US2244817A

US2244817A - Feed mechanism

Info

Publication number: US2244817A
Application number: US220585A
Authority: US
Inventors: Wilcox Richard Lester
Original assignee: Waterbury Farrel Foundry and Machine Co
Current assignee: Waterbury Farrel Foundry and Machine Co
Priority date: 1938-07-21
Filing date: 1938-07-21
Publication date: 1941-06-10
Anticipated expiration: 1958-06-10

Description

June 10, 1941. R. L. WILCOX 2,244,817

FEED MECHANISM Filed July 21, 1958 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q I/ I I R 3* mxzaizazm w ATTORNEY June 10, 1941. R. L. wlLcox FEED MECHANQISM Filed July 21, 1938 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 10, 1941. R. L. WILCOX 2,244,817

FEED MECHANISM Filed July 21, 1938 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Fw /Awaits Tam/40w,

ATTO R N EY June 1941- R. WILCOX ,2 4,

FEED MECHANISM 44 TTORNEY June 10, 1941. R. L. WILCOX FEED MECHANISM Filed July 21, 1938 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 NVENTOR mamfialisizwW/z cox ATTORNEY June 10, 1941. R. L. WILCOX 2, 7

FEED MECHANISM Filed July 21, 1938 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 ATTORNEY June 10, 1941. R. 1.. WILCOX FEED MECHANISM Filed July 21, 1938 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 l/ mm I L 7 m mw v 1-11- -1 d ,m J 1|. 00

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ATTORNEY Patented June 10,

UNITED STATES PATE Richard Lester Waterbury, Conn assign or to The Waterbury Farrel Foundry and Machine Company, Waterbury, Conn a corporar tion of Odnnectlc Application July 21, 1938, Serial No. zzasas v H 42 Claims. (01. 80-8) This invention relates to new and improved feed. mechanism, and particularly of the type for the successive presentation of single blanks to I threading dies or the like. As disclosed herein it is applied to a threading machine, wherein threads are rolled on the blank. It is' equally adapted, however, for other "types of machines,

7 wherein a feed mechanism may be desirable.

A principal object of the invention is to provide an efficient mechanism of this. character which will facilitate the production of a perfect product at high speed.

According to this invention a plurality of blanks are assembled indiscriminately in a hopper that occupies a lower horizontal plane than the threading dies and are automatically taken therefrom and presented one at a time to the threading dies. In the travel of. the blanks from the hopper they are conducted in a chute to an auxiliary chute which is disposed at an angle or obliquely to both the line of action of the dies and to the chute. By cut-oil mechanism or the like, the lowermost blank in the chute is separated from the column of blanks in the auxiliary chute and projected into a transfer mechanism. This mechanism moves the blank from the auxiliary chute to a point where it is taken therefroin by carrier mechanism interposed between the chute and the dies and actuated in a path at an angle or obliquely to the line of action of the dies.

This carrier mechanism is provided with fingers that have a relative floating movement, whereby the fingers will move laterally of the path of travel of the carrier mechanism and thus heretofore an blanks have been supported either by the head, and by gravity hang in a vertical. 1 i position or by the end of the blank, in which case; other mechanism is provided to prevent relative tilting. If the dies are inclined, the presentation thereof into the bight of the dies is such that the is produced. In both cases the blankis positively assured of presentation to the dies at a right angle to the working faces of the dies and held in is rolled back again to its starting point during the return travel of the movable die. A blank subjected to such an imperfect operation is damaged and is quite likely to injure or break adjacent parts, such as portions of the feed mechanism. In the present mechanism such action of the blank is practically impossible, but if perchanceit should happen, no damage will result,

' as the chute parts are distant from the dies inaccommodate themselves to the path of travel of the blank between the dies and also permit their withdrawal from the blank with the minimum of lateral pressure.

Also associated with the carrier mechanism is a device-for applying pressure to the blank when in the bight of the dies to insure its proper entrance therebetween.

In this invention the cut-oi! mechanism may be instantly stopped manually, if desired.

If the thread is to be rolled on the shank its full length the blank is transferred supported by the head by new and novel mechanism which applies a limited pressure thereto, thus insuring its permanency of relative position during transfer. If the blank, however, is to have the thread rolled on only a portion of the shank, then the blank is supported by the shankas distinguished from the head, likewise under a limited pressure. So far as at present advised, 55' pointed out in the stead of immediately adjacent thereto, as in the conventional threading machine, and the mechanisms for conveying the blank from the chute to the dies are so constructed and operated that they will discontinue their operations under abnormal conditions. I

A source of trouble in mechanism of this character is the difficulty of stopping the feed of blanks from the chute if conditions demand or seem desirable. in the chute is uncontrolled and is a possible source of damage. This difilculty is overcome in the invention herein by so arranging and operating the cut-off mechanism that it may be instantly stopped, at which time no blank in the column of blanks will pass out of the chute.

In addition to the above and other new and,

novel features, which will appear from the following description and the accompanying drawfor blanks of varying lengths and diameters, as

well as for different shaped heads.

To these and other ends, this invention consists in the new and improved feed mechanism hereinafter described and more particularly claims.

Ni" orries Generally the lowermost blank In the drawings, wherein like numerals of reference indicate like parts in the several figures; Figure 1 is a view of-one side of a machine embo y g the invention herein;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view of that portion thereof adjacent to the threading dies;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side view of the hopper end of the machine; a v

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view of one side 01 that portion of the machine illustrated in Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the chute, transfer and carrier mechanisms and adjacent parts, the transfer mechanism being in substantially its out position and the carrying mechanism in substantially its in position;

Figure 6 is a similar view with the transfer mechanism in substantially its inward position and the carrying mechanism in substantially its out position;

Figure 7 is a transverse view of the mechanism adjacent to the dies, the parts in section being taken generally upon line 'I! of Figure 4,".

