US3396880A

US3396880A - Apparatus and method for making looped ribbon ornaments

Info

Publication number: US3396880A
Application number: US475473A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ira L Lopata
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1965-07-28
Filing date: 1965-07-28
Publication date: 1968-08-13
Anticipated expiration: 1985-08-13

Description

Aug. 13, 1968 L. LOPATA 3,396,880

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MAKING LOOPED RIBBON ORNAMENTS Filed July 28, 1965 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Ira L. Lopafa I N VENTOR.

3, 1968 1. L. LOPATA 3,396,880

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MAKING LOOPED RIBBON ORNAMENTS Filed July 28, 1965 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ira L. Lopai'a IN VENTOR.

BWWM/V- 73 I. L. LOF'ATA Aug. 13, 1968 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MAKING LOOPED RIBBON ORNAMENTS Filed July 28, 1965 9 Sheets-Sheet '5 I W 1V.1 L j. L W a r I Y B 1.. LOPATA 3,396,880

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MAKING LOOPED RIBBON ORNAMENTS Aug. 13, 1968 9 Sheets-Sheet 4" Filed July 28, 1965 Iva L. La p aza V INVENTOR. BY WW 1958 l. 1.. LOPATA 3,

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MAKING LOOPED RIBBON ORNAMENTS Filed July 28, 1965 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Iva L.Lopai'a I W MN- APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MAKING LOOPED RIBBON ORNAMENTS Filed July 28, 1965 I. L. LOPATA Aug. 13, 1968 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 In: L. Lopai'a INVENTOR.

I. L. LOPATA Aug. 13, 1968 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MAKING LOOPED RIBBON OR-NAMENTS Filed July 28, 1965 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 a R w .l O 5N NMM a W D. E I 9N mmu O W MON 1 A l y g w zg 0 3 L W\\ W vmu a va 4 3w fig h 5N m MON J mmN 1| l. L. LOPATA Aug. 13, 1968 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MAKING LOOPED RIBBON ORNAMENTS Filed July 28, 1965 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 mm W 8.52. 1 3 w d awvow s m N 5 SN m5 wfi 0.3 L 1 J 7 :7 m3 W S M b wmN WM. a f S r 3% -o- I Y B Aug. 3, 1968 I. L. LOPATA 3,396,880

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MAKING LOOPED RIBBON ORNAMENTS Filed July 28, 1965 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Ira I ,.Lopafa 1 N VEN TOR.

United States Patent 3,396,880 APPARATUS AND METHOD FUR MAKING LOOPED RIBBON ORNAMENTS Ira L. Lopata, 35 Sutton Place, New York, N.Y. 10022 Filed July 28, 1965, Ser. No. 475,473 27 Claims. (Cl. 223-46) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An apparatus for making looped ribbon ornaments in which the ribbon is delivered to an impaling station by a reciprocating carriage which seizes and feeds the ribbon as it advances, pauses, and releases the ribbon as it withdraws; an impaling spindle that rises to impale the ribbon during the pause of the carriage and descends and twists the ribbon while the carriage withdraws and advances, and then impales a new portion of the fed ribbon during the next successive pause of the carriage; a ribbon cutoff that operates in advance of and close to the impaling spindle to cut the ribbon off short at the spindle; a labelfeed cut-off that severs the label from a continuous strip as the ribbon is affixed.

A method for making looped ribbon ornaments by feeding the ribbon to an impaling station by means of a reciprocating carriage that grips the ribbon to advance it during a feed stroke, and releases the ribbon during the carriage return; the carriage dwells between feed and return strokes, while a vertically reciprocating spindle rises to impale successive reaches of ribbon during each carriage dwell, and twists the unimpaled end of the ribbon prior to the next impalement as the spindle lowers between dwells of the carriage.

This invention relates generally to apparatus for manufacturing looped ribbon ornaments variously known as rosettes, pompous, bows and the like, and more specifically relates to an apparatus and method for carrying out the manufacture of such items. It is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus which forms looped ribbon ornaments, tacks such ornaments on a mounting card and discharges the completed ornament.

It is a further object of this invention to carry out the aforesaid operation automatically and at a high rate of speed.

It is yet further object of this invention to manufacture looped ribbon ornaments of various sizes, having a predetermined number of loops.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus and a method for performing the manufacture of looped ribbon ornaments in which the size of the ornament may be changed within certain limits by varying the lengths of the loops and by varying the number of loops, this being accomplished by adjusting the controls in accordance with the requirements.

It is yet a further object of this invention to provide a spindle which delicately impales the ribbon without any material tearing.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a means for releasably securing the ribbon as the feed mechanism reciprocates.

Yet a further object of the invention is to drastically limit or curtail the lengths of the end of the ribbon in each ornament made, confining it close to the point of attachment, thereby to eliminate an unnecessary length of ribbon beyond the point of attachment.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ribbon cutter which functions immediately adjacent to the point of attachment.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a label roll feed which feeds the label to the point of attach- 3,396,880 Patented Aug. 13, 1968 "ice ment, cuts off an individual card suflicient to form a foundation to which the looped ribbon ornament may be attached.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a transport mechanism whereby the cut mounting card is transported to and impaled upon the spindle so that the stapling mechanism may secure the mounting card to the looped ribbon ornament.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an anvil for the stapling mechanism immediately adjacent to the spindle which serves as a means for deforming the staples to assume a gripping arrangement with the looped ribbon ornament.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a cycloidal drive with a dwell time at the forward end of each stroke to enable the impalement and formation of a loop while the ribbon is not subject to any movement and stress.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an ejector for removing the looped ribbon ornament from the impaling device or spindle and propel it into a receiving bin.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a control for the rotation of the spindle which normally rotates the spindle through a 225 arc, and initially rotates the spindle after the first impalement, through a 360 are so that the looped ribbon ornament will have a pleasing filler.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide for an initial feedage of the ribbon prior to the first act of impalement on the spindle so that the spindle will not tear through the end of the ribbon.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a single motor means connected with a series of power transmission means whereby all of the elements of the apparatus are driven except the stapler which is independently controlled by a hydraulic or pneumatic means.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a method for forming looped ribbon ornaments in which on first commencement a piece of augmented length is formed, an end piece of drastically restricted length is formed, and the number of loops as well as the length of the individual loops are both controlled at the selection or the option of the operator. These objects and advantages as well as other objects and advantages may be attained by the apparatus and through the performance of the methods herein set forth reference being had to the figures which are illustrative of an embodiment of the invention:-

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of the apparatus embodying the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1 with parts broken away;

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the lower part of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1 illustrating the power transmission train for driving all of the driven elements;

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of the power transmission train shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a front elevational view of the label feed label cut-off stapler and ejector devices as shown in FIG- URE 1 drawn to an enlarged scale with parts broken away and with parts in section;

FIGURE 6 is an end elevational view of the impaling spindle as shown in FIGURE 1 drawn to an enlarged scale with associated parts broken away and with parts in section;

FIGURE 7 is a front elevational view of the ribbon feed carriage and tail maker as shown in FIGURE 1 drawn to an enlarged scale with parts broken away and with parts in section;

FIGURE 7A is a vertical sectional view of the ribbon cutter.

FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of ribbon feed carriage and tail maker as shown in FIGURE 7 with parts broken away;

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 99 in FIGURE 8 showing the details of a magnetic release for controlling the gripping of the ribbon during the feeding thereof;

FIGURES 10, 11 and 12 are views of a 360 initialloop former with parts thereof shown in progressive positions of their cycle for controlling the angular rotation of the impaling spindle for twisting the 360 initial loop of ribbon as it is impaled on the spindle needles for the center part of a looped ribbon ornament.

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary sectional view drawn to an enlarged scale of an impaling spindle, an impaling stem and impaling needles carried on the upper end of the stem;

FIGURE 14 is a top plan view of the impaling spindle and the associated parts shown in FIGURE 13;

FIGURE 15 is a head for an impaling stem drawn to a greatly enlarged scale having a plurality of impaling needles secured in the head; and

FIGURE 16 is a top plan view of the head and needles shown in FIGURE 14.

As a preferred and exemplary embodiment of the instant invention, FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawing generally illustrate the apparatus for forming looped-ribbon ornaments. These figures include a stationary ribbon feed table secured to a pedestal 26 which is mounted on an apparatus housing 27.

Ribbon feed table The ribbon feed table 25 is adapted to support a supply of ribbon which preferably is wound in the form of a reel 28. FIGURE 2 shows several such reels of ribbon rotatably carried on spaced apart shafts 29 which are secured to and extend upwardly from the feed table 25. A plurality of pins 30 are also secured to the feed table 25 and extend upwardly therefrom. The pins 30 preferably are positioned concentrically relative to the shafts 29 to prevent accidental unwinding of the ribbon from the reels 28.

