US2572498A

US2572498A - Brushmaking machine

Info

Publication number: US2572498A
Application number: US666735A
Authority: US
Inventors: Febvre Alfred L Le
Original assignee: Fuller Brush Co Inc
Current assignee: Fuller Brush Co Inc
Priority date: 1946-05-02
Filing date: 1946-05-02
Publication date: 1951-10-23
Anticipated expiration: 1968-10-23

Description

1951 A. 1.. LE FEBVRE BRUSH-MAKING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 2, 1946 Oct. 23, 1951 A1 L. LE FEBVRE 2,572,493

BRUSH-MAKING MACHINE FiledMay 2, 1946 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 faoveioz a? VIII I III/II/l/II/l/ Oct. 23, 1951 A. 1.. LE FEBVRE 2,572,498

BRUSH-MAKING MACHINE Filed May 2, 1946 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Daveniar Oct. 23, 1951 I A. 1.. LE FEBVRE 2,572,498

BRUSH-MAKING MACHINE Filed May 2, 1946 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 orueg Oct. 23, 1951 A. L. LE FEBVRE BRUSH-MAKING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet; 5

Filed May 2, 1946 n n u u n n n n n mm n u u n u n n n u u u n n -I fnveniow fi'edJ-LaQFkZai e Zarzaey A. L. LE FEBVRE BRUSH-MAKING MACHINE Oct. 23, 1951 '7 SheetsSheet 6 Filed May 2, 1946 4 m MW e g m w 2 I'' 3 1 2 Oct. 23, 1951 A. 1.. LE FEBVRE 2,572,498

BRUSH-MAKING MACHINE Filed May 2, 1946 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 R yna jigx0.

1?. 30 rue Patented Oct. 23, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BRUSHMAKING MACHINE Application May 2, 1946, Serial No. 666,735

24 Claims.

The invention relates to a machine for making brushes of the type wherein the brush bristles or fibers are held between two wires which are twisted to grip and retain. them. A machine embodying the present invention is in some respects similar to that shown in Patent No. 2,358,443, issued September 19, 1944, in the names of Henry Cave et al.

The machine shown in the said patent is a fully automatic machine which is entirely suitable for brushes of certain types. For brushes of other types, particularly when high grade, expensive fibers are used, a semi-automatic machine is preferable so that the operator may have opportunity to visually inspect the fibers of each brush prior to the twisting of the wires to make sure that the fibers are properly distributed, and to manually change the distribution of the bristles when this may appear to be necessary. After inspection of the fibers by the operator and after any necessary adjustment of the distribution thereof, the. twisting mechanism of the machine can be. started, in operation by the operator to effect the twisting of the wires to hold and grip the fibers.

One of the objects of the. invention is to provide a machine of the general character referred to having a magazine for brush fibers and having a carrier, which. is adapted to be positioned adjacent the magazine to receive fibers therefrom and which then moves in a generally horizontal direction to= a. twisting position within convenient reach of the operator so that the necessary inspection and distribution of the fibers can be taken care of prior to twisting.

A further object of the invention is to provide a. machine having a carrier which reciprocates horizontally between a fiber receiving position adjacent the. magazine and a forward twisting position, the said twisting. position being as before stated, within convenient reach of the operator.

Afurther object of the invention is to provide, in association with the horizontally movable carrier,. an automatically operated wire feeding means which serves to feed one wire to the car rier prior to thedistribution of brush fibers thereon. and which serves to feed a second wire to. the carrier after the distribution of brush fibers thereon.

A still; further object of the invention is to provide, a machine of the general character already set forth. wherein the. carrier not only moves horizontally as stated, but also moves vertically, thus enabling a more satisfactory spaced relas 2. tionship between the fiber magazine and the twisting position.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the general character described wherein the carrier, after reaching the twisting position and after the wires thereon have been gripped by the twisting mechanism, can be moved vertically downward to provide ample space for the twisting operation without any interference with such operation by the carrier.

A. still further object of the invention is toprovide a machine having the general characteristics already set forth wherein the twisting mechanism is bodily movable horizontally with the carrier, but wherein the carrier may be movable vertically independently of the twisting mechamsm.

Various other objects of. the invention will be apparent from the drawings and from the following specification and claims.

In the drawings I have shown in detail a preferred embodiment of. the invention, but it will be. understood that various changes may be made from the construction shown, and that the drawings are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawings,

Figs- 1 to 6, inclusive, are schematic views of a portion of a machine embodying the invention, these views showing the essential functioning of those parts of the machine to which the invention more particularly relates.

Fig. '7 is a. front view of the machine, this view showing a brush in its twisted condition.

Fig. 8 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken along the line 88 of Fig. '7.

Figs. 9 and 10 are detail views illustrating the manner of operation of the wire feeding means.

Fig. 11 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken. along the line Il-l| of Fig. 7.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view showing a part of the mechanism for operating the magazine for brush fibers, this view being taken along the line I2'-l2. of Fig. 20.

Fig. 13 is a view of the. same parts shown in Fig. 12-, but taken along the line [3-43. of Fig. '20.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged plan view of. the carrier for the brush fibers. and the wires, together with parts immediately associated therewith including portions of the vise and chuck of the twisting mechanism Fig. 15 is an enlarged plan view of the wire feeding. means.

Fig. 16 is an enlarged right end view of the wire feeding means.

Fig. 17 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line l'lll of Fig. '7.

Fig. 18 is an enlarged fragmentary front view of the magazine for brush fibers together with the operating mechanism therefor.

Fig. 19 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken along the line |9i9 of Fig. 8 and also along the line I 9l 9 of Fig. 20, this view showing parts of the mechanism for operating the magazine for brush fibers.

Fig. 20 is another enlarged view of the mechanism for operating the magazine for brush fibers, this view being partly in section along the line 2020 of Fig. 11.

