US2443715A - Machine for forming rings from a flexible strip - Google Patents

Description

June 22, 1948.

M. M. BALSAM EI'AL MACHINE FOR FORMING RINGS FROM A FLEXIBLE STRIP Filed June 21, 1947 o o n CD 101 21 5 ea 24 U 25 O CO 19 I v 2? v a? h g P o O O 0 4? 0 o O Q 59 10 lNVENTORs mam. at; BY (11gb 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 22, 1948. M. M. BALSAM ETAL 2,443,715

MACHINE FOR FORMING RINGS FROM A FLEXIBLE STRIP Filed June 21, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 June22, 1948. M. M. BALSAM EI'AL I MACHINE FOR FORMING RINGS FROM A FLEXIBLE STRIP Filed June 21, 1947 v 5 Sheets-Sheet a L6 .9 LL

INVENTORY M 'BW M -Q B r '0 I June 22, 1948. M. M. BALSAM ETAL MACHINE FOR FORMING RINGS FROM A. FLEXIBLE STRIP Filed June 21, 1947 -5 Sheetsr-Sheet 4 um...- w.-

' u QQBY I 8 4W N, TORNEY June 22, 1948. M, M, BALSAM ET AL 2,4433% MACHINE FOR FORMING RINGS FROM A FLEXIBLE STRIP Filed June 21, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented June 22, 1948 MACHINE FOR FORMING RINGS FROM A FLEXIBLE STRIP Maurice M. Balsam and Henry M. Balsam, blew York, N. Y., assignors to M. M. Balsam, 1nc.,

New York, N. Y.

Application June 21, 1947, Serial No. 756,310

18 Claims.

Our invention relates to machines for forming rings from a flexible strip.

It is an object of our invention to provide a machine for forming flexible rings from a strip of flexible material in a substantially automatic way.

It is a further object of our present invention to provide machines of the above type which are simple in construction and can be operated by anybody without the necessity of any particular skill.

:It is another object of our present invention to provide machines of the above type which can be adjusted so as to produce rings of various sizes and/or of various materials.

With the above objects in view, a machine in accordance with our present invention comprises in combination a series of elements, namely continuously operating driving means, loop forming means intermittently operated by these driving means and constructed so as to form during each its intermittent operation periods a closed loop from a short portion of a flexible strip, connecting means also intermittently operated by the above mentioned driving means and constructed so as to connect during each of its intermittent operation periods the ends of the closed loop formed by the above defined loop forming means, and finally, feeding means also intermittently operated by the above driving means and constructed so as to feed during each of its intermittent operation periods a short portion of the above mentioned flexible strip to the loop forming means.

It is preferable to combine with the loop forming means described above separate adjusting means for adjusting and varying the size of the loops formed by the loop forming means.

Furthermore, it is advisable to provide in a machine of the above type also cutting means intermittently operated by the driving means and constructed so as to out 01f during each of its intermittent operation periods the short strip portion fed by the feeding means to the loop forming means.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of our invention, the loop forming means comprise a stationary loop forming member and movable loop forming means intermittently operated by driving means described above and constructed so as to bend during each of its intermittent operation periods a short strip portion around the stationary loop forming member so as to form a closed loop.

In order to adjust the size of'the finished rings,

it is not only necessary to provide, as set forth above, adjusting means for adjusting the sizeof the loop forming means, e. g. the size of the stationary loop forming member, but it is also necessary to provide adjusting means associated with the above described feeding means for adjusting and varying the length of the-short strip portions fed by the feeding means to the loop forming means.

In order to properly position .the short strip portions between the stationary loop forming member and the movable loop forming means after each variation of the length of the short strip portions, it is advisable to provide means for adjusting the distance between the feeding and cutting means on the one hand, and the loop forming means on the other hand. These adjusting means preferably consist of a common movable support carrying said feeding and cuttinsmeans and constructed so as to be movable in direction towards and away from said stationary loop forming means enabling adjustment of the distance between said feeding means and said cutting means on the one hand, and said stationary loop forming member and said movable loop -forming means on the other hand so as to properly position said short strip portions between said stationary loop forming member/and said movable loop forming means after each adjustmentof the length of said short strip portions fed by said feeding means between said stationary loop forming member and said movable loop forming means.

