US2404424A - Machine for coiling metal stock - Google Patents

Description

July 23, 1946; J. BALLA, SR 2,404,424

I MACHINE FOR COILING METAL STOCK v Filed July 6, 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 23, 1946.

J. BALLA, SR

MACHINE FOR COILING METAL STOCK Filed July 6, 1944 8' Shee ts-Sheet 2 July 23, 1945.

J. BALLA, SR

MACHINE FOR COILING METAL STOCK Filed July 6, 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 July 23, 1946. J. BALLA, SR

7 MACHINE FOR COILING METAL STOCK Filed July 6, 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 J it /0.5

July 23,1946. J, B'ALLA, SR 2,404,424 I MACHINE FOR COILING METAL STOCK Filed July 6, 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 dbl? aw sh;

July 23; 1946. J. BALLA, SR

MACHINE FOR COILING METAL STOCK Filed July 6, 1944 a Sheets-Sheet 7 y 1946- J. BALLA, sR 2,404,424 A MACHINE FOR COILING' METAL STOCK Filed July 6, 1944 a Sheets-Sheet a Ll J \ i H W v 1" a m HI 1: 1

Patented July 23, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 15 Claims.

This invention pertains to a machine for coiling metal stock, and more particularly and specifically to a machine for manufacturing coil springs and spring lock washers.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of such a machine in which the forming of the spring or look washer and the severance f the stock on the completion of the formation of the spring or washer is continuous and uninterrupted enabling the machine to have great capacity with a resultant decrease in cost of production.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a machine wherein the adjustments or changes incident to enabling the machine to make springs or lock washers as desired is extremely simple and rapid of accomplishment.

Another object of the invention is that of providing a machine which by easily and rapidly obtainable reversal of the parts enables the machine to make either right or left coiled springs or lock washers.

A still further object is the provision of a machine which is capable of producing springs or lock washers of varying diameters and to work metal stock of different cross sectional dimensions.

Other objects, novel features of construction and improved results of the machine will appear from the following description when read in the light of the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying th invention.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the. front or product delivery end of the machine.

' Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction indicated by arrows.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view onthe line 44 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction indicated by arrows.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectionalview on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction indicated by arrows.

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view on the line llJ-l0 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction indicated by arrows.

Fig. 11 is a detail perspective view of an element of the clamp D.

Fig. 12 is a front view of the metal stock uide.

Fig. 13 is a front view of the stock guid with the front plate thereof removed.

Fig. 14 is a detail vertical sectional view through the cam throw adjuster.

Fig. 15 is a horizontal sectional view on the line l5|5 of Fig. 14 looking in the direction indicated by arrows.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary detail vertical sectional view on the line l6--I6 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction indicated by arrows.

Fig. 17 is a horizontal section taken on the line l'l-l'! of Fig. 16 looking in the direction indicated by arrows. I i

Fig. 18 is a vertical sectional view on the line Ill-I8 of Fig. 5 looking in the direction indicated by arrows.

Fig. 19 is a detail view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating the use of a plurality of cutter blades as utilized in the manufacture of lock washers.

Fig. 20 is a sectional view on the line 2020 of Fig. 19 looking in the direction indicated by arrows.

-Fig.-2 l is a detail fragmentary vertical sectional view illustrating the formation of a lock washer.

Fig. 22 is a fragmentary detail view partly in vertical section illustrating a modified form of construction suitable for the manufacture of coil springs.

. Fig. 23 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 8 illustrating the construction of stock guide for stock used in the manufacture of lock washers.

Fig. 24 is a front view of a lock washer as pro-, duced by the machine.

Fig. 25 is an edge view of the same look washer.

Fig. 26 is a side view of'a coil spring as pro-1 duced by the machine.

Fig. 27 is a top .plan view of the machine ape pearing in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

Fig. 28 is a side view of the standard adjacent the front, end of the machine.

Fig. 29 is a side view of the standard at the rear end of the machine.

Fig. 30 is 'a side view of the standard inter-, mediate the ends of the machine.

Fig. 31 is a side view of a bearing block for the .countershaft. i

Referring now to the drawings andusing like letters and reference numerals to designate similar parts throughout the description, I is a suita ble base, upon the upper face of which are vertical standards 2, 3 and 4 at the front and rear and intermediate the length of the machine respectively. The specific construction of these standards appears in Figs. 28, 29 and 30 of the drawings.

The main drive shaft 5 is suitably rotatably supported in the standards 3 and 4' and suitably connected to any chosen form of power means, not shown, which should be of the type to rotate the shaft 5 in either direction as the direction of rotation for the drive shaft is reversed as the machine is changed from the production of left hand,

coils to right hand coils, as will hereinafter more fully appear.

