US3747983A

US3747983A - Apparatus and method for assembling brushes and the like

Info

Publication number: US3747983A
Application number: US00188381A
Authority: US
Inventors: W Hodgson
Original assignee: South Shore Machine Co Inc
Current assignee: South Shore Machine Co Inc
Priority date: 1971-10-12
Filing date: 1971-10-12
Publication date: 1973-07-24
Anticipated expiration: 1990-07-24

Abstract

This disclosure depicts assembling apparatus and methods which are especially useful in joining a handle with a brush head or the like having an open-ended ferrule into which an end of the handle is inserted. In order to facilitate insertion of the handle into the ferrule, the ferrule is first compressed to distort its cross-sectional configuration such that it mates more closely with the cross-sectional configuration of the handle end. Other novel features and method steps are disclosed.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Hodgson [11] 3,747,983 [451 July 24,1973

1 1 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING BRUSHES AND THE LIKE [75] Inventor: William S.Hodgson, Hingham, Mass.

[73] Assignee: South Shore Machine Co., Inc.,

Braintree, Mass.

[22] Filed: Oct. 12, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 188,381

[52] US. Cl. 300/21, 300/20 [51] Int. Cl A4641 3/08 [58] Field of Search 300/1, 10, 11, 20,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,348,303 10/1967 Umeda 29/453 X 1,272,176 7/1918 Alexander...

611,340 9/1898 Smith 2,763,302 9/1956 English 269/238 X 3,172,141 3/1965 Arena 300/21 X 3,233,313 2/1966 Roth 3,276,063 10/1966 Harrison 3,514,843 6/1970 Cernik 29/453 X 3,525,139 8/1970 Foumier 29/453 X 3,641,659 2/1972 Colgan 29/235 X Primary Examiner-Granville Y. Custer, Jr. Attorney-A1fred H. Rosen et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT This disclosure depicts assembling apparatus and methods which are especially useful in joining a handle with a brush-head or the like having an open-ended ferrule into which an end of the handle is inserted. in order to facilitate insertion of the handle into the ferrule, the ferrule is first compressed to distort its cross-sectional configuration such that it mates more closely with the cross-sectional configuration of the'handle end. Other novel features and method steps are disclosed.

25 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures Patented July 24, 1973 3,747,983

4 Sheets-Sheet l My a F/G Z Patented July 24, 1973 v 3,747,983

4 Sheets$heet 2 Patented July 24, 1973 4 Shoots-Sheet 5 Patented July 24, 1973 3,747,983

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING BRUSHES AND THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION end and which is open at the other end. The handle has at one end a cross-sectional configuration which closely mates with the cross-sectional configuration of the open end of the ferrule.

Present commercially available brush assembly machines for assembliing paint brushes have a number of design deficiencies which result in excessively high machine down times and piece rejection rates.

Paint brush assembling machines of the type described must perform the following operations: 1) move a ferrule into a handle insertion station; 2) position the ferrule accurately; 3) hold the ferrule securely; 4) firmly and accurately jam a handle into the prepositioned ferrule; 5) fasten the ferrule to the handle; and 6) remove the finished assembly. Some of the complicating factors which make this assembly task more difficult involve the fact that the handles may have an irregular cross-sectional configuration, or perhaps more serious, the ferrule may be defective or somewhat irregular in its cross-sectional configuration. For example, in paint brushes of the type wherein the bristles are captured in a body of epoxy, if the epoxy casting process is not performed properly, the ferrule can assume an abnormally bowed or concave cross-sectional configuration.

Prior art brush assembling machines of the most popular type have attempted to hold the ferrule in place by means of a small ridge extending from the ferrule support table, which ridge engages a rear edge of the ferrule. If the ferrule to be loaded happens to be bowed or concave, or the ridge will not properly align the ferrule with the result that when the handle is thrust toward the ferrule, it will not enter the ferrule and is apt to cause the machine to jam. Other serious shortcomings of today's and yesterdays brush-assembling machine are discussed below. In short, present-day assembling machines are incapable of holding the ferrules and inserting handles therein with the degree of precision and accuracy necessary to insure reliable and consistent assembly operation.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide improved methods and apparatus for joining a male member with resilient tubular member of mating cross-sectional configuration, especially for assembling paint brushes or the like.

