US2551154A - Tape jump-gap device - Google Patents

Description

May 1, 1951 H. MORIN TAPE JUMP-GAP DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 11, 1947 INVENTOR LOU/S H. NOR/N AT'rdRNEY May 1, 19:31

L.v H. MORIN TAPE JUMP-GAP DEVICE Filed Oct. 11, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR LOU/5 H MOR/A/ ATTORNEY y 1951 L. H. MORIN 2,551,154

TAPE JUMP-GAP DEVICE Filed Oct. 11, 1947 4 SheeisSheet 3 2 INVE'NTOR LOU/3 H MOE/N May 1, 1951 Filed 001:. 11, 1947 L. H. MORIN 2,551,154

TAPE JUMP-GAP DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNE? Patented May 1 1 95i UNITED STAT TE T TAPEcuMP-GAP sewer;

milieu. MorimBfro'iix, N. .Y. Application-Bomber 11, 194 7, -SerialNo.' 179.289

This invention .relates to machines for producing separable fastener stringers where vscoops or links are attached to the beaded edge, of a'tapeiin producing the stringers. More particularly, the invention deals with a device or mechanism'on machines of the type and kind under-consideration for providing a jump-gap on the tape in spacing stringer'lengths, vparticularly;atcthe point of juncture of tape ends and independent of nor mal spacing of stringer lengths on-the tape.

The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description when taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed and in which the :separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a casting machine showing my improved mechanismordevice,iwith part of the construction broken awayand in section.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig:-1.

Fig. 3 is a section onthe broken line i3 .-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. i isa partialsection on the 'line "44- of Fig. 3. w

Fig. 5 is a partial section onthe 1i-ne.5-I5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on .the line B-6.of Fig. 2, on an enlarged scale, showingonly part of the construction and with part of'the struc ture broken away and in section.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detailed view of. partof the mechanism shown in Fig. 1, with parts'broken away and in section.

Fig. 8 is a sectionon theline .8'8-of'rFig.i7.

Fig. 9 is a partial section on the line 9-49,:of Fig. 1, on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 10 is-a side and sectional view ofawta'pe feed controlrnechanism which-I employ and indicating the method of its use.

Fig. 11 is a partial section on the line;l|.- -l l of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view showing :the

various automatic controls for the tapefeed andinjection of casting material.

Fig. 13 is a plan view of a joinednportionflwoftape forming the gap which isito he jumped in the operation of the machine; and

Fig. 14 is a sectionon the'line I 4.|4"of'Fig.-

In machines for forming separable fasteners, it has been a problem ofstopping ace-stin machine when a tape end is reached, and-of: taking time" to thread-.9, new tape-into and through-: the

machine to set it-in a position preparatory to makinganother runofstringers on thenew tape. It has also been experienced-that uponexaminationof the tape, defects-are foundin the tape, which means that the tape-would have comparatively short lengths. To cutout defects the tape and ;;to splice or otherwise join the tape ends for passage throughthe machine results in the jamming of the machine; andat; times, would also result in destruction to tools used ;in the machine. Even if the splice went through the machine and 'sccope were cast :on the spliced section, the stringers containing the spliced-portion would not, of course, be saleable. I n-view oi the fact that the splicing or joining of tape ends has not proved successful and satisfactory. ithas beenrequired-to stop the operation of the machine-,f-or the-.re-ethreading operation, as stated above. It is also to be bornein mind that in some machines of the type and 'kind under consideration; one ioperator will take charge of several .rriach'inesand if a break or tape end occurs while the operator is engaged 'on -another machine, :the stoppedmachine' will remain idle until such'time' -that' the operator ;,can get to it to performthenecessary re-th-reading operation. Such delays materially-interfere with-,and reduce production capacity-of the machine.

:The re' threading operation and automatic stoppage -of a m'a'chine whena tapewend is reached, usually results in an extensive loss of tape lengthsgaridaas a rule, anywhereyfrom fifteen to twenty inches can be lost. qTape' is an expensive part-of the entirefastener-and this loss would run iintoyconsiderable money 1 over a given-runof-any machine.

