at its ends on U-shaped .above th table 80. l

brackets |41 which extend around the cylinders 81 and permit access to these cylinders from At the left-hand end of Fig. 4 is diagrammatically illustrated a'box stop |53 which is mounted on the table 80 'and which is adapted to engage the forward end of a box fed onto the tableA 80 andi properly position this box'for lidding in the machine 3.5. A

' Provided on the front table beam 8|, as clearly ting a box `sto be fed from. the conveyer |13 onto the conveyer |40 .on the table 80. 'Asthe box 'shown in Figs. -3 and 4; is a downwardly extendmg shut-off cam and a safety rod guide and shut-off finger |66, the purpose of thesebeing made evident hereinafter.

As shown diagrammatically at the right-hand edge of Figs. 4 and 5 the machine 35 is` provided with a novel box feeding mechanism |61. This v apparatus includes a bracket |68 mounted on the table cross bar 86 and pivotally carrying a catch |69 having a release linger |10 and urged into upright position by a spring |1| This apparatus alsoincludes a box feed conveyer |13, this being -equipped with a. roller stop |15 which is spring pressed upwardly into boxstopping position in which itv is shown'in Fig. I5. The'stop |15 has a hook finger |16 which lies in the path of' the catch |69 as the latter moves vertically with the -table during the operation of the machine 35.

Itis thus seen that each time the'table 80 descends-at the completion cfa lidding and strapping operation, the catch'169 engages thevlnger |16 and depresses' the stop roller |15 thus permit- The noi-ling mechanism y The nailing mechanism 3 8 consists primarily'x vof two naiung units iss and las (Fig. 4), these v bei-ng substantially identical so that a description of onegwith an explanation of the differences .extending end thereof, an upwardly g is a lid centralizer Figs. 8, 9 and 10 strapper limit bar lugs 220 exlchuckbeam 208 and will suflice for both. The'nailing unit |89 (Figs. 8 and 9) has sideslide bars |90 having pins |9| by which the unit may be supported upon the side plates 40 of the frame, these units normally beingA rigidly mounted upon the side plates 48 by cap screws |93 extending through holes in the side plates 40 and being threadedly received in suitable holes provided in the side slide bars Securedto lower ends of the side slide bars |90 are chuck beam stops |94, having alid guiding hook |95 secured thereon. Extending between and preferably rigidly connected at itsopposite ends to theupper ends of vthe side slide bars |90 is' across-bar |96, this bar having stripper supporting ears |91 (Figs. l, 8 and 9), a bearing |98 provided by a rearwardly extending spring hanger |99 pivoted thereon, and a picker operating cam lever 200 pivotally mounted thereon. The spring'hanger |99 is connected to the i cross bar |96 by a'single cap screw 20|. Formed in the lower face'of the cross-bar |96 is aigroove 205, and square nail drivers 206 have their upper ends held in place in the groove 20.5 by a key 201 which extends into suitable notches providedin the. drivers 206, the key 201 being secured in any suitable manner to the lower face of the cross- -bar |96.

Disposed between the side rslide bars |90 (Figs. 8. 9 and 10) is a chuck beam 208 vhaving guide Shoes 209 provided on itsopposite ends, these guide shoes embracing the side slide vbars |90 so as to guidel the chuck beam vertically thereon. Y Chuck beam 208 has mounted thereon, just beneath the nail picker cam 200, a cam actuating roller 2| 3 (see Fig. 8). Secured to the guide'shoe 209 at the front of the machine and on nailing unit |89 alone is a control rod guide vand release finger 2|8 (Fig.` 4). Provided on the upper edge of the chuck beam 208 at the middle of the beam spring lug 2|9. As shown .in

tend inwardly from -the central. portion of the chuck beam |200. Pivotally mounted at their opposite ends on the spring hanger- |99 and on opposite ends of scopic spring spindles 22| on which heavy. compression springs222 are mounted under constant tension. Provided onv the-lower edge vof the-chuck 5 beam 208 and extending inwardly is a pair. of

crown lsheet attaching eyes 223. Y

Formed on the chuckv beam 208 (Figs. 8, 9 and l0) and extending inwardly across1 its entire length is a chuck spring supporting boss 224, chucksprings 225 being securedby screws to an inclined lower face of this boss and extending through suitableJnotches in the lower edge of the downwardly on the opposite side of the chuck beam. The lower ends of the chuck springs 225 are bent to extend vertically downward and pockets 226 are formed in these springs, preferably byexpressing the material thereof outwardly.

Yieldably held against the chuck beam 209 by suitable springs (not shown) is a compound spring chuck block`-23| shown in Fig. 9. 'Ifhis block 23| has a plurality of driver guideways 2 2 provided therein and a rearwardly exten ding b ss 233oppo'site-eacl1 of these guideways, this boss providing a nail feeding duct 234 leading into the channel 232 and inwardly inclined faces against whichchuck springs 235 are secured by the chuck beam 208 are tele--4 i after.

screws. v These springs are substantially identical with springs 225 and extend inwardly and downwardly to cooperate with the springs 225 in a manner vwhich will be made manifest herein- Removably supported in each of the ducts 234 and connecting therewith is a nail funnel 231.

Mounted on the chuck beam 288 are brackets 242, these pivotally carrying opposite ends of an end tucker 243 and a lid depressor and centralizer 244. The end tucker 243 comprises two substantially cylindrical bodies, oneof which is disposed on the axis of rotation of the tucker and the other of which is disposed parallel with the first body and radialiy therefrom, the two being connected by a substantially continuous web of metal.A After extending through the rearmost bracket 2,42 the tucker 243 provides an arm 245 which extends outwardly therefrom, as shown in Fig. 8. The tucker 243Y normally extends downwardly at an angle as clearly shown inFig. 9 so that it is adapted to support an end of a box lid as shown in this figure. Secured on the tucker 243` to provide a stop for the rear 'edge of such a lid 'is a-cam member 246. Also formed in the' tucker 243, as clearly shown in Figs. 8 and 9, is a pair of slots 241.

