US2749967A - Bookcase making machine - Google Patents

Description

June 12, 1956 E. BACH ET AL BOOKCASE MAKING MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 6, 1952 INVEN TORS. 6mm 6424/5, Jl cemed,

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June 12, 5 EACH E AL BOOKCASE MAKING MACHINE Filed Dec. 6, 1952 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 V m V: 773 25 6 2 4 5- 170/,

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June 1955 E. BACH ET AL BOOKCASE MAKING MACHINE 1O Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 6, 1952 'IN V EN TORS. 6mm 5M, QM, 5 6401,

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June 12, 1956 E. BACH ET AL 2,749,967

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ATTORNEY.

June 12, 1956 E. BACH ET AL BOOKCASE MAKING MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 6, 1952 6m [1/ 5mm 0001b Q.flm AT ORNEY.

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June 12, 1956 EACH ET AL 2,749,967

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ATTORNEY.

June 12, 1.956 5, EACH ET AL 2,749,967

BOOKCASE MAKING MACHINE Filed Dec. 6, 1952 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTORS. MWN/ 6M) h allowifiyy 6.15 flack 6m M. 5m

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June 12, 1956 Filed Dec. 6, 1952 vm kwm vn vm V6 V8 0% United States Patent BOOKCASE MAKING MACHINE Application December 6, 1952, Serial No. 324,588

32 (Iiaims. (Cl. 154-18) This invention relates generally to bookbinding machinery, and more particularlyv to machines for making cases or covers for books, said cases generallyfcomprising two spaced stiffening panels and an intermediate back-lining strip adhesively secured to one surface ofa main or cover sheet of paper, cloth, leather, or other flexible material customarily used for this purpose, said cover sheet having side flap portions and end flap portions folded over and adhesively secured to said panels.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved machine which will produce bookcases of the above character at a comparatively high rate of speed and in an efficient manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved book-case making machine wherein successive unfinished book-case units are caused to travel continuously through said machine, and folding of the side and end flap portions of the cover sheet of each unit against the adjacent edges of the stiflfening panels and over and onto said panels is accomplished in a positive, reliable and accurate manner while the units are in motion.

Another object is to provide a book-case making machine having coordinated folding mechanisms of novel construction for effectively folding the side and end flap portions of the cover sheet of successive book-case units while the latter are in motion and without changing the direction of travel thereof.

Another object is to provide a book-case making ma chine wherein successive unfinished book-case units are advanced continuously and edgewise in horizontal position along a rectilineal path, and having novel folding mechanisms arranged at opposite sides of said path and movable bodily with each book-case unit for simultaneously folding the side flap portions of the cover sheet of said unit against the adjacent edges of the stiffening panels and over and onto said panels. 7

A further object is to provide a book-case making machine wherein successive unfinished book-case units are advanced continuously and edgewise in horizontal position along a rectilineal path, and having novel simplified folding mechanism disposed in and fixed at one locality of said path for effectively folding the front or leading flap portion of the cover sheet of each bookcase unit against the adjacent edges of the stiifening panels and over and onto said panels while the bookcase units are in motion and continue to travel to a further locality of said path.

Still another object is to provide a book-case making machine wherein successive unfinished book-case units are advanced continuously and edgewise in horizontal position along a rectilineal path, and having novel folding mechanism which, through movement thereof with and at a surface speed in excess of the surface speed of the book-case units, will effectively fold the rear or trailing flap portion of the cover sheet of eachunit against the adjacent edges of the stiffening panels and over and onto said panels.

The above and further objectsand novel features of the invention will more fully appear from the following detail description when the same is read in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views,

Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of a portion of a book-case making machine embodying folding mechanisms constructed, arranged and operated in accordance with the present invention, said view being taken inside of and close to the near side frame member of said machine;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view on an enlarged scale, partly in section, of thecover sheet side flap folding mechanism located at the far side'of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view on an enlarged scale, partly in section, showing the operating mechanism for the cover sheet side flap folding mechanisms;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary end elevational view on an enlarged scale, partly in section, looking from the right of Fig. 1, showing the driving means for the operating mechanism of the cover sheet side flap folders;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary end elevational view on an enlarged scale, partly in section, looking from the left of Fig. 1, showing the primary book-case unit conveyor and the cover sheet side flap folding mechanism at the near side of the machine;

Fig. 6 is a vertical transverse sectional view on a still larger scale through one of the cover sheet side fiap folding mechanisms illustrating the same in its inoperative condition;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but showing the side flap folding mechanism in its operative condition;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view on an enlarged scale, partly in section, of the secondary book-case unit conveyor;

Fig. 9 is a top plan view on an enlarged scale of the cover sheet end flap folding mechanisms, including conveyor pressure elements cooperating with the secondary conveyor, certain of the parts having portions thereof broken away for purposes of clear illustration;

Fig. 10 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on a still larger scale through the cover sheet front fiap folding mechanism;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the cover sheet front flap folding mechanism shown in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a bottom plan view of the portion of the front flap folding mechanism shown in Fig. 11, with portions of certain of the parts broken away and in section for purposes of clearer illustration;

Fig. 13 is a detail side elevational view on a still larger scale of the cover sheet rear flap folding mechanism;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary top plan view of the rear flap folding mechanism shown in Fig. 13, certain of the parts having portions thereof broken away and in section for purposes of clearer illustration;

Fig. 15 is a rear elevational view of the portion of the rear flap folding mechanism shown in Fig. 14, with portions of certain of the parts broken away and in section for purposes of clearer illustration;

Fig. 16 is a detail side elevational view on an enlarged scale, partly in section, of the rear flap folding mechanism, and including a portion of the book-case unit hold-back mechanism cooperating with said folding mechanism;

Fig. 17 is a face view of a book-case unit in the condition prior to folding of the side, front and rear flaps of the cover sheet of said unit; and

Figs. 18, l9 and 20 are face views of the book-case unit in various stages of the folding of the side, front and rear fiaps of the cover sheet of said unit.

Referring first particularly to Figure 17 of the drawings, there is shown a book-case unit, designated generally at 25, of the general type in its unfinished stage prior to folding of the side, front and rear flap portions of the cover sheet against the adjacent edges of the stiffening panels and over and onto said panels to produce the finished book-case, as shown in Figure 2 As shown the book-case unit 25 comprises a main or cover sheet 26 of paper, cloth. leather, or other flexible material customarily used for this purpose, two stiffening panels 27 of cardboard or similar stiff material, and a back-lining strip 28 of stifi paper, cloth thin cardboard, or the like. In the production of the book-case unit 25, the cover sheet 26 provided with angular corners is overall coated on its inner face with a layer of adhesive material by a suitable gluing mechanism, and thereafter the panels 27 and strip 28 are applied to said face in side by side relation by suitable feeding mechanism such that the strip 28 is disposed between and spaced from the panels 27. and that side, front and rear marginal portions of the cover sheet 26 project beyond said panels and strip and thereby provide side, front and rear flaps 29, 3t) and 31, respectively. The gluing and feeding mechanisms form a part of the present machine, but for present purposes it is unnecessary to illustrate or describe the same since they form no part of the present invention which relates particularly to the manner in which the flaps 29, 3t! and 31 are folded over and onto the panels 27 and strip 28 to produce the finished book-case as shown in Figure 20.

After assembling of the cover sheet 26, panels 27 and strip 28, the book-case unit 25, while the adhesive on the flaps 29, 3t) and 31 is still tacky, passes between cooperating feed and pressure rollers 32 and 33. respectively, which serve to advance said book-case unit farther into the machine for the performance of the folding operations on said flaps in a manner and by folding mechanisms now to be described.

As herein shown, the various movable parts, as well as certain stationary parts, of the novel folding mechanisms and associated conveyors are all mounted on the main frame of the case making machine, said frame comprising two transversely spaced side frame members 35 (Figs. 1 and which rest on the machine foundation and are connected together by a number of cross beams, two only of said cross beams being shown and indicated at 36 and 37. The various movable parts of the folding mechanisms and associated conveyors may be driven by any suitable means which may comprise a chain 38 driven from any suitable source of power (not shown) and passing around a sprocket 39 which is fitcd on a shaft 4-0 that extends transversely of the machine and is journalled in suitable hearings on the side frame members 35. The shaft r-{i is driven continuously and makes one complete revolution for each cycle of operation of the machine.