Inovercoming the above, and. other objection-- able features to the present method of procedure, I -provide a'fspecia1" gap splicing 'orpcoupling of tape-ends, which is utilized as a control medium for controlling operation of the machine so that a definite and predetermined: wide spacing 'ongap on joined 'tap'eswill be providedwhere each splici'ngor coupling occurs. 'With-this=rnethodof proeedure,=it. will be understood that tapes of-different; colors -may; be spliced or. joined one; to the other i-to provide continuous production f stringers on tape. Colors -meeting; ce r tain specifi at o i requ eme t inflaily nr d c i fi iany machine, and indefinite length of tapes of one-or more colors can be constantly; supplied to the ma h ne so ha an un n errupted; ri' ne t eniah e fis provided. Pllt y r ult n -1 in?" i ert There is another detrimental feature in stopping fastener producin machines of the die casing type, and that is, if a machine is stopped for any length of time, the cooled dies would become overheated, which would result in production of improper castings, until the machine had been run sufliciently to acquire its normal balance temperature. Furthermore, from a standpoint of continuous operation, while in my new machine, during the gap stage of operation no casting material is injected into the dies, nevertheless, the

machine continues to perform its normal function and while the location of the splice or gap section may result in a short or improper length zipper at one end, means s provided to start the casting operation on the tape after passage of the gap to produce a complete 'full zipper length on the new tape end.

In the accompanying drawings, the casting machine has been outlined in a more or less skeleton manner, simply to show the general adaptation of my invention to one type and kind of machine. In the present instance, a machine such as shown and described in my prior appli-' cation Serial Number 574,697, filed January 26, 1945, now Patent No. 2,497,010 has been employed, and insofar as the valve actuating mechanism is concerned for controlling tape spacing, this valve mechanism is illustrated, in part, in my prior Patent 2,224,980 granted December 17, 1940.

The present device or apparatus may be said to comprise an attachment to fastener producing machines of any type or kind having means controlling attachment of fasteners to the tape by an electric switch mechanism actuated by the splice or gap in the tape to control the number of scoops applied to the tape before the gap is reached. Then to continue feed of the tape through the machine in passage of the gap by the scoop attaching means, such for example, as a pair of dies, and to then set the mechanism of the machine so as to begin the attachment of a full and complete stringer length immediately after the gap section of the tape has been passed, or as promptly thereafter as is practical, so as to minimize the action of tape loss. Here it is to be kept in mind that each stringer has a predetermined tape end beyond the end scoops for attachment and finish of the stringer in mounting on respective supports.

Considering Fig. 1 of the drawing, I have here indicated and outlined, the upper framework |5 of a die casting machine, employed for die casting scoops or links directly upon the beaded edge of a stringer tape. In the upper side portions of the framework are similar air cylinders |6|6', operating plunger rods |1-|1'. The rods |1-|1, carry at their inner ends, scoop or link forming dies |8|8' which are movable toward and from each other, and a tape IS in forming separable fastener stringers in manners known in the art. At 28 I have shown the drive shaft of the machine driven from a suitable electric motor, not shown, through a pulley and belt drive, as indicated at 2|. At 22 is shown a hand-wheel for rotating the shaft, and at one end of the shaft is a gear 23 meshing with a gear 24 at one end of a rotatable valve 25 and also with a gear 26 on a shaft 21.

Considering Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing, it will appear that a housin 28 is mounted on the frame, this housing being shown tothe right of in suitable hearings in the housing 28 andsecured to the shaft within the housing is a worm 29. Supported in the upper part of the housing 28, and at right angles to the shaft 21, is another shaft 30. Freely rotatable on the shaft 30 is a clutch 3| supported by a flanged sleeve portion 32 to which is keyed a worm wheel 33 meshing with the worm 29. It will thus be seen that the clutch 3| i constantly driven While the shaft 30 remains stationary. It is preferred that the ratio between the shaft 21 and rotation of the shaft 30 through the medium of the worm and worm gear will be such that the shaft 21 as well as the shaft 20 make thirty revolutions to each single revolution of the shaft 30, when the clutch is brought into operative engagement to drive the clutch disc 34 keyed to the shaft 30, as indicated at 35.

A trip dog 36, note Fig. 3, is normally held, by a spring 31 operating upon a lug 38 on the dog, in engagement with a pivoted catch 39 on the wheel 34. The dog 36 carries at its upper end a link or arm 4|] pivotally coupled with a solenoid 4| actuated by a micro-switch, later described. Actuation of the solenoid 4| will move the dog into position releasing it from the catch 39, allowing the clutch 3| to then drive the disc 34 for one complete revolution, at the termination of which, the dog will again move into engagement with the catch 39, stopping rotation of the shaft 30.

