US2759251A - Tray support for electric blasting initiator wires - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 21, 1956 D. D. HLJYET 1 2,759,251

TRAY SUPPORT RoR ELECTRIC BLASTING INITIATOR WIRES Filed Oct. 5l, 1951 4 Sheetsheet D. D. 'HUYETT Aug. 21, 1956 TRAY SUPPORT FOR ELECTRIC BLASTING INITIATOR WIRES Filed 0G13. 3l 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Hnden/L D. D. HUYETT Aug. 21, 1956 TRAY SUPPORT FOR ELECTRIC BLASTING INITIATOR WIRES Filed OCT.. 3l 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 s @wmf/QM D. D. HUYETT Aug. 21, 1956 TRAY SUPPORT FOR ELECTRIC BLASTING INITIATOR WIRES Filed OOr.. 31, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Unitedl States Patent Oice TRAY SUPPORT FOR ELECTRIC BLASTING INITIATOR WIRES Daniel D. Huyett, Wilmington, Del., assigner to Atlas Powder Company, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application October 31, 1951, Serial No. 254,178

3 Claims. (Cl. 29-286) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in trays or jigs for supporting a plurality of wires in predetermined iixed relationship relative to one another. More particularly, the present invention relates to new and useful improvements in trays lor jigs to support a plurality of wires in a predetermined position to receive component parts of electric blasting initiators.

In the manufacture of electric blasting initiators, or the like, a pair of electric Wires are inserted througih a resilient plug. An electric igniter, is then secured to the ends of the wires, and the Wires, plug and electric match assembly lare inserted into the open end of a charged or loaded detonator shell. In order to produce articles such as electric blasting initiators on a produc- -tion line basis, means must be provided to support a plurality of wires in a fixed relationship through the various stages of the production line.

With the foregoing in mind, the principal object of the present invention is to provide novel apparatus to support a plurality of Iwires in a predetermined fixed relationship with respect to each other.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel wire tray or jig of the stated character which is especially adapted for use with the various machines employed in the manufacture of electric blasting initiators or the like.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel wire tray or jig having the features and characteristics set forth which provides an eicient and effective means for supporting and transferring a plurality of wires and their associated parts throughout the entire manufacturing process.

These and other objects of the present invention and the various features and details of the construction and operation thereof are hereinafter more fully set forth .and described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a wire tray or jig made in accordance with the present invention having a plurality of spools of Wires thereon;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation view partially in section of the wire tray illustrated in Fig. l;

Figs. 3a and 3b are enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional views taken on line 3 3, Fig. 1, of the forward and rear ends, respectively, of the wire tray;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the forward end of the wire tray;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged face View of the wire tray illus'trating the means to maintain the wires in their proper spaced relationship;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view taken on line 6 6, Fig. 4;

Fig. 7- is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 7 7, Fig. 6, illustrating the latch means for applying pressure to the wires;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view partially in section of the wire tray illustrated in Fig. l; and,

2,759,251 Patented Aug. 21, 1956 Fig. 9 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken on line 9 9, Fig. 8.

Referring more specifically to the dra-wings, a wire tray or jig made in accordance with the present invention comprises an open frame designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The frame 10 consists of a central rear member 11 and a pair of forwardly extending legs 12 and 13. Extending across the lower open surface of the frame 10 is a base member 14 formed, for example, of sheet metal and having upwardly extending side and rear portions thereon, which are secured to the frame 10, for example, by means of welding or the like. The base member 14 is adapted to support a plurality of spools or bundles of wire. In the present instance, a plurality of dowel pins 15 are fastened to 'the base member 1'4, which, in turn, are adapted to receive spools 16. Each of the spools 16 has a pair of Wires 16a wound thereon which are maintained in their desired position by the wire tray of the present invention. In instances where it is desired to support a plurality of bundles of wires, not shown, the dowel pins 15 may be removed from the base member 14 and the bundles of wires laid in position on the base member 1'4. Extending transversely of the wire tray and positioned directly beneath the base member 14 are forward and rear skids 1'7 and 18, respectively, which serve to maintain the w-ire tray in position on the feed table of any of the machines in the production line, for example, as more fully described in my cio-pending appli-cation, Serial Number 249,298, led October 2, lll.

In accordance with the present invention, means are provided at the forward end of the frame 10 t-o maintain the wires 16a in the desired position with respect to each other and the tray.