From the feed and pressure rollers 32, 33, the bookcase units pass in succession and in timed relation to primary conveying means which serve to continue the forward movement of said units in a rectilineal path through the machine, and to also firmly hold each unit against any displacement relative to said conveying means for the accurate performance of folding operations on the side flaps 29, 29 of the cover sheet 26, as hereinafter described, during such movement of the book-case unit. As herein shown, said primary conveying means is preferably operated and comprised by the following instrumentalities.

Fixed on the driven single revolution shaft 49 is a sprocket 4-1 (Fig. 1) around which passes a chain 42 which also passes around and drives a smaller diameter sprocket 43. This sprocket 43 is fixed on and adjacent one end of a shaft 44 which extends transversely of the machine and is disposed below the plane of the feed roller 32. The shaft 44 is journalled at opposite ends thereof in suitable bearings provided on two side bars 45 disposed at opposite sides and extending longitudinally of the machine, one only of said side bars be ing shown in Figure 5 of the drawings. The side bars 45 are bolted or otherwise suitably secured at their forward ends to upright brackets l6, and adjacent their rear ends to similar upright brackets 47 (Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 5). The brackets 46 and 47 are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to cross bars 48 and 45 respectively, which rest on and are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the side frame members 35. The chain 42 also passes over an idler sprocket 50 which is adiustably secured to a bracket 51 so that slack in said chain may be taken up as desired, said bracket being bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the cross bar 43.

Spaced along and slidably mounted on the shaft 44 are two sprockets 52, one only being seen in Figure l of the drawings, which are symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of the ma.- chine and are drivably connected with said shaft by a key and keyway connection. Passing around and driven by the sprockets 52 are lowcr endless conveyor chains 53 (Figs. 1 and 5) which extend in a horizontal plane rearwardly from said sprockets and pass around similar idler sprockets 54. Each chain 53 provided at spaced intervals therealong with groups of special links to which are suitably secured rubber covered book-ease unit engaging pads 55. The chains 53 are arranged about the sprockets 52 and 5 so that the groups of pads 55 are in tranverse alignment. The sprockets 52 and 54 are suitably connected to and rotatably carried by longitudinally extending carriers 56 to enable adjustment of the chains 53 laterally of the mac inc toward or away from each other to accommodate book-case units 25 of different sizes. For this purpose, the carriers 56 are slidably mounted on spaced parallel cross shafts 57 which are suitably secured at their opposite ends to the side bars 45. Adjustment of the carriers 56 toward or away from each other along the shafts 44- and 57 is accomplished by two spaced parallel screw shafts 525 wh are rotatably carried by the side bars 45 and are suits. formed at one end thereof to receive crank to facilitate turning of said shafts. The shafts 53 are provided with right and lefthand threaded portions which are threaded through internally threaded bushings 5'? (i 5) fixed in the carriers 56. Rotation of the shafts 55- in the proper direction will thus effect lateral movements of the carriers 56 simultaneously toward or away from each other equal amounts and thereby impart like movcments to the conveyor chains 53 and sprockets a a"? without disturbing the driving connections between the sprockets 52 and shaft if desired, the screw shaft; 58 may be coupled together in a well known manner, as by a chain and sprockets, whereby rotation of one shaft will effect simultaneous rotation of the other shaft.

The rear end portions of the carriers 56 receiving the sprockets 54 are made as separate adjustable sections so that slack in the conveyor chains 53 may be taken up as desired. The upper reaches of the conveyor chains 53 are supported and guided for straight-line horiz ntal movement by rail-bars 60 (Figs. 1 and 5) which are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the carriers 56, and similar rail-bars 61 are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to said carriers for guiding the lower reaches of said chains.

Disposed directly above and cooperating with the conveyor chains 53 are upper endless pr ssurc chains 62 (Figs. 1 and 5) provided at correspondingly spaced intervals therealong with corresponding groups of special links to which are suitably secured rubber covered pressure pads 63. These pads 63 cooperate with the pads 55 on the conveyor chains 53 to insure positive movement of the successive book-case units 25 along the conveyor and to firmly hold said units against any displacement relatively to the conveyor 53 during such movement. The front portions of the pressure chains 62 pass around sprockets 64 which are slidably mounted on a shaft 65 and are drivably connected with said shaft by a key and keyway connection. The shaft 65 extends transversely of the machine and is journalled at opposite ends thereof in suitable bearings provided on two side bars 66 which are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the upright brackets 46 and 47. The rear portions of the pressure chains 62 pass around idler sprockets 67 which are suitably connected to and rotatably carried by longitudinally extending, laterally adjustable carriers 68. The front sprockets 64 are also suitably connected to and rotatably carried by the carriers 68, and said carriers are slidably mounted on spaced parallel cross shafts 69 which are suitably secured at their opposite ends to the side bars 66. The pressure chains 62 are continuously driven in unison with the conveyor chains 53 by a spur gear 70 (Fig. l) which is fixed on the driven shaft 44 and meshes with a similar gear 71 that is fixed on the shaft 65.

Adjustment of the carriers 68 toward or away from each other to accommodate book-case units 25 of different sizes is accomplished by two spaced parallel screw shafts 72 (Figs. 1 and 5) which are rotatably carried by the side bars 66 and are suitably formed at one end thereof to receive a crank to facilitate turning of said shafts. The shafts 72 are provided with right and lefthand threaded portions which are threaded through internally threaded bushings 73 fixed in the carriers 68. R- tation of the shafts 72 in the proper direction will thus effect lateral movements of the carriers 68 simultaneously toward or away from each other equal amounts along the shafts 65, 69 and thereby impart like movements to the pressure chains 62 and sprockets 64, 67 without disturbing the driving connections between the sprockets 64 and shaft 65. If desired, the screw shafts 72 may be coupled together in a well known manner, as by a chain and sprockets, whereby rotation of one shaft will cause simultaneous rotation of the other shaft.

The rear end portions of the carriers 68 receiving the sprockets 67 are made as separate adjustable sections so that slack in the pressure chains 62 may be taken up as desired. The lower reaches of the pressure chains 62 are guided by rail-bars 74 (Figs. 1 and for straight-line horizontal movement parallel to the upper reaches of the conveyor chains 53, said bars preventing upward displacement of the lower reaches of the chains 62 and being bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the carriers 68. The upper reaches of the pressure chains 62 are supported and guided by rail-bars 75 which are also bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the carriers 68.

It will thus be apparent that the book-case units 25 will be delivered by the rollers 32, 33 successively to and between the continuously driven conveyor chains 53 and pressure chains 62, and through engagement of successive groups of pads 55, 63 with the lower and upper surfaces, respectively, of successive book-case units, said units will be positively advanced edgewise and in spaced relation along a rectilineal path and will be firmly held against any displacement relatively to the chains 53, 62 during such movement by said chains. The chains 53, 62 are so laterally adjusted in accordance with the size of the bookcase units 25 being handled that the pads 55, 63 engage each book-case unit inwardly of the outer edges of the panels 27 and substantially in the center of said panels, whereby side edge portions of the book-case unit are free for accurate folding of the side flaps 29, 29 of the cover sheet 26 over and onto the panels 27, 27 in a manner and by folding mechanisms to be presently described.

As each book-case unit 25 is advanced by the primary conveyor comprising the chains 53 and 62, the side flaps 29, 29 of the cover sheet 26 of said unit are folded over and onto the panels 27, 27 by novel folding mechanisms while the book-case unit is in motion and without intefrupting the travel thereof. These flap folding mechanisms, indicated generally at 76 and 77 (Figs. 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7), are arranged at opposite sides of the path of travel of the book-case units 25 along the conveyor 53, 62 and are constructed one right-hand and the other left-hand, and since said mechanisms are otherwise identical in construction, mounting and operation, a description of one mechanism will suflice for both.

As shown particularly in Figures 1, 2 and 5 of the drawings, the flap folding mechanisms 76 and 77 are mounted on a common carriage 78 which extends transversely of the machine beneath the primary conveyor 53, 62. The carriage 78 is supported and guided for straight-line reciprocating movement longitudinally of the machine by means of brackets 79 which are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to said carriage at the front and rear thereof and are slidably engaged over two transversely spaced longitudinally extending parallel shafts 80. The shafts 80 are secured in any suitable manner at their rear ends in brackets 31 which are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the cross beam 36, and said shafts are secured in any suitable manner adjacent their front ends in brackets 82 which are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the underside of the cross bar 48.