In order to feed the outer free ends of the reels of ribbon into the apparatus, the ribbon initially passes between sets of spaced apart guide elements 31 which are secured to the top of the feed table 25. The ends of the ribbon thereafter pass between pairs of spaced-apart rollers 32 which are rotatably carried on suitable shafts secured to the top of the feed table 25. The ends of the ribbon thereafter are twisted for feeding the ribbon horizontally into the apparatus. The ribbon thus is twisted from a vertical position into a horizontal position to pass between a plurality of a comb of wires 33 which extend from a plate 34 secured to the top of the feed table 25. The comb 33 frictionally engages the ribbon as it passes between the wires to hold the ribbon against slipping as it is drawn forward into the apparatus.

The sets of guide elements 31 hereinbefore described (FIG. 2) constitute part of an automatic splicer wherein the leading end of ribbon from a new reel may be secured to the trailing end of an exhausted reel of ribbon. A new supply of ribbon may be spliced with either web of ribbon when the end of the ribbon from the reel is reached without shutting down the operations of the apparatus. Hence, for this purpose two such reels of ribbon are held in reserve, and are shown to the left as viewed in FIGURE 2.

The outer free ends of the ribbon extending inwardly of the pins 33 on the feed table 25 now pass over and through suitable ribbon guideways in a reciprocating transfer or ribbon feed carriage 35. It is by means of this feed carriage that the two webs of ribbon are independently fed forward simultaneously during each feeding stroke for delivery to impaling spindles 36. These impaling spindles 36 are located at an ornament forming station where a desired number of loops of ribbon comprising a completed ornament are impaled.

Ribbon feed carriage The feed carriage 35 (FIG. 1) is slidably carried on a pair of parallel spaced apart slide bars 37, which extend horizontally of the apparatus. The feed carriage 35 is provided with pairs of support bosses 38 at the opposite ends of the carriage. It is within these bores that the slide bars 37 are located and by means of which the feed carriage 35 may be reciprocated freely.

The slide bars 37 are secured at their opposite ends in support brackets 39 which are mounted on the housing 27. Exposed portions of the slide bars 37 between the bosses 38 and the brackets 39 are protected from dust by spirally wound expandable and contractable protectors 40. Other features of the ribbon feed carriage including devices and elements associated therewith will be de scribed fully hereinafter in connection with the description of FIGURES 7, 8 and 9.

FIGURE 1 of the drawings also shows devices such as a label feed, cut-off, stapler and ejector located to the right of the figure above the impaling spindles 36 at the ornament forming station. A second set of each of these devices is shown on the opposite side of the apparatus (FIG. 2) for coaction with the second line of ornaments being formed. Since the operation of each set of these devices is identical, they are herein referred to as a single unit.

Label feed The label feed 41 is adapted to feed label material in the form of a web or strip from a source of supply such as a reel 42. The web material used for these labels is a laminated structure which comprises a main layer or ply of fiber or heavy paper having a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive applied thereto. A relatively thin protective paper ply covers the adhesive layer. This thin covering ply is adapted to provide a peel-off for the individual labels.

Each reel 42 is pivotally carried on a stud or bolt 43 secured to a bracket 44 which is carried on a support 45. The support 45 is mounted on the housing 27. The web material as needed is gradually drawn downwardly. The end of the web material is fed between suitable guide and feed rollers and thence into a guideways associated with the support 45, to feed the leading end of the web into position for providing an individual label for each of the ornaments being formed.

Each label cut-off device 46 which is located adjacent a label feed includes suitable cut-off knives for cutting off a desired length of the web material from the leading end of the web. Hence as the cut-off knives are operated relative to each other, individual labels are provided for being attached onto an ornament as it is produced on the impaling spindle 36 directly therebeneath.

Ornament stapler A stapler 47 is closely related to the adjacent label cutolf device, and operates simultaneously in conjunction therewith. The stapler includes a spool 48 for holding a supply of wire wound thereon. It is from this wire supply that suitable lengths of wire are cut and formed into individual staples during the stapling operation for securing the plurality of loops of ribbon on the spindle 36. The label is adapted to the back of the ornament and included within the grip of the staple.

Each spool 48 is rotatably carried and secured on a stud or bolt 49 secured to an arm 50 of a bracket 51 which is secured to a frame 52. The frame 52 is supported on vertical posts 53 mounted on the housing 27. FIG- URE 1 of the drawings illustrates how an individual strand of wire is fed upwardly into a loop from the spool 48 onto a curved metal guide 54, having a channel formed therein for guiding the wire. The metal guide 54 is secured onto a bracket 55 which is carried on and secured to the frame 52. The stapling apparatus itself is a standard article of commerce and needs no further identification.

Ornament ejector An ejector device 56 is located beneath its associate cut-off device 46. Each ejector device 56 includes a slidable plate member (FIGS. and 1) provided with an ejector finger which is adapted to strip the ornament from the spindle 36 and to eject it for discharge into a suitable receiving bin.

Further details and description of the label feed, label cutoff, stapler and ejector devices will be fully supplied in connection with the description of FIGURE 5.

The power train for the ribbon feed carriage The drive transmission for operating all of the drive and driven elements of the instant apparatus is located within the housing 27 as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 of the drawings. Also included in this drive transmission is a cycloidal drive 75 which is used for operating the reciprocating transfer carriage hereinbefore described. It is by means of this type of drive that a relatively smooth reciprocating action is imparted to the transfer carriage 35. This drive also provides a short dwell at the end of each stroke which is necessary during the forward or feeding stroke to allow sufficient time for impaling and twisting the ribbon on the impaling spindle 36-. This dwell prevents tear stress upon the ribbon that would result if there were no dwell while the ribbon is impaled and twisted into loops.

The cycloidal drive includes a stationary annular inner gear 76 which is secured to the housing 27 A pinion 77 meshes with the annular inner gear 76 and is carried v on a stud or bolt 78. A lever 79 is secured to the upper end of the stud 78 and is rotatable with the pinion 77. The outer end of the lever 79 is pivotally connected by a pin 80 to one end of a connecting lever 81. The opposite end of the connecting lever 81 is pivotally connected onto the lower end of a stud 82 which is secured in a boss in the reciprocating carriage 35.

The pinion 77 is rota-ted by a drive lever 83 which is pivotally connected at its outer end to the lower end of the stud 78. At its inner end, the drive lever 83 is secured to the upper end of a vertically disposed auxiliary drive shaft 84. The auxiliary drive shaft 84 is journaled in frictionless bearing mounted in the housing 27.

The auxiliary drive shaft 84 is driven from a vertically disposed main drive shaft 85 by means of a drive gear 86 which is mounted on the drive shaft 85. The drive gear 86 meshes with and rotates the driven gear 87 mounted on the auxiliary shaft 84. The main drive shaft 85 is journaled in frictionless bearings mounted in the housing 2.7.

The main drive shaft 85 is driven from an electric Inotor 88 which is the main source of power for the drive transmission. A pulley 89 secured to the lower end of the main drive shaft '85 is driven from a main drive pulley 90 mounted on the lower end of the motor drive shaft 91. An endless drive belt 92 operates over the pulleys 89, 90 and this completes the drive to the main drive shaft 85.

The power train for the spindle The impaling spindles 36 are operated in proper timed relation with the reciprocation of the ribbon feed carriage 35. Hence these spindles are rotated and lifted simultaneously to a predetermined ribbon receiving position successively for the impalement of each length of looped ribbon.

The rotation of the impaling spindles 36 is effected by means of driven pulleys 93 secured to the lower end of each of these spindles (FIGS. 3, 4 and 6). An endless drive belt 94 operates over the pulleys 93 and also over a drive pulley 95 which is carried on the main drive shaft 85. A pair of

idler pulleys

96, 97 engages against one run of the belt 94 for adjusting the driving tension of the belt. The

pulleys

96, 97 are pivotally carried on bolts secured in the

levers

98, 99. These levers are adjustably secured by suitable means to a downwardly extended boss 100 on the housing 27.

The lifting of the impaling spindles is effected by a single face rotatable cam 101 which is rotatably carried on a stud shaft 102. This stud shaft is secured in the housing 27 A cam roller 103 coacts with the cam 101 and is engageable against the lower face of the cam. The cam r-oller 103 is rot-atably carried on a cross bar 104 which extends transversely beneath each of impaling spindles 36 and is connected therewith by suitable means which will be fully described hereinafter in connection with the description of FIGURE 6.

The cross bar 104 is secured to the lower end of a vertically disposed slide shaft 105 which is slidably carried in suitable bearings in the housing 27 The slide shaft 105 normally is urged upwardly by means of a spring 106 which surrounds this shaft. The spring 106 is located in a bore 107 in the housing 27 and is confined under pressure by means of a collar or shoulder at its upper end and the slide bearing in the housing 27 at its lower end. It is the action of this spring 106 on the slide shaft 105 that maintains the cam roller 103 in engagement with the lower face of the cam 101.