Mounted at one end of the housing 28 and around the shaft 30 is a plate 42 having a port or passage 43 opening through the face of the plate, as seen at 44, and with which a pipe or tube 45 also communicates. Mounted on a square end 46 of the shaft 38 beyond the plate 42 is a rotatable member or disc 41. At one surface of the disc is a circumferentially long recess 48, note Fig. 6, having a port communicating therewith through the other surface of the disc, as seen at 49. Attached to the plate 42 is a cap 50 with which an air suppl pipe 5| communicates. This pipe supplies air under pressure to the port 49 for admission to the annular groove 48 for discharging air from the pipe 45 to the gooseneck mechanism 52 of the casting machine, diagrammatically shown in part, in Fig. 12 of the drawing. The groove or recess 48 is sufficiently long to allow for a predetermined number of cycles of operation of the machine. For example, twenty-four cycles, whereas between the grooves is a blank or shut-01f section 53, clearly seen in Fig. 6, which accommodates four cycles of operation of the machine, sufiicient to accommodate the skip of the splicing of the tape, plus an added two cycles to accommodate the ratio of thirty to one revolution of the respective shafts.

A spring 54 is mounted on a pin portion 55 of the disc 41 to normally support said disc upon the face of the plate 42 to affect a substantial seal between the disc and plate, particularly when the section 53 is in registration with the port opening 44. Secured to a conical end 56 of the shaft 30, protruding beyond the housing 28, is a cam 51 actuating a plunger valve 58 controlling transmission of air to a cylinder 59, as diagrammatically seen in Fig. 12. The cylinder 59 is shown in detail in Fig. 10, the cylinder having a piston 60 therein actuating a long rod 6|, carrying at its upper end a spring actuated finger or pawl 62 and adapted to operate the control chain 63, as later described. At 64 is shown the pipe for admitting air to the lower end of the cylinder 59 and at 65 is shown the pipe for admitting air to the upper end of the cylinder. The pipes '64, and-65 also act" as exhaustsandin the -diagrammatic showing in Fig. 1-2, the -cam 51 -is shown in its inoperative positionwith the valve 58 depressed so as to'exhaust air fromthe-pipe 64 while admitting air-to the pipe65 through the compressed air supply, as at I56. "It Will-appear that when the valve 58 is raised'by-the cam, air will be exhausted fromthe pipe'65, and air under pressure admitted to the pipe lid-to raise the piston "6t for-"the purposes later-stated. --As the operation of the valve 58 is clear from the i1- lustration in Fig. 12, no further-.detailed description will be given.

Considering now Figs. 3,-4and 5,--it'-will-appear that the-catch 39 has a clevispin-6l for pivotal mounting in the diSC34,the pin being held in the normal inoperative position-shown in Fig. 5 by the dog 38. The spring actuated plunger 68 mounted in the disc 35 is adapted to movethe clevis pin 61 into position op'erativelyengaging the internal teeth '31 of the-clutchtl whenthe dog 38 is moved outwardlytoreleasethe catch 39. It will appear that the disc 34 has an eccentric portion 69 on which'thedog 36 operates. The'catch '39 projects at the eccentric portion for engagement 'withthedog, as will be'clearl'y apparent from a consideration of Fig. 3 of the drawing.

It will appear, from a consideration-of-Figs. 1,

10,11 and 12, that 'the rotatable 'valve '25 'is mounted in a suitable casing or cylinder HI supported in the housing-"H, the housing having-a supplemental dual valve cylinder 12, "shown in part, in Fig. 10, and diagrammatically in Fig. 12 of the drawing. Thisconstructionis the same as shown more in'detail in'the applicationabove identified, as well as in the patent previously granted to applicant. For this reason, noextensivedetailed description 'Will, be given, except in stating that the valve '25 has numerous ports or passages which are indicated in part, in Fig. 1, controlling transmission of air to variousmechanisms of the machine. In Fig. 12 of'the drawing I have indicated the valve 25, diagrammatically, with an airpipe 13 leading therefrom to i the valvecylinder 12. It will be understoodthat the valve -25 controlsthe timing of air-supply in-the operationofthemachine for transmission of air to the gooseneck, diagrammatically shown at 52, in Fig. 12 of the'drawing, for producing successive casting shots-in forming groups of links or scoops on the'beaded edge of the stringeras clearly taught in the application above referred to.

In the valve cy1inder12 are two 'valves 14-15 actuated by cams 1tll," respectively. The cams l6-and 11 are shown on the shaft 180i the valve 25, inFig. 1 of the drawing. The valve Hi controls the normaltape spacingbetween stringer lengths and operates to shut on supply of air to the'valve '15 so thatno air willbe supplied'to the gooseneck during'the'normal'tape spacing. In the diagrammaticshowing of Fig. 12," the valve (4 has its port 19in position to supply air tothe valve 15 through theby-pass "19'. However; the valve 15 is shown in closed position, but when actuated by the cam Tl, air will be supplied to the pipe 5!, then through the disc 41, and thus to the pipe 45 leading to the gooseneck 52. It will beunderstood'that-the disc-41 is normally maintained in-an open-port position for free transmission of-air therethrough.

Pivoted to the cylinder 12 is a spring actuated pawl or dog 80, note Fig. 10,-which normallyseats ina' recess 18! in thevalve 14, as diagrammatically seen in Fig. 12 of the drawing to maintain the valve 14 at all times in its open position and unaffected by the cam 16. .Pivoted to the pawl 89 is a link 82 also pivoted to :a spring pressed finger 83 which operates upon the chain 63, ,as well as spacedspairs of trip blocks .84 .on :said chain. In Fig. 10 of the drawing, one .of .the blocks as is shownsupporting the finger .83 outwardly to maintain the pawl Si] in an inoperative position, allowing the cam 15 to move the valve '34 into closed position. These pairs of blocks, in other words, control the normal spacing of the tape in defining stringer lengths. The finger in riding on the chain 63 between the blocks keeps the pawl 80, at-all times, in the locked or operative position, thus maintaining the valve 14 in open position.

The chain '63 is constantly driven from aworm 85 on the shaft l8operating a worm gearBB-on the shaft 87. A chain driving sprocket 83 is fixed to the shafta'l outwardly of a supplemental housing 88 secured to the housing 1!. The chainefi also passes around another sprocket 89 adjustably supported in an elongated slotted part at of the frame, this construction being employed to adapt the machine for chains of difierent lengths and with different spacing oithe blocks St on the chain in controlling different stringer lengths. It will appear from a consideration of 'B' ig. 10 thatpart of the chain passes over a plate-9i which serves as a backingto support the chain, particularly-in movement by the finger 62 to quickly advance the chain. This operation is performed immediately after the gap has been. passed'throughthe machine, or through thedies, so as to'advance a pair of the blocks 84, regardless-of the position they may assumeat-such time, to the pcsitionshown inFig. lil, so-a-s to-start the next casting operation on the tape to term a completestringerlength.

Now turning to Fig. 13, here is shown, diagrammatically, -.the gap portion 922 or splicing in the tape. At 93 is shown the last or part of the last scoops formed on the tape before approaching the splicing' 92, and att i is-shown part ofthe first scoops applied-to the tape after the gap or splicinghas passed. The scoops fi i start ata predetermined distance from thesplicing, as shown by the space 95 to provide the usual end on the tape forattachment of the stringerto a' suitablesupport. In other words, in bringing the two blocks 84 to'the position shown in Fig- 10, the pawl 80 will be held out'cf engagement with the valve hi-for two cycles ofoperation'cf'the machine, =-suflicient to produce the spacing Q whereupon the pawl so will be-returnedto normal operative position, allowing'the air-to pass to the gcoseneck for discharge of casting material into the die impressions.

-It will be understood that the-tape has anormal feed through mechanism forming -no part, of the-presenti-nventionto feed thetape con sistent with the length of group castings formedv on the tape :30 that one groupof castings is; spaced properly with respect to the next group in forming the complete'stringer' length of a multi-. plicity-of such groups. For example, in the ape plicationheretofore mentioned-six scoops are simultaneously -formed on'the stringer at one time, thus the tape is movedsuificientto receive. the next: group of six castings.

Considering Fig. *9 of the drawing, it willbe seen thatthe tape. [9 passes down through a'fixed guide 96 and a movable guide 91 secured tea -pivoted'iarms98; note -Fig. 1. Mounted'in: a suit-i able bracket 90 is a spring actuated plunger I00, which bears against the arm 98 to tensionally support the movable guide 97 in engagement with the tape. The yieldable guide adapts the splicing 92 for free passage into and through the machine, while at the same time, applies sufficient tension to the tape to maintain the same in any fed position, as will be apparent. The tape enters the machine from a reel or spool, not shown, and first passes through an electric feeler or trip mechanism IOI, indicated in Fig. l, and shown in detail in Figs. 7 and 8. This mechanism comprises a suitable casing I02 in which are sup ported two micro-switches I03 and I04, the switch arms of which are shown at I65 and I06.