The carriage 78 is positively reciprocated longitudinally of the machine to impart like positive movement simultaneously to the flap folding mechanisms 76 and 77, and this operation is so timed and controlled that it occurs once during each cycle of operation of the machine and in synchronism with the delivery of the book-case units 25 to the primary conveyor 53, 62, and that during folding of the side flaps 29, 29 of each book-case unit said mechanisms travel in unison with the book-case unit at substantially the same surface speed as said unit. For this purpose, the carriage 78 has suitably journalled thereon a roller 83 (Figs. 1 and 3) which is engaged in the cam groove 84 of a barrel cam 85 that is pinned or otherwise suitably secured to a short longitudinally extending shaft 86. The shaft 86 is journalled at the rear end thereof in a suitable bearing provided in a bracket 87, and said shaft is journalled at the front end thereof in suitable bearings provided in brackets 83 and 89 (Figs. 3 and 4), the brackets 87, 88 being fixedly clamped to the shafts 80, and the bracket 39 being bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the bracket 88 and being provided with transversely spaced forwardly extending arms 90.

Fixed on the forwardly projecting end of the shaft 86 is a bevel gear 91 (Fig. 4) which meshes with a similar gear 92 of the same size which is disposed between the arms of bracket 89 and is fixed on and adjacent one end of a shaft 93 that is journalled at said end in suitable bearings provided in said arms. The shaft 93 extends transversely of the machine and is supported and journalled at its other end in a suitable bearing provided in a bracket 94 which is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the adjacent side frame member 35. Fixed on the shaft 93 is a spur gear 5 (Figs. 1, 3 and 4) which meshes with a similar gear 96 which, in turn, meshes with a similar gear 97 that is fixed on the main single revolution shaft 40. The gears 95, 96 and 97 are of the same size, and gear 6 is fixed on a shaft 98 which extends transversely of the machine and is journalled at its opposite ends in suitable bearings provided in brackets (not shown) which are similar to the bracket 94. It will thus be apparent that shafts 93 and 93, through the described driving means therefor, will be driven continuously from the shaft 46 and will, like the latter shaft, make one complete revolution for each cycle of operation of the machine. Accordingly, the barrel cam 85 will likewise make one complete revolution for each cycle of operation of the machine to impart a positive forward movement and a positive return movement to the carriage 78 in said cycle, the shape of the 7 cam groove 84 being so chosen that during a portion of the forward movement of the carriage 78 the folding mechanisms 76 and '77 will travel in unison with and substantially at the same surface speed as the primary conveyor 53, 62. The shaft 93 has loosely mounted thereon an idler sprocket d9 (Pi 4) which is engaged by the primary-conveyor-driving chain 42 to hold the return reach of said chain out of rubbing contact with said shaft.

Referring now to Figures 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7 of the drawings, the flap folding mechanism 76 is disposed at one side of the path of movement of the book-case units 25 along the conveyor 53, 62 and extends longitudinally of said conveyor, and the flap folding mechanism 77 is disposed at the opposite side of said path and likewise extends longitudinally of said conveyor. As herein sh each folding mechanism 76 and 77 compriss, an upri bracket 1% which rests on and is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to a horizontal plate till that is slirlably mounted on the carriage 7% to enable adjustment of each folding mechanism transversely of the machine to accommodnte book-case units 25 of diff'rent widths. The plate MP1 is confined between front and rear shoulders 1&2 formed on the carriage 78, and is held against upward displacement from said carriage by bars 183 which overlap said plate and are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the carriage.

The bracket 1th) of each folding mechanism 76 and 77 has bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the upper surface thereof a horizontal plate 104 which extends lorgitudinally of the primary conveyor 53, 62. Secured in any suitable manner to the upper surface of the plate 164 is a spacer-bar 105 having secured thereto in any suitable manner a horizontal bar 1% which extends tie full length of the plate 184 and projects beyond the front and rear ends of said plate. The bar 1126 is so located vertically th t the upper surface thereof is substantially in the plane of the upper reaches of the conveyor chains 53 including the pads 55 thereon. The flap folding mechanisms 76 and 77 are so adjusted transversely of the machine that the respective bars 1% operate to effectively support the opposite free overhanging side portions of the advancing bookcase unit 25 during folding of the side flaps 29, 29 thereof. The rear ends of the bars illare suitably rounded or tapered so as to guide the successive book-case units over and onto said bars.

The bar 3% of each flap folding mechanism 76 and 77 has bolted or otherwise suitably secured thereto on the outer side and at the rear end thereof a relatively short vertically disposed flap folding blade 1%? (Figs. 1, 2 and 5) having an inclined upper edge which begins substantially at the rear end and upper stuface of said bar and terminates a short distance above said surface. in the adjusting of the folding mechanisms 76 and 77 transversely of the machine for the size of book-case unit 25 to be handled, said mechanisms are symmetrically located on opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of the machine such that the distance between the respective folding blades N37 is substantially equal to the overall width of both book- case panels 27, 27 plus twice the thickness of the cover sheet 26. Accordingly, as the advancing book-case unit 25 travels along the primary conveyor 53, 62 and relatively to the bars 166, the side flaps 29, 29 of said unit will be initially bent or folded by the blades 197 upwardly and sharply about the lower edges of the respective panels 27, 27 to a vertical position at right angles to and square with said panels, as shown in Figure 6 of the drawings. This initial folding of the side flaps 29, 29 of the book-ease unit 25 by the blades is preferably, but not necessarily, effected during the rearward movement or return stroke of the folding mechanisms 76 and 77 effected by the carriage 78 through roration of the cam 85'. In this manner, the folding mechanisms 76 and 77 meet the advancing book-case unit and through relative movements of said unit and the 8 folding blades 197 in opposite directions, respectively, the initial folding of the side flaps 29, 29 is quickly accomplished and completed prior to the forward movement of said folding mechanisms.

Secured in any suitable manner in the bracket 1% of each flap folding mechanism 76 and 77 are two axially aligned tubular shafts 198 (Figs. 2, 6 and 7) which extend in spaced relation longitudinally of the bracket and project beyond the front and rear ends of said bracket. The shafts 19 3 provide suitable bearings for a rock shaft 169 extending therethrough and projecting beyond the outer ends thereof. Secured in any suitable manner to the projecting opposite ends of the rock shaft 109 are arms 110 which project upwardly from said shaft beyond the plate 104 through suitable clearance openlugs in said plate. Pivotally connected as at 111 to the up er ends of the arms 119 are other arms 112 which pro ect inwardly from the arms 119 over the plate 1%. Connected as at 113 to the arms 112 are corresponding ends of coil extension springs 114 the opposite ends of which are connected to pins 115 which are secured in any suitable manner in the opposite ends of the rock shaft 109, These springs 114 serve to yicldingly urge the arms 112 downwardly toward the plate 104, and to continuously apply a yielding pressure on said arms for a purpose to appear hereinafter. The arms 112 have journaled thereon as at 116 rollers 117 which normally engage the upper surfaces of short guide bars 118 for normally holding said arms against downward pivotal movement by the springs M4 beyond a predetermined elevation with respect to the plate 104 and bar 106. The guide bars 118 are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to brackets 119 which, in turn, are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the plate 164.

Extending longitudinally between the arms 112 of each of the flap folding mechanisms 76 and 77 in a relatively long flap folding roll 12% (Figs. 1, 2, 6 and 7) which is journallcd at opposite ends thereof in suitable bearings provided in the lower portions of said arms. The folding roll 120 is so located on the arms 112 that when said arms are in their outermost retracted positions and with the rollers ll! on said arms in engagement with the guide bars 113, as shown in Figure 6, said folding roll is disposed outwardly and clear of the adjacent initially folded upstanding side flap 29 of the book-case unit 25 resting on the bar 1%, and the lower part of said folding roll extends a slight distance below the plane of the upper surfaces of the panels 27 of said unit. It will thus be apparent that when the spring-pressed folding roll 12!) of each folding mechanism 76 and 77 is moved inwardly from the normal position thereof shown in Figure 6 to the position shown in Figure 7, through rocking motion of the arms ill and resulting inward movement of the arms 112, said folding roll will engage the adjacent upstanding side ilap 2? of the book-case unit 25 and further fold the same inwardly over the adjacent panel 27 of said unit and into intimate adhering contact with said panel, at the same time tightly drawing said side flap against and around the outer side edge of the panel. After the side flaps 29, 2? have been folded over by the rolls 129 in the manner just described, said rolls are moved outwardly and returned to their original positions, said rolls rolling over said flaps and out of engagement with the book-case unit 25.

In the operation of the flap folding mechanisms '76 and 77, the folding rolls thereof are simultaneously moved inwardly towards each other and then outwardly away from each other once during each cycle of operation of the machine, and these movements are so timed that they occur during the forward movement of said mechanisms and while the latter are travelling in unison with the advancing book-case unit 25 and substantially at the same surface speed as that of said unit. As herein shown, said inward and outward movements are imparted to the folding rolls 124) by mechanism preferably constructed, mounted and operated as follows. Fixed on the single revolution shaft 93 is a cam 121-which engages a roller 122 journalled on a vertically disposed arm 123 intermediate the ends of said arm (Figs. 3 and 4). This arm 123 is fixed at its lower end on a shaft 124 which extends transversely of the machine and is journalled at its opposite ends in suitable bearings provided on the side frame members 35. Pivotally connected as at 125 to the arm 123 is one end of a horizontal spring-pressed rod 126 the opposite end of which is guided in a suitable opening formed in the cross beam 36. The spring 127 for the rod 126 is mounted thereon between the cross beam 36 and a collar 128 adjustably secured on said rod. The arm 123 is thus cam operated in one direction by the cam 121 and is spring operated in the opposite direction by the spring 127 through the rod 126, said spring also serving to maintain the roller 122 in engagement with said cam.

The arm 123 has pivotally connected to the upper end thereof the forward end of an adjustable connecting link 129 (Figs. 3 and 4). The rear end of link 129 is pivotally connected to the lower end of an arm 130 which is fixed at its upper end on a rock shaft 131 at one end thereof. This shaft 131 extends transversely of the machine beneath the primary conveyor 53, 62 and is journalled in suitable bearings in brackets 132 which are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the upright brackets 46. Pivotally connected as at 133 to the arm 130 is the forward end of an adjustable connecting rod 134 the rear end of which is pivotally connected to the lower end of an arm 135 which is disposed parallel to the arm 130 and is fixed at its upper end to a rock shaft 136. The shaft 136 extends transversely of the machine and is journalled in suitable hearings in brackets 137 which are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the upright brackets 47. Secured in parallel relation to the parallel shafts 131 and 136 substantially in the center thereof are two identical arms 138 and 139, respectively, having pivotally connected thereto at the upper ends thereof the front and rear ends, respectively, of a horizontal bar 140. This bar 140 bears against a roller 141 which is disposed beneath said bar and is journalled on the free end of an arm 142 which is pinned or otherwise suitably secured to a rock shaft 143. This shaft 143 extends transversely of the machine and is journalled in suitable hearings in the brackets 100 of the folding mechanisms 76 and 77. The shaft 143 is further journalled centrally thereof in a suitable bearing in a center bracket 144 (Fig. which is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the carriage 78, said bracket and the arm 142 serving to hold said shaft against axial shifting movement in opposite directions for a purpose to appear hereafter.

Keyed to the shaft 143 and slidable therealong with the brackets 100 of the folding mechanisms 76 and 77 are two identical arms 145 (Figs. 2 and 5) having piv' otally connected thereto at 146 the lower ends of adjustable connecting rods 147. The upper ends of these rods 147 are pivotally connected with the free ends of two identical arms 148 one of which is pinned or otherwise suitably secured to the rock shaft 109 of the folding mechanism 76 and the other of which is pinned or otherwise suitably secured to the rock shaft 109 of the folding mechanism 77, said arms being located in the spaces between the tubular shafts 108 of said mechanisms. The arms 145 have connected thereto at 149 corresponding ends of coil extension springs 150 the opposite ends of which are connected at 151 to the plates 104 of the fold ing mechanisms 76 and 77.

it will thus appear that when the roller 122 on arm 123 is engaged in the low part of the cam 121 through rotation of said cam and the yielding action of the springpressed rod 126, the bar 140 will, through the described connections therefor with said arm, be lowered. Under these conditions, the shaft 143 and arms 145 thereon will, through engagement of the bar 140 with the roller 141 and downward movement of the arm 142 by said bar, be simultaneously rocked in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 2, against the opposition of the springs 150, whereupon the folding rolls of the folding mechanisms '76 and 77 will, through the described connections between said rolls and the rock shafts 109 and between the latter shafts and the arms 145, be simultaneously rocked inwardly towards each other to flap folding positions. When the roller 122 on arm 123 is thereafter engaged by the high part of the cam 121 through continued rotation of said cam, the bar will be raised, whereupon the arm 142 will be released and the folding rolls 120 will be simultaneously moved outwardly to their original positions by the contracting action of the springs on the arms 145 and the resulting movement of said arms in a counterclockwise direction. It will also appear that by virtue of the bar 140 and the described mounting of the arm 142, shaft 143 and arms 145 on the reciprocating folding mechanisms 76 and 77, the described inward and outward movements of the folding rolls 120 will be effected during bodily movement of said folding mechanisms longitudinally of the machine and in the direction of travel of the book-case units 25.

Movable with the folding mechanisms 76 and 77 are top rods 152 (Figs. 2, 5, 6 and 7) for holding the free overhanging side portions of the advancing book-case unit 25 against upward displacement during the initial folding of the side flaps 29 by the blades 107. The top rods 152 are secured at 153 to the arms 112 for relative vertical adjustment and for inward and outward movements with said arms and the folding rolls 120. When the folding rolls 120 are in their outermost retracted positions, the top rods 152 are operatively located close to the outer side edges of the panels 27, 27 of the advancing book-case unit 25, as shown in Figure 6. When the folding rolls 120 are moved inwardly, the top rods 152 are likewise moved inwardly and hence, inoperatively located clear of the panels 27, 27 so as not to interfere with the folding of the side flaps 29, 29 by said rolls, as shown in Figure 7.

It will be noted in Figure 17 that for the purpose of facilitating the formation of neatly formed square corners on the book-cases, the cover sheets 26 are customarily provided with bevelled corners the edges of which are at an angle of about forty-five degrees to the adjacent straight edges of the otherwise rectangular cover sheets. It will also be noted in Figure 18 that when the side flaps 29, 29 of the cover sheet 26 are folded over and onto the panels 27, 27, the opposite ends of said flaps extend beyond the front and rear edges of said panels and overlap the unfolded front and rear flaps 30 and 31 of said cover sheet, resulting in two thicknesses of the cover sheet at the four corners of the book-case unit. In subsequently folding the front and rear flaps 30 and 31 of the cover sheet 26 to complete the book-case, the projecting loose ends of the folded over side flaps 29, 29 are liable to buckle and, hence, cause the completely folded cover sheet to be somewhat bunchy at the corners. In order to obviate this undesirable result, and to insure the formation of neatly formed square corners on the finished book-cases, the folding mechanisms 76 and 77 are each provided with two so-called tuckers 154 (Figs. 2, 6 and 7) which are moved inwardly and outwardly with the respective folding rolls 120 and serve during inward movement thereof to break or crease the projecting free ends of the folded over side flaps 29, 29 against the front and rear edges of the respective panels 27, 27 and to firmly press said ends into intimate adhering contact with the underlying front and rear flaps 30 and 31 of the cover sheet 26, as shown in Figures 7 and 18.

As shown in Figures 2, 6 and 7, the tuckers 154 for each folding mechanism are pivotally mounted at 155 on brackets 156 which are releasably clamped to two parallel rods 157 for adjustment along said rods to ac conimodate book-case units 25 of different lengths. The rods extend longitudinally between the arms 11.2 and are secured in any suitable manner at the opposite ends thereof to said arms. Each tucker 154 is provided in the upper surface thereof with an annular recess within which is slidably mounted a spring-pressed plunger which engages the bracket 156 and through such engagcment yieldingly urges the tucker downwardly about its pivot 155 and yieldingly resists upward movement of said tucker during action of the same on the book-case unit Downward movement of the tuc. by its plunger E53 is limited by an abutment member in the form of a screw which is adjustably threaded through the end of said tucker and engages the bracket 155, .aid abutment member being also utilized to adjust the tucker to a desired level for proper action on the book-case unit 25.

The tuckers 154 are adjusted along the rods 5 .7 such that the distance from the inner vertical face of one tucker to the inner vertical face of the other tucker is equal to the length of the paneis 27 of the boob the folding of the side panels 29, 29 of the book-case unit is effected. Under these conditions, when the folding rolls 1"{5 of the folding mechanisms 76 and 77 moved inwardly and the side flaps 29, 29 of the advancing bookcase unit are folded over and onto the panels 27, 27 by said rolls as above described, the tuckers 154, through inward movement thereof with the folding rolls 12 will yieidingly engage the projecting opposite free ends of the folded over side flaps 2), 29, break the same against the front and rear edges of the respective panels 27, 27, and firmly press said ends against the underlying front and rear flaps 3i) and 31, respectively, of the cover sheet 26.

by the folding rolls 120, and the projecting ends of s id flaps have been pressed into intimate adhering contact with the front and rear flaps 3i) and 31, respectively, of t e cover sheet 2;: by the tuckers 154 as above described, rolls and therewith said tuckers are moved outwardly and returned to their original positions clear of the advancing bookuse unit while the folding mechanisms 76 and 77 are still travelling in unison w .1 said book-ease unit and at substantially the same surface speed thereof. Thereafter the folding mechanisms 76 and '77 idly complete their forward strokes and immediately move rearuly to meet the next or succeeding bookcase unit 25 and effect folding of the side flaps 29, 73 of said unit in the manner above described.

The successive bookcase units 25 are presented to the primary conveyor 53, 62. such that they are located centrally between the side frame members of the machine. Accordingly, the folding mechanisms 76 and 77 are disposed symmetrically on opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of the machine and are arranged for adjustment simultaneously toward or away from each other equal amounts to accommodate book-case units 25 of different widths. This adjustment of the folding mechanisms 76 and 77 is accomplished by two longitudinally spaced parallel screw shafts 160 (Figs. 1, 2 and 5) which extend transversely of said folding mechanisms and are iournalled at corresponding ends thereof in suitable bearings in brackets 161 bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the carriage 78 at one side thereof, said shafts being held against axial movement in any suitable manner and by any suitable means and being suitably formed at said ends to receive a crank to facilitate turning of the same. The shafts 160 are provided with right and left-hand threaded portions which are threaded through internally threaded bushings 162 and 163 secured in any suitable manner in brackets 16%, two of said brackets receiving the bushings 162 and being bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the underside of the plate 101 of the folding mechanism 76, and two of said brackets carrying the bushings 163 and being bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the underside of the plate 101 of the folding mechanism 77. Rotation of the shafts 169 in the proper direction will thus effect lateral adjustment of the folding mechanisms 76 and 77 simultaneously toward or away from each other equal amounts. If desired, the shafts may be coupled together in a well known manner, as by a chain and sprockets, whereby rotation of one shaft will effect simultaneous rotation of the other shaft.

After the side flaps 29, 29 of the advancing book-case unit 25 have been folded over and onto the panels 27, 27 by the folding rolls 12%) and said rolls have been returned to their original positions clear of the bookcase unit, said book-case unit is further advanced and transferred by the primary conveyor 53, 62 to a secondary conveyor comprising a plurality of transversely spaced endless tapes or belts 165 (Figs. 1, 8 and 10) which serve to advance the book-case unit 25 in the plane thereof and in a rectilineal path further through the machine. The secondary conveyor comprising the tapes 165 is located close to and substantially in the plane of the upper reaches of the chains 53 of the primary conveyor to receive the successive book-case units 25 directly from said primary conveyor.

As shown particularly in Figures 1 and 8, the rear portions of the tapes 1'65 pass around an idler roller tee which extends transversely of the machine and is journalled at opposite ends thereof in suitable hearings in brackets 167 which are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to side bars 168 and 169 disposed horizontally in parallel relation and extending longitudinally of the machine. The side bars 163, 169 are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to front upright brackets 171) and to rear upright brackets 171. The brackets 170 and 171 are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to cross bars 172 and 1.73, respectively, which rest on and are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the side frame members 35. From the idler roller 166, the tapes 165 extend forwardly and pass around front idler rollers 17%, then downwardly and around a driven roller 175, then upwardly under tape tightening rollers 176 and over idler rollers 177, then rearwardly over idler rollers 1'78 and under an idler roller 179. The idler rollers 174 and 177 are journalled in any suitable manner on brackets 18% which are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to a bar 131. The bar 131 extends transversely of the machine and is bolted or otherwise suitably secured at its opposite ends to brackets 132 which, in turn, are bolted. or otherwise suitably secured to the side bars 163 and 169. be driven roller 175 extends transversely of the machine and is journalled at its opposite ends in suitable bearings provided in vertical plates 133 which are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the side frame members 35. The tape tightening rollers 176 are journalled on arms 184 which are adjustably secured to a stay shaft 135 that extends transversely of the machine and is secured in any suitable manner on the plates 183. The idler rollers 173 are journalled in any suitable manner on brackets 18K which are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to a bar 137. The bar 187 extends transversely of the machine and is bolted or otherwise suitably secured at its opposite ends to braclze. 188 which, in turn, are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the side bars 168 and 169. The idler roller 1'79 extends transversely of the machine and is jonrnallcd at its opposite ends in suitable bearings in brackets 139 which are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the side bars 168 and 169.

The upper reaches of the tapes 165 are relatively short bars or slats 19% (Figs. 8 and 10) disposed between the idler rollers 166 and 179, and by relatively long bars or slats 191 (Figs. 1 and 16) which supported by are disposed between the idler rollers 177 and 178 and are secured in any suitable manner to the brackets 180 and 136. The short bars 190 are secured in any suitable manner to brackets 192 which are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to a cross bar 193. The bar 193 is bolted or otherwise suitably secured at its opposite ends to brackets 194 which, in turn, are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the side bars 168 and 169. The bars 181, 137 and 193 also serve to connect the side bars 168 and 169 together, and said side bars are further connected together at their forward ends by a tie-shaft 195 secured in any suitable manner thereto.

Disposed directly above the idler rollers 166 and 179 are sets of rubber-covered presser rollers 196 and 197, respectively, which cooperate with the tapes 165 to insure feeding of the bookcase units 25 by said tapes forwardly through the machine (Figs. 1, 9 and 10). The presser rollers 196 are secured in spaced relation to, and adjustable along, a shaft 198 which extends transversely of the machine and is journalled at its opposite ends in bearings which are yieldably and adjustably mounted on brackets 199 whereby the rollers 196 may yield relative to the tapes 165 and be adjusted vertically with respect thereto. The brackets 199 are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to side bars 200 which are spaced directly above the side bars 168, 169 and are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the upright brackets 170 and 171. The side bars 200 are connected together adjacent their front and rear ends by tie-shafts 201 secured in any suitable manner thereto. The presser rollers 197 are secured in spaced relation to, and adjustable along, a shaft 202 which extends transversely of the machine and is journalled at its opposite ends in yieldable and adjustable bearings which are mounted on brackets 203 and which enable the rollers 197 to yield relative to the tapes 165 and be adjusted vertically with respect thereto. The brackets 203 are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the side bars 200. The presser rollers 196 and 197 are so adjusted along their respective shafts 193 and 202, in accordance with the size of the bookcase unit 25 being handled, that the inner rollers are located on opposite sides of the back-lining strip 28 of the advancing book-case unit, and that the outermost rollers engage the folded-over side flaps 29, 29 of said unit whereby further pressure is applied by said rollers on said flaps and a firm adhesive bond between the same and the panels 27, 27 is further assured.