Finally, it is advisable to provide also removing means intermittently operated by the above described driving means and constructed so as to remove during each of its intermittent operation periods a finished ring of flexible strip material from the stationary loop forming member described above.

The novel features which we consider as characteristic for our invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiment-s when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a machine built in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary front elevational .view of the machine, seen in direction of arrow 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an elevational view similar to Fig. 2,

but showing the machine in loop-forming position;

Fig. 4 is a fragementary sectional view of the machine, taken along line 44 of Fig. 2; I

Fig. 5 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 4, but showing the knife in cutting position;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one side of the machine, seen in direction of arrow 6 of Fig. i;

Fig. '7 is a perspective view of the opposite side of the machine, seen in direction of arrow 1 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the machine, taken along line 88 of Fig. 7; and

Fig. 9 is an enlarged View of a ring formed by the machine.

In carrying the invention into effect in one of the embodiments which has been selected for illustration in the accompanying drawings and for description in this specification, and referring now particularly to Fig. 1, there is provided'a table H] supported by a post I. A frame structure indicated by reference numeral 55 is mounted on the table Hi and a bracket i2 is secured to the side of the table; this bracket supports the spool l3 carrying a continuous leather strip I4 from which are formed the leather rings 96 shown in Fig. 9.

A motor I6 is supported by said post H at the lower end thereof and carries a driving pulley I! for driving, by means of a belt iii, a driven pulley l9. This pulley H) is mounted on the frame l5 by means of the shaft 2i. This shaft 2| extends through a speed reduction box 22 containing a reduction gearing (not shown in detail) and carries on its other end a hand wheel 23 for manual operation of the machine.

A driving shaft 24 is turnably supported by the frame structure and is arranged above the table II! normal to the direction of shaft 2|. This shaft 24 is driven by the reduction gearing arranged in the gear box 22 and runs at a reduced speed compared to the speed of shaft 2|.

Three cams 26, 2|,-and 28 are mounted on the driving shaft 24 and rotate together therewith when the latter revolves.

As shown in Fig. 8, the cam 26 drives a cam following lever 29 which is pivoted at 3| to the frame structure l5 and is connected near its other end by means of pivot 33 to a pushing rod 32. A coiled tension spring 34 is connected to this lever 29 near the pivot 33 and is capable of returning the lever 29 to its rest position (indicated in dot and dash lines in Fig. 8), when the lever is released by the cam 26.

i The pushing rod 32 is pivotally connected at 36 to an adjustable feeding mechanism designed in the drawings with reference numeral 31. This feeding mechanism is composed of a U-shaped member 38 swingably mounted on the feed shaft 39 and carries a centrally located screw threaded spindle 4| which is provided at its upper end with a knurled knob 42 for manually rotating this spindle. The sliding block 43 is provided with a screw hole and is carried by the screw threaded spindle 4|. As clearly shown in Fig. 8, this sliding block is pivoted by means of pivot 36 to the pushing rod 32.

A spring pressed pawl 44 is swingably pivoted to the U-shaped member 38 and engages the teeth of a ratchet wheel 46 which is rigidly mounted on the feed shaft 39.

The angular oscillating movement of the lever 29 is determined by the shape of the cam 26; this in turn determines the oscillating movement of the pivot 33. Likewise,- the pushing rod 32 is intermittently oscillated by the lever 29 once during every rotation of the driving shaft 24, resulting in oscillating turning movement of member 38 and pawl 44-. The extent of this turning movement depends upon and is adjusted by the sliding block 43, the position of which is manually adjusted by the spindle 4! and knob 42. Thus, by adjustment of knob 42, it is possible to adjust the extent of the angular oscillating movement of pawl 44 carried by the member 33 and the angular movement of the ratchet wheel 46 since the same is driven in one direction by the pawl 44. During the return movement, the pawl 44 idles on the teeth of the ratchet wheel 46, and this ratchet wheel remains in standstill during such return movement of the pawl. Thus, the oscillating movement of the lever 29 is transformed into a unidirectional intermittent turning movement of controlled extent of the ratchet wheel 46 and of feed shaft 39 carrying this wheel.