Figure 8 is a transverse view of a portion of the hopper mechanism, the parts in section being taken generally upon line 88 of Figure 3;

Figure 9 is a similar view, the parts in section being taken generally upon line 9-9 of Figure 3;

Figure 10 is a detailed view of the segment and guide plates and some adjacent mechanism;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary plan view of the hopper end of the machine; 5

ure 12 is a transverse sectional view of a portion of the lower end of the hopper mechanism, the parts in section being taken generally upon line i2l2 of Figure 3;

Figure 13 is a detailed view of the escapement mechanism andadjacent parts partly in section;

Figure 14 is a view of the lower end of the auxiliary chute and adjacent parts;

Figure 15 is a detailed view of a portion of the carrying mechanism, illustrating the type thereof for a blank with a hexagon or like head upon which a thread is to be cut the full length of the shank; c

Figure 16 is a view of similar mechanism illustrating a blank positioned therein and supported below the head thereoi Figure 17 is a plan view of the mechanism as,

shown in Figure 16;

Figures 18 and 19 are views illustrating a portion of the carrier mechaninn arranged for round or button head and beveled screw blanks, respectivcly;

Figure 20 is a perspective View of a portion of a blank supporting plate;

figure 21 is a view of the cut-ofi slide, a portion of the auxiliary chute, and some adjacent parts; and

Figures 22 and 23 are detailed viewsof the monitor mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numerals 20 indicate a threading machine or the like, which is supported upon a standard 2 l, and 22 is a bracket which is adjustable by a screw 23 or the like. I

The threading machine is supplied with th usual stationary die 2d and movable die 25, each of which has thread rolling grooves in the working face thereof.

The stationary die 24 is movably mounted on a die holder 26 which is adjustable to vary the width of the open space between the faces of the dies by the screws 21 and stop screws 28 and secured in its adjusted positions by the bolts 29.

The movable die is secured to a reciprocating slide 31 in the frame 45 and is actuated from the main shaft 30, driven through the drive wheel 5!, pinion 32 thereon which actuates the gear 33 upon the shaft 34, and the pitman 35 connecting the slide 31 with the pin I in the gear 33. The dies, slide and mechanism for actuating the same, are or the conventional type and constitute no part0! this present invention. As shown, the dies are in a plane at an angle to the horizontal, with the delivery end of the dies lower than the receiving end, but within the invention, the dies may be horizontal, or in any other position, as may be desired. On the frame 49 are two brackets 38 and 4|,

the former fixed and the latter adjustable, being held in its several positions by the screws 45.

Adjustable against one face of the bracket 38-, by the screws 49, is the inner auxiliary chute plate 39. The screws 40 are threaded into T- head nuts 4! slidable in T-grooves in the bracket 38. It is thus assured a positive relative position of the chute plate with the bracket.

The outer auxiliary plate 39 is adiustably se-.

cured, by screws 53 to the bracket 44. A chute cover 55 having a latch N8 of conventional form is adjustably and separably secured above the chute plates 39 by screws 41 having nuts thereon. This chute cover is not an essential part of the mechanism.

Keys 42 fixed to the chute plate by rivets 48, project in part in the chute plates 39 and in part in the brackets 38 and 4t, insuring proper relative position of the chute plates.

The chute plates 5!, supported by the brackets it, are of the conventional type, one of which is laterally adjustable, and spaced apart a distance sufllcient to permit the shanks of the blanks to pass therebetween, with the heads resting upon the top of the chute. Heretofore it has been the practice to have these chute plates extend to a point adjacent to the dies, which practice, however, has objectionable features. The chute plates in this machine terminate at a point distant from the dies and therehetween is an. auxiliary chute that forms an extension of the chute and is disposed at an angle or obliquely to both the line or action of the dies and to the chute.

The blanks at are delivered to the chute plates 5! from a hopper in a manner hereinafter described and slide theredown and between the auxiliary chute plates 58 to the lower end thereof, a position substantially as shown in Figure 5. Adjustment for various size diameters of blanks is accomplished by positioning the brackat it and for various blank lengths by positioning the auxiliary chute plates 39 upon their supporting members.

The blanks are singly and successively tramierred from the auxiliary chute plates into a position approximately as shown at 605 in Figure 6, to be engaged by carrying means for presenta tion to thedies. Such transfer means comprises generally a. slide 52 having a T-head 53 with a slot 56 therein, which is mounted in a ilxed bracket 54, the arms 55 of which form a back support for the T-head 53. This slide is actuated througha rock lever 51 fulcrumed on the stud 58 mounted in a bracket 59 through a link 50 adjustable on the rock lever by the bolt Bi and screw 62. The length of stroke of the slide 52 is thus made variable.

, Also pivotally mounted on the stud 58 is a rock arm 63, which receives an oscillating motion ment in the opposite direction.

swivelmechanismfl of conventional iformjo'ur bracket "9, rod 99, and-swivel block: Theconnections between the swivel block' 1.. I9 and rod 99, the' rock-lever 95 and the rod, and the rod 99 with the swivel mechanism 99, are all adjustabla surroundins the rod 99 are a plurality of compression coil springs II with washers l2 therebetween; The washer nearest the swivel mechanism 99 bears against a wall of the frame 99 and the springs are held under compression by the nuts 19.

