US2908908A

US2908908A - Stapling machine

Info

Publication number: US2908908A
Application number: US745468A
Authority: US
Inventors: Steinmetz Lawrence; Schmidt Erich
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1958-06-30
Filing date: 1958-06-30
Publication date: 1959-10-20
Anticipated expiration: 1976-10-20

Description

oct. 2o, 1959 Filed June 30. 1958 L. STEINMETZ ETAL STAPLING MACHINE l e sheets-sheet 1 ATTORNEY Oct. 20, 1959 Filed June 50, 1958` STEINMETZ ETAL STAPLING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY QM: #Ag/4m ATTORNEY oct. zo, 1959 L. STINMETZ am 2,908,908

STAPLING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 30. 1958 ATTORNEY L; s'rElNMETz Erm. 2,908,908

sTAPnING MACHINE oct. 2o, 1959 Filed June 30. 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 `BY 9ms. Haga/1 Air'roRNEY INVENToRs Oct. 20, 1959 1 sTElNMETz ETAL 2,908,908

STAPLING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 30, 1958 INVENTORQS ATTORNEY Oct. 20, 1959 L. s-rElNME-rz ETAL l y sTAPLING MACHINE v 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed June 30. 1958 INV E NTORS /v/Yf ATTORNEY United .Staes Patent z,9os,9os srAPLlNG MAcHmn Lawrence Steinmetz, Brooklyn, and Erich Schmidt, Glendale, N.Y.; said Schmidt assignor to'said Steinmetz Application June 3o, 195s, serial No. 745,468 12 claims. (c1. 1a

The present invention relates to a stapling machine and more particularly to a machine for stapling a garment fastener element and backing plate to a garment. i

ment by riveting or stapling throughl the garment to suito able backing plates.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a new, improved and simplied form of stapling machine for securing a garment fastener hook or eye to a garment and associated backing plate. p

Stapling machines for securing fastener elements and backing plates to a garment are known and, for example, one such machine is shown in Patent No. 2,718,004. However, the previous types of stapling machines, such as the type shown in the aforementioned patent, were lculties in their operation in feeding the fastener elements and backing plates to the stapling anvils.

Therefore, another important object of the invention is to provide an improved stapling machinefhaving simplid and reliable means to feed the elements to be stapled onto the respective anvil members of the machine.

A feature of the invention as used in a stapling machine having a reciprocable anvil movable to and from a stationary anvil, is the provision of a supply reel of tape having secured thereona plurality of Afastener elements with depending staple prongs. Friction dri-ve means is provided to continuously pull said tape towards a stop element with a fastener engaging the stop element which may be adjacent one of the stapling anvils in its rest position. First reciprocating means is provided to strip the fastener element on the tape as positioned at the stop element and transfer the element to one of the stapling anvils. In addition, a container of backing plates isv provided together with second reciprocable means `to transfer a backingplate to the other anvil in a position with the apertures in the backing plate'` aligned with the prongs ofthe fastener element onthe one anvil.I Thereafter, the movable anvil may be reciprocated to Yand from the stationary` anvil with a garment therebetween to thereby staple and secure theffastener tothe garment and backing plate.

Further objects, features and the attending advantages of the invention will -be apparent with reference to the following specication and drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective elevational view of the machine;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view of a supply -tape with eye fastener `elements secured thereon; l

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of a supply tape with hook fastener elements secured thereon; i

Fig. 4 is a rear view of the machine;

Fig. 5 is afragmentary front view of the lower portion of the machine;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view to the rightof Fig. '5;

Fig.V 7 is a sectional view'on the line 7-7 of Fig. 8;

2,908,908 v liatented Oct.T 2l),

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 8 8 of Fig. 6 with the upper reciprocating anvil omitted;