The cross bar 104 is guided vertically for its lifting action of the impaling spindles 36. Hence a roller 108 is provided and is rotatably carried on one end of this cross car (FIG. 4). The roller 108 operates in a vertical raceway 109 in the housing 27,

The cam 101 is rotated by means of a belt driven from the main drive shaft 85. A pulley 110 secured to the lower hub of a cam 101 is driven from a drive pulley 1'11 mounted on the main drive shaft 85. An endless drive belt 112 operates over the

pulleys

110, 111. An idler pulley 113 is engagea-ble against one run of the belt 112 for adjusting the driving tension of this belt. The idler pulley 113 is carried pivotally on a bolt secured in a lever 114. This lever 114 is adjustable and is secured by a bolt to a boss 115 on the housing 27.

The label feed, label cut-off, stapler and ejector devices previously outlined in accordance with the disclosure of FIGURE 1 now will be described more fully. The label feed 41 (FIG. 5) illustrates how the web of label mateterial used for providing labels is drawn downwardly from the reel 42 and is passed between a guide roller and a stationary pin 126 positioned beneath in spaced relation to the roller 125. This guide roller is carried rotatably on a shaft 127 secured in the support 45. The pin 126 is also secured in the support 45.

The guided web of label material thereafter is passed between a pair of upper and

lower feed rollers

128, 129. The upper roller 128 is carried rotatably on a shaft 130 secured in one end of a lever 131. This lever is carried on a pivot pin 132 secured in a lug 133 on the support 45. The end of the lever 131 opposite the roller 128 is provided with a bore 134 wherein a spring 135 is located. The spring 135 engages against an upper surface of the support 45 and thus rocks the lever 131 to cause the feed roller 128 to exert pressure against the web of label material as it passes over the lower feed roller 129. This lower feed roller 129 is secured to a drive shaft 136 rotated in the support 45. The drive shaft 136 is driven intermittently in any suitable manner in timed relation with other operations of the apparatus to advance the web of label material into a guideway 137 in the support 45.

As the web of label material advances through the guideway 137 it approaches the label cut-off 46 which is positioned at the inner end of the label feed 41. A length of web material sufficient in length to provide a label for an ornament, is advanced by the operation of the lower feed roller 129 to extend beyond the edges of the cut-off knives in readiness to be cut from the web. This then provides the next label to be secured on an ornament being prepared on the impaling spindle 36.

The cut-off device 46 includes a stationary knife 138 and a coacting movable knife 139 (shown in FIG. slight ly advanced past the stationary knife 138). The stationary knife 138 is secured to the inner end of an extension 140 on the support 45. The movable knife 139 is secured to the lower end of a punch plate 141 which is mounted to the lower end of the stapler 47. This punch plate 141 is moved upwardly and downwardly with a stapler slide 142 and other associated parts of these devices.

As the stapler slide 142 returns to its upper position following a stapling operation wherein an individual label is secured to an ornament, the ornament with its label now is ready to be ejected from the apparatus. This is accomplished by means of the ejector device 56 which is positioned beneath the stapler 47 and extends outwardly to the right as viewed in FIGURE 5.

The ejector device 56 includes an ejector slide 143 which is carried for reciprocation in a slide support 144. The slide support is secured to the bottom surface of the frame 52. The ejector slide carries an ejector plate 145 which is secured thereto and which extends transversely of this device. At each opposite end, the ejector plate is provided with an ejector finger 146. These fingers 146 project beyond the impaling spindles 36 at the front and rear of the apparatus. It is during the movement of the ejector slide 143 that these ejector fingers 146 engage a finished ornament for discharging it from the apparatus.

The ejector slide 143 normally is held in the position shown in FIGURE 5 by a latch 147 which is engageable with the upper end of lug 148 on the ejector slide 143. Latch 147 is pivoted on a pin 149 secured in a lug on the frame 52. This latch 147 is released from the position shown in FIGURE 5 during an ejection operation by means of a vertically disposed rod 150. This rod is slidable in spaced apart lugs 151, 152 on the support 52. The lower end of the rod 150- is adapted to coact with a lever 153 on the inner end of the latch 147.

The movement of the ejector slide 143 is achieved by a spring 154 which has a lower end thereof connected in any suitable manner to the lower right side of the apparatus (FIG. 1). The upper end of the spring is connected to one end of a cable 155 which is carried over a pulley 156 and is secured at its opposite end in a suitable connector 157 on the ejector slide 143. The pulley 156 is rotatable on a pin 158 secured in a bracket 159 which extends outwardly from the frame 52.

When the support 52 is at the position shown in FIG- URE 5, the spring 154 is under tension normally urging the ejector finger 146 forward (which is to the right as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 5). The latch 147 however restrains this action until such time immediately following the stapling operation and the upward travel of the support 52. Hence, when the frame 52 has moved upwardly, the ejector finger 146 is engaged with the side of the ornament at a location directly beneath the label. With this action, the lever 153 coacts with the bottom end of the rod 150 (the top end of the rod 150 having been stopped by the bracket 168) to tilt the lever 153. This disengages the latch 147 from its engagement with the end of the lug 148 and permits the ejector finger 146, carried on the ejector slide 143, to move outward rapidly from the position shown at the right as viewed in FIGURE 5 and to eject the finished ornament from the apparatus, by lifting the finished ornament from the impaling spindle.

As the frame 52 returns to its upper position the tension of the spring 154 is relaxed so that it is unable to overcome the effectiveness of the pull-back springs 160 which exert suflicient pull to restore the ejector slide 143 in its latched position as shown in FIGURE 5. The springs 160 are linked together and are positioned beneath the ejector slide 143. One of the springs 160 is connected at one end to the slide by hooking engagement in the eye bolt 148. The opposite end of the other spring 160 is connected at its inner end by hooking engagement in a stationary depending element 161 secured to the slide support.

FIGURE 5 also illustrates an inclined portion 162 of the frame 52 extending inwardly and upwardly and terminating adjacent the punch plate 141. This inclined portion 162 serves as a deflector. This FIGURE 5 also illustrates a safety switch 163 for stopping the operations of the apparatus. This switch 163 is mounted on the bracket 159. The switch 163 is sensitive and is actuated by the touch of an ejected ornament against a downwardly sloping wire 164. If this contact with the wire 164 does not occur, the circuit is not reset for the next forming operation; the motor circuit is open and the machine stops.

FIGURE 6 of the drawings illustrates the impaling spindles 36 located at the impaling station at the front and rear of the apparatus. An impaling spindle 36 is formed on the upper end of the tubular shaft which is carried vertically in bearings in a bore 176 of a depending boss 177 on the housing 27. The shaft 175 has a shoulder 178 which has fitting engagement within an annular ring 179 which constitutes a base for the impaling spindle 36. The ring 179 of the impaling spindle 36 is supported on an annular seal element 180 which is located in a recess 181 of the housing 27.

An elongated tube 182 surrounds the tubular shaft 175 and provides a spacer element between the upper and lower frictionless bearings. A spacer ring 183 is carried adjacent the lower end of the tubular shaft 175 and is located between the lower bearing and the pulley 93. A nut 184 threaded on the lower end of the tubular shaft 175 secures the pulley 93 against the spacer ring 183 and thus locks the elements hereinbefore described together as a unit.

The tubular shaft 175, including the impaling spindle 36 at the upper end thereof, is provided with a bore 185 wherein an impaling stern 186 is located. This impaling stem 186 is adapted for rotation with the tubular shaft 175 and also for axial movement relative thereto.

In order for the impaling stem 186 to rotate with the tubular shaft 175 a pin 187 is secured transversely in the impaling stem 186. The ends of the pin 187 project outwardly from the opposite sides of the impaling stem 186 and enter in a longitudinal slot 188 provided in the tubular shaft 175.

The axial movement of the impaling stem 186 relative to the impaling spindle 36 is achieved by the cam actuation of the cross bar 104. Hence, for this purpose the lower end of the spindle stern 186 is pivoted in a suitable connection with the cross bar 104.

The impaling stem 196 adjacent its upper end is formed to provide relatively close fitting engagement within the bore 185 and at the same time reduce the frictional engagement between these parts. For this purpose the stem 186 is formed with an angular cross sectional portion 189 near its upper end, which portion has a plurality of corners 190 which project outwardly from the circular section of the remainder of the stem 186. It is these corners 190 that engage the wall surface of the bore 188 in substantial line contact thereby reducing normal surface contact between the parts.

FIGURE 13 of the drawings illustrates an upper portion of the impaling spindle drawn to an enlarged scale and includes a head 191 for the impaling stem 186. This head is secured by threads 192 in the top end of the impaling stem 186. The head 191 is provided with a plurality of main impaling needles 193, preferably three in number, which are secured in the impaling head and arranged in a concentric spaced apart relation (FIG. 14). Also included on the head are a plurality of auxiliary needles 194 which are shorter in length than the main needles. There are three of these auxiliary needles 194 and these are positioned alternately between the main needles 193. It is by means of these needles that the ribbon is held securely after impalement for twisting the lengths of ribbon into loops. FIGURES 15, 16 show the details of the head 191, provided with threads 192 on a lower end portion having the same arrangement of main and 9

auxiliary needles

193, 104 disposed in spaced apart concentric relation.