The lid depressor and `centralizer 244 has a cross-section as shown in Figs. 9 and 10 and includes a body 248 having arcuate `guardsi2l|9 extending downwardly into-the lgrooves 241 in the tucker 243, and a lip 258 which extends inwardly from the body 248 at the upper edge thereof land is provided with suitable notches 258a opposite each of thev nail driver guideways `232. 4The lid depressor and centralizer 244 has an upwardly extending hump 25| (Figs. 9 and 10) to which is pivotally secured ahclevice. 252 carrying a -rod 253 which extends through a suitable aperture inv the lug 2 I9, a compression spring 254 being coiled about the` rod 253, said spring constantly urging said lid depressor and centralizer 244 to rotate downwardly into the position in which it is shown' in Figs. 8 and 9.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 1, 3, 4, 8, v9 and 10, it will beseen that the nailing nit |89 also includes a nail hopper 268 having a floor 26|, a rear wall 262, ano side walls 263the inner ends of the latter being p ivotally connected to the hopper mounting lugs |91. The hopper side walls are also connected by links 264 to the reinforcing block 2|| of the chuck beam 288. Extending from the upper edge of the rear wall 262 to spaced points inthe oor 26| are nail agitating rodsI 265, there being nail advancing slots 266 (see Figs. 1 and 8) extending forwardly from these rods to a front edge 2,61 of the oor 26|. Formed in the edge 261 adjacent 'each of the,slots 266 is a relatively small notch 268. The hopper 268 has a xe'd baille wall 269 extending between the walls 263\and rigidly secured thereto, there being clearance between the lower edge of the wall 269 and the oor V26| adjacent the slots266 to permit nail heads to pass underneath the baie wall 269 as the stems of the nails extend through the slots zes. Pivotany mounted between the walls 263 isa pivoted baille 218, this bafile having a flange 21|y at its upper end and a set screw212 when the hopper 268 is extended upwardly, as

75 in spaced relation by spacers 215. Each of the a driver release cam 29 forl limiting itsodownward swinging movement shown in Figs. .5 and 10. .Also extending between thewalls. 263 is a rod 2-13 on which are pivotally mounted a series of traps 214, these being held 2,177,076 traps 2.14 is disposed over one ofthe slots 266,

as'clearly shown in Fig. 1.

As shown in Figs. 1, 8, 9 and 10, two brackets 288 areconnected to the lower surface of the hopper floor 26| and extend forwardly beyond the front edge 261 of said floor. Slidably mounted on these brackets is a picker bar 28| having a pair of slots 282 through which cap screwsr283 y extend, these screws then'screwing 'into lsuitable apertures inthe brackets 288. .Fixed ifoirtllel picker bar 28| is an actuating arm 285, the extremity of which is bent as shown in Fig. 8 to extend into the upper bifurcated end of the camv! lever 288 by which the picker bar 28| is adapted to be actuated. As` shown in Figs. `l and 8, a coil spring 286 attaches to one of the brackets 288 and to the picker bar 28| so as to constantly urge this picker bar into-the position in which lt.

'is shown in Fig. 8. 'i

The picker bar 28| has ltslower edge both parallel and close to the front edge 261 of the hopper floor 26|, and this edge of the picker bar is provided with a series of pairs of notches,'one

pair for each of the slots 266 'of the hopper iioor. Each of these pairs of notches comprises a small notch ,281 and a large notch 288, the notch 281 l of each of these pairs being opposite one of the notches 268 when thev picker bar is positioned as shown'in Fig. 9, while the large notchv 288 of that pair is on the opposite side of that notch 268 froml the sloil 266 adjacent that notch v268. The

notches 281 and`.288 are spaced" apartf the same distance from their centers asis each of the slots 266 and adjacent notch 268. v

In 'the operation of the machine, a considerable quantity of nails are carried in the hopper 268, which apply a considerable pressure to the pivotal connection between the links 264 and the inner portions of the hopper walls 263. `Owing to the fact that these links and innerportions of the wallsv 263 form toggle joints-and the weight of .the nails thus applied to the intermediate pivots of these joints tends to maintain the links of these toggle joints in extended relation,V the weight of these nails i's thus effective in strongly restricting the elevation of the chuck beam. 288.

'I'he weight 'of these nails on thesetoggle joints, however, is yieldable and as will be pointed out hereinafter, is overcome in the operation of the lmachine by the upward pressure against the chuck beams 288, so that the links 264 lift, swingingthe hopper pans and the load of nails carried therebyv upwardly and collapsing said toggle joints formed the links 264 and the hopper walls 263. l y .f We have now completed .the description of the nailing unit |89. The nailing unit |88 is 'an exact duplicate of nailing unit |89 excepting that instead of a hook L95 being formed on the forward 'ghuck beam stop |94, the corresponding chuckA beam stop in nailing unit |88-merely has a shallow V-shaped lid end guide 2 89, as shown in Fig. 4. Connecting the lugs 228 of thenailing units |88 aryl |89 is a strapper'heightilimit bar 298.

' The 'strapper 39 The strapper 39 ofour invention is best shown `in Figs. 1, 2, 4, '1, 11, 12,-13-and14. This strapper includes a pairlof bridge bars 292- mounted on blocks 293 securedto the frame side platesI 48 of our invention. Rotatably mountedbetween the bridge bars 292 are rollers 294 and spring heads -295 and 296, the' spring heads 295 being vdirectly beneath the rollers 294. .Each bridge bar 292 has l 1 rigidly secured thereon t and the rollers 294 and spring heads 295 is a 4strapper stem 299, this stem consisting of two plates 300 having a 'roller 30| rotatably mounted between Ithese plates on a suitable spacer.- The lower ends of the plates 300 extend onopposite sides of and are rigidly secured lto a sa'ddlebar 302, the stem and saddle bar having a vertically elongated opening 303 through which'the strapper height limit bar 290 extends.

'Ihe saddle bar 302 has an arched conformation.

corresponding'approximately with the transverse shape which it is desired that this bar transmit to the `middle portion of a lid to ,be strapped. The

' lower face of thisbar is provided with arecess 301 pins 309 mounted on-opposite ends of said saddle bar. Pivotally mounted on .the pins A3.89- in the winch connects at its opposite ends to vertical strapv jaw guideways 308A through which extend recesses 308 are strapper jaws 3|0, each jaw comprising a pair of plates 3|| which'are spaced at their lower 'ends by a strap end stop 3| 2. The

lowerextremities of the plates 3|| are bent outwardlyto form strap end guides for assisting in feeding a strap into the strapper 39.