Supported in the casing are switch actuating pins I07 and I08, the pin I01 being offset with the pin IE8, in other words, inwardly as viewed in Fig. 7, or to the right as viewed in Fig. 8, for alinement with correspondingly oif-set rollers I09 and H0. The roller I09 is positioned to register with an elognated opening Ill formed in the splice 92 of the tape, whereas the roller H is adapted to engage the tape at one side of the opening I I I, thus the roller I I0 controls stopping of the machine when a tape end is reached. Whereas the roller I09 passes through the opening III to actuate the pin I01 and the switch I03 as and when the jump-gap actuation of the machine is desired.

The casing I02 has a block I I2 supported thereon in which the pins I01 and I08 operate. The upper end of the block has recesses, as at I I3 and I I4 to receive the rollers I09 and I I0 in actuating said pins, as will be apparent. The upper surface of the block H2 is grooved to receive the beaded .control mechanism. The tape is further guided .by another grooved block H6 carried by a slide III. The slide III has a tongue and groove coupling with a back supporting plate II8. The front face of the slide has two recesses H9 and I in which spring actuated plungers I2I and I22 are mounted, the plungers carrying or supporting the rollers I09 and IIO. The plungers are held in place by a plate I23 which carries a fingerpiece I24 by means of which the slide may be manually raised, particularly in the operation of threading a tape through the machine. The upper end of the supporting plate IIS carries an angle-piece I25 extending over the slide I I! to form a backing for a spring I26 which normally depresses the slide to hold the tape guide H6 in position. Each plunger I2I and I22 has an extending lip, one of which is shown at I27, in Fig. 8 of the drawing, and this lip is engaged by the slide II'I in raising the rollers I09 and IIO out of engagement with the tape. The slide III has a forwardly extending flange I28 forming a seat for springs I29 and I30 which support the rollers I09 and H0 in engagement with the tape.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that as long as the normal tape is passing through the electric feeler or trip mechanism I0 I the machine will continue to function in its normal manner, forming the stringer lengths at spaced intervals along the tape. However, when the splice or gap section 92 approaches the mechanism I ill, the roller I09 will move downwardly through the aperture III, causing said roller to actuate the pin all, which in turn will actuate the micro-switch I 3.

Turning now to Fig. 12, here is diagrammatically shown an electric circuit comprising two supply lines I3I and I32 controlling the circuit to an electric motor I33 for actuating the machine. It will appear from Fig. 12 of the drawing that the switch I03 is normally open and is closed by the actuation of the pin I01 to complete the circuit to the motor I33 and to the solenoid 4|, which is diagrammatically shown in this figure. It will also be apparent that the switch I04 is normally closed, completing the circult to the electric motor I33 and to an electric control valve I34 for supply of air, under pressure, through the pipe I35 to the valve mechanism 25. However, when the pin I08 is actuated, the circuit is broken and the motor is stopped and supply of air is shut off to the valve 23. This latter switch may also control other mechanisms of the machine, as will be apparent. From the foregoing, it will appear that in the jump-gap spacing of the tape, the machine continues to perform its function and that air to the gooseneck through the pipe I35 is shut off by the control disc 41 for the distance of the blocking section 53, which is sufiicient to prevent the formation of castings from the point of forming the last castings, as at 93 to the formation of the next castings, as at 94, in Fig. 13 of the drawing. In this connection it will be understood that the spacing of the electric feeler or trip mechanism IUI with respect to the dies iii-I8 will be such as to start the cycle of operation of the disc 47, which is actuated through the clutch 3|. After this mechanism has been put into operation, it will perform its single revolution through the clutch, which results in the continuation of the forming of castings on the tape for twenty-four machine operations until the splicing, as at 92, is about to enter the dies. At this moment, the section 53 blocks off the supply of air to the goosenecl: and the tape continues its feed for four operations of the machine when the splicing 92 passes through the dies. Then for two cycles of machine operation the trip blocks 84 shut off supply of air to the pipe 5|, as above described, whereupon the pawl 86 is moved into its operative position. At the same time, the dog 36 stops rotation of the clutch 3i and the normal cycles of operation of the machine in forming castings on the stringer will continue.

Considering Fig. 11 of the drawing, it will appear that the shaft 81 is coupled with the sprocket 88 through a spring actuated clutch c01- lar I36 having a ratchet engagement with a disc I31. The collar I33 is keyed to the shaft and normally held in engagement with the disc to provide for the drive. However, at any time, the chain 63 may be manually adjusted to a starting position by simply pulling downward at the right side of the chain, as seen in Fig. 10, or on the other hand, this ratchet engagement also provides for the free feed of the chain by the finger 62, as above stated, it being understood that the drive between the shaft 87 and the shaft I8 is through the worm drive, which necessitates the free ratcheting of the sprocket 88 in the manner described.