The slide 52, with the blank, is thus carried to the position I95 and aligned with the carrier mechanism by yielding mechanism, and positively in the opposite direction by action of the cam 99. Utilization of a plurality of spring units ll, instead of a single compression spring, facilitates the substitution of a new unit if one is broken. The movement of the slide 52 while transferring a blank is therefore actuated by mechanism that will yield under abnormal conditions, and is practically positive for its move- Such limited positive movement is designed to prevent a full return of the slide it anything should obstruct its movement, or per chance, the blank is not ..taken out of the slide by the carrying fingers.

This result is obtained from the following mechanism.

Integral with the rock lever 51 is an arm 14 -which has a flexible connection with the rock arm 63 through the rod I5, swivel block I96 and spring 16. These arms, under normal conditions, are thus held with the contact lugs 11, one upon arm H, and the other upon the rock arm 93 in engagement with each other, but under a yielding pressure, which lugs will be separated if the slide 52 is not returned to its full stroke to receive a new blank.

If perchance the slide 52, or any of its associated parts, should meet an obstruction, or a. blank should be out of place for any reason, the slide 52 will discontinue its movement without interfering with the movement of any of the parts that actuate the rock arm 63. On the slide 52 are two transfer plates 18, each having a blank receiving recess 19 in alignment with each other. The walls of the recesses are at an angle to the face of the plate, and when in register with the auxiliary chute are in the same plane as the inside faces of the auxiliary chute plates. The plates 19 are adjustably securedby bolts 99 or the like that project through the slot 56 in the slide 52. When this latter slide is in its approximately out position, the blank receiving recesses 19 are in register with the open space between the auxiliary chute plates, and in its inner position is opposite the carrier mechanism hereinafter described. There are usually two of the transfer plates 19, the upper one being located to hold the blank directly under the head and the lower one to steady the blank at its lower end.

Slidably mounted in the bracket 94 is a cut-oi! slide 9| having one ormore fingers 92, each with a pointed nose 92. The fingers pass through the fingers u may be substituted, each arwmai a diiraentwidthof pointed nose.

its inward orv cut-oi! motion is actuated by the spring 99 and outward positivelyby'an 1 tmechanimlilhislattercomprisesin bncketll'which is secured to the outer auxiliary chute plate 99 and moves therewith "91 atitsouterendtoreceive thepln 99 flxedin slots I99 in the ends of the chute plates 99 and ment. Forvarying diameters of blanks other one of tin: transier plates 19. On the other arm is a cylinder lug 99, in which the cam pin 99 is movably mounted, being pressed downwardly by a spring 99. It is moved upwardly manually through the knurled head 9| and held in its up position by the cross pin 92, resting on the top of the lug 93. When in its up position the lower end of the cam pin 99 is flush with or above the lower face of the lug 99 and projects therebelow in its down position, whichposition is determined bythe pin 92 engaging the bottom wall of a radial slot 94 in the lug 93, substantially as shown in Figure 13.

The reciprocating movement of the slide 52 actuates the rock member 99 and imparts an arcuate movement to the cam pin 99 about the center of the stud 95.

Pivotally mounted upon the bracket 94 is a cam piece 95, one face of which engages a pin 99 in the cut-off slide 9|. parted to the cam piece 95 through the cam pin 99 when in its down position.

As the transfer plates 19 move to their in position, the rock member 96 is actuated in one direction thereby, and the cam pin 99 engages one wall of the cam piece 95, and through the engagement thereof with the pin 96 the cut-oi! movement of the slide 52 the column of blanks slides downwardly until the lowermost one in the column engages the face of the slide.

While the slide 52 is returning to its out-position, the spring 93 moves the cut-off slide 9| inwardly and returns the rock arm 96 to its former position. As the recesses 19 are again in register with the open space between the auxiliary chute plates 39 the pointed nose of each of the cut-oil fingers 92 are again projected between the two lowermost blanks in the column of blanks holding the entire column of blanks against further downward movement and forcing out the lowermost blank into the recesses 19. The carrier mechanism grips the blank while in the recesses 19 when in substantially the position designat 3d I95, in Figure 6, and thereafter presents it in the bight of the threading dies properly aligned therewith.

The particular form of gripping means varies with the character of the blank, that is, the

length thereof, the position of the thread to berolled thereon, and the shape of the head. Various forms of such means are illustrated in the drawings, Figures 15 to 19, inclusive. If the 'thread is to be rolled the entire length of the shank the blank is held rigid by the head, substantially as shown in Figures 15, 18 and 19, in

Movement is imtrated-hexagon as in Figure 15, round or button head as in Figure 18'and a beveled-head screw as in Figure 19. For blanks to be so threaded the forward end of the finger block I01 is provided with a Vnotch IIO (Figure 6) to receive the shank of the blank. In the forms shown in Figures 15, 18 and 19, the-blanks are held against accidental displacement by the application of a limited pressure upon the head of the blank. This is accomplished by a plate III havreason, such as a misplaced blank or otherwise.

ing a beveled end I I2, to insure a ready entrance of the blank, loosely held in alignment with the block by a pin H3 and subjected to pressure by a spring II4 upon the stud II5. Shifting the nuts upon the stud II5 will vary the tension of this spring. For the round or button head blank (Figure 18) the underside of the plate III is slightly-concaved so as to fit over the top of the head and additionally prevent its accidental displacement in relation to the finger block I01. As

the underside of the screw head shown in Figure 19 is beveled, a support is provided therefor by a plate 6, which has an open slot I8I with beveled walls to suit the diameter and height of the head. The finger block I01 is separably secured to a carrier plate by bolts I09 or the like.

