US2273783A

US2273783A - Washer feeding device

Info

Publication number: US2273783A
Application number: US359543A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles J Irwin
Original assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
Current assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
Priority date: 1940-10-03
Filing date: 1940-10-03
Publication date: 1942-02-17
Anticipated expiration: 1959-02-17

Description

.Feb. 17, 194-2. C |Rw|N I WASHER FEEDING DEVICE Filed Oct. 3, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. c/ rlaffiwm Jun: llll' Feb-17, 1942. c. J. IRWIN 2,273,783 .WASHER FEEDING DEVICE Filed Oct. f5, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 w i L. w i ms a i i w w E b i m1 g U 1. m a w m w ,6 W ,0 -rmwr 6 7 2 3. x 6 i K g i mm m wt m 5 gm N v. Y. w a m .a 2 R. 5 4 E Q7. Q7

v ers to an assembly. point.

ing movements of the disc or member. A further object of the invention is to provide .a rotary disc or shiitable feed member forfeed Patented f che-1 f v STATES PA NT orrlcc wssnaa rename novice I Charles J. 111., assignorto Illinois Tool nois' Works, Chicago, 111., a corp rationof lilimuses October s, 1940, Scrial No. 359,543

, 18 Claims." (o1. -169) This invention relates to a machine. or mechanism for assembling screws and washers, and more particularly to a means for feeding wash- It is an. object of invention toprovide for use-in a screw and washer-assembly mechani'sm or the like a more-'eflicient washer "feeding device including a shiftable washer feedmember or disc adapted for feeding in an eflicie'nt man-- ner at a relatively high rate substantially all types of washers including washers for which,

by reason of their shape, size or structural form-'- tion, no device has been provided capable of aue tomatically feeding such washers in individual succession from a mass to a predetermined point and in a predetermined position for assembly with screw elements.

It is more particularly an object of applicants invention to provide a rotary washer --feed disc or shiftable feed memberfor feeding-washers which by reason of their size; shape or" other structural characteristics, do not readily seat themselves inv co-planar recesses of a'flat feed disc or member, or having beenseated; are only.

with difficulty retained therein 7 during the feed:

disc or shiftable feed member, individual washer receiving pockets each having a radial opening therethrough to permit aiwasher to move into a pocket during a certainpredetermined portion of the range of movement of the disc or-feed member; to move out of the pocket during another predetermined p r i n of the range of movement of the disc or feed member; and-to provide means to prevent movement of the washers out of the pockets between these predetermined portions of therange of movement of the disc or feed member. I

Other and further objects and advantages of the: invention will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with th accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is a fragmentary view in plan of a machine or mechanism embodying the invention:

.' Figure 1;

ing relatively very thin washers, particularly continuous ring lockwashers having relatively thin flat body portions. a

It is also an objector this invention to devise means cooperating with a washer-feed disc or shiftable feed member to provide individual washer receiving pockets into which the washers may pass while still remaining on the surface of the feed member or disc or into which the-washers may move directly along the surface of such.

discorfeed-member; ,v

The invention also contemplates the provision of a washer feed meansincluding shopper of whichone wallis formed by an inclined feed disc or shiftable member onto which the washers may accumulate from a'mass dumped into the hopper, and wherein the feed disc or shiftable feed member is provided with an.upstanding flange having a plurality of pockets receiving individual washers from the accumulation on the disc or member, which pockets extend upwardly from the surface ofthediscfor feed member for which the device of the present invention is adapted; v

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view in plan taken along the line 8-8 of Figure 3 and showing the construction of thewasher feed member; I

Figure 715 a fragmentary view in perspective of another portion of the washer feed member; Figure 8 is a fragmentary view in vertical sec- 'tion taken along the line 8-'-8 of Figure '7;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary view in vertical section similar to Figure 8, but showing a modified form of washer feed member;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary view' in vertical section similar to Figure 9, but showing a second modified form of washer feed member; and

so that the washers may move by gravity direct- 1y along the inclined surface of the disc .or member into the pockets. I

.It is a further object of the invention to provide in a washer feed device including arotary Figures 11, 1 2 and 13 are fragmentary views similar to Figures 6,! and 8 of another modified form of washer feed unit. I

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, screw elements or blanks 2 are fed to the assembly mechanism l along the inclined gravity feed chute 6 composed of spaced inclined guide bars 8 and ill. The screw elements or blanks may be supplied to the chute 6 by any suitable conventional mechanism or device as shown by Hanneman Patent No. 2,152,591, issued March 28; 1939.