It is another object of this invention to provide methods and apparatus for joining a male member having a predetermined cross-sectional configuration with a resilient tubular member having a cross-sectional configuration which mates with said cross-sectional configuration of the male member when the tubular member is given a predetermined distortion.

It is still another object to provide paint brush assembling apparatus which is faster and more reliable, has a substantially lower piece rejection rate, and requires less labor and maintenance than present and past brush assembling apparatus.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide improved apparatus useful in assembling paint brushes and the like which is capable of firmly and accurately positioning a ferrule to be loaded and which automatically aligns the ferrule prior to a clamping operation.

It is another object to provide brush assembling apparatus of the type described which is capable of loading ferrules irregular in their cross-section due to epoxy overfilling or underfilling or which have epoxy leaks, and which is adjustable to handling assembly components of different sizes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection 7 with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partially schematic perspective view of apparatus for assembling brushes according to the teachings of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a handle ram structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3-5 are diagrammatic views showing the manner in which novel ferrule clamping means according to this invention receive, position, and clamp a ferrule in position for loading by a handle;

FIG. 5A is a partial section on line 5A-5A of FIG.

FIG. 5B illustrates a detail providing for an end product ejecting mechanism; and

FIGS. 6-10 illustrate alternative'embodiments of the teachings of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1-5 illustrate structure representing a preferred implementation of the principles of this invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a paint brush assembly machine 10 for inserting paint brush handles, one of which is shown at 12, into pre-assembled brush head assemblies 14, and for nailing the brush head assembly 14 onto the inserted handle.

The brush head assemblies 14 with which this invention is concerned customarily comprise a resilient tubular member, hereinafter termed a ferrule 16, having a flattened cylindrical cross-sectional configuration which holds at one end a collection of brush bristles l8 captured in a cast epoxy resin (or other suitable binder). The opposite end of the ferrule 16 is open and is adapted to receive the forward end 19 of the paint brush handle 12. The end 19 of the handle 12 has a cross-sectional configuration which mates with the cross-sectional configuration of the open end of the ferrule 16.

The FIG. 1 machine will be described in terms of the sequence of operations it performs. Brush head assemblies 14 are fed from a hopper 20 to an assembly station 21 by means of a feeder device, here shown schematically in the formof a pneumatically driven push member 22,'controlled from the machines electronic con trol center (not shown). The manner in which a brush head assembly 14 enters the assembly station 21 will be described in more detail hereinafter. At the assembly station 21 there is disposed clamping apparatus according to this invention for aligning, positioning and compressing the brush head assembly 14 (described in detail below), and other means for fastening the assembly 14 to the handle 12.

The fastening means is shown as a nailing mechanism comprising a pair of laterally adjustable nailing devices 23, 24 of conventional construction. Nails are fed to the nailing devices 23, 24 through gravity supply tubes 25a, 25b. Hammer rods 26a, 26b drive the nails. The

nailing devices 23, 24 do not per se constitute a part of this invention, nor are nailing devices required to practice the invention.

After the brush head assembly 14 has been clamped, a ram assembly 27 is activated to drive the forward end 19 of the handle 12 into the open end of the ferrule 16 positioned in the assembly station 21. The ram assembly 27 is illustrated as comprising a driver 28 having a pair of

plunger rods

30, 32 driven by a pair of fluid cylinders 34, 36 controlled by the machines control center (not shown). The driver 28 includes a pair of wheels, one of which is shown at 38, which run in

tracks

42, 44 to support and guide the driver 28. A slider 46 pivotally connected to the forward end of the driver 28 (see FIG. 2) includes a pair of

arms

48, 50 and a recess 52 for confining the rearmost end of the handle 12 during the ramming operation.

The tip of the slider 46, here shown as constituting the tips of the

arms

48, 50, slides on the top surface 53 j of work table 54. In accordance with one aspect of this invention, handles of different thicknesses are accommodated by adjusting the elevation of the table 54, here shown schematically as being accomplished by means of a screw mechanism 56. Adjustment of the table elevation causes the slider 46 to pivot and maintain the back 55 of the recess 52 at a central location elevationwise on the back of the handle. It can be seen that for a given elevational displacement of the table 54, the back 55 of the recess 52 is displaced by a fraction of the table displacement, as determined by the location of the back 55 of the recess 52 relative to the ends of the slider 46. In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the back 55 of the recess 52 is centrally located on the slider 46 such that its elevational displacement is always one-half of the elevational displacement of the table 54.