Disposed above the front portions of the tapes 165 is a set of relatively short endless tapes or belts 204 (Figs. 1 and 9) which cooperate with the tapes 165 to insure feeding of the finished book-cases by said latter tapes forwardly from the machine, as will be hereinafter described. The front and rear ends of the tapes 204 pass around idler rollers 205 which are journalled in any suitable manner on bars 206 disposed horizontally in parallel relation and extending longitudinally of the machine. The bars 206 are releasably clamped in spaced relation to, and adjustable along, a shaft 207 which extends transversely of the machine and is fixed in any suitable manner at its opposite ends on the side bars 200. The lower reaches of the tapes 204 are yieldingly pressed against the upper reaches of the tapes 165 by a plurality of rollers 208 which are journalled on the lower ends of arms 209. These arms 209 are pivotally mounted on the bars 206 by pins 210 which are secured in the upper ends of said arms and are loosely engaged in suitable openings formed in said bars. Suitable resilient means such as, for example, spiral springs 211, act on the pins 210 to yieldingly urge the arms 209 and rollers 208 downwardly.

The tapes or belts 165 are continuously driven at the same surface speed as that of the primary conveyor comprising the chains 53 and 62, and for this purpose the driven single revolution shaft 40 has fixed thereon a sprocket 212 (Fig. 1) around which passes a chain 213 (Figs. 1 and 8) which also passes around and drives a smaller diameter sprocket 214. This sprocket 214 is located exteriorly of the side bar 169 and is fixed on the outwardly projecting end of a shaft 215 which is thus driven by the chain 213. The shaft 215 extends transversely of the machine beneath the horizontal portions of the tapes and is journalled at opposite ends thereof in suitable bearings in the side bars 168, 169 and in the upright brackets 170. The chain 213 also passes under an idler sprocket 216 which is adjustably and rotatably carried by a bracket 217 so that slack in said chain may be taken up as desired, said bracket being bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the side bar 169.

Fixed on the shaft 215 adjacent to and interiorly of the side bar 169 and driven by said shaft is a sprocket 218 (Fig. 8) around which passes a chain 219 (Figs. 1 and 8). From the sprocket 218 the chain 219 passes forwardly over a sprocket 220 and over and around a sprocket 221, and then downwardly over an idler sprocket 222 and around a sprocket 223. The sprockets 218 and 223 are of the same size, and the sprockets 220 and 221 are of the same size but smaller than the sprockets 218 and 223. The sprocket 223 is fixed on one end of the tape roller which is thus driven by the chain 219 to impart continuous movement to the tapes 165 at the same surface speed as that of the primary conveyor 53, 62. The sprocket 220 is fixed on one end of a shaft 224 which extends transversely of the machine and is journalled in suitable hearings in brackets 225 which are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the side bars 168 and 169. Fixed on the shaft 224 and located centrally of the tapes 165 is a delivery roller 226 which by virtue of the smaller diameter sprocket 220 is thus continuously driven by the chain 219 at a surface speed in excess of the surface speed of the tapes 165. The sprocket 221 is fixed on one end of a delivery roller 227 which extends transversely of the machine and is journalled in suitable bearings in brackets 228 which are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the side bars 168 and 169. By virtue of the smaller diameter sprocket 221, the delivery roller 227 is continuously driven by the chain 219 at the same excess surface speed as that of the delivery roller 226. The delivery rollers 226 and 227 operate to receive the finished book-cases successively from the tapes 165 and rapidly discharge the same from the machine into a receptacle (not shown) or onto a conveyor or other well-known receiving means. For this purpose, the delivery rollers 226 and 227 are so located that the tops thereof are substantially in the plane of the tapes 165. The sprocket 222 provides for taking up of any slack in the chain 219, and is adjustably and rotatably carried by a bracket (not shown) which is the same as the bracket 217 and is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to adjacent side frame member 35.

It will thus be apparent that with the construction thus far described, the book-case units 25 successively presented to the primary conveyor 53, 62 in the form thereof shown in Figure 17, are continuously advanced by said primary conveyor in the plane thereof and in a rectilineal path and during such advancing movement the side flaps 29, 29 of each book-case unit are effectively folded over and onto the panels 27, 27 by the folding mechanisms 76 and 77 without stopping or in any way retarding the forward movement of the book-case unit. From the primary conveyor 53, 62, each book-case unit 25 passes, in the form thereof shown in Figure 18, directly onto the tapes 165 and is further advanced continuously by said tapes and the cooperating presser rollers 196 and 197 in the plane thereof and in the same rectilineal path. It is during this continued movement of each book-case unit 25 by and along the tapes 165 that the front and rear flaps 30 and 31, respectively, of each book-case unit are successively folded over and onto the panels 27, 27 by novel front flap folding mechanism, indicated generally at 230, and by novel rear flap folding mechanism, indicated generally at 231 (Fig. l), to be presently described, said folding of said front and rear flaps being also effected without stopping the book-case unit or in any way retarding the forward movement thereof.

As shown in Figures 1, 9, l0, l1 and 12, the front flap folding mechanism 230 is disposed above the rear portions of the tapes 165 and between the presser rollers 196 and 197, and is preferably operated and comprised by the following instrumentalities. Extending transversely of the tapes 165 is a shaft 232 which is preferably, but not necessarily, tubular and has fixedly clamped thereto in axial spaced relation two identical brackets 233. The brackets 233 are symmetrically disposed at opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of the machine and are spaced apart a distance sufficient to accommodate the book-case units of varying sizes capable of being handled in the machine. Extending transversely of the tapes 165 and disposed below and rearwardly of the shaft 252 is a shaft 234 which is preferably, but not necessarily, tubular and is provided at opposite ends thereof with stub shafts 235 secured therein in any suitable manner and which are rotatably mounted in suitable bearings provided in the brackets 233. Disposed inwardly of and close to the brackets 233 are two identical horizontal arms 236 which are fixedly clamped at their rear ends to the stub shafts 235 of the shaft 234.

Extending transversely of the tapes 165 and disposed below and forwardly of the shaft 232 is a roller 237 (Figs. 9, 10, ll and 12) which is preferably, but not necessarily, tubular and is preferably journalled on needle bearings 238 disposed in opposite ends of said roller and mounted on studs 239 which are secured in any suitable manner in the front ends of the arms 236. Extending transversely of the tapes 165 and disposed below the shaft 232 and between the shaft 234 and roller 237 is a shaft 249 which is preferably journalled for rocking movement on needle bearings 241 disposed in the opposite ends of said shaft and mounted on studs 242 which are secured in any suitable manner in the arms 236. It will be noted that the axes of the roller 237 and shafts 251-i, 249 are all in the same plane (Fig. 10), and that the roller 237 and shaft 240 are carried by the arms 236. it will also be noted that the arms 236, roller 237 and shaft are capable of pivotal movement as a unit about the axis of the shaft 234 relative to the end-brackets 233, and that the roller 237 is of a diameter larger than that of the shaft 234.

Fixedly clamped to the shaft 24% centrally thereof is an abutment block 243 (Figs. 10, 1i and 12) which is adapted to normally engage a sleeve 244 of rubber or other suitable shock absorbing material, said sleeve being disposed forwardly of said block and being engaged over a ing 245 formed integrally with a bracket 246 which is fixedly clamped to the shaft 232. Fixedly clamped to the shaft 24% and spaced substantially along the entire length of said shaft is a set of flap folding fingers 24-7 which are transversely aligned and so rotatably positioned on said shaft that when the abutment block 243 is in en gagement with the sleeve 244, said fingers normally extend downwardly and rearwardly at a desired angle, preferably forty-five degrees, from said shaft. Surrounding opposite ends of the shaft 24f) are torsion springs 248 having corresponding ends thereof suitably connected to the adjacent outermost fingers 247 and the opposite ends suitably connected tothe adjacent studs 242. The springs 2 :3 operate to yieldingly urge the fingers 247 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 10, to the normal position thereof shown in said figure determined through engagement of the block 24-3 with the sleeve 244, and to yieldingly resist rocking movement of said fingers in a counter-clockwise direction from said position under certain conditions, as will be hereinafter described.