Disposed between the plates 3| I and also pivotally mounted on the pins 309 of each jaw 3|0l is a driver 3|3, the function of which is to secure an end offa strapv to a side of a box. An upper end of each driver 3|3 is connected by? a clevis 3|4 to va rod 3|5 which extends through a spring head 295. A coil compression spring 3|6 surrounds the yrod 3|5 and is maintained under tension by a' head 3|1 on the end of the'rod 3|5. The upper end 'of each driver 3| 3 also pivotally connects to a link 322 of a toggle'323, the other link 324 of this toggle being pivotally connected tothe jaw 3|0 by a pin 325. Th'e links 322 and 324 :are connected together by a pin 326, this pin vhaving a spring 321 attached to one of its extending Yends, the other end of the `spring being attached to the saddle bar 302. 'I'heopposite end of the pin 326 carries'a roller 328 which is-disposed directly beneath the oblique cam face 298 o'f one of' the cams 291.

Whenever. the links 322 and 324 are free to respond to the tension of the springs 325 pulling on the pins 326, the toggles 323 are pulled in by v these springs with the pins 326.resting against the strapvdrivers 3|3. 4 When thus disposed the toggles 323 lock the drivers 3|3 to the jaws 3l| so as to impart rotary movement from the driv-v ers tothe jaws as will be made clear hereinafter in describing the operation of the -strappen This locked conditionof the toggles 323 is illustrated. in Figs. l1, 12 and 13. The collapse of these tog-V gles in which theirlocked condition is temporarily destroyed, together .with the effect thereofabove described, is shown in Fig. 14.

Journalled in the bearings |98'of the cross-bars |96 ofthe two-nailing units |88 and |89 is a shaft 332 having arms 333 at its opposite ends, as shown in Figs. 1 and 8, these arms being connected by links 334 with the arms 245 (Fig. 12) on the end tuckers 243 (Fig. 9). inclusive, the shaft 332 carries an arm 335 opposite the strap-per 39,*this arm having a clevis 336 pivoted' thereon, a rod 331 onV this clevis extending through the spring head 296 and carrying a' coil compression spring`338 which constantly tends to rotate the shaft 332 and maintain the end tuckers 243 rotated into their downwardmost an oblique cam face As shown in Figs. 11 to 14 position in which extending ends of these tuckers engage the brackets 242 as shown in Fig. 9.

Pivotally connected tothe upper end ofthe arm 335 is a wedge 339 which overlies oneof the rollers 2534 and extends beneath the strapper stem roller 30| as shown in Fig. Il.

Pivotally connected at their outer ends to crown sheet ears 223 and loosely connected at their inner endsto the strapper saddle bar.302 by bolts 302 provided on said bar, as shown in Figs. 1, 4, 8, 9 10 and l0, are lhalves 340 `(Flg. 2) of a crown sheet 34|. Lugs 340 provided 'on the crown sheet -halves 340 slide horizontally on the bolts 302 .of which are lifted by suitable springs', disposed thereunder so as to permit the outer ends of said y jaws to swing upwardly and outwardly lwhen` broughtinto verticaleng'agement with the side slats of a lid, said jaws thus being separated to spread said side slats laterally.

The control mechanism 40 The control mechanism 40 of our invention in- 'cludes a switch 343 which ispreferably mounted on a suitable bracket 344 fixed upon the channel member 42, as shown in Fig. 7. `The switch 343 is diagrammatically shown in Fig. 6 and is an ordinary reversing switch interposed between the main line conductors a, b, and c and the three terminals of the motor 65. The switch 343 includes a stem 345 having twosets of contact makersX and Y. When the stem 345 is positioned as shown in Fig. 6, the motor 65 is shut of and .no contact is made by either of the contactl makers X or Y. When the stem 345 is moved upwardly the electrodesa, b, and c are connected with the motor 65' through a circuit X" elevate the table 80. When the stem 4345 is moved downwardly from the position in which4 it is shown in Fig. .6, the electrodesJa, b, and c -are connected through a' circuit Y with the F cross-bar46 r`(Fig. 5) of the frame 36 is a control rock vshaft 360 having two arms 36| and 362 extending' forwardly therefrom, an arm 363 extending upwardly therefrom, and one arm 365 'to cause the motor to run in a direction so as to extending rearwardly therefrom. The arm 365 is pivotally connected to a link 366 which extends downwardly, as shown in Fig. 7, and is provided with va horizontal loop 361which encircles the rod 341 between the collars 348 and 349. The

arm 353 engages the downwardly extending shut- Aoff cam |65 when the table 80 is in its lowerniost position, as shown in Figs. 4 and 7, so as to rock of all pressure Vfrom the eye 361 and permit this v the shaft 360A arid relieve the switch stem 345 Y switch to assume the position shown in Fig. 6 in 70 which it shuts 01T the motor 65.

Pivotally connected with the arm 36| (Fig.- 7) is 'a rod 310 which extends downward through a guide bracket 31| mounted on the frame base 4| and connects at itslower end to a foot pedal 312 75 rent capable .of driving directions when these t shown in Fig.`4. The box B is shown as overlled i end' is hush with pin 55 inwardly so that .resumes control of which is pivotally mounted on the base 4|. The rod 316 has a collar 313, a compression spring 314 between this collar and the bracket 31|, and a pair of lock nuts 315 beneath the bracket 31| to limit the action of. the spring 314 on the rod 316 when the pedal 312 is relieved from all manual pressure.

I Connetedby a clevis-to the 'arm 362 (Figs. 4

and 5) and extending. upwardly is a safety shut-- oir rod 316, this rod extending upwardly through t suitable holes inthe safety shut-off fingers |66 and 2|8. Mounted on the upper end of this rod is a head 311, this head having asuitable opening therein having a chamfered edgeand adapted to receive the 316 vertically in such'a position that the switch 343 will shut off 'the motor 65.

Normally pin 55 is pulled forwardly until its rear the rear face -of the plate 43 so as not to interf e with'the' free vertical movemen't of the` rod 3 6 and the head 311 on its upper end. Whenever it becomes necessary to de-enwhen the table |46 er'gize the motor indefinitely, is in an elevated position, the operator pushes the it extends into a tapered hole inthe head 311 and neutralizes the position of the rod 316, thus causing 'electricity to the motor 65 to be shut o. Whenever the operator desires to return to normal operation of the machine, he merely pulls the pin 55 forwardly and the machine through the foot pedal 312. 't Operation l In commencing the operation of our machine 35, the parts thereof a're positioned as shown' in Figs 1li 4r 6 7: 8:

the views are views illustrating the machine duraredelivered toward themachineon the conveyor |13.' Also the conductors a, b, and c` are connected to a suitable the motor 65 in opposite conductors are connected with this motor through the circuits X' and Y'.

