US2243415A - Button making machine - Google Patents

Description

Mayan 1941;

E. cLEMENs 2,243,45 BUTTON MAKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 2o, 1937 7 sheets-sheet 1 ,(0 31, 3f 116 l .Zl' f @1 116' 2'- I f "1 lf3" l/ l I' igfl/ ATTORNEY May 27, 1941 E. cLEMENs BUTTON MAKING MACH-INE Filed Nov. 20, 1937 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNvEN-ro m wm. ,m m E I W ATTORNE- May 27, i941.

E. CLEMENS BUTTON MAKING MACHINE l Filed NQv. 20, 1937 7 sheets-sheet 5 ,LNV

....HHIHH'" INVENTOR Emanuel C'Zeweus Wjm a, j@

K ATTORNEY May 27, 1941.

E. C14-:MENS

BUTTON MAKING MACHINE May 27, 1941.

17:. cLEMENs BUTTON MAKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 20, 1937. '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Imam/,e2 Clemens BY ATTORN May Z7, 1941.` E. cLEMENs BUTTON MAKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 2o, 19:57.

7 Sheets-Sheet G A INVENTOR Emanuel Clemens -BY -l v A'l-'TQRNEY May 27, 194L- E. cLEMENsA,

BUTTON MAKING MACHINE iled Nov. 20, 1951 '7 sheets-sheet 7 Nv su S n Re 7V. om ,E am wb m mwM m m. 5%

Patented May 27, 1941 BUTTON lvIAKING P/.IA'OHINE Emanuel Clemens, East Orange, N. J., assigner to Peter 0. Christensen, East Orange, N. J.

Application November 20, 1937, Serial No. 175,665

1 Claim.

My invention relates to button making machines and more particularly to button making machines ofthe type wherein discs or blanks of the material from which it is desired to make buttons are held in chucks While subjecting the same to turning operations, usually for the purpose of cutting the faces and/or the backs of the blanks to the forms desired in the finished buttons.

Button making machines of the type just referred to and which have gone into extensive commercial use are of several classes. In machines of one such class the chucks are generally rotatable about fixed or substantially fixed aXes and certain operations necessary to be performed in using the machines, such as the insertion or placement of the blanks in the chucks, are eXecuted manually. Machines of this class usually have a comparatively low output and require the continuous presence and services of attendants. In another class, a plurality of chucks are embodied in each machine, which chucks, While the machine is operated, are not only rotated about their several aXes, but are moved bodily together or turret-Wise in an annular path or orbit. At one point in such orbit the blanks to be Worked on are delivered to the chucks as they successively reach such point, while at other points therein the blanks are successively gripped in the chucks, subjected to cutting operations and released by and removed from the chucks. Ma-

chines of the latter class, while usually automatic in their actions, are of complicated and costly construction, bulky, cumbersome in operation and frequently prove unreliable and unsatisfactory.

One of the principal objects of my invention is to provide an improved button making machine of the type employing a chuck or chucks for holding button blanks or discs to be operated on, which preferably is entirely automatic in its actions and requires so little and infrequent servicing that a single attendant can effectively take care of a considerable number of such machines.

Another object of my invention is to provide a machine of this character which is of improved and comparatively simplified construction and which is adapted to be effectively operated at such speed as to result in a very high output.

Another object of the invention is to provide a button making machine involving an improved construction and arrangement of parts whereby the various actions of the machine Will be relatively timed to occur in the sequence necessary for the proper and most eiiective operation of the machine.

Further objects of this invention are to provide such a machine having a plurality of chucks which are, preferably, although not necessarily, rotatable about fixed axes and which are alternately conditioned to grip and release button blanks to be operated upon when held therein; and also a machine of this character having novel means for delivering or applying such a blank to each of said chucks each time the latter is in release condition and preferably just prior to the changing thereof to gripping condition.

Affurther object is to provide in a machine having several chucks, means for delivering button blanks or the like to the chucks, which means comprises'a simple and novel device for transferring such blanks or the like from a given point in the machine alternately to different chucks.

Another object Vof myinvention is to provide novel means for ejecting button blanks or the like from the chucks of machines of the character described upon the changing of such chucks from gripping to release condition.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved construction for ensuring the successive feeding of button blanks or the like in a machine of the character described, at definitely determined intervals.

Other objects, features and advantages of my invention will appear from the following description and the appended claim.

While my invention is especially designed for embodiment in button making machines having a plurality of chucks which are rotatable about fixed axes, it is to be understood that various features thereof, such, for example, as the blank feeding, delivering and ejecting means, are applicable to 4other types of button making machines and that some features are also adapted to be incorporated in machines used for purposes other than button making.

For a clearer understanding of the invention, attention is directed to the accompanying drawings which show a preferred form of button making machine in accordance with the invention and in which:

Figure 1 is a View of the machine in side elevation with parts broken away;

Figure 2 is a rear elevational View, partly broken away and partly in section, of the machine shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front elevational view, partly in section and partly broken away, of the head of the machine shown in Figures l and 2 and certain of the parts associated with said head;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional View of the machine, with parts shown in elevation and with parts broken away;

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional plan View of the machine, with parts broken away, the section being taken approximately on the line 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary rear elevational and part sectional View of the machine, the line of the section corresponding approximately to the line 6 6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is an enlarged front elevational view, partly broken away and partly in section, of a portion of the machine corresponding to that shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view, partly in elevation and partly broken away, taken on a line corresponding approximately to the line 3 8 v of Figure 7; l

Figure 9 is a detailed elevational View corresponding to the lower portion of Figure 7, with certain of the parts differently positioned;

Figure 10 is an enlarged detailed sectional view, partly in elevation, the section being taken approximately on line I--I il of Figure 4;

Figure 11 is an enlarged detailed part sectional view showing the cutting tool in operative position;

Figures 12, 13 and 14 are detailed views illustrating the co-action iand operation of certain parts shown in the upper portion of Figure 6;

Figure 15 is a sectional view taken on line IE-IS of Figure 8;

Figure 16 is a front elevation of one of the chucks with a button blank gripped therein las viewed from a plane indicated by line Iii-I6 in Figure 8; and

Figure 17 is a detailed sectional View showing -a modified form of the button blankseating device which is associated with each chuck of the machine. i

The frame of the machine shown in the drawings, comprises a main supporting head A, a

base B to which said head is bolted, and a pair of spaced complementary Vertical brackets or standards l, I which are xedly secured .at their lower ends, as by bolts, to the enlarged upper endY portion A of the said head A. A member 2 in the form of a horizontal platform, is -bolted at its ends respectively to the upper ends of brackets l, I and acts to brace 'said brackets and to maintain their upper end porti-ons in xed spaced relation. A large cupped member C adapted to catch the cut buttons or the like discharged f-rom the machine, is disposed between the head A `and base B, said member having an upstanding central bos-s C through which extend the bolts connecting the head A to base B and being thereby securely held in position.