The feed shaft 39 extends rearwardly to a hand wheel 4! and extends forwardly over two flexible couplings 43 to a pinion 49, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and '7. This pinion 49 is in mesh with another pinion 5| which in turn meshes with a gear of equal size as pinion 5| and located underneath the same. Each of the pinions SI and 52 is coaxially mounted with a roller, namely the pinion 5| driving the roller 53 and the pinion 5? driving the roller 54. These rollers 53 and 54 are arranged adjacent to each other and transport the leather strip |4 when they are revolved by means of the gear train 49, 5| and 52 described above.

The gear 5| and roller 53 driven by it are mounted on. lever 56 which is pivoted at 51 to the common horizontally slidable support 6| slidably carried by table Ill. The position of the lever 5E; and of roller 53 and gear 5| carried by the same may be adjusted by means of a screw threaded spindle 58 carrying a knob 59 for-manual operation.

The lever 56 as well as both rollers 53 and 54 and both gears 5| and 52 are mounted on the horizontally slidable support 6| described above. This support is movable on the table It] by means of knob 63 mounted at t e rear end of spindle 62 extending through a screw threaded hole in the stationary bracket 64 for adjustment of the length of the loop to be formed from the leather strip l4. After the member 6| has been brought into the desired position by means of the knob 63 and spindle 62, the same may be fixed in that position by screw 66 passing through a hole in the table Hi.

A loop forming and cutting mechanism indicated by reference numeral is provided at the front of the table II! and comprises a carriage 61 which oscillates up and-down once during every revolution of the driving shaft 24. This mechanism is actuated by the oscillating cam 21, as shown in Fig. 6, namely by means of a vertical rod 63 which is pressed downwardly by the oscillating cam 2'! against the power of the coiled spring 69. This rod 68 imparts an oscillating turning movement to one end of the lever H which is pivoted to the stationary bracket 12. The other end of this lever H is pivoted to the carriage 6i and causes the same to raise when the rod 68 is pressed downwardly by the cam 21, and to descend by its own weight when the spring 69 moves the rod 68 upwardly.

Above the carriage 61 there is arranged a pair of semi-cylindrical loop forming members l3 and T4-which are arranged opposite one another.

The upper member .13 is stationarily mounted on the :frame structure I5 and the lower member 14 is movable in vertical direction in order toadjust the distance thereof from the stationary loop forming member 1.3. This movable loop forming member 114 is carried by a lever 16 which is pivoted by means of pivot I1 to the frame structure .I5 and movable up and down by means of an adjustment spindle carrying a knurled knob 19. The distance between these loop forming members determines the size of the loop formed of the leather strip I4.

The slidable carriage .61 which is arranged below .the loop forming members I3 and 14 carries a vertically slidable abutment member 8| which has a cylindrical segmental top surface 82, and a spring 8| permanently forcing the member (H in upward direction. Two hook-shaped loop forming members .85 are juxtaposed and each hook is .located at one side of said abutment member 8! and pivoted by means of pivot 84 to thelcarriage .61. Each of these hook members 83 is furthermore provided with a guiding pin 86, and these pins are arranged so as to slide along the parallel edges of a stationary .guide member 81. The hook members are pressed by springs 88 mounted on the carriage 6'! towards each other, whereby the pins 86 are permanently pressed against the guide 81, as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

When'leverei raises .the carriage .61, the abutment member .8! will press a portion of the leather strip I4 against the curved underside of the loop forming member 14. While the carriage c1 proceeds in its upward movement, the

abutment. member 8i remains in its abutting position pressing the member 14 and the leather strip therebetween; this is due to action of the spring 9i located under the abutment member 8! as describedabove inxdetail. During such upward movement of the .carriage, the pins'86 of the hook members 83 will slide along the edges of the stationary guide 81 until they reach the cylindrical top 81 thereof and are pressed towards each other by the springs 8.8.

During this movement of the carriage, but afterlthe abutment member 8! has engaged the leather strip I4, this strip will be cut by the knife 8;-9,-W.hich will be described farther below in detail,and the hook members 183 will bend the leather strip I4 around the loop forming members 1-3 and I4 until, in the final upper position of .the stroke of the carriage, the leather strip forms .a complete loop around these members.

Astapling device 9'2 is located above the upper stationary loop forming member 13 and is movable upward and downward by a crank (not shown) driven by the driving shaft 24; this stapling device completes one cycleduring every full turn of the driving shaft 2 4.