A central aspect of this invention concerns the provision of improved means for automatically and accurately positioning and aligning a tubular member, here exemplified by the ferrule 16 of a paint brush head assembly 14, irrespective of the attitude of the ferrule 16 as it is fed from its storage hopper 20, and irrespective of certain irregularities and defects in the assemblies 14 and handles 12 which would be apt to jam brush assembly machines of the commercially available types.

Commercially available brush assembly machines of the most popular type attempt to position the ferrules of brush head assemblies by means of an intermittently driven feed belt or chain. A rear edge of the ferrule is engaged by a ridge or other abutment to hold the ferrule against the strong driving thrust of a ram as it inserts a handle into the ferrule. It is well known that such machines are plagued by poor reliability, frequent jamming, high maintenance requirements, and high piece rejection rate.

Among the primary causes of the deficiencies in present brush assembling apparatus are the following. First, because of the frequent occurrence of bowed, concave, or otherwise irregular brush head assemblies, the abutting edge or lip which is called upon to support the fer rule is incapable of holding or of aligning the ferrule, with the result that when the handle is thrust toward the ferrule, a proper insertion does not take place.

Secondly, the use of an edge or other abutment behind an edge of the ferrule is ahighly inadequate means forclamping a ferrule against the strong thrust of the handle-driving ram. Thirdly, a feeder belt as a means of positioning the ferrules is incapable of consistently locating the ferrules with the accuracy necessary to insure reliable, efficient operation of such machines.

I have discovered that if the ferrule is given a predetermined distortion, as by a compression thereof along the major cross-sectional axis of the ferrule, the handle may be inserted into the ferrule with relative ease, and with much less ferrule/handle interference than if the handle is jammed into the ferrule by brute force. As explained, the methods and implementing apparatus in present use are notably unreliable in spite of the fact that the forward ends of handles are customarily given a taper in order to make insertion easier. The tapering operation adds a not insignificant cost to the end product.

In accordance with this invention clamping means 58 as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 5A are provided for compressing a ferrule or other tubular member along a first cross-sectional axis so as to give the ferrule a predetermined distortion in the form of a shortening of the ferrule along the first cross-sectional axis and lengthening of the ferrule along an orthogonal second crosssectional axis thereof. A large number of structures and mechanisms may be devised to implement the principles of this invention, as will be pointed out in connec tion with a subsequent discussion of possible alternative embodiments; the preferred clamping means comprises a toggle mechanism defining parallel iirst and second reference axes 68, spaced a predetermined distance apart, toggle means 60, 62 mounted to pivot about at least the first reference axis, toggle motive means for causing a ferrule to be clamped and the said toggle means to pivot as a toggle linkage toward a plane PP through the reference axes. The dimensions of the ferrule and the toggle means are caused to be such, relative to the distance separating the reference axes, that as the ferrule and toggle means are moved toward the said plane a toggle action is produced causing the ferrule to receive a compressive side loading along the first cross-sectional axis.

Whereas a number of toggle mechanisms may be devised which fall within the above description, in the preferred arrangement illustrated a pair of

toggle links

60, 62 are pivotally mounted on a pair of

frame members

64, 65 by means of bolts 66, anchored in the

frame members

64, 65 which pass loosely through elongated openings (not shown) in the toggle links 60, 62. The pivot axes 68, 70 of the

links

60, 62 act as the abovedescribed reference axes. The toggle links 60, 62 have a length (in the direction parallel to the axes 68, 70) which is substantially equal to the longest ferrule which the machine might be called upon to handle.

End portions

72, 74 of the toggle links 60, 62 have face-to-face clamping surfaces 76, 78 for engaging a ferrule therebetween.

In the illustrated application of the invention, namely the assembly of paint brushes, the tubular member (the ferrule 16) to be loaded has the particular characteristic of being relatively hard at the end containing the bristle binder, and being relatively resilient at the open end. To accommodate this discrepancy in resiliency, in accordance with this invention, resilient means such as

rubber pads

80, 82 set into the face of the clamping surfaces 76, 78 and located to engage the ferrule near the open end thereof, are provided for applying the deat the open end of the ferrule. The pads apply compressive force resiliently to the ferrule at the open end, while the clamping surfaces 76, 78 firmly hold the ferrule at the other end, where the bristles 18 are bound in it. The holding force may be as much as 400 or 500 pounds, while the

resilient pads

80, 82 apply force more gently to the open end of the ferrule. The ferrule is thus distorted as is illustrated exaggerated in FIG. 5A. The pads may also compensate for any asymmetric resiliency characteristic of the ferrule 16.

