US2676621A - Wire forming machine - Google Patents

Description

April 27, 1954 A. M. BANK ETAL 2,676,621

WIRE FORMING MACHINE Filed April 5, 1951 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q IN VEN TORS ALBERT M. BANK y ALEXJ.KATZ

ATTORNEY April 27, 1954 A. M. BANK ETAL 2,676,621

WIRE FORMING MACHINE Filed April 5, 1951 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 will I I ALBERT M. BANK //75 BY ALEXJKATZ ATTORNEY 325 26 i .z z.

INVENTORS April 27, 1954 A. M. BANK ETAL 2,676,621

WIRE FORMING MACHINE Filed April 5, 1951 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 zvs 21 IN VEN TORS ALBERT M. BANK y ALEXJ.KATZ

2,76 I+ATTORNEY ffi April 27, 1954 A. M. BANK ETAL 2,676,621

WIRE FORMING MACHINE INVENTORS ALBERT M. BANK 151 BY ALE XJ.KATZ

April 27, 1954 A. M. BANK ETAL 2,676,621

WIRE FORMING MACHINE Filed April 5, 1951 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 IN V EN TORS ALBERT M. BANK Ti q. EEL- H MD l ATTORNEY April 27, 1954 A. M. BANK ET AL 2,676,621

I WIRE FORMING MACHINE Filed April 5, 1951 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 fjl J62 IN V EN TORS ALBERT M. BANK y ALEXJ.KATZ

ATTORNEY WIRE FORMING MACHINE Filed April 5, 1951 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 /&\\\\\\\ )2 367 ll/477A Ti Z4.

JNVENTORS ALBERT M. BANK y ALEXJKATZ ATTORNEY April 27, 1954 A. M. BANK ETAL WIRE FORMING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed April 5, 1951 INVENTORS ALBERT M. BANK y ALEX-IKATZ ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 27, 1954 ENT OFFICE WIRE FORMING MACHINE Albert M. Bank, Jersey City, and Alex J. Katz, Belleville, N. J.

Application April 5, 1951, Serial No. 219,393

6 Claims.

This invention relates to wire forming machines. It is particularly directed to a machine for shaping straight wire into zig zag shape.

an object of this invention is to provide a high- 1y improved machine for shaping wire fed thereto into zig zag shape, curving or arching the zig zag shaped wire longitudinally, and cutting off predetermined indexed lengths of said wire autoina'ticaliy and at a substantially high rate of speed.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a machine of the character described, highly improved means to stop the operation of the machine should the passage of the formed wire coming from the wire forming mechanism to the out-ofi mechanism be held up at the cut-off mechn beyond a predetermined extent.

8 another object of this invention is to provide a machine of the character described highly improved means to insure cut-off of predetermined lengths of zig zag shaped wire at identical points relative to the bends of the wire.

Yet another object of this invention is to prov e in a machine of the character described, conn u operating wire forming mechanism, to the formed wire to the cut-oh" means to momentarily halt the movement of the formed wire at the cut-off point during each cut-oii operation.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide in a machine of the character described, Wire forming mechanism to produce zig zag shaped wire, comprising an oscillating turret provided with a pair or" fixed diametric pins, means to osc late the turret in opposite directions, a reci rocating stop pin adjacent the turret to engage the wire during certain predetermined portions of the scillation or" the turret, and alternately oscinating arms provided with means to bend the wire around the pins of the oscillating turret.

Y t another object of this invention is to provid n a machine of the character described, highly improved spring pressed means tending to center the wire fed to the oscillating turret, relative to the axis of the turret.

Yet a further object of this invention is to rovide in a machine of the character described, pins said oscillating arms for engaging and bendthe wire around the pins of the turret, and to adjust the positions of the pins on the oscillating arms and to retain them in adjusted positions. 7

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide in a machine of the character described, Wire forming mechanism comprising a pair of oscillating arms, an oscillating turret, and a reciprocating pin adjacent the turret, and means to synchronize the oscillation of said arms and turret and the reciprocation of said pin.

Still another object of this invention is to provide in a machine of the character described, means controlled by the wire forming mechanism to feed the formed zig zag wire away from the wire forming mechanism, and means controlled by the wire forming mechanism to halt the feeding of said zi zag shaped wire away from said mechanism and to out off the wire while its feedi-g movement is halted.

Still a further object of this invention is provide a strong, rugged and durable machine of the character described, which shall be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, smooth and positive in operation, which shall produce a uniform prodnot, and which shall yet be practical and efiicient to a high degree in use. e

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplifled in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of invention will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which are shown various illustrative embodiment of this invention,

Fig. l is a side elevational view of a machine embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 (Sheet 2) is a side elevational view of part of the machine showing a side opposite to the side shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a partial top plan view of the machine;

Fig. i (Sheet 3) is an end elevational view of the machine;

Fig. 5 (Sheet 4) is a side elevational view of the cut-off end of the machine, with parts broken away;

Fig. 6 (Sheet 5) is a cross-sectional view taken on line t-ii of Fig. 1;

, Fig. '7 (Sheet 6) is a cross-sectional view taken on line 5-? of Fig. 6; v

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 68 of Fig. 7; V

Fig. 9 (Sheet 5) is a cross-sectional view taken on line i-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken on line te-It of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken on line ll-ll of Fig. 8;

Fig. 12 (Sheet 7) is a cross-sectional view taken on line l2-l2 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken on line l3l3 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken on the [4-44 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken on line l5-l5 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken on line l6l6 of Fig. 34;

Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken on line I'I|'l of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken on line l8l8 of Fig. 16;

Fig. 19 (Sheet 8) is a cross-sectional view taken on line l9|9 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2ll-20 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 21 (Sheet 2) is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2I2| of Fig. 3;

Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 22-22 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 23 (Sheet 8) is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2323 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 224 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 25 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 25-25 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 26 (Sheet 4) is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2626 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 27 (Sheet 3) is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2'i2l of Fig. 4;

Fig. 28 is a cross-sectional View taken on line '2828 of Fig. 27;

Fig. 29 is a view similar to Fig. 28, but showing the cut-off ram in its down position;

Fig. 30 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3d3l of Fig. 29;

Fig. 31 (Sheet 4) is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3l-3| of Fig. 26;

Fig. 32 (Sheet 4) is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3232 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 33 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 33-33 of Fi 32;

Fig. 34 (Sheet 9) is a top plan view illustrating one step in the wire forming operation;

Fig. 35 is a view similar to Fig. 34, but showing the forming turret advanced 90 from the position of Fig. 34;

Fig. 36 is a top plan view similar to Fig. 35, and showing the turret advanced from the position shown in Fig. 35;

Fig. 3'7 is a view similar to Fig. 36, and showing the turret advanced another 45 in the same direction;

Fig. 38 is a view similar to Fig. 37, but showing the turret rotated back 180 from the position shown in Fig. 37; and

Fig. 39 (Sheet 1) is a wiring diagram of the electrical system for controlling the cut-off mechanism, insuring indexed cut-off, and for stopping the operation of the machine if the wire stops feeding away from the wire forming mechanism, for insuring safe operation or the machine.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, and particularly to Fig. 1, 10 designates a machine embodying the invention. The same comprises a frame or base ll. Said base has a top wall [2 provided with downwardly extending longitudinal side flanges l3 and end flanges Hi. The top of the base is supported on legs l5.