From the assembly mechanism 4, screw elements or blanks assembled with washers are conveyed by an inclined chute l2 composed of spaced bars l4 and 10. By the chute l2 these assembled units may be carried to an enlarging, extruding, or thread rolling mechanism, as shown in said Hanneman patent.

The assembly mechanism 4 may be of any suitable construction receiving a screw element at the lower end of the chute 8; moving downwardly to telescope the element into a washer and position it at the upper end of the chute l2 and then releasing the element for conveyance with the washer along the chute l2. Preferably this as- I sembly mechanism is ofthe construction disclosed low, generally cylindrical supporting member or mechanism housing I. as by interfltting with the I rabbeted upper edge of the housing and the ring in the application of Walter M. Hanneman, Serial No. 344,359, filed July 8, 1940. x

Briefly stated, this assembly mechanism comprises a pair of screw receiving jaw members i8 fulcrumed on a hollow slide bar or'sleeve slidable in a tubular guide 22. The guide 22 carries a sleeve 24 having a bevelled inner surface 28 causing a desired opening movement of the jaw members as they approach their upper' limit'oi movement. The guide 22 also carries anabutment or collar 22 causing a desired opening movement of the jaw members as they approach their lower limit of movement. A slide rod 20 which engages the head of a screw clamped in the jaw members is slid-ably mounted in the bar or sleeve 20 and is operated by a lever 22. As the slide rod 20 moves downwardly, it engages the head of the screw element and causes the jaw members holdirvilat'tthe screw element to move downwardly there- The tubular guide 22 is carried by a bracket 34 adjustably secured at its outer end to a base casting or support 36. The lever 32 is moved downwardly by a spring 22 secured at. one end to the lever and at the other end to the bracket. Rotary cam II moves the lever upwardly and controls its downward movement. The cam operates upon the lever through'a slide pin 42 mounted in the bracket N and engaging a set screw 44 carried by the lever. Washers are conveyed or supplied to the assembly point, in the path of movement of the screw elements carried by the jaw mem-- bers l8, by a combined hopper and washer feed mechanism 40. t

The washer feed mechanism comprises a washer hopper 48 which in detail may be of the construction disclosed in the application of William "Stern, Serial No. 277,344, iiled June 5, 1939, or the application of Ougljeaa Jules Poupitch, Serial No. 282,517, filed July 1. 1939. Such a hopper includes an inclined annular washer retaining wall member or shell II, a portion of which is cut away in the line of the guide chutes so that one vertical edge -of the wall at the ,cut

away portion abuts the outer surface of the guide 1 bar II and the corresponding opposite edge of the cut away portion abuts the outer surface of the guide bar ll. The bottom wall of the hopper is formed by a washer feed disc or shiftable feed member 52 rotatably supported upon a stationary disc or ring 54. The disc I2 and its supporting plate or ring 84 are inclined, preferably at the-same angle as the guide chutes 6 and I2,

and. the common axis of the disc and plate or ring is coincident with the axis of the shell b0 ,and extends'substantially at right angles to the parallel, longitudinal edges or-surfaces of the guide chutes i and I2.

The tubular shell" may besecured to a holor plate 54 is supported upon the upper edge of the housing within the tubular shell 50 as seen in Figure 3. The annular wall of the housing 58 and the ring orplate 54 are cut away so that they abut the upper ends oi the guide bars I4 and it and extend along the outer surface of the guide l0 barlO. v

The disc 52 is rotated, preferably intermittently, by any suitable operating mechanism 58 which may be of the construction disclosed in the above-mentioned application of Ousllesa Jules Poupitch.

An annular member or ring 60 extends over the rim of the disc 52 and is spaced therefrom by a plurality of'angularly spaced lugs 62. The annular member 60, the disc 52, and each pair of adjacent-lugs 62 form a washer pocket or receptacle 84 open along its opposed inner and outer walls. The disc is rotated by its drive mech- .anism 58 in a counterclockwise direction to carry washers from the mass in the lower portion of the hopper in an upward direction, during which time the washers become seated or received-in the receptacles and then the washers are carried outwardly of the hopper and in a downward direction to the assembly point at the upper end of the guide chute l2 beneath the assembly mechanism 4.