FIG. 3 illustrates the manner in which toggle link 60, by virtue of its free floating pivotal mounting, enables a brush head assembly 14 to be passed beneath it without substantial interference. As the leading end of the ferrule 16 engages the bottom edge of the end portion 72 of the toggle link 60, the toggle link is caused to pivot in a counterclockwise direction and pass the ferrule.

FIG. 4 shows the ferrule at the end of the feed stroke resting in engagement with the clamping surface 78 of toggle link 62. The toggle link 60 has fallen under the influence of gravity to its rest position. The push member 22 has been retraced to its start position. The clamping operation is initiated by effecting a relative movement between the ferrule support surface, here shown as being the upper surface 53 of table 54, and the toggle links 60, 62. In the illustrated preferred embodiment the toggle links 60, 62 are caused to be moved downwards, as by means of a pair of fluid cylinders, one of which is shown at 86 (see FIG. 1), which moves the

frame members

64, 65 supporting the toggle links 60, 62 downwardly as a unit. As the

frame members

64, 65 descend, the toggle links 60, 62 engage the surface 53 and are caused to pivot in opposite directions toward each other. The ferrule 16 is thus automatically aligned parallel to the direction of movement of the driver 28 of the ram assembly 27 and is also automatically positioned exactly on a center plane between the toggle links 60, 62.

As the

frame members

64, 65 near the end of their downward stroke, the toggle links 60, 62 and the ferrule 16 act as. a toggle linkage, causing a compressive loading to be placed on the sides of the ferrule along the major cross-sectional axis thereof. More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment the closed end of the ferrule 16 experiences a clamping compressive

loading while'the pads

80, 82 exert a resilient side loading on the ferrule near the open end thereof sufficient to cause it to bow, shown exaggerated in FIG. 5A. With the ferrule thus distorted and securely clamped, the ram assembly is actuated, causing the handle 12 to be thrust into the distorted open end of the ferrule 16. A pair of guides 88, 90 insures that the forward end 19 of the handle 12 is generally aligned with the open end of the ferrule 16. As is shown in FIG. 1, a pair of final guides 92, 94 affixed to the forward edges of the toggle scribed compressive forces to the ferrule preferentially links 60, 62 effect a precise guiding of the forward end 19 of the handle 12 into the open end of the ferrule 16. A split ramp 96 extending upwardly from the upper surface 53 of the table 54 lifts the forward end 19 of the handle 12 over the bottom lip of the ferrule 16.

After insertion of the handle into the ferrule, the nailing devices 23, 24 are activated, causing the ferrule 16 to be nailed to the forward end 19 of the handle 12. Finally, the

frame members

64, 65 are caused to be elevated, thus releasing the assembled brush, which may be removed or ejected by any suitable mechanism (not shown). To facilitate ejection, the toggle link 62 may be elevated to pass the assembled brush as by a fluidoperated cylinder 164 to drive a crank 166 connected to the toggle link 62, shown in FIG. 5B.

In operation, upon command from the machine's control center the cylinder v164 is activated causing the toggle link 62 to be raised, and the assembled brush may then by moved thereunder into a collection station (not shown). To accomodate brushes of different,

widths, the

frame members

64, 65 may be made movable toward and away from each other in their support 152. A reverse-threaded screw 154 of well known form, shown in FIG. 3, may be used for this purpose.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention employing a toggle mechanism having a single link 98, rather than a pair of toggle links. In the FIG. 6 embodiment, a frame member 100 is causedto be lowered to effect the clamping action; the abutment 102 is stationary. FIG. 6 teaches the use of an extension 103 which makes possible application of the invention to the loading of relatively thick (in a depth-wise sense) tubular members. As the framing member 100 is lowered, the extension 103 engages the ferrule and inititates rotation of the toggle link 98 before the tip of the toggle link engages the ferrule support surface. By this expedient there is insured engagement of the toggle link 98 on the major cross-sectional axis of the ferrule, rather than beneath it as might be the case if the extension 103 were not employed.

It is contemplated that an extension such as shown at 103 in FIG. 6 be added to the toggle links 60, 62 in the FIG. 1 embodiment; however, in the interest of simplifying the description of the basic inventive concept, such extensions have been omitted from that embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates yet another embodiment, wherein relative motion between a toggle link 104 and a ferrule support surface 106 is produced by causing a'pivotally mounted table l08'to be driven by a pneumatic cylinder 110. A feeder mechanism 112 feeds a ferrule 114 along the surface 106 of the table 108 into the clamping position. The ferrule 114 is caused to be clamped and given a predetermined distortion by rotation of the table 108 by the cylinder 110.

FIG. 8 illustrates yet another embodiment of the invention wherein a spring-loaded plunger 116 driven by a radial cam 118 applies a predetermined compressive side loading on a tubular member 120.

The FIG. 9 embodiment employs a pair of

plungers

122, 124 driven bya pair of

pneumatic cylinders

126, 128 against a spacing member 130 to exert a predetermined side loading on ferrule 132.

FIG. 10 illustrates still another arrangement by which a compressive side loading may be applied to a tubular member such as ferrule 134. In the FIG. 10 arrangement downward motion of a rod 136, driven for example by a pneumatic cylinder 138, effects a toggle action causing clamping surfaces 140, 142 on a pair of

linkage arms

144, 146 to be moved toward each other a predetermined distance.

The invention is not limited to the particular details of construction of the embodiments depicted, and it is contemplated that various and other modifications and applications will occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, because certain changes may be made in the above-described apparatus without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that the subject matter of the above depiction shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. For example, while in order to simplify illustration of the invention the nailing means shown employs nailing devices 23, 24 on only one side of the brush assembly 12, 14, it will be understood that the improved nailer of my joint application with Donald E. Dupee, Ser. No. 125,753 filed Mar. 18, 1971, may be fitted, for simultaneously nailing at both sides of the ferrule 16 when the handle 12 is located in it. Moreover, while nailing devicesare illustrated as fastening means, it will be appreciated that staking means can be used instead. Wherever fluid drive mechanisms are shown, other forms of drive mechanisms-cg, me chanical or electrical, could be substituted.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for attaching an essentially rigid handle to a paint brush head or the like having a tubular ferrule which holds a collection of bristles at one end and is open at the other end, the ferrule being resilient at the open end so that its cross-sectional configuration at the open end can be distorted by pressure applied to its side at the open end, the handle having at one end for mating with said ferrule a cross-sectional configuration which mates with the cross-sectional configuration of the open end of said ferrule when said pressure is applied to said open end to give a predetermined distortion to the cross-section configuration thereof, said apparatus comprising: means to locate said paint brush head with the open end of said ferrule oriented to receive the mating end of a handle; means to apply said pressure to compress said ferrule while so located along a selected cross-sectional axis thereof so as to give said ferrule said predetermined distortion by shortening its cross-sectional dimension along said axis; means to locate a handle with said mating end thereof oriented toward said open end of said ferrule; means to advance said handle toward said ferrule to insert said mating end thereof into said open end of said ferrule while said ferrule is held in its said distorted state; means to fasten the ferrule to said handle; and means to release said pressure to allow the ferrule to return toward its unstressed state.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said pressure-applying means is included in clamping means for firmly holding said ferrule at the end having said bristles and for resiliently applying said pressure to compress said ferrule at said open end.

3. The apparatus defined by claim 2 wherein said clamping means includes means defining parallel first and second reference axes spaced a predetermined distance apart, toggle means mounted to pivot around at least said first reference axis, toggle motive means for causing said tubular member and said toggle means to pivot as a toggle linkage toward a plane through said reference axes, the dimensions of said tubular member and said toggle means being such relative to said distance separating said reference axes, that as said tubular member and toggle means are moved toward said plane, a toggle action is produced causing said tubular member to receive a compressive side loading along said first cross-sectional axis.

4. The apparatus defined by claim 3 wherein said toggle means comprises a pair of toggle links mounted to pivot respectively about said first and second reference axes and positioned and dimensioned to engage a tubular member between free ends thereof.

5. The apparatus defined by claim 3 wherein said toggle motive means includes means having a support surface for supporting said tubular member and means for effecting motion between support surface relative to at least one of said reference axes so as to produce the toggle action described.

6. The apparatus defined by claim 4 wherein said toggle motive means includes a table for supporting said tubular member and means for effecting relative movement between said toggle arms and said table to cause said toggle arms to engage said table and pivot toward said plane.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 including a table, means to locate said brush head on said table, said pressure applying means including clamping members adjacent said table for squeezing said ferrule between them while located on said table, a ram member having a generally V-shaped recess for locating said handle on said table and for pushing against the end of said handle remote from said mating end, and means to drive said ram member toward said open end of said ferrule.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 including adjusting means for adjusting the elevation of a part of said ram means relative to said table to compensate for varying thickness of said handle.

9. The apparatus defined by claim 8 wherein said adjusting means comprises means for varying the elevation of said table, said ram means comprising an elevationally stationary body and a forward end member pivotally connected at one end to said body and having its other end free and in engagement with said table so as to slide thereon when the elevation of said table is varied relative to said body, said forward end member having a recess therein, the back of said recess being intermediate the ends of said forward-end member such that for a given elevational displacement of said table, said back of said recess is displaced by a fraction of the table displacement determined by the location of said back of said recess relative to the ends of said forwardend member.

10. Apparatus for attaching a handle on a paint brush head or the like having a resilient tubular ferrule with a flattened cylindrical cross-sectional configuration which holds a collection of bristles at one end and which is open at the other end, the handle having at one end a cross-sectional configuration which mates with said cross-sectional configuration of the open end of said ferrule when said ferrule is given a predetermined distortion, said apparatus comprising:

clamping means for compressing said ferrule along a major cross-sectional axis thereof so as to give said ferrule said predetermined distortion by shortening said ferrule along said major axis and lengthening said ferrule along an orthogonal minor axis thereof, said clamping means comprising:

means defining parallel first and second reference axes spaced a predetermined distance apart,

a pair of toggle links which pivot respectively about said first and second reference axes and which are positioned and dimensioned for engaging a ferrule between the free ends thereof,

toggle motive means for causing said ferrule and I said toggle arms to pivot as a toggle linkage toward a plane through said reference axes, comprising a table for supporting said ferrule and means for moving said reference axes and said toggle links as a unit toward said table to cause said toggle links to engage said table and be pivoted toward said plane, the dimensions of said ferrule and said toggle links being such relative to said distance separatingsaid reference axes, that as said ferrule and said toggle links are moved toward said plane, a toggle action is produced causing said ferrule to receive a compressive side loading along said major cross-sectional axis thereof;

means for inserting said handle into the ferrule while distorted; and

means for releasing the compressing forces on said ferrule to allow the ferrule to return toward its unstressed state.

11. Apparatus according to claim including means to alter the distance between said reference axes.

12. The apparatus defined by claim 10 wherein said toggle links each have an operative surface along said free end for engaging a side of said ferrule and resilient means extending forward of said surface in a discrete portion of said operative surface which is located to engage said ferrule near the open end thereof such that said compressive forces are applied to said ferrule resiliently at the open end of the ferrule, and firmly at the other end for holding the ferrule while said handle is being inserted.

13. The apparatus defined by claim 12 wherein said means for inserting saidhandle includes a pair of convergent guide structures for guiding the forward end of the handle into said tubular ferrule and driving means having a generally V-shaped recess for holding and guiding the rearward end of the handle during insertion of the handle into the ferrule.

14. The apparatus defined by claim 13 including a table for supporting said ferrule and said handle and means to adjust the driving means relative to said table to compensate for varying thickness of handles.

15. The apparatus defined by claim 10 including means for fastening said ferrule to said handle, and means for ejecting the assembled paint brush.

16. The apparatus defined by claim 15 wherein said means for ejecting includes means for raising one of said toggle links.

17. A method for attaching a handle on a paint brush head assembly or the like having a resilient tubular ferrule with a flattened cylindrical cross-sectional configuration which holds a collection of bristles at one end and which is open at the other end, the handle having at one end a cross-sectional configuration which mates with said cross-sectional configuration of the open end of said ferrule when said ferrule is given a predetermined distortion, said method comprising:

compressing said ferrule along a major crosssectional axis thereof so as to give said ferrule said predetermined distortion by shortening said ferrule along said major axis and lengthening said ferrule along an orthogonal minor axis thereof;

inserting said end of said handle into the open end of said ferrule while said ferrule is held in its distorted state;

fastening the ferrule to said handle; and

releasing the compressive forces on the ferrule to allow the ferrule to return toward its unstressed state.

18. Apparatus according to claim 1 including guide means adjacent the path of advance of said handle for guiding said mating end of said handle into said open end of said ferrule.

19. Apparatus accordingto claim 1 in which said means to advance said handle includes a ram member having a generally V-shaped recess for locating and pushing against the end of said handle remote from said mating end, and means to drive said ram member toward said open end of said ferrule.

20. Apparatus according to claim 1 including a pair of guide members located one on each side of the path of advance of said handle, a ram member having a generally V-shaped recess for locating and pushing against the end of said handle remote from said mating end, said V-shaped recess being oriented to so locate said handle that said mating end is oriented toward said open end-thereof and will advance between said guide members when said ram member is advanced toward said open end of said ferrule, and means to drive said ram member toward said open end of said ferrule.

21. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which said handle is tapered at said mating end for relatively loose entry into said open end of said ferrule while the latter is under resilient compression, and said means to advance said handle drives said handle into said ferrule against said resilient compression for a tight fit therein while said ferrule is firmly held at the end having said bristles.

22. Apparatus according to claim 20 in which said pressure applying means in included in clamping means for firmly holding said ferrule at the end having said bristles and for resiliently applying said pressure to compress said ferrule at said open end, the handle being tapered for relatively loose entry into said open end while the latter is under resilient compression, and said drive means is arranged to drive said handle into said ferrule against said resilient compression for a tight fit therein while said ferrule is firmly held at the end having said bristles.

23. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which said brush head locating means includes a table for receiving said brush head, and said clamping means includes at least one toggle means mounted to pivot around an axis on a member arranged to move toward said table and means to bring said table and said member toward each other with a brush head between them for pivoting said toggle means around said axis to apply said pressure to said ferrule.

24. Apparatus according toclaim l in which said brush head locating means includes a table for receiving said brush head, and said pressure applying means includes clamping members adjacent said table for squeezing said ferrule between them while located on said table.

25. A method for attaching a handle on a paint brush head assembly or the like having a resilient tubular ferrule with a flattened cylindrical cross-sectional configualong an orthogonal minor axis thereof;

releasing the compressive forces on the ferrule to allow the ferrule to return toward its unstressed state; and

' fastening the ferrule to said handle.

mg UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF ORRECTION Patent No. 3, 74 7 9 3 Dated JUUL 24. 1973 lnvent fl WILLIAM S. HODGSON It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

r Co1umn 1, line 19 change "assembh'ing" to -assembhng-- line 49, after f'present day" insert "brush-- Co1umn 4, Hne 40, change "first" to --f1'rst-- Signed and sealed this 19th day of March 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

Claims

1. Apparatus for attaching an essentially rigid handle to a paint brush head or the like having a tubular ferrule which holds a collection of bristles at one end and is open at the other end, the ferrule being resilient at the open end so that its crosssectional configuration at the open end can be distorted by pressure applied to its side at the open end, the handle having at one end for mating with said ferrule a cross-sectional configuration which mates with the cross-sectional configuration of the open end of said ferrule when said pressure is applied to said open end to give a predetermined distortion to the crosssection configuration thereof, said apparatus comprising: means to locate said paint brush head with the open end of said ferrule oriented to receive the mating end of a handle; means to apply said pressure to compress said ferrule while so located along a seleCted cross-sectional axis thereof so as to give said ferrule said predetermined distortion by shortening its cross-sectional dimension along said axis; means to locate a handle with said mating end thereof oriented toward said open end of said ferrule; means to advance said handle toward said ferrule to insert said mating end thereof into said open end of said ferrule while said ferrule is held in its said distorted state; means to fasten the ferrule to said handle; and means to release said pressure to allow the ferrule to return toward its unstressed state.

9. The apparatus defined by claim 8 wherein said adjusting means comprises means for varying the elevation of said table, said ram means comprising an elevationally stationary body and a forward end member pivotally connected at one end to said body and having its other end free and in engagement with said table so as to slide thereon when the elevation of said table is varied relative to said body, said forward end member having a recess therein, the back of said recess being intermediate the ends of said forward-end member such that for a given elevational displacement of said table, said back of said recess is displaced by a fraction of the table displacement determined by the location of said back of said recess relative to the ends of said forward-end member.

10. Apparatus for attaching a handle on a paint brush head or the like having a resilient tubular ferrule with a flattened cylindrical cross-sectional configuration which holds a collection of bristles at oNe end and which is open at the other end, the handle having at one end a cross-sectional configuration which mates with said cross-sectional configuration of the open end of said ferrule when said ferrule is given a predetermined distortion, said apparatus comprising: clamping means for compressing said ferrule along a major cross-sectional axis thereof so as to give said ferrule said predetermined distortion by shortening said ferrule along said major axis and lengthening said ferrule along an orthogonal minor axis thereof, said clamping means comprising: means defining parallel first and second reference axes spaced a predetermined distance apart, a pair of toggle links which pivot respectively about said first and second reference axes and which are positioned and dimensioned for engaging a ferrule between the free ends thereof, toggle motive means for causing said ferrule and said toggle arms to pivot as a toggle linkage toward a plane through said reference axes, comprising a table for supporting said ferrule and means for moving said reference axes and said toggle links as a unit toward said table to cause said toggle links to engage said table and be pivoted toward said plane, the dimensions of said ferrule and said toggle links being such relative to said distance separating said reference axes, that as said ferrule and said toggle links are moved toward said plane, a toggle action is produced causing said ferrule to receive a compressive side loading along said major cross-sectional axis thereof; means for inserting said handle into the ferrule while distorted; and means for releasing the compressing forces on said ferrule to allow the ferrule to return toward its unstressed state.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 including means to alter the distance between said reference axes.

13. The apparatus defined by claim 12 wherein said means for inserting said handle includes a pair of convergent guide structures for guiding the forward end of the handle into said tubular ferrule and driving means having a generally V-shaped recess for holding and guiding the rearward end of the handle during insertion of the handle into the ferrule.

17. A method for attaching a handle on a paint brush head assembly or the like having a resilient tubular ferrule with a flattened cylindrical cross-sectional configuration which holds a collection of bristles at one end and which is open at the other end, the handle having at one end a cross-sectional configuration which mates with said cross-sectional configuration of the open end of said ferrule when said ferrule is given a predetermined distortion, said method comprising: compressing said ferrule along a major cross-sectional axis thereof so as to give said ferrule said predetermined distortion by shortening said ferrule along said major axis and lengthening said ferrule along an orthogonal minor axis thereof; inserting said end of said handle into the open end of said ferrule while said ferrUle is held in its distorted state; fastening the ferrule to said handle; and releasing the compressive forces on the ferrule to allow the ferrule to return toward its unstressed state.

19. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said means to advance said handle includes a ram member having a generally V-shaped recess for locating and pushing against the end of said handle remote from said mating end, and means to drive said ram member toward said open end of said ferrule.

20. Apparatus according to claim 1 including a pair of guide members located one on each side of the path of advance of said handle, a ram member having a generally V-shaped recess for locating and pushing against the end of said handle remote from said mating end, said V-shaped recess being oriented to so locate said handle that said mating end is oriented toward said open end thereof and will advance between said guide members when said ram member is advanced toward said open end of said ferrule, and means to drive said ram member toward said open end of said ferrule.

24. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said brush head locating means includes a table for receiving said brush head, and said pressure applying means includes clamping members adjacent said table for squeezing said ferrule between them while located on said table.

25. A method for attaching a handle on a paint brush head assembly or the like having a resilient tubular ferrule with a flattened cylindrical cross-sectional configuration which holds a collection of bristles at one end and which is open at the other end, the handle having at one end a cross-sectional configuration which mates with said cross-sectional configuration of the open end of said ferrule when said ferrule is given a predetermined distortion, said method comprising: compressing said ferrule along a major cross-sectional axis thereof so as to give said ferrule said predetermined distortion by shortening said ferrule along said major axis and lengthening said ferrule along an orthogonal minor axis thereof; inserting said end of said handle into the open end of said ferrule while said ferrule is held in its distorted state; releasing the compressive forces on the ferrule to allow the ferrule to return toward its unstressed state; and fastening the ferrule to said handle.