The power for driving the various operating mechanisms and parts of the machine shown, is supplied by two electric motors M, M which are respectively suitably supported by the brackets I, I at the upper ends of the latter, as by having their frames bolted thereto.

The principal operating mechanisms of that particular form of my improved machine herein illustrated, comprise two chucking devices each of which includes a chuck for holding button blanks while being cut and means for ejecting cut blanks from the chuck, a pair of holding and feeding devices for two cutting tools which operate on button blanks held in the chucks -respectively, two grinding wheels for said cutting tools respectively, feeding mechanism for successively supplying blanks to a given point in the machine at regular intervals, and transfer mechanism for moving button blanks from said given point and delivering the same to said chucks.

The motor M' is relied upon to rotate only one of the chucks and one of the grinding wheels, whereas motor M in addition to rotating the other chuck and the other grinding wheel, Ialso iactuates the main driving shaft of the machine. Accordingly, motor M is preferably more powerful than motor M' and has a slower normal operating speed.

The shaft 3 of motor M has a pulley 4 fixed' thereto; 'and by means of said pulley, a second pulley 5 fixed to a stud shaft 5, a belt 'I passing over both pulleys, a worm 8 carried by the stud shaft, and a worm wheel 8 engaged Iby the worm and keyed to the main shaft I0, the said motor is operatively connected to the main shaft so as to effect rotation thereof at the proper speed during operation of the machine. 'I'he stud shaft 6 is .parallel to motor shaft 3 and is journalled in spaced bearings II, II disposed within a journal-box I2 which is carried by la bracket I3 bolted or otherwise secured to the lower end portion of head A. The main shaft I0 is disposed at right angles to and slightly above stud shaft 6, -being journalled in -a bearing portion I4 of a rearward integral extension I5 of the head A. The shaft lil projects from both ends of bearing portion Iii; and keyed to one of the projecting end portions of said shaft are two cams I6 :and I'I, and to the other `projecting end portion thereof the worm wheel 9, two cams I6 and I'I respectively similar to cams I6 and I'I, and a sprocket I8. Collars I3 mounted on shaft I0 and nuts 23 threaded onto its ends, act to maintain the members I6, I'I, 9, IB', I'I' and I8 properly spaced and to prevent appreciable axial movement of the shaft in the bearing portion I4.

The upper end portion A of head A is provide with two similar cylindrical parallel openings 2|,

2I extending therethrough from the front to the back thereof, in which openings the two chucking devices D, D' of the machine are respectively mounted. These chucking `devices are identical in construction and each of the same, with special reference to Figures 8, 15 'and 16, comprises a hollow generally cylindrical chuck 22 and a long hollow cylindrical clamping member or sleeve 23 having a stepped bore and within which said chuck is disposed. Each chuck 22 consists of an inner end portion 24 which fits fairly closely within the smallest section of the stepped bore of the respective clamping member 23, and three substantially equi-spaced resilient jaws 25 which are integral with said end portion 24 and eX- tend forwardly therefrom through the larger sections of the bore of said clamping member to a point slightly beyond the forward end of the latter. in gripping portions 23 which are biased laway from each other to in-operative or non-gripping position or condition by the resiliency of said jaws. Adjacent their forward. ends the jaws of each chuck are provided with conical or tapered outer surface portions 21, while'the bore of the respective clamping member 23 is provided with an annular tapered forward end portion 28 which is adapted to co-act with the said surface portions 21 to force the chuck portion-s 26 to operative gripping position or condition against the action of the resilient jaws 25, as will pres- The jaws 25 of each chuck terminate ently appear. Each clamping member'23 is slidably mounted with a fairly close'lt, in a pair of spaced cylindrical .bearing members 29 and 30. Each bearing member 29 constitutes the inner raceway of an anti-friction bearing which also includes an outer ring rac-eway 3l and a series of balls 32 engaging annular groovesprovided in the opposed surfaces of said raceways. The said ring 3| is seated in an enlarged forward end portion 33 of the respective opening 2l and is held rmly engaged with the shoulder 34 at the inner end of the said -portion 33 by a anged annular member 35 which is threaded into the latter and turned up tightly against the ring. The balls 32 and the grooves in the raceways 3l and 29 engaged thereby :co-act to prevent longitudinal movement of the latter. Each bearing member 30 has a reduced end -portion 36, and a ring 3l is held firmly engaged with the shoulder 38 at the inner end of such reduced portion by an annular member 39 which is threaded onto the latter and turned up tightly against the ring. This ring 31 constitutes the inner raceway of an anti-friction bearing which also includes an outer ring raceway 40 and a series of .balls 4l engaging annular grooves formed in the opposed surfaces of said raceways. The ring 49 is disposed in an enlarged rear end portion 42 of the respective opening 2l and is held firmly engaged with the shoulder 43 at 'the inner end -of the portion 42 by a flanged annular member 44 which is threaded into the latter and turned up tightly against said ring. The bearing member 30, clamping member 23 and chuck 22 of each chucking device, are connected to rotate together within the respective opening 2l by a stud 45 threaded into the member 30 and having a shank 46 which extends with a loose fit through a short slot 4l in member 23 and with a tight fit into an opening provided in the end portion 24 of the L' chuck. While the balls 4l co-act with the grooves in the raceways 31 and 40 engaged there- -by to prevent movement of member 30 :and therefore of chuck 22 longitudinally of the aforesaid opening 2l, the slot 41 provides for Isuch movement of the clamping member 23. A strong coiled compression spring 43 disposed about each clamping member 23 between a shoulder 49 on the latter and the corresponding member 35, biases such clamping member to a position in which its tapered inner end surface 28 Vco-acts with the tapered surfaces 2l of the jaws of the associated chuck and forces the portions 26- of said chuck to operative or gripping position.