General description Referring particularly to Figs. 1 to 6 of the drawings, it will be seen that the machine is provided with a carrier II] which is horizontally movable with respect to a main bed or base I2. This carrier has a generally horizontal portion and is adapted to receive and carry two horizontal wires with a horizontal layer of brush fibers between the wires and extending transversely thereof. Suitably mounted in fixed relation to the base I2 is a magazine for brush fibers generally indicated at l4, and there is preferably also provided a wire feeding means generally indicated at 16. The carrier II] can occupy a forward twisting position as shown in Fig. 1 in which position it is parallel with the magazine and in which position the wires can be twisted by a suitable twisting mechanism, a part of which is shown at l8, and it can also occupy a rearward position immediately adjacent the magazine M, as shown in Fig. 3, in which position it can receive a layer of fibers from the magazine l4. Preferably, provision is made for reciprocable movements of the carrier between these two positions, the carrier being moved translationally and in parallelism, each position thereof during movement being parallel with each other position; The carrier is shown as mounted on a slide 20 horizontally movable along a guideway 21 formed on the base l2. When a wire feeding means such as [8 is provided, this means serves to deposit one wire A on the carrier in the position shown in Fig. 2 as the carrier moves from r its twisting position shown in Fig. 1 to its fiber receiving position shown in Fig. 3.

With the carrier in the position shown in Fig. 3 a layer B of brush fibers is distributed on the carrier in a manner to be described in detail, and then the carrier is returned to the twisting position as shown in Fig. 5. In moving from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown in Y Fig. 5 the carrier passes through the intermediate position shown in Fig. 4 and in this position the wire feeding means l6 serves to deposit a second wire C on the carrier, the carrier then carrying the two wires A and C with a layer B of brush fibers between them. When the position shown in Fig. 5 is reached the layer of fibers on the carrier between the two wires can be inspected by the operator and any necessary redistribution of the fibers can be made. It is frequently desirable to remove a few fibers from each end of the layer B to insure more satisfactory twisting. After the fibers havebeen inspected and redistributed, the wires A and C are then gripped in the usual manner by the aforesaid twisting means located at the twisting position. The

twisting means serves to twist the two wires in 4 accordance with standard practice to form a twisted brush. In order that twisting may be effected by the twisting means without interference by the carrier, the carrier is moved downward prior to twisting to the position shown in Fig. 6.

Preferably but not necessarily, the fiber magazine I4 is in a relatively elevated position and the carrier in moving from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 3 moves not only horizontally, but also vertically upward. In returning from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown in Fig. 5, the carrier moves vertically downward.

A portion l8 of the twisting mechanism is shown in the twisting position by dotted lines in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, but the said twisting means is not necessarily permanently located in the said position. While the invention is not necessarily so limited, the slide '20 which supports the carrier It may also support the twisting mechanism. Thus the twisting mechanism is movable bodily with the carrier, the carrier and the twisting mechanism remaining in fixed relationship to each other, except that the carrier is or may be movable vertically as already stated.

'The details of the carrier, of the fiber magazine, of the wire feeding means, and of various associated parts, together with the manner of operation, will now be described.

Carrier and operating mechanism therefor In describing the carrier and the operating mechanism therefor reference will be had more particularly to Figs. '7, 8,11, 14 and 18.

For supporting the carrier I0 there is provided a bracket 22 which is rigidly mounted on the slide 28. A slide 24 is provided which is. vertically movable in suitable guideways in the bracket 22, being held in place by gibs 26, 26. The slide 24 has an integral rearward extension 28 and the carrier IE9 has a cylindrical bottom portion which is directly supported in an opening in the upper end portion of the extension 28. The carrier has an integral lug 29 thereon which engages a notch in the slide 24 to prevent the carrier from turning. As shown more clearly in Fig. 11, the slide 24 and the extension 28 thereof extend downward through an aperture in the main slide 20.

As shown in Figs. 7, l4 and 18, the carrier H! has a generally horizontal upper portion which extends transversely beyond its support 28 and beyond the bracket 22. The length of the carrier is at least equal to the maximum length of the layer of fibers required for the making of a brush. In order to insure that fibers deposited on the carrier will lie transversely thereof, the carrier is provided at its top with a plurality of upward extending transverse teeth 30, these teeth being closely spaced throughout the entire length of the carrier. In order that the carrier l9 may more readily hold the wires A and C deposited thereon by the wire feeding means IE, it is provided with grooves at its ends as indicated at 3| in Figs. 8 and 14.

In order that fibers deposited on the brush may be firmly held in place during movement of the carrier, the carrier is preferably hollow and the interior thereof is connected with a vertical hole 32 extending through the slide extension 28. By mean of a flexible hose 34 the hole 32 in the support is connected with a suitable suction device so that a partial vacuum is maintained within the interior-of the carrier.

A suitablemeans is provided for reciprocating theslide 20: between the positions shown in Figs. 8 and 11. These positions are also shown in Figs..-1, 3, and 6. The saidjmeans maybe widely varied, but as shown, there is a pneumatic cylinder 36 secured to the base t2, this cylinder having a piston therein carried by a piston rod 38- which extends forward and is connected with a depending bracket 40 extending downward. from the slide 20. By means. of. piping 42 and 44 air'can be. admitted to the cylinder 36 in front of or behind the piston therein so as to move the slide 20 toward. the rear or toward the front, as may be required. Air under pressure is supplied through a pipe46 to a valve unit 48-. which is connected' with the piping 42 and 44. Thevalve unit maybe operated by any suitable means but as shown there is a handle 58 for this purpose. By manipulating th handle 50 the operator can cause. the slide 20, together with the parts carried thereby, to be moved to the rearward position or to the forward position as; required.

As already stated, the fiber magazine 14 is preferably located in a relatively elevated position, and when the magazine is so. located,- it is necessary for the carrier I-U- to move not only horizontally but. also vertically. In order to efiect vertical movement of the carrier the supporting slide 24- isprovided near its bottom with a transverse extension 52 (Fig. '7), and. this extension carries a roller. 54 which extends into a cam groove 56 in, a. bracket 58 secured to the base of. the. machine, The shape of the cam groove 56 is such that. as the slide 20 moves rearward, the slide 24 thereon is moved upward, the amount of upward movement being so determined as to bring the carrier H1 into proper cooperative relationship with the fiber magazine I when the .slide Ml is in its rear position. When the slide 2,0 moves forward the cam groove 56. causes the carrier ID to move downward so that when the slide reaches its forward position the carrier is in register with the twisting. position of the twistingv mechanism.