4As' will be noted in Figs'. 4,6 and '1, the control -eye 361 ofv the switch 343 is now contact with either of the collars 346 or 346, thus permitting the spring neutralize the switch stern 345 and shut off the motor. 65. As before mentioned, this tion of lthe eye 361 results from engagement between the table shut-olf armv 363iand the shut-olf. cam |65 when the table 36 is in its shown in Figs. 4 and 7.

It is also desired to point. out that at this time the plungers yieldably'holdthe gear housing brake 16 downwardly withthey lining 1| pressed against the gear 61, as shown in Fig. '7. It is also noted that. the side flushers ||6 are swung' outwardly as shown in Fig. 7, and that the receiving end of the tiltable conveyer |46 is as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. At is held downward byhe catch |69. A-box. B is thus fed from the conveyer section |13. Owing to the inclination of the conveyer section |13 in.

the direction of the machine 35. the box Bnow rolls by gravity onto the tilting' conveyer |46 where its foremost end engages the stop |53, as

with oranges, a superposed layer of which extends above the upper edges yof the box. v

push pin so as to adjust the rod 9 and 11. The balance of source of three phase cur- 346 0f the switch 343 to.

lowermost position, as

this ti'me' also the stop |15 I the notch 361 along bar 362. The space between thev plates 3| ofthe jaws 3|6, 'as shown in Fig. 2, is just sufficient chine', as clearly shown in Figs. 4, 9 and 11, so that lid formed of' a plurality of spaced parallel longldisposed out of .to-slidably receive the strap ends E.

' "rne-speratormow inserts a 11d L in the maends of the lid rest upon the end tuckers 243, .the

. rear edgeof the lid engagingthe stops 246 provided on these tuckers. The lid L is a unitized tdinal slats ofrelativey thin material, such as aly wood, connectedy at their opposite. ends by relatively thin transverse to the slats.

The machine 35 is a power cycle of operation for nailing and strappingJ the lid L to the box B. The entire operation is brought about bythe operator stepping on' the foot pedal V312 and the progress of the operation is retainedrunder. control of the operator by his manipulating this pedal.

When this pedal is depressed, the eye 361 end cleats stapledvor nailed engages the collar 346, and lifts this'to cause the switch 343 to complete the circuit X- between the conductors a, This causes the motor to rotate thegear 61 and the nut 63, thereby lifting the jack screw 14 and the table 66 mounted thereon. 'Ihe braking y action of the. lining 1| against the gear 61 is insumcient to overload the motor. in starting. A quarter revolution of the 'gear 61 lifts the plungers 35 clear of housing 16 thereby entirely releasing the brake.

` As the nailing -table' 86, carrying the box B,4

starts4 upwardly the flusher cam rollers ||3 ov inwardly @by the corner post (Fig. 7) are shifted iiush'er cams 56. thus rocking the shafts swinging the side flushers ||6 inwardly into flushing position,

swinging of the arms* attached the link |44, results in rocking the bellcrank |43 to lower the tilting conveyer |46 into horizontal position, as it is" shown in Fig. 5.

As will be' noted in Fig. 7, the upper edges of .o

the superposed. layer oforanges, these oranges 55 being engaged by both the main ilusher blades |l6-and 'the auxiliary blades |22. In case a.A

higher box than the box B were to be fused, theauxiliary blades |22 engage the outerksurface of the sides of the box lso as to compressthe' springs 50 |23 and permit the main blades ||6 to extend inwardly over the upper edges of the box sides and shift the side rows of the oranges inwardly over *the sides.l

-The swinging in of the side flushers |-|6 also .65

brings the b ox centralizers |29 into engagement with sides of the box B thus centrali'zing ythis box laterally on the-nailing table 86 while the springs and longitudinal box centralizing cams |36 en- .gage the ends of the box and centralize this 10 longitudinally in proper position on the nailing table 66 for performing a lidding and strapping operation on-thebox.

'me flushing movement of the side nusners In is timed with the elevation of the table 36 by '.35

now ready-fon initiating. m

b, and c andthe motor 65. a0

and swinging the lower arms ||4fon the shafts outwardly. The outward a y ||4,`to one of which is this releasing the box from the' longitudinal posi? cam tracks 56 so that the lid positioning fingers H9 are brought-inwardly as they come opposite the`-lid L andpositively position the lid L laterally for application to the boxB (see Fig. 11)

At the moment the side ilushers'l I0 comeinto ushing position, as shown'in Fig. 11, the box B has been elevated practically tothe position in r which itis shown fragmentarily in Fig. 9. As

box B -continues therafter to rise theb end` tuckers 243 contact the ends of thebox B .and end oranges in, the'layer. Asz-thebox lifts the end tuckers 243' these lendtuckersswing inwardly, tucking these end 'oranges inwardly over the (box ends and holding these oranges in inward position as they are brought'into' contact with the lid L which is disposedimmediately there- '.above. As'the orangesengage the lidL the lid is lifted bringing its ends against'theA lip 250 of the lid depressorand centralizer 244. The upward swingingof `thej'end tuckers 243 causes the jlid ends to engage-.the lips 250 and swing. the

centralizers '2M-upward. -l

, Fig. v9. shows a cross-section of a chuck beam 208 inthe position in which this remains until `the box B has risen to press the ends of the lid f I.)A onto the ends of the box by forcing the lid ends Vvupwardly against the lips 250, these. lips being /gthennftes 'by me lid ends and Y pressed upwardly against the bottoms of the chuck beams208. Up to' this point the tension under which the springs 222 aremaintained urges the chuck beams 208 into their lowermostpositions on the side slide `bars"'|'90 as shown in Figs. '8 and-9.. When. the.

v lid ends have thus been 'completely pressed upon the box I.B,h wev.'er, further continued upward movement of the-box B lifts the chuck beams 2.08'so as to cause the'drivers 206 to drive nails N- from the recesses 232 downwardly from between the chuck springs 225 and 235 through the lid ends, and into the ends ofthe box as clearly shown in Fig. 10. lIn the embodiment'disclosed, the nailsl N and drivers 206 do not move downwardly but remain stationary while the box and thelid-are impaled upwardly'onto the nails.