The clamping member 23 of ea-ch chucking device extends a considerable distance rearwardly of head portion A', and a pulley 50 is secured to the rear end of said member .as by having its hub threaded thereon and turned up tightly. A belt 5| Ipasses over the pulley 50 of chucking device D and also over a pulley 52 xed to the shaft 3 of motor M, and another belt 5i' passes over the pulley 59 of chucking device D' and also over a pulley 52' fixed to the shaft 3' of motor M'. Therefore when the machine is in operation members 23 and 30 and chuck 22 of device D are rotatably driven by motor M, and the corresponding parts of device D' are rotatably driven by motor M. The two pulleys are preferably of equal diameter, and .as the more .powerful motor M has a slower operating speed than motor M', the pulley 52 is of greater diameter than pulley 52' so that both chucks will be rotated at substantially the same speeds.

Those portions of the clamping members 23 of chuckingV devices D, D' located between the head portion A' and pulleys 50, are respectively embraced by yokes 53 and 53' for-med at the upper ends of two vertically extending arms 54 and 54. The said arms are respectively providedat their lower ends with apertured bearing portions or hubs 55 and 55' which are lpivotally mounted on a rod 56 secured in spaced bosses 5l and 58 formed on head A, at points respectively outwardly of but closely adjacent said bosses. Respectively associated with the arms 54 and 54' are two vertically extending arms 59 and 59', the latter arms being provided with lapertured bearing portions or hubs 69 and 60 which are respectively pivotally mounted on rod 56 between lcollars 6| xed to the ends of the latter and the hubs of arms 54 and 54'. Lugs 62 and 63 provided on the hubs of arms 54 and 59 respectively and a-screw 64 threaded through lug. 62 and bearing against lug 63, constitute an adbetween the arms 54' and 59' is constituted byl lugs 62' .and 63' on the hubs of said arms respectively and a screw 64' threaded through lug 62 and bearing against lug 63'. The arrangement of the parts just described is such that the yokes 53 and 53 are respectively in engagement with the hub ends of the adjacent pulleys 58 and the 'lower free ends of arms 59 and 59' are respectively in the paths of two lugs 65 land 65 which are respectively secured to and extend laterally from the cam Il and the worm Wheel 9. To minimize friction, the hub of each pulley 50 is provided with Ia recess 66 having an antfriction `bearing disposed therein, said bearing comprising inner and outer ring Iraceways 61 and G3 and a series of balls 69 engaging opposed annular grooves formed in the raceways. The raceway 69 is retain-ed in recess 66 by a flat ring lll which is suitably removably secured to the adjacent end of the pull-ey hub; and the inner raceway 6l, which is free to rotate with respect to the pulley and the associated clamping member 23 and which is engaged by the adjacent yoke 53 or 53', is Vheld `against movement longitudinally of said pulley and clamping member by the co-action of the balls 69 with the grooves in the raceways engaged thereby. The lugs 65 and 65 are preferably angularly spaced degrees with respect to the axis of main shaft I0. From the foregoing, it is apparent that when the machine is in operation, the yokes 53 :and 53' will Abe quickly and alternately moved rearwardly once in each complete rotation of the main shaft by reason of the engagement of lugs 65 and 65' with the lower ends of arms 59 land 59' respectively. The yokes in such rearward movement thereof, force the pulleys 5D and clamping members 23 of the respective chucking devices D, D' rearwardly against the action of springs 48 to thereby effect the release of chucks 22 and the separation of the chu-ck jaws to non-gripping position. When the lugs 65, 65' pass from engagement with the respective arms 59, 59', springs 48 immediately act to move clamping members 23 forwardly thereby to effect the return of the respective chucks to gripping condition. Accordingly in each rotation of main shaft I0 the chucks 22 of the devices DD are momentarily and alternately placed, one time each, in releasing or nong'ripping condition, but are firmly held or clamped in operative gripping condition during the major portion of each such rotation.

Associated with the chuck 22 of each chucking device are means adapted automatically to eject from the chuck a button or the like after the latter has been subjected to the facing cutting operation which the specific machine herein illustrated is designed to perform thereon, and immediately upon the placement of the chuck in releasing or non-gripping condition. There is preferably associated with said means a seat which is engaged by a button blank upon insertion thereof into the chuck as hereinafter described, thereby to ensure the proper positioning of the blank for the facing operation to be performed thereon while held by the chuck. Referring to Figures 8, 15 and 1.7, the said means, for each of the chuckng devices, comprises a long tubular member 12 disposed within and extending axially of the chuck 22 and in which position it is supported from the chuck by a nipple 13 having internal and external screw-threaded portions respectively engaged with an externally threaded rear end portion of such tubular member and with an internally threaded rear end portion of the chuck section 24. The nipple 13 is turned into the chuck section 24 so as to bring a shoulder 14 provided thereon tightly against the rear end of said chuck section. A lock nut 15 threaded onto the rear end portion of member 12 and turned up tightly against nipple 13 serves to lock said member and nipple in the desired relative position. The rear end of member 12 is slotted at 15, so that upon loosening nut 15, said member may be turned by a screw-driver to effect longitudinal adjustment thereof with respect to nipple 13. The forward end portion of member 12 is reduced and has mounted thereon with a force t a thimble or cap 11, the forward end wall of said cap preferably having a plane vertical face constituting a seat for button blanks inserted into the chuck. A long rod 18 extends loosely through the main portion of the bore of member 12 and with a fairly close fit through an opening in the end wall of thimble 11, and terminates at its rear end in a head 19 which is located in an enlarged rear end portion 88 of said bore. A compression spring 8| is disposed in the portion 88 vbetween the head 13 and a plug 82 threaded into said portion. Spring 8|, the eiiective action of which may be regulated by adjustment of plug 82, biases rod 18 to a position in which its head 19 engages the shoulder at the inner end of bore portion 88 and its forward end portion projects somewhat from the thimble 11. Therefore when a button blank S is inserted into the chuck to operative position against the thimble 11 it will engage and force rod 18 rearwardly and thereby compress and store energy in spring 8|; and upon the subsequent release of the cut blank or button by expansion of the chuck jaws to non-gripping position, spring 8| will act under the energy stored therein, to return rod 18 quickly to its former position and thereby forcibly eject said blank or button from the chuck. The member 12 is so adjusted relatively to nipple 13 that when any button blank on which the machine is designed to operate, is seated against the front end f thimble 11 for gripping engagement at its edge by the chuck jaws 25, such blank will project somewhat forwardly from the chuck to enable the same to be faced properly by the associated cutting tool. When the blanks fed to the machine have curved backs, the thimble 11 is replaced by another thimble, as indicated at 11 in Figure 1'7, having a face conforming to the shape of said backs.

