US2465101A

US2465101A - Bracelet bending machine with work clamping device and arbor

Info

Publication number: US2465101A
Application number: US753629A
Authority: US
Inventors: Johnson Alvin Norman
Original assignee: J & L Tool & Findings Co
Current assignee: J & L Tool & Findings Co
Priority date: 1947-06-10
Filing date: 1947-06-10
Publication date: 1949-03-22
Anticipated expiration: 1966-03-22

Description

March 22, 1949. JOH 0 2,465,101

' BRACELET BENDIN' A NE W WORK CLAMPING DE GE AND AR R Filed June 10, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEYS.

March 22, 1949. JOHNSON 2,465,101

BRACELET BENDING MACHINE WITH WORK CLAMPING DEVICE AND ARBOR Filed June 10, 1947 -2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

A TTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 22, 1949 HE!) STATES PATEN'E FICE BRACELET BENDING MACHINE WITH WORK CLAMPING DEVICE AND ARBOR Application June 10, 1947, Serial No. 753,629

4 Claims. (Cl. 15340) This invention relates to improvements in an apparatus for making half sections of tubular bracelets.

A method for making half sections of bracelets with which I am familiar is to helically wind a length of prepared tubular bracelet stock upon an arbor. This provides a tubular-like length of stock which is thereafter severed lengthwise at diametrically opposite sides thereof, thus providing a plurality of semi-circular sections. The end extremities of each section require a machining operation in order that the end surfaces of each section may extend at right angles to the side walls of the sections.

Another method with which I am familiar for bending tubular bracelet stock in semi-circular sections is to first cut the stock in proper lengths and thereafter fill each cut length with powdered alum. These lengths of stock thus prepared will not collapse when bending into semi-circular sections. This method eliminates machining the end extremities of the sections as is required in the above method of preparing bracelet half sections. However, much time is consumed in filling the tubular lengths with the powdered alum.

One of the objects of this invention is to improve generally on the above methods of making tubular bracelet half sections.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an apparatus for forming semi-circular bracelet sections of tubular stock which will eliminate the use of powdered alum and the like.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an apparatus for making semi-circular bracelet sections wherein the walls of the bracelet stock will be supported at the point of bending.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an apparatus for making semi-circular bracelet sections wherein the walls of the bracelet stock will .be supported at the point of bending and in which the support will be anchored in a manner so that the bracelet stock will be pulled from the support as drawn through the bending rollers.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an apparatus for making tubular semicircular bracelet sections wherein a floating mandrel or arbor is detachably held in position and Which will provide a means for supporting the walls of the bracelet at the point of bending.

- Another object of this invention is the provision of an apparatus for making tubularsemicircular bracelet sections wherein the shafts of the bending rollers will be firmly supported on either side thereof.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan View of an apparatus embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the left side of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the forming rollers between which the bracelet stock is formed into semi-circular sections;

Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken substantially along line l l of Fig. 3 showing the manner in which the clamping means is related to the drive shaft and driven roller;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of a fragmental portion of the rollers showing the walls of the bracelet stock as being supported at the point of bending;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the mandrel and a support therefor and portions of the bending rollers with the bracelet stock extending therebetween;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the mandrel;

Fig. 8 is a perspective View of a length of bracelet stock prior to bending into semi-circular shape;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a tubular bracelet half section.

The invention in general provides bending rollers having the circumferential surfaces there of grooved so as to conform to the cross section shape of the bracelet stock. One of the rollers is driven and the other mounted for free rotation. On the driven roller, a clamping device is pivotally mounted with the tail end portion thereof extending into an opening in the drive shaft and is moved into and out of clamping relationship by the rotation of the shaft. Thus, when the rollers are rotated in a direction so as to draw the stock between the bite thereof, the clamp will be moved to secure the stock on the roller and when rotated in the opposite direction the clamp will be moved out of engagement With the stock. With the end portion of the stock properly clamped to the driven roller, the rotation of the roller will draw the stock through the bite of the rollers and wrap it circumferentially in the groove in the driven roller.

In order to prevent the walls of the bracelet stock from collapsing at the point of bending a support is provided. This support is in the form of a mandrel or arbor on which is threaded a length of bracelet stock. The arbor is supported on the apparatus at one end only. The other end of the arbor extends between the bending rollers at the point wherein the bracelet stock is initially bent in wrapping the same about the driven roller. The mandrel is detachably held in place so as to permit the removal thereof to facilitate the threading or loading of the bracelet stock thereon. I