FIGURES 13, also illustrate in detail a spiral thread 195 provided on each of the main needles. The threads 195 are formed with a relatively steep lead angle and thus greatly increases the hold on the ribbon as it is impaled.

The ribbon feed carriage previously referred to in connection with the disclosures of FIGURES 1 and 2 now will be described more fully. FIGURES 7, 8 of the drawings illustrates the ribbon feed carriage 35 which includes a main carriage body 200 having pairs of

longitudinal platforms

201, 202 extending outwardly from opposite ends of the body 200 in spaced apart parallel relation. These

platforms

201, 202 are secured to the carriage body 200 in any suitable manner. The individual ends of the ribbon Withdrawn from the reels 28 as hereinbefore described for feeding into the apparatus pass over the platforms 201 as they are advanced there along towards the inner ends of the platforms 201. As the ends of the ribbon reach this inner location they pass beneath a pair of stationary plates 203 which are positioned along the path of travel of the feed carriage 35. Each plate 203 is secured to a longitudinal support rail 204 extending along the front and rear of the apparatus. These support rails 204 are secured to spaced apart posts 205 mounted on the housing 27.

A roller 206 is positioned beneath each of the stationary plates 203 and is arranged to bear against the ribbon and roll along beneath it as the ribbon engages and is held against the bottom surface of the plate. The plates 203 and their coacting rollers 205 are adapted to provide hold-back means to stop the backward movement of the ribbon during the return stroke of the ribbon feed carriage 35. This function is only essential at the commencement of the formation of each looped ribbon ornament. Thereafter, the ribbon is impaled on the needles 193 and does not need to be advanced. But for the initial loop, there would be no portion of the ribbon in the notch 236. On the return stroke of the carriage 35, before the ribbon is first impaled, the ribbon is free at its outer end, and is carried back by the carriage 35, until the rollers 205 press it against the bottom of the plates 203 establishing a frictional contact that holds the ribbon immobile while the carriage continues its rearward stroke. The ribbon then issues from the rearwardly moving notch 236 until relieved of frictional contact with the plates 203 when the rollers 205 ride off of the plate. By this time, a tail piece of ribbon sufficiently long to insure against the ribbon pulling off the needles 193, has issued from the notch 236, ready for the first impalement. Hence, for this purpose each bottom surface of the plates 203 has a high friction engaging surface formed thereon. Such a surface may very well be one that previously had been treated by sand blasting. The roller 206 is biased toward the ribbon which is backed upon the high friction engaging surface of the plate 203 by a leaf spring 207. The roller 206 is carried pivotally on a pin 208 secured in a bracket 209 mounted on a free end of the leaf spring 207. This leaf spring is secured to a support 210 mounted on the carriage 35.

The leading ends of the ribbon thereafter pass under a ribbon tension adjustment. The tension adjustment includes a horizontally disposed adjustable rod 211 extending transversely of the path of travel of the ribbon and bearing thereon. The rod 211 is carried on a pivotable bracket 212 secured along the inner side of the horizontal platform 202. The tension exerted by this rod on the ribbon during the return stroke of the platform regulates the length of the ribbon issuing from the notch 236, by modifying the action of the roller 206 on the plate 203 as hereinbefore described: the tighter the engagement of the rod 211 with the ribbon, the lesser the length of ribbon issuing from the notch 236.

The ribbon after passing over the rod 211 enters in and passes through a guideway 213 formed in the cover plates 214. These cover plates are secured to the top surface of the platform 202. As the ribbon advances along the guideway 213 it passes over a ribbon gripper 215. Such a gripper is located in the path of the ribbon for the purpose of gripping and holding the ribbon against the cover plate for advancing a desired length of ribbon during a feeding stroke of the carriage 35. This ribbon gripper 215 generally is in the form of a rocker type lever which carries a gripper insert 216 at an upper extension thereof. The gripper 215 also is provided with a lever arm 217 extending downwardly thereof.

Each ribbon gripper 215 is secured to a shaft 218 journaled in bearings in the platform 202. These shafts 218 extend inwardly from the front and rear of the apparatus and are joined by with intermediate shaft 219 by a pin and collar connector 220. (FIG. 8.)

The gripper 215 is rocked for ribbon gripping engagement when it is desired to start feeding by a spring 221 which has one end hooked onto the lower end of the lever arm 219. The opposite end of the spring is secured in an opening 222 in the depending wall of the ribbon feed carriage 35.

Since the gripping of the ribbon during the feed stroke is dependent upon the engagement of the ribbon by the insert 216, which occurs when the clapper arm 224 is released by the magnet 225, it is apparent that the length or ribbon fed may be nicely controlled by timing the release of the arm 224 to occur in a chosen portion of the feed stroke of the carriage 35. The magnet 225 is pulsed to release the arm 224 by a snap-action switch 304 (i.e. one that immediately restores the circuit after the break). This switch, as will be hereinafter set forth, is adjustable so that it may pulse the magnet 225 at a plurality of positions during the feed stroke. The result is that a selected length of ribbon can be chosen for feeding for each loop.

Provision also is made to hold the gripper 215 out of engagement with the ribbon during a return stroke of the feed carriage 35. This is achieved by a clapper 223 secured to the intermediate shaft 219. This clapper 223- has an arm 224 which is rocked into the position best illustrated in FIGURE 9 where it is held by a magnet 225, which normally is energized for this purpose. The magnet 225 is secured to a bracket 226 which is mounted on the carriage body 200.

After the ribbon passes over the gripper 215, the ribbon continues passing through the guideway 213 toward a ribbon cut-off device 226 secured on top of the platform 202 near its outer end. This cut-off device 226 includes a housed chamber 227 having a base 228 wherein a stem 229 of the plunger 230 is carried. The base 228 also includes a guideway 231 which is a continuation of the guideway 213. At its lower end, the stem 229 carries a cutoff knife 232 which operates in an opening 233 in both the base 228 and the platform 202. The plunger 230 normally is held in an up position in the chamber 227, by a spring 234 to permit free passage of the ribbon through the guideway 231. The ribbon cut-off device 226 is operated by fluid means connected to the cut-off device from any suitable source, which fluid enters the chamber 227 above the plunger 230, forcing it downwardly against the resistance of the spring 234 to cut the ribbon. The ribbon preferably is cut following the feeding and forming of the last length of ribbon in an ornament, thus separating the completed ornament from the supply of ribbon.

During normal feeding, such as when successive lengths of ribbon are being fed, the ribbon passes freely through the guideway 231 in the cut-off device and thereafter outward (to the right as viewed in FIGS. 7, 8) through a continuation of the guideway 213. The outer end of the platform 201 is covered by a cover plate 235 which also includes a guideway 213.

FIGURE 8 illustrates notch 236 provided in the outer end of each of the platforms 202. These notches permit the ribbon feed carriage 35 to advance to a position in the impaling station at the end of each feeding stroke to substantially surround the impaling spindle 36, thereby supporting the ribbon in the guideway 213 during the impaling operation, when the needles 193 intrude into the notch 236 to skewer the ribbon.

Having described the various devices and elements associated with the ribbon feed carriage and the advancement of the ribbon therealong in detail, the operation of the feed carriage 35 now will be described. Following the cut-off of a completed ornament, the carriage 35 is in a forward position which is at the right as viewed in FIG- URE 1, at the impaling station.

The ribbon gripper 215 at this time is out of engagement with the ribbon and is in a position as shown in FIGURE 7. The ribbon gripper 215 is held in this inoperative position by the clapper arm 224 through its contact with the normally energized magnet 225.

As the feed carriage 35 gradually begins to move toward the left on its return stroke, the roller 206 rolls along the ribbon, pressing it into engagement with the high friction engaging surface of the plate 203. Hence, with the ribbon held stationary, further movement of the feed carriage 35 relative to the ribbon during its return stroke actually results in advancing a predetermined length of ribbon through the guideway 213 and causing it to issue from the notch 236. Thus, the leading end of the ribbon that was previously in a position at the edge of the cut-off knife 232, following the last cutoff operation of a completed ornament, now is advanced outwardly beyond the outer edge of the plateform 202 as a lead piece or tongue (FIGURE 8). It is this leading end or tongue that is impaled on the impaling spindle at the start of the next feeding stroke of the ribbon feed carriage 35 for the initial length of ribbon to be fed.