Facing tool holding and feeding devices E, E' are respectively co-operatively associated with the two chucks 22 of the chucking devices D, D. The two assemblies which respectively include the devices E, E', facing tools T, T', grinding wheels G, G and the means for mounting, controlling and actuating said devices and grinding wheels, are symmetrically disposed with respect to a vertical plane which extends substantially medially of the machine from thefront to the rear thereof. These assemblies are also composed of similar parts which are similarly arranged. Therefore, I shall describe in detail but one of said assemblies, namely that which includes the device E. The parts of the other assembly, however, are designated by reference characters which, except for being primed, are the same as those designating the corresponding parts of the assembly which will now be described.

The device E comprises a holder 83 in which the facing tool T is frictionally secured, said holder being clamped for angular adjustment, as by a split collar portion 84 thereof and a cooperating bolt 85, to one end of a shaft 86 which is journaled in and has both ends projecting from a bearing 81 provided at the upper end of a vertically extending member 88. This member 88 constitutes one arm of a rocker and is provided at its lower end with a hub 89 journaled on one end of a shaft 90 which is xedly secured, as by a set screw 9|, in and has both ends projecting from an integral apertured projecting portion 92 of head A. The other arm 93 of said rocker is clamped for angular adjustment, by means of a split collar 94 integrally formed at one end thereof and a co-operating bolt 95, to the hub 89 of arm 88; the said arm 93 carrying at its other end a roller 96 bearing on the edge or camming surface of the cam I1 secured to main shaft |0. A lug 91 on collar 94 of arm 93, spaced lugs 98 on the hub of arm 88 and screws 99 threaded through the lugs 98 constitute means whereby, upon loosening bolt 95, angular adjustment of arm 93 with respect to arm 88 may be effected; and a ring secured by screws to the outer end of hub 89 and a screw |8| threaded into the corresponding end portion of shaft 80 and provided with a collar |82 having an annular groove engaged by said ring, constitute means whereby said huband thereby both of arms 88 and 93, may be adjusted longitudinally of shaft 90 so as to obtain proper lateral positioning of tool holder 83 and the tool T therein and of arm 93 in relation to chucking device D and cam I1 respectively.

The grinding wheel G for sharpening tool T is secured to the inner end of a horizontal shaft |83 rotatably mounted in and projecting from both ends of a bearing |84 which is formed as an integral upper end portion of an arm |85. At its lower end arm has spaced apertured portions |88 and |81 respectively loosely engaging the end portions of a rod |88 which extends through the arm 88 and is held in fixed position relative thereto by a set-screw |89. A lug ||8 on portion |86, spaced lugs I on arms 88 and screws l2 threaded through the lugs I comprise means whereby arm |85 is held to the arm 88 for angular adjustment relative thereto so as to enable the driving belt for grinding wheel G to be suitably tensioned; and nuts ||3 threaded on the ends of rod |08 outwardly of and adjacent the arm portions |06 and |81, are adapted to co-act with the latter to adjust arm |05 longitudinally of rod |88 and thereby adjust grinding wheel G to proper lateral position with respect to tool T. The grinding wheel G is driven at high speed from motor M by pulleys ||4 and H5, respectively secured to shaft |03 and motor shaft 3, and a driving belt ||6 connecting and engaging over said pulleys. As the horizontal shafts 3 and H33 are at right angles to each other, the belt |55 is appropriately twisted between said pulleys. When the machine vis in operation, only a slight angular movement of the rocker, comprising arms 88 and 93, about its pivotal `axis takes place, and such movement does not result in any appreciable change in the distance between the axes of the motor shaft 3 and of the grinding wheel G.

The tool T consists of a thin flat strip of suitable metal, such as hard temperedsteel, having a cutting end shaped to turn button faces of desired form; and said tool is secured against 4the base H8 of Vholder 83 by means comprising a bar ||9 overlying the tool and having pin and slot connections |20 with the holder, and an arm |2| pivoted to bar i9 and bearing at its end on the tool adjacent its cutting end. Bar H9 and arm |2| are adjustable lengthwise of the cutting tool Tby a rod |22 having right and left handed y screw-threaded connections with said bar and the holder 83 respectively. `A lever |23 pivoted on holder 83 with one of its ends bearing against arm |2| and a screw |24 threaded through the other end of said level and engaging the collar portion 84 of the holder, constitute means for holding said arm |2| pressed against tool T.` It is apparent that the pressure with which arm i2 |r engages tool T and therefore the pressure with which the corresponding end portion of said Ytool engages its seat, may be regulated by adjusting screw |24. To stiifen the cutting end portion of tool T and to insure the same being rigidly held in proper operative position, a replaceable tool bearing and guiding member' |25 is removably attached by screws |26 to the holder base H8; said member having in its upper face a groove or channel conforming to the width and thickness of the tool and an outer end |21 which conforms to the cutting edge of the tool and beyond which the latter, when operatively positioned in holder 83, projects only slightly (see Figure 11).

An arm |28 is clamped for angular adjustment, by a split collar portion |29 thereof and a cooperating bolt ISil, to that end of shaft 86 remote vfrom the one to which holder 83 is clamped; and secured to said arrnv |28 for adjustment in a slot |3| therein, is a pivot'block |32. A link |33 is pivotally connected at one end to block |32 and at its other end to the arm |3li of a rocker which is pivoted on a rod |35 secured to the head A. The other arm |36 of said rockercarries a roller |37 which rides on the periphery or camming surface of cam I3. A strong tension spring |38 xedat one end (not shown) and connected at its other end to the tiltable tool holder 83, acts through the latter, shaft 85, arrn |28, link |33 and the rocker comprising arms |34, |36, to maintain roller |37 firmly engaged with cam IE; and said spring also acts through said holder and the rocker comprising arms 88, S3, to hold roller 96 engaged with the cam I1. The camming surface of cam l consists of a high circular portion concentric with shaft I0 and a low portion |39 which is of much less angular extent than said high portion. Accordingly during the greater part of each rotation of main shaft lil, when the roller |31 engages the high portion of cam I6, the holder 83 is maintained horizontal in operative relation to the chuck of device D; and

during the remaining part of each rotation of said shaft, as roller |31 rides on the Ylow portion |39 of said cam, the said holder is first tilted downwardly about the axis of shaft at to bring tool T into engagement with grinding wheel G, the tool is sharpened by reason of such engagement and the holder is then returned to horizontal position. g