In the form of mechanism shown in Figure 16, the blank is gripped below the head and at a point just above the end of the thread to be rolled, by companion spring fingers II1, which have a beveled outer end to permit ready entrance of the blank therebetween. As so positioned, the fingers just clear the top of the dies, shown in Figure 5, when the blank is presented thereto. Each of these fingers is subject to the pressure of a spring II8 fixed-to the finger block I01 by a bolt H9 or the like. The fingers II1, as the finger block I01 approaches the blank, in position I05 (Figure 6) yield under the pressure of the springs H8 and engage the shank of the blank upon opposite sides thereof, and are held thereagainst under a yielding pressure by the springs H8, the shank of the blank resting in the V-notch IIO.

In Figures 5 and 6 the carrier mechanism, therein shown, is the form illustrated in Figure 15, the blank having a hexagon head.

The carrier plate I02 isadjustably mounted upon a swivel block 98 by the screws I03 or the like, the correct alignment of the parts being maintained by a key I08.

The swivel block rotates upon a stud 99 mounted in a slide 91 that reciprocates in the bracket 38. It is yieldingly held in a relatively fixed position on the slide by a pin I00, having a pointed nose that projects into and is held in a conical recess in the rear face of the swivel block 98 by a spring IOI, substantially as shown in Figure 5.

Fixed in the slide 91 is the joint block I20 that receives 'the ball end of the connection I22. A similar connection I23 having a ball end engages the rock arm I24 on the shaft I25. A rod I26 adjustably unites the connections I22 and I23. An oscillating motion is given the shaft I25 from the cam I21 upon shaft 34 through the rock lever I 28, on the stud 66, and the member I29 adjustably secured to the rock lever I28 (Figure 4), and rock arm I30 fixed on the shaft I25. As the cam roll on the rock lever I28 is held against the cam I21 by the pressure of spring I2I, movement of the carrier mechanism in its travel with the blank toward the dies, will stop, if perchamee conditions are abnormal for any The carrier mechanism is in its rear position (Figure 6) when the slide 52 approaches its inposition, with a blank in the recesses 19. As the blank nears its in-position I05, the carrier mechanism moves toward the blank and engages it in such position, during a slight dwell of the slide 52. It is held fixed therein by the gripping means in the manner hereinbefore described, depending upon the character, length of the blank, shape of the head thereof, and the length of the portion to be threaded. With the blank so gripped the carrier mechanism moves rearwardly a limited distance and takes the blank from the recesses 19. The slide 52 now returns to its out-position, and the carrier mechanism again moves forward and presents and pushes the blank into the blght of the dies substantially as shown in Figure 5. When the dies have gripped the blank therebetween suiliciently to insure its passing between the dies, the carrier mechanism releases its hold thereon and is withdrawn. The blank then passes between the dies, the thread rolled thereon and discharged at the rear end of the stationary die in the conventional manner. As the path of the blank between the dies is at an angle to the direction of movement of the gripping mechanism toward and away from the bight of the dies, any tendency of the gripping mechanism to drag on the blank while being withdrawn, and thereby possibly throwing it out of alignment, is overcome by the flexibility of the gripping mechanism in relation to other parts of 'the carrier mechanism. Such flexibility results from the pivot mounting of the finger block I01 and the action of the spring pressed pin I00. As the fingers remain in contact with the blank during a portion of the travel thereof between the dies, this difference of direction of travel is accommodated by the same flexibility of the gripping mechanism.

The hopper I3I is mounted upon a frame I32 which is supported at its lower end by the standard I33 and at its upper end by the shaft I34 journaled in the bracket 22. Journaled in the frame I32 is a shaft I35 carrying a sprocket wheel I36 and upon the shaft I34 is a similar sprocket wheel I31. Connecting these sprocket wheels is a feed chain I38 having a plurality of fingers I38 which project therefrom and in spaced relation to each other. The walls of the hopper I3I incline toward each other and at their lower ends are spaced at suflicient distance apart to permit the fingers I39 to pass therethrough, these fingers being of suflicient length to project above the bottom of the hopper. The hopper walls are adjustably supported upon the frame I32 by suitable brackets I40, at least one of which is adjustable, to provide for a movement of the hopper wall fixed thereto toward and away from the other wall, and thus vary the width of the open space at the bottom thereof.

The feed chain I38 is driven preferalbly, but not necessarily, by a motor I adjustable on a bracket I42, through a hand wheel I43. Upon the shaft of this motor is a variable speed pulley I44 of conventional type, which is connected with a gear reduction unit I45, by a V-belt I46. Actuated through the gear reduction unit I45 is a shaft I41, upon which is a fixed friction plate I48 and a free plate I49, between which is the sprocket wheel I 50. Upon the shaft I41, and between the plate I49 and collar I5I, is a spring I52, which exerts its tension against the plate I49 so as to firmly press the same against one face of the sprocket mam and drive the 3 rafrictiongl'ilh'thepressureof which isvariablethroughascrewltl.

Upon the shaft I34 is a sprocket wheel I6 which is connected with the sprocket wheel I63 by the sprocket chain I36. Motion of the feed chain I33 is thus acquired from the -motor hrough the shaft I41 and mmcket chain I53 which rotates on the shaft I34. The speed of this feed chain is changed by variation of the weed of the shaft I41, which is accomplished through adjustment of the position of the motor I toward and away from the gear reduction unit I46 by manipulation of hand wheel I43. By this'drive the mrocket wheel I33 will slip, causing the chain and parts associated therewith to come to a full stop if perchance the fingers thereon or the chain itself should meet some obstruction. This type of drive insures a positive motion of the feed chain so long as conditions are normal, but as soon as an abnormality is presented, whatever its nature. the same stops and thus prevents injury or damage to the blanks or any of the hopper mechanism.