Fig. 9.is a sectional view on the liney 94-9 of Fig. 5; Fig. 10 is an exploded view of a detail shown in Fig. 9; 'Fig. 11 isa sectional view through thev head ofthe reciprocable anvil; Fig. i 12 is a sectional View through the head of the reciprocable anvil taken at right angles to the section of Fig. 11 andlon the line 12-12 of Fig. 6;

`Fig.`13 is a detail sectional view through Athe supply tape guide andvstop members;l A i Fig. 14 is a view of 'the supply tape guide and stop member as seen to the right of Fig. 13;

Fig. 1S is an explodeddetail 'of the reciprocating transfer means for the element on the supply tapeJ and showing the motion guide'c'am 'for' the reciprocating means;'and` Fig. 16 isa wiring diagram for the control circuit of themachine. f" u Referring first to Figures=144 of the drawings, the stapling machine is generally fcomprisedof a benchmounted yoke 10 supportingan air'cylinder 11 fora i yoke 10.

reciprocating anvil 12'. The air cylinder piston rod 13 which is connected tothe anvil 12 is spring loaded'to a rest position with the anvil 12 raised above the lower stationary anvil 14 that supported'on thebase of the `A vertically positioned plate memberJ 1 5 provided withan arm 16 to which may be removablyv and rotatably journalled at 17 a supply reel 18 of tape 19' or 20 having 1 secured thereon either fastener eyes21 or'fastenerhooks comparatively complex and occasionally presented diff 22, respectively. The supply tape is 'threaded over '

guide members

25, 26, and 27 `to atake-up reel 28. Ivhevtakeup reel 28 ,is drivenby the, electric motor 29 through the gear l3l) 'andfriction clutch 31 in a manner totendjto continuously pull the tape from thesupplyre'el 18 until a fastener element thereon abuts as top member 32 (see Figs. 13 and I14) on the tape guide 27. The `guide memberA 27v is4 positioned,v adjacent theanvil 12 in its normal restposition and each time a fastener element on the tape abutting the' stop member 32 is stripped from the tapev and transferred to the anvili 12 in a manner to be describedthe take-up reel 28 is 'driven by the friction clutch 31 to pull the supply tapeand advance the next successive fastener element into position abutting the stop` member 32. As most clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawingsrhe fastener elements on the supply tape are secured thereon in a positionwith their staplelprongs depending towards the stationary anvil 14 when `positioned on the guide 27 against the stop member 32.

Extending Vvertically in a position to the rear of the Y yoke 10 is a'container 40 (see particularly Figs. 1 and 6 of vthe drawingslfor backing plates such as shown at 41. The `backing plates are kadfvanced and transferredfrom the container 40tb11'ough aguide Achannel 42 to the stationf ary anvil'14 `by means of spring loaded reciprocating l transferA means to be later described in detail. Obviously,

the position of the backingplate 41 on Vthe stationary anvil 14 isaligned withthe position of a hook or.'eye fastener element on the movable anvil 12 so that the depending prongs pass through the perforations of the backing plate when the movable anvil is moved towards the stationary anvil by the pistonA of the air cylinder V11. A garment support plate 50 is provided and when a garment is placed thereon, the prongs of the fastener element will pass through both thegarment and the perforations of the backing plate to be clinched and stapled thereto position with its staple prongs depending towards the stationary anvil. The fastener element 62 is shown in Fig. 13 in the position on the supply tape before its transfer to the reciprocating anvil 12 as shown by Figs. l1 and 12, 'and the fastener elements are customarily made of ferrous material. Therefore, the permanent magnet 60 will retain the transferred fastener in position on the reciprocating anvil 12 until it is stapled to the garment and backing plate as should be well understood.