When thefbox B has been elevated to the pos-iltion in 'which it isshown in Fig. 10 the release f ing ei"2|8 .on the chuck beam 208 of the nailing unit |89 V(Figs. 1, 4 and 5) has been lifted to engage the head 311 on the safety shut-off rod 316 (see Fig. 5), this engagement rocking the control shaft 360 so as" to1ift the pedal 'A312V against thea-action of the operators foot and depress the eye'v 361 to neutralize the switch 343 and shut off the motor 65. When'. this occurs the operator releases the pedal 3 12, as shown in Fig. 5, this permitting the spring 314'v to lift the rod 310 and therebyv rock theshaft 366 .to press the eye 361 downward and thus lower the stem housing Abrake 10 being forced downwardly-by engagement therewith'ofthe plungers 95, as

clearly shown in Fig. 7. This halts rotation of' the motor '65 and gear 61 with the table 80 returned to its original position.

the table 80 descends the side-flushers ||0 return to their outward position shown in Fig. 7,

l position, as shown in Fig. 3. 'The stop tioning cams |30 Iand swinging the downward extending arms I4 inwardly to -lift the receivingV end of the tiltable conveyer |40 into its elevated be manually or automatically disengaged in anyy desired manner such for instance as shown in our,"

aforesaid copending application.

Owing tothe inclination of the conveyer" |40 onv f the table 80, the box B is now automatically dis` charged from thistable by gravity onto the' discharge conveyer I 83.

with the descent of' the box B from it'vupwardmost position -shown in Figs-f5 and4 1 0, the' .chuck beams 208. descend to the positions indicated in Figs. 8 and 9, these being' forced downwardly by the springs 222 to closely follow the box until the guide shoes 209 come into Vengagement with'the chuck beam stops |94 provided on the lower ends of the side slide bars |90. This reciprocation-of the chuck beams 208 in each Vnailing operation accomplishes through the links 264 the oscillation of the nail hoppers 260 between downwardly inclined positions as shown 'in Figs. 4, 8 and 9 and upwardly inclined posi-I tions as shown in Figs. 5 and 10.

A quantity of nails N are maintained in the hoppers 260 so that these are gradually fed into the slots 266 owing to the oscillationV of the hoppers. The nails thus fed into thevslots 266 slide downwardly in the slots beneath'the transverse baille walls 2 69 and 210 andthe traps 214.

Thus, when the hopper's 2 60 lrock downwardly, as shown in Fig. 9, the traps 214 retain the nails which have passed under thes'e traps from re,-

turning back into the hoppers. A supply of nails is thus always maintained in the slots 266 adjacent the mouths thereof. 4

Whenthe chuck beam 208 moves upwardly inV each nailing operation, it not only tilts the hoppers 260 upwardly, as shown in Fig. 10, but the roller 2|3 shown in Fig. 8 engages the picker op- 'erating cax'n lever 200 so as to shift the picker bar 20| rearwardly. This causes a nail to be fed vfrom theA mouth of each of the slots 266 into the small picker bar notch 281 nowV disposed opposite this slot. As the hopper 260 starts to swing downwardly the roller 2|3 releases the lever 200 permitting lthe spring 286 to shift the picker bars r28| to its. other position as shown in Fig.

8. This brings the notches 281 opposite the4 notches 268 in the front edge 261 of the iioor 26| with this floor in downwardly inclined position as shown in Fig. 9. vThe nails N' carried in the notches 281 are thus transferred to the notches 268. As the shifting of the pickerbar 28| back to its nail receiving position starts before the hopper 260 has again been swung into its upwardlyinclined position,`the nails Nv thus delivered to the notches 268 remain in these notches when the picker bar 28| moves back to its rearmost position. Thus,` with the .upward swinging of the' hoppers 260v the nails Ain the notchesl 268 are discharged therefrom through 'the large notches 288 land these nails fall down-v wardly into the nail funnels 231 with the latter positioned as shown' in Fig. 10. Operating in this manner, the hoppers 260 deliver a single nail to` each of the nail funnels 231 of each of the nailing units |88 cycle.4 j u l The operation of the strapper 39 occurs 'simuland |89 duringeach nailingy taneously and automatically during the opera- 'tion of the nailing mechanism 38. When the ends of box B engage the end tuckers 243 so as to lift thesey upwardly from the positionsL indicated in Fig. 9 to the positions indicated in Fig.

v10, the arms 245 on these end tuckers are swung y mitted through the vtoggles 323 to the jaws 3I0 so that the latter are swung into substantiallyA vertical positions as shown in Fig. 12. This ac tion of the wedge 339 is thus seen to shape the ends of the strap S inwardly and bring-the inner faces of the jaws 3I0 into parallelrelationship and spaced apart a distance approximately equal to the width of the box B. This-inward swinging of the jaws 3I0 takes place just as the upper edges of the sidesof the box B come opposite the lower portions of these jaws (Fig. 12') so that with further elevation 'of the box B the jaws slide vertically von the sides of th'e box. Owing to the box B being positioned between the jaws 3|0, these jawsl cannot swing'any further inwardly towards each other and the saddle bar 302 accordingly. is not lifted by contact of the lid L therewith until the pressurebetween the lid and the saddle bar is suicient to compress the springs 3|8. When the ,latter is accomplished, -howeverfthefcov'er has been shaped laterally lto con' form to the saddle bar 302, as shownin Fig. 13.

.The nal elevation of the box B to litt the chuck ,beams 208 and complete the nailing operation ofthe ends of the lid to the ends -of the box lifts the saddle bar 302 to br'ing the rollers' 328 on the toggles 323 into engagement with the oblique faces 298 of the driver release cams 291,

I as shown in Fig. 13', and this contact throws the rolle-rs 328 outwardly over dead center, thus releasing the drivers 3|3 from being locked to the jaws 3I0 by the toggles 323 and permitting the springs 3|8 to swing the drivers '3|3 suddenly inward, thus .driving the pointedstrap ends E into the sides of the box B and securing the ends of the strap S to the sides of the box, as shown in Fig. 14. l

ZAs the strapper saddle bar 302 rises after-` being engaged by the rising .box B the springs 3| 6 are compressed from the condition in which these are shown in Fig. 12 tothe condition in' whichthey are shown in Fig. 13. As this compression progresses the angles at which these springs lie change so that at the height of the ompression of these springs a lesser portion of the total forces exerted by these springs along their axes is applied to pressing the saddle bar 302 downwardly against the lid L of the, box B. As shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the angles at which the springs 3|6 lie with respect tothe horizontal are substantially the same as the angles to the horizontal 'of the springs 222 ofthe nailing/units |188 and |89. These angles are purposely designed to causethese springs during their compression to exert a substantially constant downward pressure vagainst the lid L. This provisionis lespecially useful in the strapper 39 where the shoe 302 is supported only by the middle of the relatively iight' 1id L` and the fruit therebe'neath.