Each lug 62 is of a thickness substantially equal to, but slightly greater than, the maximum axial thickness of the washer so that the space between the ring and the disc 52 is suiiiciently large to permit a washer to slide readily flatwise along the surface of the disc into this space,

but is sufllciently small so that the ring holds:

' as shown'inFigure 6.

The annular member or ring 60 and the disc 52 are provided with aligned, angularly spaced,

' outwardly opening peripheral recesses or notches I0 and I2 centrally of the receptacles 64 to permit insertion of the shanks of the screw elements into the washers in such receptacles and to permit extractionor ejection of the assembled screws and washers from the disc and the ring ill as they continue to rotate after assembly of the screws and washers and carry the assembled elements along the guide chute l2, the assembled elements being conflned to the guide chute by the projection of the shanks of the-screw elements into the space between the guide bars II and I8.

An annular rail or member 14, best shown in Figure 4, is secured to the hopper wall or shell 50 as by integral attaching lugs 16 welded or bolted to the shell. The attaching lugs I6 are so formed that the 'rail 16 overlies the upper half of the disc, 52 in close juxtaposition to the upper surface of the disc and in close juxtaposition to the inner edge of the annular member or ring 68. Thus the rail 14 closes the inner .Sides of the receptacles about" the upper suitable non-radial angle to direct the washers into the washer receptacles as the disc rotates.

The washer directing plate or bar I8 extends 'beyond the rail I4 toward the hoppershell 88 to form an attaching lug 88 welded or boltd to the-shell and awasher directing bar portion 82 overlying the ring 88. A plurality of angularly spaced lugs 84 may be secured if desired to the surface of the annular member orring (8 to provide means for agitating the washers in the mass in the lower portion of the hopper to facilitate the distribution of washers onto the surface of the disc 52. formed to provide a rear edge 86 extending generally radially of the disc and an inwardly tapering forward edge 88 extending in a non-radial directionrelative to the disc. As the disc rotates, washers in the mass in the lower portion of the hopper fall into the spaces between the lugs and some are carried. to the upper portion ofthe hopper and gravitate from between the lugs and slide downwardly along the,surface washers are being moved from the lower part to the upper part of the hopper in order that the washers may be distributed more uniformly over the surface of the disc and therefore have a greater opportunity to become properly positioned so as to move into the washer receptacles.

.The bevelled faces 94 of the bars 98 permit I washers to slide downwardly of the disc as they Eachlug is preferably pass beyond the highest point of the hopper so that they .will be readily returned to the mass in the lower portion of the hopper without interfering with the assembly operation, and at the same time increase the possibility of the washers becoming seated in-a recess from which a washer, assembled with a screw element, has just been extracted. In other-words, the bars 98, by reason 7 -of their disposition and configuration, serve to so distribute the washers on the feed disc as to increase the opportunity for the washers to beof the disc, thereby increasing the'opportunities for the washers to become tacles 84.

Itshould be noted that the rail I4 is of a thickness substantially equal to the combined thickness of the lugs-82 and thering 8850 that the washers may readily pass over the rail from between the lugs 84 as the lugs move along the rail. The forward edges 88 of the lugs 84 being seated in the receptate this movement of the ,washers out of the spaces between the lugs and have the further important advantage, of applying a component of force to the washers which is directed in- I inclined with respect to and diverging inwardly from the rear edges 88 of adjacent lugs, facili- The bar portion 82 of the washer di-' recting plate 18 is cut away at its lower edge .su'fliciently to clear the lugsahd cooper tes with its plate 18 to prevent washers from'pi ing up against the hopper wall, forwashers piling up against the hopper'wall will be carried by the ring 68 and lugs 84 against the plate I8 and its bar portion 82, the washers being thereby soagitated that the pile-0r. stack is broken up and hence the washers gravitate back into the mass or-becomedistributed over the surface of the disc 52.

The washer feed disc 52 is'also providedwith a plurality of angularly spaced barsor rib form-L ing portions 98 extending tangentially from a common imagina: v 'circle and across the surface of the disc. The bars 98 terminate inwardly of the inner edge of the ring; 88 a suflicient distance to clear the rail 14. Each bar 98 is formed "to provide a forward face 92 extending substantially at right angles tothe surface of the disc and' a bevelled face 94 tapering downwardly. in a direction opposite to the direction ofgrotatio'n of the disc. the disc into a plurality of sectors or sections,

The bars 98 divide the surface-of I come positioned in thereceptacles 84.