.Asbest shown in Fig. 3, when the hook-shaped loop forming members 83 have completed the loop around the stationary loop forming members l3 and I4, the stapling device 92 is lowered and drives a staple 83 through the juxtaposed ends 94 of the loop. Thehook-shaped members 8.3 are .so curved on their top that when they are in their uppermost closest position shown in Fig. 3 their points are spaced for a distance suiilcient topermit the passage therebetween of the staple .93.

A removing device, called also ejector 91, is pivoted by a stationary pivot 98 to the frame structure I15 and carries a cam follower 09 which ea e Jewhe P f t Pi sap-t ed b the .cam 28. .A spring I02 is connected toth ejector 91 so as to hold the same normally in inactive position. ejector 91 has an en portion which conforms in shape J the W?- ture of the upp r 'J ODiOImiDg member L3; end portion is normally {located in inactive position to the rear of .theimember 13. After the ring 96 has been formed, the pin ;Ii0 I strikes the cam follower 9.9 and thereby. actuates theejector 91.so asto removethe finished ring from the-loop forming members 13 and 1.4 and to eject it in frontwarddirection.

As the leather strip I4 is transported by the rollers .53 and .54, itpasses through a gatemem- 'ber L08 donned between two parallel bars having aligned and smooth surfaces. This sale member is also carried bythe common horizontally slida'ble support 6| described above in detail.

The knife :89 has a cutting edge J04 which, when the knife is moved upwardly, glides along the front face of'the gate I03 and lcuts oil {the strip I4. This knife {89 is carried by .a tiltable lever I06 that is pivoted tora-stationarypivot ll 01 mounted on the above described support .6;I. It should .be stressed that the knife 89 is movable between twoextreme angular positions which are limited by means of an .arcuate slot formed in the lever H16 that engages the spin I033 which is also mounted on the support BI.

Abracket I019 is secured to the side of the carriage 61 and carries an actuating arm I II pivoted thereto. When the carriage 6'! is moved upwardly, the actuating arm III forces the free end of the lever I06 in an upward direction until the knife 89 has reached its extreme upper positionand has completed its cutting operation. In that position the curved top of the actuating element III forces the same sidewardly against the resistance of a spring pressed pin II2 so as to avoid damage between the pin I08 and the edges of the slot in the lever I06.

When the carriage moves downwardly, the lever I06 is returned to its normal inactive position by means of a coiled spring.

.Qur above described machine operates as fol.- lows:

The motor I6 continuously drives the driving pulley I I and this driving pulley, in turn, continuously drives by means or the belt I8 the driven pulley I9. Pulley I9, in turn, rotates by means of the shaft 2I and .the .reduction gearing arranged in the gear box 22 the driving shaft 24 and the cams 26, 21, and 28 mounted on this shaft.

Rotation of the cam 26 causes the flexible strip I4 to be fed between the semi-cylindrical loop forming member 14 and the upper end of the abutment member 82.

The moment the strip is in proper position ,between these two members, rotation of cam 2;! causes the carriage 6! to move upwardly pressing by means of the abutment member 82 the strip I4 against the member 14.

Simultaneously, the actuating arm II I pivoted to the carriage by means of bracket L09 operates the knife 89 as described above and shown in Figs. 4 and 5, resulting in cutting off of strip I4.

The cut off strip portion is then bent during cfurther upward movement of the carriage 61 as clearly shown in Fig. 3 and described above.

The moment the carriage reaches its final operating position shown in Fig. 3, rotation of shaft 24 operatesthe stapler mechanism 92 moving the same downward and stapling-the two ends ofthe Sho e -shee st p P. i to th by means of staple 93 so as to form-the finished ring 86 shown in Fig. 9.

This finished ring 96 is' then ejected and removed irom the loop forming members 13 and 14 by means of the removing mechanism shown in Fig. 2. This removing mechanism is automatically actuated by rotation of cam 28 as described above in detail.