A feed roller shaft 6 is rotatably supported in the front and rear standards 2 and 3 respectively and beyond the front face of the standard 2 is provided with a stock feed roller 1 having in its face a marginally disposed, peripheral, annular groove 8 of the proper dimensions and transverse configuration to engage the circular stock ll of which the coil springA is to be formed. More detailed description of this construction will hereinafter appear.

A' mandrel carrying rotating shaft 10 is rotatably supported in the standards 2 and 4. The shaft is supported to permit limited vertical movement which is accommodated by making the opening ii in the standard '2 of slightly greater diameter than that of the shaft and by providing a universal type bearing 12 in the standard 4.

The bearing l2 permits of a limited universal movement of the shaft Hi. For a considerable portion of its length the shaft is hollow as indicateda't i3 and telescopically receives the shaft portion 5 of the mandrel 15. The mandrel is positioned below the stock feed roller 1.

To 'permitinsertion and removal of 'the mandrel and the substitution of ,mandrels of different sizes the innermost end of the 'rnan'drelshaf't H3 is cut away and'flatte'ned as at It. (The mandrel shaft is held against rotation and against longitudinal movement within the shaft in by a clamp, the specific construction of which appears in Figs. 5 and 18 of the drawings, from which "it will be seen that there is a fiat plate I1 which is forced in tight clamped engagement with the fiat surface if; by a plurality of set screws [8. This clamp is made as a unit by providing a s ring band l9, the set screws being threaded in the thickened portion '26 of the'shaft l0.

A shaft 2i is disposed at a slight angle to'the horizontal and is suitably rotatably supported in the standardsf and '4 and carries on its outer face a forming roll 22 and a stock cutter designated as an entirety at B, the specific construction of which'will be hereinafter'given. The support for the outer end of the 'shaft 2| is in the formjof a iblock. carried bea'ringZS, which block is suitably secured in the inclined seat 24 of the standard 2. This block at its lower end is pro- 7 vided witha plurality of shims 25 insertable and removable between the lower end of the block "and the bottom wall or shoulder 26 of the block seat 25 for a purpose which will hereinafter appear.

Anidler roll 2? is carried in a block bearing 28 which is of substantially the same construction as the block '23 ,This block is suitably secured in the seat-2'9 of the standard 2 and at its lower end is provided with shims 35 which are insertable and removable between the lower end of the 4 block and the bottom or vertical shoulder 30' of the seat, the shims being for a purpose. which will hereinafter appear.

The standard 2 is provided with the aforementioned opening H for the passage of the shaft is and with openings 3| and 32 (see Figure 28). The opening 3| is for the passage of the shaft 2| while the opening 32 is for the passage of the shaft 33 which carries the aforementioned idler roll 2 i. The inner end of the shaft 33 is rotatably supported in the bearing 34. The bearing support for the shaft 33 is such that this shaft is longitudinally reciprocable.

The main drive shaft 5 is provided with gears 35 and St. A counter shaft 37 is rotatably supported on the standards 3 and 4. At its inner end it carries a gear 38 meshing with an intermediate gear 39 on stub shaft 49 and provides driving connection with the gear 36 for transmitting rotary motion to the shaft 3?. Theshaft 3? is provided with a "second gear 43 meshing with a gear 41 carried by the stock feeding roller shaft 5. This provides rotary drive for the feed roller i. A third gear 42 on the counter shaft 31 meshes with a gear 43 carried by the shaft 2| and provides rotary motion to said shaft.

A cam C carried by a shaft 44 rotatably mounted in bearing carrying standards 45 and 45 is provided for the purpose of imparting reciprocation to the shaft S3 in 'a'manner which will later appear. The cam shaft 44 carries a gear 47 meshing with a gear 48 on stub shaft 49 provided with a second gear 58 which meshes with the gear 5| carried adjacent the inner end of the shaft is. This construction imparts rotation to the cam C and shaft I0.

I The connection between the cam C and the idler rloll shaft 33 will now be described. A standard 5? .is secured by bolts 53 to the base I (see Figures 3, 14, 1'5 and 27). pivota'lly secured to the upper end of the standard and has an end 55 positioned above a camway 56 in the cam. The end 55 of the arm is cut away as at 51 and in its bottom is provided with a longitudinal slot 58 for the passage of the upper end of a stub shaft 59 carrying a roller 59 disposed in the camway 56. A nut 5| is disposed within the cut out portion 51 of the arm and 'provides means for adjus'tably securing the stub shaft 59 in adjusted position in the slotted .portion 58 of the arm. The arm end 55 is provided with a fitting 62 in its side cooperating with the ball end 63 of a threaded bolt 64 thus providing an universal connection. A similar thread'edbolt '65 is provided and the adjacent threaded ends of the. bolts $4 and 55 carry a turn-buckle 66. The b01tj5j5 has universal connection as'at 6'! with the end '68 of an arm 69 the opposite end ll] of which has operative connection with the shaft 33 for reciprocating said shaft when the mechanism is actuated by the cam. The mechanism just described provides all the adjustments necessary to impart varying degrees of longitudinal movement to the shaft933 in response'to the movement of the'cam roller 66 in the camway 56.