In orderfto strip and transfer a fastener element from the supply tape at the guide 27 and stop member 32 to the reciprocating anvil 12, a reciprocating transfery arm 70 islinked at 71 to a reciprocating drive arm 72 driven by a reciprocating servo mechanism such as an air cylinder or electric solenoid 73. A tension coil spring 74 normally urges the linkage to a rest position with the transfer arm 70 and its transfer element 75 -at the end thereof resting adjacent supply tape guide 27 above and to the left of the end of the movable anvil 12. The transfer element 75 is suitably shaped to engage and strip a fastener element of either the hook or eye type from the supply tape and is moved in a path both downward and towards the end of the anvil 12 to deposit the fastener element in position under the permanent magnet 60 as shown in Figs. 1l and 12 of the drawings. n l

`As the transfer arm 70 is reciprocated to and from the anvil 12, it is guided in its movement as described above by acam and roller guide mechanism shown in exploded detail in Fig. of the drawings. The reciprocating transfer arm 70 is provided near its transfer element 75 with a guide roller 76 that is engaged within the cut-out portion 77 of the cam plate 78. Also positioned within the cam cut-out 77 is a pivoted cam tongue 80 fixed to the shaft 81 journalled at 82 and constrained to an upper position as shown by the tension coil spring 83 with the end 84 of the tongue 80 engaging the surface 8S of the out-out 77. It will be noted that the coil spring 86 (see stapling anvil.

Fig. 4) tendsl to pull `the reciprocating transfer `arm 70 upwards and, therefore, the guide arrangement described above is effective to permit the arm 70 to rise upwardly at the return end of its reciprocating stroke into a position to engage and strip a fastener element from the supply tape upon the initiation of the next fastener feeding reciprocation of the transfer arm 70. Each time the arm 70 is reciprocated to feed a fastener element to the movable anvil 12, it is first moved downward by the cam cut-out surface 86 and the guide roller 76 then passes past the tongue 80 which pivots against its spring 83 to permit such passage. As the arm 70 returns, however, the switch tongue 80 keeps the arm 70 in its lower position until the arm reaches the end of its return stroke, yat which time the guide roller 76 passes the end 90 of the tongue 80 and the spring 86 causes the arm70 to rise with its transfer element behind and adjacent the next fastener element on the supply tape at the guide stop member 32.

The reciprocating transfer mechanism for transferring mechanism initiates a reciprocation of the transfer arm 70 to strip and transfer a fastener element from the supply tape, the scrivo mechanism end 107 engages the bell crank 105 to initiate a reciprocation of the transfer rod 102 and move it to the cocked loading position shown by Fig. 6 of the drawing with the transfer shoulder 112 engaging the lowermost backing plate in the container 40 and moving it towards the rest of the backing plates in the guide channel 42. Thus when the backing plate at the stationary anvil 14 is removed upon completion of the stapling operation which is also after the arm 70, servo cylinder 73 and servo mechanism end 107 have completed a reciprocation, the coil spring 103 is effective to complete the reciprocation of the transfer rod 102 by returning the rod to the position shown in Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings thereby advancing the next successive backing plate in the guide channel 42 into position on the stationary anvil 14. v

It should now be understood that the initiation of each reciprocation of the transfer means for both the fastener elements and the backing plates should be timed to occur before the initiation of each reciprocation of the A control circuit to simply provide such timed operation in connection with certain manual controls is shown in Fig. 16 of the drawings. In the first place it should be understood that the air cylinder 11 for reciprocating the movable anvil 12 towards the stationary anvil 14 is controlled by a manual air control valve, not shown, which may be positioned at any suitable location for operation by the machine operator. Each timel the manual control Valve (not shown) is manipulated to admit air to the air cylinder 11, the anvil 12 is moved downward towards the anvil 14 and at the end of the stroke the air is discharged from the cylinder and the piston within the cylinder is automatically returned lby an interior spring to again raise the anvil 12 to the normal resting position `above the anvil 14 as shown in Fig. 4 of lthe drawings. Each time that the movable anvil 12 returns toits normally raised position above the stationary anvil 14, the microswitch 120 is momentarily closed to complete a circuit shown in Fig. 16 of the drawings to the relay coil 130, which closes its contacts 131 to establish a holding circuit for the relay coil 130 through the normally closed microswitch contacts 121. Also, the operation of the relay 130 closes its contacts 132 to complete a circuit to the solenoid air control valve 122 which admits air to the transfer cylinder 73 causing the linkage including the arms 72, link 71 and reciprocating transfer arm 70 Vto engage a fastener element and transfer 'the element to the movable anvil 12. At the end of the stroke of the transfer arm 70 towards the anvil 12, the contact arm 124 of the microswitch 121 is engaged by the projection 125 (see Fig. 4) to momentarily open the the backing plates from the container 40 to the anvil 14 `1 is most clearly shown in Figs. 4-10 ofthe drawings. The guide channel 42 is positioned beneath thegarment support plate 50 and extends from the stationary anvil 14 to a position beneath open lower end of the container 40.