To this end, lower and upper strips 21 and 22, respectively, of resilient friction material, for example soft rubber, are adapted to be positioned below and above the wires 16a and maintained under pressure in abutting relationship in order to securely grip the wires. The lower strip of friction material 2-1 is carried by a cross frame member 23 secured to the forward skid 17 immediately above the base member 14 as indicated in Figs. 3a and 6. The upper strip of resilient friction material 22 is carried by an upper cross frame member 24, which in turn is mounted on a spring clamp 25. The spring clamp 25 is pivotally mounted to the members 12 and 113 of the frame 10 as indicated at 26 and is operable to maintain the upper strip of resilient friction material 22 in pressure applying relationship with the wires 16a and the lower strip of resilient friction material 21. The upper cross frame member 24 is maintained in a spaced parallel relationship with the clamp 25 by means of a pair of spacers 27 as indicated in Figs. 3a, 6 and 8.

Prior to positioning the wires 16a on the wire tray or jig, the spring clamp 25 is raised to permit the ends of the wires to be positioned intermediate of the upper and lower strips of resilient friction material. After the wires 16a are properly positioned, the clamp 25 is lowered placing the upper and lower strips of resilient friction material in engagement with the wires 16a. Pressure is applied manually to the edges of the spring clamp 25 to distort the clamp 25 downwardly about the spacers 27, as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 8. The clamp 25 is maintained in this position by means of a pair of latches 28 and 29 which are pivotally mounted adjacent inner edges of the legs 12 and 13, respectively, of the frame 10 and engage the spring clamp 25. By this construction, the upper and lower strips of resilient friction material are maintained in pressure applying relationship with each other and the wires to prevent* relative dis- 3 placement of the wires with respect to each other and to the wire tray.

With reference to Figs. 4, 6 and 7, the latches 28 and 29 are pivotally mounted to pairs of upwardly extending lugs 32 and 33, respectively, formed as integral parts of the forward skid 17. A pair of coil springs 34 are adapted to be received in recesses 35 and 36 in the latches and skid, respectively, to resiliently maintain the latches in their vertical position. When the spring clamp 25 is lowered, the forward edge thereof engages a cam surface 37 on top of each of the latches and pivots the saine in a counter-clockwise direction with respect to Fig. 7. Further lowering of the spring clamp 25 will permit the springs 34 to return the latches to their vertical positioning in interlocking engagement with the spring clamp.

Adjacent the forward edge of the upper and lower strips of resilient friction material is a plurality of spring clips 38 which extend transversely of the wire` tray. The clips 38 are secured in side-by-side relationship to the forward skid 17, for example, as indicated at 39 and comprises a central portion 41 having upwardly extending arms 42 at relatively opposite sides thereof. The extreme end portions of the arms 42 are bent inwardly towards each other as illustrated in Fig. 6 to permit the wires to be easily positioned between the arms 42 of adjacent clips. Positioned in front of the clips 38 and secured to the forward edge of the skid 17 is a guide plate 43 which extends upwardly to approximately the mid-point of the clips 38. A pair of wires are positioned in superimposed relationship between each pair of clips and extend forward from the clips above the guide plate 43. By this construction, the wires are held stationary by the strips of resilient friction material and maintained in their desired spaced relationship with respect to each other and to the wire tray by means of the clips and guide plate.

The pairs of wires extend forward from the clips 3S and terminate in a displaceable guide, designated generally as 44, which maintains the ends of the wires in the desired spaced relationship. The displaceable guide 44 comprises a central body portion 45 extending transversely of the wire tray and a pair of integral rearwardly extending arms 46 and 47 positioned immediately adjacent the interior edges of the legs 12 and 13, respectively, of the frame 10. Upper and lower cover plates 4S and 49, respectively, secured to the forward end of each of the legs of the frame engage the arms 46 and 47 and prevent relative vertical movement of the displaceable guide with respect to the frame. Stops 51 and 52 are secured to the arms 46 and 47, for example, as indicated at 53, 53 in Fig. 4 to limit relative longitudinal movement of the displaceable guide with respect to the frame. The stops S1 and 52 extend rearwardly of the wire tray and terminate in downwardly projecting lugs 54 and 55 which extend through slots 56 and 57 in the base member 14.

In accordance with the present invention, the displaceable guide 44 is mounted for relative longitudinal movement with respect to the wire tray between predetermined limit positions to permit the ends of the wires to be projected beyond the forward end of the guide. ln the forward limit position of the displaceable guide 44, the lugs 54 and 55 on the stops 51 and 52 engage the rear surface of the rear skid 18, as illustrated in Fig. 2, and prevent further forward movement of the displaceable guide. The rearward limit position of the displaceable guide may be determined, for example, either by the length of the slots 56 and 57 or by the forward edge of the guide plate 43. The displaceable guide is normally urged to its forward limit position by means of a pair of coil springs 58, S8 which have their forward ends fastened to the frame of the Wire tray, for example, as shown in Fig. 6 and their rear ends secured to lugs 59, S9 projecting outwardly from the rear end portions of the stops 51 and 52. By this construction, the guide is normally maintained in its forward limit position and may be easily 4 ydisplaced rearwardly against the tension of the coil springs by exerting a slight pressure on the forward face thereof.

