US2351450A

US2351450A - Machine for reinforcing clothespins

Info

Publication number: US2351450A
Application number: US460406A
Authority: US
Inventors: John R Nolan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1942-10-01
Filing date: 1942-10-01
Publication date: 1944-06-13
Anticipated expiration: 1961-06-13

Description

Jime 13, 1944.

. J. R. NOLAN MACHINE FOR REINFORCING .CLOTHESPINS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 1

.J. R. NOLAN MACHINE FOR REINFORCING CLOTHESPINS June 13, 1944.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct 1 June 13, 1944. J. R; NOLAN MACHINE FOR REINFORCING CLOTHESf'INS Filed Oct. 1, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 5' June 13, 1944. J. R. NOLAN MACHINE FOR REINFCRGING CLOTHESPINS Filed Oct 1. 1942 5'Shee9s-Sheet 4f N iv 71 \97 \A i PETE 36 r ll d" gf7\' J I 5.9 v 2 ski June 13, 1944. J. R. NOLAN 2,351,450

MACI' IINE FOR REINFORCING CLOTHESPINS Filed Oct. 1, 1942 P-PP 5 SheetsSheet 5 Ivwfof a i fiqw Patented June 13, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE 2,351,450 MACHINE FOR REINFORCING CLOTHESPIN S John R. Nolan, Larchmont, N. Y.

Application Octoberl, 1942, Serial No. 460,406

16 Claims.

This invention relates to means for applying to and confining within a bifurcated wooden clothespin a reinforcing element which is effective to prevent the splitting of the body of the pin when the prongs thereof are subjected to excessive spreading strain while the clothespin is in service.

In accordance with the principle of my invention metallic reinforcing elements-having spaced legs are efiiciently positioned at and driven into the crotch portions and lengthwise of the interior of the bodies of succeeding clothespins in such manner that the legs of each element diverge laterally from the respective angular corners of the clothespin.

In carrying out the invention in the preferred way a metallic reinforcing element of substantially U-form is embedded in the body at the crotch of the clothespin, the legs of the element being forced through the angular corners of the crotch and coincidentally spread laterally, whereby the extremities of the diverging legs when the element is driven home in the direction of the head of the clothespin, extend lengthwise into the body of the pin to points a greater distance apart than the width of the crotch, and whereby the connective portion of the legs extends transversely of the crotch. Thus the diverging legs, which are firmly embedded in the solid body of the clothespin, diagonally intersect the lines of the grain passing through the respective corners of the crotch, and in consequence such legs co-act with their short connective portion to prevent'the splitting of the body of the clothespin should the prongs be subjected to excessive spreading strain while in service.

The reinforcing element is introduced in the flaring mouth of the space between the prongs of the clothespin and thence the element, legs leading, is forcibly driven toward the crotch of the clothespin, the points of the legs being guided and supported by the inner parallel walls of the respective prongs. As the points approach the crotch of the clothespin they are forcibly deflected laterally into and through the respective opposed corners of the crotch, thus penetrating lengthwise the solid body of the pin a determined distance. This done the reinforcing element is subjected to a succeeding driving impact and thereby driven home and across the face of the crotch.

A reinforced clothespin of the character described forms the subject of my pending application Serial No. 432,198, filed February 25, 1942.

A constructional form of machine according to my invention is illustrated in the annexed drawings, and is hereinafter described in detail, the scope of the invention being expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawings- Figure l is a plan of a clothespin reinforcing machine embodying the principle of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the machine.

Fig. 2a is a view of a portion of a horizontal clothespin guide member and of an inclined feed guide member leading thereto, showing an escapement stop for pivotally checking the advance of the leading clothespin and causing the clothespin to gravitate to a vertical position astride of the guide plate while the head of the next adjacent inclined pin abuts the head of the leading pin, the vertical positionof the leading pin being indicated by dotted lines.

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section in a plane through the wire feeding mechanism and the mechanisms for forming succeeding wire reinforcements and for driving a reinforcement into each succeeding clothespin, as on the line 3-3 of i 2.

Fig. 4 is a similar section in a plane through the clothespin feeder, as on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4a is a detail section showing a spring pressure device for temporarily holding the actuating slide of the escapement mechanism included in the clothespin feeder.

Fig, 5 is a longitudinal vertical section through a portion of the table adjacent combined wire cutting and reinforcement forming members, showing a reciprocating driver and its apertured guide and also the delivery portion of a clothespin guide plate including a spreader member located in the path of each succeeding reinforcement after the formation of the reinforcing element.

Fig. 6 is a transverse vertical section, as on the line 66 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a section, similar to Fig. 5, of the combined cutter and former members and adjuncts, showing said members in their raised position, and with the driver element elevated preparatory to driving the reinforcing element.

Fig. 8 is a sectional plan of the cutter and former members showing a wire guide block and the apertured driver guide through which the leading end of a strand of wire extends.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the wire guide block.

Fig. 10 is a similar view of the combined cutter and former members, showing a part of the actuating devices for saidmembers.