The forward ends of the arms 236 have pivotally connected therewith, as at 249, rods 250 (Fig. 10) which extend upwardly through suitable clearance openings in brackets 251 which are disposed directly above the arms 236 and are fixedly clamped to the shaft 232. Surrounding the rods 250 between the arms 236 and brackets 251 are coil compression springs 252 having the lower ends thereof engaging against said arms and the upper ends engaging against said brackets. Threaded on the upper ends of the rods 256 are adjusting nuts 253 cngagcable with the brackets 25]. The springs 252 operate to yieldingly urge the arms 236 and parts carried thereby downwardly relative to the end-brackets 233, and to continuously apply a yielding pressure on said arms. The a' justing nuts 253 operate to hold the arms 236 and parts carried thereby against downward movement by the springs 252 when the folding mechanism 235 is in its raised inoperative position shown in Figure l, and said nuts are utilized to adjust the level of said arms and parts with respect to the tapes when said folding mechanism is in its lowered operative position shown in Figure 10,

The front flap folding mechanism 230 is normally disposed in its raised position shown in Figure l, and is lowered and raised once during each cycle of operation of the machine in timed relation with the delivery of each book-case unit 25 to the secondary tape conveyor 165 by the primary chain conveyor 53, 62. For this purpose, the shaft 232 of the folding mechanism 23%) is extended beyond the side bars 200 through suitable elongated angularly disposed openings 254 formed in said bars (Figs. 9 and 10). Secured to the opposite ends of the shaft 232 are corresponding ends of identical arms 255 which are pivotally mounted at the opposite ends thereof on studs 256 secured in any suitable manner in brackets 257 which are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the side bars 209 (Figs. 1, 9 and ll). The arms 255 are formed with depending arms 258 to the free ends of which are pivotally connected the upper ends of adjustable connecting rods 259. The lower ends of the connecting rods 259 are pivotally connected to the free rear ends of identical arms 26 These arms 260 are secured at their front ends to a rock shaft 261 which extends transversely of the machine and is journalled at opposite ends thereof in suitable bearings on the side frame members 35. Fixed on the shaft 261 and extending upwardly therefrom is an arm 262 having journalled thereon at the upper end thereof a roller 263 which engages a cam 264 that is fixed on the driven single revolution shaft 40. The roller 263 is maintained in engagement with the cam 264 by a spring-pressed rod 265 one end of which is pivotally connected to the arm 262 and the opposite end of which extends through a suitable clearance opening in a plate 266 bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the cross beam 37. The spring 267 for rod 265 is mounted thereon rearwardly of the plate 266 and between the latter and a collar 263 adjustably secured on said rod. It will thus appear that the arm 262 is cam opcratedin one direction by cam 264 and spring operated in the opposite direction by spring 267 through rod 265 under the control of said cam, which causes rocking movement of the shaft 263 and raising and lowering of the front flap folding mechanism 236 through the described operating connections therefor with said shaft.

In the make-ready of the machine for handling bookcase units 25 of a particular size and thickness, the roller 263 on arm 262 is engaged With the low part of earn 264, thus lowering the front flap folding mechanism 230 to its operative position, such engagement limiting the downward movement of said folding mechanism and determining the operative position thereof. Depending on the thickness of the book-case units 25 that are to be handled, the folding mechanism 230 is then appropriately adjusted with respect to the upper surfaces of the tapes 1.65 so that the arms 236 are substantially parallel to said tapes and that the roller 237 either just contacts said tape surfaces or is spaced therefrom a distance substantially equal to one-half the thickness of the book-case unit, such adjustment being made by increasing or decreasing the length of the connecting rod 259 and by rotating the adjusting nuts 253 in the proper direction. In this manner sufficient pressure will be applied by the roller 237 on the folded over front flap 30 of each book-case unit 25 to insure a firm adhesive bond between said flap and the panels 27, 27 and excessive crowding of each advancing book-case unit between the roller 237 and tapes 165 and possible buckling of said bookcase unit and bouncing of said roller resulting therefrom is completely avoided. It is to be noted that when the folding mechanism 230 is in its lowered operative position shown in Figure 10, the flap folding fingers 247 extend downwardly and rearwardly at an angle between the tapes 165 and into the path of the advancing book-case unit 25.

In operation, while the side flaps 29, 29 of the advancing book-case unit 25 are being folded over and onto the panels 27, 27 by the side flap folding mechanisms 76 and 77 as above described, the front flap folding mechanism 230 is disposed in its raised inoperative position shown in Figure 1. As the book-case unit 25 now in the form thereof shown in Figure 18 is delivered by the primary conveyor 53, 62 to the tapes 165 and between the latter and the first set of presser rollers 196, or just prior to such delivery, the front flap folding mechanism 230 is lowered to its operative position shown in Figure 10. Under these conditions, the front or leading flap 30 of the book-case unit 25, through continued forward movement of said unit by the tapes 165 and presser rollers 196, will engage and ride up and along the inclined fingers 247 and thus will be bent or partly folded upwardly about the leading or front edges of the panels 27, 27. As the book-case unit 25 continues to move forwardly by the action of the tapes 165 and presser rollers 196 thereon, the fingers 247, through such continued forward -movement and engagement of the book-case unit there- -with, are swung by said book-case unit in a counter- =clockwise direction (Fig. against the tension of the springs 248 to a position such that they extend downward- }ly and forwardly in the direction of travel of the bookcase unit, whereupon the front or leading flap 30 of said i book-case unit is tightly drawn against the front or leading edges of the panels 27, 27 and is further folded up- -wardly and rearwardly over and onto said panels by the :spring-tensioned fingers 247 as the bookcase unit passes beneath the same. It will be noted that the shaft 234 Ihas an axial portion thereof removed, as indicated at 269, -to provide sufiicient clearance space for the described 'forward swinging movement of the fingers 247. From :the fingers 247 the advancing book-case unit 25 passes Ebeneath the spring-pressed roller 237 which operates to .firmly press the folded-over front flap 30 into intimate :adhering contact with the panels 27, 27 and the foldedover side flaps 29, 29.

Immediately after the front flap 30 of the book-case t unit 25 has been folded over and pressed onto the panels :27, 27 by the fingers 247 and roller 237 as described, :the folding mechanism 230 is raised to its inoperative ;position, as shown in Figure 1, suificiently to move the fingers 247 and roller 237 out of engagement with the passing book-case unit, whereby contact of said fingers and roller with the adhesive coated rear or trailing flap .31 of the book-case unit and transfer of adhesive from said flap to the fingers and roller is completely avoided. Upon raising of the folding mechanism 230 and disengagement of the fingers 247 from the advancing bookcase unit 25 as described, said fingers are swung rearwardly or clockwise (Fig. 10) relative to said book-case unit and returned to their original positionby the action of the springs 248 in readiness to act on the next or succeeding book-case unit during the. next cycle of, opera ation of the machine whenthe folding mechanism'230 is 18 again lowered and the above described operations are repeated.

After the front flap 30 of the book-case unit 25 has been folded over and pressed onto the panels 27, 27 by the fingers 247 and roller 237 as described, said bookcase unit passes from the first set of presser rollers 196 to and beneath the second set of presser rollers 197 which cooperate with the tapes to insure continued forward movement of the book-case unit 25, which is now in the form thereof shown in Figure 19, beyond the front fiap folding mechanism 230. From the presser rollers 197 the book-case unit 25 is further advanced by the tapes 165 to the delivery rollers 226 and 227, and it is during this further movement of said book-case unit that the rear or trailing flap 31 thereof is folded over and onto the panels 27, 27 by the folding mechanism 231 as the final step in the making of a finished book-case as shown in Figure 20, said folding of the rear flap 31 being also eifected without stopping the book-case unit or in any way retarding the movement thereof. As shown in Figures 1, 9, l3, l4, l5 and 16, the rear flap folding mechanism 231 is disposed above the tapes 165 and between the presser rollers 197 and the delivery roller 226, and is preferably operated and comprised by the follow ing instrumentalities.

Fixed on the driven single revolution shaft 98 is a sprocket 270 (Fig. 1) around which passes a chain 271 which also passes around and drives a smaller diameter sprocket 272 (Figs. 1 and 9). This sprocket 272 is disposed exteriorly of one of the side bars 200 and is fixed on the outwardly projecting end of a shaft 273 which is thus driven'continuously by the chain 271. The shaft 273 extends transversely of the machine and is journalled in suitable bearings in brackets 274 which are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the side bars 200. The chain 271 also passes over an idler sprocket 275 which serves to hold said chain out of rubbing contact with the cross bar 173 and is adjustably carried by one of the side frame members 35 so that slack in the chain may be taken up as desired. Fixed on the shaft 273 interiorly of and adjacent to the side bars 200 are identical sprockets 276 of a larger diameter around which pass endless chains 277 which also pass around rear sprockets 278 which are similarly located and are of the same size as the sprockets 276. The sprockets 278 are fixed on a shaft 279 which extends transversely of the machine and is journalled in suitable bearings in brackets 280 which are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the side bars 200. The sizes of the sprockets 270, 272 and 276 are so chosen that the chains 277 are driven at a surface speed faster than the surface speed of the tapes 165 for a purpose to appear hereinafter. In the illustrated embodiment the chains 277 are driven at a surface speed approximately twice that of the tapes 165.