Said top wall I2 is formed with a through opening l6 (Fig. 8) on the longitudinal axis thereof. Surrounding the opening it is a downwardly extending hub l1 formed at its underside with a countersunk bearing socket l8 and with an upwardly extending hub I9 formed at its upper side with a countersunk bearing socket 2t. Said top wall I2 is furthermore formed on its longitudinal axis with a pair of spaced upwardly extending hubs 22 and 23 formed with countersunk bearing sockets 22a and 23a, respectively. The hubs 22 and 23 are disposed on opposite sides of the hub 19, as shown in Fig. 8 of the drawing. On opposite sides of the hub 23, said top wall I 2 is formed with a pair of upwardly extending hubs 24 (Fig. 6). The hubs 24 are formed with countersunk bearing sockets 24a. A line interconnecting the axes of hubs 24 and 24 is at right angles to a line interconnecting the axes of hubs 23, I9 and 22.

Mounted on top of the top wall l2 of the base and enclosing the hubs I9, 22, 23 and 24 is a box 25 (Figs. 6-8). Said box 25 comprises a case portion 26 having parallel longitudinal vertical side walls 21 (Fig. 6), and transverse parallel vertical end walls 28 and 29. Said walls 21, 28 and 29 are formed at their lower ends with out wardly extending flanges 3t, screwed to the top wall [2 as by screws 3|. Side walls 21 are formed with horizontally aligned through openings 32 in which are fixed bushings 33 (Fig. 7). Extending from the vertical wall 28 are a pair of parallel lugs 34 formed with through openings 35 receiving aligned bushings 36. Extending from the side walls 21 are a pair of horizontally aligned inwardly extending shelves 3'! formed with grooves 38 in their upper surfaces. Also extending inwardly from the side walls 21 are a pair of horizontally aligned shelves 331 formed with grooves :18 in their upper surfaces.

Mounted on the top of the case 28 is a top wall or table 4! contacting the upper edges of the walls 2'1, 28 and 29, and fixed thereto with any suitable fastening means. Said top wall it is formed with a central downwardly extending hub t2 formed with a through opening 3. The lower end of the hub 42 is formed with a Cfilllltcl sunk bearing socket A l, communicating with the through opening 43. The opening 53 is coaxial with the through opening It. The top surface of top wall 41 is formed with a countersunk annular socket or opening :35 having a bottom wall 47. The bottom wall 4! is formed with a countersunk bearing socket 48. The sockets i5 and are concentric with and communicate with the through opening 53.

Said top wall or table 4! is formed with a pair of parallel vertical through openings 19 vertically coaxial with the bearing sockets 24a and received within each opening 49 is a bushing 56 (Fig. 6). Said top wall 4! is furthermore formed with a vertical through opening 5! adjacent the socket @5. The opening 5| is disposed between said socket 45 and the wall 28. The axes for the socket 45 and the opening 5! are in a common longitudinal vertical plane.

Said top wallet is furthermore formed adj acent the wall 28, at its underside, with a socket 52 for the purpose hereinafter appearing. Extending downwardly from the underside of the top wall 4! are a pair of parallel brackets 53 carrying a transverse horizontal pivot pin 53a (Figs. 8 and 9). The brackets 53 are located between the socket 52 and wall 28 of the box.

Fixed to the top wall I2 of the base which forms the bottom of the box 25 and extending upwardly therefrom are a pair of rods 54 spaced inwardly fromwalls 21 and disposed between the hubs 23, 24 and the central hub I9. Attached to the upper ends of the rods 54, as by screws 55 is a horizontal transverse bar 51' formed with a central opening 58 in which is fixed the lower end of a pin '59 extending upwardly therefrom for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

Supported on and between the shelves 3'! (Fig. '7) is a transverse horizontal bar (it. The ends of the bar til are received in the grooves 38 and they are attached to the shelves by means of screws or bolts Bl. The transverse bar Si! is formed in its upper surface with a central socket e2 (Fig. 39), coaxially aligned with the through opening :3. Supported on and between the shelves 39 is a horizontal transverse bar 63. The ends of the bar are received in the grooves id of the shelves 99 and are attached to said shelves by means of screws or bolts 63a. Said bar 63 is formed with a central downwardly recessed countersunk socket 64 (Fig. 8) and with an axial through opening 65 communicating with and coaxial with said socket St. The opening 65 is coaxial with the socket 22a in the hub 22,

l-liounted beneath the base H on any suitable bracket is an electric motor 5'! (Fig. 1) provided with an armature shaft 63 connected by coupling 59 to a shaft it leading to reduction gear-- ing box H. Extending from the gearing box it is a vertical shaft l2 connected by coupling it to a vertical shaft l4, passing through the opening it in the bottom. wall l2. Within the bearing socket I9 is a ball bearing T5 for centering the shaft "i l (Fig. 8). Within the socket 29 is a thrust bearing it. The upper end of the shaft it projects into the box 25 and fixed to its upper end, is a gear 5? resting on the thrust bearing it. thrust bearing it in which is journaled the lower end of a vertical shaft 59. On the lower end of the shaft F9 is a gear 89 meshing with the gear ll. Gear 89 is keyed to the shaft '29 in any suitable manner. Also keyed to said shaft 5-3 and disposed on top of the gear 89 is a gear 8 E.

Faeferrins now to Fig. 6, there is mounted within the socket 24a thrust bearings 82. Journaled in and supported on the bearings 82 are the lower ends of a pair of parallel vertical shafts 33 passing upwardly through the bushings 59 in the top wall ii. Fixed to the shafts 83 are gears 84 which mesh with said gear 8!. Said shafts 83 project above the top wall 4 l.

Attached to the upper ends of side walls El, as by screws 85, are vertical struts 86 supporting a transverse horizontal bar 8? (Figs. 6, 8) at tached to the upper ends thereof as by screws 88. The horizontal transverse bar 37 is formed with vertical through openings 89 coaxial with the openings 49. Within each opening-S9 is a bushing 95).

The upper ends of the shafts 83 are received with'n the bushings 99. Fixed to the shafts 83 are collars 9i. interposed between said collars and the hubs surrounding the through openings 59 are anti-friction washers or gaskets 92.

Fixed to the upper end of shaft 19 is a collar S3 (Figs. 7 and 8). Fixed to the collar 93 and extending upwardly therefrom is an eccentric pin es. Pivoted to the pin 59 on the bar 57 is a lever 95 formed with an intermediate vertical opening to receive the upper end of said pin. At one end of the lever 95 is an arm 95 formed with a longitudinal slot 9?, through which the eccentric pin 94 passes. At the opposite end of the lever is a segmental gear 98. Passing through the through opening 43 in the hub 42 (Fig. 8)

Within the socket 23a is a' is a vertical stud shaft 99 journaled in suitable bearings received in the sockets M and 58. The lower end of the shaft 99 is received within the socket 62 of the transverse bar 69.