All of above operations occur during and are caused. by one revolution of the driving shaft 24. When this shaft 24 returns into-its initial position, the machine is ready for production of the next leather ring. I

In order to adjust'the size of the leather or similar ring produced by our new machine, the following three manual adjustments have to be carried out:

First, it is necessary to adjust by means of a 'knob 42 the length of the short strip portions ted by the rollers '53 and 54. Then, as second :step, the distance of the loop forming members '13 and 14 is adjusted by means of knob 19 so that the combined outer circumference of these members is equal to the length of the short strip portions fed by the rollers 53 and 54. Finally, the position of the support BI is adjusted by knob =53 so as to properly center the short strip portions fed by the rollers 53 and 54 around the stationary loop forming members 13 and 14.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may tlso find a useful application in other types of ring forming machines, differing from the types described above. I

While we have illustrated and described the invention as embodied in machines for forming leather and similar rings, we do not intend to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any Way from the spirit of our invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of our invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention, and, therefore, su h adaptation-s should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What We claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine for forming rings from a flex- :ible strip, in combination, driving means; loop forming means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to form during each of said intermittent operation periods a closed loop from a short portion of said flexible strip; adjusting means associated with said loop forming means for adjusting and varying the size of the loops formed by said loop formingmeans; connection applying means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to connect during each of said intermittent operation periods the ends of the closed loop formed by said loop forming means; and feeding means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructedso as to feed during each of said intermittent operation periods a short portion of said flexible strip to said loop forming means.

2. In a machine for forming rings from a flexible strip, in combination, drivingvmeans; loop forming means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to form during eachof said intermittent operation periods a closed loop from a short portion of said flexible strip; connection applying means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to connect during each of said intermittent operation periods the ends of the closed loop formed by said loop forming means; feeding means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to feed during each of said intermittent operation periods a short portion of said flexible strip to said loop forming means; and cutting means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to cut off dru'ing each of said intermittent operation periods said short portion of said flexible strip fed by said feeding means to said loop forming means.

3. In a machine for forming rings from a flexible strip, in combination, driving means; loop forming means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to form during each of said intermittent operation periods a closed loop from a short portion of said flexible strip; adjusting means associated with said loop forming means for adjusting and varying the size of the loops formed by said loop forming means; connection applying means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to connect during each of said intermittent opertion periods the ends of the closed loop formed by said loop forming means; feeding means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to feed during each of said intermittent operation periods a short portion of said flexible strip to said loop forming means; and cutting means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as'to cut oii during each of said intermittent operation periods said short portion of said flexible strip fed by said feedin means to said loop forming mea 1S.

4. In a machine for forming rings from a flexible strip, in combination, driving means; a stationary loop forming member; movable loop forming means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to bend during each of said intermittent operation periods a short portion of said flexible strip around said stationary loop forming member so as to form a closed loop; connection applying means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to connect during each of said intermittent operation periods the ends of said closed loop formed by said movable loop forming means around said stationary loop forming member; and feeding means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to feed during each of said intermittent operation periods a short portion of said flexible strip between said stationary loop forming member and said movable loop forming means.

5. In a machine for forming rings from a flexible strip, in combination, driving means; loop forming means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to form dureach of said intermittent operation periods a closed loopfrom a short portion of said flexible strip; connection applying means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to connect during each of said intermittent operation periods the ends of the closed ,loop formed by said loop forming means; feeding means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to feed during each of said intermittent operation periods ashort portion of said flexible strip to said loop forming means; andadjust'lng means associated with said feeding means for adjusting and varying the length of said short trip portion fed by said feeding means to said loop forming means.

6. In a machine for forming rings from a flexible Strip, in combination, driving means; loop forming means intermittently operated by said driving means and. constructed so as to form during each of said intermittent operation periods a closed loop from a short portion of said-flexible strip; adjusting means associated with saidloop forming means for adjusting and varying the size of the loops formed by said loop forming means; connection applying means intermittently oper ated by said driving means and constructed so as to connect during each of said intermittent operation periods the ends of the closed loop formed by said loop formingmeans; and feeding means intermittently operated by said driving meansand constructed so as to feed during each of said intermittent operation periods a short portion of said flexible strip to said loop forming means.