The edge of cam comprises a. major portion concentric with main shaft i!) and a slightly higher eccentric portion Idil which as the roller S8 rides thereover, (referring now to Figure 4) effects a slight counterclockwise pivotal movement of the rocker comprising arms 88 and 93. The eccentric portion Mil is in such angular relation to the low and high camming surface portions -of cam l that this counterclockwisie movement of said rocker is effected, in each rotation of main shaft I0, directly after tool holder 83 is returned from its tilted tool-sharpening position to its horizontal position (shown in Figure 4), whereby there will then be imparted to the tool holder a movement toward chucking device D sufficient to effect the' facing, by the tool T, of a button held in the chuck of said device. Obviously as the roller 98 passes from the eccentric cam portion itil?, the said rocker will be swung in aV clockwisedirection to thereby effect movement of the tool holder 83 away from the chucking device D and the retraction of tool-T from cutting position. The cams i6 and il respectively differ from cams I6 and ||l only in that the low and high camming surface portions |38 and Mil of the former are respectively angularly spaced approximately from the corresponding camming surface portions of the latter, By reason of this angular spacing the tool holders 83 and 83 will, in the Operation of the machine, be alternately horizontally positioned in operative relation to the respective chucking devices D and D', be alternately'moved, when sopositioned, t0- ward the respective chucking devices to effect the cutting or facing of buttons held in thel chucks thereof, and be alternateiy tilted to and' from tool-sharpening position.

Means are provided whereby the tool T will be advanced a very slight amount in its holder 83 when, after each cutting or facing operation performed by the tool, said holder is tilted from horizontal position towards tool-sharpening position, the construction and larrangement being such that said tool will be thus advanced before its holder reaches the latter position. This advancing means comprises a lug iti which engages the inner end of tool T and is integral with an internally threaded block |32 mounted on a threaded shaft |133. The shaft |43 is disposed in a cylindrical recess idd provided in the base i3 Y and has its end portions journaled in said base. Lug iti projects upwardly through a slot |133 in base H8, rotary movement of block M2 being thereby prevented. Shaft |133 projects from that end of holder 83 which is remote from chucking D, and secured to its projecting end portion is a worm wheel |418 which meshes with a worm |41 carried by a short shaft |68 journaled in lugs |59 on the holder. Secured to the Shaft |48 is a ratchet |543 with which a patvl lei co-operates to impart rotary movement to said shaft. The pawl |5| is carried by an arm 52 which is pivotally mounted at its lower end on shaft M8, said pawl being maintained in engagement with ratchet |50 by a spring |53 which has its ends respectively connected to the pawl and the arm |52. A link li is pivotally connected at one counter-shaft end to the upper end'portion` of arm |52 and at the other end to the upper end of an arm |55 which is fixed toY and projects upwardly from the bearing 81 of rocker arm 831 in which shaft B6 is journaled. As arm |55 is vertical and fixed with respect to rocker arm 88, it is apparent that a change in the relative angularity of holder S3 and rocker arm 60 will through link |54, cause swinging movement of arm |52 in one direction or the other, on shaft |48. For example, when holder 83 is moved in a clockwise direction (see Figure 4) from its tilted tool-sharpening position to horizontal position, link |54 causes arm |52 to swing on shaft |48 in a counter clockwise direction. During such movement of arm |52 the p awl merely ratchets over the teeth of ratchet wheel |50. When holder 83 is moved in a counter clockwise direction, however, as in the tilting of the same downwardly from horizontal position to engage tool T with wheel G, link |54 causes arm |52 to swing in a clockwise direction, whereupon the pawl |5| co-aots with a tooth of wheel |50 to impart rotary movement to the latter and therefore to the shaft 48, which, in turn, through worm |41 and worm wheel |46, results in a slight rotary movement being imparted to the threaded shaft |43. Such movement of shaft |43 causes block |42 to be fed lengthwise of the same and the lug MI of said block to advance the tool T slightly in holder 83 to a position where it will be sharpened properly upon subsequent engagement thereof with the abrasive Wheel G.

Bolted to the upper end portion A of head A between the brackets l, is a bracket |56 having a long vertical upwardly extending arm or portion |51. suitably secured in fixed position to the upper end of bracket arm |51 is an inclined hopper |58 for the buttons or the like to be faced or operated on by the machine. Means is provided for feeding buttons successively and at substantially predetermined intervals from the hopper |58 to a vertical chute K and for delivering the buttons to said chute with the desired sides thereof facing outwardly. This means is of well-known construction and will not be described in great detail: briefly, it comprises a circular plate |50 rotatably mounted within hopper 58 adjacent the bottom of the latter and having a plurality of long slots (not shown) which extend substantially radially thereof and are angularly equi-spaced; a shaft |60 which is secured at its upper end to said plate and which is adapted to be driven at constant speed, as will later be described; and an openingr (not shown) in the bottom of the hopper, said opening being so located and formed that in each rotation of plate |59, the inner end portions of the slots in the latter will be successively registered there- `with and a button will be discharged therethrough from each of said slots into the upperl flared end K of chute K with the proper side of such button facing outwardly.

The shaft |60 extends loosely through the bottom of hopper |58 and is journalled in and has its lower end projecting from an apertured lug or extension |6| of bracket arm |51. Keyed to the lower end of shaft |60 and held thereon by a nut |62 are a bevel gear |63 and a cam |64. Meshing with gear |63 is a smaller bevel gear |65 which is secured to one end of a horizontal |65 journaled in spaced bearings |6`| provided on the rearside of bracket arm |51. The counter shaft 66 is parallel to main shaft l0 and is adapted to be driven from and at the same speed as the latter by a chain |68 which engages over the sprocket |8 and over another sprocket |69 which is secured to the counter shaft and is of the same size as sprocket I8. Keyed to the shaft |66 are three cams |10, |1| and |12, the functions of which will presently be explained. Collars |13 set-screwed to shaft |66, bearings |61 and gear |65 serve to maintain these cams properly spaced.