The rear flap folding mechanism 231 is connected to the chains 277 in a manner and by means to be presently described, and it will thus be apparent that by virtue of the described arrangement of the chains 277, the folding mechanism 231 will be moved bodily by said chains in a closed or circulatory path lying in a vertical plane and defined by an active lower outgoing straight course, an idle upper return straight course, and semi-circular courses connecting said straight courses and leading from one to the other. In this manner the rear or trailing flap 31 of the book-case unit 25 will be accurately and advantageously folded by the folding mechanism 231 while said book-case unit is in motion, and said folding mechanism will be quickly returned to active position clear of the book-case unit acted upon and clear of the succeeding book-case unit, thus presenting no interference to the continued forward movement of said book-case units.

As shown in Figures 9, 13, 14, 15 and 16, the rear flap folding mechanism 231 comprises a transversely extending shaft 281 which is preferably, but not necessarily, tubular and is disposed between the chains 277. Fixedly clamped to opposite ends of the shaft 281 are identical brackets 282 which project downwardly from said shaft. Disposed below and forwardly of the shaft 281 is a transversely extending shaft 283 which is preferably, but not necessarily, tubular and is provided in the opposite ends thereof with stub shafts 204 which are rotatably mounted in and project through and beyond suitable bearings provided in and at the front ends of the brackets 202. Projecting outwardly beyond the brackets 282 and secured in any suitable manner in and at the rear ends of said brackets are stub shafts 285 the axes of which are in the same plane as the axes of the stub shafts 284. The stub shafts 284 are provided in the outer ends thereof with axially extending annular recesses 286 in which are engaged extended pins 237 which project inwardly from the adjacent chains 277 and serve to connect corresponding links of said chains.

Disposed outwardly of and parallel to the brackets 282 are horizontal blocks 28? which are engaged over the projecting ends of the adjacent stub shafts 284, 285 and are provided in the outer faces and at the rear ends thereof with recesses 289 which are disposed at right angles to the axes of the stub shafts 285 and extend symmetrically above and below said axes. Slidably mounted in the recesses 289 in blocks 28% are bearing blocks 290 provided with annular transverse openings 291 in which are engaged extended pins 292 which project inwardly from the adjacent chains 277 and serve to connect other corresponding links of said chains. Thus, the rear fiap folding mechanism 231 is drivably connected to the chains 277 through engagement of the respective pins 237 and 292 with the respective stub shafts 284 and bearing blocks 290, and mounting of said stub shafts and bearing blocks on the end-brackets 282 of said folding mechanism. The yieldable connections afforded by the slidable bearing blocks 290 allows for the shortening of the center distance between the pins 287, 292 of the respective chains 277 which occurs as the folding mechanism 231 travels around the sprockets 276, 278 at which times the corresponding flexible chain sections between said pins are curved about said sprockets. Thus, the chains 277 may effectively follow the contour of the sprockets 276 and 278, and a smooth and uniform movement of said chains and the folding mechanism 231 is thereby obtained.

The rear flap folding mechanism 231 is supported and guided for straight-line forward movement parallel to the upper-surfaces of the tapes 165 by two long lower track bars 293 and two companion shorter upper track bars 294 (Figs. 1, 9, l3 and which are disposed inwardly of and parallel to the chains 277 and are arranged to receive therebetween flanged rollers 295 (Figs. 9, 13, 14 and 15) which are journalled on the stub shafts 284 and 285 and are preferably, but not necessarily, provided with anti-friction bearings 296. The rollers 295 contact the upper and lower surfaces respectively of the bars 293, 294 and substantially contact the inner surfaces of said bars, except for running clearance, thus holding the folding mechanism 231 against upward, downward and outward dispacement during forward movement thereof by the chains 277. The lower track bars 293 are bolted or otherwise suitably secured at their rear ends to the brackets 257, and at their front ends to other brackets 297 which are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the side bars 200. The upper track bars 294 are bolted or otherwise suitably secured adjacent their opposite ends to brackets 298 secured to parallel stay shafts 299 which extend transversely of the machine and are secured in any suitable manner at their opposite ends to the side bars 200. The folding mechanism 231 is supported and guided for straight-line return movement by two short lower track bars 300 which are engaged by the rollers 295 and are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the brackets 298.

Disposed inwardly of and close to the end-brackets 282 of the rear flap folding mechanism 231 are two identical horizontal arms 301 (Figs. 9, 13, 14, 15 and 16) which are fixedly clamped at their front ends to the stub shafts 284 of the shaft 283. Extending transversely of the tapes and disposed below and rearwardly of the shaft 281 is a roller 302 which is preferably, but not necessarily, tubular and is preferably journalled on needle bearings 303 disposed in opposite ends thereof and mounted on studs 304 which are secured in any suitable manner in the rear ends of the arms 301. Extending transversely of the tapes 165 and disposed between the shaft 283 and roller 302 is a shaft 305 which is preferably journalled for rocking movement on needle bearings (not shown) disposed in the opposite ends thereof and mounted on studs 306 which are secured in any suitable manner in the arms 301. It is to be noted that the axes of the roller 302 and shafts 283, 305 are all in the same plane, and that the roller 302 and shaft 305 are carried by the arms 301. It is also to be noted that the arms 301, roller 302 and shaft 305 are capable of pivotal movement as a unit about the axis of the shaft 283 relative to the end-brackets 282, and that the roller 302 is of a diameter larger than that of the shaft 283.

Fixedly clamped to the shaft 305 centrally thereof is an abutment block 307 (Figs. 9, l3 and 16) which is adapted to normally engage a sleeve 308 of rubber or other suitable shock absorbing material, said sleeve being disposed rearwardly of said block and being engaged over a lug 309 formed integrally with a bracket 310 which is fixedly clamped to the shaft 281. Fixedly clamped to the shaft 305 and spaced substantially along the entire length of said shaft is a set of flap folding fingers 311 which are transversely aligned and so rotatably positioned on said shaft that when the abutment block 307 is in engagement with the sleeve 308, said fingers normally extend downwardly and forwardly at a desired angle, preferably forty-five degrees, from said shaft. Surrounding opposite ends of the shaft 305 are torsion springs 312 having corresponding ends thereof suitably connected to the adjacent outermost fingers 311 and the opposite ends suitably connected to the adjacent studs 306. The springs 312 operate to yieldingly urge the fingers 311 in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figures 13 and 16, to their normal position shown in said figures determined through engagement of the block 307 with the sleeve 308, and to yieldingly resist rocking movement of said fingers in a clockwise direction from said position under certain conditions, as will be hereinafter described.

The rear ends of the arms 301 have pivotally connected therewith, as at 313, rods 314 (Figs. 13, 14, 15 and 16) which extend upwardly through suitable clearance openings in brackets 315 which are disposed directly above the arms 301 and are fixedly clamped to the shaft 231. Surrounding the rods 314 between the arms 301 and brackets 315 are coil compression springs 316 having the lower ends thereof engaging against said arms and the upper ends engaging against said brackets. Threaded on the upper ends of the rods 314 are adjusting nuts 317 engageable with the brackets 315. The springs 316 operate to yieldingly urge the arms 301 and parts carried thereby downwardly relative to the end-brackets 282, and to continuously apply a yielding pressure on said arms. The adjusting nuts 317 are utilized to adjust the level of the arms 301 with respect to the tapes 165 when the folding mechanism 231 is in its operative position shown in Figure 16, said adjustment being such that said arms are substantially parallel to the tapes 165, and depending on the thickness of the book-case units 25 that are to be handled, that the roller 302 either just contacts said tapes or is spaced therefrom a distance substantially equal to one-half the thickness of the book-case unit. It is to be noted that when the folding mechanism 231 is in its operative position, the flap folding fingers 311 extend downwardly and forwardly at an angle between and below the upper surfaces of the tapes. 165.

The rear flap folding mechanism 231 is moved into

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