Reciprocably journalled beneath the guide channel 42 at 100 and 101 is a transfer rod 102 that is spring loaded` by compression spring 103 to yadvance a backing -plate through the guide channel 42 to the stationary anvil each time a backing plate is stapled to a garment and removed. In order to move the transfer rod 102 to the loading position against the yforce ofthe compression spring 103 as shown by Fig. 6 of the drawings, one end 108 of a bell crank 105, pivotally journalled at 106 is engagedby an end 107 of the reciprocation element of theservo mechanism 73. The other end 109 of the bell crank 105 engages an angle abutment 110 on the end of the transfer normally closed microswitch contact 121 thus breaking the holding circuit for the relay circuit 130 which thereupon restores. The restoration of the relay 130 de-energizes the solenoid valve 122 which thereupon releases the air in the cylinder 73, allowing the spring 74 to return the transfer arm 70 to its normal resting position as previously described. Again referring to the circuit diagram of Fig. 16, the control circuit is connected to the 11G-volt source of current through a manual control switch 133 and the electric motor 29 and panel light 134 are energized upon the closing of the manually-operated main switch 133. yOf course, with the main switch 133 closed, the remainder of the control may operate in the manner described above.

It will now be seen that the timing of the initiation of the reciprocation of the transfer arm 70 and the transfer rod 102 for the fastener element and backing plate, respectively, is timed to occur after the return of the airoperated anvil to its normal resting position above the stationary anvil upon the momentary closing of the microswitch as the anvil returns to its resting position. Thus, the operation of the transfer cylinder 73 and associated transfer mechanisms for both the fastener element and the backing plate is prevented from occurring except when the movable anvil is resting in the normal position above the stationary anvil.

As a safety feature in order to prevent the inadvertent operation of the air cylinder 11 at av time when the transfer arm 70 may be moving towards the movable anvil 12, a second solenoid valve 135 may be electrically connected in parallel with the solenoid 17.2.Y and this valve may be interposed in the air line to the cylinder 11 in such manner as to prevent the passage of air to the air cylinder 11 so long as the solenoid valve 135 is energized, even though the manual control valve referred to may be operated to normally admit air to the air cylinder 11. The solenoid valve l135 is not shown structurally on the drawings, although it is indicated in the circuit diagram of Fig. 16 and it should be obvious how this valve may be arranged in the `air supply line between the manual control valve and the air cylinder 11.

Various modifications will occur to those skilled in the art Within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims. For example, although the invention has been specifically described in connection with the transfer of a hook or eye fastener element from a supply tape to a movable anvil, it should be apparent that the transfer of the hook or eye fastener element from the supply tape could be effected towards the stationary anvil without departing from the spiritrof the invention. Similarly, the supply tape may be provided with both hook and eye fastener elements alternately secured thereon. Y

What is claimed is: l

l. A stapling machine for stapling a fastener to a backing plate comprising, a supply reel of tape having a plurality of fasteners with depending staple prongs secured along the length thereof, a container for a plurality of backing plates each having apertures to receive the staple prongs of a respective one of said fasteners, a stationary anvil, a reciprocating anvil movable to and from said stationary anvil, means movable to strip and transfer a fastener from said tape to said reciprocating anvil, means movable to transfer backing plates from said container to 'said stationary anvil, and means to move`- said reciprocating anvil towards said stationary anvil with a fastener and a backing plate aligned in their respective positions 'on the respective anvils.