The feed roller 1 must be caused to force the metal stock or wire 1i against the mandrel with sufficient force to pull the stock through the machine. This means that the feed roller 'must be vertically movable and adjustable. The standard '2 upon its top is provided with spaced vertically extending webs 12 and 13 which form a window 1 5 having vertical guideways 15 (see Figure '28) in which is slidably mounted a bearing block 16 for the front end of the feed roller" shaft A swing arm 54 6. A coil spring 11 tends normally tohold this block in an elevated position (see Figure 5). The upper end of the window 14' is closed by a cross head 18 in which is mounted a threaded sleeve 19 provided at the top and bottom sides of the cross head with nuts 80 and 8|. A cam shaft 82 provided with an actuating handle 83 is rotatable within the sleeve and at its lower end below the nut 8| is provided with a cam 84 (see Figure 2). A cam 85 is opposed to the cam 84 being suitably secured to the upper face or edge of the bearing block 16. roller 1 is determined the nut 8| is properly posiprovided with a handle I03. The aforementioned Once the proper setting of the feed tionedso that when the cam shaft 82 and its cam 84 are rotated into the position illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings the metal stock or wire 1| is engaged between the feed roller and the mandrel under the proper force necessary to progress the stock through the machine.

By reason of the shaft 6 having the vertical movement described the rear end of the shaft is rotatably supported in the standard 3 by a bearing 86 which permits of a limited universal movement.

So that the feed roller 1 may at all times be properly positioned in respect to the mandrel |5 irrespective of the diameter or cross sectional configuration of. the stock being operated upon provision is made for longitudinal axial movement and adjustment of the shaft 6. It is to be understood that when circular stock, such as that used for springs, of a greater diameter is used, another roller 1 having the proper sized groove 8 will be substituted, likewise this applies to the forming roller 22. When stock of rectangular shape in cross section is being worked a plain or flat faced feed roller is substituted, as will appear from the later description of the manufacture of lock washers. To provide for longitudinal movement of the shaft 8 a threaded stud 81 extends rearwardly from the bearing block 16 and is provided with a yoke block 88. This block is freely slidable on the stud 81 and is held in adjusted position by nuts 89 and 90. The yoke portion 9| of the yoke block 88 engages a collar 92 provided on the shaft 6. Loosening of the nut 90 and tightening of the nut 89 will move the shaft 6 and the feed roller 1 to the right as these parts are viewed in Fig. 5 of the drawings. Movement of the shaft and feed roller in the opposite direction is attained by rotating the nuts 89 and 99 in the opposite direction.

The shaft 6, of course, has its end portion mounted for longitudinal movement as well. as for rotation in the bearing 86. So, too, as shown, the gear 4| is made somewhat wider than the gear 40 with which it is in mesh so as to have ample width of tooth engagement between the two gears 40 and 4| at all times.

To put the machine in operation the leading end of the stock must be bent into a semi-circular form and a mechanism for accomplishing this 18 provided as a part of the machine. This mechanism appears in Figs. 2 and 19 of the drawings and is specifically illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 of the drawings. D designates a clamp to prevent longitudinal axial movement of the stock 1| after the leading end 93 of the stock has been fed between the rollers 94 and 95 of the stock bender E. The bender comprises a yoke 96 the arms of which are provided with slots 91 (see Figure 10) in which are disposed a pair of tubes 98 and 99 within one of which is threadedly secured a shaft I08 carrying intermediate its ends the aforementioned roller and the shaft having a head at roller 94 is carried by the bolt I92 and is disposed in the space between the standard NH and the yoke. The slots 91 permit vertical movement of the roller 95. Set screws I94 limit the upward movement of the roller 95 and provide means affording adjustment of this roller for operation upon stock of varying dimensions.

.. Having reference to Fig. 2 of the drawings it will be understood that after the stock 1| is positioned as illustrated movement of the depending handle I03 to the left will swing the roller carrying yoke forward and downward and carrying the roller 95 in a circular path will bend the lead end 93 of the stock into the semi-circular shape illustrated in dotted lines and designated at 93 It is, of course, understood that, during this stock bending operation, the aforesaid clamp D is tightened to hold the stock from endwise movement.

Specifically, the clamp D comprises a block having therein a vertical extending passageway I15, the opposite faces of which are curved. A wire gripper H1 is positioned in said block passageway and is normally urged into the position,

illustrated in Figures 2 and 19, by a coil spring I 18. When the gripper is in this position, a jawed opening I19 therein grips the Wire and holds it against longitudinal movement. Movement of the gripper I11 to a vertical position by pressure upon its upper end will permit insertion and removal of the wire.