Upon reaching the end of the return stroke there is a short dwell before the ribbon feed carriage 35 starts its movement on the next feeding stroke. It is at this time that the magnet 225 is pulsed, thereby releasing its hold on the clapper arm 224 and allowing it to drop free of the magnet. The clapper arm 224 then is held away from the magnet by means of the spring 221 which immediately pulls the lever arm 217 to a position at the right of that viewed in FIGURE 7 thereby rocking the ribbon gripper 215 to the left and bringing the gripper insert 216 into gripping engagement with the ribbon. The gripper insert continues its grip on the ribbon as the ribbon feed carriage 35 starts moving forward on a feeding stroke whereby a length of ribbon is fed freely with the advancement of the feed carriage.

As the feed carriage 35 approaches the end of the feeding stroke, the lever arm 217 strikes against a gripper release bar 237 which is positioned adjacent the impaling station. The gripper release bar 237 is secured in a bracket 238 mounted on a boss 239 on the housing 27. The gripper bar 237 then pushes against the lever arm 217 overcoming the pull of the spring 221 and rocking the ribbon gripper 215 out of engagement with the ribbon. This action also rocks the shafts 218 and the intermediate shaft 219 together with the clapper 223 carried thereon, thereby lifting the clapper arm 224 into position for restoring its holding contact with the normally energized magnet 225. The ribbon feed carriage 35 has now reached the end of its feeding stroke. It is at this time that there is another short dwell before the ribbon feed carriage 35 repeats its cycle of operation. This period of dwell provides ample time for the length of ribbon that was fed to be twisted in a loop by the rotation of the spindles 36, and impaled upon the impaling spindle 36.

Ribbon looper In order to control the predetermined degree of are or angular rotation of the spindle for twisting the successive lengths of ribbon into loops, suitable means are provided whereby the looped ribbon ornament will be formed with a pleasing center loop. Hence, for this purpose, a slip clutch and loop former is provided in the drive train (FIGS. 3, 4) for controlling the angular rotation of the drive pulley 95, and is carried on the main drive shaft directly beneath this pulley.

FIGURES 10, 11' and 12 illustrate a loop former associated with a clutch cage whereby a 360 initial loop of ribbon may be impaled on the spindle needles to provide the center part of a looped ribbon ornament. The successive lengths of ribbon thereafter are fed and twisted into loops having angles of rotation preferably less than the complete 360 initial fill-in twist, such as for example, loops resulting from a 225 arc, twist or angle of rotation of the spindle. With an initial 360 loop for center fill-in, and eight successive 225 loops, the eight successive loops will fall, without duplication at 45 from each other, thereby completing a full looped ornament.

FIGURE 10 of the drawings shows a plurality of parts which comprise the loop former surrounding a clutch cage 250 carried on the main drive shaft 85. The loop former parts include a 360 special actuating arm 251 and a 225 normal actuating arm 252. These arms coact with the clutch cage 250 in a predetermined timed relation for selectively controlling a desired angle of rotation for twisting a particular length of ribbon into a loop.

The special actuating arm 251 is pivoted on a shaft 253 carried in a rocker arm 254 which is pivoted on a shaft 255 secured in a frame 256. This frame 256 is mounted on the housing 27.

The special actuating arm 251 also coacts with a rocker arm 257 and a bell crank lever 258 located at one side thereof as viewed in FIGURE 10. The rocker arm 257 has a shaft 259 secured thereto and pivoted in an opening in the frame 256. The bell crank lever 258 is pivoted on a shaft 260 secured in the frame 256.

FIGURE 10 shows the special actuating arm 251 and its coacting parts in a non-operative position out of the orbit of the rotating clutch cage 250. The special actuating arm 251 thus is held in this position by a latch 261 on an arm of the bell crank lever 258 hooked on a detent 262 on the actuating arm 251. The bell crank lever 258 is held in this latched position by a spring 263 which is connected in an opening to the other arm of the bell crank lever. The opposite end of the spring 263 is connected by a stud 264 to the frame 256. A magnet 265 presently deenergized also is shown pivoted by a suitable pin to the arm of the bell crank lever 258 adjacent the spring connection. The magnet 265 is secured to the frame 256. a

The normal actuating arm 252 is pivoted on a shaft 266 secured in the frame 256. FIGURE 10 illustrates this actuating arm 252 directed inwardly in locked engagement with the clutch cage 250. A detent 267 on the actuating arm 252 is engageable against a lug 268 on the clutch cage 250. The normal actuating arm 252 is urged inwardly into this position by means of a spring 269 which has one end thereof connected in an opening in an arm extension of this actuating arm 252. The opposite end of the spring is connected by a stud 270 to the frame 256 (FIGURE 11). A stop pin 271 secured in the frame 256 limits the inward movement of the normal actuating arm 252.

Since the angular rotation of the main drive shaft 85 has a significant bearing upon the angular rotation of the impaling spindle 36, a definite relationship between their respective angles of rotation exists. Hence, in the interest of simplicity in design and operation of the loop former, an angular rotation of the main shaft 85 equal to 180 has been chosen as a basis for controlling the angular twist of all the loops following the initial twisted loop. Thus, a drive ratio of 4 to 5 between the drive pulley and the driven pulley 93 establishes a conversion of desired angular rotation of the impaling spindle. The or one half of a rotation of the clutch cage 250 thus would be equal to 225 of angular rotation of the impaling spindle 36. An added increment of angular rota- 13 tion is provided in the loop former by the special actuating arm 251 to produce a complete 360 of rotation on the impaling spindle 36. This will be described in further detail in connection with the operations of the loop former.

At the start of an initial feed stroke of the ribbon feed carriage 35 for forming an ornament, the magnet 265 is energized and thus exerts a pulling action on the arm of the bell crank lever 258 overcoming the tension of the spring 263 (FIG. 11). This rocks the lever 258 and releases the latch 261 from its hold on the detent 262 of the actuating arm 251. A spring 272 connected in an opening at the outer end of the special actuating arm 251 exerts a pull on this actuating arm and rocks it inwardly so that a detent 273 on this arm is directed into the orbit of the rotating clutch cage 250. The outer end of the spring 272 is secured by a stud 274 on a stationary arm 275 which is bolted to the frame 256.

The special actuating arm 251 has an extension 276 which is provided with a depending edge 277. As the actuating arm 251 is rocked inwardly, as previously described, this extension 276 also will be rocked but in an outward direction thereby positioning the depending edge 277 into an orbit of lower pin 278, secured on the auxiliary shaft 84. The lower pin 278 is operable only with the depending edge 277 on the actuating arm 251. The high pin 279 is operable only with a depending edge 280 on the actuating arm 252.

FIGURE 11 now illustrates the parts hereinbefore described in a preset position for the 360 cycle. The view shows one of the lugs 268 engaged against the detent 267 on the normal actuating arm 252 thereby holding the clutch cage 250 momentarily against rotation. This view also shows the high pin 279 in engagement with a depending edge 280 of the normal actuating arm 252. Hence, before the low pin 278 can move into position for striking the depending edge 277 and rocking the actuating arm 251, the high pin 279 will precede the action and will strike and rock the normal actuating arm 252 out of the orbit of the lug 268 and allow this lug to pass.

While this action is taking place, the low pin 278 will advance into striking engagement with the depending edge 277 and thereby rock the extension 276 of the actuating arm 251 out of the orbit of the pin 278. During this action the detent 273 also will move outwardly from the orbit of the lugs 268. The actuating arm 251 however will be rocked back immediately and thus restore the arm 251 to its preset position by the tension of the spring 272.

The lug 268 on the clutch cage 250 approaching toward the detent 273 as illustrated in FIGURE 11 will in the meantime advance to a position in engagement with the detent 273 as illustrated in FIGURE 12. The magnet 265, having performed its function in the release of the special actuating arm 251 for the 360 cycle, then is deenergized. The special actuating arm 251 has set the detent 273 into engagement with the lug 268, preparatory for the start of the 360 cycle.

As the lug 268 hereinbefore mentioned moves into engagement with the detent 273 on the actuating arm 251, it exerts a tangential pressure against the detent 273. This action also is assisted by the spring 263 urging the bell crank lever 258 to rock in a counter clockwise direction and press the latch 261 against the detent 262. The com bined pressure of the lug 268 and the latch 261 thus urge the actuating arm 251 to move laterally to the left as illustrated in FIGURE 12 on its pivotal mounting on the shaft 253.

As the actuating arm 251 shifts to the left, a detent 281 on the rocker arm 254 engages against an adjustable screw stop 282 secured in a lug 283 on the frame 256. The actuating arm 251 thereupon becomes locked in this forward position by means of an edge tongue 284 on one end of the rocker arm 257 which drops from its normal position in an inner notch 285 into an outer notch 286 thereby holding the rocker arm 254 in locked position against the stop 282.

The edge tongue 284 of the rocker arm 257 is held in either of its inner or outer notched positions by a spring 287. This spring is connected at one end in an opening in the outer end of the rocker arm 257 and at its other end by a stud 288 secured in the frame 256. The spring 272 continues urging the actuating arm 251 inwardly toward the clutch cage 250 Where the lug 268 is engaged against the detent 273 and the outer end of the actuating arm 251 is engaged against a stop pin 289 secured in the frame 256. This stop pin limits the inward movement of the special actuating arm 251.

Reference now is made to FIGURES 11 and 12 of the drawings which clearly show the increment of rotation that is necessary to be added to the of rotation of the clutch cage 250 to be the equivalent of the 360 of rotation of the impaling spindle 36. This angular rotation of the clutch cage 250 actually is equal to 108 and, as illustrated in drawings would be represented by the path that the lug 268, which presently is in engagement with the detent 273 (FIG. 12), would have to travel until this same lug 268 reaches the detent 267 of the actuating arm 252 as shown in FIGURE 11.

With the actuating arm 251 and its associated elements in their forward position (FIG. 12), the detent 273 located the lug 268 at its exact, predetermined starting position for the increment of rotation which is to precede a regular 180 of rotation. In this position the detent 273 momentarily holds the clutch cage 250 against rotation. The depending edge 277 on the extension 276 of the actuating arm 251 now is located in its innermost position Within the orbit of the low pin 278 on the auxiliary shaft 84. As this pin gradually travels toward the depending edge 277, the low pin 278 will lead, and it will be this low pin 27 8 that will strike the special actuating arm 251. When this occurs the extension 276 of the actuating arm 251 will be rocked out of the orbit of the low pin 278 on its pivotal mounting on the shaft 253.

Simultaneously, with this action, the detent 273 rocks out of the orbit of the lug 268 and permits this lug to start along its path previously referred to as the increment of rotation of the clutch cage 250. As the actuating arm 251 moves outwardly from the clutch cage 250, the extension 276 of the actuating arm 251 bears against a release pin 290 secured to and carried on the rocker arm 257 which rocks this arm about its pivot pin 259. This action also rocks the lead tongue 284 out of its engagement in the outer notch 286 and allows it to return to its normal position in the inner notch 285 where it is held by the spring 287. Following the return of the lead tongue into the inner notch 285, the special actuating arm 251 is pulled back to its former position (which is to the right as viewed in FIGURES 10 and 11) on its pivotal mounting on the shaft 253 in the rocker arm 254 by the spring 272. A stop pin 291 secured in the frame 256 limits the return movement of the rocker arm 254 to the right.

While the movements of the elements just described progress, the latch 261 on the bell crank lever 258 bears against the face of the detent 262 under the steady pull of the spring 263. The rocking of the actuating arm 251 included as one of the movements, permits the latch 261 and the elements hereinbefore described back in a nonoperating position as best illustrated in FIGURE 10.

During the progressive action following the release of the lug 268 from its predetermined starting point, the lug 268 finally traverses along its arcuate path to an engaging position against the detent 267 on the normal actuating arm 252. At the time, that this engagement is taking place, the high pin 279, now advances to an engaging position against the depending edge 280 of the actuating arm 252. The high pm 279 then shifts the actuating arm 252 and rocks it on its pivotal mounting on the shaft 266, out of the orbit of the lug 269, allowing it to pass without interruption. The lug 268 thus has completed the increment of rotation of the clutch cage 250 which is equal to 108 of rotation of the shaft 85.

As the lug 268 continues along its path for an additional 180 as hereinbefore described, only the normal actuating arm 252 will continue to function. The normal actuating arm 252 will thereafter be rocked inwardly to position the detent 267 into the orbit of the next advancing lug 268. When this oncoming lug 268 reaches the detent 267 the clutch cage 250 will be stopped momentarily. This stopping action then signifies the completion of the additional 180 of rotation of the main shaft 85, which rotation, together with the increment rotation of 108 is the equivalent of 360 of rotation on the impaling spindle 36.

The subsequent partial rotations of the main shaft 85 thereafter will continue successively, through repeated 180 of rotation until a total of eight of such operations are completed. These partial rotations of 180 of the clutch cage 250 are performed by the actuating arm 252 alone while the actuating arm 251 and its associated coacting elements are locked in a non-operative position as illustrated in FIGURE 10.

The cycle of operation of the loop former now is complete and the detent 267 of the normal actuating arm- 252 is engaged against the lug 268 barring further rotation of the clutch cage 250 until the magnet 265 is reenergized. When this happens, the first step of the cycle of operation hereinbefore described will be repeated for the forming of the initial loop of the next ornament, followed by the remaining normal steps until the predetermined number of 225 loops have been completed.

Suitable devices for the actuation and control of the magnet 265 for the loop former, and magnet 225 for the feeding and release of ribbon hereinbefore described, are shown in the uncovered electrical panel box 300 located in the front of the apparatus (FIG. 1). These devices are connected by any suitable means to a manually operated control panel 301.

A counting device 302 also is provided for controlling the number of twisted loops desired in an ornament following the initial twisted loop. While the preferred number of such loops hereinbefore mentioned was eight, fuller ornaments having many more (or even less) twisted loops may be produced by merely setting of a dial 303 on the control panel 301.

Other devices such as starting and stopping switches also may be connected and operated from the control panel 301. A snap action switch 304 positioned within the housing 27 and is secured to a pivotal bracket in this [housing (FIG. 3). This microswitch 304 adjustably coacts with a drive pulley 305 mounted on the lower end of the auxiliary shaft 84. The switch 304 is connected in a circuit to the magnet 225.

As hereinbefore noted, the pulsing of the magnet at a chosen time correlated with the feed stroke determines the length of the ribbon feed for each loop. Thus, the snap action switch 304 is adjustable for engagement with the cam 309. The switch 304 is pivotable, and may be locked in intermediate positions. In one position, the earn 309 engages the switch 304 at the start of the feed stroke. In the opposite extreme pivoted position, the cam is not engaged by the switch until the partial completion of the feed stroke. Since the pulsing of the magnet by the switch 304 determines when the ribbon is gripped for feeding by the carriage 35, it is seen that this switch 304 adjustably determines the length of each ribbon loop.

A pulley 306 mounted on a shaft 307 is driven from the drive pulley 305 by an endless belt 308 which passes over these pulleys (FIG. 4). The shaft 307 is journaled in suitable hearings in the housing 27 for operating the counting device 302.

The apparatus is started and stopped by the switch 310. A knob 311 in the control panel 301, by a pulley 306 arrangement (not shown) determines the position of the switch 304 in relation to the earn 305 previously mentioned. In this manner, direct control of. the size of each loop formed is provided on the panel by varying the timed engagement of the switch with the cam 305. The bell 305 also drives the sequencing switches in the panel box 300. These switches perform the following various functions, but they are not part of the invention. One switch stops the motor when an ornament is completed, and sequentially, another operates to actuate the support 52, carrying down the stapler 47, and returning it at the end of the stroke. The motor circuit is then reclosed. Another switch drives the counter 302. Another switch operates the ribbon cut off just from the stapling. Another switch operates the magnet 265 at the commencement of the formation of each new ornament.

Having described the apparatus of the present invention, a brief outline of its operation now will be made. The looped-ribbon ornaments are prepared from a continuous strip or web of ribbon which is fastened or secured at spaced intervals so that the lengths of ribbon therebetween may be twisted or formed in a preferred manner to provide loops of ribbon which, when assembled in superimposed and an advanced angular relation, present a pleasing array of loops of ribbon gathered together in a single ornament, or rosette. It is however to be understood that the angles of assembly may be varied so as to produce other types of looped ribbon ornaments.

For this purpose, reels of ribbon are positioned on the feed table so that at least one strip of the ribbon may be withdrawn in a stepby-step manner for intermittent feeding into the apparatus. The leading end of the ribbon is advanced along a predetermined path over and through suitable ribbon guideways in the reciprocating ribbon feed carriage to extend outwardly beyond the forward end of the feed carriage in a position for impalement upon the spindle located at the impaling station. The ribbon feed carriage is carried on a pair of spaced apart horizontally disposed slide bars and reciprocated thereon by the cycloidal drive. Such a drive not only imparts a feeding and return stroke to the ribbon feed carriage but also provides a dwell at the forward end of each feeding stroke. This is one of the important features of the instant apparatus, since it allows ample time for the impaling spindle to move upwardly and impale each successive length of ribbon as it is fed to the impaling station, preparatory to rotating the impaling spindle for twisting these lengths of ribbon into loops.

The cycloidal drive is designed particularly for converting rotary motion into reciprocating motion, hence, this drive is interposed between the auxiliary drive shaft and the ribbon feed carriage. A rotatable pinion is connected at one side by a lever to the auxiliary drive shaft, and at the other side by a pair of levers to the ribbon feed carriage. The pinion meshes with, and is confined for rotation within a stationary annular inner gear.