The rotatable plate |59 disposed in hopper |56 of the specific machine herein disclosed, is preferably provided with eight of the radially extending slots mentioned above. Accordingly in each rotation of the shaft |60', eight buttons are discharged one after the other from the hopper into the chute K which directs them to a seat M whence, by means hereinafter described, buttons are transferred and delivered alternately to the chucks of devices D, D for the facing thereof by tools T, T'. However, during each rotation of main shaft |0 only two buttons are faced, viz. one by tool T while held in the chuck of device D and one by tool T" while held in the chuck of device D; and as counter shaft |66 rotates at the same speed as said main shaft, the shaft |60 should be rotated at a speed which is only onefourth that of the said shafts |0 and |66 whereby during a complete rotation of each of the latter shafts, but two buttons will be discharged into chute K and conducted to seat M. Therefore the bevel gear |65 has only one-fourth as, many teeth as bevel gear |63 so that shaft |60 will be driven from shaft |66 at a four to one speed reduction.

The chute K comprises a long vertical channel 14 terminating at its upper end adjacent the opening in the bottom" of hopper |58 and at its lower end a slight distance above the seat M; said channel being formed by the front face of bracket arm |51 and two spaced vertical guide members |15 and |16 which are respectively secured, as by screw and slot connections |11 and |18, to said bracket arm for lateral adjustment in order that the width of the channel may be so regulated as properly to accommodate buttons of the particular size or diameter which are to be faced by the machine at any time. The channel |14 is substantially closed at the front thereof by similar opposed plates |19 and |60 respectively secured to guide member |15 and |16 so as to partially overlie said channel, and by two doors |8| and |82 which are respectively mounted for movement about vertical and horizontal axes adjacent the lower and upper ends of said channel and are spring-biased to closed position against said guide members. The said doors provide for ready access to channel |14 in case the button blanks become stuck or clogged therein.

The seat M is formed by the walls of a V- shaped notch |83 provided in the uppery portion of a plate |84 which is secured to bracket arm |51v for vertical adjustment by a screw and slot connection |85. The point of V-notch |03 is aligned with the vertical central axis of channel |14, andl therefore the center of each button blank, upon the latter coming to rest on seat M after being fed theretoA from hopper |58 through channel |14 will be so aligned. As above indicated, the machine is adapted for operation on blanks of different sizes; and in adapting the machine to any change in the size or diameter of the blanks to be faced, the plate |84 is always adjusted to such a position that every blank passing through the machine will upon being seated in Vnotch |83, be accurately centered with respect to a single definite fixed point.'

The dimensions of chute |14 are such that the button blanks are very loose therein but are held substantially vertical while passing therethrough. Therefore in their .descent through said chute, the blanks wabble and engage the walls of the chute with varying degrees of friction, and the time of such descent varies considerably for different blanks. Each button blank, however, is disposed in seat M only momentarily and is then picked up and carried to one or the other of the chucks 22 of devices D, D; and it is highly important that lthe blanks successively delivered to seat M be so delivered at exactly equal time intervals and in definitely timed relation to other operations of the machine. For this purpose, I have provided suitable means preferably comprising a stop in the form of a lever IBS which is kpivoted at |81 on an extension of bracket arm |51 for horizontal swinging movement and which is biased by a spring |83 to operative position with its free end located adjacent and directly below the lower end of chute |14. The movements of lever |86 to and from operative position are controlled or eected the cam |64 and a bell crank lever pivotally mounted at |89 on bracket arm |51 for movement about a horizontal axis. The said bell crankv lever has a lower arm |90 loosely connected to lever |85 by a pin I3 I, and an upper arm |92 carrying a roller |93 engaging the camming surface of cam |64. The spring |83, through the lever |86 and said bell crank lever, acts to maintain roller i rmly but yieldingly thus engaged with cam |04. The annular camming surface of cam |54 consists of eight similar equi-spaced low portions |94 and a like number of similar equi-spaced high portions |95 disposed intermediately of said low portions. Accordingly eight times in each rotation of shaft |69 and therefore two times in each rotation of counter-shaft |56, at definite and equal intervals, the stop |36 is moved to and from operative position. In the normal operation of the machine, each time stop |80 is brought to operative position it arrests and momentarily supports one of the button blanks being successively fed through chute |14 to the seat M, and upon the subsequent movement of said stop tov inoperative position such blank is released and drops in a substantially vertical position to said seat.

While each button blank is engaged with seat M, it is maintained in vertical position adjacent the front of bracket arm |51 by a vane or gate |96 which is secured to a pivot pin or screw |91 and which is supported by the latter on said arm for vertical swinging movement adjacent the face of plate |84. The pivot pin |91 extends through bracket arm |51 and has secured to its rear end an arm |98. A vertically extending link |99 is pivotally connected at its lower end to arm |98 and at its upper end to another arm 200, which latter arm is pivoted at to an extension of one of the bearings |51 for vertical movement. Arm 200 underlies the cam |10 and has a high portion which is constantly maintained in engagement with said cam by a tension spring 202 secured at its ends respectively to the pivot pin connecting said arm and link i90 and to a in 23 secured in bracket arm |51. The cam |10 thus controls and effects the movement of gate |96 to and from its operative position in front of the seat M, the construction and arrangement being such that said gate is moved downwardly to open or inoperative position and also upwardly to closed or operative position two times in each rotation of counter shaft |65; said downward movements being respectively effected directly after the two button blanks successively fed through chute |14 during such rotation of said counter shaft reach seat M and just before said blanks are picked up from said seat and are respectively transferred to the chucks of devices D, D', and said upward movements being effected respectively directly after said blanks are so picked up and transferred.

An important feature of my invention is the means for picking up each of the button blanks which are successively fed to the seat M and transferring the same from said seat alternately to the chucks of devices D, D. This means, which may be of various forms, is preferably pneumatic, or at least partially pneumatic, in action. That form of said means in the machine herein illustrated, comprises a long tubular member 204 mounted for rotary and sliding movements in a cylindrical opening 205 which extends through the enlarged portion A of head A in parallel rellation to the openings 2|, 2| and is disposed above and midway between the axes of the latter openings. The tubular member 204 extends forwardly from head A, and disposed with a. tight iit in the forward end portion of said member and projecting therefrom is la tube 206 having its projecting portion bent into a substantially semi-circular form and constituting a goo-se-neck 201, Applied to the end of goose-neck 201 with a force fit is a hollow cylindrical nipple 208'. The tube 206 with the goose-neck 201 is lsecured to tubular member 204 so as to partake of all longitudinal and rotary movements of the latter, as by a bar 209 which has at one end an apertured enlargement 2|0 engaged with a force fit over a reduced portion of nipple 288 and which has at the other end a split apertured portion 2|| clamped securely to the forward reduced end portion of said member 204 by a cooperating screw bolt 2|2. The split portion 2|| is held against the shoulder formed by the reduced end portion of member 204 by a nut 2|3 threaded onto said end portion and turned up tightly. A flexible tube 2|4 is connected at one end to the rear end of member 204 and at the other end to a suitable exhaust fan (not shown) which is constantly operated when the machine is in use, and which may be driven by either of the motors M, M or by a separate motor. Therefore duringr operation of the machine, air .is Acontinuously withdrawn from member 204 and tube 206 and is replaced by air sucked in through the nipple 208. rThis nipple accordingly acts as a suction nozzle or cup adapted to pick up and hold a button or the like thereagainst when brought in contact therewith or closely adjacent thereto.