A washer detector 98, including a washer detecting finger 98, may be of the construction disclosed in the Hanneman. Stern, or Poupitch applications, above mentioned. This detector is so positioned that the finger 98 lies in the plane of the lugs 62 and moves inwardly of a receptacle 84. If the receptacle contains no washer atthe time it reaches the asembly point, the finger is moved inwardly and overlies the lower recess 12 at the assembly point so as to form an abutment preventing downward movement of the assembly mechanism a sufllcient distance to release the screw element. .The assembly mechanism thereforeretains the screw element as it moves upwardly and a washerless screw element is therefore not fed to the chute I2. If-in the caseof small washers, the space between the lugs 82' be. not suflicient to accommodate the inward movement of the washer detector, the lugs 82 may be terminated inwardly of the periphery of the disc 52 or a circumferential slot provided in the outer edgeof each lug to provide such clearance.

In the form shown in Figure9,- the lugs 82 are shaped to accommodate washers of the crown type, i.. e. washers having outwardly pressed central portions or crowns. .Thus as shown in Figure 9, each lug' I88 corresponding to a lug 82 of the form shown in Figure 7, is provided with flanges I82 extending into the washer receptacles and spaced from the upper surface of the disc 52 a distance slightly greater than the thickness of the main body portion of the crown washers each including a plurality of washer receptacles Y 88. The abrupt face 92 of each bar prevents" the washers from sliding on their flat faces from one sectorto another during the'time trait the I84. Thus each receptacle between the edges I86, conforming to the edges 88 of the lugs 82, is in circumferential vertical section of the same shape as the crown washers.

In the form shown in Figure 10, the lugs I88 corresponding to the lugs 82 of the form shown in Figures 1 to'l, are shaped tesaccommodate frusto-conical' lock washers. Thus as shown in Figure 10, each lug I 88 is provided with opposed side edges II8 bevelled or tapered oppositely from the opposite edges of, the peripheral recesses or notches 12 in the disc 52. Hence each washer receptacle is shaped in circumferential vertical section between its edges corresponding to the edges the frusto-conical. washers. In the form shown in Figures 11 to 13, the

"of Figures 6 and 7 to conform tothe shape of washer feed disc II2, corresponding to the disc 82, is provided with a plurality of 'angulariy spaced outwardly I I2, surface opening peripheral recesses I, Thusflas .theewashersf-sare fed'= 'brthe"disc,

W lidma lmem berl l and the flanges the main body portion of the crown washers I20. Thus as the crown washers slide along the surface of the disc'into the washer receptacles, they are guided by the flanges and the cut away edges of the lugs beneath lthese flanges into position above the recesses I llinto which they then fall to the position shown in Figure 13 with their main body portions received in the recesses and lying in the plane of the disc II2.

Since in this form of the invention the rail 14 I is unnecessary (for the seated washersare retained against radial inward movement by the edges of the recesses N4), the lugs IIB are extended inwardly of the inner edge of the ring 60 as at I22 so as to agitate the washers lying on the disc and provide projections defined by oppositely tapering edges I24 for engaging and directing washers into the receptacles I25 that in this form of the invention are open not only along their inner and outer sides, but also in open communication at theirbottom side with the recesses III.

Lugs or blocks I28 are secured to the upper surface of the ring 50 and formed to provide bevelled or tapering forward edges I28 extending inwardly from the upper flat faces of the lugs to the surface of the ring 80. The rear ,edge

or face I30 of each lug I26extends substantially at right angles to the surface ofthe ring" 60.

.Crown type washers hav a tendency to pile up in stacks with the central or crown portion of one washer interfltted with the outwardly pressed central portion of an adJacent washer. The bevelledfaces I28 of the lugs I26 provide effective means for separating these stacked washers, the

. relatively sharp forward upper edge of the lugs engaging between the circumferential edges of adjacent washers and tending to lift "the upper washer from the lower washer which is held down by the bevelled face I28. The lugs I I8 terminate ery of the disc III to. provide clearance space for. the washer detector 38 inwardly of the periph thin washers having relatively thiniflat body portions.

The invention has also provided means cooperating with a washer feed disc or shiftable feed member to provide individual washer receiving pockets into which the washers may pass while still remaining on-the surface of the feed member or disc or into which the washers may move directly along the surface of such disc or feed member.

Applicant-has further provided washer feed means including a hopper of which one wall. is formed by an inclined feed disc or shiftable member onto which the washers may accumulate frcm a mass dumped into the hopper, and wherein the feed disc or shiftable feed member is provided with an upstanding flange having a plurality of pockets receiving individual washers from the accumulation on the disc or member, which pockets extend upwardly from the surface of the disc or feed member so that the washers may move by gravity directly along the .inclined surface of the disc or member into the pockets. a v

"The invention further provides a washer feed device including a rotary disc or shiftable feed member, individual washer receiving pockets each having a radial opening therethrough to permit a. washer to move intoapocket during a certain predetermined portion of the range of movement of the disc or feed member; to move Changes maybe ma e in the form, construction-and arrangement f the parts without departing from the spirit hf the invention or sacri- -flcing any of its advantages, and the right is hereby reserved to make all such changes as fairly fall within the scopeof the following claims.

i The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

' 1. Washer.feeding means comprising a shiftable feed plate receiving on its surface a mass of washers, a member overlying a portion of said It will be seen from the foregoing description that applicanthas provided for use in a screw and washer assembly mechanism or the like a more emcient' washer feedingv device including .a shiftable washer feed member or disc adaptedfor feeding inan efiicient manner at a relatively high rate substantially all types of washers including washers for which, by reason of their shape, size or structural formation, no device has been provided capable of automatically feeding such washers in individual succession from a mass to a predetermined position at a predetermined point for assembly with screw elements.

The invention has more particularly provided a rotary washer feed disc or shiftable feedmemher for feeding washers which by reason of their size," shape or other structural characteristics, do not readily seat themselves in co-planar receases of a flat feed disc or member. or having been seated, are only with difllculty retained therein during the feeding movements of the licant hasalso provided a rotary disc or shiftable feed member for feeding relatively very plate and shiftable with said plate, spaced other members shiftable with said plate and positioned between said plate and overlying member to form with said plate and member spaced pool!- ets, said pockets opening inwardly to receive washers from the mass and outwardly to discharge the washers individually from the plate,

and means for-shifting said plate, said overlymg member and said other members to carry the washers in the pockets successivelyto adischarge point. 1 I

2. Washer feeding means comprising a rotary discreceiving on its surface a mass of washers,

an annular member overlying the disc at the periphery thereof, other members rotatable with the disc and positioned between the disc and annular member toform with said disc and annular member angularly spaced pockets, said pockets opening inwardly to receive the washers from the mass and outwardly todischargethe washers individually, and means for rotating, said disc and said other members to carry the *Washers in the pockets in succession to a dis:

charge point. c 3. Washer feeding means comprising-a rotary disc receiving on its surface a mass of washers,

washers, particularly continuous ring lock an annular member overlying the disc at the perlphery thereof and rotatable therewith, other, members rotatable with the disc and positioned between the disc and annular member to form with said disc and annular member angularly spaced pockets, said pockets opening inwardly to receive the washers from the mass and outwardly to discharge the washers individually, a stationaryiannular wall extending in the plane of the pockets partially about the disc and annular member to prevent outward movement of the washers from the pockets, said annular wall being open at the discharge point to permit washers to be moved outwardly of the pockets, and means for rotating said disc, said annular 'and said other members to carry the washers in the pockets in succession to. the discharge point.

4. Washer feeding means comprising a hopper having a shiftable washer feed plate forming a shape to accommodate,in'dividual washers to be portion of the bottom wall and receiving a mass the circumference-thereof a plurality of spaced pockets each opening inwardly above the plane of the shiftable plate to receive individual washers from the mass of washers-on the plate andeach to project out of the hopper, means providing "j a plurality of angularly spaced pockets-at- .the

opening outwardly to permit passage of the individual washers radially of the plate, and means for shifting said plate to carry the washers in the pockets in succession out of the hopper through the opening in the upstanding wall ..thereof and to a discharge point outside the hopper.