With the ribbon feed carriage in a forward position following the cut-off of a completed ornament at the impaling station, the feed carriage is ready to ;move in a rearward direction on its return stroke. As the ribbon feed carriage begins to move, the ribbon gripper is held disengaged from the ribbon in an inoperative position by the clapper arm, through its contact with the normally energized magnet. The roller meanwhile begins to roll along the ribbon, pressing it into engagement with the high friction engaging surface of the stationary plate. Hence, with the ribbon held immobile, further movement of the feed carriage relative to the ribbon during its return stroke, actually results in advancing a predetermined length of ribbon through the guideway and causing the cut-off end of the ribbon still remaining in the guideway to issue outward beyond the notch at the forward end of the carriage as a leading end or tongue for impalement. This action is only essential at the start of the formation of each looped ribbon ornament. After this leading end or tongue is impaled on the impaling spindle at the start of the next feeding stroke, there is no need for the advancement of ribbon for this purpose.

The length of the tongue just described may be varied by adjusting the transversally disposed rod which is positioned in the path of travel of the ribbon adjacent the roller to modify the action of the roller on the plate. An adjustment which will tighten the engagement of the rod with the ribbon will tend to shorten the length of the leading end or tongue, whereas a looser engagement will tend to lengthen the tongue, thereby enabling a suflicient length of ribbon to be issued, without the danger of the ribbon being torn off of the impaling needles.

Upon reaching the end of the return stroke, the normally energized magnet is pulsed, thus releasing its hold on the clapper arm, allowing the clapper arm to drop free of the magnet. The clapper arm then is held away from the magnet by a spring, which rocks the gripper into gripping engagement with the ribbon. The gripper continues its grip on the ribbon as the ribbon feed carriage starts moving forward on a feeding stroke carrying with it a length of ribbon with its advancement.

As the ribbon feed carriage approaches the end of the feeding stroke, the ribbon gripper strikes against a ribbon release bar which actuates the gripper and rocks it out of gripping engagement with the ribbon. This action also rocks the shaft upon which the clapper is carried thereby restoring the clapper arm into its holding contact with the normally energized magnet. The ribbon feed carriage now has reached the forward end of the feeding stroke and it is at this time that a short dwell takes before the ribbon feed carriage repeats its cycle of operation.

While the ribbon feed carriage is momentarily at rest in its forward position, the stem carries the needles on the upper end of its stem and moves up vertically, and the needles impale the leading end or tongue of the ribbon. The ribbon feed carriage now moves backward on its return stroke, preparatory to completing its next cycle or operation. During this and subsequent cycles that follow, the action of the roller and its coacting stationary plate have no hold-back elfect upon the ribbon, because the leading end of the ribbon is already held by impalement.

As the ribbon feed carriage moves forward on its next feeding stroke, a length of ribbon for forming the first loop is carried forward by reason of the gripper engaging the ribbon during that portion of the stroke. Upon reaching the end of the stroke, the impaling stem is rotated through 360 of angular rotation for forming the initial loop of the ornament. During the period of dwell of the ribbon feed carriage in its forward position, the impaling stem with the impaling needles on its head repeat their vertical upward movement to impale the length of ribbon that has just been formed into a loop. This completes the cycle of operation of the ribbon feed carriage.

The ribbon feed carriage thereafter is reciprocated through a plurality of cycles of operation for feeding successive lengths of ribbon which also are impaled on needles on the head of the impaling stem. The angles of rotation of these successive lengths of ribbon however will not be a complete 360 rotation, but will be a partial rotation of 225.

The impaling stem is operated in proper timed relation with the reciprocation of the ribbon feed carriage and is lifted vertically to a predetermined ribbon receiving position for successive impalements of each length of ribbon. The lifting of the impaling stem is achieved by means of the lifter cam which is driven by the driving connection from the main drive shaft.

The rotation of the impaling stem is accomplished by a driven pulley secured to the lower end of the impaling spindle. This driven pulley is rotated by a drive pulley carried on the main drive shaft having an endless belt which operates over these pulleys.

Since the rotation of the various lengths of ribbon varies through predetermined angles of rotation, provision is made for controlling the desired angular rotation. Hence, for this purpose the loop former is provided and positioned for operation with the main drive shaft to control the angular rotation of the drive pulley. This loop former includes a clutch cage, a normal actuating arm and a special actuating arm. The clutch cage is carried on the main drive shaft. The arms are carried on a frame surrounding the main drive shaft for coaction with the clutch cage. Pins for controlling the movement of the actuating arms are carried on the adjacently disposed auxiliary shaft.

When an initial loop is to be formed or twisted at the impaling station for the start of a new ornament, both the special actuating arm and normal actuating arm are operated to accomplish a full 360 of rotation of the impaling stem. For all subsequent loops that are to be formed successively with loops less than a complete rotation, preferably a 225 angle of rotation, the normal actuating arm only will function.

The operation of the loop former is controlled through the counter, so that when the desired number of loops have been made, the loop former mechanism ceases to function and the impaled lengths of loops on the impaling stem is severed from the supply of ribbon by the cut-off knife carried on the ribbon feed carriage. The cut-off knife is located near the forward end of the ribbon feed carriage, close to the impalement needles so as to leave a tail piece of the desired length extending from the point of impalement. The loops are then stapled together.

Each completed ornament is stapled with a mounting card or label. Upon completion of the ornament previously described, the frame which carries the ornament is moved downwardly and upon reaching the bottom of its downward stroke where the stapler operates, all of the loops of the ribbon and the label are stapled together as a unit.

The ejector slide operates to remove the completed article from the apparatus.

This completes the operation of producing a looped ribbon ornament. The counting devices which controlled the sequence of operation just described thereafter is reset for the next cycle of operation for the forming of the next ornament.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the apparatus for performing the instant method as well as the steps of the method without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing any of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

-1 claim:

1. apparatus for forming looped-ribbon ornaments comprising,

(-a) a holder for a supply of ribbon,

(b) a reciprocating ribbon feed carriage for feeding desired lengths of ribbon from the holder during a feeding stroke,

(c) an impaling spindle at an impaling station positioned at the end of the carriage feed stroke,

(d) means for reciprocating the ribbon feed carriage,

(e) means .for reciprocating the impaling spindle to impale successive lengths of ribbon fed by the carriage,

(f) a drive for operating the reciprocating means,

(g) means for rotating the impaling spindle during its reciprocation in timed relation to the reciprocation of the carriage,

(h) means for controlling the rotation of the impaling spindle successively through a desired angle of rotation for twisting the lengths of ribbon into loops,

(i) a ribbon cutter positioned adjacent to the impaling spindle for cutting ribbon being fed from the supply of ribbon when a predetermined number of loops have been impaled on the spindle,

(j) a label feed for delivering a label to the impaling spindle,

(k) means for securing the label to a plurality of impaled loops of the ribbon and to fix the form of the loops of ribbon to define an ornament,

(1) an ejector for stripping the ornament from the spindle.

2. An apparatus of the class described in claim 1 wherein the means ((1) for reciprocating the ribbon feed carriage is a cycloidal drive comprising,

(a) a stationary internal gear,

(b) a coacting pinion riding the gear,

(c) and a plurality of levers pivoted together and connected at one end to the pinion, and at the other end to the ribbon feed carriage whereby the carriage is reciprocated and a dwell is provided between reciprocations at the end of a feeding stroke.

3. An apparatus of the class described in claim 1 wherein the means (e) for lifting the impaling spindle to impale successive lengths of ribbon fed by the carriage comprises,

(a) a rotatable cam for reciprocating the impaling spindle vertically,

(b) and a coacting cam roller engageable with the cam and carried on a cross bar connected to the impaling spindle.

4. An apparatus of the class described in claim 1 wherein the means (g) for rotating the impaling spindle in timed relation to the reciprocation of the carriage comprises,

(a) a driving connection,

(b) a driving pulley,

(c) a driven pulley, and

(d) an endless belt surrounding the pulleys.

5. An apparatus of the class described in claim 1 wherein the means (h) for controlling the rotation of the impaling spindle comprises,

(a) a main drive shaft,

(b) a slip clutch on the main drive shaft,

() lugs on the slip clutch,

(d) :a plurality of actuating arms adjacent to the slip clutch,

(e) detents on the actuating arms engageable and disengageable with the lugs,

(f) a driving pulley in cooperative engagement with the clutch for rotating the impaling spindle through a desired angle of rotation whereby an amount of rotation of the spindle is governed by the engagement of one detent with a lug, and subsequent rotation is governed by the engagement of another detent with a lug, the initial amount of rotation being approximately 360 and the subsequent amounts of rotation being less than 360.

'6. An apparatus of the class described in claim 1 wherein the means (k) for securing a label to a plurality of impaled loops of ribbon comprises,

(a) a stapler,

(b) a movable frame carrying the stapler positioned above the impaling station, and having vertical reciprocation toward the impaling spindle, whereby a label and a pluarity of loops of ribbon are stapled together to form an ornament.