Referring to the drawings for a more detailed description of the invention, i9 designates gen erally an apparatus embodying the invention. The apparatus comprises a base ii having a fiat surface adapted to rest upon a workbench or other suitable support l2. The base may be provided with side flanges it having openings therein for receiving lag screws M for securing the base to the bench. At the front portion of the base, an upright bearing 55 is provided, and there is journaled in this bearing a shaft it. The upper portion of the shaft 18 has a reduced threaded portion ll and a further reduced upper end poi tion it. A roller i9 is mounted on the shaft l8 for movement therewith, although said roller is permitted a limited degree of rotation by a work clamping device 39 (see Fig. 3) as later described. This roller l9 rests upon the upper end of the bearing l and is held in place on the shaft by means of a washer and nut connection 26 which engages with the threaded portion l'l. This roller I9 is provided with a groove 2! which conforms in part to the cross section of the bracelet stock to be formed or bent into a semi-circular bracelet section. The shaft is rotated by means of a gear 22 which is fastened to the lower portion of the shaft by a spline connection 23. The base is provided with spaced grooves 24 in which there is slidably mounted a slide 25. A stud shaft 25 extends upwardly from the slide 25 and is secured thereto such as by means of a friction fit and provides a mounting for a roller 28 which is mounted thereon for free rotation relative thereto. The upper part of this stud shaft is reduced and threaded as at 29 with the upper extreme portion further reduced as at 3%. A nut and washer connection 3! which engages the threaded portion 29 secures the roller 28 in place on the shaft 26. The roller 28 is provided with an annular groove 32 which i positioned to be in line with the groove 2| on the roller I9. These two grooves 2i and 32 provide an opening at the bite of the rollers which conforms in outline to the cross section of the bracelet stock. The roller 28 is adjustable of a threaded member 33 which is threadedly received in a boss 34 extending upwardly from the base I I. This threaded member extends into the slide 25 and has an annular groove 35 therein. A pin 36 extends through the slide 23 and into the groove 35 so as to attach the member 33 to the slide 25 in a manner so as to permit rotation thereof. The other end of the threaded member is provided with a handle or hand wheel 3'5 for rotation of the member 33 to move the slide to or from the roller 19.

After the proper adjustments of the spacing between the rollers i9 and 23 have been made, a strap 38 is positioned to engage the reduced end portions i8 and 30 so as to maintain the rollers in proper relation. This strap 38 is provided with an opening 39 in which is received the reduced portion it of shaft I6 and an elongated opening ll] in which is received the reduced portion 3t of shaft 26. An adjusting threaded memto and from the roller 59 by means ber 44 has an enlarged head 42 and is threadedly received in the strap 38. The end portion of member ii extends into engagement with the reduced portion 32 of shaft 26. By means of member H the effective length of the strap may be varied so as to provide for the spacing between different size rollers I9 and 28. A check nut #53 is provided for locking the threaded memher in adjusted position.

The roller E9 is the driven roller of the pair and in order to rotate the same a shaft 44 is iournaled in a bearing 55 which extends upwardly from the base ll. Mounted on the shaft 44 at the lower portion thereof and so as to rotate therewith is a pinion gear wheel 36. This gear engages with the gear 22 to rotate the same. The shaft is secured at the upper portion of the bearing by means of a nut 41 which threadedly engages the upper end of the shaft. A hand wheel :38 is provided for manually rotating the shaft. it wiii be apparent that as the wheel 48 is rotated, the gear rotating therewith will rotate the gear 22 and through the shaft I6 rotate the roller It.

In bending the bracelet stock into semi-circular form, the bracelet stock is wrapped a half turn circumferentially in the groove 2| of the roller !9. To this end a clamping device 49 (see Fig. 3) is provided for securing the bracelet stock to the roller IQ. This clamping device 49 is pivotally mounted as at 50 in a recess 5| provided in the roller 59. The recess opens into the groove 2! in the roller 59. The clamping device coinprises a body portion having a lip 52 extending forwardly of the pivot 59. The shaft 16 is grooved as at 5 2- and receives therein the arm 53. When the shaft i6 is rotated in a direction toward the bite of the rollers, the side wall of the groove 54 will engage with the arm 53 and move the same about the pivot 50 so as to move the lip 52 toward the bottom of the groove M or in clamping relation with the roller l9. When the shaft I 6 is rotated in the opposite direction, the opposite wall of the groove 54 will engage the arm 53 on the opposite side thereof and move the arm about the pivot 50 in a direction to move the lip away from the bottom of the groove 2! or out of clamping relation with the roller l9.

In operation one end portion of the bracelet stock is positioned in the groove 2| and beneath the lip 52 (see Fig. 3). The roller [9 is then rotated in a direction toward the bite of the rollers. This will, as previously described. move the lip 52 into engagement with the bracelet stock beneath the lip 52 and clamp the same to the bottom of the groove 21. Further rotation of the roller l!) in the same direction will carry the stock to the bite of the rollers to bend the stock and wrap the same in the groove 2| of the roller i9. In order to release the bracelet section so made, the roller i9 is merely rotated in the opposite direction to release the clamping device ii).