As already stated, it is necessary for the carrier ID to be moved downward after the wires A and. C have been engaged by the twisting mechanism preparatory to twisting. The .forward. end of the cam groove 56 is provided with a downward extension 60 (Figs. 8 and 11) which permits the roller 54 to move downward. When the slide. 20. reaches. its forward position, the slide 24 which supports the carrier I ii is normally supported by a vertically movable plunger 62 mounted in a bracket 64 on. the bracket .58. The plunger 62 is resiliently held in its uppermost po sition by means, of a coil spring 66. The plunger 62. engages the bottom of the extension 52 to thus support the. slide 2 and the. parts carried thereby. For moving the slide 24 and the parts carried thereby downward, the bracket 58' carries a vertically slidable rod '68 which is engageable at its lower end with the top of the extension 52. The upper end of the rod '68 is pivotally connected with a lever which is pivotally connected with the bed of the machine at I2. The operator, by manually engaging the lever 10, can move the rod 68" downward to thus move th carrier Ill downward in opposition to the spring 68. The carrier is thus separated from the wires and the fibers as shown in Fig. 7 to permit twisting. By moving the lever 70 upward the carrier can be. restored. to its normal forward position, upward. movement. being effected by the spring. 66- A spring detent. 1.4. on the. lever. JD

6 is engageable with depressions; "in a plate Hi, and the lever 10 and the .parts controlled thereby can thus be retained in; theirlower positions or in their upper positions as. required.

Twisting mechanism The twisting mechanism does not of itself constitute any part of the present invention and it may be of any usual or preferred form and. it may in factbe similar to the. twisting mechanism shown and. described in the before-men tioned Patent No. 2,358,443.

The twisting mechanism. comprises the beforementioned part I8 which is a nonrotatable vise and which includes jaws for gripping. the wires A and C at one end.. The twisting mechanism also comprises a spindle l1 carrying a'rotatable chuck 18 which includes jaws for gripping the wires A and C at the other end.

The chuck 18 canbe rotated by means of belts l9 engaging a. pulley 89,. the saidbelts passing over. a drive pulley on an electric motor at the rear which is not. shown but which is mounted on. the slide 20 and bodily movable therewith. The pulley is rotated continuously and rotation can be transmitted to the chuck it! when required by means of a friction clutch at Bl. A hand wheel 82 is provided by means of, which the chuck can. be rotated manually to a limited extent for. a purpose to be explained.

During twisting the twisting mechanism occupies a. position. at the front of the machine but it is. not necessarily permanently located. in this machine. Inv fact, the twisting mechanism is shown as carried. in its entiretyon the. slide as which also supports the carrier is and the parts directly associated therewith. Thus the carrier and the twisting mechanism move .rearwardly and forwardly in unison and are maintained in fixed relationship with each other, except for the relative vertical movements of the carrier which. have been described. When the twisting mechanism. is mounted on the slide 23 the driving motor for the dhuck l8 is also mounted on the slide and moves with it.

The mechanism for controlling the jaws of the vise. l8 and of the chuck i8 need not be described in detail and it is sufficient for purposes of the present invention tostate that the said jaws of the vise iii are operated by a hand lever 83 and that the jaws of. the chuck H3 are operated. by a hand lever 84.. The friction clutch for starting the rotation of the chuck 18 is-operated by means or a foot treadle 8.5- at the front of the machine where it can be readily reached by the foot of. the operator. By pressing on the foot treadle the. friction clutch. 81. can be engaged to start rotation of the chuck it and effect twisting. Either the vise [:8 or the chuck T8 or both of them. are longitudinally movable on the slide 20 to take care of. the. shortening. of the brush as twisting takes place-.. Suitable means which need not be described in detail are provided for automatically disengaging the. friction clutch after a predetermined amount of shortening of the brush, such shortening being. dependent on the amount of twisting.

When the twisting, mechanism isbodily movable with the carrier, it is. necessary to. provide a suitable connection between the foot treadle and the slide topermit such movement. As shown in Figs. 1 and.8,, the foot treadle Slioperates a. lever 86 secured to a transverse. rockshaft 81. Mounted. on the rockshaft .isa lever 75. 88: which is splinedl to the. .shaf.t for. rotation therewith but which is movable longitudinally thereof. The lever 88 is held between two brackets depending from the slide 28 so as to be bodily movable with the slide. A member 89 is en gaged by the lever 88 and this member serves to operate the clutch 8| by suitable mechanism including a link 90. Thus the clutch is operable by the foot treadle notwithstanding its bodily movements with the slide 20.

In order that the wires A and C may enter the vise I8 and the chuck 18 when the positions shown in Figs. 2 and 4 are reached, the said vise and chuck are provided with vertical wire receiving slots, as shown in Fig. 14. If the slot in the chuck I8 is not initially in its vertical Fiber magazine and operating mechanism therefor The fiber magazine and the operating mechanism therefor do not of themselves constitute any part of the present invention and they may be similar to the magazine and operating mechanism shown in the before-mentioned Patent No. 2,358,443. In describing the fiber magazine and the operating mechanism therefor reference will be had more particularly to Figs. 7, 8, 11, 12, 3, 18, 19 and 20.

The fiber magazine I4 is carried by an elevated platform 94 supported on the base of the machine by means of

brackets

96 and 98. The magazine I4 is essentially a rectangular container open at the top and at the bottom, and fibers are placed therein by the operator from time to time so that a sufiicient supply is always maintained. One wall of the magazine, as for instance the left wall, may be movable to adjust the length of the magazine for brushes of different lengths. Movable across the bottom of the magazine I4 are two similarly formed, but oppositely positioned, slicing bars I and I02. These bars are pointed at their ends, as shown in Fig. 18, and they are connected together for reciprocable movement in unison. Fig. 18 shows the carrier I0 in position immediately below the magazine I4 for receiving a layer of fibers therefrom. The bars I00 and I82 are shown as moving from left to right, and it will be seen that the fibers between the ends of the bars are free to move downwardly onto the carrier. As the bar I92 is withdrawn it permits the fibers to move down-- wardly, and as the bar I00 advances it slices off a layer of fibers, which layer remains on the carrier I0. The bars support the fibers which are immediately above them, and when the slicing bar I 00 has moved entirely across the maga- 18 shows the bars moving from left to right, and' when the carrier I0 next reaches its fiber receiving position the bars will be moved from right to left, slicing then being effected in the manner al ready described by the bar I02 instead of by the bar I00.

The two slicing bars I00 and I02 are carried by a slide I04 which is movable horizontally in a guide rail I06 supported by brackets I08, I08 depending from the platform 94. For supporting the slicing bars to prevent vertical vibration thereof two shelves I09, I 09 are'provided at opposite sides of the magazine I4. The said shelves are carried by the guide rail I06 and they are immediately beneath the bars. The slide I04 is provided with rack teeth on its lower face which mesh with a gear I I0, the guide rail I06 being cut away as shown in Fig. 20 to'permit the gear to engage the rack teeth. The gear H0 is carried by a shaft H2 rotatable in bearings formed in brackets H4 and H6 depending from the platform 94. Rotatably mounted on the shaft II2 are two bevel gears I I8 and I20, these bevel gears meshing with a single bevel gear I22. The bevel gear I22 is mounted on a shaft I24 supported in bearings in brackets I26 and I28 depending from the platform 94. It'will be seen that when the shaft I24 and the gear I22 are rotated the bevel gears IE8 and I20 are rotated in opposite directions, which directions are indicated by arrows in Fig. 19. Connected with the respective bevel gears H8 and I20 are clutch members 30 and I32 which are adapted to be engaged by a single clutch member I34 rotatable with the shaft I I2 but longitudinally movable thereon. By means of a yoke I36 and a lever I38 the clutch member I34 may be moved in one direction or the other to engage either the clutch member I30 or the clutch member I32. Thus the shaft H2 and the gear IIO can be rotated in one direction or the other to move the slide I04 and the slicing bars I00 and I02 in one direction or the other.

Mounted on the guide rail I06 for longitudinal movement is a rod I40, and this rod has a bushing I42 secured thereto, the said bushing being pivotally connected with the lever I38. Secured to the rod I40 are lugs I44 and I46 which project forwardly and are adapted to ,be engaged by stops I48 and I 50 carried by the slide I04. The stops I48 and I50 are so positioned as to engage the respective lugs I44 and I46 at the proper times in order to throw the clutch member 534 from one operative position to the other after the slide I04-and the slicing bars I00 and I02 have been moved sufiiciently in one direction or the other. As shown in Figs. 19 and 20, the slide I 04 and also the slicing bars and the stop I50 have been moved toward the left so that the stop is in engagement with the lug I46, and the stop has moved the said lug and the rod I40 sufficiently to throw the clutch member I34 out of engagement with the clutch member I32 and. into engagement with the clutch member I30. During the next following cycle, the slide I 04 and the slicing bars will be moved toward the right until the stop I48 engages the lug I44, thus moving the rod I40 to throw the clutch member I34 out of engagement with the clutch member E30 and into engagement with the clutch member I32. Suitable means, such as an over-center spring I52, is provided to insure movement of the clutch member I34 sufiiciently to fully engage the respective clutch members I30 and I32.

Mounted on the shaft I24 is a drive pulley I54 which is rotated by a belt I56 passing over a pulley I58, projecting from a reduction gear'unit I60 connected with a motor I 62. Connected with the pulley I54 is a clutch I64 which, when e'ngaged. causes the shaft I24 to rotate through a single revolution in the direction .indicated in Fig. 19. The clutch I64 has a notch providing an abutment adapted to be engaged by a pawl I66 (Figs. 12 and 13), and this ipawl,'wh'en engaged, prevents rotation of the shaft. The pawl I66 is mounted on a shaft I68 (Figs. 12, 13 and 19) and a spring I10 biases the pawl toward its engaging position. At the right end of the :shaft I68 is a toothed member I12 which :has a lost motion relationship with the shaft, being normally held by a spring I13 in the relative position shown in Fig. 12. Positioned below and parallel with the shaft I68 is a rockshaft I14 carrying at its right end a toothed member I16 adapted to engage the toothed member I12. .At the left end of the shaft I14 is a lever I18 (Figs. 13 and 20) carrying a projecting pin I80. A spring I 82 biases the shaft I14 so that the pin I80 is normally held in its forward position, .as limited by a stop pin 184. With the parts in the positions described the tooth on the member I16 is in front of the tooth on the member I12 as shownin Figs. 8, 11 and 12.

Carried by the bracket 22 on the slide 201is a member I86 which is so positioned that it engages the pin I80 as the slide 20 reaches its rearward position with the carrier I0 immediately below the magazine I4. The pin I80 is moved rearward thus turning the rockshaft I14 in the counterclockwise direction as viewed .in Fig. 13, or in the clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 12. The rockshaft I14, moving in the clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 12, moves the toothed member I16 in the same direction, thus causing the tooth thereon to engage 'the tooth on the toothed member I12 and moving the rockshaft I68 and the pawl I66 in the counterclockwise direction to disengage the pawl from the one-revolution clutch I'64. This starts the rotation of the shaft I24 in the clockwise direction thus moving the slicing bars I00 and I02 in one direction :or the other by means of themecham'sm which has already been described.

As soon as the teeth on the members I16 and I 12 have become disengaged, the :pawl is free to move rearwardly under the influence of the spring 110, and is ready to engage the notch in the clutch at the completion of a single revolution, thus stopping further rotation of the shaft I24 and of the parts connected therewith. After the fibers have been distributed on the carrier II! by means of one or the other of the slicing bars, the slide 20 and the parts carried thereby, including the member I86, are moved in the forward direction, and the rockshaft I14 is moved by the spring I82 so that the said shaft and the parts carried thereby, including the toothed member I1-6, are restored to the positions shown in Figs. 12 and 13. The tooth on the member I16, in moving forward, must pass-by the tooth on the member I12. This is made possible by the befo re-mentioned lost motion connection of themember I12 with the shaft I68. The member I12 is rotated in the clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 12, in opposition to the spring I13 sufficiently to permit the tooth on the member I16 to pass. Then the member I12 is restored by the spring to the position shown in Fi 12.

v Wire feeding means In describing the wire feeding means reference 10 will be had more particularly to Figs. '1, 8, 9,- 10, 15, 16 and 17.