' With the lowering of the table 80, the box merely drops away from the strapper 39 and the strapper resumes the condition in `which ibis shown in'Fig. 11 excepting for the fact that it is emptied ci its strap.

3I0 are loosely connected to the strapper 39 (see Fig. 2) and the strapper 39 is yieldable vertically It "is noted that the crown sheet34| isexpansible vertically owing to the fact that-its halves' independently of the chu'k beams 208 (see Figs.

11, 12, 13 and 14) to whichthe outer ends of the crown sheet are pivotally connected. It is preferable to limit this vertical expansibility of the crown sheet 34| and `this is accomplished by the strapper limit bar 290 which connects the chuck beams 208. In the drawings box B is shown as having a pack of medium height. Ihe height limit bar 290 is thus shown in Figs. 13 and 14 as disposed a considerable distanceabove the lbottom of thevslot 303 in the strapper 39 through which this bar extends. In the event afbox with a pack of maximum height were to be strapped in the machine 35, the s'traatpperl 39 would be lifted so that the bottom of the slots 303 would engage the bar 290, thus limiting 'the upward extremity `to which the center of the crown sheet could be lifted. Thisis for the purpose of preventingthe arching of .thelid L-to -the extent of` drawing the ends o; the lid inwardly proper positionsover the ends of the box.

In the operation ofthe machine 35 thel end tuckers and side fiushers guard theedge rows voi.' iruit -in the superposed layer of oranges and opposite ends 'these oranges almost unnecessary.

makes special care by the operator for guarding the operator has complete control over the vertical movement of thetable at all times and is 'able by manipulation 'of the foot pedal 312 to either stop. vertical`movement of this table by neutralizing this pedal or down or entirely releasing it move the table 80 either upwardly or downwardly respectively. What we claim is:

1. In a lid nailing and strapping machine the combination of: a frame; a nailing table -for receiving a packed box with a lid vdisposed thereover; nail chucks supported on said frame over of said boxand shiftable vertically; nail drivers on said frame disposed ovei and in -vertical alignment with said chucks; means for elevating said table to -lift said box and lid to bring ends'of said lid into contact vwith said' chucks and lift said chucks `to drive nails therefrom through the ends of said lid into the ends of said box; a strapper mounted on said 4frame between said nail chucks, said strapper cally; nail drivers ori said frame disposed over and in vertical4 alignment with said chucks;

from their However, v

by pressingl the pedal means for elevating said tableto lift said boxA and lid to bring ends of said lid into contact with said 'chucks and lift said chucks to drive nails therefrom through the-ends of said lid intojthe ends of said box; a. strapper mounted on' said frame between -said nail chucks, said strapper being vertically movable on said frame; means for operating said strapper coordinately with said nailing operation to apply a' strap transversely u -a table for across the lid of said box and secure its opposite v ends to the oppositel sides of said box; and a bar connected to said chucks and engaging said strapper to limit vertical movement of said sl `strapper relative to said chucks.

3. In a lid nailing and strapping machine the combination of: a frame; a nailing table for re ceiving a packed boxwith a lid disposed therel over; nail chucks supported on said 'frame over I lo opposite ends Aof said box and shiftablef'vertically;` nail drivers on said frame'disposed over 'and in vertical alignment with said chucks;

meansfor. elevating said table to lift said box .Y

and lid to bring ends of said lid into contact is? with said chucks and lift said chucks to drive nails therefrom through vthe ends ci' said lid into the ends of said box; a strapper mounted on said frame in between said nail chucks, said strapper being vertically movable on said frame; o end tuckers extending into the pathoi' said box ends during said lidding operation to tuck superposed contents 'of said box ends as said lid is applied to said box, the upward movement of said box moving said end u tuckers upwardly and outwardly;' mechanism actuated by saidmovement of said end tuckers and operating on said strapper to preshapea strap preparatory to applying said strap tosaid box; 4and means actuated by movement of "said strapper when lifted by said box i'or causing said strapper to secure opposite ends of said strap to opposite sides oi said box.

4. In a strapping machine the combination of: a table for receiving an overillled box with a cover disposed over said box; a strapper unit including a bar disposed above 4and extending transversely across mounted on yopposite ends of said barto piace ends of a strap in position to be secured to sides oi said box, andstrap end securlngdrivers provided on said unit; a lframe onfwhich said table and said unit are mounted;

provided on said frame for causing relative vertical movement between said table and said unit to cause said unit to engage said cover.; elements connected to said strap securing drivers for actuating both said jaws and vsaid drive positive locking means between said drivers and'said jaws to transmit'movement from said members to said jawsand to substantially prevent strap 5 securing movements .of said' drivers relative to said jaws; and means for unlocking said locking means to permit strap securing movements by said drivers.

5. In a strapping machine the combination of:y

receiving .an overiilled box with a cover disposed over said box; a strapper unit including a bar disposed above and .extending 6 -ends of a strap in position to be secured to sides l f to ltransmit movement from said members to said jaws `and to substantially preventl strap securing movements of said drivers relative to said l jaws; means for unlocking said locking means 7 to permit strapsecuring movementsby said1 'of said drivers ends of a strap in positions to to be transmitted to said jaws secured to'sides of said box;

said cover, jawsmovably drivers; ancf'means for applying yieldable pressure to said drivers before the unlocking of said locking means tocause strap securing movements to immediately follow said unlock-mgl i 5 6. In a strapping machine the combination of:

a table for receiving an ovcriilled box with a cover disposed over said box; .a strapper unit including a bar disposed above and extending- `transversely across said covers jaws movably lo mounted on opposite en ds of said bar to place be secured to sides of said box, and strap end securing drivers provided on said unit: a frame on which said table and said unit are mounted, said unit being 15 shiitable vertically en said frame; mechanism provided on said frame for lifting said table to said unit relative to said frame; yieldable pressure links connected to said drivers and said so frame; locking means between said drivers-and said-Jaws, and causing movement of said drivers the initial lifting of said unit causing said links to shift said jaws to place ends of the strap in positions 'to be 25 o and means ior unlocking said locking means after a further lifting of said unit relative to said frame, said unlockingpermitting" a yieldable pressure to be exerted by said links on said drivers to eect .strap securing movements by said drivers relative to said jaws.