7. Ina machine for formingrings from a flexible strip, in combination,- driving means; loop forming means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to form during each of said intermittent operation periods a closed loop from a short portion of said flexible strip; connection applying means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to connect during each of said intermittent operation periods the ends of the closed loop formed by said loop forming means; feeding means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to feed during each of said intermittent operation periods a short portion of said flexible strip to said loop forming means; adjusting means associated with said feeding means for adjusting and varying the length of said short strip portion fed by said feeding means to said loop forming means; and cutting means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to cut ofi during each of said intermittent operation periods said short portion of said flexible strip fed by said feeding means to said loop forming means. 8. In a machine for forming rings from a flexible strip, in combination, driving means; loop forming means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to form during each of said intermittent operation periods a closed loop from a short portion of said flexible strip; adjusting means associated with said loop forming means for adjustingand varying the size of the loops formed by said loop forming means; connection applying means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to connect during each of said intermittent operation periods the ends of the closed loop formed by said loop forming means; feeding means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to feed during each of said intermittent operation periods a short portion of said flexible strip to said loop forming means; and cutting means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to cut off during each of said intermittent operation periods said short portion of said flexible strip fed by said feeding means to said loop forming means.

9. In a machine for forming rings'from a flexib'le strip, in combination, driving means; a sta tionary loop forming member;- movable loop forming means intermittently operated by said form a closed loop; adjusting means associated With said stationary loop forming member for adjusting and varying the size of the loops formed by said movable loop forming means around said stationary loop forming member; connection applying means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to connect during each or said intermittent operation periods the ends of said closed loop formed by said movable loop forming means around said station-ary loop forming member; feeding means intermittently operated-by said driving means and constructed so as to feed during each of said intermittent operation periods a short portion of said flexible strip between said stationary loop forming member and said movable loop forming means; adjusting means associated with said feeding means for adjusting and varying" the length of said short strip portions fed by said feeding means between said stationary loop form ing member and said movable loop' forming means; and cutting means intermittently operated by said driving means, and constructed so as to cut off during each of said intermittent operation periods said short portion of said flexible strip fed by said feeding means betweensaid stationary loop forming member and said movable loop forming means. 10. In a machine for forming rings from a flexible strip, in combination, driving means; a stationary loop forming member; movable loop forming means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to bend during each of said intermittent operation periods a short portion of said flexible strip around said stationary loop forming member so as to form a closed loop; adjusting means associated with said stationary loop forming memberior adjusting and varying the size of the loops formed by said movable loop forming means around said stationary forming member; connection applying means intermittently operated by' said driving means and constructed so as to connect during each of said intermittent operation pepiods the ends of said closed loop formed by said movable loop forming means around said stationary loop forming member; feeding means intermittently operated by said driving means'and constructed so as to feed during each of said intermittent operation periods a short portion of said flexible strip between said stationary loop forming member and said movable loopformin'g means; adjusting means associated with said feeding means for adjusting and varying the length of said short strip portions fed by said feeding means between said stationary loop forming member and said movable loop forming means; cutting means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to out off during each of said intermittent Openation periods said short portion of said flexible strip fed by said feeding means between said stationary loop forming member and said movable loop forming means; and means for adjustins-the distance between said feeding means and said cutting means on the one hand and said stationary loop forming member and said movable p forming means on the other hand so as to properly position said short strip portions be- 11 tween said stationary loop forming member and said movable loop forming means after each adjustment of the length of said short strip portions fed by said feeding means between said stationary loop forming member and said movable loop forming means.

11. In a machine for forming rings from a flexible strip, in combination, driving means; a stationary loop forming member; movable loop forming means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to bend during each of said intermittent operation periods a short portion of said flexible strip around said stationary loop forming member so as to form a closed loop; adjusting means associated with said stationary loop forming member for adjusting and varying the size of the loops formed by said movable 100p forming means around said stationary loop forming member; connection applying means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to connect during each of said intermittent operation periods the ends of said closed loop formed by said movable loop forming means around said stationary loop forming member; feeding means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to feed during each of said intermittent operation periods a short portion of said flexible strip between said stationary loop forming member and said movable loop forming means; adjusting means associated with said feeding means for adjusting and varying the length of said short strip portions fed by said feeding means between said stationary loop forming member and said movable 100p forming means; cutting means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to cut off during each of said intermittent operation periods said short portion of said flexible strip fed by said feeding means between said stationary loop forming member and said movable loop forming means; and a common movable support carrying said feeding means and said cutting means and constructed so as to be movable in direction towards and away from said statlonary loop forming member and said movable loop forming means enabling adjustment of the distance between said feeding means and said cutting means on the one hand and said stationary loop forming member and said movable loop forming means on the other hand so as to properly position said short strip portions between said stationary loop forming member and said movable loop forming means after each adjustment of the length of said short strip portion fed by said feeding means between said stationary loop formingmember and said movable loop forming means.

