US2582012A - Machine for operating on blanks - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 8, 1952 Filed April 6, 1946 A. L. CURRIER MACHINE FOR OPERATING ON BLANKS 10 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 8, 1952 A. L. CURRIER 2,582,012 MACHINE FOR OPERATING ON BLANKS Filed April 6, 1946 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 8, 1952 A. L. CURRIER 2,582,012

MACHINE FOR OPERATING ON BLANKS Filed April 6, 1946 10 Shets-Sheet 3 Jan. 8, 1952 QURRIER 2,582,012

MACHINE FOR OPERATING ON BLANKS Filed April 6, 1946 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 by MK Wan /30W 1952 A. L. CURRIER 7 2,582,012

MACHINE FOR OPERATING ON BLANKS Filed April e, 1946 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jan. 8, 1952 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed April 6, 1946 gm. .AQ mm Jan. 8, 1952 E 2,582,012

MACHINE FOR OPERATING ON BLANKS Filed April 6, 1946 10 Sheets-Sheet 7' A. L. CURRIER MACHINE FOR OPERATING 0N BLANKS Jan. 8, 1952 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed April 6, 1946 II II II Jan. 8, 1952' Filed April 6, 1946 10 Sheets-$heet 9 m 1952 A. CURRIER 8 2 MACHINE FOR OPERATING ON BLANKS Filed April 6, 1946 10 Sheets-Sheet l0 Patented Jan. 8, 1952 UNITED :IISTAT'ES PATENT, MACHINE FOR OIf ERATI NG N BLANKS v H Arthur L. Currier, New Ipswich, -N. H., assignor to Independent Lock Company,

Fitchburg,

Mass.,-a. corporation of Massachusetts 1 H Ap 1i;cajti untrue 1946, serial No. 660,245 g TClai-ms (c1. sic-21)- My present invention is a novel'and' improved machine" designed, primarily for' grooving key blanks or similarwork; and employs a novel method of manufacture,

Heretofore in the manufacture of key blanks of the so-called Yale lock and key type, wherein grooves are formed'on opposite sides'during the process of manufacturing the same, it has been customary to feed in the blanks by hand with various operations and control of'the grooving cutters by manual means, thus limiting the out'-' put of the machine to the speed and skill ofthe operator.

Such blanks have to'be' cut with great care,'"

being of thin metal; and owing to the extremely slight variations in depth and configuration of the grooves, the keys must be made With great care and accuracy In my present machine, i provide entirely automatic means to operate on one or more blanks," simultaneously cutting the obverse grooves on one blank and the reverse on another blank, with capacity for holding a large number of blanks in a magazine or feeder, automatically taking the bottom blank therefrom; formin the desired grooves in the surfaces of the blanks,

and automatically re-assembling the blanks thus" grooved into another magazine for subsequent operations.

Thus my invention provides a machinewhich" will permit a greatly increased speed of produc tion, and with extreme accuracy, eliminating errors or difiiculties incident to any manual operations, and thus enabling one operator to attend a considerable number of machines all in production at the same time, and each operating on a plurality of blanks.

An important feature of my present invention, in addition to the automatic and'simultaneous operation on a plurality of blanks, is

the construction wherein a removable magazine by first forcing and holding the blank, or blanks, firmly down upon the worktable,- and thereupon clamping the blanks by a side-clampingopera tion; whereupon the hold-downis released andthe continued movementof the worktable car ries the blanks under the milling cutters for the" grooving operation. This feature is most impor- 1 tant,-as it will be realized that the depths of the j, grooves cut depend upon the accuracy withf which the blanks are positioned on the work? table which slides under the cutter. i

These blanks are thin metal and must be-ac-- curately aligned, positioned, and firmly'in contact with the top of the worktable to thus" predetermine the position'of'the'grooves and the depth of the same. The tolerance usually re-- quired for such operations, particularly the-' depth of thegrooves which are in staggered relationship on the obverse and reversesides; and overlapping each other in the interior of the blank, require a-- tolerance of from approxi mately two one-thousandths of an inch; while 1 the side tolerance for alignment of thegrooves must be within at least one-one-thousandth of an i h 7 The hold-down feature is further 'important' just in advance of the side clamping because of the thinness and narrowness of the blank, and" if the blank were not firmly seated on theworktable and held until the side" clamps act, the; blank might be sprung upwardly or otherwisedistorted. Therefore, I arrange this hold-down operation under considerable pressure, which pressure is only released after the side clamps; take hold; whereupon the hold-down pressure-- isremoved, the blanks fed'forwardly'under'the milling cutters, the grooving operation] com pleted, the worktable drops from contactwith" the cutter, and the now-grooved blanks fed still further to be released by the side clamps and automatically' 'assembled in a removable maga-- zine. The magazines both for the feeding and; removing" are interchangeablej'so that blanks stacked in a-magazine and ready for removal" are all ready to be fitted at thefeeding end in reverse peanut for fthe' grooving action'on the after reassembled in a removable magazine, with the grooving completed on both sides.

The completely grooved blanks are then removed while assembled in the magazine for subsequent or coining operations.

A further important feature consists'in the of the machine to and under the milling cutters other side, or removed for 'the'subsequ'ent notch ingoperation. j g Former ma'chinesflleft the blanksto tumble? down in "a box or receptacle "and' had to then be picked up aridasS'nibledinto position bytha'nd; but in my machine the blanks arejalway's under positive control and are moved from one magagf position in another'for zine into preassembled thegrooving operation. 4 I M A further important feature the construe-,1, tion wherein the length of the grooves isaccu j rately' predetermined. in carrying out thisfea j. ture on a 'plurality of' blanks, the worktabl'ej' s. mounted ona reciprocating slide, said worktable upwardl to the low r part, of a magazine, magazine and slide being moved to and fro under the milllng cutters and from blank-feeding to blankstacking position;

For thiapur pose I arrange the-.worktable to be raised and lowered relatively with the milling cutters, raising the table during the blank-feed-;

ing, clamping, and cutting operationsgand these: upon quickly lowering the worktabl-e with the blank clamped thereon to end the grooves and;

7 free the handle or coin portion ofzthe. key-from contact with the cutters. This separation of the cutters and worktable is maintained. when the worktable is moved back to starting position. This is accomplished by a cam underneath-the. worktable and operated as the worktable and is re re ereee edi h lding min e teb dur hei grl' ering g and, then; dropping it dur ing letion of the feeding-and during the.

l e i ifr lt retur hee ple emle li e o. .5 p0 Fo me eGlit ers:wererdraseed' heer e e,ili t. ut. hus-mete in m? 81 .r he eet qm helerlqer eseweu, my-rzr e es-end emy meehlne. e.x-. .t re ens re ted b anks; rgt r ea l ge sl: ga iti e ie se arat nab in the ungreoved heeaeae ;we'll ellkefie. t eve e as eeutt rs 2 15 l ;.e.1 9 el. e tere..ei. m pre ent es: .Wher inii hg am n"- e. ll? 0i. le t m he ma azine; e eir ee. hem s.