Mounted on the shaft 99 and disposed between the hub 42 and the bar 69, is a pinion Hi9 meshing with the segmental gear 98. Fixed to the upper end of the shaft 99 is a circular disc, rotor or turret Nil. The turret I0! is received within the countersunk opening it. The top surface of the turret H1! is flush with the top surface of the table or top wall 4!. Fixed to the upper side of the turret I'M, as by screws I92, are a pair of diametrically opposed pins I03, Iii-t which project upwardly from the disc above the top surface of the top Wall 4|. The pins 99, we are equidistant from the center of the disc Nil. The disc It! may be countersunk at its underside as at R95, to receive the upper end of the shaft ea and may be attached to said disc by a screw l 9%.

It will now be understood that when the electric motor ill (Fig. l) is energized, drive shaft 74 will rotate, to rotate the shaft 19 in one direction, causing the lever to oscillate due to the action of the eccentric pin 94 within the slot Bl. Oscillation of the lever 95 will cause oscillation of the pinion see, and hence shaft 99 and rotor liil in opposite directions. The gearing is 50 arranged so as to cause the rotor Nil to oscillate in opposite directions through an angle of 360 in each direction.

Within the socket 22a (Fig. 8) is a thrust bearing 5' i9. Within the socket 64 is a thrust bearing i l i. Journalled within said bearings is a vertical shaft M3. Mounted on the lower end of said shaft is a gear l is meshing with the gear ll. On said shaft H3 is a worm H6. The shaft H3 extends above the bar 63. Fixed at the upper end thereof is an annular cam disc l I! provided with a pair of upwardly extending cam bumps H8.

It will now be understood that rotation of the drive shaft is will cause the worm H6 to rotate through the intermeshing gears 11 and H4.

Pivoted to the pivot pin 53a on the brackets 53 is a lever 5283 (Figs. 8 and 11). The lever I29 is formed at its rear end with a vertical slot l2! through which the pivot pin 53a passes. Interposed between the lever i126 and a cup shaped member 22 fixed within the socket 52 is a coil compression spring H3 which normally urges the lever iZt downwardly. The lever I29 is provided ,with a pair of downwardly extending apertured ears E24 carrying a transverse pin l25 on which is mounted a roller 426 pressed downwardly against the cam member ill. As the shaft 5E3 rotates the bumps H8 will raise the lever twice for every complete revolution of the shaft l When the bumps H8 pass the roller l26 springs 823 will lower the lever.

The hub s2 is formed with a vertical slot registering with the opening 5i. Slidably mounted in said slot and adapted to pass upwardly through the opening Si is a stop member, pin or finger 528, the lower end of which rests on the forward end of the lever I20. Fixed to the lever as by screw E29 is a spring leaf 539 formed with a semi-circular notch l3! at its forward end engaging a groove in the circular finger or rod I28. The front side of the upper end of the pin or rod 12$ is rounded or beveled as at I32.

It will now be understood that as the motor operates and shaft H3 rotates, lever l29 will be oscillated to reciprocate the pin I23 above the top surface of table All. If the pin H8 is held from rising for any reason, lever I20 will rotate, when engaged by bumps II8 about its outer end as a fulcrum. Such movement is permitted because of slot I2I providing a safety feature if pin I28 gets stuck or is held back for any reason.

The gears H4 and 86 are similar so that one revolution of the gear 80 is equivalent to one revolution of the gear I I4. Therefore one revolution of the shaft I I3 will be accompanied by one revolution of the shaft 19. During one revolution of the shaft 19, rotor IBI will be oscillated substantially 360 in one direction and 360 in an opposite direction. During such operation the finger I26 will be raised and lowered twice. Thus the pin I28 will be raised and lowered once as the rotor IIlI rotates through one direction, and once during rotation of the rotor in an opposite direction.

While the roller I26 is in contact with the portion of the disc II1 between the cams or bumps H6, the pin or finger I28 stays down so that its upper end is not above the upper surface of the top wall M.

Referring to Figs. 12 to 14 and 34, means is provided to feed the wire W to be formed into zig zag shape on table 4| and to and over the oscillating turret I I, and to straighten the wire as it is being so fed. To this end there is attached to the top surface of top wall II a guide member I35. Said guide member I35 is in the form of a fiat plate formed at its undersurface with a longitudinal groove I36 extending to its rear end. Said flat member I35 is also formed with a groove I31 at its underside parallel to groove I35 and extending from the rear end of said member about one-half way through said member. Said member I35 is also formed adjacent its forward end with aligned transverse grooves I33 communicating with the front end of the groove I36. At the forward end of member I35 is an opening or groove I39 cornmunicating with the forward end of the groove I25. The grooves I35 and I31 are interconnected by a transverse groove I46. Attached to the rear end of member I35 as by screws I4! is a transverse plate I42 formed with a central opening I l-3 communicating with the groove I36. Said plate is also formed with a screw I56 threaded through opening I44 communicating with the groove I31. Attached to the front end of member I35 is a plate 545 screwed thereto as by screws I35. Plate I45 is formed with an opening I41 which registers with the opening I39. Supported by the portion of member I35 above the groove I35 are a pair of spaced longitudinally aligned pins I48, each carrying a roller I49 disposed within said groove. The upper ends of said pins are fixed in openings in said portion of said member. Slidably mounted through the transverse opening I 46 is a bar I59. At one end of the bar I53 is carried a pin II on which is rotatably mounted a roller I52, disposed within the groove I36. At the opposite end of the bar I50 is a downward projection I53 located within groove I31. Slidably mounted in the groove I31 is a cam bar I54 having at its forward end a beveled cam surface I55 adapted to engage said projection I53. Screwed through the threaded opening I34 is a hand screw I53, the forward end of which is rotatably but non-slidably connected to said bar. On turning the screw I56 the cam bar I54 is pushed forwardly thereby moving the bar I56 to the left, looking at Fig. 12.

It will be noted that the roller I52 is located on one side of the wire W while the rollers I49 are located on the opposite side of said wire. Fur- 8. thermore, the roller I52 is located about midway of the rollers I49. By properly adjusting the position or" the roller I52 the wire W passing through opening I43, groove I36 and openings I39, I51, may be straightened.

Referring to Figs. 12, 13, 14, and 34 to 38, means is provided furthermore to tend to urge the wire W laterally toward its midposition in alignment with the axis of turret I6I, when it emerges from the openings I35, I41. To this end there is slidably mounted in the transverse grooves I38, a pair of sliders I69. Attached to each slider and extending upwardly therefrom is a pin I6I. The pins I6I pass through longitudinal slots I62 formed in the top of the member I35 and communicate with the grooves I38. The pins I6I are interconnected by a coil tension spring I63 disposed above member I35. As the wire W is moved to the left or right during the formation of the zig zag shape, in the manner explained, hereinafter, the spring I63 pulling inwardly on the sliders I55, tends to bring the wire W always back to a central position.

It will be noted that movement of the pins I6I is limited by the inner ends of the slots I62. Thus looking at Fig. 13, if the wire W is moved to the left from the position shown, the right slider will not move, but the left slider will move to the left to tension the spring I63 and such tension tends to move the wire W back to its normal position. If the wir moves to the right it is also pulled toward a central position by spring I53.