A uide designated as an entirety by F is provided for assuring proper alignment of the stock with the feed roll 1. Having reference specifically to Figs. 6 to 8 inclusive and 12 and 13, it will be seen that there is a pair of opposed plates I05 and H16 which are of a U shape in cross sectional configuration to form a rectangularly tubular housing within which is disposed a pair of guide blocks I01, I88 which have cut-out longitudinally grooved portions in their abutting faces, as at W111, and registering with each other to provide an opening of the proper configuration and dimensions to snugly receive the stock 1|. The block I08 is secured in position by screws I99. The rear or innermost plate I05 adjacent its ends is provided with rounded protuberances I III which are disposed withinsuitable rounded bottom depressions HI and 2 provided in a carrier plate l3 (see Figure 13). The plate 3 adjacent the stock receiving end of the guide is secured to the tion of bolts us which pass through ears I20 provided on the aforementioned rear guide block carrying plate I05. By tightening down and loosening the bolts 9 the guide blocks can be adjusted by a partial lateral swinging or substantially, a partial rotation thereof to properly align the stock in the event the stock is twisted as is often the case as the stock does not always come from the source of supply perfectly straight;

IEhe outer plate I06. (see Figures 8, 12, and 23) on its bottom at points adjacent its. ends is pro-, vided with downwardly projecting tongues I2.I

which extend through aperturedhorizontally extending. lips I22 carriedby the bottom of. the inner plate I05. This construction forms a support for the outer. plate I05, which plate is further held in the positionillustrated in Figs. 6 and 8 by a pivotally mounted latch handle I23 which is normally held behind a latch vfinger I24 by the actionof a coil spring I25 (see Figures2, 19 and 27); This latch ,finger is mountedupon and extends forwardly of the top of therearplate I65. With the .latch handle I23 in locked position the parts are in. the position illustrated in full line .in Figs. 6 and, 7. Upon swinging the latc-hhandle I23 about its pivot I26 to disengage it from its holding finger I24 the outer plate can be sw-ung down as illustrated in dotted line in Fig. 6 of the drawings. This makes it possible to insert the stock II and also. to insert substitute guide blocks when stock of different dimensions -or cross sectional configuration is to be worked. V

At this point attention is directed to Fig.23 (tithe-drawings which illustrates guide. blocks such as are used when the machine is operated to manufacture lock washers. In this instance the stock I2?! is substantially rectangular in cross sectional configuration and guide blocks I28 and -I2-9 ;have been substituted for the guide blocks Hi1 and 18 which were used for the circular stock 1! out of which the coil springs are manufactured.

Description will now be given of the cutter B. This apparatus, see particularly Fig. 20 of the drawings, is closely associated with the forming roll 22 and like said roll is carried on the shaft 21. r The deViCe comprises a circular plate I 30 which has'an inner face I3I in opposedrelationship to the outer face I32 of the roll 22. The said outerface of the roll 22 at a plurality of points throughout its perimeter is provided with slots I33 within which are reciprocably mounted cutter fingersIM with cutting blades I35 which. are at the outermost ends of the fingers. The

inner face I31 of the plate IE9 is provided with a spiral groove l35, see Figs. 19 and 20, for the reception of lugs l3l carried adjacent the inboard ends I38 of the cutter fingers. It will be obvious that rotation of the plate I39 will cause the cutting fingers I-34 to be projected or retracted in accordance with the direction of rotation of the plate. The cutting edges I35 of the fingers cut through the stock II while the same is on the mandrel as clearly appears in Figs. 2 and 19 of the drawings. The fingers areof a length and adjusted so as to extend sufficiently far to completely sever the stock. Once the cutters are properly adjusted the plate I30 is tightened down by the nut I 38 which not only holds the plate against rotation independently of the shaft 2| but simultaneously tightly clamps the fingers I34 against the front or outer face I32 of the roll 22.

When the machine is being used in the manufacture of coil springs only a single cutting finger (see Figure 2.) is mounted in the cutter while five cutting fingers are mounted in the cutter when the machine is utilized to manufacture lock washers (see Figure 19) as will more clearly appear in the following description of the mode of oper ation of themachine. v 7

It has been mentionedv that-the idler roll 21 is movable longitudinally of the machine which movement is-eifected by the cam C. This roll 21 hests uterre ehem e el eve as a 9 '8 (see Figures 1., 2 and 19) and as the stock is fed to the mandrel and forced or formed thereagainst by the roller '22 the stock hits this beveled edge I89 and the .position of the idler roll 21 will determine the pitch given to'th'e spring convolutions, as clearly appears in Fig. 1 of the drawings; From the description thus far given the operation of the machine in the formation of coil springs will be understandable and said description will describe structural features heretofore not mentioned. The construction of the coil spring A made by the machine appears in Fig. 26 of the drawings wherein it will be seen that there are a plurality of spring convolutions which are spiral in nature, that is the spring is given a pitch so that these convolutions are what are commonly termed, open convolutes. At each end however the spring coils or convolutes are nested as indicated at M I. That is, two convolutes are in abut:- ment with one another. The spring is made from circular stock.