When the machine is in normal operation there are automatically imparted to the tubular member 204 such rotary and longitudinal movements as to cause the suction nozzle or cup 208 successively to pick up the two buttons which are fed one after the other to seat M in each rotation of main shaft I0, and to transfer one of said buttons to the chuck of device D and the other to the chuck of -device D. The construction whereby these movements are imparted to member 204 in the proper sequence and timed relation will now be described,

Tubular member 204 is provided on the portion thereof within the opening 205 with a segmental gear 2I5, said gear having an angular eX-tent of somewhat more than 180 degrees and preferably comprising teeth which are formed, by milling on in any other suitable manner, as integral parts of said member.- The gear 2I5 is engaged by another segmental gear 2|6 (an arcuate slot 2|1 formed in the portion A of head A providing for such engagement) constituting the end portion of the vertical 'arm of a bell crank lever 2I8 which, is pivotally mounted at 2|S on a standard 220 provided on bracket |58. A vertical rod or link 22| has its lower end pivotally connected at 222 to the end of the horizontal arm of said bell crank lever and its upper end pivotally connected at 223 to a lever 224 which is pivoted at 225 to the bracket arm |51. Lever 224 carries a roller` 226 which rides on the camming edge surface of cam I1I. A strong tension spring 221 connected at one end to a rod 228 carried by standard I and at the other end to a pin 220 carried by bell crank lever 218, biases the latter to a position wherein the vertical arm thereof will engage an adjustable stop screw 230 which is threaded through a lug on bracket |56 and the teeth at the eX- treme right of gear 246 (referring to Figure 6) will be in engagement with the gear 2|5. rThe angular position of lever 2|8 and therefore of tubular member 204, under the action of spring 221, is controlled by cam I1| through lever 224 and link 22|. Cam I1| comprisesdiametrically opposite high and low portions 23| and 232 and two similar diametrically opposite portions 233 and 234 of intermediate height as compared to the said portions 23| and 2132 and disposed between the latter. Each of said cam portions 23|, 232, 233 and 234 has a central section which is concentric with the axis of the cam |1I and constitutes a dwell. The construction is such that with roller 225 resting on the dwell of cam portion 233 bell crank lever IIB will be in the angular position shown in Figure 6, with the central teeth of gear 2|6 engaging the central teeth of gear 2I5 on tubular member 204, and the latter will occupy an angular position in which the goose-neck 201 is substantially vertical' with its suction cup 208 opposite the seat M, as shown in Figure 9; and in the next complete rotation of shaft |56 in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 14, during which roller 226 rides from the cam portion 233, over the cam portions 232, 234, and 23|, in that order, and then returns to the said portion 233, the gooseneck 201 asviewed from the front of the machine is successively swung about the axis of member 204 in a clock-wise direction to a position in which suction cup 203 is opposite the chuck 22 of device D, in an anti-clockwise direction to vertical position with said suction cup again opposite seat 1V', further in an anti-clockwise direction to a position in which said cupi is opposite chuck 22 of device D. and finally in a clockwise direction back to vertical position with said cup still again opposite seat M. The face of plate |85 having the seat M and the front ends of both chucks 22 lie in a common vertical plane, and during the swinging movements imparted to goose-neck 201 as described, the suction cup 220 is maintained in its foremost position wherein it is spaced a slight distance forwardly of said plane. Whenever tubular member 204 and the goose-neck 201 are swung to any angular position in which the cup 203' is opposite the seat M or either cf the two chucks 22, the same are maintained in such angular position for a brief period because of the fact that the roller 226 on lever 224 then rides on one of the aforesaid dwell sections of the cam portions 233, 232, 234 and 23|. During each of the brief periods member 204 and goose-neck 201 are maintained in any of the said angular positions, the member 204 is rapidly reciprocated or moved longitudinally rearwardly and then forwardly in the opening 205 by mechanism which will be hereinafter described, These reciprocatory movements imparted to member 204 are slight, being merely suicient to ensure the cup 208 being brought into Contact with or closely adjacent a button lodged in the. seat M so as to pick up the button by suction when said cup is positioned opposite said seat, and to ensure the insertion of a button carried by the cup within the gripping portion of each chuck 22 when said cup is positioned opposite the latter. The teeth of gear 2I5 are made of such length as to permit such reciprocatory movements of member 204 without disruption of the engagement of said gear and the gear 2|6.

Secured, as by screws, to plate |85 is a bar 235 having a vertical notch 236 with which the bar 203 engages and coacts accurately to'centralize or align the cup 208 in respect of the seat M when said cup is moved toward the latter during reciprocations of member 204. As shown in Figures 7 and 9, the bar 235 is provided rearwardly of the notch 236 with a cut-out or recess 231 which accommodates the gate |96 when the latter swings downwardly to open position.

Threaded into and extending rearwardly from head A is a rod 238 to which a vertical triangular plate 233 is suitably secured for angular adjustment. Threaded through plate 239 are two screws 240 having smooth reduced forward end portions 24| which are respectively accurately aligned with the axes of the two chucks 22. Lock nuts 242 serve to secure the screws in properly adjusted position. Adjustably clamped to the rear end portion of tubular member 204, somewhat forwardly of plate 239, is a bar 243 having at its free end an opening 244 with which the reduced end 24| of each of the screws 240 is adapted to engage with a fairly close fit. Accordingly when the suction cup 208 is opposite either of the chucks 22 and then moved toward the chuck during rearward movement of member 204, the opening 244 of bar 243 will be engaged over the end 24| of the corresponding screw 240 and coact therewith accurately to align or centraliae the cup with respect to said chuck.