12. In a machine for forming rings from a flexible strip, in combination, driving means; a

stationary loop forming member; movable loop forming means intermittently operated by said driving means and including two loop forming hook members moved by said driving means duringeach of said intermittent operation periods towards and around said stationary loop forming member so as to bend during each of said intermittent operation periods a short portion of said flexible strip around said stationary loop forming memberand to form a closed-loop out of the same; connection applying means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to connect during each of said intermittent operationperiods the ends'of said closed loop formed by said movable loop formin means around said stationary loop forming member; and feeding means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to feed during each of said intermittent operation periods a short portion of said flexible strip between said stationary loop forming member and said movable loop forming means.

13. In a machine for forming rings from a flexible strip, in combination, driving means; a stationary loop forming member; movable loop forming means intermittently operated by said driving means and including two loop forming hook members moved by said driving means during each of said intermittent operation periods towards and around said stationary loop forming member so as to bend during each of said intermittent operation periods a short portion of said flexible strip around said stationary loop forming member and to form a closed loop out of the same; adjusting means associated with said stationary loop forming member for adjusting and varying the size of the loops formed by said movable l-oop forming means around said stationary loop forming member; connection applying means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to connect during each of said intermittent operation periods the ends of said closed loop formed by said movable loop forming means around said stationary loop forming member; feeding means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to feed during each of said intermittent operation periods a short'portion of said flexible strip between said stationary loop forming member and said movable loop forming means; adjusting means associated with said feeding means for adjusting'and varying the length of said short strip portions fed by said feeding means between said stationary loop forming member and said movable loop forming means; and cutting means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to out off during each of said intermittent operation periods said short portion of said flexible strip fed by said feeding means between said stationary loop forming member and said movable loop forming means.

14. In a machine for forming rings from a flexible strip, in combination, driving means; a stationary loop forming member; movable loop forming means intermittently operated by said driving means and including two loop forming hook members moved by said driving means during each of said intermittent operation periods towards and around said stationary loop forming member so as to bend during each of said intermittent operation periods a short portion of said flexible strip around said stationary loop forming member and to form a "closed loop out of the same; adjusting means associated with said stationary 'loop'forming member for adjusting and varying the size of the loops formed by said movable 'loop forming means around said stationary loop forming member; connection applying means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to connect during each of said intermittent operation periods the ends .of said closed loop formed by said movable loop forming means around said stationary 1001p forming memberyfeedin-g means intermittently operated by'said driving means and constructed so as to feed during each of 'said'intermittent operation periods a short portion of said flexible strip between said stationary loop forming membet and said movable loop forming means; ad-

justin'g means associated with saidfeedi'ng' means for adjus'ting'and varying the'length of said short st'rip portions fed by said feeding means between said stationary loop forming member and said movable loop forming means; cutting means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to cut off during each of said intermittent operation periods said short portionof said flexible strip fed by said feeding means between said stationary loop forming member and said movable loop forming means; and means for adjusting the distance between said feeding means and said cutting means on the one hand and said stationary 100p forming member and said movable loop forming means on the other hand so as to properly position said short strip portions between said stationary loop forming member andsaid movable loop forming means after each adjustment of the length of said short strip portions fed by said feeding means between said stationary loop forming member and said movable loop forming means.

15. In a machine for forming rings from a flexible strip, in combination, driving means; a stationary loop forming member; movable loop forming means intermittently operated by said driving means and including two loop forming hook members moved by said driving means during each of said intermittent operation periods towards and around said stationary loop forming member so as to-bend during each of said intermittent operation periods a short portion of said flexible strip around said stationary loop forming member and to form a closed loop out of the same; adjusting means associated with said stationary loop forming member for adjusting and varing the size of the loops formed by said movable loop forming means around said stationary loop forming member; connection applying means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to connect during each of said intermittent operation periods the ends of said closed loop formed by said movable loop forming means around said stationary loop forming member; feeding means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to feed during each of said intermittent operation periods a short portion of said flexible strip between said stationary loop forming member and means; adjusting means associated with said feeding means for adjusting and varying the length of said short strip portions fed by said feeding means between said stationary loop forming member and said movable loop forming means; cutting means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to cut off during each of said intermittent operation periods said short portion of said flexible strip fed by said feeding means between said stationary loop forming member and said movable loop forming means; and a common movable support carrying said feeding means and said cutting means and constructed so as to be movable in direction towards and away from said stationary loop forming member and said movable loop forming means enabling adjustment of the distance between said feeding means and said cutting means on the one hand and said stationary loop forming member and said movable loop forming means on the other hand so as to properly position said short strip portions between said stationary loop forming member and said movable loop forming means after each adjustment of the length of said short strip porsaid movable loop forming I 14 tion fed by'said feedingmeans between said stationary loop forming member and said movable loop forming means.