The fingers I33 attached to chain I33 (Fig. 3) used to be set at intervals in the chain more or less suiting a frequency requirement of blanks to be elevated. For certain workpieces which fed easily or readily the spacings were greater distances apart. For blanks not readily fed more fingers and shorter spacings were required to get more blanks up the track.

Now by means of the pulleys I44 and I46 a change of speed of the chain I 33 is efiected, thereby causing a standard number of the fingers I33 to act more or less frequently on the blanks. This results in a better control of the number of blanks elevated without the necessity of a laborious change in the number of fingers I33. The speed change of the chain also obviates the frequent stoppage thereof so that, for example, when blanks feed too freely or more than the machine requirements, thereare not so many interruptions of the chain operation but rather a steadier flow.

At the lower end of the frame I32 is a bracket I56, one wall of which forms an end wall of the hopper and rotatable therein is a shaft I 51 carrying a sprocket wheel I53 and a beveled gear I53, and journaled thereon is a bracket I 63. In the bracket I33 is a shaft I" having a beveled gear I62, the teeth of which mesh into those of the beveled gear I53 and upon thev inner end of which is an agitator I63, cylindrical in form. The shaft I51 is driven from the shaft I by a sprocket chain I64 between the sprocket I65 u the shaft I35 and the sprocket I53.

0ver the opening I66 in the bracket I56, through which the agitator mechanism moves up and down, is a closure plate I61. This 'plate is held against the bracket I56 by the blanks in the hopper. The agitator I63 is spiral in form and the inside walls I63 of the spiral taper toward the axis of the shaft. As so constructed the blanks will not wedge between the outer diameter of the agitator and the walls of the hopper, and the inner tapered walls of the spiral prevent the clog ng of blanks inside of the spiral. With this form of agitator there is no possibility of blanks becoming clogged either inside or outside of the agitator by reason of the operation thereof.

The upper portion of the sprocket chain I33 is supported by the guide rails I 63 slidable on the rods I13 when adjusted by the screw ill to vary the lateral position of the fingers I33. An idler roll I12 journaled in the rock arm I13 rides against and holds the lower portion of the sprocket chain I33 taut and in alignment.

The outer end of gear reduction unit shaft I34 is spaced slightly from the end of shaft I41 (Figure 8) and fixed thereon are the notched wheel or cam I32 and the ratchet wheel I33, both having the same number of as shown herein, five in number. On the shaft I41 is fixed the disk I35 and on one side thereof a ratchet wheel I36 is movably mounted, being held against lateral movement by a plurality of screws I31 which project through slots I33 in the ratchet wheel. Thus the ratchet wheel I36 is free to rotate upon the disk I35 a limited-distance. A pin I33 fixed in the disk I35 projects into one of the said slots and its engagement with one end thereof limits such movement in one direction and the engagement of any of the screws I31 limits such movement in the opposite direction. A pawl I33 is mounted on a stud I M in the disk I35 and moved and held in the path of the teeth on the ratchet wheel I33 by a spring 2I6. Outward movement of the pawl I33 is prevented by a pin I32 if perchance the spring should break or become dislodged.

In the ratchet wheel I 36 is a trip pin I 33, which is movable in the path of the lug I34 on the pawl I33 and when in engagement therewith will swing the pawl upon its pivot mounting and the tooth thereon out of engagement with the ratchet wheel I33, whenever there is a limited counter rotation of the ratchet wheel I 36 relative to the disk I35, thus stopping the rotation of the latter and the shaft I 41, and stopping the feed of blanks from the hopper to the chute. Fixed in the frame I32 is a stud I35, upon which oscillates a rock lever I33, having a;lug I31. Also journaled on this stud is a rock arm I33, carrying a roll I33 which is constantly under pressure toward the periphery of the wheel I32 by the action of the spring 233. Upon this rock arm is a lug 23I, through which and the lug I31 projects a bolt 2I3 having a spring 232 thereon between the lug I31 and nut 233. To the lower end of the arm I 36 is attached a yoke block 235 within which is adjustably secured one end of a connecting rod 236. The purpose of the bolt 2M and spring 232 is to yieldingly hold together the arms I36 and I33 providing thereby a motion compensating means between the two levers.

When the arm 2" of lever I36 is all the way down to the root of ratchet I36, then roll I 33 rides onthe crest of star wheel I32 and there would be no yield between lugs I31 and 23I. But when rod 236 is stopped as arm 2" is engaging nearer the outside crest of a tooth in ratchet I36, then roll I33 has partially dipped toward root 0! star wheel tooth and because of this, the levers I33 and I 36 spread yieldingly apart against the tension of the spring 232.

Journaled on a stud 231, near the upper end of the frame, is a rock lever 233. having associated therewith a'yoke 233, and within which is one end of the connecting rod 236.

Secured to one of the chute plates 5Iis a finger block 2I3 within which is movable a trip finger 2 that is fulcrumed on a. stud 2I2 which slides in a slot H3 in the finger :block. A swivel block 2 I4 and connection 2I5 join the trip finger 2 with the rocklever 233 and receive motion therefrom. The point of the finger 2II on-its forward stroke enters toward the center of the space between the chute plates and bears against a blank traveling therethrough. If the chute is filled up to this point or slightly above the point of the finger, then the latter in its forward motion contacts a blank which cannot be thus moved forward. This prevents motion of the finger, link 2I5 and rock lever 208. As a result, through the connection rod 206 the stop lever I96 is moved into the path of a tooth on ratchet wheel I88, thereby lifting the pawl I90 by means of the pin I93 out of its engagement with the ratchet wheel I83 and breaking the operative connection between the shafts I84 and I", thus stopping movement of the feed mechanism and delivery of'blanks to the chute. As soon as the blanks again move down the chute and free the action of the trip finger III the feed of blanks is again renewed.