As shown in Fig. 34 the wire W emerging from the openings I39, I41 passes over the face of turret IIII. Means is provided to shape the wire around the turret pins I93, I54. To this end there is fixed to the portion of each shaft 83 (Fig. 5) between. the top wall M and top cross bar 81, a box cam I65. These box cams are similar and symmetrically disposed with respect to each other. Each of the box cams I65 is formed at its underside with a cam groove I66. Each cam groove I55 has a semi-circular portion I61 of relatively small radius and portions I68 increasing in radius towards an apex or high point I69.

Screwed to the top wall 4| on opposite sides of member I35 and adjacent the forward end thereof is a headed pivot pin I10 (Figs, 16 and 34) projecting above said top wall. Pivoted to each pivot pin I15 and disposed above the top wall 4I is a wire bending lever III. The two levers I1I are similar and symmetrically disposed with respect to one another. Each lever comprises a rearwardly extending arm I12 to the rear end of which is screwed a headed pin I13 projecting upwardly into one of the cam grooves I55. On each pin I13 is a roller or follower I14 disposed within the cam groove I66. Each lever I1I further comprises a forwardly and inwardly curved arm I15 formed at its inner end with a countersunk screw threaded opening I16. Screwed into said opening is a screw I11 having a head at its underside received in the countersunk socket I16 at the underside of the arm. Screwed to the screw I11 is a nut I18 contacting th top of the arm. The screw I11 is formed with a vertical, through, eccentric opening I18a (Fig. 17). Extending through said opening I18a is a wire engaging pin I19 projecting downwardly from the arm and substantially contacting the top surface of the top wall M. The pin I19 may be held in position by a set screw I86.

It will be noted that the forward end I15a of the arm I15 is offset upwardly as shown in Fig. 16 of the drawing.

Attached to the top surface of the top wall ll are a pair of similar symmetrically disposed lever guide arms I 8| (Figs. 18 and 36) overlying the arms I15 to prevent said arms from moving upwardly. It will be noted that each guide IIiI comprises an outer block I Blc contacting the top surface of top wall 4| formed with countersunk through openings to receive screws I8Ib for attaching said guide to the top wall. Extending from each block IBIa is a bar I8Ic spaced above and parallel to the top wall GI and disposed above the upper surface of the arm I15, as shown in Fig. 18 of the drawing.

Attached to the upper surface of the top wall or table 4i and extending longitudinally thereof and disposed forwardly of the turret IBI and opening is a guide I 82 to receive the zig zag shaped wire formed in the manner hereinafter explained. Said guide I82 comprises a top wall I83 (Fig. 9) spaced above the top wall ll. Extending downwardly from the sides of the top wall I83 are side walls I84 from which extend outwardly flanges I35 formed with openings to receive screws it for attaching said guide to the top wall ll. The guide I 32 forms with the top wall 4! a shallow passage I31 into which the formed Zig zag wire passes. The guide I 82 extends horizontally forwardly of the box 25 as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing.

Said top wall I83 extends substantially only to the forward end of the box 25. The rear end of the passage I81 is open so that the formed wire may enter said passage. Forwardly of the box 25, the guide I82 comprises a bottom wall I68 (Fig. 8) interconnecting the lower ends of the side walls I341 to form an extension of the passage I81, which passage, however, is open at the top, forwardly of the box 25.

The guide I 32 extends horizontally forwardly of the box 25 for a distance and then curves downwardly as at I89 (Figs. 1 and 2). Extending from th downwardly and forwardly curved portion IE9 is a downwardly and forwardly inclined portion I90. The portion I90 of the guide, however, is provided with a top wall I9I which extends upwardly above the horizontal portion of the guide as at I92. At the upper end of said guide portion I32 is a rearwardly and upwardly inclined portion I93 for the purpose hereinafter appearing. Thus the guide portion I90 is closed at the top. At the lower end of the guide portion 2% is a forwardly and downwardly curved portion I 94 from which extends a horizontal guide portion E35 resting on top of the top wall I2 of the base. At the forward end of the guide portion 5% is an upwardly and forwardly curved guide portion I96 from which extends upwardly a vertical guide portion I91 (Fig. 26). The guide portion I 31 terminates as at I98.

The operation of the wire forming mechanism in shaping the wire W into zig zag shape will now be described, by reference to Figs. 34 to 38. Beginning with Fig. 34, the wire W is shown passing from the guide 535 and already formed with sinuous loops. The following description will explain how additional loops are made as the machine continues to operate.

In Fig. 34 the levers I II are shown in symmetrical positions. The box cams I65 both rotate in the same (counterclockwise) direction. The cam grooves I56 are in such position that their major diameters are parallel to one another and to the wire W passing through groove list. The followers I14 on the levers I1I are at the outer sides of the semi-circular groove portions I51. The pins I33, I04 are on a transverse diameter of the turret IIII. The reciprocating pin I28 is down in the position shown in Fig. 8. The wire W as shown in Fig. 34 passes centrally between the pins H13, I04, then turns sharply to the left as at 233, and extending from the curved portion act is an offset arm 2M of the last formed loop ZEZ, contacting pin I03. (It is assumed that the last formed loop 292 and the loops in advance thereof have already been formed.) The pins I19 on the levers l'lI are away from the wire in this position. The spring I33 in such position furthermore centers the wire W.

Beginning now with the position of Fig. 34, let us consider that the turret ltil is rotated in a clockwise direction through an angle of from the position of Fig. 34 to the position of Fig. 35. During such operation, the box cams I 55 move in a counterclockwise direction through an angle of 45 from the position shown in Fig. 34. This is so since the box cams rotate one-half the angle of rotation of the turret. (One complete revolution of the box cams will occur during a 360 revolution of the turret ltl first in one direction and then 360 in an opposite direction.)

During the movement of the turret IIlI from the position shown in Fig. 34 to the position shown in Fig. 35 the pin i23 will move upwardly from its down position to its up position. This is true since 90 rotation of the turret is accompanied by d5 rotation of the cam disc H1, bringing one of the bumps H8 beneath the roller I 25 to raise the pin E28. As the turret IIlI moves from the position shown in Fig. 34 to the position shown in Fig. 35, pin I @3 which contacts arm ZllI, will move the wire W forwardly to push some of the formed loops into the guide I 82. The pin I03 then engages the curved portion 200 of the wire and pushes it against the raised stop pin I28. The pin Hi l engages the wire W further rearwardly as at 233 to begin forming an arm 234 between portions ZIlil, 2E3. The stop pin I23 holds the wire W from moving forwardly at this time.