In accordance with the present invention, the displaceable guide maintains the forward ends of the pairs of wires in their desired spaced relationship. To this end, a plurality of grooves 62 are provided transversely of the upper surface of the central body portion of the displaceable guide in which the lower wire of each pair of wires is adapted to be placed. A dividing plate 63 and a locking plate 64 is then placed on top of the lower sets of wires. The locking plate 64 has a plurality of grooves 65 in its lower surface in which the upper wire of each pair is adapted to be placed. Recesses 66 are provided in the rear surface of the locking plate 64 adjacent each of the grooves 65 to permit the wires to be easily inserted into the grooves 65. By this construction, the wires are maintained in a spaced superimposed relationship with respect to each other and may be readily removed from the wire tray after an article has been placed on the ends of the Wires.

The dividing plate 63 and locking plate 64 are maintained in proper position with respect to the central body portion of the displaceable guide by a plurality of dowel pins 6? which extend upwardly through openings 66 and 69, respectively, in the dividing plate and locking plate. Means are also provided to prevent relative vertical displacement of the locking plate and dividing plate with respect to the dowel pins. To this end, a pair of latch pins 71, 71 are provided in the central body member of the displaceable guide at relatively opposite sides of the locking plate. The latch pins are slidably mounted in the body portion of the displaceable guide and resiliently urged into engagement with the locking plate 64 by means of springs 73, 73. An operating lever 74 secured to each of the latch pins 71 and extending through slots 75, 7S in the body portion of the displaceable guide permits the latch pins to be withdrawn from the locking plate, thereby permitting removal of the locking plate and dividing plate from the dowel pins 67.

When the wire tray or jig of the present invention is used in conjunction with a production line for the manufacture of electric blasting initiators or the like, it may be necessary to secure various fixtures to the forward end of the displaceable guide 44. These fixtures are a match holder, which is the subject of a co-pending application, Serial Number 259,933 filed December 5, 1951, now Patent No. 2,693,634, issued November 9, 1954, a match sulphuring fixture, a shell barricade and a shell support. ln the present instance, a shell support 77 is illustrated in position at the forward end of the wire jig. rl'hc shell support 77 has a plurality of opcnin gs 78 therethrough in which the shells may be supported and is adapted to be clamped in position on the wire jig adjacent the forward edge of the displaceable guide. l he shell support 77 is maintained in position between the upper and lower guide plates 43 and 49 by a pair of latches 81, 31, secured to the extreme forward ends of the legs 1 2 and 13 of the frame 10. The latches 8l., 81 extend through openings 32, 32 in the forward end of the legs i2 and 13 and are resiliently urged toward the center of the wire tray by leaf springs 83, 33 which have their forward ends secured to the latches 81, 31 and their rearward ends secured to the frame legs 12' and 13. The foiward edge of each of the latches 81, 81 is beveled as indicated at 84, to permit the latches to be displaced rearwardly when the shell support is being positioned on the Wire tray. After the shell support is in its proper position, the springs 83, $3 force the latches S1, 81 into engagement with the forward edge of the shell support to maintain the same in position.

An example of the use of the wire tray or jig of the present invention is clearly illustrated in the aforementioned co-pending application, Serial Number 286,958, filed May 9, 1952. In this instance, the wires 16a are positioned flush with the forward edge of the displaceable guide 44 and the wire tray or jig is placed on the feed table of a machine for inserting the wires into resilient plugs. The wire tray supports the pairs of wires in axial alignment with a plurality of funnel shaped openings, behind which are a corresponding plurality of pierced plugs. As the feed table of the wire insertion machine is actuated in the forward direction, the wire tray is advanced until the forward edge of the displaceable guide 44 engages the rear surface of the funnel plate. Further forward movement of the feed table of the wire insertion machine advances the wire tray and wires until the wires are inserted into the plugs. At the same time, the displaceable guide 44 is maintained stationary by the funnel plate, thereby permitting the wires to be extended out- Wardly from the forward edge of the displaceable guide. After the plugs are secured to the wires the feed table of the wire insertion machine is retracted and the springs 58, S8 resiliently urge the displaceable guide forward with respect to the wire tray against the rear surface of the plugs which are secured to the wires. In many instances, the force of the springs 58, 58 which resiliently urge the displaceable guide forward is sufficient to overcome the frictional grip of the plugs on the wires and thereby force the plugs toward the forward end of the wires. To prevent this, a pair of spring clips 85, 85 are secured to the inner surfaces of the rearwardly extending portions 51 and 52 of the displaceable guide, as illustrated in Figs. l and 8. These spring clips 85, 85 have their free forward end biased inwardly toward the central portion of the tray and are operable to engage the rear surface of the upwardly extending lugs 32 and 33 to prevent further forward movement of the displaceable guide. On the other hand, if it is desired to move the displaceable guide forward with respect to the tray portion 14, the spring clips may be manually pressed against the inner surfaces of the rearwardly extending leg portions 51 and 52, thereby disengaging the clips 85, 85 from the lugs 32 and 33. By this construction, it will be noted that the displaceable guide is not permitted to exert any pressure upon the rear surfaces of the plugs which may be secured to the wires.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that the present invention provides a novel tray or jig which is operable to support a plurality of wires in a predetermined fixed relationship with respect to each other. In addition, tlc: present invention provides a novel wire tray which will support a plurality of wires in a predetermined fixed relationship to receive component parts of electric blasting initiators, and provide an efficient and effective means for transferring the wires and their associated parts throughout the entire manufacturing process.