7. An apparatus for forming looped-ribbon ornaments having a loop former comprising,

(a) a main drive shaft,

(b) a drive pulley carried on a main drive shaft,

(c) an impaling spindle shaft, and an impaling spindle thereon,

(d) a driven pulley mounted on the impaling spindle shaft,

(e) a drive connection between the drive pulley and the driven pulley,

(f) a clutch cage carried on the main drive shaft adjacent the drive pulley and having driving engagement with the drive pulley,

(g) lugs on the clutch cage,

(h) and actuating arms engageable with the lugs on the clutch cage to control the angular rotation of the clutch cage and through the clutch cages driving engagement with the drive pulley, to control the desired angles of rotation of the impaling spindle that are produced for forming successive loops of ribbon on the impaling spindle.

8. An apparatus for forming looped-ribbon ornaments having a loop former comprising;

(a) a drive pulley rotatably carried on a main drive shaft,

(b) a clutch cage carried on the main drive shaft and engageable with the drive pulley for rotating it through desired angles of rotation,

(c) a pair of lugs on the clutch cage disposed in diametrically opposed spaced apart relation,

((1) a stationary frame surrounding the main drive shaft,

(e) a rocker arm pivoted on the frame and provided with an inner notch and an outer notch,

(f) a special actuating arm pivotally carried on the rocker arm at one side of the clutch cage,

(g) a normal actuating arm pivotally carried on the frame at the opposite side of the clutch cage,

(h) a detent on each of the actuating arms,

(i) a spring connected to an extension on each of the actuating arms for urging the detents into position for engagement with a lug on the clutch cage for holding the lug in a predetermined position at the start of an angular rotation of the clutch cage,

(j) a bell crank lever pivoted on the frame adjacent the special actuating arm,

(k) a latch on one arm of the bell crank lever,

(l) a latch engaging detent on the special actuating arm,

(m) a spring connected to the other arm of the bell crank lever to cause the latch to engage the latch detent on the special actuating arm to hold it outwardly from the clutch cage in a non-operative positron,

(n) a second rocker arm pivoted on the frame and having a tongue end which is engaged in the inner notch of the first mentioned rocker arm while the special actuating arm is in a non-operative position and wherein the tongue end is engaged in the outer notch when the special actuating arm is in a preset position for a 360 cycle,

(0) a magnet connected to an arm of the bell crank lever which, when energized, rocks the lever to unlatch it from the detent on the special actuating arm for releasing the clutch cage for the start of a 360 cycle, at which time the special actuating arm is also shifted and pivoted inwardly to position its detent at an exact location for engagement by a lug on the clutch cage, which point for engagement defines the start of the 360 cycle,

(p) a low pin carried on an auxiliary shaft engageable with an extension on the special actuating arm to push that arm out of the low pins orbit, and to shift the detent out of engagement with a lug on the clutch, thereby allowing the clutch cage to start an initial position of angular rotation of (q) and a high pin carried on the auxiliary drive shaft engageable with an extension on the normal actuating arm to push it out of the high pins orbit, and to shift the detent on the normal actuating arm out of engagement with a lug on the clutch cage, thereby allowing the clutch cage to start a complementary normal angular rotation of 225, whereby the combined actions of both the special actuating arm and the normal actuating arm provide an initial rotation of 135 followed by a complementary rotation of 225 for a total combined 360 of angular rotation for twisting the initial loop; thereafter the special actuating arm is locked in a non-functional position and the normal actuating arm continues to successively hold and release the lug in the clutch cage for a plurality of cycles until a predetermined number of 225 loops are formed.

9. An apparatus for forming looped-ribbon which apparatus includes a ribbon feed comprising;

(a) a ribbon feed carriage mounted for reciprocation on a pair of spaced apart horizontally disposed slide bars for movement therealong on a feeding stroke and a return stroke,

(b) a ribbon gripper engageable with the ribbon for holding the ribbon while a predetermined length of the ribbon is advanced to an impaling station during a feeding stroke.

() a rocker shaft for carrying the ribbon gripper on the carriage,

(d) a spring for holding the ribbon gripper in engagement with the ribbon during the feeding stroke,

(e) a clapper carried on the rocker shaft,

(-f) a normally energized magnet mounted on the carriage for holding the clapper out of engagement with the ribbon during a return stroke of the ribbon feed carriage,

(g) an electrical control for pulsing the magnet at the end of a return stroke of the ribbon feed carriage, to release the clapper, and to allow the ribbon gripper to yield to the spring and move to holding engagement with the ribbon during the next feeding stroke,

(h) and a stationary release rod positioned for engagement with the ribbon gripper for rocking the ribbon gripper out of engagement with the ribbon at the end of the feeding stroke whereby the clapper also is rocked for engagement with the normally energized magnet and the ribbon gripper is held out of engagement with the ribbon on the return stroke of the ribbon feed carriage.

10. An apparatus for forming looped-ribbon ornaments which apparatus includes a ribbon feed comprising;

(b) a stationary plate provided with a high friction engaging surface located adjacent the path of travel of the carriage during its feeding and return strokes,

(c) a roller movable with the carriage coacting with the stationary plate and engaging the ribbon into contact against the high friction surface,

(d) a yieldable spring mounting secured to the carriage for carrying the roller and for urging the roller into engagement with the high friction surface of the stationary plate durin an initial return stroke of the ribbon feed carriage where the ribbon is held immobile relative to the movements of the carriage by being engaged with the surface and a leading end of the ribbon remaining after a previous cutoff is issued beyond the forward end of the ribbon feed carriage ready for an initial impalement of the ribbon on an impaling spindle at the next feed stroke,

(e) and a ribbon tensioning rod positioned adjacent the roller and transversely disposed in the path of the ribbon the rod carried on an adjustable bracket secured to the carriage whereby the pressure exerted by the rod against the ribbon is adjustable to exert tension on the ribbon to vary the length of ribbon issued beyond the forward end of the ribbon feed carriage preparatory to the initial impalement of the ribbon.

11. An apparatus for forming looped-ribbon ornaments having a ribbon cut-off comprising;

(a) a ribbon feed carriage mounted for reciprocation on a pair of spaced apart horizontally disposed slide bars, for movement therealong on a feeding stroke and a return stroke,

(b) a ribbon cut-off positioned adjacent the forward end of the ribbon feed carriage,

(c) a housing for the ribbon cut-0E defining a chamber,

(d) a movable plunger in the housing,

(e) a plunger stem depending from the plunger,

(f) a spring for urging the plunger upwardly within the chamber,

(g) a cut-off knife mounted on the plunger stem,

(h) an opening in the carriage wherein the cut-off knife operates to sever the ribbon adjacent to the loops of ribbon of an ornament completed from a continuous strip of ribbon fed by the ribbon feed carriage,

(i) and fluid means for actuating the plunger for a cutoff operation.

12. An apparatus for forming looped-ribbon ornaments having a drive train comprising;

(a) a ribbon feed carriage mounted for reciprocation,

(b) a stationary internal gear,

(c) a coacting pinion riding the gear,

(d) a plurality of levers pivoted together and connected at one end to the pinion and at the other end to the ribbon feed carriage,

(e) an impaling spindle,

(f) a rotatable cam engaged with the spindle whereby the spindle is reciprocated vertically in timed relation to the carriage,

(g) a driving connection for rotating the spindle, (h) and driving means operably connected to the pinion, the rotatable cam and the driving connection. 13. An apparatus for forming looped-ribbon ornaments having an impaling spindle comprising;

(a) a tubular shaft journaled in bearings for rotation on a vertical axis,

(b) an impaling stem carried in a bore within the shaft for rotation therewith and for movement axially relative to the shaft,

(c) a head for the impaling stern,

(d) a plurality of main needles positioned vertically in spaced relation on the head,

(e) a plurality of short auxiliary needles positioned vertically in spaced and in alternate relation with respect to the main needles,

(f) and a spiral thread on each of the main needles for increasing the hold on the ribbon as it is impaled.

14. An apparatus for forming looped-ribbon ornaments having an ornament ejector comprising;

(a) an impaling spindle located at an impaling station,

(b) a frame mounted for reciprocation and positioned above the impaling spindle,

(c) an ejector slide-way secured to the bottom surface of the frame,

(d) an ejector slide carried in the ejector slideway,

(e) an ejector finger projecting from the ejector slide,

(f) a latch for holding the ejector slide in a normal position preparatory to an ejection operation,

(g) a spring for operating the ejector slide for an ejecting operation,

(h) a spring for restoring the ejector slide to its normal position following an ejecting operation,

(i) a latch lever, a rod in contact therewith,

(j) and a bracket engageable with the rod for actuating the latch lever whereby the spring for operating the ejector slide causes the ejector finger to eject a completed ornament from the impaling spindle.

15. A method for forming looped ribbon ornaments comprising (a) extending a ribbon across a ribbon feed carriage to an impaling station,

(b) reciprocating the ribbon feed carriage to and from the impaling station,

(c) gripping the ribbon as the carriage advances toward the impaling station, and releasing the ribbon as the carriage returns from the impaling station,

(d) causing the carriage to dwell at the impaling station,