5.,Washer feeding means comprising an inclined rotary disc receiving on its surface a mass of washers, an annularvmember overlying the surface of said disc at the periphery thereof,

- lugs rotatable with the disc and positioned be tween said member and said disc to form with the member and disc angularly spaced pockets, each of said pockets opening inwardly to receive an individual washer from the mass and each hopper. and means for rotating said disc to carry.

opening outwardly to discharge an individual washer, means for rotating said inclined disc and lugs in a direction to 'move the washers'flrst in an upward direction from the mass to cause in-' dividual washers to be seated in the pockets and then downwardly to carry washers in the pockets to a discharge point, an annular wall member extending in the plane of the pockets partially about the periphery of the disc and anfed, the upstanding wall of. the hopper preventing movement of the washers outwardlyof openings, the opening'in said upstanding wall permitting washers when carried by the shift--' able wall section out of the hopper to pass out- I wardiy of the openings, and vmeans for, shifting said wall section to carry the washers received in said openings to a discharge point outside of the hopper. I

8. Washer feedingmeans an annular upstanding wallportion extending partially about the periphery of the disc and.

having an opening therein permitting the ;dls'c periphery of therdisc closed againstthe upward and downward movement of individual washers received in the pockets, e'ach ofxsaid pockets i I being of a size to accommodate a single washer.

and opening inwardly to receive a washer from a mass on *the'surface of the disc and outwardly, to discharge washers individually. the upstand- 'ing wall portion of the hopper closing the outer sides of the pockets toprevent discharge of the washers from the portion of disc within the hopper, but permittingi outward-=- movement of the washers from the pockets in the portion of the projecting out of the the washers in the pocketsin succession out of the hopper to a discharge point.

19. Washer feeding means comprising a rotary.

disc, a member rotatable with said disc and overlying said disc .and extending inwardly from the periphery thereof, angularly spaced lugs of a thickness substantially equal to the'thicksaid overlying member andsaid disc to space I said disc from said overlying member, said overnular member to prevent outward movement of the washers from the pockets, said annular,

wall member having an opening at the discharge ness of the washers to'be fed, said lugs being rotatable' with the disc and positioned between lying member and said .lugs'fcrming with said disc a plurality ofan'g'ularlyjspaced pockets point to permit outward movement of the washers from the pockets.

"6. Washer feeding means comprising a hopper having an upstanding side wall, a rotary I disc forming the bottom of said hopper and receiving on its surface a mass of' washers, a member overlying said disc at the periphery thereof, spaced members rotatable withsaid disc and positioned between said disc and overlying member in angularly spaced pockets conforming to the diameter and thicknessof the washers to be fed, said pockets opening inwardly to receive and segregatethe washers. from the mass and opening outwardl'y to opening inwardly to, receive individual washers from a mass upon the surface-.ofjthe disc -andj opening outwardly at the periphery of 'tl'ie disc" to permit discharge of the individual washers" from sai'dpockets, an annular wall in the plane of the lugs partially about the periphery of the the disc to prevent outward movement of, the washers from the pockets, :but having an opening therein. to permit outward movement of the washers from the pockets at a dischargepoint and means forrotating'said disc.

said overlying member and said lugs to carry the washers in the pockets/in succession to said discharge point. p

1o. Washer feeding means compris ng ,an mclined rotary disc receiving amass or washers r on the surfaoethereof, a member overlying said and'extending inwardly from the iperiphery' comprising'ahop- I per, aninclined rotary disc forming abottom wall portion of said hopper, said hopper having member from the surface of the a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the washers to be fed, said lugs forming with said disc angularly spaced pockets opening inwardly to pockets and opening outwardly topermit the receive individual washers from the mass on the surface of the disc and opening outwardly to release the washer at a discharge point, means for rotating said disc to distribute washers in the mass over the surface thereof and to cause the washers to gravitate into the pockets in the lower section of the disc, means preventing the washers passing into the pockets in the lower section of the disc from passing outwardly of the pockets, means preventing washers seated in the pockets in the upper section of the disc from moving inwardly of the disc back into the mass of washers, and means for rotating said disc to carry the washers in the pockets to the discharge point.

11. Washer feeding means comprising a rotary disc receiving on its surface a mass of the washers to be fed, means comprising a member secured to saiddisc in overlying relation to the disc at the circumference of the disc and extending inwardly from the periphery thereof said member being spaced from the surface of the disc by angularly spaced projections of a thickness substantiallyequal to the thickness of the washers to be fed, said member and said projections forming with said disc angularly spaced pockets each of a .size to receive an individual washer from the surface of the disc, opposed inner edges of adjacent projections flaring outwardly in opposite directions to form an enlarged washer directing throat for directing washers on the surface of the disc into the pockets between adjacent projections, and means for rotating said disc to carry washers inapocket to a'discharge point for extraction from the pockets.