To briefly summarize the operation of the machine, let -us assume that the machine is performing its normal function of casting groups of scoops on the tape edge forming the stringer lengths intermittently spaced through the actuation of the valve 74. Then let us assume that a splice, as at 92, approaches the feeler and trip mechanism IOI. The instant the roller I09 drops 9 throu hi e a e ture 1 I I, th swit "1 PP- erated, which actuates the solenoid' il, moving the dog 36 into imperative position or out of engagernent with the catch 3 9. The sprin pressed plunger 68 then movesthe clevis pin Bl in position to be engaged by one of the teeth, 3! of the clutch 3|.', causing the shaft 39 to then immediately starts its rotation, thus rotating the disc 41 and the cam 52'. Castings-will continue to be formed on the tape as the operation of the machine continues, until the machine has completed twenty-four cycles of operation, forming twenty-four groups of castings on the tape, at which time, the section 53 of the disc 4'! will block air passage to the pipe 45, shutting-oil supply of airto the gooseneck, resulting in the failure of formation of castings on the tape as the tapecontinues its normal feed through the machine for four-cycles of operation. At that instant, the cam 5'! has moved the valve 58 in position to admit air, under pressure, to the pipe 64 to raise the piston or plunger 69, actuating the finger 62 to advance a pair of control blocks 84 to the position shown in Fig. 10. Then for two cycles of operation air is still shut off to the gooseneck through the -Valve M after which the dog 36 again engages the catch 39, stopping rotation of the shaft 30 and the machine then continues to perform its normal function and will produce on the new section of thetape a complete and full stringer length. The actuation of the switch 104, as above stated, upon reaching a tape end simply stops completely the operation of the machine as the circuit tothe motoris shut off and all other mechanisms of the machine are brought at rest.

Immediately after the finger 62 has completed its operation of advancing a pair of blocks 85, the cam 51 will release the valve 58 to automatically return the piston to the lower end of the cylinder and to correspondinglylower the finger 62 by reversing the chargeof air into the cylinder 59, as will be apparent.

Summarizing the invention, it will be seen to comprise apparatus for continuously casting die cast bodies on a mounting member containing a spliced section in which are provided cast ng means for casting said bodies on the mounting member, means for continuously feeding the mounting member thereto, means in theform of the roller l 09 for detecting said spliced section in advance of its introduction to the casting means, switch means responsive to said detecting means, limiting means (as shown in Figs. 2-6) actuatable by said switch means for limiting the number of die cast bodies cast on the mounting "member throughout an interval during which said spliced section ap roaches the casting means, said limiting means servin to render said casting means inoperative while the s liced section is advancing therethrough, and meansfor inactivating said limit ng means. Adjusting means in the-form of theblocks 84 and the mechanism which operates them are also provided, said meansbeing responsive tosaid switch means and more particularly to saidlimiting means for delaying the operation ofthe casting means for a predetermined interval after-the spliced section has passed said casting means.

The blocks 84, andboththe mechanism which 10 se ti has advanc d through the ast n m It will be apparent that my inventiomgcnerally'speaking, providesautomatic means. for controlling wide or gap'spacing of members as ap plied to a tape or other mountin ber for purposes of the type and kind stated, where other means may be employed for providing normal or fixed spacing of the members ordevi ces thereon. In the present disclosure, the members or devices are in the form of die cast scoops or link for producing a predetermined article of manufacture. Otherv typesof castings may besimilar- 1y applied and spaced, on a mounting member, particularly where it is desirable to splice or otherwise join the mounting member at intervals for the purpose of providing a continued uninterrupted machine operation. It is also, to be understood that the same principles can be applied to any typeand kind of machine where devices or members of any typeor kind can be formed in any desired manner and attached to a mounting.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine for forming separable fastener stringers, means forapplying scoops to they edge of a stringer tape having a spliced portion to form stringer lengths longitudinally ofthe tape, means for spacing the .stringer lengths on each side of .said sp iced portion, said spacing means comprising a trip mechanism on the machine .in predetermined spaced relationship with respect to the scoop applying means, means for advancing the tape through said mechanism, means responsive to said mechanism for int; ctivatingsaid scoop applying means, said mechanism being actuatable by the passage therethrough of said spliced portion to-inactivatesaid scoop applying means through said last-named means and thus to spacethe stringer lengths on opposite sides of said spliced portion.

2. In a machine for forming separable fastener stringers, means for applyin scoo s to the edge of a stringer tape having a s liced portion to form stringerlengths longitud nally of the tape. means for spacing the stringer lengths on each side of said spliced portion, said spacing means comprising a trip mechanism'on .themach-ine. in predetermined spaced relationshipwith respect to the scoop applying means, means for advancing the tape through said mechanism, said scoop applying means being'responsive to said mechanism and said mechanismbeing actuatable by the passage therethlcugh of said spliced portion to inactivatesaid scoop applying meansandthus to spacethe stringerlengths on opposite sides of said spliced portion.

3. In a machine for formingseparable fastener stringers, means for guiding a tape into and through the machine means forapplying scoops to an ,edge of the was and for intermittently spacing the tape to form stringer lengths longitudinally of the tape, the tape having spliced portions spaced longitudinally thereof and means comprisinga trip mechanism disposed in the path of movement of said tape through the machine and in predetermined spaced relation with respect t si sco ap l mea f automatically stopping attachments of scoops to the spliced part of the tapeas the spliced partpasses through the scoop attaching means.

4. In a machine for forming separable fastener stringers/means for guiding a tape into and te i h the ma hi e ai -estuaries p n plying scoops to an edge of the tape and for intermittently spacing the tape to form stringer lengths longitudinally of the tape, the tape having at least one spliced portion longitudinally thereof, means comprising a trip mechanism disposed in the path of movement of said tape through the machine and in predetermined spaced relation with respect to said scoop applying means for detecting the spliced part of the tape as the spliced part approaches the scoop attaching means, and means comprising an air control and blocking disc actuated by said trip mechanism and disposed in the path of transmission of air to the scoop applyingmeans for controlling the number of scoop applying operations performed by the machine before reaching the splice in the tape end for stopping the attachment of scoops while the splice is passing through the scoop applying means.

5. In a machine for forming separable fastener stringers, means for guiding a tape into and through the machine, air-actuated means for applying scoops to an edge of the tape and for intermittently spacing the tape to form stringer lengths longitudinally of the tape, the tape having spliced portions spaced longitudinally thereof, means comprising a trip mechanism disposed in the path of movement of said tape through the machine and in predetermined spaced relation with respect to said scoop applying means for automatically stopping attachments of scoops to be spliced part of the tape as the spliced part passes through the scoop attaching means, said last named means also comprising an air control and blocking disc actuated by said trip mechanism and disposed in the path of transmission of air to the scoop applying means controlling, in a predetermined cycle ratio with respect to cycle operations of the machine, the number of scoop applying operations performed by the machine before reaching the splice in the tape and the number of cycles of machine operations during which attachment of scoops is blocked in passing the splice in said tape, and means actuated by said trip mechanism for controlling the start of attachment of scoops to the tape beyond the splice.

6. In a die casting machine for forming separable fastener stringers, the combination of dies for forming fastener scoops on one edge of a tape, means for guiding said tape through the machine for positioning with respect to said dies, means comprising an air actuated gooseneck for injecting casting material into the dies to form the scoops on the tape, and automatically actuated means for spacing one length of scoops from a next succeeding length, said automatically actuated means comprising automatically actuated valves for controlling supply of air to the gooseneck, and means disposed in the path of movement of the tape through the machine for actuating said valves to shut off the supply of air to the gooseneck.

7. In a machine for applying devices to and longitudinally of an elongated mounting and for periodically spacing one length of devices from a next succeeding length, means for guiding the mounting through the machine, means for applying devices on the mounting, and means operatively engaging the mounting in predetermined spaced relationship with respect to said device applying means for automatically controlling operation of the device applying means to stop the application of devices to the mounting during predetermined cycles of operation of. the

12 machine in order to form said spaced lengths of devices.

8. In a machine for applying devices to and longitudinally of an elongated mounting and for periodically spacing one length of devices from a next succeeding length, means for guiding the mounting through the machine, means for ap plying devices on the mounting, means operatively engaging the mounting in predetermined spaced relationship with respect to said device applying means for automatically controlling operation of the device applying means to stop the application of devices to the mounting, and automatically actuated means for controlling the reapplication of devices to the mounting.

9. In machines for applying devices to an elongated mounting and for periodically spacing devices on the mounting, means for guiding the mounting through the machine, means for applying devices on the mounting, switch means for momentarily rendering said device applying means inoperative, and means engageable by the mounting for actuating said switch means.

10. In machines for applying devices to an elongated mounting and for periodically spacing devices on the mounting, means for guiding the mounting through the machine, means for apply ing devices on the mounting, switch means for momentarily rendering said device applying means inoperative, and means engageable by the mounting for actuating said switch means, said last-named means comprising a switch actuating element normally supported in inoperative position by said mounting.