It will also be observed that during the movement of the parts from the position of Fig. 34 to the position of Fig. 35, the left lever MI is not rotated since its follower I14 remains within the semi-circular cam portion I61 of its cam which is concentric with the axis of the cam. During such operation, however, the right lever I'II, looking at Fig. 34, begins to rotate in a counterclockwise direction since its follower I14 moves in one of the cam portions I68 of its cam. The movement of the right cam IN is not sufficient to bring its pin I19 into contact with the wire. However, as the parts move from the position of Fig. 35 to the position of Fig. 36, pin I19 of the right lever I'II contacts the wire between the curved portion 295 and arm 29L During this time the left lever I1I still does not move as its follower is still within the cam groove portion I61. As the turret rotates through an angle of 45 from the position of Fig. 35 to that of Fig. 36, the wire is bent so that the portion 203 thereof becomes a bend around pin I04 and the portion 200 is further bent around pin I03. Between the portions 283 and 2% is formed the arm 204 similar to the arm 2!] I. A loop is thus being formed comprising the portions 2ilI, 209, 204, and this U- shaped loop begins to close up. As the parts move from the position of Fig. 36 to the position of Fig. 37, the lever I1! continues to rotate in a counterclockwise direction, and the turret continues to rotate in a clockwise direction through another angle of 45. During this period of left lever I'll still does not move. However, the pin N3 of the right lever I'll presses against the arm 20!, and the pin I34 pressing against the portion 2533 serves to close the loop 20!, 206, 254 and said loop is substantially closed around the pin I03.

Fig. 37 illustrates the most inward position of the right lever I H. The wire W is moved to the left when the machine moves from the position of Fig. 34 to the position of Fig. 37, tensioning the spring Hi3. At this point the turret l! begins to rotate in an opposite direction and Fig. 38 shows the position when it is turned back through an angle of 180. During such period the right lever I'll has begun to swing in a clockwise direction away from the wire. The pin I23 has advanced the wire and moved out of the loop 26E, 28B, 224, and the pin I04 is moved into engagement with the newly formed arm 284, and wire W has moved to the right under the influence of spring H33. In the position shown in Fig. 36 the pin H8 is still up but beginning to come down. In the position shown in Fig. 37 it has already come down. In the position shown in Fig. 38 it down.

As the machine continues to operate, a next loop is formed opposite to the loop just formed and this new loop will be formed by the left lever ill while the right lever I'H remains out of operation. The next loop is formed by rotation of the turret It! through an angle of 180 from the position of Fig. 38, first in a counterclockwise direction and then 180 in a clockwise direction, and then the parts will be back to the position of Fig. 34. During such movement the left lever Ill is moved first in a clockwise direction and then in a counterclockwise direction, in a manner symmetrical to the movement of the right lever HI. It will now be understood that as the machine continues to operate the left and right loops are alternately formed to produce a continuous zigzag shaped wire which is fed into the guide H32.

It will now be understood that the stop member I28 is restricted to reciprocation parallel to the axis of the turret from an inoperative position away from the bending plane of the wire above the turret to an operative position in said plane.

It will be observed that the positions of the pins I79 may be adjusted by loosening the nuts I18, rotating the screws IT! to desired positions and then again tightening said nuts.

Referring to Figs. 16, 30 and 31, means is provided to longitudinally arch the zigzag shaped wire and out off predetermined lengths of said wire, in synchronization with the operation of the zigzag forming mechanism. To this end there is provided a punch press P on the top wall [2 of the base H, at its forward end. The same comprises a stand m (Fig. 26) fixed to base H and having a top wall 2| I, a front wall 2l2, rear wall 253, and side walls 2| 4 (Fig. 4). Extending outwardly from the side walls 2 I4 are flanges 2 l receiving attaching bolts 2H5 which attach said stand to the top of the base adjacent its front end.

The front wall 2I2 is formed at its lower end with a through opening EN. The rear wall 213 is formed with a through opening 2|8. The top Wall 2 is formed with a central opening 2|9.

It will be noted that the guide portion I35 (Fig.

26) passes through the opening 2I3 and that the guide portion I96 passes upwardly through the opening 2 I 9.

Fixed to the top of the top wall 2H are a pair of similar symmetrical brackets 220 each formed with a pair of similar symmetrically disposed ar-- cuate slots 22| (Fig. 1). Also carried by the brackets 220 are aligned pivot pins 222. Supported on the pivot pins 222 are a pair of parallel upstanding side walls 223 forming part of a power press frame 223a (Fig. 4). At the lower ends of the walls 223 are bolts 224 passing through the slots 22I. The side walls 223 are interconnected by a horizontal bar 225 (Fig. 26) from the front end of which extends downwardly, a vertical bar 226. It will be noted that portion I91 of the guide contacts the front surface of the vertical bar 225 and that the upper end I98 of said guide is flush with the top surface of the horizontal bar 225.

Said side walls 223 are also interconnected by a vertical upper bar 221. At the upper ends of the walls 223 are a pair of spaced aligned bearings 221a (Fig. 4) which is journaled for rotation a transverse shaft 228, carrying at one end a fly wheel 229 freely rotating on said shaft. Screwed to said end of the shaft is a nut 238 (Fig. 32) to retain the fly wheel thereon. On the opposite end of the shaft is a collar 23! contacting one of the bearings 221a. The wheel 223 is formed at its inner side with a hub 232 provided with a plurality of equiangularly spaced longitudinal sockets 233 (Fig. 33). Fixed to the shaft 228 and disposed between one of the bearings 221a and the fly wheel 229 is a clutch member 234 (Figs. 4 and 32). The clutch 234 is formed at one side thereof with a socket 235 and extending therefrom is a reduced socket portion 236. Within the reduced socket portion 236 is a coil compression spring 231. Slidably mounted in the socket 235 is a clutch pin 238 which is normally pressed to the right as shown in Fig. 32, toward one of the sockets 233. Attached to one end of the clutch 234 is a plate 239 formed with an opening 240 registering with the clutch pin 238.

It will now be understood that when the clutch pin 238 is pressed into the socket 233, rotation of the fly wheel 229 will be accompanied by rotation of the clutch 234 and the shaft 222.

Referring to Figs. 4, 5 and 32, means is provided to declutch the fly wheel 229 from the shaft 228. To this end there is mounted on one of the side walls 223 a bracket 24! (Fig. 5) carrying a solenoid 242 provided with an armature 243 pivoted at its lower end to a lever 244. The lever 244 is pivoted to the frame 223a as at 245. At the forward end of the lever is a wedge 246 movable up and down between the hub 232 and the clutch. When the solenoid 242 is energized, the lever 244 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, looking at Fig. 5, to move the wedge 243 downwardly to permit spring 23'! to press the clutch pin 238 into one of the sockets 233, for rotating the shaft 228 through the fly wheel 229. When the solenoid. 242 is deenergized lever 244 is rotated in a clockwise direction under the influence of a coil tension spring 241 which interconnects the rear end of the lever with the frame 223a to move the wedge 246 upwardly for disengaging th clutch.

It will be noted that the clutch pin 238 has a wedge shaped end adapted to be engaged by the corresponding wedged surface of the wedge portion 246 when the latter moves upwardly. Means is provided to rotate the wheel 229. To this end there is mounted on the frame 223a a bracket 250 (Fig. 5) on which is mounted an electric motor 25| belted as by belt 252 to the wheel 229.

Mounted on the portion of the shaft 228 between bearings 221a is an eccentric collar 253 (Fig. 26) fixed to said shaft and rotatable therewith. Mounted on the collar 253 is a connector sleeve 254 formed with a through opening receiving the eccentric collar 253. Attached to the sleeve 254 is a connector rod 255, attached at its lower end to a ram 256. The ram 256 is guided in its sliding movement by a pair of guide plates 25'! (Fig. 4) screwed to forwardly extending portions of said bar 22's by means of screws or bolts 259. The ram 256 has wings received in slots 266 disposed between the plates 25? and said bar 227. Attached to the lower end of the ram 255, in any suitable manner, is a cutter punch 26 I.