The rear portion of tubular member 204 is reduced, and secured thereto, as by being threaded thereon and turned up tightly against the shoulder at its forward end, is a sleeve 245 having spaced collars 24S. A bell crank lever 241v comprising lower and upper arms 248 and 249 and a pivot rod 250 to the ends of which said arms are respectively secured, is pivotally mounted by means of said pivot rod on a bracket 25| bolted to the head portion A. The lower end portionof arm 248 is in the form of a yoke 252 and embraces sleeve 245 between the collars 24B. A link or rod 253 has one of its ends pivotally connected at 254 to the upper end of arm 249 and its other end pivotally connected at 255 to the upper end of a lever 255 which has its lower end pivoted at 25? on the bracket arm |51. Ad-

jacent its upper end lever 25Sl carries a roller 250 which rides on the camming edge surface of cam |12 and is held rmly engaged therewith by a strong tension spring 259 secured at one end to bracket arm |51 and at the other end to the link 253 adjacent the pivot 254. Cam |12 comprises four equi-spaced convex sections 260 whose edge surfaces are equal circular segments of the same radius, and four like equi-spaced concave sections 26| which are shorter than sections 260 and alternate with the latter. With the construction just described, the tubular member 204, in each complete rotation of shaft |66, is maintained against longitudinal movement and with the suction cup 208 in its aforesaid foremost position, as roller 258 rides over each of the convex sections 260 of cam |12, while as said roller rides over each of the four comparatively short concave cam sections 26|, member 204 is rapidly reciprocated or longitudinally moved rearwardly and forwardly a short distance. The construction and relative arrangement are such that, as herein before indicated, member 204 and cup 20B are thus held in their foremost positions during each of the rotary movements imparted thereto by cam |1| and its associated parts, while such member and cup are held against rotary or angular movement during each of the said reciprocatory movements imparted thereto, when cup 208 is opposite one or the other of the chucks 22 or the seat M, because the roller 226 will then be riding on one of the dwell sections of the portions 23|, 232, 233 and 234 of cam |1|.

For removing the shavings and chips .cut from the buttons in facing the same, there may be provided, as shown by broken lines in Figure 2, a pipe or conduit 262 having branches 263 and 254 which respectively terminate adjacent the chucks 22 of devices D, D'. The conduit 262 is connected to a suitable exhaust fan having the base thereof, indicated at 265 in Figure 2, bolted to the brace member 2. This exhaust fan may be driven by either of the motors M, M', or if desired, by a separate motor.

To render the parts disposed within the openings 2| of head portion A accessible for servicing or other purposes, said head portion is provided with two elongated substantially rectangular slots or openings 265 which respectively communicate with openings 2| and which are normally closed by readily removable covers 261.

While believed to be apparent from the foregoing, the operation of the machine will now be briefly described. In each complete rotation of main shaft |0 and of counter shaft |66, two buttons or button blanks are successively fed from hopper |58 to chute K; and by reason of the provision of stop lever |86 and its actuating and controlling means including cam |64, the buttons thus fed to chute K are successively delivered from the latter to seat M at time intervals which, for any given speed of operation of the machine, are practically exactly equal. As each button or the like is thus delivered to seat M the gate |96 is in closed or operative position; but directly after the button comes to rest on the seat, said gate is moved downwardly to open or inoperative position by its controlling and actuating mechanism which includes cam |10. The suction cup 208, which now occupies a position opposite seat M, thereupon has successively imparted thereto, by the actuating and controlling mechanisms which respectively include the cams |12 and`|1|, a reciprocatory or rearward and forward movement wherein it picks up the button and removes it from said seat; a swinging movement about the axis of member 204 of such extent and in such a direction as to bring the same opposite to that one of the chucks 22 which is then in expanded or non-gripping condition and from which a faced button has just been ejected by the associated spring biased rod 18; another reciprocatory movement wherein the button carried thereby is partially inserted within the gripping portions 26 of the jaws 25 of said chuck and said jaws are contracted, as herein before described, to grip the button and detach or remove it from the cup; and then another swinging movement of the same extent as but in the opposite direction of its preceding swinging movement so as again to bring the cup opposite seat M. The gate |96 will then have been returned to its operative or closed position and the next button fed to chute K after that transferred by cup 208 to one of the chucks 22 as just described, will then be disposed in seat M. In the following button-transferring actuation of tubular member 204 and suction cup 208, the latter will effect the removal Vof the said next button from seat M and the insertion thereof within the jaws of the other chuck 22. As will be understood, during the movements which are necessary to be imparted to tubular member 204 and cup 208 to effect the transfer of a button from seat M to the chuck of either one of the devices D, D', the cutting tool T or T associated with such device is retracted from cutting position, swung downwardly with its holder 83 or 63 to bring it into operative relation with the associated grinding wheel G or G', and is advanced slightly in its holder when so swung to ensure effective sharpening thereof by said grinding wheel; and as the tool and its holder are swung downwardly the chuck of said device is adjusted to non-gripping position and the button which has just been faced while held therein is ejected by the associated rod 18. Also, in the meantime, the facing tool and tool-holder associated with the other chucking device are swung upwardly from tool sharpening position to a horizontal operative position and then moved toward said chucking device to eifect the facing of the button then held in the chuck of such device. It is thus apparent that the machine is entirely automatic in its actions, and that when it is in use practically the only manual operation required to maintain the same in operation at maximum efficiency is the replenishing of the supply of button blanks in hopper |58 from time to time.

The disks or blanks designed to be faced by the machine shown and described herein may be formed of any suitable material capable of being effectively turned such, for example, as cured or partially cured casein material, vegetable ivory, synthetic resin materials, etc.

While the machine shown and specifically described herein is a preferred form and admirably adapted to fulfill the stated objects, it is to be understood that such form is merely illustrative and is subject to many changes and various modifications without departure from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claim.

What I claim is:

Feed mechanism for button-shaped work pieces comprising an open sided seat to which such work pieces are adapted to be fed; a gate mounted for movement to and from an operative position in front of and adjacent the open side of said seat to close said open side and to maintain a work piece in a certain position on the seat;

ing means for said gate and device; and means for so controlling the operation of said actuating means that movement of the gate from its said operative position will be effected upon each movement of said device to its gripping position through the open side of said seat.

EMANUEL CLEMENS.

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