The blanks are thrown indiscriminately and enmasse into the hopper and by the action of the agitator I63 are always free to be lifted out of the hopper by the fingers I39 and delivered one at a time to the upper end of the chute, through which they slideand enter the auxiliary chute. The agitator moves up and down as the mass of blanks requires pivoting upon the axis of the shaft I51, but continually rotating. Its down position is limited by the screw I'll which abuts against a wall of the bracket I56. Clearance fingers I15, shown herein as coiled springs, are

supported by the rods I16, adjustably mounted in the fixed plates Ill. The lower ends of these clearance fingers are so positioned that a blank traveling in its prescribed path will pass thereby, but if not, it willengag'e one 'or'more of these clearance fingers and be returned to the hopper. It has been found that coil springs usedas clearing fingers produce the effect and all of the ad-' herein.

Whatisclaimedis: 1. In' mechanism of the character described. thread rolling dies; and gripping means for supporting and carrying a blank to the dies, that is P rp ndicular to the blank and engages the shank thereof betweenthe ends of the blank,

at a place spaced from the head, which means is above the top of'the dies when the blank is presented thereto. I

2. InJnechanism of the character described;

- thread rolling dies; gripping means for supporting and carrying a blank to the dies, that is perpendicular to the blank and engages the shank thereof between the endsof the blank, at a place spaced from the head, which means is above the top of the dies when the blank is presented thereto; and pusher means for presenting a blank'so held into the bight of the dies.

3. In mechanism of the character described;

dies for rolling a thread on-a blank; and means for supporting and carrying a blank to the dies that engages the shank thereof between its ends and retains such engagement while the blank moves between the dies for a limited distance, movable obliquely toward and away from the dies, the movement of such means being controlled in part during such limited travel, by the blank between the dies.

4 In mechanism of the character described; thread rolling dies; means for carrying blanks to the dies in a path obliquely to the line of action of the dies, comprising in part a slide, a member pivotally connected therewith, a second member adjustably mounted on the member to provide for blanks of various lengths, and blank holding mechanism on the second member and whereby the second member during the travel of the slide may have an independent movement initiated by the blank while moving between the dies.

5. In mechanism of the'character described; thread rolling dies; means for carrying headed blanks to the dies, having as a part thereof a mechanism that holds the blank in part by spring pressure upon the head thereof, comprising a member with a blank receiving recess in one face thereof, a finger connected therewith and projecting over one end of the recessed face thereof, and spring mechanism for pressing the finger against the head of the blank in the member.

6. In mechanism of the character described; thread rolling dies; means for carrying headed blanks to the dies-in a path obliquely to the line of action of the dies, having as a part thereof a mechanism comprising a rigid member and a yielding member that holds the blank by the head, one face of the head engaging the rigid member, and another face the yielding member.

7. In mechanism of the character described; thread rolling dies; means for carrying headed blanks to the dies in a path obliquely to the line of action of the dies, having as a part thereof a blank holding mechanism, comprising a member with a blank receiving recess in one face thereof, a finger, having a beveled outerend connected therewith and projecting over one end of the recessed face, and spring mechanism for pressing the finger toward the member.

8. In mechanism of the character described; thread rolling dies; means for carrying headed blanks to the dies, having as a part thereof a holding mechanism, comprising amember with a blank receiving recess in the end face thereof, a finger connected therewith and projecting over one end of the recessed face, and spring mechanism for pressing the finger toward the member, the blank in the holding mechanism having its shank in the said recess with the underside of the head engaging the adjacent faces of the member, with a spring pressed plate engaging the top of the head.

9.111 mechanism of the character described; thread rolling dies; a chute; means for transferring blanks from the chute to the dies, comprising transfer mechanism that receives a blank from the chute and movesthe same to a point laterally spaced from the line of action of the dies, and carrying mechanism that takes a. blank from the transfer mechanism at said point and conveys it across the intervening space to the dies.

10. In mechanism of the character described; thread rolling dies; a chute; means for transferring blanks from the chute to the dies, comprising transfer mechanism that receives and carries a blank from the chute, and carrying mechanism that takes the blank from the transfer mechanism at a point spaced from the chute and laterally from the line of action of the dies and conveys it to the dies, a member of the transfer mechanism receiving the blank at the chute and holding it during transit.

11. In mechanism of the character described:

' ring blanks from the chute to the dies, comprising transfer mechanism that receives and carrim the blanks from the chute. and carrying mechanism that takes the blanks from the transfer mechanism at a point spaced from both the chute and dies and delivers them to the dies: a

member of the transfer mechanism having a recess therein at the same relative angle as the chute to receive the blank from the chute.

12. In mechanism of the character described; thread rolling dies; a chute; and means for transferring blanks from the chute to the dies, comprising transfer mechanism that will receive the blanks from the chute; and carrying mechanism that first takes the blank from the transfer mechanism, then moves out of the .path thereof and finally presents the blank to the dies.

13. In mechanism of the character described; thread rolling dies; a chute; means for transferring blanks from the chute to the dies, comprising transfer mechanism that receives the blanks from the chute, and carrying mechanism that takes the blanks from the transfer mechanism at a point spaced from both the chute and dies and delivers them to the dies, the transfer mechanism being positioned between the dies and the carrying mechanism as the latter takes the blank'- therefrom.