11. In machines for attaching devices to an elongated mounting having at least two predetermined sections, means for applying devices to the mounting, switch means actuatable to render said device applying means inoperative, means traversable by the mounting in advance of the means for applying devices thereto, said latter means being engageable with the mountin and serving to detect one of said predetermined Sfi-f tions and coincidently therewith to actuate said switch means.

12. In machines for attaching devices to an elongated mounting having two predetermined sections, means for applying devices to the mounting, switch means actuatable to render said device applying means inoperative, a trip and feeler mechanism through which the mounting passes in advance of the means for applyin devices thereto, said mechanism being engageable with the mounting and serving to detect one of said predetermined sections and coincidently therewith to actuate said switch means, and said mechanism including means for stopping operation of the machine when a mounting end passes through said mechanism.

13. In machines for attaching devices to an elongated mounting having two predetermined sections, means for applying devices to the mounting, switch means actuatable to render said device applying means inoperative, a trip and feeler mechanism through which the mounting passes in advance of the means for applying devices thereto, said mechanism comprising a spring-pressed roller engageable and supportable by the mounting and releasable at one of said sections, and a switch-actuating pin operable by the roller when the latter is released from the mounting.

14. Apparatus for continuously casting die cast bodies on a mounting member containing a spliced section comprising casting means for casting said bodies on the mounting member, means for continuously feeding the mounting member thereto, means for detecting said spliced section in advance of its introduction to the casting means, switch means responsive to said detecting means, limiting means actuatable by. said switch means for limiting the number of die cast bodies cast on the mounting member throughout an interval during which said spliced section approaches the casting means, said limiting means serving to render said casting means inoperative while the spliced section is advancing therethrough, means for inactivating said limiting means, and adjusting means responsive to said switch means for delaying the operation of the casting means for a predetermined interval after the spliced section has passed said casting means.

15. Apparatus for continuously casting die cast bodies on a mounting member containing a spliced section comprising casting means for casting said bodies on the mounting member means for continuously feeding the mounting member thereto, means for detecting said spliced section in advance of its introduction to the casting means, switch means responsive to said detecting means, limiting means actuatable by said switch means for limiting the number of die cast bodies cast on the mounting member throughout an interval during which said spliced section approaches the casting means, said limiting means serving to render said casting means inoperative while the spliced section is advancing therethrough, and means for inactivating said limiting means.

16. Apparatus for continuously casting separable fastener elements on a tape containing a spliced section comprising: air-actuated casting means for casting said elements on the tape, means for continuously feeding the tape thereto, means engageable with the tape for detecting said spliced section in advance of its introduction to the casting means, means responsive to said tape-engaging means and actuated thereby when a spliced section is detected, rotatable limiting means operable by said responsive means, said rotatable limiting means being disposed in the path of air supply to said casting means and being adapted to pass air to the casting means to enable a limited number of fastener elements to be cast on the tape throughout an interval of rotation during which said spliced section approaches the casting means and thereafter through another interval of rotation to close the air supply to the casting means and thus prevent the casting of elements on the tape while the spliced section is advancing through the casting means, means associated with 'said rotatable limiting means for inactivating'the latter after the spliced section of the tape has passed through the casting means, and valve means actuatable by the rotatable limiting means prior to the inactivation of the latter for stopping the air supply to the casting means fora predetermined interval aiter the spliced section has advanced through said casting means.

17. Apparatus for continuously casting separable fastener elements on a tape containing a spliced section comprising air-actuated casting means for casting said elements on the tape, means for continuously feeding the tape thereto, roller means engageable with thetape for detecting said spliced section in advance of its introduction to the casting means, switch means responsive to said roller means and actuated thereby whena spliced section is detected. limiting means operable by said switch means, said limiting means having associated therewith a r0- tatable member disposed in the path of air supply to said casting means, said rotatable member being adapted throughout a portion of its rotation to pass air to the casting means to enable a limited number of fastener elements to be cast on the tape while said spliced section,

approaches the casting means and thereafter throughout another portion of its rotation to close the air supply to the casting means and thus prevent the casting of elements on the tape while the spliced section is advancing through the casting means, means associated with said limiting means for inactivating the latter after the spliced section of the tape has passedthrough the casting means, and valve means a ctuatable by said limiting means prior to the inactivation of the latter for stopping the air supply to the casting means for a predetermined interval after the spliced section has advanced through said casting means. 5

LOUIS H. MORIN.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,975,966 Morin et al. Oct. 9, 1934 2,224,980 Morin Dec. 17, 1940

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