7. A combination as in'claim 6in which said' unlocking means is provided on said frame and performs its function as the result oi' said locking Ymeans being brought into contact-therewith incidental to the lifting of said unit on said frame.

'8. A combination as in claim 6 in which said crossbar engages and shapes transversely said cover, 4and said yieldable links exert a substaii-l tial pressure on said cover/ 9. In a' strapping machine the combination of:

a table for receiving an.overfilled box with a cover disposed over jsaid box; astrapper unit including a bardisposed above and extending transversely across saidv cover, jaws movably mounted on opposite ends of said bar to place f ends of a strap adjacent opposite sides of said box for securing said ends to saidsides, strap end securing drivers provided on said unit, spring means, means for applying the force of said spring means both to said drivers and to said Jaws for shifting said drivers and jaws to place said strap ends as aforesaid, said applying means M having locks for suspending movement of said drivers whenssaid `iaws and said drivers reach said strap'end placing positions; and means for actuatingsaid strapper yunit to compress said spring means to press said bar against 'said cover. @o 'to position said straps and then to release said locks to permit said spring means to actuate saidl drivers to secure said strap ends to opposite sides of said box. e

10. In a strapping machine the combination 35 'of; a table for receiving a packed bo'x with a lid disposed thereover; a strapper unit including means for positioninga strap across said cover with its ends adjacent opposite sides of said box and means i'or'securing said strap ends tosaid 70 box sides; a frame for supporting said table and said unit in spaced relation; and mechanism on said frame for causing relative movement between said table and said unit to bring said box withits lid into pressural contact with said unit, 75

positioning a strap across a face of an object with the ends of said strap opposite adjacent faces kof said object, and strap end securing said frame for operating said unit; andmeans 10 means; yieldable means connecting said unit .to

causing relative movement between said .object-v and said frame to press 'said object against said unit to shift said unit towards said frame, said 15 shifting actuating said operating means and causing said unit to position the ends of said strap and secure said ends to said adjacent faces as aforesaid.

l2. In a lid nailing and strapping machine the 20 combination of: Aa frame; a nailing table on said 25 box; nail chucks supported in alignment withframe'for receiving a packed box with a lid dfsposed thereover; an overhead structure-provided on `said frame; nail drivers provided on said overhead structure over opposite ends of said said drivers and slidably related to the latter; meansfor causing relative vertical movement between said overhead structure and said table to bring the ends of said lid into pressurable contact $0 with said chucks, press the ends of the lid against the ends. of said box and cause said drivers to drive nails from said chucks through the ends of said lid and into the ends-of said box; a strapper mounted on said overhead structure and be- 85 ing vertically movable relative thereto; and

means for operating said strapper co-ordin'ately .with said nailing operation to apply a strap Vtransverselyacross the lid of said box and s ecure its opposite ends to the opposite sides of said box.

- 13. In a lid nailing vInd trapping machine the lid against the'ends of said box and cause'said means for causing relative vertical movement between said overhead structure andY said table to bring the ends oiv said lid into pressurable contact with said, chucks, press the ends of the drivers to drive nails from said chucks through the ends of said lid and into the ends of said box; A

land strapper means operated by said relative ve'rtical movement to -apply a strap transversely across the lid of said box and to secure the opposite ends of said strap to the opposite sides of said-box. y

-15. In a. strapper the combination of: a head frame adapted to be held in spaced relation with an' object to be strapped'to permit relative move- *ment between said object and said head frame;

a strapper unit on said head frame including means adapted to be brought into contact with a given face(of said objectl by said relative movement for positioning a strap across said face of said object with the ends of said strap opposite two other faces of said object adjacent said ilrst mentioned face, and strap end securing means; and yieldable means between said strapper unit and said head frame for operating said unit, said yiel'dable means being actuated to cause said strap end securing means to secure the ends of said strap to said adjacent faces, vas aforesaid. by relative movement between said head frame and said object. n 4

16. In a strapper thecombination of: a head frame adapted to be held in spaced relation with an object to, be -strapped to permit relative movement between said object and said head frame; a

combination of: `a fframe; a nailing table on said Y frame for receiving a packed box vwith a lid d isi posed thereover; an overhead structure provided ecn said frame: naill drivers providedon said --overheai"structure over-'opposite ends oi' said box;- nail chucksl supported in alignment with said drivers and slidably related to the latter;

means for causing relative vertical movement 5 between said overhead structure and said table o strapper and said Alidito cause relative. vertical j movement between said strapper and-said overheadstructure; and means operated by said-last a said strapper to secure oppositeends of a strap.

mentioned'relative vertical movement to actuate carried by said strapper to the opposite sides of said box.

14. In a lid nailing and missing the to bring the endsof said lid into pressurable constrapper unit on said head frame including means adapted to be brought into contact with a given face of said object by said relative movement for positioning a strap having driving ends integral therewith across said face otsaid object with said driving ends of said strap op'POte other faces of said object adjacent said first mentioned face, and strap end driving means;

and yieldable means between said strapper unit and said head frame for operating said unit, said yieldable mea'ns being `acinated to cause said strap end driving means to drive said strap ends into said adjacent faces of said object, by relative movement between said head frame and said' object after said relative movement has` caused cpntact of said strap positioning means and said nrst mentioned lface of saidv object.

i7. In a lid nailing and strappins machine the combination of: a frame; a-nailing table on said .irame'for receiving a. packed box withalid disposed thereov an overheadv structure provided on said i'ram 'nail drivers 4provided on said combination off a frame; Aa nailing table'on said-` m ,framefor receiving-a packed box with a' lid :dis-

posed th'erove: an overheadstructure provided on f saidframe: nail drivers provided on said overhead structure over vopposite ends' oi?,a said box; 'nail chucks supportedin alignmentwitn 'ls'said drivers and slidablyfto the latter:

strap end securing tobecure theiends oit saidstrap'tothesidecolsaidbox.