14. In mechanism of the character described; thread rolling dies: a chute; means for transferring blanks from the chute to the dies, comprising transfer mechanism that receives the blanks from the chute, and carrying mechanism that takes the blanks from the transfer mechanism and delivers them to' the dies; and means passing between the two lowest blanks in the chute for projecting the lowest blank into the transfer mechanism and holding all of the other blanks in the column of blanks from movement in the chute.

15. In mechanism of the character described; thread rolling dies; a chute; means for transferring blanks from the chute to the dies, comprising transfer mechanism that receives the blanks from the chute, and carrying mechanism that takes the blanks from the transfer mechanism and delivers them to the dies;and means,

having a pointed nose, passing between the two lowest blanks in the chute for projecting the low-- est blank into the transfer mechanism and holding all of the other blanks in the column of blanks from movement in the chute.

16. In mechanism of the character described; thread rolling dies; a chute; and means for transferring blanks from the chute to the dies, comprising in part a reciprocating slide, one or more members connected therewith and having recesses therein which in one position of the slide register with the chute; means for imparting a reciprocatory motion to the slide to transfer a blank from thechute to a point to be received by the carrying mechanism, and carrying mechanism that takes the blank from the transfer mechanism and delivers it to the dies.

17. In mechanism of the character described; thread rolling dies; a chute; and means for transferring blanks from the chuteto the dies, comprising in part a reciprocating slide, one or more members adiustably connected therewith and having recesses therein which in one position of the slide register with the chute; means for imparting a reciprocatory motion to the slide to transfer a blank from the chute to a point to be received by the carrying mechanism, and carrying mechanism that takes the blank from the transfer mechanism and delivers it to the dies.

'18. In mechanism of the character described; thread rolling dies; a chute; and means for transferring blanks from the chute to the dies,

comprising in part a reciprocating slide, one or more members aonnected'therewith and having recesses therein which in one position of the slide register with the chute; positive means for imparting a reciprocatory motion to the slide in one direction to transfer a blank from the chute to a point to be received by the carrying mechanism, and carrying mechanism that takes the blank from the transfer mechanism and delivers it to the dies.

19. In mechanism of the character dmcrlbed; thread rolling dies; a chute; and means for transfer-ring blank from the chute to' the dies, comprising in part a reciprocating slide, one or more members connected therewith and having recesses therein which in one position of the slide register with the chute; means for imparting a reciprocatory motion to the slide that will yield and hold the slide against movement if an abnormal condition should interfere-with said movement to transfer a :blank from the chute to a .point to be received by the carrying mechanism,

and carrying mechanism that takes the blank reciprocatory motion to the slide to transfer a 7 blank from the chute to a point spaced there-,-

from; a cut-01f mechanism that projects the lowest blank in the chute into said recess; a'

connection between the slide and cut-ofi mechanism, whereby the latter is operated in timed relation with the slide; and carrying mechanism that takes the blank from the transfer mechanism at said spaced point and delivers it to the dies. 21. In mechanism of the character described; thread rolling dies; a chute; means for transferring blanks from the chute to the dies, comprising in'part'a reciprocating slide having a recess therein which in one position of the slide registers with the chute; means for imparting. a reciprocatory motion to the slide to transfer a blank from the chute to a point spaced therefrom; a cut-off mechanism that projects the lowest blank in the chute into said recess; a connection between the slide and cut-off mechanism, whereby the latter is operated in timed relation with the slide; carrying mechanism that takes the blank from the transfer mechanism at said spaced point and delivers it to the dies; and means for breaking said connection whereby the slide will operate independently of the cut-off mechanism. 1

22. In mechanism of the character described; thread rolling dies; a chute; means for transferring blanks from the chute to the dies, comprising in part a reciprocating slide; a cut-off mechanism that projects the lowest blank in the chute into the transfer means; a connection between the slide and cut-off mechanism, whereby the latter is operated in timed relation with the associated therewith, whichin one its positions will render the connection inoperative.

23. In mechanism of the character described; thread rolling dies; a chute; means for transierring blanks from the chute to the dies; a cutoff mechanism that projects the lowest blank in the chute into the transfer means; a connection between the slide and cut-oil. mechanism, whereby the latter-ls operated in timed relation with the transfer means and having a movable member associated therewith, comprising in part a rock member actuated by the transfer means; a movably mounted member between the rock member and the cut-off mechanism; and a trip member connected with the rock member that is movable into and out of the path of the intermediate member to make or break the connection between the transfer and cut-off means.

24. In mechanism of the character described;

thread rolling dies; a chute; means for transferrlngblanks from the' chute to the dies, comprising in part a reciprocating slide having a recess therein which in one position of the slide 1 registers with the chute; means for imparting a reciprocatory motion to the slide to transfer a blank from the chute to a point where it is re 'ceived by the carrying mechanism; a cut-oi! mechanism that projects the lowest blank in the chute into said recess; a connection between the slide and cut-off mechanism, whereby the latter is operated in timed relation with the slide; and carrying mechanism that takes the blank from the transfer mechanism and delivers it to the dies, said chute, cut-off mechanism and connection being adjustable relative to the dies in a path at substantially a right angle to the direction of travel of the blank between the dies.

25. In mechanism of the character described; thread rolling dies; a chute; an auxiliary chute 'leading from the chute at an angle thereto; means per to the chute.

2'7. An agitator for stirring up blanks in a mass of blanks, or the like, having a substantially solid base portion, a s iral wall around the axis of the agitator, with a open space between the ends thereof, the outer edge of which ascends relatively to the base for a portion of its length, and descends toward the base for a portion of its length, one wall of which slopes toward the axis or the agitator.