Depending from the platform 94 are two brackets I88 and IE0, and these brackets carry a horizontal plate I92. Supported on the plate I92 are two pairs of blocks I94 and I86. The two pairs of blocks are spaced apart longitudinally as shown in Figs. 7 and 15. Carried by the front blocks I94, I64 is an inclined plate I98 which serves as one wall of a wire magazine 2B0. The blocks of each pair'are spaced apart as shown in Fig. 17 to provide a vertical wire channel 202 communicating with the magazine 290. Mounted in apertures in the blocks I96, I96 is a rotatble shaft 2E4 which carries a longitudinal serrated roller 205, the length of which is only 'a little less than the total distance between the blocks. At the left end of the shaft 204 is a manually operable knob 208.

Carried by studs projecting toward the right from the right hand blocks I94, I96 is a vertical plate 2H3, the upper end of "which is flared toward the right. Carried by studs projecting toward the left from the left hand blocks I94, I96 is a vertical plate 2I2, the upper end of which is flared toward the left. The spacing between the plates 210 and 2I2 is substantially equal to the length of the wires that are to be used, and these plates serve to hold the wires in proper positions and to prevent them from being displaced longitudinally. If the length 'of the wires is to be changed the plate 212 can be-moved toward the right or toward the left by replacing the studs which carry itand by substituting longer or shorter studs.

In use a supply of wires cutto suitable length is placed in the magazine 200, the wires being located as to their longitudinal positions by the plates 2H! and 2.!2. The wires tend to move by gravity into the channel 202 which is ordinarily completely filled. The roller 206 serves as an agitator for the wires and if the wires fail to move freely by gravity into the channel 202, the roller can be turned by means of the knob 208 to agitate the wires and facilitate their entry into the channel 202.

Mounted in bearing brackets 214 and '2I6 below the plate I92 is .a..ro.ckshaft 2I8. Secured to the rockshaft are two segments 220 and 222 which are immediately beneath the .lower :end of the wire channel .282, each segment having .a wire receiving notch 224 therein, as shown in Fig. 17. When the segments are in their normal positions, as shown in Fig. 8, the notch 2.24 of each segment is immediately beneath the wire channel 202 so as to receive one wire therefrom. When the segments are rotated through approximately in the counterclockwise direction to the position shown in Fig. .17, the wire entered in. the two notches is moved to the position shown in Fig. 1'1, and the wire can then drop onto the carrier II] when the said carrier is either in the position shown in Fig. 2 or the position shown in Fig. 4. The shaft i2l8 tis-anormally positioned to hold the notches 2.24 in register with the wire channel 202 by means of a spring 226 which engages a pin 0131.311 arm 228 secured to the shaft.

Secured to the shaft 2 I 8 at the right end thereof is a cam member 230. This cam member has a tooth 232 which extends in a generally downward direction when the cam member is in :its normal position as shown in Fig. .8. The cam member also carries a pm 234 which projects toward the right. A

Suitably secured in fixed position on the slide 29 is a cam member 236, this cam member being so positioned that it can engage the pin 234 when the slide is moved. Pivotally mounted on the cam member 236 is a second cam member 238 which is positioned to engage with the tooth 232 of the cam member 230 when the slide is moved. The cam member 238 is biased by a spring 248 and is normally held in the relative position shown in Fig. 9.

When the slide 20 and the parts carried thereby move rearward the cam member 238 engages the tooth 232 and moves the said tooth from the position shown in Fig. 8 to the position shown in Fig. 9. Thus the shaft 2I8 and the parts carried thereby are rocked in the counterclockwise direction from the positions shown in Fig. 8 to the position shown in Figs. 9, 16 and 17, and a single wire is released from the notches 224 in the segments 22!], 222. This wire falls onto the carrier II] which is then in the position shown in Fig. 2. As soon as the cam member 238 passes beyond the position shown in Fig. 9, the shaft 2I8 and the parts carried thereby are restored to their normal positions by the spring 226. It will be seen, by reference to Fig. 9, that the pin 234 has been moved to a position such that it i not engaged by the cam member 236 as the said cam member moves rearward.

When the slide 20 and the parts carried thereby are returned in the forward direction, the cam member 236 engages the pin 234 to again rock the shaft H8 and the parts carried thereby in the counterclockwise direction from the positions shown in Fig. 8 to the positions shown in Figs. 1-0, 16 and 19. Again a single wire is released from the notches 224 in the segments 22B, 222. This wire falls onto the carrier In which is then in the position shown in Fig. 4. As the parts move in the forward direction the cam member 238 may reengage the tooth 232 as shown in Fig. 10. Such engagement causes the cam member 238 to turn in the clockwise direction in opposition to the spring 240, and it is thus able to pass by the tooth 232. After passing the said tooth 232 the cam member 238 is returned to its normal position by the spring 240.

Operation During operation of the machine the operator maintains a supply of fibers in the fiber magazine I4, placing additional fibers therein as the supply is depleted. The operator also maintain a supply of wires in the wire magazine 200, rotating the agitating roller. 206 from time to time as may be necessary to keep the wire channel 202 filled.

With the slide 20 in its forward position the operator turns the chuck I8 by means of the hand wheel 82 to whatever extent may be necessary to bring the slot therein in vertical position as shown in Fig. 14. Then the operator, by means of the handle 50 and the valve unit 48, causes the slide and the various parts carried thereby to move to the rearward position and then back to the forward position. As the slide moves rearwardly one wire from the wire feeding means I6 is deposited on the carrier in the manner already described, the ends of this wire passing into the vertical slots in the vise I8 and in the chuck I8. When the slide reaches its rearward position the carrier I has been moved upward so that it is immediately beneath the magazine I4 as shown in Fig. 18, and the member I86 engages the pin I80 to release the one-revolution clutch I64 thus starting the movement of the slicing bars I00 and I02. If the slicing bars are in their left hand positions, as shown in Figs. 1, 19 and 20, the gear wheel I I0 is rotated in the clockwise direction to move the bars from left to right, thus slicing off a layer of fibers from the supply in the magazine I4, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 18. Inasmuch as one wire has been previously deposited on the carrier II! the layer of fibers i above the said wire. When the slicing bars have completed their movement, the stop I48 engages the lug I44 to throw the clutch member I34 from the position shown in Fig. 19 to its opposite position. At or about the time the clutch is shifted, the shaft I24 has completed its single revolution and the slicing bars remain in their right hand positions ready for the next cycle.