e le. a wheelin n ati a iu e- 95 1 bla ils s assured gi e-site ael e ee ch will:

automat i ca y stop the machine if a blank is miss iamleeskq f; at lels sv odge e iii isl was 10 em s iii e will ie niutilz gr ecti ee a.

be l Ii eien e d on uet e rnttheaeq n lqn tlidmel y, is InPQ 'e se adjust nts ereimed i en nti e run;

bl n s; L nd p r icu arl th g eiustment the feeding, hold-down, side clamps, an d, b

ejecting de eegto oretac gthe airrea asezife eneeesserily mad or reatc-. curac n. hew rktehle nd lide-i tis iel ol ea entie i. etprey sle. i-latera d us ment f. he:

t ree ide, nde-worle eblerr et v lx. th... he. utte s... E n hi .m mqee L q ntg he eip pr eating slide on a pivoted knee havinga pivotal;

ppgrtat. ne, e dw th. ru t ng-emit ht ni e 7 w ,,,ore ival nt o diustthe; ntir .e .and. eme v h sheendg r able.

laterally, .as we ll as .vertical adj Sfiing means at theen eeit end i. thekgeetarerse n-le etthe gt. or stacking:-

-. l. .e.1to i li w r tah e;

hit ae is bove.-

ilfe i .i irit eri ir.imsertaet eetiirec nsis s..

80 4 fil e the,

t ers tdei.

same; thus simultaneously positioning the worktable with its previously adjusted operating mechanism. into desired relative cooperative position with the. milling cutters.

These adjustments give lateral and vertical adjustments of the knee and, hence, of the slide apdwprktable carried by it, are easily accessible and; hence, readilymade; and locking means to hold theesame in adjusted position are quickly 7 effected; while the adjustments on the worktable are not;disturbed..

Aiurther feature. consists in the arrangement and'facility for sharpening the milling cutters andiorgpreserving these milling cutters against wear. It will be appreciated that the cutters rotated-at. high. sp ed. d, heretofore. i ,th. hand;- operated. or,v semirautomatic.key-grooving, mar.

chine he ut ers were reqiliredtebe e rouiosirv approximately after every, one. hundred gross. r ovin p rations in order to. continue. ecoilracy in the depth. andjwidthof; cut, and. each.

cutter. had to. be remqvedin order. to. be. re.- sharpened.

In. my present construction. wherein. the work: table isdroppedfrom, the,level;of,the groove-cut:

ting operation and'held 'insuch dropped: position.

out, of contact. with. the cutters, during, the. re: ciprocation of the slide and worktable, whenrer ed to. fe din positiom, a1l.,draggin on- .th. cuttersis, thus prevented. In, my, present; ma:- chine, the milling cutters. will operate. smoothlyand, accurately Qnupwardspfone thousandgross... without requiring regrinding and; hn1e, stop; p g. themachinefor remind g, and; thus do.-

, ayin p o ucti n.

Also, I have,constructediandjarranged thecut, te sandjassemhledip rts ov et her e t- TQ lSlIWh E held; o tionon the. spind e- 0f; the. machine. thus; still; further. saying. delay, in r rindlin .v Cutters,

A special novel featurepQnSists, ir'1,,my arrange.-

ment, and; operation, of.'.the (means .for .removing. t blank: f er. the. iQQVinghoperationlandliorce.

ing it into a magazine, thus assembling the .blanks..

and filling the magazine .to. its ,capacityldur ngthe inued -.an un nterrupt d ope a i n. on the machine... For this, purpose l providea plurality,

of lifting pins sliding thru. corresponding. re.

cesses, in, the worktable underneath the; seat ..h d ne. e eh, en te the blank isied thru: e ro vin cut ers. d-. 5, c ear. oi.- the same. the blanks are then inpositiomunder vertically pesitien ma azmes o eeeiv c he same; wh reupon the side clamps are released, andlevers are;

operatedto vertically. lift thesblanlc at aplurallty.

poi ts. i o'themagazine bein fi11ed,,t1ie.b1ank' mov ng, upwardly, east tehe le se -.1 f r: t

purp se. end.. ftin he; nr -r assembled; blankse the ma az ne; thuefilli gg h same-fr mthe.'bottom,..upwardly.

oonvesr et lank us. n a ed athe. magazine,,.,the. lifting, pins,- .are-.retra cted and-the, slide and. worktable. are,- moved. quickly, back. to; makeup. a uc eeding, b ank rom: e e d s magazines, and the operatienis repeated,

h e t e:eqw mac ua i eg ea mass be applied, I, prefer. to utilize compressed air; under suitable; pressure to actuate the; variousmechanisms w i h. r unper edl onethe; kn e m lo i f r: th spurg se aistandard typed; ir; piston. I find that a pres sure;ofyforty torfiftlfi pounds; is sufficient for; quick actuation--01? the various moving parts necessary for the efiic ent speed o ae t o w the-ma hin meeha is hus, ,1 .p eyi ee ei mtr lled in steno eratinei.

a smooth resting or bedding of the blank so that the hold-down will force it firmly onits seat on I theworktable.

For driving the cutters and cam shaft which are on fixed parts of the frame independent of the knee, I prefer to utilize an electric motor, one-half horsepower being suflicient.

The control of air supply to actuate the various air pistons both in forward and retracted positions is controlled by a rotating cam shaft, having a series of cams appropriately formed and oper-' ating the air supply in timed relation with the various mechanisms above briefly-outlined, and

as will behereinafter more fully pointed out and claimed.

In addition to my novel machine and construction, I have devised and wish to claim herein the novel process of cutting and grooving blanks or equivalent operations in automatic combination with magazine-feeding and magazine-filling. As far as I am informed, the process of automatically taking one or more blanks successively from supplying magazines, moving them into operative relationship with cutting instrumentalities, and thereafter removing the blanks from cutting operation, and automatically filling a magazine by the orderly assembly in prearranged position of the blanks thus operated on, being at all times under control of positive machine actuations, is a novel and improved process, and I wish to claim the same herein.

Also the process of filling a magazine by vertical movement of successive novel blanks in prear ranged position and relationship, thereby preparing the blanks in a magazine in assembled position for subsequent machine operations is a novel and improved process and I wish to claim the same herein.

Furthermore, positively separating the work and cutters by relatively vertical movement, such as dropping the worktable at a predetermined point in the cutting operation, is believed to be novel and is herein claimed.

Also the automatic feeding and grooving of a plurality of blanks, simultaneously cutting the grooves on the obverse side and the reverse side of an adjoining blank, and re-assembling same in a magazine, is a new and novel process, and I wish to claim the same herein.

Also automatically stopping the machine if the supply of blanks in a magazine is exhausted, or if a blank fails to feed, or is distorted, or is out of place'on the worktable is new and novel.

While I have herein illustrated my improved process and machine construction for grooving key blanks, it willbe appreciated that other and various types of work can be performed and that various novel features and constructions are broadly new and of wide application.