28. In mechanism of the character described; thread rolling dies; means for carrying blanks to the dies in a path obliquely to the line of action of the dies, and having a generally reciprocatory movement in said oblique path, and :a secondary or floating movement relative to the reciprocatory movement. comprising in part fingers that hold the blank until engaged by the dies; and a pusher associated with the carrying means adjacent to the fingers that force the blank into the bight of the dies while held by the fingers.

29. In mechanism of the character described; thread rolling dies; means for carrying a blank to the dies, comprising in part a slide that moves in a path obliquely to the line of action of the dies, a member movably connected therewith, and blank retaining means associated with the movable member, said member and fingers while being withdrawn from the dies having independent movement relative to the slide thatis initiated and controlled by the blank last carried to the dies and while moving therebetween.

30. In mechanism of the character described; a chute; thread rolling dies spaced from the chute; and means for moving a blank from the chute to the dies, comprising in part two separately actuated mechanisms, one taking the blank from the chute and carrying it to a point that is between the chute and laterally of the line of action of the dies, and the other taking the blank at said point and conveying and delivering it to the dies and at the same time that the first mentioned mechanism is returning to the chute to receive another blank.

31. In mechanism of the character described; a chute; thread rolling dies spaced from the chute; and means for moving a blank from the chute to the dies, comprising in part two separately actuated mechanisms, one taking the blank from the chute and carrying it to a point between the chute and dies, through a path at substantially a right angle to the working face of the dies, and the other taking the blank at said point and conveying and delivering it to the dies and moving in a path obliquely to the dies.

32. In mechanism 01 the character described; a chute; thread rolling dies spaced from the chute; andmeans for moving a blank from the chute to thedies, comprising in part two separately actuated mechanisms, one taking the blank from the chute and carrying it to a point be tween the chute and dies, and the othertaking the blank at said point and conveying it obliquely to the line of action of the dies and across the path of movement of the first of said mechanisms and delivering it to the dies and at the same time that the first mentioned mechanism is returning to' the chute to receive another blank.

33. In mechanism of the character described; a chute; thread rolling dies spaced from the chute; and means for moving a blank from the chute to the dies, comprising in part two separately actuated mechanisms, one taking the blank from the chute'and carrying it to a point between the chute and dies, and the other taking the blank at said point and conveying it obliquely to the line of action of the dies and delivering it to the dies. said first described mechanism coming to a rest position if it or an associated part should meet an obstructing object.

34. In mechanism of the character described; thread rolling dies; a chute spaced from the dies obliquely thereto; and means for moving a blank from the chute to the dies, comprising in part two separately actuated mechanisms, one taking the blank from the chute, carrying it to a point between the chute and dies, and the other taking the blank at said point and conveying it to the dies in a path obliquely to the line of action thereof, and non-parallel with the chute.

35. In mechanism of the character described; a chute; thread rolling dies spaced from the chute; and means for moving a blank from the chute to the dies, comprising in part two separately actuated mechanisms, one taking the blank from the chute and carrying it to a point between the chute and dies, and the other taking the blank at said point and conveying and delivering it to the dies, this last mechanism moving from said point to the dies in a path obliquely to the line of action of the dies and comprising in part a slide; a membermovably connected therewith; and blank carrying fingers associated with the member, the member being actuated at an angle to the slide by a transitory member.

36. In mechanism of the character described; a chute; thread rolling dies spaced from the chute; and means for moving a blank from the chute to the dies, comprising in part two separately actuated mechanisms, one taking the blank from the chute and carrying it to a point between the chute and dies, and the other taking the blank at said point and conveying and delivering it to the dies, this last mechanism moving from said point to the dies in a path obliquely to the line oi action oi the dies, comprising in part a yieldingly actuated slide; an independently movable member thereon, a finger member adjustable on the movable member, and fingers or the like associated with the finger member that receives the blank, which when delivered to the dies and started in a path therebetween will impart movement to the fingers and movable member relative to the slide; and means, as a detent or the like, for yieldingly maintaining the pivotal member in a predetermined relative position on the slide.

37. An agitator for stirring up blanks in a mass of blanks, or the like, having a spiral wall that extends for a limited distance around and spaced from the axis, the outer edge of the wall having an ascending portion and a descending portion, relatively to the base, and the inner surface thereof sloping toward the said axis.

38. An agitator for stirring up blanks in a mass of blanks or the like, having a substantially solid base portion, a wall projecting in one direction from the base portion substantially parallel with the axis of the agitator and arranged with an open space between the opposite ends thereot the said wall being substantially spiral in form, and thicker at its line of juncture with the base than at the rim or outer edge.

39. In combination with thread rolling dies; a hopper; chute mechanism through which the blanks travel toward the dies; and positively actuated flexible means, having spaced fingers as a part thereof, for taking blanks from the hopper, moving the blanks upwardly and delivering them successively from the fingers to the chute.

40. In combination with thread rolling dies; a hopper; chute mechanism through which blanks travel toward the dies; a rotary member adjacent to one end of the chute mechanism; a flexible member, having fingers as a part thereof, that moves upwardly and over the rotary member carrying blanks from the hopper to the chute mechanism.

41. In combination with thread rolling dies; a hopper located in a horizontal plane lower than the thread rolling dies; a chute through which blanks travel toward the dies; a flexlble member, having fingers as a part thereof, which carries the blanks upwardly from the hopper and delivers the same to the chute.

42. In combination with thread rolling dies; chute mechanism, through which the blanks travel toward the dies; a hopper; a flexible member mounted so as to travel between the hopper and chute mechanism and having fingers thereon which carry the blanks with the flexible member, and in their uppermost position pass between the walls of the chute mechanism.

RICHARD LESTER WILCOX.