12. Washer feeding means comprising an inclined rotary, flat disc receiving on its surface the washers to be.fed, means comprising an annular member overlying said disc at the periph- V ery thereof and spaced from the surface of the disc by'angularly spaced projections on the surface of the disc and of a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the washers to be fed,

said projections being rotatable with said disc and forming with 1 said disc angularly spaced pockets each of a size to receive an individual washer sliding thereunto along the surface of the rotating disc. opposed inner edges of adjacent projections flaring outwardly in opposite directions to form an enlarged washer directing throat for directing washers on the surface of" the disc into the pockets'between adjacent projections. -means f'or rotating said disc to carry washers in a pocket toa discharge soneand means preventing movement of the washers inwardly or outwardly of the pockets as they approach the discharge zone, but permitting movement of the washers out of the pockets at the discharge zone.

13. Means for feeding crown type washers comprising a shiftable feed plate receiving on its surface washers to be fed, a member overlying said plate and; spaced from the surface thereof a distance equal to the maximum thickness of the crown washers by angularly spaced projections, said overlying member and said projections forming with the surface of said-disc vsingularly spaced pockets opening inwardly toward the washers on the plate to permit passage.

of washers from the surface of the discinto the washers to pass from the pockets, the opposed pocket forming edges of adjacent projections having recesses therein to receive-the main flat body portions of the crown washers to prevent tilting of the'washers in the pockets, and means for shifting said feed plate to carry the washers in the pockets in individual succession to a discharge point.

14. Means for feeding crown type washers comprising a rotary disc receiving on its surface the crown type washers, a member overlying said disc and extending inwardly from the periphery thereof, angularly spaced projections spacing said member from said disc a distance equal to the maximum thickness of the washers on the surface of the disc, said projections being spaced 9. distance substantially equal to the external diameter of the crowns of the washers and todischarge washers from the pockets, means for rotating said disc to carry washers received in the pockets to a discharge point, and means holding the washers in the pockets against inward or outward movement as the pockets approach the discharge point.

15. Means for feeding-countersunk or frusi'oconical washers comprising a rotary disc, a member overlying the surface of the disc and extending inwardly from theperiphery thereof, said member being spaced from the surface of the disc a distance equal to the height'of the countersunk or frusto-conicai washers by angularly spaced projections forming with the member and disc ,anguiarly spaced pockets opening inwardly to permit washers on the disc to move into the pockets andopening outwardly to permit washers in the pockets to move from the disc, said adjacent projections having opposed side edges oppositely inclined to the surface of the disc at thecountersunk angle of the washers to prevent countersunk washers not positioned in a predetermined manner on the surface 'of the disc from passing through the pockets.

- 16. Washer feeding means comprising a rotary disc receiving on its surface washers to be fed,

means forming with the surface of said disc angularly spaced pockets at the periphery thereof, said disc having a plurality of angularly spaced recesses, one for each of said pockets and communicating with the pocket, the opposed side walls of the pockets having outwardly flaring opposed inner edge portions for directing the washers from the disc,i nto the pockets and having opposed side wall edge portions directing the. washer into registry with the recesses in the disc,

and means for rotating the disc to carry the washers in the recesses to a discharge point..

17. -W asher feeding means comprising a hopper, said hopper having a shiftable bottom wall section and an upstanding wall portion having an opening therein through which the shiftable bottom wall section moves to carry the washers out of the hopper, means providing a flangeupstanding from the surface of the shiftable wall section with a plurality of spaced openings therethrough and extending about the periphery ofsaid shiftable wnl section in juxtaposition to the inner surface of the upstanding wall of the hop- .per, each of said openings being of a size shape to accommodate individual washers to be fed, the upstanding wall, of the hopper preventing movement of the washers outwardly of said openings, the opening in said upstanding Wall permitting washers when carried by the shiftable wall section out of the hopper to pass out-- wardly of the openings, and means for shifting said wall section to carry the washers received in said openings to a discharge point Outside of the hopper, and angularly spaced means or members projecting upwardly from the upper surface of the flange means to agitate the washers in the mass to distribute them over the surface of the disc.

.18. In a mechanism for assembling screw and washer elements, washer feed means comprising a shiftable feed plate receiving on its surface and I washers to be fed, a member overlying a portion discharge the washers individually from the plate, v means for shifting said plate to carry the washers in the pockets successively to an assembly point, said plate and overlying member having a plurality of spaced pairs of aligned outwardly opening recesses communicatingwith the pockets to permit insertion of a screw element through a pair of aligned recesses and into thewasher in the pocket between said recesses and release of the washers with the screws.

" I CHARLES J. IRWIN.-