2. A stapling machine for stapling a fastener to a backing plate comprising, a supply reel of tape having a plurality of fasteners with depending staple prongs se! cured along the length thereof, a container for a plurality of backing plates each having apertures to receive the staple prongs of a respective one of said fasteners, a stationary anvil', a reciprocating anvil movable to and from said stationary anvil, means movable to strip and transfer a fastener from said tape to one of said anvils, means movable to transfer backing plates from said container to the other of said anvils, and means to move said reciprocating anvil towards said stationary anvil with a fastener and a backing plate aligned in their respective positions on the respective anvils.

3. A `stapling machine for s-tapling a fastener to a backing plate comprising, a supply reel of tape having a plurality of fasteners With depending staple prongs secured along the length thereof, a stop element, friction drive means to tend to continuously pull said tape from said reel to a position with a fastener abutting said stop element, a container for a plurality of backing plates each having apertures to receive the staple prongs` of a respective one of said fasteners, a stationary anvil, a reciprocating anvil movable to 4and from said stationary anvil, means movable to strip and transfer-'a fastener from said .tape at said stop element to said reciprocating anvil, means movable to transfer backing plates from said container to said stationary anvil, and means to move said reciprocating anvil towards said stationary anvil with a fastener and a backing plate aligned in their respective positions on the respective anvils.

4. A stapling machine for stapling a fastener to a backing plate comprising, a supply reel of tape having a plurality of fasteners with depending staple prongs secured along the length thereof, a container for a plurality of backing plates each having apertures to receive the staple prongs of a respective one of said fasteners', a stationary anvil, Ia reciprocating anvil movable to and from said stationary anvil, lirst reciprocable means movable to and from said reciprocating anvil to strip and transfer a fastener from said tape to said reciprocating anvil, second reciprocable means movable from and to Said stationary anvil to transfer backing plates from said container to said stationary anfvil, means to initiate a single reciprocation of said first reciprocable means, means to initiate a single reciprocation of said second reciprocable means substantially concurrently with the movement of said iirst reciprocable means, and means to initiate a reciprocation of said reciprocating anvil towards said stationary anvil when neither said rst nor second reciprocating means is 5. A stapling machine for stapling a fastener to a back ing plate comprising, a supply reel of tape having a plurality of fasteners with depending stapleprongs secured along the length thereof, a container for a plurality of backing plates each having apertures to receive the staple prongs of a respective one of said fasteners, a stationary anvil,Y a reciprocating anvil movable to and from said stationary anvil, first reciprocable means movable to and from one of said anvils to strip and transfer a fastener from said tape to said one anvil, second reciprocable means movable from and to the other of said anvils to transfer backing plates from said container to the other of said anvils, means to initiate a single reciprocation of said irst reciprocable means, means to initiate a single reciprocation of said second reciprocable means substantially concurrently with the movement of said first reciprocable means, and means to initiate a reciprocation of said reciprocating anvil towards said stationary anvil when neither said lirst nor second reciprocating means is moving and with a fastener and a backing plate aligned in their respective positions on the respective anvils.

6. A stapling machine for stapling a fastener to a backing plate comprising, a supply reel of tape having a plurality of fasteners lwith depending staple prongs secured along the length thereof, a stop element, friction drive means to tend to continuously pull said tape from said reel to a position with a fastener abutting said stop element, a container for a plurality of backing plates each having apertures to receive the staple prongs of a respective one of said fasteners, a stationary anvil, a reciprocating .anvil movable to and from said stationary anvil, first reciprocable means movable to and from said reciprocating anvil to strip and transfer a fastener from said tape at said stop element to said reciprocating anvil, second reciprocable means movable from and to said stationary anvil to transfer backing plates from said container to said stationary anvil, means to initiate a single reciprocation of said iirst reciprocable means, means to initiate a single reciprocation of said second reciprocable means substantially concurrently with the movement of said first reciprocable means, and means to initiate a reciprocation of said reciprocating anvil towards said stationary anvil when neither said rst nor second reciprocating means is moving and with a fastener and a backing plate aligned in their respective positions on the respective anvils.