overhead structure Aover opposite ends. of said box; nail chucks supported in alignmentwith said" drivers and slidably related tothe latter; means for causing relative vertical 4lmovement between said overhead structure and said table to bring the ends of said lid into pressurable contact with said.;chu'cks, the ends o! the lid against the ends of said box and camev said ver's to drive nails fronisaid chucks through;

e endsv of said lid and into the -ends oisaid box: means forapplying a strap across the lid ofsaidbox; means forsecuringendportionsot saidstr'ap to the sides of said box; energy storage means adapted: to be actuated by said relative vertical movement to store energy therein: and means to autmnatically release said energy and causelsaid energy storage means toactuatesaid said frame for receiving a packed box withy a 18. In a.l lid nailing and strapping machine the combination of: a frame; a nailing table on lid disposed thereover: an overhead. structure provided on said frame; nail drivers provided on said -overhead structure over opposite ends of said box; nail chucks supported in alignment with said drivers'and slidably related to the y latter; means for causing relative vertical movement between said overhead structure and said table to bring the ends oi said-lid into pressurable contact with said chucks, press the ends of the lid against the ends'of said box and cause n said driversto drive nails from saidV chucksthrough the ends o! said lid and into the ends oi' said box; means forapplying a strap'across the lid of said box; means for securing end portions oi.' said strap to the sides of said box; energy storage means 'adapted to be actuated by sad relative vertical mevement'to store energy therein; and means actuated by said relative verticl movement to automatically release said energy and-cause said energy storage means to actuate said strap end securing vmeans to secure the ends of said strap to the sides of said box.

19. In a lid nailingand strapping machine the combination of: a frame; a nailing table on said framefor receiving a packed box with a lid disposed thereover; an overhead structure provided on said frame; nail drivers provided on said overhead structure over opposite ends .of

said box; nail chucks supported in alignment with said drivers and slidably related to the latter; ment between-said overhead structure and said table to.bring'the ends of said lid into pressurable contact with said chucks, press the ends of the lid against vthe ends of said box and cause said drivers to drivenails from said chucks through the ends of said lidand into the ends' of said box; means for applying a strap across the lid of said box; means for securing end portions oi strap to the sides of said box; spring means adapted lto be actuated by said relative vertical .movement to store energy therein; and means to automatically release said energy and cause Msaid spring means to actuate said strap end securing means to secure to the sides of said box.

20. In a lid nailing and strapping machine the combination of: -a frame; a nailing table on said frame for receiving a packed box with a lid disthe ends of said strap posed thereover; an overhead structure provided on said frame; nail drivers provided on said overhead structure over onpositer ends of said box:

.nail chucks supported in alignment with said drivers and slidably'reiated to the latter; means for causing relative vertical movement .between said overhead structure and said table to bring the ends oi' said lid into pressurable contact with said chucks, press the ends of Athe lid against the ends oisaid box and c ause said drivers to drive nails from said chucks through the ends of saidlid and into the ends of said box;l a

strapper mounted on and vertically movable relative to said overhead structure, said relative vertical movement between said table and. said j overhead structure-causing contact between said strapper and said lid to cause' relative vertical movement between said strapper and said overhead structure; means on said strapper i'or securing'opposite ends o! a strap to the opposite sides' of said'box-:Y-energy storage means mounted for actuation by said relative vertical movement be.

tween saidstrapper and said overhead structure means for causing relative vertical move-.

driving means;

"` combination an object to be strapped'to permit relative movement between said object and said head frame;

va strapper unit Von saidhead frame including means adapted to' be brought into contact'with f a given face of said object by said relative movement for positioning a strap across said face of said object with the ends ofl said strap opposite two other faces oi.' said object adjacent said iirst mentioned face, and strap end securing means; energy storage means between said strapping unit yand said lhead frame for operating the securing means oi' said unit, said relative movement storing energy in-said energy storage means; and means operated by said relative movement to release said energy to cause said energy storage means to actuate said strap end securing means to secure the ends strap to said adjacent faces of 'said object.

22. In a strapper thecombinat ion of:.a head frame adapted to be heid in spaced relation with an objectv to be ment between said object and said head frame; a strapper unit on said head frame Vincluding meansadapted to be brought into contact "with said object by said relativemovement for positioning a strap against said object, vand strap end securing means;

energy storage means adapted to be actuated to store energy therein by said relative movement; and means for auto- 'matically releasing said energy to cause said energy storage means to actuate said strap end of said strapped to v.permit relative movesecuring means to secure the ends oi' said strap A to said object.

23. Ina strapper the combinationoi': a head i'rame adapted to be held in spaced relation with an object to be strapped to permit relative movement between said object and said head frame; a strapper unit on said head frame including means adapted to be brought into contact with said object'bysaid relative movement for positioning a strap having driving ends integral therewith adjacent said object, and strap end energy storage means adapted to be actuated to store energy therein by said relative movement; and means for automatically releasing said energy storage. means to cause the A latter to actuate said strap-end driving means to drive the'ends of said strap into said object.

24. In a lid nailing and strappingmachine the of: a nailing mechanism; a strapping mechanism; a tablefor supporting a box to be lidded and strapped; and means fon causing relative vertical movement between said table and said nailing and strapping "mechanisms, said lrelative vertical movement means actuating said mechanisms to nail a lid onto said box' and 'to apply a strap across said box and secure the ends of the strap thereto. y l

25. In a strapper the combination of:l `a frame object 'to be strapped to permit.- relative movement between said object and said frame; a

press shoe'supportedon said frame; mechanismv vadapted to be held in spaced relation with an y means for performing a-strapping opersaid pressm'able con- 1451l tact between said shoe and said object; and

means for exerting a forceof substantially con-v :lect to be strapped to permit relative 'movement' between said object and said frame; a press shoe supported on said frame; mechanism for causing relative movement between said object and said frame to cause pressurable contact between said object and said shoe and. cause relative movement between said shoe and saidframe;

means actuated by said relative movement between said shoe and said frame for performing a tween saidshoe and said frame, said force urgstrapping operation` on said object during said Vpressurable contact between said shoe and said object; and means for exerting a force of substantially constant value between said frame :and said shoe throughout said relative movement being said shoe against said object. Y

` 27. In a strapping machine forapplying straps to overlled boxes, the combination of: a frame adapted to beheld in spaced relation with an overlled box to be strapped to permit -relativ vertical Ymovementnbetween said box and s'ai frame; a press shoe supported on said frame;v

'pressurable contact between the cover of said box and said shoe and cause relative movement between said shoe and said frame; means actuated by said relative vmovement between said' shoe and said frame for applying a strap across said lid and securing the ends of said strap to the sides of said box; and means for exerting ua force of substantially'constant value between said frame an'd said sho throughout said rela'- tive movement between said shoe and said frame, said force urging said shoe against said cover` 4 HALE PAXTON.

GERALD C. `PAXTON.

HARRY D. BENSON.

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