As the slide 20 and the parts carried thereby move forwardly a second wire is deposited from the wire feeding means It onto the carrier, this second wire falling on top of the fibers which are thus positioned between the two wires. The ends of the second wire also enter the vertical slots in the vise I8 and in the chuck I8.

After the slide and the parts carried thereby have reached the forward position, the operator can then inspect the fibers to make sure that they are uniformly distributed and otherwise in proper condition for twisting. For some brushes it is found desirable to remove a few fibers from each end of the layer to insure more satisfactory twisting. After the operator has inspected the fibers and has made any necessary changes in the distribution thereof, the jaws of the vise I8 and of the chuck 18 can be engaged with the wires by means of the levers 83 and 84. By means of the lever Ill the carrier I0 is lowered by the operator to the position shown in Fig. 7 so that the carrier will not interfere in any way with the twisting operation. The next step is for the operator to start the twisting by depressing the foot treadle 85 so as to engage the clutch 8|. After the brush has been fully twisted, as shown in Fig. 7, the twisting is stopped and the jaws of the vise and the chuck may be temporarily disengaged from the wires and the vise and chuck may be separated and again reengaged with the wires. After that a supplemental twisting of the ends of the wires may be effected to twist the end portions thereof in such a manner that they are in condition to be subsequently engaged by the handle in which the brush is to be mounted.

After the twisting of the brush has been completed and the twisted brush has been removed, the carrier II] is moved upward by the lever I0 and the machine is ready for the making of the next following brush. In making such next following brush the procedure is exactly the same as that already described except that the slicing bars move from right to left instead of from left to right.

What I claim is:

1. The combination in a brush making machine, of a magazine for brush fibers, a twisting mechanism having an operative position horizontally spaced from the fiber magazine and parallel therewith, a carrier for wires and fibers, means for moving the carrier to a position beneath and close to the fiber magazine and for then moving it translationally and in parallelism to a posi-e' tion in alignment with the operative position of the twisting mechanism, and means for separating fibers from the fiber magazine and disi3 tributing them on the carrier while in its position-beneath the said magazine.

2; The combination in a brush making machine, of a magazine for brush fibers, a twisting mechanism having an operative position horizon tally spaced from the fiber magazine and parallel therewith, a carrier for wires and fibers, means for moving the carrier to a position beneath and close to the fiber magazine and for then moving it translationally and in parallelism to a position in alignment with the operative position of the'twisting mechanism, means for separating fibers from the fiber magazine and distributing them on the carrier while in its position beneath the said magazine, and wire feeding means for feeding a wire to the carrier prior to the distribution of the fibers thereon and for feeding a second wire to the carrier after the distribution of the fibers thereon.

- 3. 'The combination in a brush making machine, -of a magazine for brushfibers, a twisting mechanism having an operative position horizontally spaced forwardly from the fiber magazine, a carrier for Wires and fibers, means for moving the carrier in a cycle rearward-1y from a position in alignment with the operative position of the twisting mechanism to a position beneath and close to the fiber magazine and then forwardly to its first said position, means for separating fibers from the fiber magazine and distributing them on the carrier while in its second said position, and automatic means dependent on the movement of the carrier to its rearward position for operating the fiber separating and distributing means.

4'. The combination in a brush making machine, of a magazine for brush fibers, a twisting mechanism having an operative position horizontally spaced forwardly from the fiber magazine, a carrier for wires and fibers, means for moving the carrier in a cycle rearwardly from a position in alignment with the operative position of the twisting mechanism to a position beneath and close to the fiber magazine and then forwardly to its first said position, means for separating fibers from the fiber magazine and distributing them onthe carrier while in its second said position, and automatic wire feeding means operative in timed relationship with each cycle of movement of the carrier for feeding a wire thereto prior to the distribution of the fibers thereon and for feeding a second wire thereto after the distribution of the fibers thereon. "'5. 'The combination in a brush making ma chine, of a magazine for brush fibers, a twisting mechanism having an operative'position horizontally spaced forwardly from the fiber magazine, a'carrier for wires and fibers, means for moving the carrier in a cycle rearwardly from a position in alignment with-the operative position of the twisting mechanism to a position beneath and close to the fiber magazine and then forwardly to itsfirst said position, means for separating fibers from the fiber magazine and distributing them on the carrier while in its second said position, andautomatic wire feeding means operative during each cycle of movement of the carrier for feeding a'wire thereto during its rearward movement from the first said position to the second position and for feeding a second wire thereto during its forward movement from the second said position to the first said position.

6. In a brush making machine, the combination of a magazine for brush fibers, a twisting mechanism having an operative :position hori- 1'4 zontally spaced forwardly from the fiber magazine and also spaced downwardly therefrom, a carrier for wires and fibers, means for moving the carrier in a cycle from a forward lower position in alignment with the operative position of the twisting mechanism to a rearward upper position beneath and close to the fiber magazine and then from its said rearward upper position to its said forward lower position, and means for separating fibers from the fiber magazine and distributing them on'the carrier while in its rearward upper position.

7. In a'brush making machine, the combina tion of 'a magazine for brush fibers, a twisting mechanism having an operative position horizontally spaced forwardly from the fiber magazine and also spaced downwardly therefrom, a carrier for wires and fibers, means for moving the carrier in a cycle from a forward'lower position in alignment with the operative position of the twisting mechanism to a rearward upper position beneath and close to the fiber magazine and then from its said rearward upper position to its said forward lower position, means for separating fibers from the fiber magazine and distributing them on the carrier while in its rearward upper position, and wire feeding means for feeding a wire to the carrier prior to the dis tribution of the fibers thereof and for feeding a second wire to the carrier after the distribution of the fibers thereon.