In order to support the stock at the point of bending, an arbor 56 is provided. This arbor, best shown in Fig. 7, is formed in cross section to conform with the inner cross section of the stock which is to be bent into semi-circular section. This arbor is provided with a head 51 and pins or abutments 58 which project out wardly from the sides thereof. The bracelet stock, which has been previously cut into proper length and which may be in the form 'of that shown in Fig. 8, is threaded or loaded onto the arbor 56 with the extreme end portion of the stock extending just beyond the end 59 of the arbor. The arbor with the bracelet stock threaded thereon may be attached to the roller 19 by inserting beneath the lip 52 the end portion of the bracelet stock extending beyond the end of the arbor 56 and then clamped to the roller in the manner previously described.

The arbor 59 is detachably supported by the base H by means of a strap 69 which is adjustably secured to the base H by means of spaced threaded members iii. The threaded members 6| are threadedly secured to a side wall of the base and extend therefrom and pass through openings 82 in the member 99. The member 60 is secured to these members 6| by means of nuts 63 and 63'. The nuts 63 are adjustable along the length of the threaded members 6t to provide adjustable abutments against which member 69 abuts. There is mounted at the forward end of the member 69 a vertical slide 64. This slide is manually movable upwardly and when released will fall by gravity to initial position. A handle 65 may be provided for convenience in moving th slide. The upper portion of the slide is provided with a groove or recess 66 which extends inwardly from the upper edge thereof and is positioned to be substantially in line with the common tangent of the rollers l9 and 28. The arbor is received in this groove 66 with the abutments 58 thereof abutting against the outer side of the slide 94,

In the operation of the apparatus, the stock is threaded or loaded onto the arbor 56 and attached to the driven roller 19 all in a manner previously described. As a matter of convenience, the bracelet stock is attached to the roller l9 from the front of the apparatus. This will position the arbor at the location shown in dot-dash lines in Fig. 1. Rotating the driven roller I9 in a direction to clamp and draw the stock between the bite of the rollers will swing the arbor and the stock thereon so as to be in line with the recess 66, the slide 64 having previously been allowed to fall by gravity so as to permit the arbor passing thereover. The operator manually raises the slide 64 so as to position the arbor in the groove 66. Further turning of the roller I9 in the same direction will draw the bracelet stock off the arbor and through the bite of the rollers to bend the same to be wrapped in the groove 2| of roller l9. In order to remove the now bent bracelet section from the roller I9, the roller is rotated in the opposite direction. This will release the clamping device 49 and the formed section may be withdrawn from the roller l9.

In Fig. 6, I have shown a modification of a support for the arbor 56. The modified support 61 has a slot 68 which is positioned to extend generally horizontally and in the path of the arbor when swung about the roller IS. The end of the arbor 58 will be received in the slot 68. The arbor 56, when used with the modified support, will be provided with abutment 69 extending from the arbor generally widthwise thereof so as to engage the side of the support adjacent the slot 68.

The clamping device 49 also pro ides the means for rotating the roller I 9 with the shaft 16.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for bending bracelet stock in semi-circular sections comprising a pair of rollers one of which is driven, a shaft associated with said driven roller, an arbor having an end portion thereof extending to a position at a location between said rollers to support the walls of the bracelet stock when bending into semicircular form, a clamping device pivotally carried by the driven roller, and means engaging one end thereof to move said clamp into and out of clamping relation upon movement of said shaft.

2. An apparatus for bending bracelet stock in semi-circular sections comprising a pair of rollers one of which is driven, a shaft associated with said driven roller, an arbor on which the bracelet stock is threaded and having an end portion thereof extending to a position at a location between said rollers to support the walls of the bracelet stock when bending into semi-circular form, and a clamping device pivotally carried by the driven roller and having a portion thereof engaged by said shaft and moved into and out of clamping relation upon movement of said shaft, said clamping device locking said driven roller to said shaft for movement therewith.

3. An apparatus for bending bracelet stock in. semi-circular sections, comprising a pair of rotatable rollers one of which is driven, a support spaced from the rollers and having a recess therein in line with the bite of said rollers, an arbor on which the bracelet stock is threaded, means carried by the driven roller for attaching the bracelet stock thereto, said arbor being initially supported by the bracelet stock when attached to said driven roller and swung by said driven roller in line to be received in said recess when said driven roller is moved in a direction to bend said stock, and projections on said arbor for engaging said support to hold said arbor in position.

4. An apparatus for bending bracelet stock in semi-circular form, a pair of rollers one of which is driven, a shaft associated with said driven roller and having a recess therein, and a clamping device pivotally mounted to the driven roller and having a portion thereof extending into said recess and moved by the walls of the recess to move the opposite end portions of said clamping device into clamping relation to the driven roller.

ALVIN NORMAN JOHNSON.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 749,013 Anderson Jan. 5, 1904 1,094,676 Mountford Apr. 28, 1914 1,401,394 Curtis Dec. 27, 1921 1,598,294 Lundvall Aug. 31, 1926 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 447,841 France Jan. 16. 1913