It will now be understood that when the motor 25! is energized the fly wheel 22!? will continuously rotate and when the clutch 23 i is clutched to the fly wheel 229, the shaft 228 will rotate, causing rotation of th eccentric collar 253 and hence causing reciprocation of the ram 256 and the punch tool or cutter 26L Supported on the front of the frame 223 is a horizontal transverse bar 252 (Figs. 28, 29 and 30). Mounted on the cross bar is a platen 2% to the top of which is attached a block 263a. The members 262, Elite together form a female punch press'portion. The latter is formed with a downwardly extending through opening 255 (Fig. 31), from the lower end of which extends rearwardly and downwardly a passage 236 for punched pieces of metal, as will be explained hereinafter. The opening 265 is aligned with the cutter and when the ram comes down said cutter is adapted to descend into the opening 265 for cutting a curved end C of zig zag shaped wire, as will more fully be explained hereinafter.

The block 263, 263a is formed with a passage 264- having a bottom curved or arched surface 26%, as shown in Figs. 26 and 30, and a top rear horizontal surface 26412 from which extends a forward and downwardly curved surface 2640 forming a combination of the surface 264a. Thus th passage 264 has a Wider mouth gradually decreasing into a curved narrow passage. It will be noted that thepassage 265 crosses the passage 26 i,

shown in Figs. 28, 29, and 31.

Attached to the underside of the bar 262 is the upper end 28? of a guide plate 263. Said guide plate 268 comprises a portion 259 extending downwardly from the portion 26'? thereof and extending from said portion 2&9, is a downwardly and forwardly curved portion 218.

interconnecting the side walls 223 is also a cross bar 275 contacting the front side of the guide portion I at below the upper end E98 thereof. Attached to the front of the cross bar 2' is the upper end of a guide or chute 272. Said guide 272 comprises an upper portion 2'33 and extending downwardly therefrom is a forwardly curved portion 275 from which extends a downwardly and forwardly inclined portion 2%. The curved por tion 215 passes downwardly through the opening iii and the inclined portion 276 passes downwardly and forwardly through the opening 2H of said stand 2H3.

Mounted on the cross bar 225 are a pair of aligned bearings 28!! and 285 (Fig. 4) in which is journal d a transverse shaft 282. On one end of said shaft is mounted a wheel 283 formed with a plurality of equiangularly spaced projections 28d. For the purpose of illustration 8 such proiections are shown on said wheel (Fig. 3 On the central portion of the shaft is a ratchet wheel 285 (Figs. 26 and 2'7)- provided with 8 equiangularly spaced ratchet teeth 28%. There are the same number of teeth on ratchet wheel 285 as there are projections 284 on wheel 283. The wheel 28%? is also fixed to the shaft 282 and it is in angular registry with the wheel 283.

Mounted on the cross bar 225 is a bracket 29!] (Fig. 26) comprising side walls 295 (Fig. 31) interconnected at the rear by a cross bar 292 formed with a central through opening 293. The shaft 232 passes through openings in the side walls 29! of the bracket. Said side walls Zfil are formed with upwardly and forwardly inclined slots 296 in which is slidably mounted a block 297, formed with a screw threaded opening 298. Screwed into the opening 293 is a screw 299 rotatably and nonslidahly connected to the cross bar 292 and passing through the opening 293. At the rear end of the screw 299 is a polygonal head 3%.

It will now be understood that upon turning the head 3% with a wrench or other tool, the screw 2% will turn for moving the block fid'l, either forwardly and upwardly toward the ratchet wheel 285, or downwardly and rearwardly away from said wheel. Said block 29? is hence adjustable. It has at its front end a lower vertical surface 39! which is aligned with one side of the upper end of the passage in the guide portion ES'E, so that as the zig zag shaped wire moves through the guide I up through the portion I95 and the portion i 3?, it wiil come up and contact said surface 35!. Extending from the surface 3? is an upwardly and forwardly curved surface 382 spaced from the wheel 285. The arrangement is such that as the wheel 2% turns, it will engage successive arms of the zig zag shaped wire and move the wire around said surface 302, and into the mouth of passage 26d, pressing it through said passage. The opening 265 is so located that the outer curved ends of the bends of the zig zag shaped wire on one side, will pass over said opening, as illustrated in Figs. 28, 29 and 31. Thus when the cutter 26! comes down in the passage 255 it will cut ofi" a piece of curved end of the zig zag wire, leaving two straight arm portions. The pieces of wire which are cut off fall down through the opening 265 and passage 2G5 and down through the passage 303 and onto chute 272. They may then be dropped into any suitable receptacle as they fall down the inclined guide portion 2'56 of said chute. Th zig zag shaped wire emerging from the passage 264% will be curved and will come down as shown in dot-dash lines in Fig. 26 and engage the top surface of guide member 5153, moving up the guide portion 2% toward the guide portion 269. The severed pieces may be rerneved manualy or in any other suitable manner. Curved surface 3&2 serves to curve the zig zag shaped spring longitudinally.

Mounted on the stand 2m is a normally open micro-switch 3G5 (Figs. 5 and 27) adapted to be closed each time one of the projections 28 on the wheel 2% passes said micro-switch. The purpose of the micro-switch will be explained hereinafter.

Referring now to Figs. 7 and 8, there is journaled in the bushings 33 and 36 a horizontal transverse shaft 366 projecting beyond opposite sides of the box 25. Fixed on said shaft is a worm wheel 3E2? meshing with the worm I it. On one end of the shaft 5:335 is a gear 353. Also fixed to said end of said shaft is a sprocket wheel 3%. On the side wall 2'! adjacentwhich the sprocket wheel 3528 is located is a horizontal guide 3 i (3 (Fig. 2). Siidable in said guide is a plate 31! formed with a screw threaded opening into which is screwed a horizontally extending hand screw M2. on theshank of the scerw M2 is a bushing Sit 15 and rotatably mounted on the bushing is a sprocket wheel 3l4 aligned with the sprocket wheel 309. Extending around the sprocket wheels 333, 314 is a sprocket chain 3E5.

It will now be understood that the screw 3l2 may be adjusted longitudinally of the guide 3E0 and then tightened in place by turning the screw. Attached to the sprocket belt 3 i 5 is a lug or projection 3I6. At the opposite end of shaf 333 is fixed a sprocket wheel 3 l I for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

Fixed to the top wall I2 of the base are a plurality of ball bearing pillow blocks 320 (Figs. 3 and 19) supporting a transverse horizontal shaft 32L Fixed to on end of the shaft is a gear 322 meshing with the gear 338. Attached to the pillow blocks 320 are horizontally aligned bushings 323 (Figs. 3 and 20) supportin a transverse horizontal shaft 324. Attached to the shaft 324 is a bracket 325 provided with a screw 325 contacting the forward end of the box 25 to adjustably limit rotary movement of the shaft in a clockwise direction, looking at Fig. 22. Fixed to said shaft 324 is a pin 32'! (Fig. 20) connected by a coil tension spring 328 to the forward end of th box 25 for rotating the shaft 324 in a clockwise direction until the adjustable screw 325 contacts said box. Fixed to one end of the shaft 324 is an arm 329 (Fig. 2) provided with a roller 330 at its outer end. The roller 330 is normally in the path of the lug 3H5. As the belt 315 moves, the lug 316 will strike the underside of the roller 33!! to raise the arm 325 and rotate the shaft 324 against the tension of the spring 328 in a counterclockwise direction, looking at Fig. 2 of the drawing. When the lug 3H6 passes by the roller 330 said spring 328 will rotate the shaft in a clockwise direction until the screw 326 strikes box 25.

ixed to the shaft 324 is an arm 33! (Fig. 21) having a hook 332 at its outer end. Obviously when the shaft 324 rotates the arm 33! will rotate therewith.