Fig. 11 is a sectional perspective View of the driver guide, showing the head of the driver as engaged with a reinforcement formed between and supported by the walls of the guide.

Fig. 12 is a sectional elevation showing the delivery end of the guide member for a succession of clothespins, said guide member terminating in a spreader member, and also showing the driver head as supporting a reinforcing element in close relation to the crotch of the clothespin, said driver head being represented as near the limit of its upward stroke with the legs of the reinforcement embracing the spreader, and also as impinging a reinforcing element which has been partially inserted in a preceding clothespin.

Fig. 13 is a sectional elevation as on the line l3--l3 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a similar view showing the driver head at the limit of its inserting stroke and the reinforcing element with its legs spread and partially driven into the head of the clothespin.

Fig. 15 is a sectional elevation as on the line |-I5 of Fig. 12, but showing the driver head at the limit of its upper stroke and the reinforcing element driven home. i

As illustrated in the drawings the supporting frame of the machine includes a bed and a table 16; a drive shaft I1 having its bearings in standards 18 on the bed, and a main shaft 18 parallel with the drive shaft and mounted in bearings in standards 20 rising from the bed, the

two shafts having fast thereon intermeshing gears 2| and 22,respectively.

Fixed upon and longitudinally of the table is a clothespin guide comprising preferably a relatively thin plate 23 having at its right hand or discharging end, as viewed in Fig. 2, -a reduced extension 24 of special construction'constituting a continuation of the upper edge of the plate. This extension functions as a spreader for the legs of the reinforcing element during their insertion in the body of the clothespin, as will be hereinafter described. v

The plate 23 is adapted to support astride thereof a row of clothespins C, which rowls intermittently movable along the plate to position each succeeding leading clothespin upon, and

thereafter remove it from the spreader, as will presently appear.

The clothespins, as viewed in Fig. 2, are delivered to the left hand or receiving end of the guide plate 23 by way of a suitably inclined plate member 25 which merges at its lower end with the guide plate. The higher part of the inclined plate 25 preferably terminates in a horizontal extension 28 of substantial length adapted to receive and support in straddling relation a succession of clothespins. The clothespins may be manually mounted on the horizontal extension 26 and at the same time pushed therealong to the inclined plate 25. down andto the foot of which they freely gravitate so that the head of the leading clothespin somewhat overhangs the receiving end of the guide plate 23, while the succeeding clothespins throughout the row remain in lateral contact. 1

A suitably mounted stop 21 intercepts the head of the leading descending clothespin adjacent the foot of the inclined plate 25, and as a result the clothespin naturally swings to a vertical position, or.substantially so, and straddles the receiving end of the guide plate 23. Thereafter the stop 2'! is retracted from the path of the vertical clothespin and the latter is engaged by a suitable feeder, including, for example, an oscillating dog 28 (see Fig. 1) which in its forward stroke pushes the clothespin a definite distance along the guide plate. The feeder dog in its back stroke moves to a position for engagement with the next succeeding leading clothespin delivered to the guide plate 23. There is also provided a secondary stop 29' which, concurrently with the retraction of the stop 21, is moved into the path of the succeeding clothespin at the foot of the inclined plate 25 as the feeder dog approaches the end of its forward stroke, thus preventing premature advancement of the row of pins astride the inclined plate. (See Figs. 1, 2 and 4.)

In the structure illustrated the

stops

21 and 29 are constituted by the free ends of the respective limbs 30 and 3| of an escapement, which limbs are suitably spaced on a horizontal rock shaft 32 journaled in a standard 33 on a detachable base plate 34 fitted in a suitable opening in the table l6. By properly actuating the rock shaft 32 the respective pendant stops 2! and 29 are moved in alternation into and from the paths of the adjacent clothespins; that is to say, when one stop is swung inward the other stop is swung outward, and the converse.

In the present instance the rock-shaft 32 has fast thereon a rearwardly extending arm 35 which is connected by means of a 1lnk 36 with the upper portion of a vertically reciprocative slide 31 mounted in a guide 38 depending from the base plate 34. Hence when the slide is raised and lowered the rock-shaft and the pendant escapement members thereon are oscil1ated.' A spring-pressed bolt 39, which is slidably mounted in a fixture 40 on the table, bears against the opposing face of the slide so as to exert thereon sufficient frictional pressure to maintain the slide temporarily in its up and down positions respectively, such face preferably having therein spaced sockets 4| with which the opposing end of the bolt is engaged in alternation. The lower portion of the slide 31 has a lateral stud (or roll) 42 which is freely entered in a suitable cam groove formed in the arcuate face of a sector 43 fast on and concurrently movable with a vertical rock-shaft 44. This rock-shaft is journaled in a suitable bearing 45 on the base plate 34 rearwardly of the guide-plate 23 and is extended below the table. The lower portion of the rockshaft 44 has fast thereon a pinion 46 in mesh with a horizonta1 rack 41 which, being slidably mounted in a stationary guide 48 on the under side of the base plate, is periodically reciprocated through suitable actuating means in a manner to oscillate the pinion 46 and therewith the vertical rock-shaft 44 and the sector cam 43, as will presently appear. As shown the groove of the sector cam has a concentric portion 49 exceeding somewhat in width the diameter of the roll or stud 42 of the slide 31 and having adjacent its respective ends bevelled cam surfaces 50 and 5|, whereof the surface 50 is located at the bottom wall and the surface 5| is located at the upper wall of the groove. When the oscillating sector cam approaches the limit of its forward stroke, (concurrently with the forward stroke of the clothespin feeder dog), the lower cam surface 58! at the rear of the groove impinges the stud 42 and raises it to the upper wall of the groove, thus correspondingly lifting the slide 3! and thereby partially turning the rock-shaft 32 and the escapement members thereon. At this stage the bolt 39 registers with the lower socket 4| of the slide and temporarily holds the slide and the escapement in set position until the sector cam approaches the limit of its back stroke,