'8'. In a brush making machine, the combinertion of a magazine for brush fibers, a twisting mechanism having an operative position'horizontally spaced forwardly from the fiber magazine and also spaced downward-1y therefrom, a carrier for wires and fibers, means for moving the carrier in a cycle from a forward lower position in alignment with the operative position of the twisting mechanism to a rearward upper position'beneath and close to the fiber magazine and then from its said rearward upper position to its said forward lower position, means for separating fibers from the fiber magazine and distributing them on the carrier while in its rearward upper position, and automatic wire feeding means operative during each cycle of movement of the carrier for feeding a wire thereto during its rearward movement from the first said position to the second position and for feeding a second wire thereto during its forward movement from the second said position to the first said position.

9. A brush making machine comprising in combination, a magazine for brush fibers, a twisting mechanism having an operative position horizontally spaced from the fiber magazine and parallel therewith, a carrier for wires and fibers, means for moving the carrier to a'position beneath and close to the fiber magazine and for then moving it translationally and in parallelism to a position in alignment with the operative position of the twisting mechanism, means for separating fibers from the fiber magazine and distributing them on the carrier while in its position beneath the said magazine, and means for moving the carrier downward from its position in alignment with the operative position of the twisting mechanism to permit the assembly of wires and fibers to be twisted by the said twisting mechanism.

'10. A brush making machine comprising in combination, a magazine for brush fibers, a twisting mechanism having an operative position horizontally spaced forwardly from the fiber magazine, a carrier for wires and fibers, means for moving the carrier in a cycle rearwardly from a position in alignment with the operative position of the twisting mechanism to a position beneath and close to the fiber magazine and then forwardly to its first said position, means for separating fibers from the fiber magazine and distributing them on the carrier while in its second said position, and means for moving the carrier downward from its position in alignment with the operative position of the twisting mechanism to permit the assembly of wires and fibers to be twisted by the said twisting mechanism.

11. A brush making machine comprising in combination, a magazine for brush fibers, a twisting mechanism having an operative position horizontally spaced forwardly from the fiber magazine, a carrier for wires and fibers, means for moving the carrier in a cycle rearwardly from a position in alignment with the operative position of the twisting mechanism to a position beneath and close to the fiber magazine and then forwardly to its first said position, means for separating fibers from the fiber magazine and distributing them on the carrier while in its second said position, automatic wire feeding means operative during each cycle of movement of the carrier for feeding a wire thereto during its movement from the first position to the second position and for feeding a second wire thereto during its movement from the second position to the first position, and means for moving the carrier downwardly from its position in alignment with the operative position of the twisting mechanism to permit the assembly of wires and fibers to be twisted by the said twisting mechanism.

12. A brush making machine comprising in combination, a magazine for brush fibers, a twisting mechanism having an operative position horizontally spaced forwardly from the fiber magazine and also spaced downwardly therefrom, a carrier for wires and fibers, means for moving the carrier in a cycle from a forward lower position in alignment with the operative position of the twisting mechanism to a rearward upper position beneath and close to the fiber magazine and then from its said rearward upper position to its said forward lower position, means for separating fibers from the fiber magazine and distributing them on the carrier while in its rearward upper position, and means for moving the carrier downwardly from its said forward lower position to permit the assembly of wires and fibers to be twisted by the said twisting mechanism.

13. A brush making machine comprising in combination, a magazine for brush fibers, a twisting mechanism having an operative position horizontally spaced forwardly from the fiber magazine and also spaced downwardly therefrom, a carrier for wires and fibers, means for moving the carrier in a cycle from a forward lower position in alignment with the operative position of the twisting mechanism to a rearward upper position beneath and close to the fiber magazine and then from its said rearward upper position to its said forward lower position, means for separating fibers from the fiber magazine and distributing them on the carrier while in its rearward upper position, automatic wire feeding means operative during each cycle of movement of the carrier for feeding a wire thereto during its rearward movement from the first said position to the second position and for feeding a second wire thereto during its forward movement from the second said position to the first said position, and means for moving the carrier downwardly from its said forward lower DQSition to permit the assembly of wires and fibers to'be twisted by the said twisting mechanism to operate.

14. The combination in a brush making machine, of a magazine for brush fibers, a twisting mechanism having an operative positionhorizontally spaced forwardly from the fiber magazine and also spaced downwardly therefrom, a horizontally movable slide, a carrier for wires and fibers movable with the slide and also vertically movable with respect thereto, means for moving the slide rearwardly and then forwardly and for moving the carrier upwardly as the slide moves rearwardly and then downwardly as the slide moves forwardly whereby the carrier is moved in a cycle rearwardly and upwardly from a forward lower position in alignment with the operative position of the twisting mechanism to a rearward upper position beneath and close to the fiber magazine and then forwardly and downwardly to its said forward lower position, and means for separating fibers from the fiber magazine and distributing them on the carrier while in its rearward upper position.

15. The combination in a brush making machine, of a magazine for brush fibers, a twisting mechanism having an operative position horizontally spaced forwardly from the fiber magazine and also spaced downwardly therefrom, a horizontally movable slide, a carrier for wires and fibers movable with the slide and'also vertically movable with respect thereto, means for moving the slide rearwardly and then forwardly, a stationary cam for moving the carrier upwardly as the slide moves rearwardly and then downwardly as the slide moves forwardly whereby the carrier is moved in a cycle rearwardly and upwardly from a forward lower position in alignment with the operative position of the twisting mechanism to a rearward upper position beneath and close to the fiber magazine and then forwardly and downwardly to its said forward lower position, and means for separating fibers from the fiber magazine and distributing them on the carrier while in its rearward upper position.