Mounted on the shaft 32I is a one revolution clutch 333 (Figs. 3, 19 and 21). The clutch mal be of usual construction. It comprises a part 334 fixed to the shaft 32! and a ring 335 mounted thereon for rotation with spring pressed clutch balls therebetween. On the ring 335 is an outwardly projecting pin 335. Also said ring 335 is formed in its outer surface with a shoulder 331' adapted to be engaged by the hook 332. Normally, when the hook 332 engages the ring 335 as shown in Fig. 21 of the drawing, said ring will not rotate, while the shaft and member 334 rotate. However, should the shaft 324 be rotated in a clockwise direction, lookin at Fig. 21, to disengage the hook from the shoulder 331. the clutch balls will cause ring 335 to rotate. Before the ring 335 makes a complete revolution the arm 33! is again rotated toward the outer periphery of the rin and when the shoulder 33'! again comes to the hook 332, rotation of said ring 335 ceases. Thus the ring has been rotated through one revolution.

Fixed to the top of the table 12 is a normally open micro-switch 331a which is contacted by the pin 335 once during each revolution of the ring 335 and hence once each time the lug 316 on the belt 315 contacts the roller 330. The switch 331a is closed when it is actuated by the pin 336.

Referring now to the wiring diagram shown in Fig. 39, the switch 331a is connected to the solenoid 242, which in turn is connected to one side of the power supply. Said switch 331a is also connected through the switch 305 (Fig. 5) to the other side of the power supply. When the switches 331a and 305 are closed the solenoid 242 is energized to operate the ram for cutting the zig zag shaped wire. Interposed between the switch 331a and the solenoid 242 is a normally closed micro-switch 338, mounted on the guide member 182 adjacent the underside of the guide portion [93, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing. The switch 338 includes an arm 339 which is located beneath the upper end of the guide portion I 93. Should the zig zag forming mechanism continue to operate without the zig zag shaped wire feeding out from the cutting end of the machine, said zig zag shaped wire will pile up or raise upwardly from guide I32 beneath the guide portions l92, 93. This is so becaus the guide portions I82 and I39 are open at the top. If the Zig zag shaped wire rises to the point shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, it will engage the arm 339 of the switch 338 and open said switch, thereby breaking the circuit to the solenoid 242 to prevent the cutting mechanism from operating.

It will be noted that the cuttin of the zig zag shaped wire is indexed with the feeding of the zig zag shaped wire through the passage 254, to make sure that when the cutter comes down it will cut off one of the curved loop ends C as indicated in Fig. 31. This is true since the wheel 233 (Fig. 5) rotates together with the ratchet wheel 235 (Fig. 26), which feeds the zig zag shaped wire through the passage 264 and further, because one of the projections 284 of said wheel 28?. must close the switch 305 at the time switch 331a closes, in order to energize the solenoid 242. The lugs 284 contact the switch 305 in synchronization with the passage of the curved loop ends C past the middle of the opening 255.

Means is provided to halt the rotation of shaft 232 and hence the feeding of the zig zag shaped wire past the cut-off station during the cutting off operation. To this end there is attached to one side of the base, an upright bracket 345 (Figs. 1 and 7) formed with an opening in which one outer end of the shaft 336 is journaled. The bracket extends upwardly above the box 25 and mounted on the upper end thereof, for rotation, is a sprocket wheel 342 disposed in the same vertical plane as sprocket wheel 3 I I.

Also fixed to the same side wall E3 of the base to which the bracket 343 is attached, is a guide bracket 343 (Figs. 1, 23 and 25) extending longitudinally of the base. Said bracket 343 has a flange 344 (Fig. 23) contacting the outer surface of wall 13. It is also formed with a flange 345 resting on top of the Wall 12, and it is furthermore formed with a longitudinal groove 345 open at the top. Attached to the top of the bracket are plates 34'! overlying end portions of groove 345. Slidably mounted within the groove is a longitudinal rack 348, the teeth of which project upwardly. Attached to the bracket flange 344, as by bolts 349, is an upstanding bracket 350 supporting a horizontal shaft 35!, on which is rotatably mounted a gear 352 meshin with the rack 343. Extending through the gear 352 is a circular row of bolts 353 screwed to a circular disc 354. Sleeve spacers 355 on the bolts 353 space the disc 354 from the gear 352. Attached to the disc 354 are a pair of diametrically spaced pins 356, equally spaced from the center of the disc. Attached to said pins is a second disc 35! similar to the disc 354. Said discs 354,

17 351 are coaxial with th gear 352 and rotate therewith.

Rotatably mounted on the outer end of shaft 321 is a crank fiy wheel 35B (Figs. 1, 3 and 19). The crank fly wheel 358 has a weighted segmental portion at one end and a crank arm at the other end. Said crank arm is interconnected to the rack 348 by a link 366. Both the crank and the rack carry suitable pivot pins to which the outer ends of the link 366 are pivotally connected.

Fixed on one end of the shaft 282 (Fig. 4) is a sprocket wheel 36! (Fig. 1) in the same vertical plane as the- sprocket wheels 342, 311.

Attached to the top wall !2 and extending upwardly therefrom is a bracket 362 (Figs. 1 and 24) formed at its upper end with a horizontal bearing opening 363. Extending through said opening 363 is a shaft 364. Fixed to the outer end of the shaft is a nut or collar 365. Interconnecting the nut or collar 365 with the upper end of the bracket 362 and surrounding the shaft 364 is a coil torsion spring 366, which tends to rotate the shaft 364 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1. At one end of the shaft 364 is a circular disc 361, coaxial with said shaft. Attached to said disc 361 are a pair of dimetrically opposed pins 368 and fixed to said pins is a second disc 369 similar and parallel to and coaxial with the disc 361. The pins 368 and the pins 356 are likewise located in the plane of the sprocket wheels 3 I1, 362 and 361.

Engaged with the sprocket wheels 351, 342 and 361 is a sprocket chain 316. The sprocket chain passes around the sprocket wheel 311, then passes upwardly and over the sprocket wheel 332, then passes forwardly and around the top pin 368 and then between said pins 338 and then underneath the lower pin 366. It then extends forwardly and over and around the sprocket wheel 36!. It then extends downwardly and rearwardly'around the lower pin 356 and then upwardly and between said pins 356, and then around the upper pin 356. It then passes downwardly and rearwardly to and around the sprocket wheel 311.