The leading end 93 of the stock is bent in the stock bender E in the manner illustrated in the lower left hand corner of Figs. 2 and 19 of the drawings. The latch handle I23 is then operated and the parts of the guide swung into the position illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 6 of the drawings. The stock is then inserted into the opposed grooves formed in the opposing faces of the the front standard 2.

guide blocks I6? and lilauhile. the curved leading end 93 of the stock is placed about the mandrel. Before the stock is placed about the mandrel the mandrel is in a lowered position, beingat this time supported by the bearing opening II in The mandrel has dropped down to this supporting position and is not in contact withthe feed roller I. It is to accommodate this dropping movement of the mandrel that the mandrel drive shaft It is provided with the universal bearing I2 and the opening II in the standard 2 is made larger than the shaft.

With the curved end of the stock in position overrthe mandrel the mandrel is lifted into the position illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings with the stock being engaged by the groove 8 of the feed roller land by the face of the roller 22. It is to be understood that when the stock is being put intothe machine the cam 84 is operatedby its handle 83 to the reverse position illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings. When the stock is in place about the mandrel the cam is operated to the position illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings which causes the stock to be tightly clamped against the mandrel and will cause the'stock to be continuously pulled into the machine when power is applied to the power shaft '5, with the mandrel not shown, by which it may be manually rotated.

This shaft is provided with a gear I 43 meshing with the main drive shaft carried gear 35.

Upon the power being delivered to the main drive shaft 5 the feed roller I, or upon operation of said hand operated shaft I42, the mandrel I5, and the form roller 22 with its associated cutter mechanism are simultaneously rotated. This results in the stock being fed to the mandrel and being forced thereagainst and formed thereabout by the form roller 22 The pitch of the 9 spring convolutes is in accord with the setting of the idler roll 21.

At the same time the aforementioned parts are being rotated so likewise is the cam C being rotated by the main power means. v ratio for the cam and the high spots I44 of the cam are such that the idler roll 21 remains in a set position with the roller 60 riding for a considerable time in the major straight concentric portion of the camway 56 to give the desired number of convolutions prior to causing the nesting operation. -When however the cam has revolved to a point so that the cam roller 6!! rides up on the high spots I44 of the cam the idler roll is retracted through movement of the arm 54 by reason of its connection with the yoke arm 69, as has been explained. This retraction of the idler roll 21 causes nesting of the spring end portions-for the reasons explained and the mecha nism has been timed and adjusted so that" the cutter finger I34 engages the stock in the manner illustrated in Figs. 2 and 19 and severs the stock.

The speed of rotation of the cam C plus the length of the high spots of the cam are such that after severance of the stock occurs nesting is continued to give a leading nested end to the stock in the spring. Immediately thereafter the cam causes the idler roll 2! tomove outwardly to its original position. Thus one cycle of the machine has been completed and thereafter the cycle is repeated indefinitely as long as the machine is maintained in operation and stock is being fed therethrough.

Each spring formed by the machine will be of 5 the construction shown in Fig; 26 of the drawings and will have nested convolutes at each of its ends.

The machine has the decided advantage that the feed of stock will be automatically stopped should the stock break as it is being bentor formed about the: mandrel. 7 break there would be nothing to cause the leading end of the incoming stock to follow the circular contour of the mandrel. The stock on the mandrel in front of the break will be discharged very quickly from the mandrel and thereupon the mandrel will drop down moving away from the stock above it which lies under the feed roll 1. Immediately this happens" the feed roll 1 loses The drive Should the stock of the drawings.

the invention.

trat'es the machine in operation for lock washer manufacture, itwill be seen that the cutter assembly B carries five cutting fingers I34. r The result of this arrangement is that the stock will i be severed each time it has been completely coiled once about the mandrel I5. In other words, only one convolution of the stock is made prior .to the severance thereof. I

There is no need for the nesting operation as was the case with coil springs. Consequently drive connection between the cam C and the idler roll 21 is broken so that the roll 2'! remains in a fixed position so as to gi've each convolution of the stock the same pitch. I

A modified form of the machine as his utilized for manufacturing springs is illustratedin Fig. 22 The "entire modification resides in the idler roll construction. In this instance the idler roll appears at I41 and it is not longitudinally movable. The roll is adjustable to any desired fixed position within reasonable limits by reason of the adjusting'nut I48 which abuts the inner end of the roll shaft I49. The roll shaft is provided with a bore within which is slidably mounted a shaft I50 carrying on its outen end a disc I5I which engages the stock H and determines the pitch of the spring convolutions. This shaft at its inner end is provided with a collar I52 to which is connected the yoke end III of the arm 69 which is an element in the connection to the cam C."