Further improvements, features, novel combinations, advantages, and constructions will be hereinafter more fully pointed out and claimed.

Referring to the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of my improved machine for carrying out the novel processesof key-groov-l ing or the like;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view; 1

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view looking from the right of Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is an end elevational view looking from the left of Figs. 1 and 2; a

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal view on an enlarged scale and partly in cross-section showing the worktable at the beginning of the blank-feeding action; I

Fig. 6 is a corresponding longitudinal view partly in cross-section illustrating the worktable at the completion of the blank-feeding operation and during the lifting of the grooved blank into the receiving magazine;

Fig. 7 is a view partly in cross-section onthe line 1-1 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a view partly in cross-section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is a plan view with the magazines, cutters, and hold-down devices removed, on the line 9-4! of Fig. 5;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detailed view of the automatic stopping device;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the lever-actuating stopping device;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged view partly in cross-section on the line I 2l 2 of Fig. 13, and

Fig. 13 is a side view of the bottom portion of the blank magazine key-holding devices.

Fig. 14 is a detailed view of the vertical adjusting device to raise and lower one end of the knee.

Figs. 15 and 16 are detailed, plan, and end views, respectively, of the box to which the feedingmagazine is fitted.

As shown in the accompanying drawings, the present embodiment of my machine is constructed and arranged to operate upon a pair of blanks simultaneously, grooving the obverse of one blank while grooving the reverse of an adjacent blank. It is within the scope of the invention, however, to have a larger plurality of blanks simultaneously operated upon, if desired, by simply widening the worktable and blank-holding and grooving elements.

I prefer to arrange the machine as a complete self-contained unit having a suitable base on which are fixed several vertically extending standards to support the operating mechanism and, preferably, an electric motor in a convenient position to operate the cutters, and actuate a cam shaft which controls valves. to a plurality of compressed air-actuated pistons. Other power means can be utilized, if desired, but I prefer to employ compressed air to move the worktable, the hold-down, the clamping and unclamping actions, and the blank-lifting and magazine fillingoperations. Compressed air is desirable, also, for clearing or blowing the millings after the cutting operations, thus cleaning the worktable, the side clamps, and the blanks for further movement or position for lifting the blanks into the receiving magazine. I find that a pressure of approximately forty pounds is suflicient for these machine elements are carried. As previously exasaaora;

plained-,1- am. adjustable; kneezwhich; 'caerieszthee a pair of vertically extending supports-;21-2 bolted to:-.the -base-. I. Each support is :shown: as: pros vided with a sp-lit'z.circular-rhead 5: havingrears: Ii---Iiwhich are clam-pedabout'. the I trunnion: I 2*. by a headed IbOlt 6. The end portion of the knees. also-viewing i Fig. .2 at: the =left;.. is providediwith a split: extension to be-clamped about, the; trun-= 111011 I2::betweemthe'supports 2+2; beingr sirnb larlyiprovid-edawith extending ears 8-8 united by; aheaded bolt 9, with a head-bearing on one ear andithe. shanlezthreaded into-a correspondingly tapped recess in the other.

To adju'st the knee -I fl latera-llyworr the support= ing trunnion I2, I provide thrusting. andr-tightem ing; screws; each-having a turningsheadr IS-I 5',

1 from thatengagingz'the-pivotaltrunnion, I2,-I

provide. a iverticall-y adjusting'screw: I 5 threaded thru: theehub 1 I I formedon the cross-piece V of the inverted- U.-shaped': .framemember 3.-bolted tO-thebaSe :I,'see Fig. 2;. The upper.- end of the adjusting screw I is concave; as show-n-at.-I8

(Fig:- 2-)- to bear against ale-correspondingly; con,- vex faceorrthe recessed block I 9 which block. is. secured to a; portion 2Qrof the-knee; viz.,. atithe.

free end of theknee-opposite its: pivotal bearing N on the trunnion I 2.

This block Iii-is hollowed or recessed to receive the head :22 0f ascrew- 2!, which screw has its. shankextending thru the adjusting screw I5.

The head- 22 is formed-with a convex-surface to bear upon the bottom portion of the recessedblock"I9-.-- The adjusting screw Idis-turnedby-a head 23; and a, nut 2 tightened-on theend of the T-headed screw-2 i locks :these: parts in adjusted position-while permitting the free'end of the knee to be raised rand-lowered without-binding-.- Thus,

during the. raising and lowering" of: this end; of;

the knee to'adjustthessame-for height,;the-:nut 24* is b'acked off. ancl' 'thehead 23* rota-ted,- th ecurved'bearing faces I? and 25'serving'to rock the'kneeron its pivot without-bindingthe adjust-- ing' screw "i5 "or the T-headlocking the screw 2L" To furthertbrace; and particularly t0"-10Ck';thl-.' knee in any position to' whichit has:been-adjusted," I provide: a pair-"of lugs 3i3--3Iis=-eac1'ronv a dependingvportion" or-part of' the inverted U P of theknee, said-lugs being between thep-ivotab trunnion IZPandIthe'adjusti'ng screw: I5:

Each lug 36 'hasza convex face 33I- (see Fig: 2) which will slidingly engage a coneaveisurface on one: of a. pair of: spaced heads; 32,- said; heads. being; formed on a; brace 35. extending; from -.a; bracket sfi; which is attachedbybolts Hate the? side of an: upstanding frame: member A--;

headed ibolt 33iextends'thru a slot in'each head by properrotation of" the vertically adjusting screw: I521. Thereupon zitheznut fleiszati'g'htnedir and: each bolt-33:3is;similarly:tightenedxlilockingzthe knee rigidlydinto :the position to :whichzitdxan; been verticallnt'adjustedz;

The. uppeitsurfacexoffithe lmeep- Ifieis; formedato receiver-the; .slidezA 6;; the; knee" I 0- being @provided: with: alongitudinal. groove in which; a dovetailed; ribzali I on the? slide. 40; will fit;..a: usual ;shi1mon" gibz. 42: being: fitted -therei-n:1 (see Fig.-. '7) Thiss;

slide .-'40z-.carries;the worhtabl e :5 D;- which worktable's' is pivoted: therreceiving end: of. the .slide, viz-z,- at the right-viewing .Figs': 5 sand: 6;.b'yea pivotal shaft; 44; thisgashaftaextendinga thru-a; pairzofr upstanding portions 45 on the slide wclandzsaids pivoti'also- .extendingthru angadjacentportiomof the-worktable whereby ;the-,workitablei Bog-will; be: carried back-and forth ronythevslideiMaWliile' permitting its Opposite:- end face; at:.tl'ie;left:-

viewed-'in'Figs; 5 andfi, to be raisednandqlowered relativelwwiththe. slide 40 during said:reciprocations-byqthes-action of a'ecam, whichwilhbe'gex. plained lateri'.

The slide .4045 reciprocated -to and fro length-1 wise on the knee Ifiaby a-pinionflfieengaginggar; rack ill; see ;-Figs. 5-, 6--,-- ands, secure-d underneath.:- the slide, said pinion being mounted on atshaftz 48. and pinned thereto :by; a pin --passing.-;.thru the :shaft, .and a coma-11x49 ibeing formed on zone; side of the pinion 6; Thisvshaft t8e-rotatesz.in-..

bearings; 5| in the knee? Ill; and;saidshaft..has.--.

one end 53 :extended (with 1an --.enlargedzdiameter; thusforming.- a, shoulder .54;- thBnShflft: 48 zthusn being. held against. endwiser. movement between. thecollar 49-.and;the-;shoulder.- 54 e To. rotate the. shaft 48 -.and-; hence;s to: reciproe cate the slide 40 torand fro. on -the..to-p o-f tries-knee; I I; provide a vertically extending-rack. rod. 63 actuated-bye-a piston within: an .air. cylinder-=6 I attached'to ia frame 65 and.bearingsnfifitcarried by the knee. I0, and saidirackarod isimmesh.

with a pinion .keyedon a .portion .53 of the. shaft 48, said pinion being indicated at. ,69; Fign.

The lower portiomoi the-:rod tflgpassesgfreely thru bearings :62 andfitattachedto a-..b'racket.till.-

secured to-the lowerpart of the knee: i E1,,. as,-.best.-.

shown in-Figs. 2. and .4 Compressediairl-under. control ofia..cam..on,a cameshaft to .bedescriberh:

restricts the travel of -the..slide.40.1and,. hence, the.

rotation of the shaft 48'and'gear 46,m.ov.ing the... slideand carrying thetworktableto andfro The reciprocating, movement of. the. slide. 4 this, --ac.tu.. atedby the air.cy1inder,6 I against the restraining.

1 actionof ,acam inimountdiin a .painoflstandardsl.

The extent. of travelio-f. thehslide- Land, hence of. the. worktable 5t... isflsuffioient to. receive and pick the lowermost .blankifrom :aistack. of blanks 8| in a: vertically positionedv and-.-remova.ble.'pai1 of magazines-82; BLatthereceiving end, or, the. right viewed in- Figs, 5 and .6; thereupon. carrying said lowermost blank to the-left;.viewing'saidy figures, under a hOld dOWVIl, past the cutters and into alignmentwithuthe receiving-pair of maga, zines M 84 (see Fig; 8)

Each of these two holdersior magazines 34 -84 are-:adapted' itO' be removablyzfittedzin a; magazine holder or shell, two of said shells 8585 being side by side at the feeding end, and two holders 86-86, see Figs. and 6, at the delivery end. These magazines may be slidingly fitted into the respective shells and readily removed and interchangeable. At the feeding end, viz., the right viewing Figs. 5 and 6, the lower portion of the shell 85 has a vertically extending plate 81 spaced slightly from the blank-supporting portion on the worktable to provide a gate 88, the plate 8'! being of greater thickness than the upper part of the shell, so that the bottom rim of the magazine 82 will rest thereon, see Figs. 5 and 6. Thus, the stack of blanks 8| contained within the magazine 82, when the latter is slid and fitted'into position on the feeding magazine shell 85, will rest on the plate 81 and permit the blanks therein to drop downwardly onto the worktable. All the blanks drop during the feeding, and later raise onto the top of the rail 92, being thus positioned when the table drops to prevent the next blank from moving out.

When the worktable is retracted to the extreme right or feeding position, the lowermost blank in the stack 8| will drop downwardly to be engaged by a blank-engaging rib 90 (Figs. 1,

5,.and 6); and thereupon when the slide and worktable start the feeding travel to the left, viewing Figs. 5 and 6, the bottommost blank 9| from the stack will be fed thru the opening 88, Fig. 5. Secured on top of the worktable 50 are a 'pair of rails 92-92, 9393, each having bevelled surfaces 9494 which abut against the blank-engaging rib 90. These rails are spaced in line with each of the key blanks 9|, which are fed from the bottom of the stack 8| in each of the shells 82 at the feeding end.

.During the continued travel of the slide and worktable to the left, these bevelled faces 94 will pick up the remaining bottommost blank in the stack and raise the entire stack in its magazine 82, so that these blanks ride on top of the pair of rails 92 and 93 when the table drops. When the worktable is retracted to feeding position, the stack will be lowered along the bevelled faces 94 and at the extreme movement to the right, the rib 9! being moved to the right of each shell 85 and, thus, the rib 90 will pick up and. engage the then bottommost blank, which will drop with the stack and be fed to the left in the next reciprocating movement of the slide and worktable. Each of the blanks 9| when .dropped on the bed plate 95 will abut against side plates 89 fixed on the bed plate 95, and said plates 89 will be of slightly less thickness than that of the r blanks 9|. Corners 99--99 will'hold the second key from feeding from the stack,'see Fig. 9. Each of the blanks 9| when fed clear of the feeding magazines 82 is engaged by a hold-down, and then by side clamps, being braced firmly on the bed-plate to receive the blank and thence the continued line of travel to the left, feeds the blank under the cutters for the length of groove for which the machine is set; whereupon the worktable is dropped downwardly and the continued feeding of the blanks past the cutters prevent the cutters from engaging the head of each blank, leaving the same free of grooves for subsequent ornamenting or coining operations.

This feeding movement to the left is continued until each blank now grooved is in alignment with its receiving magazine 84; whereupon the blank is lifted from its bed plate on the worktable and moved upwardly into the receiving magazine.

' Each blank, when taken from its feeding maga- 1.0 zine 82 is arranged to rest upon the bed plate 95 which is held by countersunk screws into a cross-piece 96 fitted into the top of the worktable 50. Bed plates of varying thicknesses can thus be readily and interchangeably fitted in the crosspiece 96.

' In order to lift the blank 9| from the bed plate 95 on which it rests and to force same upwardly in the receiving magazine 84 after the grooving operation, I provide a. plurality, for example, three lifting rods, in position to lift each blank from the plate 95 on which it rests. These rods 99 extend vertically thru reamed openings in the adjacent portion of the worktable 50, the crosspiece 96, and the bed plate 95 on which each blank rests during the grooving operation, and are attached at their lower ends to a block I00. I Y

Each of these rods is threaded into the block, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6; and, as indicated in Fig. 5, is normally flush with the bottom of the bed plate,'Fig. 6, illustrating the rods in raised position when lifting the blank 9| into the receiving magazine 84, where it is held by appropriate automatic latching devices to bedescribed.

The block I 09 is fitted within a longitudinal groove in each slot 40, each block. I00 being itself slotted to receive a forked end |0I of alever I02, which lever is mounted on a stud I03, said stud being attached to a lug 04 dependin from the worktable 59. The forked end IOI of this lever engages a pin I05 extending across the slot in the block I00. The opposite end of the lever I06 extends outside the slot in the worktable and is pivotally attached at I0! to the lower end of a barrel |98,said barrel having an internal thread to engage the external thread I09 on the stem of a piston operating within the compressed air cylinder 0, said cylinder being mounted on a bracket 2 attached to the end of the worktable.

Normally the piston in the cylinder II 0 is in raised position, thusholding the arm I08 upwardly and depressing the forked end of the arm #02 on this rocking lever so asto hold the rods 99 in lowered position relatively with the bed plate 95 and, preferably, flush therewith or slightly .depressed below the surface.

Upon completing the line of travel of the worktable to the left and with the blanks in alignment with the receiving magazines 84, air is then supplied to the cylinder 0 and the piston moved downwardly, thus depressing the arm I06 of said lever, raising the arm I02 and moving the rods upwardly,-lifting the grooved blank from the bed plate into the receiving maga ine. as shown at Fig. 6. Each succeeding blank thus forces the entire stack of blanks 8| in the receiving magazine 84 upwardly by successive movements and rocking of this lever until the magazine is full. This rocking action and lifting of the blank is a speedy operation just at the time the worktable stops in its feeding movement to the left; whereupon the rods 99 are withdrawn and the slide and worktable retract their movement, travelingto the right to secure additional blanks.

In order to engage and hold.these blanks 9| as they are lifted upwardly into position, I provide an automatic latching means, as best shown in Figs. 12 and 13. The shell 86 to hold the receiving magazine 84 is provided on its lowermost mouth or opening with a pair of sliding latches 5 adjacent the head of the blank 9| to be lifted therein, and a similar pair of latches was-2mm ".fl 6H6 to engage and i ho'ld the shank part of the iblank. lhe inner edgesaof each iof-atheseilatches -:.=are*bevelled, asshownzatil lil;-'so.that 'asi'thelblank :is lifted.iupwardlyronvits; ejecting pins .98, it will '5.strike' the'iloevelledifaces l Hand-1 forcezthe latches H5 and H6 outwardly.

iisprings Hi8 wand .I 1.9 :seeured on 'the routside :o'f lithe shell 86 engage, respectively, the heads o'f the sliding latches 'IJ-tE-iand H5 and-after :the i blankeis -forced upwardly beyond the :bevelled ifaees in ithe' bottom portion of "each latch, the :aisprings 'force'ithe latches inwardly. "The top of ieach ilatch is preierably formed witha latch I awhi'ch willeengageuand hold the bottom :portion 'o'f l theblank 91 adjacent-thereto after thebblank f has been forced upwardly-into the stack-.85. .:Ad- I ijus'ting -rings' l 21" may be ifltted between the heads of these slidin latches H5, if desired, toprovide an adjustment for' spacing the latch 1 opening for blanksz of different sizes. 4 During thet'rne of "travel from blank-receiving :to blank-ejecting :position, each blank 9! is firinly pressed down upon its l-we'd plate 95 after the plank "has -ibeen 1 moved thru the #opening 88 and clear :of its feeding :ma'ga Zine. For this purpose provide aholddown 130 vertically movable into :and out of iholding or clamping-position by a cylinder Hi]. "This hold-down l has a 'fiat'-botto1n surface 132 a'dapted to press-a pair'of adjacent'blanks firmly -and under considerable pressure upon the leed-plate 5-=supporting them. This hold-down is efie'cted during a-dwell-in thetravel 01' the woi ktable under the control of'thecam lil, and

during this hold-down action side clamping -means to' engage the "sides of' 'the blank' are actuated. Thereupon the 'hold 'down is-releasedand the travel-r'if thB WOlktflblB-tfl carry the blanks under "the cuttersis-continued until the length 6f the grooving' operation is completed ata pre- 1 determined point on the blank; whereupon the worktable dropped to free the blank from 'further=grooving, --and the travel-'continue'da to alignfing position-with"the receiving magazine, as pre- -v-iou'sly explained, i

-hold-dewn' construction includes "the *block l3tiformed with =a semi-circular recess l33 in its upper surface; and a central circular *portion l i l hav-ing --a bored opening'toreceive a pin l35, securing the block l32 to the upper '---portion I 34 also formed with "a semi-circular bearing surface to nt 1 the innercurve 133- on the "hold-down block" I 39 itself. Thus the block l'3li isa'clapteci to rock-onthe'pin l35, and as the 'bottom surf-ace" [32 spans a pair of blanks being "fed,"if'-one offthe hlanks is missing, or-if" the -blanks=are 1 notffirmly =seated -on Ithe bed plate, the 'block f3ll will rock-and alever Mi! attached to the block will act" to operate --a 'microswitch ll! :and instantly stopithe mechanism, :see'Fig.

IO, 'by cutting offtheapower to 'the motor.

The lever 5M0 is' 'of considerable length and, :therefore, twill imagnify cany zraeking action roi' 'the'rblock 'l 30. 5 Attthe topxof :the'i lever MU iIrtpro- :vi'de a'iu shaped meinber 5M2 secured r to fthe iendiofitheilever l 413% by afheadedibolt I143 tapped into a corresponding recessin tthe .U member H42. f-This e'meinber has a :curved bearing suriface'. 141i radapte'dito vengage a 2 concave recess in -rarplatesldS: attached toiaipivoted'glever- [145, which --::lever;is mounted-ion azpivot jdlzand isnormally timplled by asspring M8 ;toward:thezbearing 1 44 .-::on ithe SU -shaped a'member. Thus, if :the 3 lower rsuifaceadfzthe: holdedown ;is -,not firmly and eevenly seated; the :-top: leverwvill'move :the-hearing :of the worktable I ":againstathe.tension' of the spring 148 andiiiv-ill operate the microeswitch MI "by 1movingit zinwardly against a projecting portion M9 iontthc I endaofthe lever ltkopposite to'its :pivot. Thus the slightest rocking;of' theshold-do-wn will-actuzate ithe micro-rswitch Ml .andstop the machine.

:In order v.to'raise'rand lower the worlrtabletfiil OIl'jtS pivotal stud-M connecting it with" the slide All and during its'line' of travel both infeeding -an'd retracting, liaprovidez'aflcam1 5i} (see Fig. '7) 'formed with :extendin axles l- SI and i,52,=;and .with;;a cam surface'ififir adaptedz to hearragainst .a hardened steel block 1 5t attached to the underneath portion of the' worktable 'and'substantially in position directly-under: the bed-plate fhol'd-ing the'blanlss 'to 'lift;the;worktable as;it .is retracted to the feeding end immediately after :the A key- :holding seat has passed the positionrin Lvertical :al'i'gnment with 'theqcutters. :Thecam holds .the worktable 3in raised :posit-ion: duringrt'he forward or grooving operation, ,moving tothe-left,.;and until the? length 'ofwgroove in-the heyblanks' has been :cut; and thereupon the cam .lS'JIOCkGd'ItO .quiekly drop the "workta'ble and free .ttherihead of each blank fromactiontby the cutters.

The dropping 'of' the worktable is cushioned by azpair of compression springs I55, l55-"with the ends: resting 'on' the slide and'rworktalole respec- 'tivelyysee Figs. 5 andi6, cushioning .this lowering and:dro'pping action. Thusrtheucam' llill is supported on. a'hardened steelblock 158 fitted in. a groove in the 'slidel lll; the block I 58*.havingza circular recess in its upper surface into'whichthe semi-circular portionoft'the cam [.50 iscseated and adapted'to rotate. A screw 1-59, seeFigJ 'I, holds the block l158 .zin "position. .On theaxle portion ll5l'0f the-cam I-5Uis secured theilatching andoperating'means for turning the cam in predetermined relation to :the line .of travel "to lift the worktable during the retraction to feedingposition andholding it up during the grooving operation and to lower it-immediately thereafter. "Forthispurpose Iprovide a bearing block Hill to :take "the. thrust of :cocking the lever ['65, said blockfitted around the portion I5! with its inner surface in contact .with the sidewalls of the worktable 50, said axle portion as well as the opposite portion [.52 extending 'thru enlargedrecessesalfil, 16! so as to be'freeof contact them- .with, the -.central cam portion being held :in longitudinalposition by washers IE2 at each end, -.saidwashersspanningthe openings it I as clearily shown in Fig. 7. This cam i5!) is constructed 'andsarranged to be-ro'cked by the traveling :action; of the slide and worktable and spring 184.

Forthis'purpose a cocking lever I65 is secured 'to theportion l5! of the cam 1-50 bya set'screw :qlfi'ithe lower portion of thelever-lfii'having an onset-extension 161- which isin line -.to strike hagainstya plate [69 when theslide and worktable-are'being retracted to the feedingtposition,-

13 the trigger strikes against pin I19 projecting from a depending arm I16.

This occurs when the lever I65 has passed the top of the plate I69 and also when the grooving cutters have completed their grooving action on the blanks. The parts I18 and I80 combine to cause the part I18 to trip when they engage the adjustable trip block I18 secured in desired and adjusted position in the side of the knee, see Fig. 2.

Thus, during the feeding action of the worktable, moving to the left and carrying the blanks to be grooved by the cutters, the worktable will be held in raised position as it carries the blanks under the cutters and until the depending portion I80 strikes the trip block I16; whereupon the trigger HG-I15 is depressed, releasing the latch H! from holding the cam in raised position and permitting the table to drop, at this point the arm I51 being beyond the block I58. The booster spring I11 and the coiled spring I84 accelerate the rotation of the cam I59 and, thus, further insures the dropping of the worktable at the proper moment during the travel of the same to free the head end of the blanks from the action of the,,.-

grooving cutters.

On the return to feeding action, the block I68 acts to lift the lever I65, turn the cam and raise the table which is thus held in uppermost position until released on the feeding line of travel,

as above noted.

Both the blocks I68 and I16 are adjustably secured to the sides of the knee II! by headed bolts passing thru slotted openings in the block and being threaded into correspondingly tapped;

' depressed when the trigger II15 is released from'its engagement by disengaging the notch I1I. The'cam I59 is turned in reverse direction to drop the worktable by the combined action of a spring I84 attached at I85 to a stud on the worktable and at the other end to a depending lug I86, having a hub I81 encircling the portion I52! and secured thereto by a set screw I88.

In addition to this spring I84, provided on the; back of the machine (see Fig. '7) is a booster spring in a cylinder I16 attached to the side of the worktable adjacent the latch I65, as shown in Fig. 2, and at an angle so that a springpressed plunger I11 will engage the latch I65 and when this latch is released by the trigger I1IlI15 and has passed the length of the plate I59, as explained, the internal spring surrounding the plunger 'I 9 I, in combination with'the tension of the spring I84, will move the cam I5I1le downwardly and thus drop the table during its continued travel to the left.

The trigger HIE-I is moved upwardly by a spring I14 to engage the notched-end HI and hold the same when the lever I65 is raised by;

striking the plate I69 on the reverse movement 'of the slide to feeding position. A bevelled surface I58 on the end of the plate I69 constitutes a cooking block against which the lower extens'ion I 61 strikes, and thereby raises the lever and turns the cam, thus lifting the table, as previously explained, during travel of the worktable to I feeding position.

' The action of the hold-down I30 on the blanks has been above briefly explained, and while the blanks are thus firmly pressed against the bedplate 95 on which they rest, and before the holddown is released by the upward movement of the piston in the air cylinder I3I, I provide side clamping devices to engage and hold each blank against the fixed ribs or plates 89 after the holddown is raised and during the continuous travel of the blanks under the cutters and until in position for being lifted into the receiving magazines.

The bed plate 95 has attached thereto fixed inner ribs or plates 89 against which sliding outer plates I94 press each blank; I provide a pair of clamping arms I 99, I90 positioned horizontally adjacent the top of the worktable and pivoted therein at I III said arms being extended (see Fig. 9) at I92, and each having a threaded screw I93 carrying the adjacent sliding plate I94 to engage the side of the adjacent blank when the arms are moved on the pivots into blank-clamp ing position. These sliding plates are of less thickness than the blanks, see Fig. 7.

This movement is effected by a pair of conne'cting links I95-I95 pivoted at the opposite end of the arms, as shown at I95, I96 (Fig. 9), said links being pivoted at I91 to a horizontally movable block I98 adjustably connected by a threaded portion I 99 of the piston of the air cylinder 289. Thus when air is admitted to the cylinder 288 to move the rod I99 to the right, viewing Figs. 1 and 9, the clamping arms are rocked on their pivots I9I to engage the blanks 9|, which have'beenfirmly pressed downwardly into the recesses in the bed-plate to receive same by the hold-down I 38.

This clamping action is held by the air cylinder 288 until the completion of the travel of the worktable; whereupon the valve controlling said air cylinder is reversed'and the piston moved in the opposite direction to release the blanks while the lifting pins are actuated to lift eachblank up into the receiving magazine 84 at the moment that the travel of the slide and worktable to the left stops and before the return travel to the right'commences.

The cylinder 258 is secured on a bracket 29! (see Fig. 2) carried by the worktable. I provide an adjustable stop to limit the clamping closing action of the lever bearing and members I95 on the blanks so as to prevent too much clamping power to be exerted on these blanks, as they are 7 narrow, and might spring upwardly where an excessive amount of side-clamping power is exerted thereon.

For this purpose I provide a threaded rod 295 fitted into a correspondingly tapped recess in an extension 299 on the end of the worktable 58, providing thereon a thumb nut 281 to rotate this threaded screw and thus give the adjustment desired. A locking nut 288 holds the adjusting screw 295 in position. I also utilize the extension 1 286 in which to seat one end of the springs I55 (see Fig. 5) to cushion the worktable 58 which drops by its own weight when released by the lowering action of the camlfifi. These springs I55 are also, preferably, encircling rods ZIIJ,

- which rods are guides for the springs and each is secured in the top of the extension 256 on the worktable, and have the lowermost end 2I2 lifted from contact with the slide 48 during the raising action of the worktable.

While the magazines 82 and 84 willbe held by sliding the same into the magazine shells and.

86, respectively, I preferltof clamp these in posi- .rflrmly r locking: the. rshell-sandflmaga'zine together,

:a-swing? nut 22- lF :turning the :screw-z-Z H, having "its lCDD'POSitBYtJBI-ld :tapped :.into'.- the :adi acent; portion 1";Of the shell 85,.see' Figstfixandfi.

:FAlso, :in :addition to ithe latches M5 and' i'tfi-as -:previously described :and best, shown in ---Fig;

-: to: hold the: blanksiin rraised position, :Izmay rand z-ipreferably doghave arpair iof pivotedarms i220, 220 (Fig. 5) having-'fingersratrthe lowerpportion of each arm 222 to guide the opposite ends f 'eachiblankvasiitisflifted :into zthe receiving magazine-a84, ieaehfifinger -having a -bevelled :f-ace (22l :sgroovedtofit-the BII'CI-TOflthGrkGT-Mld to iguidei the 'jblank i-latera-lly iand r-long'itudinal-ly, wsaid guiding u -grooves :being :indicatedin "dotted linea -Fig." 6,1 at

l 5 and 2311, "so that the raising- :of :each :blank 'svill ispread thei-arms-722t3=apart asthe blank is .zlittediabove :the :same, similar to the "manner :in whichfit: spreads the spring plungers M5 :and

1H6. -These clamping arms 22fl'are pivoted son :aright-angledwextens-ions :2 2-3-of ieachrarm to pivot pins 224 in:airreceiving :shelliiit, athe nextensions ":223being united at their inner-endsxby arforked .member r225 on one arm, and an -engaging balllikeiround end 226 o ithe ,othen-arm. iThlISithiE two pivoted" arms 2 2 9 (are spread apart and spring backwardly into position underneath the blank as it is moved up, thus vpositivelyrw-gu-iding the same inali'gnment with the receiving magazine 84. 7

These pivoted arms 220=are forked at the'top and bottom 3 portions and-are solid intermediate the same. to --receive -a tension spring and ad- 'ceivingmagazine, and which can beonone for.

both arms 220.

' For this :purpose, the central part of "the arm 220 is perforated, as shown in dot-ted 'lines'eat 3 I ll, Fig. 6, said perforation being of greater diameter than the stem of a bolt 3 H which-passes .16 ,iflbating :on 'top :of '-.the ;;pins--'and, :hencemthe guiding action of the swinging-:armsei filris im- -r,.portant to :"il'l'SlllB :;the blanks being difted into :position, where :they are caught bythe tspr-ing clamps,- as 'sho-wn in-Figs. 12and 13.

'I'FOI this purpose, the right-hand :ends of the 'iorked rarms '222 :are grooved :or concave to correspond .roughly with the curve of the head 1 of :the blank, iasu'ndicated in dotted lines at T-3l6, Fig. 6; while the opposite or left-hand members, *viewing' Fig; :16 are notched to correspond with the "opposite "end of rthe blank, as indicated .il'l

dotted lines at '3 H,- thus affording an aligning and guiding "action during the -blank-lifting coperation.

' It :is important :to "keep :a considerable numher;such-fasten:or twelve-blanks, in the box 181 "cooperating with'theireceiving magazine 84.

These "rconstitutesa weight so that when a :20 'blan'kcelfis liftedwon the pins:99 in'to alignment "therethru, thus allowing-forswinging-action of the arms 220. The-100113 3 has its inneraend -threadedand'tappedinto correspondingly threaded recessesinto-the shell -86,- and the head of l the bolt 312 is' enlarged to'bear against-a conical :spring' 3 M encircling the-steml ii-l- 1-" of the bolt and beingseated'between the headand the lever 220.

:Inzorder-xto'afiord a-stop for the swingin action of the levers 220, I arrange an adjustable stop 53 i-5,*bein threaded thru=the=so1id part of "the arm :220'adjacentthe1bolt13l and having 'its inner end abutting against itheside OfithBr-"Shflll 86. 'Thus,"rotation dfthe stop member? IE-and 1 adjustment of 'the"tensioniof theispring-3l 4 gives :a predetermined and limited quick=acting swing- 1 ingmovemento'f the arms 220.

A look nut 316i mayfbeprovi'ded *to ho-ld "the stop member 35 'in'adjustedposition. 'One-asuch :spring and astop inut will insure-the i uniform action of both .arms 22 0 although it. is, of course,

feasible to'put a corresponding springandistop member onfthetoppositezarm fl ll. 'sThe'lowerporrtion2222 'of iBEIC'h TOfFtIIGSB armsais forked,.wpro- "vidin'g a'tspread to "cooperate with a :pair 'rof blanks being 'fed intofthemeceiving end," as shown in Fig. 8, and each en'dzis formed tozconstitute a guiding element "for the'zblanksuas:the'y are "pushed .upwardly iibyr the pin1i9 9r.into .the.-recei-v- Zing magazinerrecepta'cle.

ZDuringrthis transfenzitheiblanks iwith 'th'e stack oiifblan'ks ,8 I, :the weight of :the :taccumulate'd blanks: in the 7 'box "serve :tossteady fthe sam'esand prevent the blank being iifte'dfrom :gettingidisali'gned :or "crosswise. 'Asthe=1pins :99 are-.snapped :up quickly because of the speed of operation, such a blank, without theisteadying action ofthe"weightof th'efsuperimpose'diten or twelvebla'nks therein, WOllldftGIldl'tO snap 111p and possibly'be'wedged in disaligned position.

Referrin'g to Figs. 15 land 16,2I:.have= illustrated in detail the box 81 in alignment vvith theifeed- 'ing magazine '82, whereinrfit a filler piece 320 appropriate in'width and depth to approximately fit the'length and width of the shank portion of' the"particular blanksbeing operated on. This 'fillerpiece' is readily removable for different sizes of blanks-and made of wood, and is preferably of the same height as the'dep'th of the box '81. The underneath-portion of theb'ox fil is grooved, as shown at32l and "322, the'latter grooves also "extending' thru the WOOdBllfillBI' piece 320 to "permit the rails 82 to pass thru and undermam the -box as the Workta'ble is moved to the left, carrying ablan'k being operated upon, the rails lifting *theremainingblanks? l in the 'feeding stack" 82, as previously explained, tokeep the "bottom blank from feeding forwardly until 'the nextretraction of'the worktable to feeding position.

The milling cutters to form the -'grooves are *single or arranged in pairs, where two grooves in the blank are to be formed, and are mounted on a"shaft239, eachpair of cutters being designated, respectively, as "23! and'232, seeFigs. 7 and"9. "The pair of'cutters 23I are positioneclto form the grooves on the obverse side and the cu'tters 232'form the grooves on the reverse side when the b'lanks are put thru 'the second time. "This' 'shaft 23!! is 'mounted I, in bearings 2 33 supported on topof the 'frame member-"fls and, henceg aremigidly positioned with 'the'shaft 230 extending over the movabIe-tsli'dehnd'worktable to rotatelthe cutterfshaft 23 0.

l-Any suitable' isource'ofepower can be utilized 'but,"'preferably,':Irprovi'de"anvelectric motor" 236 iinzord'er tOTl'IYi'ZkB :the apparatusfiansentirelyiselfcontained-tnnit. ifrhiszmotor'iis mountedxat :one :s'ide'rof :the :machine, tseecFigs. 1;;3,:an"d: 4, :being rheld ima supportzonstrapr23 "l'mountedionxasup- T570 iporting member @238, ::having itsyflower portion tormed with :hubs 239 to fit over and "be -carxarec lifted zandixextendingzrfrom the =:r.eduction -gear rdriving: a

pulley 242, which pulley has one or more belts 243 uniting the pulley 244 secured to the cutter shaft 238. The arrangement of mounting the motor 236 on the brace 238, positioning same at anangle relatively with the supporting stud 245, permits me to utilize this arrangement to tighten andloosen the driving belts 243, the weight of the motor constituting the tensioning and tightening means for said belts.

Thus the cutter shaft 236 is driven directly and continuously by the motor 236 and the cuttersare in constant rotationuntil and unless the machine is'stopped by the action of thesafety lever-l4ll--on the hold-down- I30, aspreviously explained orby disconnecting the power.-

The cutter shaft 230 is extended'to -carrya pulley 250 around which a belt 25 is-=led-to a pulley 252 (see Figs. -:1 3, and 4 mountedon a stud 253, extending-from theframe 39, said pulley 252 being formeclon a huband carrying a, gear 255, which is in mesh with an idler 256 turning a pinion. 251 rotating the cam shaft 80, thru engagement with the gear 258, said shaft being mounted in bearings 260, 268,.see Fig. 3, supported by the frame.

To this cam shaft is keyed the restraining cam 10 regulating the travel of the worktable under the actuation of the air cylinder 5| and rack and gear pinions, as alread explained, and also carries cams 262, 263, 264, and 265 which actuate the air valves for the various air cylinders in timed relation through the engagement, respectively, of levers 212, 213, 214 and 215. The cam and levers 252 and 212 regulate the air control to the various air cylinders. Thus the cam 232 onerates the lever 212 to actuate the air valve 215 to the hold-down cylinder I3| through a pair of conduits 211'. The cam 263 and lever 212 actuate the air valve 280 through the conduits 28I to the cylinder 6|; the cam 264 and lever 214 actuate the air valve 284 and through the conduits 285 to the cylinder IIU which rocks the lever I86 and raises the lifting pins.

The cam 265 and connecting lever 215actuate the air valve 288fthru conduits 289 to operate the air blast to clear out the millings and clean the bed plate to receive the next set of blanks.

The various controlling cams and operating levers are all standard and-of usual construction, each lever having an appropriate bearing, roll, or piece to engage the cam. The quick-acting cam which operates the air control for the cylinder III], for example, serves to instantaneously rock the lever to eject the completed blanks and move them into-the receiving magazines, being in the form of a quick-acting wiper type cam and follower, for example.

The air valves .are operated to successively admit air under pressure from forty to fifty-five pounds, depending on the speed of operation desired, admitting the air supply in the air cylinders on one side of the internal piston; and thereupon the valve shuts this supply off and opens the supply for the other side of the piston, simultaneously opening the firstconduit to permit the pressure to exit therefrom. These air cylinders are 6f standard construction and operate on each side of an internal piston in the usual manner of a steam engine.

, A clutch 300 is controlled by an overload microswitch motor cut-out 30I. energized thru wires 302 to a source of power which acts to disconnect the'power to the motor 236 in case of an overload on the clutch 300. The receiving magazines 82-62 are fitted in their respective shells at the 18 feedingend of the machine and clamped by turning the wing nuts .2I5;Swhereupon the slide, if not in the .extremeright or feeding position, is moved to the same by the operation of the air cylinder 6|, turning the gear '46 and, hence, moving the slide .40.

""QWith the, slide 46,-andworktable at in the extreme right hand end of their travel, the lowermost blank 9| of the stack 8| in each of the magazines at the feeding end of the machine .will drop down onto the bed plate 95, which is atstarting position underneath the same, the, back, end .of each blank being engagedby the strip 98 and thereupon, fed thru the opening 88, and .the worktable as being in raised positional; this time. Asjthe worktablemoves to the left, the bevelled fa'ces..94 onathe rails 921 lift the remaining blank in the stack 8| so that they will not be displaced norjam in the opening 88, and the table is moved under the impulse of the air cylinder 6| butin timed relation because of the restraining action of the cam 10.

Thus, when the worktable and the blanks 9| are fed clear of the opening 88, the travel of the worktable will cease momentarily while the holddown is actuated by the cylinder I3I. Thereupon, the side clamps are actuated by the cylinder 206, moving the, clamping arms laterally and the plates IQ icarried by. each move under'the hold-down and clamp the blanks against the inner rigid ribs 89. These clamping plates I3 3 are pivoted tothe arms at I93 so that they pro-. vide a self-seating action against the key blanks. Thereupon, the hold-:down is raised and thettable continues its travel, viz. passing under the cutters 23 I and 232. -If one blank is displaced or missing, or in distorted shape, or not properly seated, the hold-down will rock the lever I40 and stop the machine by the action of themicro-switch I, as illustrated in detail in Fig. 10.

Continued travel ;of the worktable completes the grooving action; whereupon the trigger.v I16 releases the, cam I50 byrocking the lever I65 under the influence of the spring 84 and the booster springin the cylinder spring I16, thus lowering the worktable, dropping it on its pivot44 secured to the slide 48, and, continuing the travel until the blanks are under the receiving magazines 84. Thereupon, the side clamps are releasedv by the retraction of the piston and air cylinder 280, and the air cylinder ,I I0 acts to raise the, pins under the grooved blank and into the receiving cylinders; whereupon the pins are dropped bylthe reverse movement of the piston in the cylinder I I0 and the travel .of the worktable is' retracted by the reverse action of the piston in the cylinder 6|, turning the gear 46 in the opposite direction for this purpose.

During the first line of travel, the worktable is still in lowered-or depressed position but when past the line of cutters,'the extension I61 on the arm I65 raises the cam I58 and, hence, the table, the'table being held in raised position by thev latching of 'the' trigger I10 into thenotch 1I until released. This operation is continued until all the blanks are transferred from the feeding magazines 82 to the receiving magazines 84.

Thereupon the receiving magazines can be removed and the magazine holding the blankswith the groove'on one side only is inverted and positioned in the feeding magazine shell for grooving on the reverse side, while a new magazine is fitted for the first grooving operation on' theobverse side. The machine operation is thus entirely automatic and because of the quantity

Images