7. A stapling machine for stapling a fastener to a backing plate comprising, a supply reel of tape having a plurality of fasteners with depending staple prongs secured along the length thereof, a stop element, friction drive means to tend to continuously pull said tape from said reel to a position with a fastener abutting said stop element, a container for a plurality of backing plates each having apertures to receive the staple prongs of a respective one of said fasteners, a stationary anvil, a reciprocating anvil movable to and from said stationary anvil, first reciprocable means movable in a single reciprocation from a rest position adjacent said stop means to and from one of said anvils to strip and transfer a fastener from said tape to the one anvil, second reciprocable means spring loaded at a rest position near the other of said anvils and movable towards said container and back to the other anvil to transfer backing plates from said container to the other anvil, means to initiate a reciprocation of said first reciprocable means, means to initiate a reciprocation of said second reciprocable means substantially concurrently with the movement of said first reciprocable means, and means to initiate a reciprocation of said reciprocating anvil towards said stationary anvil |when neither said first nor second reciprocating means is moving and with a fastener and a backing plate aligned in their respective positions on the respective anvils.

8. A stapling machine for stapling a fastener to a backing plate comprising, a 'supply reel of tape having a plurality of fasteners with depending staple prongs secured along the length thereof, a stop element, friction drive means to tend to continuously pull said tape from saidV reel in a position with a fastener abutting said stop element, a container for a plurality of backing plates each having apertures to receive the staple prongs of a respective one of said fasteners, -a stationary anvil, a reciprocating anvil movable to and from said stationary anvil, first reciprocable means movable in a single reciprocation from a rest position adjacent said stop means to and from said reciprocating anvil to strip `and transfer a fastener from said tape to said reciprocating anvil, second reciprocable means spring loaded at a rest position near said stationary anvil and movable towards said container and back to said stationary anvil to transfer backing plates from said container to said stationary anvil, means to initiate a reciprocation of said first reciprocable means, means to initiate a reciprocation of said second reciprocable means substantially concurrently with the movement of said first reciprocable means, and means to initiate a reciprocation of said reciprocating 8 anvil towards said stationary anvil when neither said first nor second reciprocating means is moving and with a fastener and a backing plate aligned vin their respective positions on the respective anvils. v

9. A stapling machine for stapling a fastener comprising, a supply reel of tape having a plurality of fasteners with depending staple prongs secured `along the length thereof, a stop element, friction drive means to tend to continuously pull said tape from said reel to a position with a fastener abutting said stop element, a stationary anvil, a reciprocating anvil movable to and from said stationary anvil, reciprocating means movable forwardly to a position adjacent said tape to strip a fastener from said tape and transfer the fastener to one of said anvils and thereafter movable rearwardly away from said tape, and means to move said reciprocating anvil toward said stationary anvil when said reciprocating means has moved away from said tape.

10. A stapling machine for stapling a fastener comprising, a supply reel of tape having a plurality of fasteners with depending staple prongs secured along the length thereof, a stationary anvil, a reciprocating anvil movable to and from said stationary anvil, reciprocating means movable forwardly to a position adjacent said tape to strip a fastener from said tape and transfer the fastener to one of said anvils and thereafter movable rearwardly away from said tape, and means to move said reciprocating anvil toward said stationary anvil when said reciprocating means has moved away from said tape.

11. A stapling machine as set forth in claim 10, further characterized in that said reciprocating means is guided during its movement by cam means.

12. A stapling machine as set forth in claim 11 further characterized in that said cam means guides said reciprocating means from its starting position downwardly and forwardly toward said tape and thereafter rearwardly and upwardly to its starting position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS