US3605821A

US3605821A - Binding strip measuring and assembly mechanism

Info

Publication number: US3605821A
Application number: US850566A
Authority: US
Inventors: Brown Isaacs
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-08-15
Filing date: 1969-08-15
Publication date: 1971-09-20
Anticipated expiration: 1988-09-20

Abstract

A MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATICALLY ASSEMBLING A BINDING CLIP TO ONE EXTREMITY OF A STRIP OF METAL MATERIAL, MEANSURING A DESIRED LENGTH OF THE STRIP MATERIAL AND SEVERING THE DESIRED LENGTH OF STRIP MATERIAL FROM A STORAGE ROLL. THE MECHANISM IS PROVIDED WITH A STRIP GUIDE BAR HAVING A STRIP GUIDE GROOVE FORMED THEREIN. A BRAKE MECHANISM, A STRIP DRIVE MECHANISM, AND A STRIP EXTREMITY IMMOBILIZING MECHANISMS, ARE DISPOSED ADJACENT THE STRIP GUIDE GROOVE TO CONTROL MOVEMENT OF THE STRIP MATERIAL. A STRIP CUTTER, A STRIP BINDING APPARATUS, AND A CLIP FASTENING DEVICE ARE PROVIDED ADJACENT THE STRIP GUIDE GROOVE TO PERFORM CUTTING, BINDING, AND FASTENING OPERATIONS ON THE STRIP MATERIAL. A CLIP ORIENTING AND FEED DEVICE IS PROVIDED TO ORIENT BUILDING CLIPS SO THAT A CLIP MAY BE CONNECTED TO THE FREE EXTREMITY OF THE STRIP MATERIAL. CONTROL OF THE ENTIRE MECHANISM IS ACHIEVED BY AN ADJUSTABLE SEQUENCE TIMING CONTROL DEVICE WHICH IS RESPONSIVE TO LINEAR MOVEMENT OF THE STRIP MATERIAL BEING DRIVEN.

Description

B. ISAACS Sept. 20, 1971 BINDING STRIP MEASURING AND ASSEMBLY MECHANISM Filed Aug. 15, 1969 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 N 6 N2 N6 S O? ON m\ Q\ Sept. 20, 1971 B. ISAACS BINDING STRIP MEASURING AND ASSEMBLY MECHANISM Filed Aug. 15. 1969 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 6

INVENTOR BROWN ISAACS W%w ATTORNEY Sept. 20, 197-1 B. ISAACS 3,605,821

BINDING STRIP MEASURING AND ASSEMBLY MECHANISM Filed Aug. 15. 1969 3 Sheets-Sheet S 72 70 FIG. 7

FIG. 9

INVENTOR BROWN ISAACS /2 BY f ATTRNEY United States Patent 3,605,821 BINDING STRIP MEASURING AND ASSEMBLY MECHANISM A mechanism for automatically assembling a binding clip to one extremity of a strip of metal material, measuring a desired length of the strip material and severing the desired length of strip material from a storage roll. The mechanism is provided with a strip guide bar having a strip guide groove formed therein. A brake mechanism, a strip drive mechanism, and a strip extremity immobilizing mechanisms, are disposed adjacent the strip guide groove to control movement of the strip material. A strip cutter, a strip binding apparatus, and a clip fastening device are provided adjacent the strip guide groove to perform cutting, bending, and fastening operations on the strip material. A clip orienting and feed device is provided to orient binding clips so that a clip may be connected to the free extremity of the strip material. Control of the entire mechanism is achieved by an adjustable sequence timing control device which is responsive to linear movement of the strip material being driven.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention is related generally to strip material used for binding and more particularly to a mechanism for automatically providing measured strips of the binding material having a binding clip securely fastened to one extremity thereof. The strip material is generally composed of metal and has numerous binding uses including binding of bales of material and binding insulation material about heated pipelines and the like as is frequently done in processing industries. The strip material may be composed of various acceptable plastic material or any other suitable material.

In order to perform binding opertions generally a crew of men is provided, one of Whom serves to cut the strip material into measured lengths. The other workers take the measured lengths of material and a number of standard binding clips to the Work site. As each strip of material is selected for installation a clip is threaded onto one extremity of the strip material and a short length of strip material is bent about the clip by the workman. The worker cutting the measured lengths of material may also manually fix the clips to the lengths of material. The operation of transporting clips to the work site and installing them on the strip material by hand obviously results in considerable loss of time by the worker performing the binding operation. A considerable amount of time is also involved in cutting the strip material to measured lengths. Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a novel mechanism for automatically assembling a binding clip to one extremity of metal strip material, measuring a desired length of the strip material, and severing the desired length of material from a storage roll.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel mechanism for automatically assembling a binding clip to metal strip material and which may be adjusted to sever any desired length of strip material.

Among the several objects of this invention is contemplated the provision of a novel binding clip assembly mechanism which positively secures a clip to the free extremity of the strip material in such manner as to prevent separation thereof.

It is an even further object of this invention to provide a novel mechanism for producing measured strips of binding material having binding clips securely attached at one extremity thereof and which is simple in nature, reliable in use, and low in cost.

The above and other objects and novel features of the instant invention will be readily apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be expressly understood that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and are not intended to define the limits of the invention, but rather to merely illustrate a preferred embodiment and structure incorporating the features of the instant invention.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and wherein like reference numerals are employed to designate like parts:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a mechanism constructed in accordance with the spirit and scope of the instant invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the mechanism of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the strip guide structure illustrating adjustability of the strip guide structure to compensate for strip material of various widths.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view of the strip guide structure illustrating the clip securing station and showing strip material bent back upon itself about a binding clip.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a binding clip of the type utilized by the mechanism of this invention.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view in section illustrating the cutter mechanism of FIG. 2 in detail.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating electrical and pneumatic circuitry of the mechanism of this invention.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are schematic views illustrating double actuation of the pneumatic cylinders utilized for control of the mechanism.

FIG. 10 is an operational view in elevation illustrating bending of the free extremity of the strip material about a binding clip.

Briefly the mechanism or machine of this invention includes a pair of drive rollers capable of receiving metal strip material therebetween and driving the stri material linearly from a storage housing for strip material. A strip brake member is provided adjacent the drive rollers and cooperates with the drive rollers in order to secure the strip material against linear movement as desired. The drive rollers and the brake member are simultaneously controlled by a solenoid mechanism actuated by linear movement of the strip material. Accurate measurement is accomplished by cooperative interrelation of the drive rollers and brake mechanism. The mechanism is provided with a clip work station where metal binding clips are automatically fed into a clip orienting recess provided therefor. Apparatus is provided at the clip work station for bending the free extremity of the strip material about the binding clip and securely fastening the strip material to the binding clip to prevent subsequent disassembly thereof. After the strip material has been properly measured the strip material is severed by a strip cutter provided therefor and a strip removing device very rapidly extracts the finished strip and clip assembly from the machine and feeds it into a storage receptacle provided therefor.

Referring now to the drawings for a more detailed description of the instant invention, a mechanism or machine, illustrated generally at in FIGS. 1 and 2, is provided with a generally planar elongated base 12 to which a strip storage housing 14 is attached by means of bolts 16. The storage housing 14 is provided with a support base 18 having a plurality of elongated openings 20 formed therein. The elongated openings 20 receive the bolts 16 and allow the base member 18 to be shifted linearly within limits defined by the length of the elongated openings 20. Lateral shifting of the base member allows proper positioning of a roll of strip material in registry with strip measuring and driving apparatus described indetail hereinbelow. The bolts 16 are maintained sufliciently tight to restrain movement of the housing by vibration but readily allow the housing to be shifted laterally either manually or mechanically without adjustment of the bolts '16. A friction pad or compression spring may be interposed between the bolt head and the base of the storage housing to provide the restraiinng force. The storage housing '14 is provided with an intermediate partition 22 securely fixed to the support portion 24 of the storage housing. A support shaft 26 extends through an aperture provided in a centrally located guide 28 secured to the partition 22. Rolls of strip material 30 may be placed about the guide bushing 28 on each side of the central partition 22 and are enclosed within the storage housing 14 by

cover plates

32 and 34. The cover plates are retained in assembly with the support shaft 26 by nut members 36. A cylindrical protective member 38 is secured to the partition 22 in order to enclose the peripheral portion of the storage housing 14 and is provided with an outlet opening 39 in order to allow exit of the strip material from the storage housing.

During operation of the machine the storage housing 14 will be shifted to one extremity of its linear travel thereby allowing one of the storage rolls of strip material to be properly disposed in registry with a strip measuring device 40 secured to the base plate 12 immediately adjacent the outlet opening 39. While the machine is in operation and strip material is being withdrawn from one of the storage rolls 30 personnel controlling the machine will be allowed to refill the other side of the storage housing with a fresh roll of strip material thereby allowing production to continue as rapidly as is feasible. After a roll of strip material has been depleted by the machine the storage housing 14 may be shifted to the other extremity of its linear movement thereby registering the fresh roll of strip material with the measuring device 40 and allowing the machine operating personnel to remove the

opposite cover plate

32 or 34 and replace the depleted storage roll with a fresh roll of strip material.

The strip measuring device 40 includes a base block 42 to which is pivotally connected a timing roller support member 44. A timing roller 46 is rotatably carried by the member 44 and is biased into engagement with the base block 40 by a spring member 48 disposed about an adjustment bolt 50. The tension spring is adjusted by a nut member 52 secured to the bolt member 50. As illustrated in broken lines in FIG. 1 the timing roller 46 is connected to a timing mechanism 54 being in turn electrically connected to four solenoid energized control valves 56, S8, 60, and 62 as illustrated in detail in FIG. 7. The timing mechanism '54 is adjustable in order to allow the length of the strip material to be infinitely varied as desired. Any one of a number of acceptable commercially available timing mechanisms may be successfully employed for the purposes set forth herein. The timing mechanism 54 includes a power conductor 64 communicating with a source E of electrical energy. The power conductor 64 is connected to each of the

solenoid valves

56, 58, 60, and 62 as illustrated in FIG. '7.

Ground conductors

66, 68, 70, and 72 are connected respectively to the electrical circuitry of the

control valves

56, 58, 60, and 62 and are connected through the timer mechanism 54 to a common ground conductor 74.

Pneumatic fluid is conducted from a fluid supply source S through a pressure regulating, dewatering and lubrication mechanism R to the solenoid energized

control valves

56, 58, 60, 62. Pneumatic fluid is conducted from the control valve 56 to an associated pneumatic linear motor 78- by a. pair of

fluid transfer conduits

80 and 82. Each of the linearly actuated fluid motors of this invention is constructed and function in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. A piston member 84 is movably disposed within a cylinder 86 to which is communicated a pair of pneumatic

fluid supply conduits

90 and 92. Each of the double acting control valves is adapted to supply pneumatic pressure to one extremity of the cylinder 86 and to exhaust pneumatic fluid from the other extremity thereof. As illustrated in FIG. 8 pneumatic fluid is being exhausted from the lower portion of the cylinder 86 through the conduit 92 and is being introduced through the supply conduit 90 into the upper portion of the cylinder 86 thereby positively forcing the piston member 84 downwardly. After the control valve structure 91 has been shifted by solenoid energization from its FIG. 8 position to the FIG. 9 position thereof, the internal passage configuration of the control valve 91 causes pressurized pneumatic fluid to be introduced through the conduit 92 into the lowermost portion of the cylinder 86 and simultaneously allows exhausting of pneumatic fluid from the upper portion of the cylinder 86 through the conduit 90. This causes the piston to be forcibly urged upwardly. It is seen therefore that each of the linear pneumatic motors will be forcibly urged by the pressurized pneumatic fluid to each of the two operating positions thereof thereby assuring rapid positive actuation in both directions and positive maintenance of piston position in each of the operative positions.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 the pneumatic linear motor 78 is secured to a support post 94 carried by the base plate 12. A strip brake and drive actuating lever 96 is secured by pivot 98 to the post 94 and is secured by a second pivot 100 to the actuating stem 1102 of the linear motor 78. The actuating lever 96 is provided with a brake foot 104 that is forced downwardly into braking engagement with the strip material as the linear motor 78 is actuated to move the stern 102 upwardly. As the actuating stern 102 is moved downwardly by the linear motor 78 the brake foot 104 is moved upwardly thereby releasing the strip material and a drive arm 106 of the lever 96 simultaneously moves an idler roller housing 108 about its pivotal connection 110 with a drive roller base L12 secured to the base plate 12. This movement brings an idler roller 114 into driving engagement with a drive roller 116 rotatably journaled within the drive roller base 112. The drive roller .116 is continuously rotated by an electrically energized rotary drive motor 118 through a reduction gear mechanism .120 and a clutch structure 122. The clutch structure 122 prevents damage to the drive roller or other structure of the machine in the event the drive roller should become jammed.

With reference now to FIGS. I and 2 an elongated strip guide bar 124 having a strip guide groove 126 formed therein is supported in generally paralleled spaced relation with the base plate 12. The strip guide groove 126 receives the strip material as it is fed from the strip drive mechanism. As illustrated in FIG. 3 the strip guide groove 126 is of sufficient width to receive the widest strip material accepted by the machine and may be is provided with a pair of adjustable strip guides 128 and130 being pivotally connected to the guide bar 124. A pair of

adjustment members

132 and 134 are connected to the guide bar 124 and engage the

adjustment members

128 and 130 in such manner as to allow proper centering of narrow strip material. This feature allows utilization of strip material of various widths by the same machine simply by adjusting the machine to accept the selected width of strip material.

A support post 136 is secured to the base plate 12 and supports a linear fluid motor 138 having a brake foot 140 secured directly to the actuating stem 142 thereof and disposed immediately above the strip guide groove 126. Upon being energized downwardly the brake foot 140 engages the strip material to completely immobilize the free extremity of the strip material within the strip guide groove 126.

A vibrating clip orienting and feeding apparatus 144 of conventional nature is secured to the base plate 12 and is adapted to feed binding clip members, such as that illustrated at 146 in FIG. 5, into a clip recess 148 formed in the strip guide bar 124, as illustrated in detail in FIG. 4. The clip orienting and feed apparatus 144 is provided with a feed chute 150 for the purpose of transporting the clip members 146 through an opening 152 formed in the post 136 and into the clip recess 148. A cover plate 154 is secured to the strip guide bar 124 and cooperates with the strip guide groove 126 to thread the free extremity of the strip material through an elongated opening 156 formed in the clip member 146.

For the purpose of bending the strip material about the clip member 146 a support member 158 is secured to the base plate 12 as illustrated in detail in FIG. 10. The support member 158 is provided with an elongated aperture 160 which cooperates with a bolt 162 to retain a strip bending manipulator 164 in movable assembly with the support member 158. The actuating stern 164 of a linear pneumatic motor 166 is pivotally connected by a bolt 168 to the strip bending manipulator. As the linear motor 166 is actuated the manipulator is rotated about the bolt 162 and the elongated aperture 160 cooperates with the bolt 162 causing the manipulator to be moved both upwardly and laterally through an appropriate aperture formed in the guide bar 124 from a position where the upper extremity thereof is disposed below the guide groove 126 through the full line position where the manipulator initially engages the strip material and through the dash line positions thereby causing the manipulator to fold the free extremity of the strip material about the binding clip as illustrated in the operational views in FIG. 10. The lower extremity of the fluid motor 166 is pivotally secured to a support member 170 fixed to the base plate 12.

As illustrated in the schematic view in FIG. 7 the

pneumatic motors

138 and 166 are energized through actuation of the solenoid control valve 62. The pneumatic motor 138 is connected directly to the fluid supply source through

control conduits

172 and 174 while pneumatic fluid is supplied to the fluid motor 166 through branch conduits 176 and 178 connected respectively to the

conduits

172 and 174. A pair of

fluid restrictors

180 and 182 are interposed in the conduits 176 and 178, respectively, and serve to restrict the flow of pneumatic fluid to the motor 166 thereby causing the motor 166 to be delayed slightly in its movement to the operative position thereof. The delayed movement is provided to allow the foot member 140 of the fluid motor 138 to immobilize the strip material before the strip bending manipulator 164 is moved to cause bending of the free extremity of the strip material about the binding clip. This feature precludes the strip bending manipulator from moving the strip material rearwardly as it is actuated through its bending movement.

The binding clip is securely fixed to the strip material after the bending operation by simultaneously deforming the assembled clip and strip material as illustrated in FIG. 4. This feature is accomplished by means of a linear pneumatic motor 184 secured to the support post 136 and which motor is provided with a dimple forming tool 186 at the lower extremity of the actuating stem 188 thereof.

As is illustrated in FIG. 7 the linear fluid motor 184 is energized by the control valve 60 causing the flow of pneumatic fluid through the fluid supply conduits 190 and 192.

After the binding clip 146 has been securely fastened to the free extremity of the strip material the fluid motor 78 is energized causing the brake foot 104 to release the strip material and simultaneously causing the idler roller 114 to be moved into binding engagement thereby causing the continuously rotating drive roller 116 to drive the strip material to its properly measured length. The timing mechanism actuates the linear pneumatic motor 78 upon reaching the measured length thereby again causing the brake foot 104 to secure the strip material and allowing the idler roller 114 to be biased upwardly releasing driving engagement of the strip drive mechanism. The strip material is then severed by energization of a linear pneumatic motor 194 that is secured to a support post 196 fixed to base plate 12. The actuating stern 198 of the motor 194 is connected to a strip shear member 200 illustrated in detail in FIG. 6. A portion of the strip guide bar is cut away as illustrated in FIG. 6 to define a groove receiving a hardened shear base 202. The movable shear member 200 is received between

shear guide members

204 and 206 that maintain proper orientation between the shear members 200 and the shear base 202. Actuation of the shear member is controlled by the soloid control valve 58 which controls the supply of pneumatic fluid through the

control conduits

208 and 210.

A completed measured strip of binding material with a binding clip attached is removed from the mechanism of this invention by a continuously rotating friction brush or wheel 212 that is driven by a rotary motor 214. A storage bin, not shown, may be placed at the end of the strip guide bar to receive completed pieces from the machine.

OPERATION After the strip material has been severed at the end of a preceding operation the timing mechanism, which is ener- --gized sequentially with the strip shearing mechanism, ac-

tuates the control valve 56 causing the linear pneumat c motor 78 to be energized in such manner as to force the actuating stem downwardly thereby causing simultaneous releasing of the brake foot 104 and energization of the strip drive mechanism and causing the strip material to be driven until the free extremity thereof has been threaded through a binding clip member 156 that has been fed automatically into the clip receiving recess at the clip securing station. At this time the linear motor 78 is actuated in reverse manner by the control valve 56 thereby releasing the drive mechanism and causing the brake foot 104 to secure the strip material against further movement. The control valve 62 is then energized allowing the flow of pneumatic fluid into the

conduits

172 and 174 and allowing restricted flow of pneumatic fluid into the conduits 176 and 178. This causes sequential actuation of the linear fluid motors 138 and to first actuate the brake foot 140 to immobilize the free extremity of the strip material and to cause the strip bending manipulator 164 to be rotated from its full line position as shown in FIG. 10 through the broken line positions to bend the free extremity of the strip material about the clip member 156. After the linear motor 166 has withdrawn the strip bending manipulator 164 clear of the clip member 156 the linear fluid motor 184 is energized causing the dimpling tool 186 to engage and deform the bent portion of the strip material and the clip member thereby positively and permanently securing the clip member into assembly with the strip material. The linear motor 78 is then again energized causing the strip driving mechanism to be actuated and causing the brake foot 104 to be simultaneous- 1y disengaged from the strip material. The stri driving mechanism then drives the strip material a suflicient distance to cause the measuring roller 46 to rotate the timing mechanism to a preselected position. Upon reaching the preselected position the timing mechanism again energizes the linear fluid motor 78 causing upward movement of the actuating stem 102 and again causing the driving mechanism to disengage and the brake foot 104 to secure the strip material. At this time the control valve 58 is energized causing the linear motor 194 to move downwardly causing the shear member 200 to sever the length of strip material. When this has been accomplished the continuously rotating friction drive roller 212 drives the severed strip material outwardly into a receiving bin provided therefor. After the strip material has been removed the clip feeding mechanism feeds a clip member downwardly and into the clip recess provided therefor. Further operational sequences of the machine then may proceed accordingly.

In view of the above it is obvious that I have provided a novel mechanism for automatically assembling a binding clip to one extremity of metal strip material, measuring the strip material to a desired length, and severing the measured length of strip material from a storage roll thereof. The mechanism of my invention may be easily adjusted to provide a similar function on strip material of various widths. Virtually continuous production is made possible through use of the apparatus of my invention since operating personnel may replace a depleted roll of strip material on one side of the storage housing while the machine is producing measured strips of material from a storage roll located on the other side of the storage housing. When the second roll of strip material is depleted it is simply necessary to shift the storage housing laterally into proper alignment with the strip measuring roll and the strip guide groove. The machine of my invention utilizes very few parts and is extremely durable in service thereby providing a machine that is low in cost as well as being extremely reliable in use. It is apparent therefore that the machine of my invention effectively accomplishes all of the objects and advantages herein above set forth together with other objects and advantages which are inherent in the structure of my invention.