It will now be understood that the shaft 32! rotates continuously and hence the crank fly wheel 35B rotates continuously. Rotation of the crank 358 is accompanied by reciprocation of the rack 348 which causesoscillation of the gear 352.

Power is imparted to the belt 313 from the continuously driven sprocket wheel 3E1. In the position of the weighted crank member 358 shown in Fig. 1, the rack 346 is at the right end of the stroke, and in such position the sprocket chain 316 is slack and clockwise rotation (See Fig. 1) thereafter of the sprocket wheel 3H1 will merely serve to take up slack in the sprocket chain without turning the sprocket wheel 36!. As gear 351 takes up slack in the portion of the chain 316 controlled by gear 352, such slack imparted to the top run of the chain is taken up by wheel 369 under the influence of torsion spring 366. Wheel 369 rotates in a clockwise direction (Fig. 1) to take up slack in chain 316. It is clear that the zig zag shaped wire is only advanced past the cutting station when the wheel 36! is moving to rotate the shaft 232. When the sprocket chain 316 is slack, therefore, wheel 36! will not turn, the shaft 282 will not rotate, and the zig zag shaped wire will not move past the cutting station. It is in such position that the ram comes down to cut the wire. However, when the crank 35B rotates through an angle of about 180 and the rack 348 has been moved to the left,

looking at Fig. 1, gear 362 will be rotated in a clockwise direction, looking at said figure, to take up slack and tighten the belt 313. As the belt 316 is tightened the shaft 364 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, looking at Fig. 1, to tension the torsion spring 366. In taut condition the belt 316 will drive the wheel 36! for advancing the zig zag shaped wire past the cutting station.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which the several objects of this invention are achieved and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense except as required by the claims.

Having thus described our invention we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A machine for making zig zag shaped wire comprising a table formed with a circular opening, a circular turret rotatably mounted therein and having a top surface substantially in the plane of the top surface of the table, means for oscillating said turret about an axis perpendicular to said table, said turret being provided with a pair of diametrically opposed upstanding pins projecting above the plane of said table, a pin mounted fo rreciprocation in a direction parallel to the axis of the turret through an opening in the table adjacent said. turret, and the upper end of the pin being movable up above the plane of said stable, and a pair of levers pivoted on the table about axes parallel to the axis of the turret, said levers being symmetrical and disposed above the top of the table, and pins on said levers projecting downwardly substantially to the top surface of said table, said pins being movable over the top of the turret crossing the path of the pins on the turret when the turret is oscillated, and means for oscillating said levers and reciprocating said reciprocating pin in synchronization with the oscillation of said turret.

2. In combination, a support frame, a turret rotatably mounted on said frame, a pair of diametrically opposed pins projecting upwardly from said turret, means to guide a wire over the turret from one side thereof and between said pins, stop means at the opposite side of the turret and mounted on said frame adjacent to said turret, means to rotate the. turret in one direction to move one of said pins toward said opposite side of the turret, means controlled by the turret moving means, to move the stop means into the plane of said wire as said pin approaches said stop means, so that a portion of the wire will be gripped between said pin and stop means, a wire bending member movable in the plane of said wire toward and over the face of the turret and across the path of said pins and then away from said turret, means controlled by the turret moving means, to move said wire bending member toward said turret during rotation of said turret in said direction, and across the path of said first pin into engagement with said wire as said pin moves past said stop means to bend said wire aroundsaid pin and form abend in said wire, means to move said stop means away from the plane of said wire as said wire bending member engages the wire and said pin rotates past said stop means, and said other pin on said turret engaging a portion of the wire spaced from the portion engaged by the first pin on the turret during rotation of said turret in said direction, to start a second bend in the wire spaced from the first bend, and to form an arm between said two bends in the wire, means to move said wire bending member away from said turret and out of engagement with respect to said wire, and means to rotate said turret in an opposite direction so that the second pin engages said arm in the wire to advance the wire, a second wire bending member in opposed relation to the first wire bending member and movable in the plane of said wire toward and over the turret and away from the turret, means for moving said stop means into the plane of the wire as the turret moves in said opposite direction and said second pin moves toward said stop means to grip the second bend between the stop means and the second pin, and means to move the second wire bending member toward the turret and into engagement with said arm, and means to move the stop means away from the plane of said wire as said second wire bending member engaging said arm bends the wire around said second pin during the rotation of said. turret in said opposite direction, and said first pin engaging a portion of the wire spaced from the second bend during rotation of the turret in said opposite direction to begin to form a third bend in the wire, and a second arm between the second and third bends, and means for moving the second wire bending means away from said turret.

3. A machine for making zig-zag shaped wire comprising a frame, a turret mounted on the frame for rotation, a pair of diametrically opposed pins fixed to the turret and extending upwardly therefrom, means on the frame to oscillate said turret, a stop member mounted on the frame and restricted to reciprocation parallel to the axis of and adjacent said turret, from an inoperative position away from the bending plane of the wire above the top of said turret, to an operative position in said plane, means on the frame and controlled by the turret oscillating means to reciprocate said stop member in synchronization with the oscillation of said turret, a pair of levers pivoted to the frame about axes parallel to the axis of rotation of the turret and on opposite sides of said turret, and provided with pins movable over the surface of the turret and crossing the path of said pins on said turret, and means on the frame and controlled by the turret oscillating means to selectively oscillate said levers in synchronization with the oscillation of said turret.

4. A machine as defined in claim 3, with means on the frame for guiding the wire to be shaped toward the turret and over said top thereof, and spring means on said frame for urging said wire laterally to a line passing through the axis of the turret.

5. A machine for making zig-zag shaped wire comprising a frame, a turret mounted on the frame for oscillation, a pair of diametrically opposed pins fixed to the turret and extending upwardly therefrom, means on the frame to oscillate said turret, a stop member mounted on the frame and restricted to reciprocation parallel to the axis of and adjacent said turret from an inoperative position away from the bending plane above the top of said turret, to an operative position in said plane, means controlled by the turret oscillating means to reciprocate said stop memher in synchronization with the oscillation of said turret, a pair of cams mounted on the frame for rotation about parallel axes, means connected to the oscillating means for rotating said cams continuously in the same direction, a pair of pivoted levers on the frame, each having an arm engaging one of the cams for oscillation thereby, wire bending means on said levers for bending wire around the pins of said turret, means for feeding wire over the face of the turret through one side thereof, and said reciprocating stop member being located at the opposite side of said turret.

6. A machine as recited in claim 5 including resilient means on said frame to center the wire fed over said top of the turret with respect to the axis of the turret.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 23,169 Horton Nov. 22, 1949 1,676,215 Frentzel July 3, 1928 2,107,373 Edwards Feb. 3, 1938 2,188,407 Horton Jan. 30, 1940 2,203,354 Harrington June 4, 1940 2,252,032 Redd Aug. 12, 1941 2,262,550 Hunter Nov. 11, 1941 2,305,266 Lincoln Dec. 15, 1942 2,331,294 Bank Oct. 12, 1943 2,390,283 Wilkins Dec. 4, 1945 2,410,298 Mirel Oct. 29, 1946 2,582,576 Zweyer Jan. 15, 1952 2,645,252 Norman July 14, 1953

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