16. The combination in a brush making machine, of a magazine for brush fibers, a twisting mechanism having an operative position horizontally spaced forwardly from the fiber magazine and also spaced downwardly therefrom, a horizontally movable slide, a carrier for wires and fibers movable with the slide and also vertically movable with respect thereto, means for moving the slide rearwardly and then forwardly and for moving the carrier upwardly as the slide moves rearwardly and then downwardly as the slide moves forwardly whereby the carrier is moved in a cycle rearwardly and upwardly from a forward lower position in alignment with the operative position of the twisting mechanism to a rearward upper position beneath and close to the fiber magazine and then forwardly and downwardly to its said forward lower position, means for separating fibers from the fiber magazine and distributing them on the carrier while in its rearward upper position, and means for moving the carrier downwardly with respect to the slide from its said forward lower position to permit the assembly of wires and slides to be twisted by the said twisting mechanism. 7

17. The combination in a brush making machine, of a magazine for brush fibers, a twisting mechanism having an operative position hori zontally spaced forwardly from the fiber magazine and also spaced downwardly therefrom, a horizontally movable slide, a carrier for wires and fibers movable with the slide and also vertically movable with respect thereto, means for movingthe slide rearwardly and then forwardly, a cam follower connected with the carrier, a stationary member having a cam groove therein for receiving the cam follower, the said cam groove having a downward opening at its forward end and the said cam groove being inclined to move the carrier upwardly as the slide moves rearwardly and then downwardly as the slide moves forwardly whereby the carrier is moved in a cycle rearwardly and upwardly from a forward lower position in alignment with the operative position. of the twisting mechanism to a rearward upper position beneath and close to the fiber magazine and then forwardly and downwardly to its said forward lower position, means for separating fibers from the fiber magazine and distributing them on the carrier while in its rearward upper position, and means for moving the carrier downwardly with respect to the slide from its said forward lower position with the cam follower moving downward through the downward openine, in the cam groove.

18. In a brush making machine, the combination of a magazine for brush fibers, a bodily movable twisting mechanism, a carrier for wires and fibers bodily movable with the twisting mechanism. means or moving the twisting mechanism and the carrier to positions wherein the carrier is beneath and close to the fibe magazine and then to positions wherein the said twisting mechanism and carrier are horizontally spaced from the magazine and wherein the carrier is in alignment with the twisting mechanism, and means for separating fibers from the fiber magazine and distributing them on the carrier while the carrier is in its position beneath the said magazine.

19. In a brush making machine, the combination of a magazine for brush fibers, a bodily movable twisting mechanism, a carrier for wires and fibers bodily movable with the twistin mechanism, means for moving the twisting mechanism and the carrier in a cycle rearwardly from forward twisting positions horizontally spaced from the magazine to positions wherein the carrier is beneath and close to the fiber magazine and then forwardly to the said forward twisting positions, and means for separating fibers from the fiber magazine and distributing them on the carrier while the carrier is in its position beneath the said magazine.

20. In a brush making machine, the combination of a magazine for brush fibers, a bodily movable twisting mechanism, a carrier for wires and fibers bodily movable with the twisting mechanism, means for moving the twisting mechanism and the carrier in a cycle rearwardly from forward twisting positions horizontally spaced from the magazine to positions wherein the carrier is beneath and close to the fiber magazine and then forwardly to the said forward twisting positions, means for separating fibers from the fiber magazine and distributing them on the carrier while the carrier is in its position beneath the said magazine, and automatic wire feeding means operative in timed relationship with each cycle of movement of the carrier for feeding a wire thereto prior to the distribution of the fibers thereon and for feeding a second wire thereto after the distribution of the fibers thereon,

21 Abrush making machine comprising in combination, a magazine for brush fibers, a twist i mechanismfhaving an operative position hori zontally spaced forwardlyfrom; the fiber magazine and also-spaced downwardly therefrom, a horizontally movable slide supporting the twist ing mechanism, a carrier for wires'jand fibers niovableiwith the s lide and also vertically movable With'EI'BSpQGI; thereto, means for moving the slide rearwardly'and thenforwardly and for moving the carrier upwardly as the slide moves rearwardly and then downwardlyas the slide moves forwardly whereby the carrier is moved in a cycle rearwardly and; upwardly from a forward lower position 'in alignment with thegoperative position of the twisting mechanism to a rearward upper position: beneath and close: to the fiber magazine and then "forwardly "and downwardly to its said f a r, P9$it19nl nd m an f se ara n fibers from the fiber magazine and distributing them on the carrier while in its rearward upper position.

22. A brush making machine comprising in combination, a magazine for brush fibers, a twisting mechanism having an operative position horizontally spaced forwardly from the fiber magazine and also spaced downwardly therefrom, a horizontally movable slide supporting the twisting mechanism, a carrier for wires and fibers movable with the slide and also vertically movable with respect thereto, means for moving the slide rearwardly and then forwardly and for moving the carrier upwardly as the slide moves rearwardly and then downwardly as the slide moves forwardly whereby the carrier is moved in a cycle rearwardly and upwardly from a forward lower position in alignment with the operative position of the twisting mechanism to a rearward upper position beneath and close to the fiber magazine and then forwardly and downwardly to its said forward lower position, means for separating fibers from the fiber magazine and distributing them on the carrier while in its rearward upper position, and automatic wire feeding means operative in timed relationship with each cycle of movement of the carrier for feeding a wire thereto prior to the distribution of the fibers thereon and for feeding a second wire thereto after the distribution of the fibers thereon.

23. A brush making machine comprising in combination, a magazine for brush fibers, a twisting mechanism having an operative position horizontally spaced forwardly from the fiber magazine and also spaced downwardly therefrom, a horizontally movable slide supporting the twisting mechanism, a carrier for wires and fibers movable with the slide and also vertically movable with respect thereto, means for moving the slide rearwardly and then forwardly and for moving the carrier upwardly as the slide moves rearwardly and then downwardly as the slide moves forwardly whereby the carrier is moved in a cycle rearwardly and upwardly from a forward lower position in alignment with the operative position of the twisting mechanism to a rearward upper position beneath and close to the fiber magazine and then forwardly and downwardly to its said forward lower position, means for separating fibers from the fiber magazine and distributing them on the carrier while in its rearward upper position, and means for moving the carrier downwardly from its said forward lower position to permit the assembly of wires and fibers to be twisted by the said twisting mechanism.

ward lower position in alignment with the operative position of the twisting mechanism to a rearward upper position beneath and close to the fiber magazine and then forwardly and down-v wardly to its said forward lower position, means for separating fibers from the fiber magazine and 20 2,358,443

distributing them on the carrier while in its rearward upper position, and automatic wire feeding means operative during each cycle of movement of the carrier for feeding a Wire thereto during its rearward movement from the first said position to the second position and for feeding a second wire thereto during its forward movement from the second said position to the first said position.

ALFRED L. LEV FEBVRE.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name 'Date 2,310,897 Jones Feb. 4, 1943 Cave Sept. 19, 1944