It will be obvious that this construction operates to accomplish the same result as thatdescribed in respect'to the preferred form of the invention in that the cam will move the disc I5I in and out by sliding the shaft I50 of the disc within the bore of the idler roller shaft. The idler roller I 41. will serve to support the mandrel just as does the idler roll 21' of the preferred'form of Obviously the machine is not limited to the manufacture of springs or washers of any single diameter dimension. When it is desired to change its ability to pull additional stock into the machine. When this occurs it is necessary to restart the machine by re-threading the stock in the manner heretofore described wherein it has been pointed out that the leading end of the stock must first be bent into the form illustrated at 93? in Figs. 2 and 19 of the drawings.

The operation in the manufacture of lock washers is identical to that described in respect to the manufacture of coil springs, with the following exceptions.

The lock washers made by the machine are of the construction illustrated in Figs. 24 and 25 of the drawings from which it will be seen that the stock I21 of which they are composed is substantially rectangular in cross sectional configuration, as has been before pointed out in thespecific description of r the stock guide appearing in Fig. 23 of the drawings. H

By reference to Fig. 21 of the drawings it will be seenthat the feed roller 1 has been replaced by a suitable feed roller I45 which has a plain or flat surface so as to properly engage the flat top I46 of the rectangular stock I21.

. Having reference now to Fig. (19 which illus- Iii) the diameter of the product the mandrel is changed and description has already been given of .the manner inwhich the mandrels are secured in and removable from themandrel driving shaft Ill. As the dimension of the product is increased or decreased a change in the diameter of the feed roll and the forming roll-22 will .be required, as will be well understood by mechanics and others skilled in this art.

The machine illustrated and described is for the production of what .I have termed left hand springs and washers but were it desired to make right handproducts a certain reversal of parts would be necessaryand provision has been made) for this, as will now be described.

As has been mentioned, the power means is given a reverse directionof rotation when the machine is to make right hand products. The countershaft 31 and its gears are shifted to the opposite side of the machine. To permit this the intermediate standard 4 is provided with bearing block seats similar to those described in respect to the front standard 2 which is specifically illustrated in Fig.28 of the drawings. Having reference now to Fig. 30 it will be seen that'the standard 4 has oppositely arranged bearing block seats I and I6I which are'adapted to receive the bearing carrying block I62 in the bearing of which is vrotatably supported the inboard end of "lit-'3 when the countershaft is shifted tothe opposite side of the machine (see. Figures 16 and 17).

Having reference now to the front end of the machine and to Fig. 28 of the drawings it will be 7 seen that the positions of the forming roll: 22 and idl'erroll 21 maybe reversed. The bearing block seats 24' and 29 of the standard 2 are designed to interchangeably receive the bearing carrying blocks 28 of the rolls '22 and 21 respectively. As the stock will be fed from the opposite side of the machine the stock guide F must be moved to the opposite side of themachine. Accordingly the end standard 21 is provided with identical cppositely positioned bolt receiving. openings Hi1 for the reception of the bolts: which secure thestock guide? in place.-..

The standard 2 islikewise provided with'two sets of bolt openings 1:68 which: are oppositely positioned so that the 'stock' clamp and bende-riD and E may be shifted fromone. side to the other side of the machine.

'Movi'ng 'the'st'ock guide F' from the: leftto the right side of the machine wili in. no way' interfere .with the proper operation ofi'this device as it is constructed so that stock can be fed equally well in either direction through it. By reference to Fig. 2 of the drawings it will be seen that at its 5 inboard end this device is rounded as at I90 to overhang the idler roll 21 androunded as at I91 to fit beneath the feed roll 1. The opposite end of the guide is similarly shaped and Will properly fit between the feed roll 1 and the'id-ler roll 21 when said last named rollis moved to the opposite side of the machine.v

When the forming roller'22' and cutter assembly 1 B are moved to the opposite side of the machine it is necessary to substitute a different cutter assembly which will be of. similar construction and 1 operationv to that described and specifically illusmg driving connection with said main power shaft, said stock feeding roll being above said mandrel and said forming and idler rolls being at opposite sides of said'mandrel and in axial planes below the axial planes of said stock feeding roll and said mandrel, means associated with said forming rol-l for periodically severing said stock adjust ably positionable longitudinally of the on said mandrel while the mandrel is being rotated and while the stock is being coiled thereabout, means for forcing the outer end of the.

feed roller shaft and the feed roller downwardly under a selected amount of pressure, and means mandrel and engaging the side of the stock thereon and causing the stock to be coiled in opened 7 spirals of predetermined pitch.

2. A construction as defined in claim l'wherein, the idler roll is adjustably movable longitudinally of the mandrel and constitutes the means which gives the stock a spiral winding of predetermined pitch, a rotatable cam having therein an endless cam face, drive means between said cam and the main power drive shaft, means 013- eratively connecting the endless camway of said cam to said idler roll for moving said. roll longitudinally of the mandrel, and said camway and said. operative connection operating to project and retract said idler roll after a predetermined number of spiral convolutions of said stock have been wound about said mandrel.

3. A construction as defined in claim l wherein, and describing. more specifically, that the means which is adjustably positionable longitudinally of the mandrel as comprising the idler roller and the same as having a marginal annular and peripheral formation which engages the side of the stock while it is being coiled on the mandrel and further comprising a connection with the shaft of the idler rolle for periodically reciprocating said shaft to retract said idler roller from its coil opening position during the end windingv formation of the coiled stock, holding tra'ted inFig. 20 of the drawing's'with the excep- 2 tion that the cutter fingers will incline in the opposite direction and the cutting edge of thefingers will be'rnade to properly engage and sever the stock on the mandrel. The same spiral groove 1 arrangement I36 will be provided for projecting and retracting the cutter fingers.

In making the change from a right to a left winding or coiling machine the connection between the cam C and the idler roller shaft 33 is moved to the opposite side of the machine. To make this possible the base i is provided at 3 both sides of the machine with openings F69 (see 1 Figure 27) for the reception of the bolts 53 which secure the standard 5 2 in position.

I claim:

tatably mounted in said front and rear standards, the front end of said stock feed shaft being journaled in a vertically movable support and carryi-ng a feed roll. a mandrel rotating shaft rotatably 1 mounted the front and intermediate standards 1 and. being restrictedly vertically movable in the front standard, a mandrel detachably" connected axially to said shaft, a forming roll shaft rotatably mounted in said front and intermediate standards and carrying a forming roll, an idler j roll sh'aftrotatably mounted on said front standard and carrying an'id-ler roll, all of said shafts with the exception of said idler roller shaft havsaid idler roller in its retracted position during the initial winding of a new cell of stock and returning said idler roller to its coil opening position duri-ngthe open spiral winding of the new coil.

4. A construction as defined in claim 1 but describing more specifically that said front and intermediatestandards are reversel-y arranged and provided to perm-it the mounting thereon or the forming roller and the idler roller and their carrying shafts in reversely interchange-d positions, with the stock feeding roller and its carrying shaft in its one position, and said feeding roller and its direction of feeding rotation of the stock can be reversed by a reverse operation of the power shaft in its one position of mounting and operation.

5. A machine for coiling metal stock comp-rising, a driven rotatable circular mandrel, a driven stock feeding roll above said mandrel and engaging stock on said mandrel, a driven rotatable form roll at one side of said mandrel and engaging stock thereof, an idler roll at the opposite side of said mandrel and engaging the side of stock on said mandrel to cause said stock to be wound about said mandrel spirally and of a predetermined pitch, a cutter associated and rotatable with said formin roll, said cutter comprising a plate arranged in parallel spaced. relationship to the outer side face of said forming roll, a cutter blade mounted'in said space and provided with an extension element, said cutter plate provided with a spiral groove for the reception '13 of said cutterblade extension element, and said cutter plate being, rotatably adjustable to project and retract said cutter blade, for the purpose described. V I v v 6; For use with a machine in which metal stock is coiled spirally about a mandrel, a stock feeding and aligning devicecomprising, a pair of opposed channeled plates, a guide block in each of, said plates, said guide blocks having in their opposing faces opposed grooves forming a passageway for snugly receiving the stock, the outer of said plates being quickly detachable from the inner plate to provide for the insertion of stock into the'pas- 'sageway formed by said blocks, said plates bei-ng pivotally. mounted for movement in a vertical plane,- and said plates being furthe mounted to permit them to be adjustably rocked in a direction transverse the longitudinal axis of the plates.

7. In combination with a'machine for coiling metal stock for the manufacture of coil springs and lock washers, means for initially bending the end of the stock into a semi-circle comprising a pair of rolls adapted to receive the stock between them, one of said rolls being rotatable on a fixed shaft, the other of said rolls being mounted to be swung concentrically about the fixed roll, means to swing said last named roll as described, and a clamp engaging said stock at a point in front of said rolls to prevent movement of said stock as the end thereof is bent about said fixed roll.