whereupon the cam surface 51 flowers (the .stud, thus lowering the slide and partially turning the rock-shaft and the escapement members to their preceding condition. The parts thus remain until thesector cam nears the limit of its next forward stroke whereupon the .cam surface .51) against coacts with theistud 42 of the slide.

As shown the feeder dog 28., which is pivoted to an inwardly extending arm 52 fas'ton thekupper end of the vertical rock-shaft 44, is moved concurrently with the sector cam, :and is also resiliently urged toward the adjacent face of the elothespin guide plate 23 bymeans, for example, of a suitably-disposed spring 53. When the feederdog 28 and the cam sector 43 are at the limit of their "back strokes the dog is located a short distance rearwardlyof the vertical clothesp'in at the receivineend of the guide plate; the first escapement stop 2! is in active position:

the second stop 29 is idle. and the head of the then leading slanting clothespin on the inclined plate 25 is supported by the opposing head of the vertical clothespin. (See Fig. 2a..)

"In the initial tor-ward movement of the dog :28 thefirst stop 2 "is moved outward and the second stop 29 is moved inward. Continuing stroke the dog advances the opposing vertical pin a definite distance along the guide plate 23 while the second stop. being inward. maintains the opposing inclined clothespin in place upon the lower portion of the inclined plate 2 5. 'tl ie dog approaches the .limit of its for-Ward stroke the relative positions of the stops :2! and 25! are reversed, that is, the first :stop is moved inward and the second stop is moved outward. Conse quently the head of the first inclined clothespin moves to and bears against the =opnos'ing first stop 21, which clothespin immediately assumes a vertical position upon the guide plate. while the next succeeding inclined 'clothespin leans with its head. against the head of the vertical clothespin. In its reverse stroke the (10218 passes to and slightly beyond theopposing verti cal clothespin, the backward movement of the latter being prevented by the then opposing vanced a distance equal to the max mumdiameter of a clothespin so as to position the leading clothespin of the row '(when the row is *of suflicient leneth") upon the spreader 24 previously referred "to. In. each forward stroke of the feeder after thefirst Clothespin has been positioned upon the spreader the proximate Clothesp n astride of the spreader 's pushed therefrom. This spreader. which is preferably a hardened integral port on of the guide plate 23. is substantially triangular in crossesection. its oppositely incl ned faces tbeins. :on the under side of the spreader and diverging in close proximity to the angular corners of the crotch of the clothespin astride of the spreader. (See Fins. 1 2. 13 and. 1.4) or entrant portion of the resilient Drones of this clothesp -n snugly grip a laterally itapering member v54 which projects a short distance above the upper surface of the table i=6. (See Tics. and 6.) At this stage the head of the :clo'thespin has passed beneath and in close relation to a channeled thrust member 55 conveniently supported by a bracket 56 rising-,fromrthe-table, which memher, in conjunctionwit-h the tapering :projection, maintains the clothespin in upright position.

The flaring surfaces at the open.

The tapering projection Skis preferably formed by the upper portion of a vertically grooved or channeled structure '51, which depends through and belowthe table and is fixedly supported by a bracket .58 bolted to "the undersideo'f the table. This structure affords a stationary 'guide for :a vertically reciprocative relatively thin plunger 59 which is movable in tuned relation to the feeder into and ,from the :space between the prongs of the .clothespin astride of the spreader 24. The upper or acting endiof the plunger excoeds the width of the clot-hespin and presents a slightly higher :or steplike portion 60 which traverses the slot of the clot'hespin when -.it (the clothespin) has been pushed from the spreader, a will presently appear Theilower step portion .61 of the plunger has therein an open transverse slot '62 adapted snugly gt-o" receive and Flaterally support a reinforcing element R of sub stantially .U-form, in inverted position. with its upstanding extremities projecting slicht'ly above the adjacent plunger portion fil and in contact with the respective inner side walls of the guide structure 51.

.In the upward stroke of the plunger .59 the reinforcing element engaged therewith .is driven toward the crotch of the clothespin, the step portion 5! of the plunger asjit approaches the limit of its stroke driving the projecting extremities of the reinforcing element against the onposina inclined faces of thespreader '24 withzsufficient force todeflectsuch ext-rimitses outwardly in opposite directions to and through the angu lar corners of the crotch and into the solid body of the clothespin a substantial distance-but not far enough to bind the crotch "to the spreader by the connective portion of 'the reinforoing element. See Fig. 14. In this effective stroke of the plunger the upstanding legs :of the reinforcing element are well supported-by the walls of the plunger slot v6'2, the innelywalls of the guide structure 51 and the laterally opposing faces of the prongs of the clothespin. Preferably the slotted step portion 6.! of the plunaer 5.9 has formed therein a V -groove 53, which intersects the slot Bland allows the base of the reinforcine element to advance nearer the apex of the spreader. (SeeFigs. 11 .to 14.) v

In the next succeeding descent of the plunger the row of .c'lot'hespi-ns astriclejof the uide plate 73 is advanced .one step by the feeder dog 28-. in consequence of "which the clothesp'in'with the legs of the reinforcine element partially em bedded there n is pushed ifull y .ofif the free end i of the spreader and placed inf rvert oa'l alignment with the path of the higher or secondary acting portion 55 of the plunger. beine there tempora-rilv held .by and between f the upper thrust member =55 and the lower tapering projection 54. Hence in the next succeeding efiective stroke of the plunger the reinforcing element is dr ven home and a ainst the crotch .of the .clothesnn by the impact of the secondary acting porti of the plunger on. the opposing reinforcing element. iSee Fig. 1.5.) Thereafter during each cnerat-i-ns' cycle the final .drivi 1 g of a reinforc ng element is effected coincidental y with the -inseriiion or .a reinforcing element in the clothespin. .astride of the spreader. it being noted, n passinsz. that the completed thespn in each succeedins step advance of the. row of clothespins on the guide .plate 23 dshus'hed -from machine and delivered to a suitably located dis charae chute $4 or other rece ver.

. Any suitable mechanism for reciprocating the plunger 59 in timed relation to the feeder dog 28 may be employed. In the present instance the lower end of the plunger is pivotally connected by means of a link 65 with the free end of a lever 66 pivotally mounted on a transverse fulcrum shaft 61' fixed in a standard 68 on the bed l5. The lever has a lateral roll 69 which is operatively fitted in the race of an adjacent face cam fast on the driven main shaft 19, the contour of the race being such that in a partial rotation of such shaft the lever is idle and in the remainder of the rotation of the shaft the'lever is oscillated, thus vertically reciprocatingthe plunger through the described link con-' nection.

As a simple and efficient means to form the reinforcing element R of wire and properly position such element in the path of the plunger preparatory to each effective stroke of the plunger, the following described mechani'sm -is illustrated:

' Formed in the spaced side walls of the plunger guide structure 51 are aligning transverse apertures 1| which are located in a horizontal plane directly above the slot 62 of the plunger when the'latter is at the limit of its descent. These apertures are adapted to receive the free end of a strand of wire W extending from the rear of the table I6 and at a right angle to the vertical path of the plunger. The wire is advanced stepby-step to and through the apertures 1|, each step being equal tothe relatively short length of wire for a single reinforcing element. The wire is intermittently drawn from a suitably disposed spool, or other source,- (not shown) by means of --a feeder comprising, for example, a horizontal slide 12 mounted on the table and pivotally" supporting a dog 13-which in the forward stroke of the slide bites the opposing wire and advances it lengthwise a definite length through and beyond a horizontallyperforated guide block 14 located adjacent the apertured back wall of the plunger guide structure 51. As shown the table l6 has formed therein a transverse slot 15 having a bottom plate 16 which, being bolted to the underside of the table; serves as a floor for the wire W and also as a support for the guide block 14. A back stop dog 11 pivotally mounted on a bracket 18 "supported adjacent the guide block normally rests upon the underlying wire and prevents retrograde movement of the wire when the feeder slide 12 is retracted.

In the present instance the wire feeder slide is jointed to an upstanding arm 19 fast on a rock-shaft 89 which extends longitudinally of and is journaled in hangers 8| bolted to the table. Also fast on the shaft 86 is a depending arm 82 having a lateral roll 83 which is operatively fitted in the race of a barrel cam-84 fast on the driven main shaft IS, the contour of the cam race being such that during a partial rotation of the cam the arm 82 and the shaft 80 are oscillated in a manner to rock the arm 19 and reciprocate the slide 12 toward and from the plunger guide structure, thereby effecting a determined step advance of the leading end of the wire through the apertured walls of the structure, followed by an extended dwell of the lever at the limit of the back stroke of the slide.

It is to be noted that the clothespin and the respective feeder dogs 28 and 13 are actuated to feed the clothespins and the wire simultaneously. To this end the rock-shaft 80 has fast thereon anupstanding arm 65-which is pivotally connected by a link 856 with the hereinbefore mentioned gear rack 41 in mesh with the pinion 46 on the vertical rock-shaft 44 of the clothespin feeder.

At the limit of each step advance of the wire a length thereof requisite for a reinforcing element is severed from the projecting leading'end of the wire through the agency of suitable cutting mechanism, which length when produced spans the path of the plunger 59 between and rests in the apertures of the walls of the guide structure 51. The particular cutter mechanism illustrated comprises a blade 86 fast on a rockshaft 81 having its bearings in a suitably-disposed bracket 88 bolted to the underside of the table I 6. The effective cutting portion 89 of the blade is in inclined relation to the path of the wire and is so arranged that when the blade is raised the wire in its step advance passes freely through the apertures 1| of the guide structure 51. See Fig. 8. Thereupon, by actuation of the rockshaft 81, the blade is forcibly lowered'in sliding contact with the correspondingly inclined outer end of a centrally perforated head 96 through which projects the leading end of the strand of wire, which head is shown as detachably fixed-to the block 14. Thus the projecting wire end is sheared from the strand, the severed length having pointed ends.

The rock-shaft 81 has also fast thereon'an arm 9| which is connected by means of a link 92 with the free end of a lever 93 pivotally mounted on the shaft 61 previously referred to, which lever has a lateral roll 94 operatively fitted in the race of an adjacent face cam 95 fast on the driven shaft [9. The contour of the cam race is such that in each step advance of the wire the lever 93 is actuated to oscillate the rock-shaft 81 and operate the cutter blade 86, following which the blade remains in raised position until the next succeeding step advance of the wire; and so on the wire is intermittently fed during the operation of the machine.

The rock-shaft 81 has also fast thereon in spaced relation .to the blade 86 a wire bending member consisting of a former arm 96 of suitable cross-section which extends freely through a vertical slot 91 in the adjacent narrow wall of the plunger guide structure 51, which slot leads to the path of the plunger in the region of the transverse passage of the wire through the structure. During the oscillation of the shaft 61 the arm 96 is periodically swung in a vertical are into and from the plunger path. In its inner or down stroke, immediately following the severance of the wire, the arm 96 forcibly impinges the severed wire section spanning the path of the plunger, thereby downwardly bending the section to U-form between the inner walls of the guide structure, and perforce producing a reinforcing element whereof the upstanding legs, bearing against the guide walls, are drawn below the plane of the apertures 1|. This done, the arm 96 is swung back to its raised position, thus leav-' ing the reinforcing element slidably supported within the guide structure and directly above the mouth of the slot 62 in the upper end of the underlying plunger. Thereupon the plunger is raised by the action of the cam 10, the legs of the opposing reinforcing element thus being initially embraced by the walls of the slot 62, as seen in Fig. 11,'and then being carried upwardly through the guide structure and the space between the prongs of the clothespin astride of the spreader, unt1l the legs impinge the inclined faces of the spreader, as seen in Fig. 13, and are driven thence in diverging paths through the angular corners of the crotch of the clothespin, as hereinbefore described. The upper portions of the inner faces of the walls of the guide structure are preferably provided with vertical grooves 98 which serve to support and guide the upstanding legs of the reinforcing element during its formation by the former arm 96 and during its initial upward movement by the driving plunger.

- Assuming that the guide plate 23 on the table I6 is supplied with a; row of clothespins whereof the leading pin straddles the spreader 24 under the thrust member 55 and also embraces the upward projection 54 of the plunger guide struc-- ture 51, and assuming, also, that the plunger 59 is at rest at the limit of its downward stroke by virtue of the cooperative relation of the dwell portion of the cam H! on the main shaft to the actuating lever 66 for the plunger, the operation of the machine during each rotation of said shaft is as follows:

' In the rest period of the plunger the rock shaft 80 from which the arm 82- dependsis actuated by virtue of the cooperative relation of the arm to the: active portion of the cam- 84, thuseffecting through theupstanding arm 19 and. the slide 12' the advancement and retraction of the wire'feeding dog 73, and perforce projecting the free end of the wire: a determined distance through the b perforated guide block 14 and the aperturedwalls ofthe plunger guide structure. The back stroke of the dog is followed by a prolonged dwell of the arm 12. During this dwell, as Well' as during the remainder of the dwell of the plunger actuating lever 66, the rock shaft'8 1 carrying the cutter -88, 89 and the former arm 98 is oscillated through the described crank and link connection between the rock shaft 81 and the-actuating" lever 93' under the control of the cam 95' on the mainshaft; the contour of the cam race being such that following the upward or return motion of said rock shaft 8:! the latter remains at rest for. a prolonged period.- The cutter in its down stroke severs the end portion' of the wire'between the block and the plunger guide: structure; and immediately thereafter the arm 9| strikes the midportion ofthe' severe'dwire secticn and bends itto U-form between the inner walls of the plunger guide structure, the legs of the reinforcement thus: formed bearing frictionally: against the opposing walls. In the succeeding upstroke of the cutter and the former arm -the 1 cutter. rises above the path. of the wire and the armlSB is retractedirom the path of the plunger. Inthe dwell of the rock shaft 81 the plunger is raised andv loweredv to its respective limits; remaining. inrdown' position during the reciprocation of the wire-feeding dog: 1.3 and the oscillation of the associated cutter and former arm borneby'the ro'ck shaft 81;

. In the upward stroke of the plunger the-lower step portion 6| at the acting'end thereof im'-' pinges the opposing reinforcing element-previ' ously formed and positioned within theguide structure 51, thus forcing thereinforcement-up ward in a path extending through the space be:- tween the prongs of the 'clothespi'n straddling the spreader 24-. The divergent faces ofthe spreader as the plunger approaches the'limit of its upward stroke," deflect outwardly the*upstandinglegs of the reinforcement as-sucl'r legs pass to and are' beingpar-tiallydriven in'totherespective oppos ing corners *of T the crotchof the cl'othespin.

1 During the oscillation of the roclshaf-t 80 to' 75 effect thefeeding of the wire while the plunger. is in down position, the row of clothesp'iris extend ing' along the guide plate 23v is advanced one step by means of the feeder dog 28 on the swinging arm 52', which'arm is carried by the vertical rock shaft 44 the vicinity of the receivingv end of the guide. plate 23, motion being transmitted. to the shaft 44 through the gear 66 thereon by the complementary rack 41 which. is linked: with the arm'85' fast on therock shaft 88. Hence in each rotation of the main shaft 19 a clothespin is positioned. upon thelspreader to receive a reinforcement,- and? the preceding cloth'espin with a partially entered reinforcement therein is advanced beyond the" spreader so as to position the rein"- forcement in' the path of the higher portion 60 at the acting end of the plunger. Followingeach reciprocation of the feeder dog 28,. the escapement members 30 and 3|, which are" connected with and controlled byth'e'se'ctor cam 43 one the vertical rockshaft 4.4; areiconcurrently actuated tomo've'in alternation intovandl'from" the paths of theclothespins at the foot of the feed plate 25', thereby permitting the' delivery by gravity to the guide plate. 23; of the then leading pin on the" in clinecl" feed? plate; as hereinbefore described;

The; combination or means for supporting a birurcated clo'th'espir'i means for driving a metalli e reinforcingelement having s'paced legs" into the" crotch and lengthwise of the interior of the body: of the clothespin and: with theconnection for the? legs extending transversely of-the crotch, said driving means including a lunger and a and: longitudinally or the space between the prongs iof th Clothespin; said guide structure constructed to: support the r'einforcing'element in the of the plunger anda, plane trans versely 'of the" acting end of thepl'unger, whereby said plunger in its driving stroke forces said re infbrcing element rrum; the: guide structure'- into and along the space" between the prongs of the clothes in: an with the legs; or the element in contact with the inn'er" walls or theprongs and in liri'e with th-e respective corners ofthe crotch; said. supporting meansincluding a stationary spreader for'the legs-of-s'aid element as they enter the crotch-,- whereby-said legs'divr ge from-the corners of: thecrot'ch ih'toand through the'body' of the 'clo'thes'p'in to points: agreater' distance apart: them the width or the": crotch;

2 Th'e'combinatiori off means for supporting a bifurcated ClUtheSpifl; said means including a stationary spreader' adapted: to bestraddled By the prongs in close relation to the crotch of said clothesp'ih a; driver reciprocativewithin and lengthwise of the-spacebetwe'ensaid' prongs, and means rorsupportmg a-metau-ie reinforcing element havihg spaced legsirr-a'nd transversely of the directive path 0f the acting end of' said driver and with the extremities of said reinforcing" eleireeted to'ward of? the clothesp'in. I

' 3'. The combination-of means for supporting a offtlie driver 'ametallic reinforcing' element having spacedl Igssaid" acting-rend having a sec Y F spreau'erand: in substanti'al alignment with the inner walls of the prong's and the respective corners of 'the crotch ondary driving portion, and means for moving said clothespin and its associated reinforcing element from the spreader and into the effective path of said secondary driving portion.

laterally deflected in the effective stroke of the driving means.

5. In a machine for reinforcing a bifurcated clothespin, the combination of means for supporting a metallic reinforcement having spaced legs, means for supporting a clothespin with the mouth or entrant portionof. the space between the prongs of the clothespin in longitudinal alignment with the space occupied by said reinforcement and with the inner walls of said prongs in substantial alignment with the. respective legs of the reinforcement, said latter means including a stationary spreader member mounted in spaced relation to said reinforcement-supporting means and in position to be straddled by the portions of the prongs adjacent the crotch of the supported clothespin, and means for driving said reinforcement toward said spreader and inserting the legs of the reinforcement in the corners of said crotch, said driving means including a member movable through the space occupied by said reinforcement and the space between the prongs of the supportedclothespin, whereby the legs of said reinforcement are supported and guided by the respective prongs.

6.; In a machine for reinforcing a bifurcated clothespin, the combination of means for supporting a metallic reinforcement having spaced legs, means for supporting a clothespin with the mouth or entrant portion of the space between the prongs of the clothespin in longitudinal alignment with the spaceoccupied by said reinforcement and with the inner walls of said prongs in substantial alignment with the respective legs of the reinforcement, said latter means including a stationary spreader member mounted in spaced relation to said reinforcement-supporting means and in position to be straddled by the portions of the prongs adjacent the crotch of the supported clothespin, means for driving said re inforcement toward said'spreader and inserting the legs of the reinforcement in the corners of said crotch, said driving means including a driver member movable in a path through the space occupied by said reinforcement and the space between the prongs of the supported clothespin, said driver member having in its acting portion a slot toreceive and support the reinforcement.

7. In a machine for reinforcing a bifurcated clothespin, the combination of means for supporting a metallic reinforcement having spaced legs, means for supporting a clothespin with the mouth or entrant portion of the space between the prongs of the clothespin in longitudinal alignment with the space occupied by said reinforcement and with the inner walls of said prongs-in substantial alignment with the respective legs of the reinforcement, the second-named means including a stationary projection adapted to be embraced bythe walls of said mouth or entrant portion and includingalso a stationary spreader member mounted in spaced relation to said, projection and in position to be straddled by the portions of the prongs adjacent the crotch of the supported clothespin, and means for driving said reinforcement, toward said spreader and inserting the legs of the reinforcement in the corners of the crotch, said driving means including a member movable ina path through the space occupied by said reinforcement and the space between the prongs of the supported clothespin.

8. In a machine forreinforcing a bifurcated clothespin, the combination of a structure having spaced parallel walls, means for positioning between said walls a metallic reinforcement having spaced legs in frictional contact with said walls, means for supporting a clothespin with the mouth or entrant portion of the space between the prongs of the clothespin'in longitudinal alignment with the space occupied by said reinforcement and with the inner walls of the prongs in substantial alignment with the respective legs of the reinforcement, said latter means including a stationary spreader member mounted in'spaced relation to said structure and in position to be straddled by the portions of the prongs adjacent the crotch of the supported clothespin, a plunger in said structure for forcibly driving said, reinforcement toward said spreader and inserting the legs'of the reinforcement in the corners of the crotch, and mechanism for reciprocating said plunger through the space occupied by the reinforcement within the structure and the space between the prongs of the supported clothespin.

9. In a machine forreinforcing a bifurcated clothespin, thecombination of a structure having spaced parallel walls, means for positioning between said walls a metallic reinforcement having spaced legs in frictional contact with said walls, means including the exit portion of the structure for supporting a clothespin with the mouth or entrant portion of the space between the prongs of the clothespin in longitudinal alignment with the space occupied by said reinforcement and with the inner walls of the prongs in substantial alignment with the respective legs of the reinforcement, said latter means also including a stationary spreader member mounted in spaced relation to said structure and in position to be straddled by the portions of the prongs adjacent the crotch of the supported clothespin, a plunger in said structure for forcibly driving said reinforcement toward said spreader and'inserting the legs of th reinforcement in the corners of the crotch, and mechanism for reciprocating said plunger through the space occupied by the reinforcement within the structure and the space between the prongs of the supported clothespin.

10. In a machine for reinforcing a bifurcated clothespin, the combination of a structure having spaced parallel walls provided with aligning tranverse apertures to receive and support the respective ends of a measured length of wire transversely spanning the space between said walls, severing means for the wire, means for bending said wire lengthin the space between said walls to form a reinforcement having spaced legs in frictional contact with the opposing walls, means for supporting a clothespin with the mouth or entrant portion of the space between the prongs of the clothespin in longitudinal aligmnent with the space occupied by said reinforcement and with the inner walls of the prongs in substan-,

;tial alignment with the respective legs of the reinforcement, said clothespin supporting means including a stationary spreader member mounted in spaced relation to said structure and in positionto be straddled by theportions of the prongs adjacent the crotch of the supported clothespin, a plunger in said structure for forcibly driving said reinforcement toward said spreader and inserting thelegs of the reinforcement in the corners of the crotch, and mechanism for reciprocating said plunger through the space occupied by the reinforcement within the structure and the space between the prongs of the supported clothespin.

11. In a machine for reinforcing bifurcated clothespins, the combination of means for feeding a strand of wire step-by-step, said means including a rock shaft, a lever fast thereon, and means for actuating said lever, means for cutting the leading end of said wire into succeeding definite lengths and for bending each length to produce a reinforcement element having spaced legs, means for feeding clothespins step-by-step to position each succeeding leading clothespin with its mouth or entrant portion in alignment with a reinforcement element, said clothespin feeding means including an actuating member fast on said rock shaft, a reciprocating plunger for driving each succeeding reinforcement between the prongs and toward the crotch of the adjacent clothespin, and means for reciprocating said plunger in timed relation to said wire-feeding means and clothespin-feeding means.

12. In a machine for reinforcing a bifurcated clothespin, the combination of a structure having spaced parallel Walls provided with aligning transverse apertures to receive and support the respective ends of a measured length of wire spanning the space between the walls, wire severing means including a cutter movable across the path of the wire adjacent one of said apertures, a rock shaft for said cutter mounted exteriorly of said structure, and means for actuating said shaft, means for bending said wire length in the space between the walls of said structure to form a reinforcement having spaced legs in frictional contact with the walls, said bending means comprising a forming member fast on said rock shaft and movable across and from the path of the wire between the inner walls of the structure, means for supporting a clothespin with the mouth or entrant portion of the space between the prongs of the clothespin in longitudinal alignment with the space occupied by said reinforcement within the structure, a plunger in said structure for forcibly driving said reinforcement toward and inserting its legs in the corners of the crotch of the clothespin, and means for reciprocating said plunger through the space occupied by the reinforcement within the structure and the space between the prongs of the supported clothespin.

13. The combination of means for applying a reinforcement to a bifurcated clothespin, and means for feeding clothespins to said applying means, said feeding means comprising an inclined feed member to support in straddling relation a row of clothespins and allow the row to descend intermittently to the lower part of said member, a substantially horizontal guide member extending longitudinally from the foot of said feed member to receive in straddling relation each succeeding leading clothespin, and means for causing the leading clothespin on said feed member to assume a vertical position as it passes therefrom to said guide member, the last mentioned means comprising oppositely-movable 75 stops respectively mounted adjacent the upper paths of the leading clothespin and the next succeeding clothespin of the row on the inclined feed member, means for concurrently actuating said stops at determined intervals'to'move them into and out of the respective paths of the adjacent clothespins in alternation, and means for advancingeach vertically-disposed clothespin a determined distance along said guide member when the stop adjacent such vertical clothespin is outward and the stop adjacent the next succeeding inclinedclothespin is inward.

l4. The combination of means for applying a reinforcement to a bifurcated clothespin, and means for feeding clothespins to said apply-ing means, said feeding means comprising an inclined feed member to support in straddling relation a row of clothespins and allow the row to descend intermittently to the lower part of said member, a substantially horizontal guide member extending longitudinally from the foot of said feed member to receive in straddling relation each succeeding leading clothespin, and means for causing the leading clothespin on said feed member to assume a vertical position as it passes therefrom to said guide member, the last mentioned means comprising oppositely-movable stops respectively mounted adjacent the upper paths of the leading clothespin and the next succeeding clothespin of the row on the inclined feed member, means for concurrently actuating said stops at determined intervals to move them into and out of the respective paths of the adjae cent clothespins in alternation, said actuating means including an oscillatory member, and connections between said oscillatory member and the stops, and means for advancing each verticallydisposed clothespin a determined distance along said guide member when the stop adjacent such vertical clothespin is outward and the stop adjacent the next succeeding inclined clothespin is inward.

15. The combination of means for applying a reinforcement to a bifurcated clothespin, and means for feeding clothespins to said applying means, said feeding means comprising an inclined feed member to support in straddling relation a row of clothespins and allow the row to descend intermittently to the lower part of said member, a substantially horizontal guide member extending longitudinally from the foot of said feed member to receive in straddling relation each succeeding leading clothespin, and means for causing the leading clothespin on said feed member to assume a vertical position as it passes therefrom to said guide member, the last mentioned means comprising oppositely-movable stops respectively mounted adjacent the upper paths of the leading clothespin and the next succeeding clothespin of the row on the inclined feed member, means for concurrently actuating said stops at determined intervals to move them into and out of the respective paths of the adjacent clothespins in alternation, said actuating means including an oscillatory member, and connections between said oscillatory member and the stops, and means for advancing each verticallydisposed clothespin a determined distance along said guide member when the stop adjacent such vertical clothespin is outward and the stop adjacent the next succeeding inclined clothespin is inward, said advancing means including a feed dog and operative connection between said dog and the oscillatory member.

16. The combination of means for inserting a metallic reinforcement in a bifurcated clothespin, and means for feeding clothespins to said insex-ting means, said feeding means comprising an inclined feed member to support in straddling relation a row of clothespins and allow the row to descend intermittently to the lower part of said member, a substantially horizontal guide member extending longitudinally from the foot of said feed member to receive in straddling relation each succeeding leading clothespin, and means for causing the leading clothespin on said feed member to assume a vertical position as it passes therefrom to said guide member, the last mentioned means comprising oppositely-movable stops respectively mounted adjacent the upper paths of the leading clothespin and the next succeeding clothespin of the row on the inclined feed member, means for concurrently actuating said stops at determined intervals to move them into and out of the respective paths of the adjacent clothespins in alternation, said actuating means including an oscillatory shaft, means for actuating said shaft, a cam element fast on said shaft and connections between said cam element and the stops, and means for advancing each vertically-disposed clothespin a determined distance along said guide member when the stop adjacent such vertical clothespin is outward and the stop adjacent the next succeeding inclined clothespin is inward, said advancing means including a feed dog and a pivotal connection between said dog and said oscillatory shaft.

JOHN R. NOLAN.