16. In a machine for forming rings from a flexible strip, in combination, driving means; a stationary loop forming member; movable loop forming means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to bend durmg each of said intermittent operation periods a short portion of said flexible strip arounds'aid stationary loop forming member so as to form a closed loop; connection applying means intermittently operated by said driving means and constr'uctedso as'to connect during each of said intermittent operation periods the ends of said closed loop formed by said movable loop forming means around said stationary loop forming member; feeding means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to feed during each of said intermittent operation periods a short portion of said flexible strip between said stationary loopforming member and said movable loop forming means; and removing means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to remove during each of said intermittent operation periods a finished ring of said flexible strip from said stationary'loop forming member.

17'. In a machine for forming rings from a flexible'strip, in combination, driving means; a stationary loop forming member; movable loop forming means intermittently operated by said driving means and including two loop forming hook members moved'by said driving means durl ing each of said intermittent operation periods towards and around said stationary loop forming member so as to bend during each of said intermittent operation periods a short portion of said flexible strip around said stationary loop form ing member and to form a closed loop out of the same; adjusting means associated with said stationary loop forming member for adjusting and varying the size of the loops formed by said movable loop forming means around said staticnary loop forming member; connection applying means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to connect during each of said intermittent operation periods the ends of said closed loop formed by said movable loop forming means around said stationary loop forming member; feeding means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to feed during each of said inter mittent operation periods a short portion of said flexible strip between said stationary loop forming member and said movable loop forming means; adjusting means associated with said feeding means for adjusting and varying the length of said short strip portions fed by said feeding means between said stationary loop forming member and said movable loop forming means; cutting means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to cut off during each of said intermittent operation periods said short portion of said flexible strip fed by said feeding means between said stationary loop forming member and said movable loop forming means; and removing means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to remove during each of said intermittent operation periods a finished ring of said flexible strip from said stationary loop forming member.

18. In a machine for forming rings from a flexible strip, in combination, driving means; a

stationary loop forming member; movable loop forming means intermittently operated by said driving means and including two loop forming hook members moved by said driving means dur ing each of said intermittent operation periods towards and around said stationary loop forming member so as to bend during each of said intermittent operation periods a short portion of said flexible strip around said stationary loop forming member and to form a closed loop out of the same; adjusting means associated with said stationary loop forming member for adjusting and varying the size of the loops formed by said movable loop forming means around said stationary loop forming member; connection applying means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to connect during each of said intermittent operation periods the ends of said closed loop formed by said movable loop forming means around said stationary loop forming member; feeding means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to feed during each of said intermittent operation periods a short portion of said flexible strip between said stationary loop forming member and said movable loop forming means; adjusting means associated with said feeding means for adjusting and varying the length of said short strip portions fed by said feeding means between said stationary loop forming member and said movable loop forming means; cutting means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to cut 011 during each of said intermittent operation periods said short portion of said flexible strip fed by said feeding means between said stationary loop forming member and said movable loop forming means; a common movable support carrying said feeding means and said cutting means and constructed so as to be movable in direction towards and away from said stationary loop forming member and said movable loop forming means enabling adjustment of the distance between said feeding means and said cutting means on the one hand and said stationary loop forming member and said movable loop forming means on the other hand so as to properly position said short strip portions between said stationary loop forming member and said movable loop forming means after each adjustment of the length of said short strip portion fed by said feeding means between said stationary loop forming member and said movable loop forming means; and removing means intermittently operated by said driving means and constructed so as to remove during each of said intermittent operation periods a finished ring of said flexible strip from said stationary loop forming member. 1

MAURICE M. BALSAM. HENRY M. BALSAM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 429,540 Miller June 3, 1890 1,773,345 Chadbourne Aug. 19, 1930

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