8. An apparatus for the purpose described, comprising, a positively driven rotating mandrel about which metal stock is adapted to be wound, a positively driven tock feeding roll above said mandrel and adapted to engage said stock, a positively driven forming roll at one side of said mandrel for engaging said stock and coiling it about said mandrel, an idler roll at the opposite side of said mandrel and having a beveled annular peripheral edge portion for engaging said stock laterally thereof and causing it to be spirally wound about said mandrel, said idler roll being adjustable longitudinally of its axis and of said mandrel to and from its coil pitching position whereby to vary the pitch of the spiral into which said stock is coiled, said roll being also movable longitudinally of its axis and of said mandrel retractedly from its adjusted coil pitching position, means automatically and periodically operated to move said idler roll out of its coil pitching position to flatly nest and eliminate pitch to the endmost convolution of the wound stock, and a stock cutter operating periodically for cutting said stock after a predetermined number of convolutions of the stock have been wound and end formed about said mandrel.

9. A construction as defined in claim 8 and describing more specifically that the automatically and periodically operated means formoving said idler roll out of. its coil pitching position as comprising a positively driven rotatable cam having therein an endless camway and means connecting said camway and said idler roll for imparting retractive longitudinal movement to said idler roll during the end winding formation of the stock as wound on said mandrel 10. A construction as defined in claim 8 wherein. the positive drive for the mandrel includesa rotatable shaft provided with an internal bore, said mandrel extending into said bore and having therein a flattened end, a fiat bar within said shaft bore and engaging the flattened end of the mandrel, and means carried by the shaft and engaging said bar for forcing the same un- 14. der pressureagainst the mandrel to clamp the sameagainst rotative or longitudinal movement within the bore, whereby the mandrel is optionally clampedwithin the bore forrotationwith the, shaft, or removable from the bore for -replacement. ,7 I

11. An apparatus for coiling metal stock comprising, a rotatable mandrel about which said stock is adapted, to be coiled, a rotatable'stock feeding roll for engaging said stock against said mandrel, a stock guide for delivering said stock in proper alignment to said feed roll, a rotatable stock forming roll at one side of said mandrel, a common pow-er drive for'said mandrel and said rolls, an idler roll at one side of said mandrel oppositely positioned in respect to said forming roll, said idler roll being adjustable longitudinally of its axis and longitudinally of said mandrel and being formed marginally, annularly, and peripherally, to engage the side of said stock, as it is coiled about said mandrel, whereby to open the convolutions of the coiled stock at a definitely predetermined pitch, rotatable means having driving connection with said main power means and acting to hold said idler roll in a defiinte coil pitching position during formation of the coiled stock and periodically retracting said roll from its coil pitching position whereby to flatly nest and eliminate pitch to the endmost convolution of the wound stock, and a cutter associated with said forming roll and rotatable therewith, said cutter acting to sever said stock after a predetermined number of convolutions thereof have been coiled about said mandrel.

12. A construction as defined in claim 11 wherein, a rotatable cam is provided and has drive connection with the main power drive, said cam being provided with an endless camway, a swing arm carrying therein a roller disposed in said camway, and an adjustable connection between said swing arm and said idler roll, whereby said idler roll is periodically retracted and projected a predetermined distance.

13. An apparatus for coiling metal stock comprising, a rotatable shaft carrying a mandrel, a rotatable shaft carrying a stock feeding roll, a rotatable shaft carrying a stock forming roll positioned at one side of said mandrel, a rotatable shaft carrying an idler roll at the opposite side of said mandrel, said idler roll adapted to engage the side of stock as it is coiled about said mandrel, said idler roll shaft being longitudil of the forming roll and idler roll and their shafts nally movable, a cam provided with an endless camway, a connection between said endless camway and said idler roll shaft for periodically 1011-,

a drive connection between the mandrel shaft and said power shaft, a drive connection between the mandrel shaft and said cam, standards for supporting all of said shafts, said sha-fts at their ends provided with blocks carrying shaft reception bearings, said standards provided with seats for interchangeably receiving the bearing blocks of the forming roll and idler roll, a pair of said standards provided at their opposite sides with seats for bearing carrying blocks for said counter shaft whereby said shaft may be positioned at either side of said standards, and the positions being interchangeable, for the purpose described. 14. A construction as defined in claim 13 wherein, a stock guide is provided for guiding the with at least one radial "slot arranged at one side of said mandrel and-engagingstock thereof, an

idler roll at the opposite side of said mandrel and engaging the side of stock onsaid mandrel to cause said stock to be vvoundabout said man drel spirally. and-ofa. predetermined pitch, a

all-Dam 7 cutter associated and rotatable with said form roll, said cutter including a rotatable plate having a face thereof provided with a spiral groove, the face of said plate being arranged with respect to the face of said forming roll'so that .the spiral groove in. the face of said plate is complemental tO'the radial slot in the face of said forming roll, at least-one cutter blade provided withhalug mounted for reciprocal move- .nient within said radial slot, the'lug. of said blade extending into and being in engagement with said spiral groove, and means'for releasably looking said plateto said forming .roll whereby rotation of said plate causes the projection and re traction of the cutter blade. s p @JQHN VBALLA, Sin

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