Having thus described my invention in detail I now hereby claim:

1. A mechanism for automatically assembling a binding clip to one extremity of metal strip material, measuring the strip material to a desired length and severing the measured length of strip material, said mechanism comprising storage housing means for said strip material, elongated strip guide means extending to linear alignment with said storage housing, timing sequence means measuring strip material driven from said storage housing, strip drive means responsive to said timing sequence means for driving lengths of strip material from said storage housing along said guide means, brake means responsive to said timing sequence means for securing measured strips of material against inadvertent movement, an elongated strip receiving recess formed in said guide means, a clip receiving station located in linear registry with said strip receiving recess means feeding binding clips into said clip receiving station in alignment with said strip guide means, strip bending means disposed adjacent said guide means and being operative to bend the free extremity of said strip material about a binding clip, means immobilizing the free extremity of said strip material during bending of said strip about said binding clip, means for deforming said strip material subsequent to said bending of said strip material about said binding clip to secure the clip in assembly with said strip material.

2. A mechanism according to claim 1, said storage housing having two storage compartments each capable of retaining a roll of strip material, said storage housing being capable of selective lateral movement to align either of said rolls of strip material with said elongated strip recess.

3. A mechanism according to claim 1, said strip drive means having counter-rotating drive roller means receiving said strip material therebetween, said rollers being normally biased to the nondriving position thereof, motor means being actuated responsive to said measuring means for moving said drive roller means into driving relationship.

4. A mechanism according to claim 3, motor means driving said drive roller means, clutch means interposed between said motor means and said drive roller means to prevent damage to said motor means or drive roller means in the event jamming of said drive roller means occurs.

5. A mechanism according to claim 1, said brake means comprising a brake arm pivotally mounted above said strip receiving recess and having a brake foot engaging the strip material in said recess in the braking position thereof, said brake arm being pivotally moved into braking position simultaneously with movement of said drive means to the nondriving position thereof.

6. A mechanism for automatically assembling a binding clip to one extremity of a strip of binding material, measuring the strip material to a desired length and severing the measured length of material, said mechanism comprising a storage housing for a roll of strip material and having an exit opening through which said strip material extends from said storage housing, said mechanism having a timing sequence control means being actuated responsive to linear movement of said strip material as the strip material is withdrawn from said storage housing, strip drive and brake means receiving strip material from said housing and being operative in one position thereof to stop linear movement of. said strip material and in the other position thereof to drive said strip material linearly from said storage housing, said strip drive and brake means being actuated responsive to said timing sequence control means, an elongated strip guide means extending beyond said strip brake and drive means, a clip assembly station provide on said strip guide means, means orienting and feeding binding clips to said clip assembly station and poistioning the binding clips in registry with said strip guide means, strip immobilizing means disposed adjacent said assembly station and being operative responsive to said timing sequence control to immobilize the free extremity of the strip material, strip bending means disposed at said assembly station and being operative responsive to said timing sequence control to bend the free extremity of said strip material about said binding clip, means responsive to said timing sequence control for deforming said clip and said free extremity of said strip material to positively secure the same in assembly, means responsive to said timing sequence control for severing measured lengths of said strip material and means for removing said severed lengths of material from said mechanism.

7. A mechanism according to claim 6, said storage housing having a plurality of receptacles for rolls of strip material, said storage housing being readily movable to align either of said rolls of strip material with said strip guide means.

8. A mechanism according to claim 6, said timing sequence control means having a plurality of electric control circuits, a plurality of solenoid actuated valves being connected to said electric control circuits, linear fluid motor means being connected to said solenoid actuated valves, operations of said mechanism responsive to said timing sequence control means being accomplished by said linear fluid motor means.

9. A mechanism according to claim 8, said means for immobilizing the free extremity of said strip material and said means for bending the free extremity of said strip material being accomplished by electrical actuation of a single control valve, means to delay actuation of said bending means until said strip material has become immobilized.

10. A mechanism according to claim 6, said strip drive means comprising a pair of opposed rollers normally biased apart, means rotatably driving at least one of said rollers, said strip material being received between said rollers, a linear fiuid motor connected to one of said rollers and upon being energized responsive to said timing sequence control causing movement of said one roller toward the other roller causing binding between said rollers and said strip material and thereby resulting in linear movement of said strip material.

11. A mechanism according to claim 10, said brake means located adjacent said strip drive means, said linear fluid motor being connected to said brake means and upon moving said one roller toward the other causing movement of said brake means away from the braking position thereof and upon moving said one roller away from the other causing movement of said brake means toward the braking position thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,571,078 10/1951 Vollmer 1401 3,348,286 10/1967 Busler 29-33 GRANVILLE Y. CUSTER, JR., Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. l4074, 93.4