While a particular embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described herein, it is not intended to limit the invention to such a disclosure and changes and modifications may be incorporated and embodied therein within the scope of the following claims:

I claim:

1. In a wire tray or jig adapted to `support a plurality of pairs of wires in a predetermined fixed relationship, a frame having forwardly extending leg portions thereon, a base member secured to said frame on which the wires are placed, upper and lower strips of resilient friction material mounted at the forward edge of said base member between which said Wires are passed, a spring clamp mounting one of said strips of resilient friction material operable to maintain the same in pressure applying relationship with the wires and said other strip of resilient friction material, a displaceable guide carried by said frame leg portions slidably mounted for movement toward and away from said clamp between predetermined limit positions, means defining a first set of openings through said displaceable guide in which the lower wire of each pair of wires is adapted to be placed, a spacer plate positioned above said lower set of wires, means defining a second set of openings through said displaceable guide immediately adjacent the upper surface of said spacer plate in which the upper wire of each pair of wires is adapted to be placed, a locking plate operable to be positioned above said upper set of wires, and latch means to secure said locking plate and said spacer plate in position.

2. In a wire tray or jig adapted to support a plurality of pairs of wires in a predetermined fixed relationship, a frame havingforwardly extending leg portions thereon, a base member secured to said frame on which the wires are placed, upper and lower strips of resilient friction material mounted at the forward edge of said base member between which said wires are passed, a spring clamp mounting one of said strips of resilient friction material operable to maintain the same in pressure applying relationship with the wires and said other strip of resilient friction material, means including a plurality of clips mounted forwardly adjacent said upper and lower strips of resilient friction material to support the wires which extend between said strips of resilient friction material in predetermined relation, a displaceable guide carried by said frame leg portions slidably mounted for movement toward and away from said clips between predetermined limit positions, means defining a first set of openings through said displaceable guide in which the lower wire of each pair of wires is adapted to be placed, a spacer plate positioned above said lower set of wires, means defining a second set of openings through said displaceable guide immediately adjacent the upper Surface of said spacer plate in which the upper wire of each pair of wires is adapted to be placed, a locking plate operable to be positioned above said upper set of wires, and latch means to secure said locking plate and said spacer plate in position.

3. In a wire tray or jig adapted to support a plurality of pairs of wires in a predetermined fixed relationship, a frame having forwardly extending leg portions thereon, a base member secured to said frame on which the wires are placed, means associated with said base member to support said wires, upper and lower strips of resilient friction material mounted at the forward edge of said base member between which said wires are passed, a spring clamp mounting one of said strips of resilient friction material operable to maintain the same in pressure applying relationship with the wires and said other strip of resilient friction material, latch mechanism operable to engage said spring clamp and secure the same in position, means including a plurality of clips mounted forwardly adjacent said upper and lower strips of resilient friction material to support the wires which extend between said strips of resilient friction material in predetermined relation, a displaceable guide slidably mounted within said frame leg portions for movement toward and away from said clips between predetermined limit positions, means defining a first set of openings through said displaceable guide in which the lower wire of each pair of wires is adapted to be placed, a spacer plate positioned above said lower set of wires, means defining a second set of openings through said displaceable guide immediately adjacent the upper surface of said spacer plate in which the upper wire of each pair of wires is adapted to be placed, a locking plate operable to be positioned above said upper set of wires, and latch means to secure said locking plate and said spacer plate in position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,306,337 Hayden June 10, 1919 1,660,329 Fleming Feb. 28, 1928 1,732,081 Clement Oct. 15, 1929 2,465,390 Mueller et al. Mar. 29, 1949

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